The Forever Dream

by Iris Johansen

  She obediently fell into step with him, and they made their way through the formal gardens in an oddly companionable silence. It wasn't until they'd nearly reached the courtyard that she noticed that Jared was scowling.

  "Windloe," he said abruptly. "Are you still his mistress?"

  Her momentary surprise was quickly replaced by satisfaction as she noticed the smoldering of Ryker's eyes. So the cool man of science had a jealous streak. It was a good thing to know.

  "I don't think I'll answer that." Then, as his expression grew stormy, she said softly, "Stinging nettle, Ryker. Just a little touch of stinging nettle.”

  Chapter 5

  The next morning Tania was up at six, as was her custom, did her stretching and warm-up exercises, and out of the shower by seven. She was feeling remarkably fit, she realized with surprise as she quickly dressed in a pair of dark corduroy slacks and a cowl-necked cashmere sweater in a delicate shade of peach. She seemed to have recovered completely from the effects of the drugs she'd been given and was as vigorous ad full of zest as usual.

  In fact, she'd felt almost as well last evening, but she hadn't been able to convince Ryker of the fact. After coffee in the library, he'd insisted she return to her room ad be served dinner there. When she'd protested, bed been met by an implacability fully as strong as her determination.

  It hadn't seemed worthwhile to argue the point last night, but Ryker wouldn't find her equally compliant today. He was about to discover she'd meant everything bed told him and that she was a force to reckon with. However, before she could start to wage open warfare, bed have to reconnoiter her surroundings as well as her antagonists and determine their strengths and weaknesses.

  She left her bedroom and found her way downstairs with a good deal less difficulty than she'd experienced yesterday. That small victory caused her spirits to brighten. Knowledge and optimism were already easing her path in this bizarre situation.

  She was met at the bottom of the grand staircase by the same broad-shouldered young man in the dark jacket who'd served coffee in the library last evening. What had Ryker called him? George, that was it. She smiled. "Good morning, George. I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Tania Orlinov, and I'm going to be here a while." She made a face. "I guess that piece of information is redundant. I understand you've already been told to make quite sure that I don't leave."

  George's expression of surprise vanished swiftly. "George Brady, Miss Orlinov," he supplied politely.

  "I'm very happy to meet you, George." Tania beamed cheerfully at him. "I just wanted to tell you that I have no intention of being here for very long, but I hope we'll be friends while I am. No hard feelings, okay?"

  "Okay." George seemed a little dazed. Then, with an obvious effort, he gathered his faculties to say, "I was told to show you the breakfast room as soon as you came down. Mr. McCord and Dr. Ryker have already eaten."

  So she wasn't the only one who started the day with the rising sun, she thought. The early start of the two men was a trifle inconvenient at the moment, though. She'd hoped to see McCord at breakfast and put a few questions to him.

  "I'll have breakfast later," she said. "Will you tell me where Mr. McCord is, please?"

  He glanced at the grandfather clock in the stairwell. "He's usually in either the gymnasium or the sauna at this time of the morning. But I don't know—"

  "Thank you," she interrupted firmly, giving him a dazzling smile. "Now, will you tell me how to get there?

  I really must get someone to draw me a map of this monstrosity."

  He hesitated briefly before shrugging his shoulders and proceeding to give her the directions she required.

  The large gymnasium was empty when she arrived, so she headed directly to the door at the far end of the room, which led to an area well equipped with everything from steam and sauna rooms to a good-sized whirlpool. She paused before the birch door that obviously led to the sauna. So much for the shower she had taken earlier, she thought wryly as she stripped off her clothes and wrapped herself in one of the large bath towels she found folded and stacked on a shelf by the door. Then she opened the door and stepped into the cubicle.

  "What the hell!"

  Kevin McCord had been lying full length on the long bench across the room, but sat bolt upright as he glanced up to see her standing just inside the door. The room was bathed in a rosy glow from the red light that was the only illumination in the cubicle, but she had an idea that McCords face would have been scarlet anyway. His arms dropped to shield his loins. She'd thought only women acted with that instinctive modesty when surprised in the nude.

  She couldn't quite keep the laughter from her voice as she said, "I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. McCord, but I thought we should have a talk." Her lips were twitching. "Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable with a towel. Would you like me to get you one?"

  "Please." His answer was somewhere between a gulp and a gasp, and it caused the smile to linger on her lips as she left the cubicle to return with the towel. She crossed the few yards to the bench, carefully circumventing the pewter tray of hot coals in the center of the room, and handed him the towel before dropping down on the bench beside him.

  He stood up and wrapped the towel around him with lightning swiftness. The glance he shot her as he resumed his seat was almost comically wary. "Couldn't it have waited until I was out of the sauna? You caught me a little unprepared."

  Which might be to her advantage. "How was I to know that you'd be nude?" she asked with a grin. "But don't worry about it. I wasn't at all embarrassed."

  "I'm glad to hear that," he drawled. "Are you always this precipitous?"

  "Most of the time. When I have something on my mind, I like to take care of it right away and get on with other things." She leaned her head back comfortably against the wall behind her. "Where is Ryker this morning?"

  He shrugged. "Probably off on one of his long rambles around the estate. He does a lot of walking, says it helps him to think." He lifted his brow. "Is that why you invaded my privacy and caused me to react like I was thirteen years old again? You were looking for Jared?"

  She chuckled. "Did I do that?" Her dark eyes were twinkling. "Actually, I noticed the shock had a much more mature effect. Though I noticed your complexion turned a lovely shade that almost exactly matched your hair."

  For a moment he looked indignant, but then he shook his head and smiled. "You're a very unusual woman, Miss Orlinov. I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like you."

  "That's because there isn't anyone else like me," she said calmly. "I'm unique. I work very hard at it." Then, as he chuckled, she continued, "And no, I didn't want to see Ryker. It's you I wished to speak to."

  "Now, why does that make me feel so nervous? I haven't felt this on edge since the senator had me arrange a sub rosa meeting between the President and Castro."

  "There's nothing to be the least bit nervous about," she assured him kindly. "All I want is the answer to a few questions."

  His expression was immediately cautious. "I told you I had instructions not to talk about Jared's work, Miss Orlinov. I can't disobey those orders."

  'Tania," she urged. "How can I pump you and find out all I want to know if you're so formal? And I don't give a damn about Ryker's bomb or whatever. That doesn't pertain to my situation."

  She could see the tension leave the man next to her as he, too, relaxed and leaned back against the wall. "Well, I'm glad of that at least. I have an idea you'd be as tenacious as our friend Betz if you put your mind to it. Pump away, Tania. I'm entirely at your disposal."

  "Good. Now, what do you know about Jared Ryker?"

  "As much as anyone, I suppose," he said slowly. "I've gone over his dossier. What precisely do you want to know?"

  "Everything," she said briskly. "You can start with his background. Where was he born?"

  "In a small town in West Virginia," he answered. "His father was a coal miner, who died of black lung disease when Jared was sixteen. His mother had divorc
ed Jared's father when Jared was ten, giving him custody of Jared and a younger sister, Lita. His sister died a short time after Jared's father did."

  "So he was virtually alone from the time he was sixteen," Tania said thoughtfully. "He mentioned that he was moderately wealthy. How did this come about with a background like his?"

  "You wouldn't ask if you knew Ryker a little better," McCord said wryly. "I'd say he decided one day that it would be nice to be rich and set about accomplishing that end. He can be remarkably singleminded when he wants something." Then, as she continued to regard him patiently, he asked, "You want the details?"

  "I want the details," she said emphatically.

  He shrugged. "Jared is fantastically brilliant. Not only does he have an IQ that's out of sight, but he has a photographic memory. Probably what's even more valuable is the fact that his thinking is so original. He has the ability to shed preconceived theories and look at problems with an entirely fresh viewpoint. With his drive and genius it was inevitable he'd be offered every scholarship going, even the Rhodes." He glanced at her. "More?"

  "More."

  "He has several doctorates, including one in medicine, but he specializes in cellular chemistry. He spent three years in Viet Nam, which he doesn't like to talk about. As for money, after working for a large pharmaceutical company for a few years, he and Phillip Bartlett went into partnership to start their own firm. Several years ago he sold his shares in the company and disappeared from view, presumably to do some private research of his own. He's thirty-eight, doesn't play chess, and is positively lethal in a karate match, as I can testify." He lifted a brow inquiringly. "Now that you've completely stripped me of information, are you satisfied?"

  "Not quite. What about women?"

  McCords face resumed its former cautiousness. "I think Jared might place any discussion of that subject in the same category as his work."

  "Nonsense! I'm not one of his mistresses. And even if I were, I wouldn't throw a jealous scene and make him

  uncomfortable. All I want is information." And a little ammunition, she thought.

  His expression retained its wariness. "He's never been married, but is very sexually active. He seems to have a preference for blondes." He paused deliberately. "And I believe that should conclude our little question-and-answer session."

  There was a glint of steel in the blue of Kevin McCords eyes and a firmness about his lips that caused Tania to look at him with fresh speculation. There was obviously more to the senator's aide than the likable charmer he appeared to be on the surface. If this was so, she'd be wise to probe a little further.

  "Okay, no more questions about Jared Ryker," she agreed cheerfully. "Now let's start on you."

  He chuckled. "Lord, you never give up, do you? I think I'm beginning to feel sorry for Jared."

  Her first response was an impudent grin. Then she said, "You should. But I'm probably not going to be any threat to you, so there's no reason at all not to answer my questions about you."

  "The key word there is 'probably', " he said, and sighed ruefully. "Any woman who'd barge in on a naked man just to give him the third degree is capable of anything. What do you want to know?" Then, as she opened her lips, he held up his hand. "Don't tell me. Everything, right?"

  She nodded serenely.

  "Well, at least it shouldn't take as long as Jared's biography. I'm very boringly middle class, I'm afraid. I grew up in Bakersville, California, attended the University of California at Berkeley, and spent two years in the Peace Corps. I moved to Washington, D.C. five years ago and worked at several positions before I became Sam Corbett's aide. That was almost two years ago." He

  scowled at her. "And I have no intention of revealing my sexual preferences."

  "That won't be necessary. I think I have quite enough to go on."

  His face was suddenly serious. "I admire your tenacity, but don't think anything I've told you will help you escape, Tania. If it would, you'd never have gotten it out of me. I've been pumped by experts in the past, including members of the press." He smiled. "The only reason I let you do it is because I thought you'd be more at ease here if you knew something about us. It must be frightening to be snatched and left alone with no one but strangers surrounding you."

  Tania felt a twinge of warmth for McCord. Despite the toughness she could sense in him, there were likable qualities to the man.

  "I wouldn't worry too much about me, Kevin. I'm very adaptable."

  "I gathered as much," he said. "But everyone needs a little help sometime or other. As much as it's within my power to give it, I will."

  "I don't intend to be here very long. But I may take you up on your offer. I've decided to accept Ryker's offer of the wardrobe. It may come in handy. I'll also need a barre and mirrors installed in the gym." Her lips tightened. "I have no intention of missing practice and losing muscle tone even for the short time I'm here."

  "No problem. I'll have them installed today." He made a face. "Though I can't say I'm going to enjoy working out in front of those mirrors. A man of my size has a tendency to have all the physical appeal of a pregnant ox."

  "Oh, I don't know." The glance she slanted at him was teasing. "My first impression of you was more that of a bashful ostrich."

  "Ouch, that hurt! Not the image a virile young executive wants to project. It really was unfair of you to catch me off-guard. I'm usually positively dripping with poise and savoir-faire."

  "That's not what I'm dripping with at the moment," Tania said as she stood up and moved toward the door. "I'm definitely starting to glow. I think I'll leave you to it and hop in the shower. Thank you for your cooperation. You've been very helpful."

  "Any time," Kevin said politely. "It's been an experience, Tania. However, next time you have one in store for me, I'd appreciate a little advance warning."

  "I'll remember that." There was a rush of cool air in the cubicle as she opened the door, then closed it carefully behind her.

  Thirty minutes later she'd showered, dressed, and was proceeding to the next item on her agenda. Now that she'd learned as much as she could reasonably hope to at the moment about two of the principal inhabitants of the chateau, it was time to get a fix on her physical surroundings. She didn't expect the task to be easy after her experience with those winding corridors yesterday. As she explored, her surmise proved to be depressingly correct.

  The chateau was enormous, but the size wouldn't have been difficult to deal with, for the plan of the central part of the building was simple and symmetrical. It was the additions put in at various times and apparently willy-nilly, that made the layout confusing.

  Many of the rooms on the second floor were not used, and her own quarters were set off in a separate wing from those occupied by the other members of the household. The lower level was also vacant, and seemed to have housed a scullery and servants' quarters in the past.

  The first floor, however, was as beautifully cared for and lavishly furnished as a museum. From the magnificent chandelier that dominated the foyer to the seventeenth-century tapestry that graced the wall of the formal dining room, the entire chateau was steeped in the glory of old-world culture and elegance. She opened the door to the spacious library, where they'd had coffee last night. A nineteenth-century clock on the mantle ticked loudly in the otherwise serene and lovely book-lined room. How was one supposed to be able to concentrate on one of those beautifully bound books with that annoying noise in the background? She'd definitely be doing her own reading in her room.

  The exterior of the chateau was her next target. She studied closely the formal garden and courtyard that she'd walked through the day before. The outer perimeter of the estate was smaller than she would have thought. The chateau was bordered on three sides by cliffs that dropped with breathtaking steepness to the valley several hundred feet below. The only exit from the castle appeared to be the winding gravel road that led from the courtyard and disappeared around a curve some distance down the mountain. That road was sure to
be well guarded if security was as tight as McCord had indicated yesterday. Of course, there were the possibilities offered by a concrete pad at the rear of the chateau to consider. It was obviously used for helicopter landings and, if escape by road turned out not to be feasible, she'd have to focus on the potential of that landing area.

  "Don't you ever wear a coat?" Ryker's voice drew her quickly out of engrossed study of the serpentine path down the mountain. He stood only a few feet away, and the scowl on his face matched the tone of voice he'd used.

  "Don't worry. I'm not going to appropriate your jacket again." She turned back toward the chateau. "I was just going to return for breakfast. I think I've worked up an appetite now."

  "I imagine you have," Ryker said, catching up with her. "I could almost see the wheels go round while you were gazing down that road. Forget it, Tania, you'd never make it."

  "We'll see. There's always a way out. One just has to find it." She wrinkled her nose. "Though I did notice that neither you nor McCord appeared to be exaggerating about the security measures here. On my little stroll I counted at least eight supposed servants who look more like Olympic weight lifters. How remarkable that such big men can move so gracefully and swiftly through that oh-so-convenient shrubbery."

  "It's the ones who don't look quite so intimidating whom you have to watch out for. They have more of a tendency to resort to firepower, since they don't have brawn to rely on."

  "Firepower?" Tania asked, her eyes widening with shock. She didn't know why that casual comment surprised her. Of course there would be weapons here that brought pain and death. How could there not be in a situation where a hundred thousand dollars in bribe money was considered trifling and kidnapping was a simple means to an end?

  Ryker's hand on her arm was swiftly reassuring. "Don't be afraid. Nothing like that is going to happen to you. I've passed the word you're to be treated with kid gloves."

  "I wasn't afraid," she said in hot denial. "And I don't need or want your protection, Ryker. I can take care of myself."