Chasing the Night

  “Luke was trying to help you. And he was obviously running a risk to do it.”

  “But Rakovac found me.” It was clearly the only thing on which she could focus. “And he hurt me again. Worse than before. The boy shouldn’t have made me go.”

  “Made?” Kelly repeated. “You were old enough to make the choice. He couldn’t have been more than nine then. And I’d say he had an amazing amount of guts.”

  “Kelly,” Eve cautioned. Natalie was in an extremely emotional state, and they didn’t need to throw her into more of a tailspin. Not with that .38 in her hand. “Was Luke punished for it?”

  “I don’t know. Rakovac took me away from there after he found me. He said he couldn’t stay at Czadas’s house for more than a couple days at any one time. I’d made him overstay his time.” Her voice was a whimper. “I didn’t care about the boy. Why should I? Rakovac kept hurting me. In all kinds of new ways he hadn’t tried before. It might not have been so bad for me if the boy hadn’t told me to run away.”

  She kept calling him “the boy” as if he had no identity, Eve thought with annoyance. It reminded her of the killers who threw their victims into anonymous graves and walked away. Natalie might not be a murderer, but she had the same careless, selfish view as those predators. Eve was beginning to feel any pity she had felt begin to dissipate. But she mustn’t show the anger she was feeling. She moved a step nearer. “How can you be sure Rakovac will keep his word? You want Kelsov to live. Wouldn’t it be better to call and warn him that Rakovac knows where this place is?”

  “It’s too late. Rakovac called me right after Kelsov and Catherine left here. He said that it was time to wrap it up. I don’t know what that means, but I don’t think it’s about me.”

  She was now only a few yards away. Eve started to take another step.

  “Stop! Don’t come any closer.” Natalie was suddenly beside Kelly and pressing the muzzle of the gun to her temple. “I’ll pull the trigger. I swear I will. I can’t let you take the gun away from me.”

  Eve froze. If she didn’t press the trigger intentionally, she might do it accidentally. “I’m not moving. Take the gun away from her head.”

  “No, I know what you were going to do. I can’t let you—Rakovac said he’d punish me if it didn’t go well.”

  “If what didn’t go well?”

  “He wants you, too. You and Quinn, but I can’t help it if Joe Quinn went away. It’s not my fault. Maybe he won’t—It’s not my fault.” Her head lifted swiftly. “I hear a car.”

  Eve heard it, too. “Maybe it’s Kelsov. Put away the gun. You don’t want him to—”

  “It’s not Kelsov. I know the sound of his car. I’ve heard him come home so many times.” She gazed at Eve. “I’m sorry. It’s not my fault.”

  “You said that before. I’m sympathetic to your problems, but you have to take responsibility at some point, Natalie.”

  “No, she doesn’t.” A brown-haired man with gray flecks in his carefully barbered hair had opened the front door and stood pointing a Magnum revolver at them. “Haven’t you discovered that Natalie is just a puppet? She never had a great amount of brains even before Rakovac took her. To expect her to feel guilt or responsibility isn’t reasonable.”

  “Who are you?”

  He inclined his head. “Nicholas Russo. I’m Rakovac’s assistant.”

  “He’s my father,” Natalie said dully.

  Eve’s eyes widened in shock. “What?”

  “A state which has been fraught with both benefits and dangers,” Russo said. “All the stupid bitch had to do was shut up and take it. She ran away. I’m lucky Rakovac didn’t take his anger at her out on me.”

  “No, he took it out on her. And probably Catherine’s son.”

  Russo’s brows lifted. “I can see that your heart is bleeding. I should have expected as much from what I’ve heard about you from Rakovac.” He motioned with his gun. “And I’m in no mood to listen to abuse. Come along. This has to be concluded tonight. Rakovac has taken far too many risks over this Catherine Ling business for my liking. If he goes down, I go down. If he hits the top of the heap, then I’m a billionaire.”

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “Why, to see Luke Ling. Isn’t that what this charade is all about?”

  “It’s no charade.”

  “It seems that to me, but then I’m standing on the outside.”

  “Shall I tie her up?” Natalie asked.

  “What a helpful daughter you are. I wish you’d have been a little more helpful when you were with Rakovac. Yes, by all means. I have a man waiting in the car, but I don’t want problems.” He tossed her a rawhide cord and waited while she tied Eve’s hands in front of her. He turned to Kelly. “And her, too.”

  “She has nothing to do with this,” Eve said quickly. “Rakovac wouldn’t want you to take her.”

  “She figured out that Luke is with Czadas,” Natalie said.

  Eve wanted to strangle her.

  Russo nodded. “And she’s a witness.”

  Kelly rose to her feet. “I want to go with you, Eve. If I stayed with that viper, I’d chop her head off.”

  “Then we’ll oblige you.” Russo stepped aside after Natalie finished tying Kelly’s wrists. “Go straight to the car and get in the backseat. Try to run, and I’ll shoot the girl first, then you, Duncan.”

  “I’m not running.” It would do no good, and she wasn’t about to risk getting Kelly killed. Besides, Russo was right. All of their efforts had been bent on finding Luke. Now they were being taken to the boy. It would be better to wait to attempt any escape until they were with him. “How far away is this place?”

  “About four hours.” He opened the rear door and gestured for them to get inside.

  He hadn’t lied, Eve realized. The man who waited inside the car appeared rough and lethal.

  “What’s going to happen to me?” Natalie asked from the doorstep. “I did everything Rakovac said.”

  “This time.”

  “He promised me Kelsov would be coming back to me.”

  “He will be.” Russo got into the driver’s seat. “I’ve arranged an escort to take both of you out of the country. We can’t have you left behind to be questioned. You’d break too easily. Now see if you can be quiet until he gets here.”

  She was still standing in the doorway as they drove down the road.

  “She didn’t even question you,” Eve said incredulously. “You might have ways to keep her quiet, but what about Kelsov? There’s no way that he won’t keep after Rakovac.”

  “Oh, there is a way.” He lifted his hand to wave at Natalie. “And I told you that my daughter isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Now, be quiet. I want a peaceful trip to Savrin House.”

  Eve shivered as he turned on the player and a classical CD blared. She had thought that all she had heard about Rakovac was evil, but Russo might be his equal. Was it Rakovac’s influence, or did they feed on each other?

  “Eve.” Kelly leaned closer to Eve, and said in an undertone, “We’ll be okay, right?”

  Was she offering comfort or asking for it? With Kelly it was difficult to know.

  Eve’s nodded. “We’ll be okay.”

  Chapter

  16

  “Got it.” Helder’s voice was less than enthusiastic as Joe picked up the phone. “It’s a house located in the small town of Navaltov outside Moscow.”

  “It took you long enough. Fifteen minutes. You were bragging that it would take you less than thirty seconds.”

  “I wanted to be absolutely accurate. After all, it’s a matter of national security.”

  And he had been dragging his feet to get a little of his own back, Joe thought.

  “What’s the address?

  “Twenty-five Zarnok.”

  “Who is in the house now?”

  “You didn’t ask me to get that information.”

  “I didn’t have to ask you. It’s routine with you. You probably know how many li
ghts are lit and how many times a toilet has been flushed in the last two hours.”

  “Twice,” Helder said. “But at different parts of the house.”

  “How many people?”

  “One. Female. Lower floor. Possibly domestic. Two males exited the house ten minutes ago and departed in separate vehicles.” He paused. “But there’s still one man in the area across the street and another one on the far terrace in back. Guards?”

  “Locate the study or office in the house for us.”

  “It’s on the first floor. Second room on the left as you enter the house.”

  “Helder, you’re an asshole, but you know your stuff.”

  “Are you finished with me?”

  “Probably. I’ll call you if we need anything else.”

  Helder hung up.

  “You heard.” Joe turned to Venable, who was typing at top speed on the computer. “What have you got?”

  “Give me a minute,” Venable said. “I’m printing out a diagram of the house and assessing the security-system information.”

  “Between you and Helder, the private sector doesn’t stand a chance of staying private, does it?” Joe said. “Big Brother is definitely watching.”

  “You should be grateful we are,” Venable said. “Because there are a hell of a lot of countries in the world who have their own Big Brother watching us. And they’re definitely not doing it to protect us.” He printed out the diagram, rattled orders to the four agents in the room, and whirled toward the door. “Let’s get going.”

  They had almost reached the town of Navaltov when Joe’s phone rang.

  Catherine came on the line. “Did NSA get you the trace?”

  “Yes, we’ve got a location at a house north of Moscow. We’re on our way. We don’t believe Rakovac is still on the premises. Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  “I know. I had you on vibrate. I didn’t want Rakovac’s men to report that I was talking to someone on the phone right after I hung up with him. I had to wait until I got rid of them first. Rakovac had given orders that I be picked up and delivered to him.”

  “And are you safe now?”

  “Maybe. I saw three of his men in the crowd. I put down two of them, but I lost the third man.” She paused. “I’m on my way to meet with Rakovac. He’s going to take me to my son.”

  “Where are you going to meet him? We’ll arrange a tail.”

  “No, you won’t. You won’t do a damn thing. Do you think Rakovac won’t be expecting a double cross? Don’t tell me that he wouldn’t know because Venable will be pulling out some sophisticated razzle-dazzle. I know every trick the CIA has in its arsenal. Rakovac will be on the alert for any high-tech or plain old-fashioned gumshoe method available that would give me the slightest edge or break. If he sees any sign of any of that happening, he could make a call, and my son would be dead. I won’t blow this, Joe.”

  He was silent a moment. “You’d rather take your shot at him alone?”

  “I always knew that was how it was going to play out.”

  “Well, I didn’t,” Joe said roughly. “And I don’t like it. I’m not going to let it happen.”

  “If things don’t go your way, you’re going to change the entire scenario? Not this time, Joe. I did what you all wanted and gave you your chance to stop that hideous disaster from taking place. It’s up to you to go do it. But stay away from me. I’m going after my son.”

  He muttered a curse. “Catherine, this isn’t smart. It isn’t even—”

  “I’m hanging up, Joe. I probably won’t be able to call you again.” She paused. “Kelsov. Check on Kelsov. He was supposed to go back to the farm, but I saw his car still parked at the market. I hope to hell he didn’t go after me.”

  “We’ll send an agent to check out the car. Don’t hang up, we need to—”

  She had hung up.

  Joe muttered a curse as he jammed his phone in his pocket.

  “She’s going after her son, and we’re not invited?” Venable said. “Good luck to her.”

  “Is that all you can say?” Joe said. “She doesn’t have a chance alone.”

  “Catherine always has a chance,” Venable said. “When I recruited her in Hong Kong, she’d already been taught practically every deadly art under the sun by an old friend, Hu Chang. She’s learned a hell of a lot more since then. She’s been preparing for this for nine years. She might have been writhing on the hot coals Rakovac threw down for her, but she wouldn’t ignore the possibility that she might end up in this situation. She might be able to pull it off.”

  “How?”

  “It’s not something she would confide in me. Unfortunately, I’m not on her need-to-know list.” He glanced at Joe as he began to dial again. “Who are you calling?”

  “I promised to call Eve when I heard from Catherine, and we found out where Rakovac was located. Though I’ll be lucky if she doesn’t want to meet us there. She was definitely not happy about not being able to be more hands-on in—”

  She wasn’t answering. The call went immediately to voice mail.

  Not good.

  “Problem?” Venable asked.

  “I don’t know. She’s not answering.”

  “She’s still at Kelsov’s house in the country? Safe location?”

  As safe as it could be in this hellish situation. “Yes.”

  “Then it could be the phone. Leave a message.”

  “No, I’ll call her back.”

  Venable slowed the car. “Twenty-five Zarnok is a block up ahead. Should I send my people after those two guards, or do you want to do it?”

  “You can do what you like with the man across the street and the woman on the lower floor. I’ll take the man on the back terrace.”

  “Whatever.” He smiled. “I thought you’d want action. Being cooped up in the office dealing with Helder wore on your nerves. You should come to work for me. I’d put you in the field, and you could utilize all that stored energy.”

  “I find ways to take care of it.” He dialed Eve again. Still no answer. He could feel the tension growing within him. He wanted to take off and bolt to that blasted farm.

  But he was clear on the other side of Moscow, and if there was a problem, then she might need someone on the spot now. “She’s not answering. I don’t like it,” he told Venable. “Get one of your men out there to the farmhouse right away and check it out. Have him report back to us right away.”

  Venable reached for his phone.

  It could be nothing, Joe thought. But he had a gut feeling it was definitely something.

  Finish the job and get back to the farmhouse.

  He jumped out of the car and moved down a cross street and around the block.

  Large brick house. Open veranda.

  A thin man in a navy blue jacket had his back to him, his gaze fixed on the French doors.

  No guns. Knives or hands.

  Hands.

  Joe moved silently across the tile pavers toward the guard.

  Finish the job.

  A car was coming up the drive toward the farmhouse.

  Kelsov!

  Natalie ran out of the house to meet him.

  Not Kelsov.

  The car was being driven by a huge man in a gray cap and red sweater.

  She stopped, frowning.

  He stuck his head out the window, and a wide smile creased his full face. “Mr. Russo sent me. My name is Borzoi. I’m to take care of you. You’re going away.”

  “My father told me.” Her hands clenched. “Not without Kelsov. Where is Kelsov?”

  “He’s gone on ahead of you.” Borzoi got out of the car. “But Mr. Russo told me to make sure that you got away safely.”

  “I won’t go anywhere without Kelsov. Where did you send him?”

  “I’m not sure. They say you can never tell what will be your destination. Though I believe I know mine.”

  “You’re confusing me.” And he was making her uneasy. “I’m going to c
all my father and ask—”

  “Don’t do that. It would upset him. He said clean. You want to see where I sent Kelsov?” He opened the rear door of the car.

  Kelsov’s body tumbled headfirst out into the dirt.

  “No!”

  His eyes were wide open and staring at her as she ran to him and fell to her knees.

  Dead. He was dead.

  She screamed.

  “Hush.” Borzoi was pointing a gun at her. “I was quick with him. I’ll be quick with you.”

  “No, it wasn’t supposed to be like this. I did what he wanted.” Tears were running down her cheeks. “Don’t do—”

  “Shh.” He pressed the trigger.

  The bullet entered her heart.

  Venable was cursing when Joe ran into the office from the veranda. He was sitting at the mahogany desk staring in frustration at the computer. “He wiped it clean. There’s not a damn thing on it. I’d bet he figured we were onto him.”

  Joe was kneeling at the hearth. “Something was burned here recently. There are still embers glowing.” He reached in and poked the embers. “Probably the paper trail.” He picked up a slender piece of paper that had been untouched by the flames. “A map?”

  “That’s my bet,” Venable said grimly. “And I’d guess one similar to one I have on my wall. Only with a hell of a lot more information.”

  “This was all done within the past few hours,” Joe said. “He was literally burning his bridges.” He glanced at the computer. “Can you get the information back?”

  “Yes, there’s no such thing as a total wipeout if you have the right equipment for retrieval. It will just take time.”

  “How much time?”

  “How the hell do I know?” He turned to the agent who was bundling up the computer. “How long, Ted?”

  “Twenty-four hours maybe.”

  “Too long.”

  Joe agreed. Every word that Rakovac had spoken to Catherine indicated that they had entered the final stage of planning. “Get to work.” He turned to Venable. “He wouldn’t have destroyed everything until the actual go-ahead on the attack.”

  “Don’t say that.”