Vendetta

by Iris Johansen

  Catherine’s thoughtful gaze followed him until he disappeared. “I can see why Venable asked him to go after you. I never worked with Brandon when he and Venable were taking down that cell last year, but I know your father trusted him to get the job done.” Her gaze shifted to Rachel. “I’ve only run across two or three men in my career who gave out that particular vibe.”

  “Vibe?”

  She motioned impatiently. “Power. Sheer power. You know what I’m talking about. He’s … not usual.”

  “That he’s not,” Rachel said dryly. “Yes, I know what you’re talking about. So did Morales and his men in that jungle in Guyana.”

  “But what’s your judgment? Can you trust him?”

  “I think I can. Do you mean would he run right over me if it meant getting Huber? He’s driven, but I don’t believe he’d go that far. He told me he wouldn’t. You don’t have to worry about that.”

  “Yes, I do. But I just have to know how close I have to watch him.” Her gaze shifted to Rachel. “Because he’s watching you very closely, indeed. That could be good or not so good. This is a very dicey situation. More than I first thought.”

  “You’re not responsible for keeping an eye on Brandon,” Rachel said quietly. “You have your own job to do. Leave Brandon to me.”

  “Yes, by all means, leave me to Rachel.” Brandon was coming down the hall carrying a tray with a carafe and cups and saucers. He added, “And leave Rachel to me, Catherine. It will be much more efficient all around.” He put the tray on the coffee table in front of the fireplace. “Now why did you think that there was a possibility of you being followed?”

  “Because I don’t know what’s going on,” Catherine said bluntly as she poured herself a cup of coffee and one for Rachel. “And I don’t like being in the dark.” She looked at Rachel. “And Claire Warren is very interested in you and how she might manipulate you to take down Huber. She wouldn’t give a damn about protecting you if it meant that she’d have a chance to get rid of him.”

  “Which only means she’s an operative of the caliber of my father,” Rachel said quietly. “He’d weigh all options as he should. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to save the world.”

  “Absolutely not, but there’s something wrong with sacrificing lives unnecessarily because it’s convenient to do so,” Catherine said bluntly. “And not searching for ways to get to the same destination without handing you over to Huber if it comes to a deal.”

  “You believe she’s heading that way?” Brandon asked.

  “I believe she’s ruthless and will stop this attack on the city at any cost,” Catherine said. “She made that very clear. She delayed announcing Venable’s death so that she could get all her ducks in a row. You’re one of those ducks, Rachel.” She stared coolly at Brandon. “And Claire Warren said that she sent you down to Guyana to herd her into position.”

  “What?” Rachel’s eyes flew to Brandon’s face. “When I was talking about her, you never mentioned you knew her.”

  “It wasn’t relevant at the time. It might have just gotten in the way. And my relationship with Claire Warren would not give her the authority to order me to do anything.” He met her eyes. “I called and told her that Venable was dead and that I was going after you. I thought someone at the CIA should know what was happening, considering what Huber was planning for San Francisco. I did not ask permission. Claire and I have had problems in the past, so that wouldn’t happen.” His lips twisted. “And I do not consider you a duck any more than I do a goat.”

  “Goat?” Catherine echoed. “Did I miss something?”

  “Goats, tigers, ducks,” Rachel said impatiently. “I’m tired of comparisons. And it all goes back to whether I’m going to trust Brandon.” She paused. “And I suppose I do.” She added fiercely, “Though I don’t like it that you just happened to not mention you knew Claire Warren.”

  “Objection noted,” he said. “However, I don’t see how you can expect me to be totally open when you’re hardly forthcoming yourself.” He turned back to Catherine. “Since when would a CIA officer order that one of her operatives be followed when on assignment?”

  Catherine shrugged. “I could be overreacting. But she specifically requested me for her team, and she knew that I was friends with both Venable and Rachel. It seemed to be a little too convenient.” She made a face. “And I had a little spat with her, and she was cold as ice. I decided I wasn’t going to risk her getting her hands on Rachel and trying to use her. That was why I decided I needed to come here.” She stared him in the eye. “And I had to make sure that, in a pinch, you wouldn’t use her either. Or I’d have to take her away from you.”

  “That might be interesting,” he murmured.

  She smiled. “Yes, it would. Pity that Rachel’s decided that you’re marginally trustworthy and that I trust her judgment.” She lifted her coffee to her lips. “So we work together. But Claire Warren was very clear about Rachel’s being an asset that we couldn’t ignore. She was certain that Huber would do anything to get his hands on her. She wouldn’t tell me why.” She looked at Rachel. “Are you going to tell me?”

  “I was responsible for the death of Huber’s father.”

  Catherine gave a low whistle. “That would do it.”

  “And one other thing that I might throw into the mix,” Brandon said quietly. “I don’t know if Huber is aware of it yet, but Venable gave his informant, Nemesis, from Huber’s camp, Rachel’s name as the person to contact with any information if he was taken out.”

  “What?” Rachel stared at him, stunned. “And when were you going to tell me that?”

  “Not until it was necessary.” He shrugged. “But you’re insisting on total frankness, and I can’t risk your walking away from me.”

  Catherine was shaking her head. “And if Huber does know, he’d want to take Rachel out just to keep her quiet.” She added skeptically, “You’re quite sure you’re right about trusting Brandon, Rachel?”

  “Dammit, I thought Venable would give Nemesis my name,” Brandon said. “But he didn’t trust me enough. You’re the only one he trusted, Rachel. He said to tell you that he was sorry to do it, but it was time for you to make the choice. That he’d promised it to you.”

  “And put her squarely in the crosshairs,” Catherine said.

  Not for the first time Rachel thought dazedly. Choices … “I suppose that’s true. But he wouldn’t think—he’d only think about what was the right thing to do. He was dying, Catherine.”

  “I know,” Catherine said. “But he could have given him my name if he didn’t trust Brandon. You’re a doctor. You wouldn’t know how to handle any of this.”

  “I guess he thought I’d learn.” She looked at Brandon. “How is this Nemesis supposed to contact me?”

  Brandon shrugged. “Venable said he communicated by computer with him until he set up that last meeting. Venable probably gave him your email address.”

  “It would have been nice if you’d told me to check it,” she said sarcastically. “I’ve been a little too busy to go online lately.”

  “I would have gotten around to it soon. I wanted to let you get your breath.”

  “I don’t believe Max Huber or Nemesis would be equally considerate.”

  “I had a little time. At least a week or so. Venable said that nothing was going to happen until the twenty-fifth. He said that date was locked in place.”

  “The twenty-fifth of September,” Rachel said slowly. “Yes, that would make sense.”

  “Why?” Catherine asked.

  “It was the twenty-fifth of September four years ago when Conrad Huber was killed. His son evidently wants to make a statement.” She moistened her lips. “Vendetta. Not only to kill the two people responsible for killing his father but to cripple an entire city in his honor.” She shuddered. “And who knows how many fatalities would be laid on the altar.”

  Brandon nodded grimly. “Max Huber is exceptionally good at statements. The count would be high. He’
d want to go over 9/11 for bragging rights.”

  Bragging rights. Rachel felt sick at the thought. “No wonder he wants to get his hands on me so quickly. I’d be the centerpiece of his celebration, wouldn’t I?”

  “If he had his way.” His lips tightened. “But he won’t, Rachel.”

  “If you say so.” She was shaking. Her mind was spinning. She needed to get out of here so that she could make sense of what she had been told.

  “It’s time to make a choice.”

  Brandon said that was the message her father had sent her. But she couldn’t think, much less make choices, right now.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Catherine said gently. “I’m here for you, Rachel. I know this all seems overwhelming. But this is what I do. This is what Venable did. I’ll get you through this.” She cast a glance at Brandon. “I might even let him help.”

  “Many thanks,” he said dryly. “I don’t believe you have a choice.”

  Choice again, Rachel thought. That word that Venable had used. The word that was taking her breath away and knotting her stomach.

  “Well, the two of you can argue it out,” she said jerkily as she put her cup down on the coffee table. She gave Catherine a quick hug and turned away. “Yes, okay, I’m shaken and confused by all this. I need some time. I’ll call you tomorrow morning. It seems the world’s not going to crash before then. Thanks for coming to the rescue.”

  “I haven’t tried to rescue you from anyone but Brandon so far,” Catherine said. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” She put her cup down. “I’ll keep a close eye on all intel and get back to you if there’s anything interesting. And I’ll do a little probing to see if I can find out another name for Nemesis. That’s a bit melodramatic for me. It reminds me of Deep Throat.”

  “Venable said the same thing when he first told me about him,” Brandon said.

  “Venable and I always thought a good deal alike.” She added to Rachel, “Except about putting you in the crosshairs. He should have given Nemesis my name to contact.”

  “But he didn’t.” Rachel was heading for the door. “Good night, Catherine.” She glanced at Brandon. “And I’m having trouble with you for not telling me everything. It smacks of manipulation. But then every interaction between us since the moment I met you has been manipulative. I’m going to have to think about that.”

  “By all means.” He was smiling crookedly. “But remember that at least two of those initial interactions have involved manipulations by you. Good night, Rachel.”

  He was right. Maria Perez, then Philip’s rescue. But she was not about to go into either right now. She just needed to get away and think about this Nemesis, whom her father had handed to her as a terrible gift.

  And September 25 and all the thousands of deaths Huber was determined to lay at her door in commemoration of that day four years ago.

  * * *

  But three hours later, Rachel was still tossing and turning in bed. Nothing was clear, and everything was a jumble of her father’s words and all that he had been to her. Catherine had not understood Venable’s actions, but she had not had that problem. He had warned her this time might come, but she had not thought that he would not be here with her when it did. That he would never be with her again.

  Time for choices.

  I don’t want to lose you, too.

  But he had lost her, and she had lost him in the most final way possible. She had thought that she had lost him before that shot that had taken his life, but he had proved her wrong. He had still been with her, like a shadow, like a memory that was engraved on everything she had done during those years without him.

  I don’t want to lose you, too …

  NEW YORK CITY

  FIVE YEARS AGO

  But the loss had seemed inevitable.

  And it had first begun both for Venable and her during those years when she had studied with Hu Chang and gone on to the university and medical school. Her father had lived his life, and she had lived hers. Occasionally, she had received a gift or phone call from him, but he had never tried to reunite with her.

  And she had never tried to reach out to him, either. Not until today, when she called him and asked him to come to her apartment for lunch. It was the week after she graduated from med school, and she had been filled with enthusiasm and eagerness and the hope for new beginnings. She had been nervous, filled with misgivings, yet there had been that hope …

  The doorbell rang.

  She stood there and took a deep breath. This might be a mistake. Venable had not been the one to make the move. Perhaps he didn’t really want to see her.

  Stop making excuses not to open the door. She had thought about this for months, a new life was nothing without resolving what had been left behind. And there was that hope that had never gone away …

  And she thought she saw the same hope in her father’s expression when she opened the door.

  He looked the same as he had that last day at the prison in Afghanistan. Maybe his hair was a little more gray than red, perhaps there were a few more lines in his face. “Hello.” He smiled. “You look beautiful. Shouldn’t I be taking you out to lunch? I hear you graduated with honors, Dr. Venable. I was very proud when Hu Chang told me.”

  “I sent you an invitation.”

  “I didn’t want to intrude. It was a special day for you.” He paused. “And I didn’t believe I was part of your life any longer. I figured you didn’t need me there.”

  “That’s not what you said that last day.”

  “That was before I realized how well you were doing without me. Hu Chang was healing you as I never could.” His lips twisted. “I was supposed to step in and be the cause of your having a fresh set of nightmares? That’s the last thing that I wanted, Rachel. Hu Chang kept me updated about you.” He met her eyes. “And I hoped one day that I might get a call from you inviting me to lunch or dinner. Or just to sit down and talk. I’ll take anything I’m given.”

  “Then I’d better invite you in instead of letting you stand out in the hall.” She smiled unsteadily. “Though you’d probably prefer to take me out to lunch. Hu Chang says I’m the world’s worst cook. I tried to solve the problem today by fixing frozen lasagna casserole that won’t totally be a disaster.” She stepped aside. “So step into my brand-new parlor whose only real advantage is that it’s close to the hospital where I’m doing my residency. But thank heavens it also has a microwave oven to keep me from starving.”

  He went past her and looked around the apartment. “It’s warm and colorful, and it looks like you.” He glanced at the long table and shelves with multiple vials and bottles against the wall across the room. “That’s your lab? Very neat. Though I didn’t expect you to have a lab here.”

  “Why not? It’s more convenient than arranging time at one of the labs at the hospital. And I keep all the poisons secured in that cabinet when I’m not using them. I love to experiment. You might say it’s a passion.”

  “Hu Chang told me that you were a remarkable student.”

  “He’s a remarkable teacher.” She braced herself. “I’m feeling awkward. I knew it would be like this. But I couldn’t avoid it any longer. I thought it would be worth it … to both of us.”

  “Just being here is worth it to me,” he said quietly. “And I’m not feeling awkward, I’m feeling grateful. Perhaps you’d feel less awkward if you talked it out. You always did when you were a little girl.”

  And he had always understood that about her. He had understood so many of her traits and dreams. “That’s very smart of you. You were always so clever…” She gestured to a chair. “Want a cup of coffee? I have an automatic coffeemaker, and even I have trouble ruining coffee.”

  “Later.” He dropped down into the chair. “Talk to me, Rachel.”

  She didn’t speak for a moment. “I wasn’t … fair to you. I think I knew it at the time. But I couldn’t get past … It’s just that you’re so smart. I’ve always thought you could do anything. I could
n’t understand why you couldn’t save me from … that.”

  “I should have been able to do it,” he said hoarsely. “You were right to blame me.”

  She shook her head. “I was too young to realize that you weren’t superman and that you’d always do whatever you could. It took a long time for me to think clearly enough to sort it all out.” She grimaced. “And you and I don’t think alike. You run toward all the blood and gore and try to battle it. My instinct is to come later and try to heal the wounds. You said I was more like you than my brothers. But I don’t think that’s true.”

  “I believe you’ll find it is.” He reached out and took her hand. “I watched you growing up, and you never turned your back on a battle. You may be a healer, but there’s always a time to make a choice. If the battle is worth it to you, then you’d go running toward it, too.” His hand tightened on hers. “I think perhaps what happened to you caused you to run the other way. God knows I was glad that you were burying your head in your books and studies. You’ve gone through enough violence to last your entire life.”

  “And so have you. Why don’t you step away from it?”

  “Because someone has to stop it, and I’m good at it. That’s where my instinct lies, Rachel.” He looked down at her hand, and said haltingly, “Do you remember I told you that I hoped that you weren’t right about my accepting the report I had on you too readily? I had nightmares about that.” He added harshly, “Because I didn’t want to give up those two prisoners. I’d found a link between them and another terrorist organization that was pulling the strings of that Taliban group. I didn’t want to give them up before I traced that link.”

  “I … see.”

  “No, you don’t,” he said roughly. “I can feel you drawing back from me. It’s not what you think. Those two prisoners trained outside Dusseldorf, Germany, with the Red Star terrorist organization. I’ve had a good deal of interaction with Conrad Huber of Red Star. I get in their way. They punish people who get in their way.” His eyes lifted to meet her own, and they were glittering with moisture. “Or the families of people who get in their way. I thought there was a good chance that they might have orchestrated that ambush that killed your mother and brother … and stuck you in that hellhole of a prison.”