Chaos

by Johansen, Iris

  “No, I just want him captured. Though it would probably be safer for you and those students to kill him. He’s as much a monster as Masenak and could be troublesome for me either way. But I’ve decided he might be useful to me, so I just want him to vanish in a manner that would not interfere with me removing those students you’re concerned about. Which would also mean that no one could think the CIA is involved.” He met her eyes. “Could you do it? You said your sources would have problems luring Masenak into a trap, but Baldwin is neither as smart nor as well protected. Possible?”

  She thought about it. “Possible,” she said slowly. “Why do you want it done?”

  “I’m not quite sure. I might have several reasons. Baldwin has been with Masenak a long time and has information I can use. Or maybe I want to catch Masenak off guard, and removing Baldwin will be the best way to do it. Their intimacy would be a weapon in itself. I want Masenak wondering whether Baldwin has left him because he thinks he’s a lousy lover, or if he’s trying to sell him out to one of the wealthy parents or the CIA. Either way, if you do your job right and Baldwin just disappears into the mist, I’ll bet Masenak will be going on the hunt for him. Which might eventually let me spring a trap on Masenak after all.” He smiled mockingly. “It would be very complicated as well as dangerous. You’d have to want to keep that deal with me very much to risk it. I couldn’t ask for a better proof of intent.”

  “No, you couldn’t.” She was remembering that it had been Baldwin who had cut off the head of that schoolgirl. “If I take care of this, you’ll find a way to go get those students right away?”

  He nodded. “Proof of intent.” His smile was twisted. “May my soul burn in hell.”

  “Don’t be dramatic. A deal is a deal. I didn’t expect anything else. Of course I’ll do it.”

  “How soon? You said you’d be able to locate Masenak’s camp in a couple of days. Baldwin will be at that camp. Two days?”

  “More than likely.” She came forward and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Now that we’ve settled that, I’ll have that coffee. I need it. I should have expected you’d do something unusual to get your pound of flesh, but it wasn’t this. From what I heard, you were more cerebral than physical.” Now that she was committed, her mind was racing, trying to think how she could pull this off. “You’re right, it’s going to be complicated. How soon can we leave?”

  He didn’t answer that question. “I’m very physical,” he said softly. “It’s just that most people pay more attention to the cerebral because they assume that’s where they can benefit the most. How physical are you, Alisa?”

  She could feel the sudden tingle of sensuality in the room, the sheer eroticism he was emitting. It startled her to find her body responding to it. She had been so focused on his words and the opportunity he’d presented that she hadn’t been aware of the sexuality. Now she was very much aware, and it had to be confronted. “I have to be physical or I wouldn’t be able to do what you’ve asked me to do.” She stared him in the eye. “But if you’re talking about sex, say it. I don’t think you are, because it would get in your way. So tell me if it’s part of the deal. Is it another proof of intent?”

  He was suddenly still. “And if it was?”

  “I’d take my clothes off. I told you I couldn’t let you change your mind.”

  He was silent a moment. Then he smiled and shrugged. “You did, didn’t you? But you’re right, dealing in that particular proof of intent doesn’t appeal to me.” He grimaced. “Well, that’s not quite true. The appeal is there, but I’ve made the deal difficult enough for you. You asked how soon we could leave? Probably within the hour. When I came downstairs, I told Vogel I’d be using the helicopter to fly you down to the Szarnar Jungle at the Maldara border to meet with your so-called valuable contacts.” He smiled crookedly. “And to convince me that it’s worthwhile going forward with you. After the meeting takes place and I’m satisfied, I’ll call Vogel and tell him it’s a go. He’ll instantly set up the arrival of the team to come and meet us, and we’ll make plans to take those schoolgirls away from Masenak.” His tone was cool and efficient. “I believe you have time to go to the dining room and grab breakfast.” He finished his coffee and got to his feet. “As well as call your friend Margaret and tell her that you’ve completed your recruiting mission. She should be pleased. Anyone can tell you, I’m a real prize.”

  “Yes, that’s what Vogel said.” She turned toward the door. “However, I can’t tell her that because I haven’t recruited you. But Margaret will understand I have a chance now and she’ll be relieved.”

  “Am I allowed to know her full name now?”

  “Margaret Douglas.”

  “CIA?”

  “No way.” She saw that he was waiting for her to say something else. “She’s my friend. She knew I wanted to help those girls and she showed up when she thought I’d have to do it alone.”

  “A very good friend. Not like Zabron.”

  She looked at him in surprise. “I never said Zabron was my friend. He never pretended to be. He just saw potential and wanted to play Pygmalion to my Galatea. He regarded me as a challenge. His ego got in the way, but he did a fairly good job.”

  “If you don’t care about little things like humanity or unselfishness,” he said.

  “And if you did care, you’d go search out a true friend like Margaret,” she said simply. “But I didn’t have that choice when I was a kid in Caracas. So I took what I could get, and it turned out okay. He taught me a lot.”

  “An expert CIA guru as compared with a novice like Margaret Douglas?”

  She suddenly chuckled. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I said she wasn’t CIA; I never said she was a novice. She’s one of the wisest people I’ve ever known. You’ll understand when you meet her.”

  “But you’re not about to discuss her in depth now?”

  “She’s hard to explain. It’s easier for you to make your own judgment.” She shrugged. “And besides, I haven’t recruited you yet. I wouldn’t want to reveal confidential things about a friend to anyone unless I knew she could trust him.” She paused. “I should tell you that Margaret will likely be helping me with Baldwin. It might not be a job I can handle alone.”

  “I didn’t think it would be. I was planning on giving you help.”

  “But that wouldn’t be a true test, would it? You’d have reason to back out.” She shook her head. “I’ll get my own help.” She lifted her hand. “Call me when you’re ready to leave.” She moved down the hall toward the dining room. She deliberately didn’t look back at Korgan, because she was attempting to gather her thoughts and emotions about him in some kind of order. She’d known he was unique before she’d done that first initial research, but she was finding that contact was adding layers and nuances she hadn’t dreamed existed. That sudden flash of sexuality had been…erotic. And his ruthless decision to test her by pitting her against Baldwin had also surprised her. Vogel had warned her that he was tough, and that demand had proved it. There was no telling what other facets he would show her as time went on. She would obviously have to be very careful.

  But then there was an element of danger to every challenge, and this one was life or death. She had no doubt she could meet it; she was already experiencing a tingle of excitement as she thought about it. It was like the first moments of excitement when she’d been exploring the intricacies of that XV-10 lock he’d created. The power, the sleek beauty, the darkness of the unknown, the beautiful mind that had seen beyond what was there to what it could become.

  Fascinating…

  * * *

  “They’ve almost finished gassing up the helicopter,” Vogel said as he entered the study. “Since you didn’t call me, I assume that it’s still okay? I wasn’t sure that she’d be prepared to risk her neck going after Baldwin.”

  “I was sure,” Korgan said curtly. “I didn’t doubt the determination once I went over those dossiers. Brilliant. Innovative. Absolutely stellar
career so far. She’s like a bulldog. I could see she was remarkable. But I have to have that final commitment from her.” His lips twisted. “Hell, I knew there was no way I could let Masenak butcher those kids. But it meant a delay I didn’t need. If I can’t have Masenak right away, I’m damn well going to have Baldwin. Alisa Flynn wants a trade. Let her prove herself by showing me she can give me something I do want.”

  Vogel nodded slowly. “It was a surprise to me. I thought you were being soft on her. I’m glad it was about those students.”

  “She’s interesting.” He suddenly smiled. “Soft? The word you’re looking for is weak, Vogel. You were close to accusing me of it before you took her upstairs last night.”

  “Not really,” he said quickly. “She just makes me uneasy. She’s…different. I wasn’t sure of anything about her. I’m still not sure.” He made a face. “But I’d rather you were being soft about those students than about Alisa Flynn. It makes more sense.” He tilted his head. “Are you actually going to let her go into that jungle after Baldwin?”

  “Yes. Why not? She’s CIA with extraordinary qualifications. She has sources she says can lure him. She’ll be able to handle it.”

  “Alone? You told me to get our crew ready to send down there right away.”

  He shrugged. “She said she’d get her own help.”

  “Korgan.”

  “I wouldn’t want to piss the lady off, would I?”

  Vogel waited, watching him. “I don’t like it. You’re too damn restless. You were like this right before you took off to climb the face of K2 without those ropes. I don’t want to have you changing your mind and going into that jungle just to relive your old army days. You’re too valuable. Now, who do you want me to call and tell to get the hell down there?”

  Korgan frowned. “They were damn interesting years and at least I was never bored. I don’t see why I shouldn’t occasionally revisit them.”

  “Because you shouldn’t take a chance on being shot before you get Masenak. It’s still early days. Give me a name.”

  Shit. It didn’t help that Vogel was right, Korgan thought. He was restless, and he’d been that way since Alisa Flynn had disarmed that study door. She’d brought to the forefront not only an interesting possibility, but the actual opportunity to go after the bastard himself.

  “Who?” Vogel repeated.

  He sighed. “Gilroy,” he said reluctantly. “John Gilroy.”

  * * *

  Szarnar Jungle

  Maldara Border

  “You said there would be the equivalent of an elite Delta team coming to help us release those students.” Alisa was gazing down at the almost impenetrable barrier of jungle trees and foliage as the helicopter slowly descended. As she’d said, this area was more rain forest than jungle. “I don’t see any vehicles down there on the Maldara side of the border yet.”

  “Have a little patience. They should be coming in by tomorrow night. Vogel had them on standby, but it takes time to activate. I’m not trying to cheat you.”

  “I know you aren’t. I’m just anxious. I don’t know what Masenak could be doing to those students right now.” Her lips twisted. “And I don’t have any right to tell you how to handle your men when I still haven’t given you any reason to trust me. It will take a little time for me to set up a way to find and take Baldwin anyhow.”

  He looked away from her. “It might go quicker if you take me up on my offer to lend you a few of my men.”

  “I want to do it myself.” She shrugged. “The way Margaret and I work is rather…different. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know. I’ll talk to Margaret and see if there’s been any change.”

  “Change?”

  “Things change all the time in the jungle.”

  “I’m aware of that, Alisa,” he said dryly. “This isn’t my first rodeo. I spent a year in the Congo searching for a stronger metal to use in the batteries that could best fuel the vehicle I created for the next Mars landing.”

  “I know you did,” she said, deadpan. “But since you’re surrounded by those gold walls, I thought you might have spent the entire year in a climate-controlled bubble to protect you.”

  “Ouch. Wicked,” he said. “And the first time I’ve seen a hint of humor in you. Are you becoming a little overconfident?”

  “No, but I believe I’m coming very close to getting what I want, and I should be able to react however I wish as long as I give you whatever you want, too.” She was grinning. “It’s very wearing being the humble prisoner and being threatened with being tossed back to my superiors every few minutes.”

  “Humble?” he murmured. “I hadn’t noticed. You started out with robbery, and then demands, and went on from there.” He shrugged. “But you were at least interesting, and I agree that the brutal honesty you’ve promised will be healthier than the alternative.”

  “I thought you’d think so.” She was looking out the window again. “If you land near that plateau on the Maldara side of the border, you’ll find heavy brush and tree coverage where you can hide the helicopter. I told Margaret to meet us there and have a few village people on hand to help get it out of sight as soon as possible. It’s safer on that side of the border, but I still don’t want to risk one of Masenak’s scouts seeing us.”

  “More demands?” he asked silkily.

  “Intelligent suggestions,” she said. “I have no intention of losing you now that I’ve almost got you. I thought we’d take turns later when we’ve established a relationship. Will you land, please?”

  “Whatever you say. I agree that would be an excellent place.” He started the descent. “As of ten minutes ago, there were only seven infrared signals indicating that your friend Margaret and her party are down there to greet us. No weaponry except for one handgun, which I assume belongs to Margaret?”

  “Yes. I’m sure she didn’t want you to believe you were facing a hostile force.” Her gaze narrowed on his face. “Vogel whispering in your ear?”

  He tapped the tiny plug in his left ear. “He insisted on a few drone runs along the border to make certain that everyone was going to be happy to see me. He didn’t approve of this trip and wanted me to be prepared.”

  “Then why didn’t he insist you not go alone?”

  “Vogel doesn’t run my life.” He smiled recklessly. “I let him take any measures of which I approve, but I’d never accomplish anything if I didn’t go my own way. I’ve watched you work around Vogel and all the rest of the entanglements surrounding me since the first instant I saw you. If I’d brought anyone here with me, it might continue, and I’m getting impatient.” He shrugged. “I might have been playing a hunch, but now I need to clear the decks. There comes a point where I have to take charge and cast the dice and see where they fall.”

  She went still. “And if you don’t like where they fall?”

  He didn’t look at her. “Then I assure you that you won’t like it, either, Alisa.”

  * * *

  “Margaret!” Alisa jumped out of the helicopter and ran toward her as Margaret came out of the trees, closely followed by her retriever, Juno. Alisa hugged her friend tightly before releasing her. Her gaze quickly raked Margaret’s face. “You look tired. Is anything wrong? Is Sasha still okay?”

  “Don’t be crazy. Yes, I’m tired. I’ve been monitoring Masenak every night this week.” Margaret gave her another quick hug before she stepped back. “And everything is just as wrong as it was when you left, but no worse.” Suddenly her luminous smile lit her face. “But according to what you told me this morning on the phone, you might have pulled off a coup to make it a hell of a lot better. Where is the great man?”

  “At last, someone who recognizes my importance.” Korgan was strolling toward them. “Your friend Alisa very rudely left me in the dirt to greet you.” He held out his hand. “You’re Margaret Douglas? I’m Gabe Korgan. I’ve been anxious to meet you.”

  That brilliant smile never left her face as Margaret shook his hand. “Me, too. Thou
gh I wasn’t sure I’d get to meet you,” she added ruefully. “Alisa thought we might have to rely on what she could pull together by stealing that info from you. I’m glad she managed to make you see the light. You won’t be sorry.”

  “I’m not at all sure you’re right about that,” he murmured. “But I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t willing to be convinced.”

  And in spite of Margaret’s brutally frank remarks, he was smiling at her, Alisa realized. But then everyone usually smiled at Margaret. She had realized that when they had met that day years ago in the Arizona desert. She had first mistaken Margaret for a fresh-faced college girl because of that glowing vitality about her: the gold-streaked hair and tan skin, that luminous smile that seemed to be lit from within, and the blue eyes that were usually shining with humor. It was difficult not to return that smile.

  “We’ll convince you.” Margaret’s eyes were twinkling. “Between us we can be very persuasive. Alisa says that you’re not a selfish monster like Masenak, and that’s a good start. If anything, you’ve just probably had too much money for too long. It’s difficult keeping a good sense of values when everyone thinks you’re king of the world.”

  “I’m glad you might think I’m worth saving,” he said dryly. “But I’m having trouble being convinced of anything while I feel this much in the dark. I have the distinct feeling all I’m getting is half-truths from either of you. That’s usually not my modus operandi.”

  “We know that,” Alisa said quickly. “I’m not really trying to keep any secrets from you. Well, I was, but that’s over. I just didn’t want to startle you or give you any wrong ideas. Vogel said you were very cynical, and I didn’t want to trigger anything negative.”

  “Trigger it,” he said crisply. “I’m the one to decide if it’s negative or not.”

  “I’m out of here,” Margaret said. “I believe that’s the cue for me to fade into the sunset.” She glanced at Alisa. “I’ll go and supervise the villagers moving the helicopter beneath that tarp beside the lake, and then I have to get out of here. It will be dark in the jungle in another hour and I have to get back to Masenak’s camp and see if there’ve been any developments.”