Vendetta

by Iris Johansen

  “Yes, and I’ve made sure that they’re very efficient. Which should let you know how valuable I’m going to be to you.” His smile disappeared. “So stop arguing with me, Catherine. I know exactly what this entails and the degree of threat to me. I also know that you’re going to go forward no matter what I do. I find I can’t tolerate the idea of letting you go alone. You might say I was extremely upset when I couldn’t get to San Kabara Island in time to help you. So upset that I’m not going to let it happen again. Is that clear?”

  “Crystal. But that doesn’t mean that I have to—”

  “Shh. Yes, it does. Better to keep me close where you can watch me.” He was smiling again as he reached for his phone. “You can try to toss me out of your life later. Right now, I guarantee you’re going to want me around.” Then he was quickly dialing a number. “But it would be wise not to voice any theories you might have to your friends in the CIA or FBI until I can gather concrete information about Van Deek.” The call was answered and he said, “Information about a Captain Peter Van Deek, Willis. Everything. Dig deep, and fast. Start off with the assumption that he’s dirty and go from there…”

  * * *

  “Fasrain is dead?” Brandon repeated. “Weird. It had to be Huber or one of his men, Catherine. But it might mean Huber’s plan is falling apart.”

  “Or that he wants it to seem that it is,” Catherine said. “Anyway, we’ve got a few theories about what might happen down the road now that Fasrain been erased. I’m bringing Cameron out to Beach Haven so that we can plan the next step. We should be there in about an hour.”

  “We?” he echoed. “Cameron? Who the hell is Cameron?”

  “I wasn’t certain Rachel would mention him. That’s why I wanted to call and prepare you. Richard Cameron. I’ve worked with him before, and you’ll find him very … useful. At any rate, whether you do or not, I’ve agreed to let him help straighten out this mess.”

  “Indeed? We’ll see, Catherine.”

  “Yes, we will,” she said wearily. “Don’t give me problems, Brandon. I’m having enough trouble controlling Cameron. You’ll be smart enough to realize that I’m not making a mistake when you meet him.” She changed the subject. “How’s Rachel? Will you tell her I’ll explain everything when we get there?”

  “Rachel has a few major problems of her own. She doesn’t need any new ones appearing on the horizon. I’ll see you in an hour, Catherine.” He cut the connection.

  “You’re not pleased with our gorgeous Mata Hari.” Nate’s gaze was on Brandon’s face. “Did I hear that Fasrain’s dead?”

  “Yes, but who the hell knows what that means.” He rubbed the back of his neck. He was tired and on edge and close to exploding. “Catherine seems to think she does. Or maybe it’s her new ‘friend’ who she thinks can run the show.”

  Nate gave a low whistle. “Maybe you’re just tired. You and Monty have been working for hours on that IP address. No closer?”

  “I don’t know. Monty’s going over the last proxy we took out with Sam Zackoff. I’m waiting to see if there was any breakthrough.”

  “You could go check on Rachel,” Nate suggested. “She might need—”

  “She doesn’t need me,” Brandon interrupted. “She made that clear. I’m better off here until I can give her something that will make a difference.”

  “It will take a hell of a lot to do that,” Nate said. “I can see why she’s a basket case. That poor little kid.”

  “She’s not a basket case. She’s too damn controlled. She won’t let go. We’ve both been there, Nate. She’s afraid that if she does, she’ll shatter and never find all the pieces again.”

  “Yeah, I was like that after Afghanistan, but I never—”

  “Brandon.” Monty was at the door. His expression intent, his eyes glittering. “Come in here. Sam and I want to go over that last proxy again with you. He believes we’ve got something. He thinks it might have led us down the right road.”

  CHAPTER

  15

  She was ready.

  Rachel looked down at her hands. Very nice. Soft, pink, nails that looked capable but ladylike.

  Oh, yes, she’d made certain they’d be more than capable. And the special coating she’d put beneath those nails would definitely do what she demanded of it.

  With absolutely no way to detect its presence.

  It was probably too early, but if she was careful, it would do. And if she wasn’t careful, then she wouldn’t live to worry about it.

  She replaced the empty vial in the case and set the case back in the closet.

  Her phone rang as she came back into the room.

  She tensed. It could be Catherine. It didn’t have to be Huber.

  But she had been expecting a contact from Huber since she’d received the email from Nemesis. He wouldn’t let a personal triumph on that scale get by without indulging in a fit of malicious gloating.

  The phone rang again.

  Pick up the call.

  “Hello, Huber, I’ve been expecting you. You’re so very predictable.”

  “Then you realize what that little girl has in store for her when she gets here. I wanted to make sure that I had her by the time I started my grand celebration.” His voice was silky soft. “Because that would assure that I also had you, Rachel. Maria is so young, far younger than you were at Sazkar Prison.”

  Don’t let him know Maria means anything to her. It would be a weapon. “I barely remember her. She was just a patient.”

  “I’ve had reports that tell me differently.”

  “People lie to you. They know you’re not very bright.”

  Silence. “You’re going to pay for every one of those insults. Or perhaps I’ll allow little Maria to share. Yes, that seems only fair.”

  Her hand tightened on the phone. “I barely remember her,” she repeated.

  “You will. Suppose I send photos and videos to you at every stage of torture I put her through until you admit that you recall everything about her. I do prefer reality, but that can come later.”

  She couldn’t help herself. “She’s only a kid. Does it make you feel big and strong to do that to a child?”

  “Yes, power is power. It doesn’t matter as long as it exists and I can see it. I’ll be able see it so clearly when I have you here with me. It’s up to you if I’ll see it when I have Maria.”

  “Are you saying you’ll release her if I turn myself over to you?”

  “I might be persuaded. I don’t have a good deal of time to convince you to step into my parlor before day after tomorrow. You’re the one I really want.”

  “You wouldn’t sacrifice yourself. Why do you think I would?”

  “Because Kraus believes you will. I’m reluctant to admit it, but he’s very seldom wrong.”

  “He is this time.”

  “Then he’ll suffer for it. I’ve told him that I don’t allow incompetence. But I’ll take the time and effort to make certain he has the chance to prove he’s right to me. Do you remember the first night that you were raped?”

  She tensed. “No, it didn’t mean that much to me.”

  “But Maria is younger, the pain will be greater. I’m already planning that night.”

  Eight years old. She wanted to kill him. Only eight years old.

  “You’re not speaking.” His voice was filled with malice. “It seems Kraus was right.”

  “You’re boring me.”

  “That will end soon. I’ll call you again when I have her standing before me. She’s left Guyana now and is on her way to me. It shouldn’t be that long before my men deliver her to me. I think that discussion will prove much more interesting.”

  He cut the connection.

  Her chest was so tight, she could scarcely breathe. She was hot and shaking.

  Anger … and fear.

  Huber would do it. She knew he would do what he threatened to little Maria Perez. There wasn’t any evil too great for him.

  And she also knew she co
uld never permit it to happen.

  She went to the French doors and opened them to let in the cool night air.

  That was a little better. She moved a few steps out onto the veranda. Now she was able to catch her breath, and she didn’t feel as hot and feverish.

  “Rachel!” Brandon was at the bedroom door. “Where are you? I need to—” Then he saw her standing on the veranda. He crossed the room in three strides. His voice was crisp, curt, but threaded with underlying excitement. “I have to talk to you. It’s not status quo any longer. Things are breaking and changing. Something is—” He frowned, squinting to see her in the darkness. “What are you doing out here?”

  She wasn’t ready to go into that nightmare call with him yet. “It was cooler.” She hadn’t been mistaken. He was excited. Let it be about something good. She had to give herself time before she could face anything terrible after Huber. “What’s breaking and changing?”

  “We’ve identified the IP address.”

  She went still. “You’re certain?”

  “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. We checked and double-checked, and Sam Zackoff confirmed it.”

  Hope. But she was afraid to hope for too much. “And can you find him now?”

  “We’re working on it.” His hands grasped her shoulders. “But it’s going to be a yes, Rachel. All we need is a little more time. And once we get hold of Nemesis, I guarantee that I’ll find Huber for you. Now that he’s in Red Star’s camp, he’ll have to know where Huber’s compound is located.” He stared down into her eyes. “And Nemesis will tell me anything I want to know. I swear it.”

  She believed him. But that didn’t nearly solve all the problems. “I don’t know how much time we have. I don’t know how much time Huber will give me.” She was trying to figure out what this might mean to Maria. “Maybe if I can manage to stall him. But he’s going to have Maria very soon.” She moistened her lips. “He told me so.”

  He stiffened. “What?”

  “He was very pleased with himself.” She was starting to shake again and took a moment to control herself. “And he would like to hurt me through Maria as well as the punishment he’s already planned. I’m sure you can imagine what he has in mind.”

  “Yes.” He cursed low and vehemently. “And I can imagine what you have in mind.” Then he turned on his heel and strode toward the bedroom door. “Forget it. Because we’re going to find Nemesis before Huber has a chance to touch either one of you.” He stopped at the doorway to look back at her. “Oh, and Catherine called me and told me that she’d be here in an hour. Only now it’s only thirty minutes. She’s bringing company. Richard Cameron.” His lips twisted. “She’s sure we’re going to bond with him. It seems that she thinks that it’s necessary since they just found Fasrain shot to death in a motel in Oakland.”

  “What?” Her eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was going to get around to it. First things first. It was more important that I let you know that we have a chance of getting our hands on Huber by way of Nemesis. At least that was more important to me.” He met her eyes across the room. “What about you, Rachel? Are you bound and determined to be a sacrifice on Maria’s altar?”

  “Not if I can help it,” she said quietly. “That would mean Huber would win anyway. He’s so evil, he wouldn’t be able to keep himself from torturing and killing her.” Her lips curled faintly. “By all means, let’s find a way to go get Huber. Nate tells me there’s no one better than you at doing what’s necessary. But make certain any plan calls for Maria to get away alive.” She added deliberately, “And be sure that you use every weapon you have in your arsenal. If you don’t, I’ll do it myself. Do you understand, Brandon?”

  “You couldn’t be more clear.” The door slammed behind him.

  She flinched as she went back into the bedroom. The status quo had indeed changed on several fronts, she thought. That last volley Brandon had hurled had been a complete surprise. She didn’t know whether Fasrain’s death would offer anything but confusion. She would have to trust Catherine and this Richard Cameron to decipher what it meant since they had just come from the scene.

  How many times had her father had to face this kind of double-dealing and vicious mayhem in his long career? But had there ever been terrified little girls used as pawns?

  I know this is a fight that I have to win, but it’s very, very hard, Daddy.

  * * *

  Richard Cameron was … unusual, Rachel thought as she watched him enter the living room. He emitted charisma and something infinitely more potent. She found she couldn’t take her eyes off him. Did he have that same effect on Catherine?

  Not visibly. But Catherine was able to hide her feelings in most cases. She was turning to Rachel after introducing him to Brandon. “This is Cameron, Rachel. You’ll find he’s totally trustworthy if he wants to be. And he’s clever enough to make you think black is white if he doesn’t.” She looked challengingly at Cameron. “But he’s promised me he’ll be on his best behavior.”

  “Absolutely.” His smile lit his face as he shook Rachel’s hand. “Why shouldn’t I be? I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you. Catherine thinks you’re remarkable. I believe I’d agree with her.”

  Rachel suddenly felt as if she was wrapped in the softest velvet. Two minutes before, she had been almost somber, but she found herself smiling back at him. “It’s Catherine who is remarkable.”

  “I know,” he said softly. “That’s why she’s capable of attracting such interesting friends.” He glanced back at Catherine. “Stop frowning. I’m only being civil.” He turned toward Brandon as he came down the hall. “Jude Brandon?” He shook his hand. “Catherine trusts you, so I must. You don’t have to obey the same rule. But you’ll find that it will save time.”

  “That’s a priority at the moment,” Brandon said noncommittally. “So we might try it and see how far we get. Rachel will tell you I have to get back to the lab.” He met Rachel’s eyes. “I have my orders.”

  “Yes, you do. He and Monty found the IP address, Catherine. He’s working on the trace.”

  “Good,” Catherine said. “He didn’t mention it to me.”

  “Recent development,” Brandon said. “And you were having your own developments. So sit down and tell me what you think Fasrain’s assassination will mean. You said you had theories.”

  “And they’re still that status,” Catherine said. “It made sense to me that Huber and Kraus wouldn’t kill Fasrain without a backup. I think that Captain Van Deek isn’t the hero everyone thinks he is and might be that backup. Of course, it could be one of his officers who was supposed to take over Fasrain’s job. It just seemed that the least likely candidate would be the one Kraus would choose.” She glanced at Cameron. “Cameron agreed it was a possible scenario, so he turned his bloodhounds on Van Deek and his entire crew. He got the first initial report just before we pulled into the driveway. The Katrina crew is coming up pristine. Van Deek’s guilt or innocence is more difficult to access just because there are so many things on the plus side that are getting in the way. His medals and heroics are definitely authentic, and he’s well liked by his men and the owners of his ship. There was something a trifle shady about a few of his real-estate transactions in Kuwait but nothing that could be pinned down. There was a possibility it could have been purchased with drug money. We should know fairly soon if they’re able to unearth any other dirt. Cameron thinks if there is any, it will be ambiguous and hard to prove without extensive investigation.”

  “Which means it will be hard as hell to get anyone to take action since he’s a bona fide hero,” Brandon said. “Claire?”

  “Maybe,” Catherine said. “Doubtful. I’ll have to see what evidence we end up with.” She shrugged. “I just wanted to fill you both in on the possibility that this is still the nightmare scenario Huber was originally threatening. Fasrain’s death might not have any effect on it.” She looked at Rachel. “It makes me sick just thinking about it. I
have to be sure. I can’t let this go even if I can’t convince anyone that Van Deek could be crooked. I’ll have to do something.”

  Rachel nodded. “Of course you can’t. We’ll have to find a way to stop it.” Though right now it seemed to be an impossible task. All she could think about was Maria and finding a way to get her away from Huber. But if it was true that Van Deek was a conspirator, then they had to keep him from doing this horrible thing. She just had to pull herself together and think how to do it.

  “That goes without saying, Rachel.” Cameron was suddenly on his feet, his gaze on her face. “But we’re not here to toss the problem in your laps. As Catherine said, she just wanted to fill you in. No demands. We’ll let you know when we hear something definite, then we’ll work something out.” He shrugged. “You appear to be a bit busy at the moment. Though I’d like to observe what you’re doing with that trace, Brandon. Perhaps I could go back with you and talk to this Monty I’ve been hearing about. I promise I won’t be in the way. You might find me useful.” He didn’t wait for a reply but turned to Catherine. “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind waiting, would you? I know you and Rachel have things to talk about.”

  “Oh, do we?” Catherine’s eyes were narrowed on his face. “You’re probably right.” She turned to Rachel. “I could use a cup of tea. Let’s go to the kitchen, and I’ll make us one.” She said over her shoulder to Brandon, “Be careful. I’ve probably told him too much about Monty. Don’t let him steal him.”

  * * *

  “Maria?” Catherine was gazing at Rachel in horror. “Dammit, when were you going to let me know about it? Were you just going to let me drive away from here when you have that hanging over you?”

  “Perhaps,” Rachel admitted. “I wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. If your friend, Cameron, hadn’t decided to send me off with you, I’d have taken more time to try to get some kind of plan together.”

  “That might not include me,” she said flatly. “Do you think I don’t see Huber has you backed in a corner?”