The Bullet

by Iris Johansen

  “Not too difficult. Go straight down this road for a few miles and turn left on Patriots River Road until you get to the riverbank. It’s fairly deserted, and no one but the birds will object to a little Tchaikovsky.” He leaned back in his seat. “And, if they do, you can refer them to me.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, that’s right, you’d prefer to handle all that yourself. I’ll be sure and remember.”

  “Don’t be sarcastic. I can’t take it today.” She paused. “I don’t object to us helping each other. That’s natural and right. I just don’t like it to go only one way.” She changed the subject. “What did Joe ask you to do last night?”

  “I think you can guess. He asked me to take care of you. He said for me to give him two days, and he should be able to find Svardak. If he didn’t succeed, he’d come back and take my place here so that I could have my chance at him.”

  “Wonderful,” she said dryly. “Babysitters, incorporated. You’re right, I did guess. I just didn’t realize Joe had given himself the two-day limit. I suppose that’s the only way he thought you might not give him too much of an argument. Joe’s always been clever.”

  “Very,” he said grimly.

  “But you resented not being able to go after Svardak, particularly when you found out about Lacher and Abrams heading up there.”

  Jock was silent.

  “And since you were chained to me here, you immediately started to make plans on how to try to find a way to capture Svardak when you got your chance. That’s what you were doing instead of wasting your time talking to me.”

  “I didn’t consider myself chained to you,” he said quietly. “I never said that.”

  “But you thought it,” she said quietly. “And chained is the right word. I know about chains, Jock. I learned a lot about them in that cabin.”

  “I know you did,” he said hoarsely. “I saw them. I hated it.”

  “So did I. And I would never want to do that to anyone. I won’t do it to you.” She paused. “But you’re doing it to yourself, and I can’t stop you.” She shrugged. “All I can do is try to be part of the process and help where I can.”

  “I’ve hurt you.”

  She didn’t want to admit it even to herself. “No, you’re being too sensitive. I know you would never intentionally do anything to make me sad or hurt me. You’re just driven by the events that made you who you are. You’re a hunter, and you resent being in a cage yourself.” She added, “Now what were you doing after Joe hung up?”

  He shrugged. “It seemed clear that Svardak was trying to scramble and gather an effective force again. If there was a potential manhunt, he’d need more than two men to defend himself. He probably sent out an SOS to anyone who managed to escape Lost Canyon. I needed to know how many that would be and if I could possibly intercept a message from Svardak to one of them.”

  “To find out his location,” Cara said. “But first you’d have to track them down before you could do that.”

  “Tracking is far easier than digging out an entrenched enemy.” His lips twisted. “And you’ve just told me how naturally hunting comes to me these days. I’ve never lost the skill nor the mind-set. Which is something I’ve been trying to tell you for years.”

  But because she had been the one to say it, she could see it had hurt him. Why were they constantly hurting each other, she thought desperately. “And how will you find out how many of Svardak’s men escaped that canyon and where to find them?”

  “I’m already working on it. I called Nikolai and started questioning him last night. He’s very efficient, and every man who was not killed but captured on that mountain would have been questioned so that Kaskov would have a complete picture of Svardak’s operation.” He shrugged. “It took me most of the night while Nikolai gathered information from his men.” He added grimly, “And then got permission from Kaskov to tell me everything. That probably took the most time since Kaskov doesn’t have to worry about you any longer and will want to go after Svardak himself.”

  “But Nikolai gave you the information?”

  “Eventually. No doubt Kaskov was afraid I’d be bothering him directly rather than going through Nikolai if he didn’t. Eight men escaped the explosions and Kaskov’s attack and disappeared before they could be caught. Kaskov also has another prisoner, Ron Edding, who I handed over to him. But he hasn’t started questioning him yet.”

  “He wouldn’t be able to tell him anything,” Cara said. “Svardak is a loner. I think he chose Abrams to head his team, but that was as far as he’d go. He’d use the men who worked for him, but he’d never confide in them.”

  “You can never tell when someone will prove a gem of knowledge … if encouraged. At any rate, I know more now than when I hung up from talking to Joe last night.” He gestured to the road. “Turn here. Then go a mile and turn at the next curve.”

  She did as he instructed. She could see the gleam of green-blue water through the trees. “No houses. It’s pretty remote.”

  “Not as remote as you might think. Kaskov’s rental estate is about ten miles down this road.” He raised a brow. “But I assume you don’t want to go for a visit? Though he probably does have a music room, and he wouldn’t throw you out.”

  “No, thank you,” she said dryly. “I’m in no mood to perform, and we weren’t on the best of terms the last time I talked to him. We had a disagreement.”

  “I won’t ask what about. I can make a guess. You appear to be having disagreements with all of us these days.” He pointed to a willow tree by the river’s edge. “That’s a pretty place, and no one will argue with you for at least the next few hours. After that, I make no promises.”

  “It takes two to make an argument.” She parked off the road some distance from the willow tree. “And I refuse to argue with you, Jock. The sun is shining, you’ve brought me to a beautiful place, and I refuse to let you spoil it.” She jumped out of the car and grabbed her violin case. “So you just sit there and plot and plan like Machiavelli and ignore me.” She darted him a challenging glance as she took the violin out of the case and strode away from him down toward the river. “If you can manage to do it…”

  “Machiavelli? I’m sure he never had anyone like you with whom to contend. And I’ve never been able to ignore you. It’s a mental and physical impossibility to—”

  She was no longer listening.

  Tchaikovsky. She attacked it with her entire heart and soul.

  The music …

  The melody …

  I’m here.

  Listen to me.

  Share with me.

  Grieg.

  Crystal lakes. Reflections of beauty. Wind moving through the trees.

  Heartbreaking.

  Enchanting.

  Mendelssohn.

  Heavier.

  Complicated.

  Innovative.

  I told you I wasn’t as good at this as you, Marian. I can’t make it sing …

  But it shouldn’t sing, she realized suddenly. Why hadn’t she understood that before? It was so clear to her now. It should travel from movement to movement, not standing out, but letting the artist become one with the melody. Is that what you tried to do, Marian?

  Help me make it come alive …

  Mozart.

  Swagger and elegance.

  Teasing the cadence.

  Tchaikovsky.

  She had to have more of the Tchaikovsky.

  The sheer lyrical excitement, make the canzonetta warm and sensuous to balance it. That was the way it should happen. It had been out there, just waiting for her to see it.

  It was all new and fresh and different. She had thought she knew the music, but she’d known nothing. It was teaching her as she went along.

  Explore.

  Experiment.

  Break every rule.

  Throw open every gate.

  Dear God. The music …

  CHAPTER

  10

  12:40 P.M.

  “I’ll be damned,” Kaskov
murmured to Jock, his gaze on Cara playing beneath the willow tree some distance away. “What the hell is going on here?”

  “You took your time.” Jock was sitting beneath an oak tree near the road and didn’t shift his position as he watched Kaskov walk toward him. “I was losing faith in Nikolai’s sentries. We showed up here on your doorstep over four hours ago.”

  “Nikolai was told five minutes after Cara parked her car here,” Kaskov said absently, his gaze never leaving Cara. “But since you were with her, I told them to adopt a wait-and-see policy until we saw what you were up to.”

  “But then curiosity finally got the better of you. I thought it would.” His eyes went back to Cara. “Though I had no idea that this would happen. She said she wanted to play and to find her a place to do it. Some of Svardak’s men are still on the loose. She had to be safe.”

  “So you brought her to me? That’s a first.”

  He shrugged. “I knew you’d have sentries watching the property. I could take advantage of your security and not have her deal with you. It was a win-win situation.”

  “You could have brought her to the house. I wouldn’t have contaminated her.”

  “Wouldn’t you? I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t like the idea of the two of you being in any more contact than necessary. Though I actually did offer. She said she wanted to play, not perform.”

  “I’m not sure what she’s doing is either one.” He never took his eyes off Cara. “It’s … different. I’ve never heard her play like that before. I’ve never heard anyone play like that. My God…”

  “Aye, I thought the same thing,” Jock said. “I’m not an expert on music like you, Kaskov, but I’m an expert on Cara. But I learned something new about her today.” His lips twisted. “And I wish that I hadn’t chosen to bring her here today. It’s only going to make it more difficult to keep you away from her now.”

  He nodded slowly. “You might be right.”

  “I know I’m right.” He grimaced. “Now get the hell out of here. I don’t think there’s any chance that she’ll notice either one of us for quite a while, but what’s going on with her is only for her. No audience. I don’t want her to know you were even here.”

  “You’re being very selfish.”

  “Damn straight.” Then he wearily shook his head. “It means something to you. You’ll do what you please. I can’t stop you.” He met his eyes. “Or maybe I don’t want to stop you. But I don’t want you to steal this moment from her, and I will stop you from doing that.”

  Kaskov was silent. “It would be interesting to see you make the attempt. You’re always so innovative, Gavin.” He gave one last long look at Cara and turned away. “Stay as long as she wishes. She’ll be guarded as a member of my family should be guarded.”

  He stopped and turned as he reached the woods. “You do know I envy you, Gavin? It’s most disconcerting. I don’t remember the last time I envied anyone. I always considered it a sign of weakness.” He glanced back at Cara. “But I do envy you these next hours with her.”

  He turned and disappeared into the woods.

  * * *

  Someone was standing in front of her, Cara realized vaguely. He was saying something but she didn’t have time to pay attention. “Go away. I’m busy now.”

  “Easy.” His voice was low and soothing. “Slow down, Cara. It’s time for a break. It’s been over eight hours. You’re on fire. You need to rest and eat. I can practically see the calories burning.”

  Jock, she realized dazedly. It was Jock with his hands on her shoulders. But it was too soon, she couldn’t stop now. There was too much happening inside her, happening all around her. She had to tell him that so that he would understand. “Jock, I never knew that there were so many ways. It’s wonderful…”

  “I can see that.” He cradled her face in his two hands and looked down into her eyes. “I could tell something special was happening to you. But now I think it’s time for you to take a break and recharge. It’s not going to go away, is it?”

  “No, that’s what’s wonderful about it,” she said eagerly. “It’s just keeps opening and showing me more. I never realized it was all there inside me.”

  “But you’re exhausted, and you need to eat. Eight hours, Cara. I know you could go longer, but it might not be good for you. Pace yourself. You’re hungry, aren’t you? Think about it.”

  She was ravenous, she realized in shock. “Starved.”

  “I thought you must be.” He kissed her forehead, and his hands dropped away. “As I said, you were on fire. You need to replace some of those nutrients Tchaikovsky took away from you. Okay if we go and get something to eat? Then you can come back here and play if you still want to do it.”

  She suddenly smiled brilliantly. “Don’t be so gentle and soothing. You’re treating me like a child, Jock.” She hesitated, then sighed and reluctantly put her violin in its case. “I told you it wasn’t going to go away. But I suppose you might say I got carried away and forgot about that.” She looked at the late-afternoon rays of sun shining on the river. “Eight hours? You’ve been very patient. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not.” He smiled. “It was an experience that I’ll never forget. You were extraordinary. Maybe like watching someone climb Everest or seeing an eagle being born.”

  “What?” She laughed. “Ridiculous. What a comparison.”

  “Well, I could see something momentous was going on for you.” He held out his hand. “But I believe I’ll drive if you don’t mind. You’re still on the top of Everest, and you need to come down a little before you deal with mundane traffic. You’ve been on pure adrenaline for too long. Exhaustion might hit anytime now.”

  It was already hitting, she realized. She was suddenly feeling a little light-headed and weak. “Food should take care of that.” She took her keys out of her pocket and put them in his palm. “Let’s go to that place we went to last night. They were quick, and I loved the hamburger.”

  “As you command.” He took her violin and put it in the backseat. “But no one can say I’m trying to impress you with fancy cuisine.” He opened the passenger door for her. “Relax. You might not get all the way down from Everest by the time we get to the restaurant, but maybe that’s good.” He got into the driver’s seat and started the car. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I think I do. I want to share it with you. But I don’t know what to say.” She was frowning, puzzled as she watched him drive out onto the road. “It was confusing at first. I so desperately wanted to play, Jock. I hadn’t played since I was at the cabin with Svardak, and that was almost more of a battle. But even then I could feel something was changing, it wasn’t quite the same.”

  “You couldn’t expect it to be.”

  She gestured impatiently. “I realized that, but I didn’t know what was happening. Everything was moving too fast. I was facing things that I’d never faced before.”

  “That you should never have had to face,” he said harshly.

  “But suddenly they were there, and I had to deal with them. That’s what life’s all about. Accepting and dealing. I was so afraid and angry and bewildered while I was with Svardak. Because it wasn’t only about the fact that every emotion and depth of feeling was exaggerated more than I could have dreamed, somehow it was all tied up with the music. Marian Napier and what she went through, the cruelty of Anna Svardak and what she did to Kaskov. Those other three women who died as tribute to Anna. The music was all part of it.”

  “What are you trying to say?” he asked quietly.

  “That when I got away from Lost Canyon, I realized that what I felt for you and everyone else I loved had changed and grown and deepened. And I knew I would never be the same.” She added simply, “I just didn’t have any idea that it would do the same for the music, that it would open new doors there, too.”

  His eyes narrowed on her face. “Explain?”

  “I see more, I hear more, techniques that I never thought about are occurring to me.” She lean
ed forward, her eyes shining. “No limits, Jock. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  “Wonderful,” he said softly. Then he chuckled. “And wouldn’t Svardak be pissed off to know that he’d accidentally given you a gift that you treasure.”

  “He’d hate it. It’s all innovation and creativity and everything that Anna taught him was to be despised.” Her smile faded. “But I believe Marian would like the idea that he couldn’t ever really stop the music and that everything he did only made it better.” She paused, thinking. “And if anyone gave me a gift, then it might be her.”

  “You know, some would say that it could only be the jump-start maturing of your own God-given talent.”

  “And isn’t that a gift?” She leaned back in the seat. “Stop being practical. I had a wonderful day, and magic happened.” Her eyes were suddenly gleaming with mischief. “And I bet that you didn’t have one Machiavellian thought while I was playing. Admit it.”

  “No bet. You had me completely mesmerized and totally helpless.”

  “You’re never helpless.” She added contentedly, “I’ll settle for mesmerized. I’m glad you were here and I could share it with you. It’s hard to share when you’re fighting me all the time. I have to work at just keeping you from throwing away what we have.”

  “Wrong. I’m only trying to keep you from throwing what you are away.” He said gently, “You took another giant step today. You should protect what you learned, what you could be.”

  “What do you think I’m doing?” She reached out and lovingly touched his arm. “You haven’t been listening. How I feel about you is part of the music. It’s part of who I am. It was like that from the first moment I met you, and it’s getting stronger and stronger all the time.”

  “Then find a way to—”

  “Hush.” She gave his arm a mock pinch. “No more of this. I won’t let you lecture me. And I won’t let you talk about Svardak either. Not today. Today, there’s no ugliness in the world. I want to go back to that last night at the Marquis when we sat and talked and drank wine. Do you think we can get wine at that diner?”