Your Next Breath

by Iris Johansen

  “No, that wonderful Persian carpet on the floor behind the coffin. It hides a trapdoor that leads past the cryogenic equipment to an underground passage ending at a boat dock. I’ll be off the island five minutes after I kill you. Then I start over.”

  “How?”

  “Bribes. Murder. Intimidation. It’s a corrupt world. I’ll survive and climb to the top again.”

  He believed it. And he was making Catherine believe it, too. He had survived her killing Delores and managed to get out of prison. He had caused the death of three of her friends and threatened others. If he got out of here, she had no doubt that threat would be realized.

  “You wouldn’t abandon your Delores.”

  “She will be fine until I can get her back. Montez’s work is a breakthrough. There will be people standing in line who will want to make sure that the formula and process of what he did with Delores can be used on others.” He added harshly, “But I’m not going to forgive or forget your making us go through this. I’ll go down the list, and everyone you’ve tried to keep alive will die. Luke, first. Then Hu Chang. And I’ll go from there. You might remember that in these last few minutes you have.”

  She could tell he had moved again. Was he heading for that trapdoor?

  No! He was to her left. Very close.

  And he had a clear shot.

  She dove behind the chair.

  Pain.

  She cried out.

  The bullet had burned the flesh of her right shoulder.

  “Got you.” Santos’s voice was triumphant, then more regretful. “I wish I had more time…” He was moving toward the trapdoor. “But if you’re not dead, you will be. And I still may have the pleasure of doing those kills while you watch. Just a postponement…”

  She heard the trapdoor open.

  No! She struggled to her knees. “Not a postponement, Santos. You’re through.”

  But he was disappearing down the steps to the tunnel. She jumped to her feet and ran toward the door. “Cameron, dammit, do it!” She called, “How long?”

  “One minute. No more.”

  But in one minute, Santos could be out of danger and halfway to that dock.

  She whirled back and ran toward the trapdoor. She could see Santos on the second landing of the spiral staircase. Make him stop. “Santos, come back here. I’m waiting for you. Delores is waiting for you. Do you know what’s going to happen? You know all those explosions that blew up your hill? Cameron still had some of his clever little devices left over. So he set a few outside the tomb at strategic points. Montez helped him to make sure the blast would be strong enough to send this tomb straight to hell. To send Delores straight to hell.”

  “You’re lying. He wouldn’t destroy his work.” But he had stopped and was looking back up at her. “He was proud of it. Proud of her.”

  “Maybe proud of his work, but he always knew what a monster he’d created.”

  Thirty more seconds.

  Distract him. Keep him talking.

  “I have a present for you.” She took Jane’s gold dog tag out of her pocket and threw it at him. He automatically reached out and caught it. “I promised Eve I’d give it to you after you had Jane shot.”

  He smiled. “And killed.”

  “No, she’s still alive. You’ve been had, Santos.”

  His smile faded. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Yes, you do. You’ve failed all around. Including with Delores. You said she’d never be vulnerable. That blast is going to do considerably more damage than a bullet to that pretty coffin.”

  “No.” His eyes were wide, glaring with rage and panic as he turned to face her. “Stop it. They can’t do that to her.”

  Ten seconds.

  “Watch us. She’s dead. So are you.”

  Five seconds.

  “Catherine.” Cameron had burst through the door and was by her side. “Get the hell out of here.” He was dragging her toward the entrance. “Leave him.”

  “I am.” It was safe now. She had kept Santos away from the tunnel.

  And time had run out.

  As they reached the bronze door, she glanced back over her shoulder at the gleaming coffin, where Delores lay in pagan splendor. At the gaping hole where Santos was probably now scrambling for safety.

  “Out!” Cameron pushed her ahead of him out of the tomb.

  The earth was rumbling beneath their feet.

  “Down!”

  Cameron jerked her down and fell on top of her.

  Crack.

  Kaboom.

  Searing heat. Debris falling around them like missiles.

  Kaboom.

  Another blast.

  More debris.

  Granite. It was black granite. The tomb …

  The heat was intense.

  She could see patches of fire igniting the grass around them.

  And burning sparks on the shoulder of Cameron’s shirt next to her cheek.

  She put them out, then pushed him away. “We’ve got to get out of here.” She jumped to her feet. “Come on. We’re too close.”

  “Tell me about it,” Cameron said dryly, as they ran for the trail. “You’re the one who ran back in there. You’d better have a damn good reason.”

  “Tunnel.” She was coughing from the choking smoke. “Escape tunnel. I had to keep Santos from using it.”

  “And did you?”

  She nodded as she looked back at the tomb.

  Only there was no tomb.

  It was a pile of granite rocks and blazing flames that were incinerating everything around them.

  “She’s gone,” Catherine whispered. “Even Montez’s coffin couldn’t survive those blasts.”

  “He made sure of it,” Cameron said. “He did the calculations even before I told him what we wanted. He was going to find a way to destroy them himself if we couldn’t do it. He told me that Santos and his Delores would probably be vaporized by the force of those explosions.”

  “As you both almost were,” Dario said grimly as he strode down the hill from the bunkhouse. “You look like hell, Catherine. Blood…” He took a step closer and examined her shoulder. “Bullet wound. Do we need to get you back to Port of Spain for medical attention?”

  She shook her head. “It’s only a flesh wound. I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

  “Why not? We’ve about wrapped everything up here.”

  “Not everything.” Her gaze went back to the burning pyre that had been Delores’s tomb. “I didn’t see him die. I can’t leave here until I know that Santos is dead.” She glanced at Dario. “There’s a tunnel beneath the tomb that leads down the hill to a boat dock. Will you have it checked to make sure that boat is still at the dock?”

  He nodded. “Right away.” He turned and headed toward the beach.

  “Come on,” Cameron said. “We need to find water and a first-aid kit to bandage that shoulder. It’s at least got to be cleaned if not—” The text ring on his phone went off, and he glanced down for the message. “It’s from Hu Chang.” He read her the text. “Situation resolved. Seth Caleb enjoyed his visit to the Victorian house. Lambell did not.”

  Catherine drew a relieved breath. “Luke’s safe?”

  “So it would seem. Now, as I was saying, let’s go take care of that wound.”

  “Not now.”

  “You’re just going to sit here and wait?”

  She nodded grimly. “And hope to hell that Montez was wrong about Santos’s probably being vaporized. I need to know.”

  He didn’t argue. He dropped to the ground and pulled her down beside him. “Then we’d better get comfortable. It’s going to take a long time before we can get back into that tomb.”

  “You don’t have to stay with me. Dario may need you.”

  “I don’t have to do anything. It’s pure choice. And I choose you.” He drew her closer and tucked her head into the hollow of his shoulder. “And you may never admit that you need me, but someday I’ll make you admit that you want m
e for something other than sex. For some reason that’s becoming important to me. Isn’t that strange?”

  “Completely.” Strange and warm and frightening all at the same time. She didn’t want to deal with any of those emotions in connection with Cameron. She didn’t have to do it. Pure choice, as Cameron had said.

  But at least she could yield a little of herself to him in this moment of weariness and relief and hope. He had claimed that part of her anyway during these past days of fighting at her side. Would she be able to get it back? She didn’t know. But it would do no harm to relax now and worry about it later.

  Maybe. Cameron was always an emotional threat and a danger to her.

  That was okay, she could handle it. Right now, he was only giving her comfort and companionship and the knowledge that he would not leave her.

  She relaxed back against him, watching the leaping flames devour the tomb down the hill.

  And, dammit, she was going to take that gift.

  ATLANTA, GEORGIA

  ONE DAY LATER

  “Is Catherine sure? I can’t believe Santos is really dead, Eve.” Jane’s lips twisted. “He’s been hanging over my head like a hangman’s noose for too long.”

  “Over all our heads,” Eve said. “Catherine said that she was certain when she called last night. You can ask her yourself. She told me that she was coming here today and that she’d see us.”

  “I may do that. It’s hard to believe the nightmare is over. But I have to believe it. I’ve got to go on, I have to move forward.” She was silent a moment, thinking. “I’m going to need my sketchbook, Eve. Will you bring it next time?”

  “Sure. But let’s check with the doctor and make sure it’s okay. You get pretty intense when you’re working.” Eve smiled. “Why not just read or watch television?”

  “Because I’m going crazy since they cut the drugs.” Jane made a face. “I need to do something constructive. I can’t just lie here and stare mindlessly.”

  “You’re never mindless.” But Eve could see that she was terribly restless, and that might be a healthy sign. Jane had always wanted to move, to search for that next adventure, to find the key that had been lost. It had only been after Trevor had died that she seemed to turn her back on that essential part of her character. “I’ll talk to the doctor and see what I can do. Maybe you should wait until Joe and I take you home with us to heal. You’ll have more leisure time.”

  She shook her head. “I need to start now. And I’ll only need to be at the lake cottage for a week or so. After that, I’ll go back to London and be out of your hair.”

  Eve looked away. “That soon? I kind of like the thought of your hanging around and being in my hair.”

  “Me, too.” Jane reached out and covered Eve’s hand, lying on the bed. “That’s why I have to leave. I want it too much. I always want to stay with you and Joe. It’s home. It’s the place I love. If I didn’t force myself, I’d cuddle down forever and be the little girl you found in the streets all those years ago. But that’s your life, that’s Joe’s life. I have to find a life of my own.” Her hand tightened on Eve’s. “I thought for a while I’d found it with Trevor, but that didn’t happen. So I have to go on, don’t I? Like you did when Bonnie died. You didn’t hide. I can’t either. Do you understand that, Eve?”

  She nodded jerkily. “Though I really like the idea of all that cuddling down forever with Joe and me. London is too far away.”

  “It didn’t stop me from flying back to you at the drop of a hat when you needed me.” Her eyes were glittering with moisture as she smiled unsteadily. “London isn’t home to me. You’re home. Besides, I’ve been thinking about going up to McDuff’s castle in Scotland after I fully recover. You remember McDuff?”

  “How can anyone forget him?” she asked dryly. “Lord McDuff, who thinks he runs all the world, or at least Great Britain. Why would you go there?”

  She shrugged. “McDuff is always trying to persuade me that I should come and go treasure hunting with him. As I was lying here, it occurred to me that would be the farthest thing from hiding that I could choose. McDuff would never permit it.”

  “And neither would I,” Caleb said.

  Jane tensed as her gaze flew to the door, where Caleb was leaning against the jamb. “Hello, Caleb. I haven’t seen you lately.”

  “I had things to wrap up.” He strolled into the room. “Did you miss me?”

  “Let’s say I noticed your absence.”

  “Which means you missed me.” He smiled. “But not enough to keep you from trying to supplant me with McDuff. I admit I was surprised when I overheard you talking about him.”

  “Eavesdropping.”

  “Of course, I’ve never claimed to be honorable.” He turned to Eve. “But I hope you agree that it’s a good idea for Jane to go to McDuff’s castle.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Do you?”

  “Yes, I’m all for any change that brings Jane out in the real world.” He smiled. “Particularly since Edinburgh is one of my favorite stomping grounds. And to which destination I’m about to go as soon as I say my good-bye to Jane.”

  “You’re leaving?” Eve got to her feet and held out her hand. “Thank you, Caleb. Joe and I owe you.”

  “No, you don’t.” Caleb shook her hand. “If anything, I owe you for making that call. It’s been an interesting challenge.”

  “So casual.” Eve shook her head. “And so phony. I was here when you nearly went off the deep end when Jane was hovering between life and death.” She took a step closer and gave him a brief hug before she turned and headed for the door. “But I’ll make sure Jane lets me know if you behave yourself if she runs into you in Scotland.”

  Caleb chuckled. “Oh, she’ll run into me. But she may not give you a report. She’s very protective of you.”

  “Would you two stop talking about me as if I weren’t here?” Jane said.

  “I’m gone.” Eve lifted her hand as she left the room. But her smile faded as soon as she closed the door.

  And I think, in your heart, you may be gone, too, Jane.

  I have to be grateful, she thought. Jane was coming back to them, and it was a stronger, more mature Jane, who was taking charge of her life.

  Eve was grateful.

  It was just going to take a little while for the ache to go away.

  * * *

  “I gave Eve a bad time when I showed up here that first day.” Caleb turned back to Jane as Eve was lost to view. “I’m lucky that she has a forgiving nature, or she would have tossed me out.”

  “Would you have let her?”

  He smiled. “No, but she might have found a way. She’s very smart.”

  “Yes, she is.” She paused. “And she didn’t argue with me about going to McDuff’s castle. Neither of us needed your approval.”

  “I thought I’d give it anyway. I hate to be left out in the cold.”

  “And you believed I might change my mind if I thought you approved?”

  He chuckled. “That’s too complicated. Why not believe I meant what I said?”

  “Did you?”

  “Yes.” He moved closer to the bed. “I’m not worried about McDuff. Sometimes I even like him. When he doesn’t get in my way.”

  “It’s you that would be in McDuff’s way if you show up at the castle. I don’t intend to invite you, and I don’t believe he would.”

  “How rude.” His eyes were gleaming with mischief. “Afraid, Jane?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She paused. “I’m grateful for what you did for me. But there’s nothing easy about our relationship, and I won’t pretend that I want the disturbance you always bring.”

  “People change. Sometime you might welcome it.”

  She gazed at him incredulously. “Not likely.”

  “When you were on those drugs, we were almost compatible. Perhaps you could get a refill.”

  He was joking. His expression was alive with amusement.

  “You’re in a very good mood,”
she said warily.

  “Because you’re getting well, and I don’t have to force you to go the way I want you to go.” He reached forward and touched her cheek. “And it may be a long road, but I can see that it will be an interesting journey.” He added softly, “And, oh, when we reach that final destination…”

  Darkness. Flame. Electricity.

  She stared at him in fascination. Then she pulled her gaze away. “There’s no final destination with you, Caleb.”

  “Of course there is.” His hand dropped away from her cheek. “You just don’t understand it’s there yet.” He turned and headed for the door. His step was springy and his voice light. “I’ll see you in Scotland, Jane.”

  * * *

  “Good God, you look terrible.” Eve’s eyes widened when Catherine walked into the waiting room. “You said you were okay when you called me yesterday to tell me that Santos was definitely dead. You didn’t mention he’d used you as a punching bag.” She glanced at Catherine’s bandaged shoulder. “No problem with that wound?”

  Catherine shook her head. “I told you, it’s a minor flesh wound.” She gingerly touched the bruises on her cheek and lip. “These hurt more.”

  “And you have deep circles under your eyes. You’re exhausted. You shouldn’t have stopped off here. Go home and get some rest.”

  “I will.” She reached out and took Eve’s hand. “But that’s not true, I should have stopped off here. You were all in the front lines. Santos targeted you, and you came through for me. Hu Chang made sure everyone else was safe, but you were the center that let me move forward.”

  “Bullshit,” Eve said baldly. “It was a team effort. I just rounded up the troops when you called and said that Dorgal was on the way. I handled persuading the doctors and nurses to go along with it. But, basically, we got a plan together and executed it. Joe, Caleb, even Jane, were part of it.”

  “How is Jane?”

  “Better every day. She’s in her own room now. We had her moved from the isolation area after you called me yesterday. We’ll be able to take her home in a week.” She shook her head. “Which is good and bad. She’s been very much my own while she’s been here in the hospital. It will change once she starts taking back her life.” She added quickly, “Not that I don’t know that’s for the best. I want her to have her independence back. It will just seem … a little empty.”