“Don’t let anyone in,” I told the bodyguard. “Especially his aide.”
The man blinked in surprise and looked at the senator, who nodded.
Despite the senator’s reassurance, we moved farther into the room, away from the bodyguard. The large space was set up for a presentation, with rows of chairs facing a podium and a white screen.
“What’s this all about?” the senator asked.
“It’s your aide,” I said. “He’s going to try to kill you.”
“TOM?” SENATOR BELLARS LAUGHED, STARING at me as though awaiting the punch line.
“It’s true.” Keene drew out the white envelope from his blazer pocket. “We believe he’s working with a woman and that they are also connected to the attack on the lab. Have you ever seen this woman before?” He handed Bellars the photograph of Tom kissing Justine’s cheek at the airport.
Senator Bellars shook his head. “No. Who is it?”
“An operative.” Keene took back the photo. “She could be wearing a wig or have short hair. Are you sure you haven’t seen her—or noticed your aide talking to her?”
Bellars glanced again at the photograph Keene still held out. “No, I haven’t. Believe me, I’d notice a woman like that.” He glanced at me and added as though feeling the need to excuse himself for the comment, “At least since the death of my wife last year.” He looked back at Keene. “Look, you say this woman’s an operative, but for whom? And why would anyone want me dead? I may have access to some sensitive information, but no more than hundreds of others.”
“It’s the drug companies,” I said. “The autoimmune cure the lab was working on has a very real chance of getting to market with your help.”
Understanding dawned on his pale features. “They can’t keep making money if people are cured.” His lips tightened in anger. “My wife died from an autoimmune disease, you know, that’s why I agreed to be involved. I will never back down. Unfortunately, I’ve been out to the lab, and there’s nothing but ashes. I can’t find any of the scientists or a trace of their research. I had a whole team of locals searching with me.”
“We believe at least one scientist has been captured by the group in question—and that they have access to the research.”
“Which should mean I’m no longer a target.” The senator folded his arms across his chest. “Without the research, I can’t help get it to market.”
Keene shook his head. “According to our intelligence, you’re still in danger. You said yourself you wouldn’t stop, and with what the scientists have learned over the years, there’s a good chance they can get to this point again a lot quicker. Unless they take you out, stealing the research isn’t going to make much difference. Your presence in Palenque puts you in grave danger. A lot of suspicious accidents happen here. We need to get you out.”
“No, no.” Bellars waved Keene’s words away. “You’re reading a lot more into my importance than is merited. Stella and the others who are funding the project would be better targets.”
“Not if they’re well protected,” Keene said.
“Even if what you say is true, I can’t leave now. Tomorrow afternoon at four there’s going to be a celebration, and I’m the guest of honor.” Bellars gave a self-deprecatory laugh. “I helped raise money to build a school here, and we’ve been able to put in quite a few wells in nearby villages to give children fresh water. When they heard I was in town, they threw together this event. People will be traveling from all over the municipality to attend. I can’t disappoint them.”
I groaned inwardly, meeting Keene’s gaze. “That’s when she’ll do it.” I felt sick. Tom had probably already reported the impending celebration, and wherever Justine was, she’d take full advantage to try out the new drug. The mistake drug. There could be hundreds of casualties—and no way to connect it to Justine, the Emporium, or the drug companies they supported.
“You’ll have to disappoint them or a lot of people will die,” Keene said.
Senator Bellars’ furry eyebrows rose. “A lot of people? Aren’t you exaggerating? If I’m the target, my opponents have no reason to hurt anyone else. I’ll be careful, but I’m not going to let these people win.”
“You don’t know this woman,” I said. “She has a way of convincing almost anyone to help her.” How to explain an Unbounded talent, especially one as elusive as pheromone manipulation? “Keene can get you out of town safely.”
Bellars’ face flushed red. “I’m not going anywhere. You know what I think? Something rings fishy about all this. Your partner flashed me his badge, but I certainly noticed that you didn’t show me yours.” His gaze swung to Keene. “Without calling the FBI and verifying for myself that you are with the agency and that you are here on their command, I have no reason to trust either of you. I’ve had numerous death threats over the years, and I’m not about to turn chicken now. If you’re really concerned, you guys find the woman and get it taken care of, but I’m staying here and doing my job.”
“What about Tom?” Did Bellars believe at least that part of our story? I couldn’t tell, though he was sincere in his determination. Near the door, the bodyguard’s hand had inched closer to his gun. He wasn’t close enough to overhear much, but perhaps he was reacting to the senator’s irritated tone and stiff body language.
“Tom’s the most efficient aide I’ve ever had. Only two weeks and he’s made everything in my schedule run smoothly, not to mention my personal life. I admit that I’m hoping you’re wrong about him.” Senator Bellars sighed. “I’ll have my bodyguard watch him. I know a few good men here I can also hire, and I am friends with the local police. I’ll be careful. Tomorrow at the celebration, we’ll have everyone checked before they can get close to the podium.”
I knew it wouldn’t be enough. The Emporium didn’t play fair in any kind of fight, and that meant we’d have to take matters into our own hands—starting with Tom because he could help us find Justine and the scientist.
“Where’s the celebration going to be held?” Keene asked.
“At the ruins. Couple miles out of town.” A grin cut the senator’s face. “Maya kids are going to sing and do a dance. Nice little show for the tourists.”
Keene and I traded another hard look. Tourists and children. We had to stop Justine from hurting any of them, but the site of the ruins would be impossible to secure on such short notice, especially with only two of us.
Senator Bellars walked to the door. “Should I send Tom home?”
I stifled the urge to tell him Tom was likely to kill him if he realized anyone was onto him. “Better to find some legitimate business you can use to keep him occupied,” I said. “I wouldn’t sleep in the same hotel room, though, and I certainly wouldn’t go anywhere alone with him.”
Bellars stopped at the door. “How can I reach you?”
Keene exchanged numbers with him while I impatiently waited for them to finish. I was sure Justine, with her flare for the dramatic, would choose the celebration to act, so he might be safe enough for the time being. If he wouldn’t let Keene get him out of town, I’d forget him and go back to helping Stella.
“He can’t hold that meeting tomorrow,” Keene said as the door shut behind the senator. “If I have to shoot him myself, I’m not going to let those children and their parents pay for his arrogance.”
“Not arrogance,” I told him. “Disbelief coupled with a strong desire to do what he thinks is right. He’s already come this far without letting anyone push him around.”
Keene snorted. “He’s going to get people killed.”
“Not if we can help it. But if it gets to that, aim for his arm, okay?” I gave him a flat stare. “Once we get the research, we’ll still need help getting the drug to market.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He scowled.
“What?”
“Something the senator said about why they’d still be gunning for him since they have the research. He’s right, you know. If the Emporium has the research, they
really don’t need to kill him now. Why not let things go on as they are for a while longer?”
“Because they want to test the drug, right? Isn’t that what Cort and the others believe?”
“Wouldn’t the States be a better place for a test? I mean, let’s be honest. Who’s really going to care more than a few minutes about some dead Maya children?”
He was probably right. “There will be outrage for the tourists, at least. Or maybe that’s the point. They could want to test on an insignificant population that won’t make big headlines. That allows for more surprise at home when they hit something big.”
“I still think there’s more to it,” Keene said. “My informant at the Emporium was adamant that they were going to get rid of the senator. It didn’t seem based on whether or not they stole any research.”
“Well, whatever the Emporium plan is now, Justine came here to assassinate the senator, and if I know anything about her, it’s that she hates to leave things undone.”
“You got that right.” He reached for the door. “Anyway, I’ll do some more digging. See if anything new pops up.”
“What about Bellars? You think he’ll call the FBI about us?”
“He might. But I suspect he won’t because he wants to do his own thing. If he does call them, he’ll be told the FBI has no official business here.” Keene gave me a half grin. “The FBI denies a lot things, though, and he knows that. So he’d really be right back where he started. Guess I’m camping outside the senator’s rooms while I do a little calling. What about you?”
“I’m going to look for Tom.”
“Have fun with that.” He cracked a smile that didn’t match the hardness in his voice. “But keep in mind that if he sees you, it’s over. You’ll have to take him out of the game.” His voice became marginally softer. “Or at least make sure he’s out of commission for the duration.”
Did he think I couldn’t do it? If I did, would Tom end up at the compound with our other prisoners? He hadn’t been with the Emporium long. Maybe he’d be one of our success stories.
“I’ll do what I have to do.” I moved down the hall, my soft leather shoes making no sound on the carpet. I glanced over my shoulder as I turned the corner, but Keene was already striding in the opposite direction.
Torn between checking on Mari and finding Tom, I finally decided that Mari was safe enough with the Swiss doctor, though maybe I’d move them after I saw what Tom was up to. Benito was still an unproven factor in all this, and regardless of what I decided to do with Mari, he could stay where he was until we finished our mission. Free room service would probably keep him satisfied for days.
Slipping through the hotel, I checked all the common areas, even standing outside the men’s restroom and reaching out my thoughts to see if anyone was inside. Tom wasn’t in the building, so I stepped out into the night, breathing in the rich scent of foliage and earth. The air was so much warmer than in Portland that for a moment I let myself revel in the difference—until my position under the lights near the building made me feel exposed. I headed out over a path through a garden, moving into the tree line. Crickets chirped, something chittered, and a rustle sounded as something scurried away from my feet. Once I felt secure from prying eyes, I began examining the grounds. People were gathered on patios and around the pool, though no one was in the water. Lively music came from a large group on a patio, where a dozen or more couples were dancing. No Tom.
After circling the entire hotel, I still hadn’t found any sign of Tom. Had he left the hotel altogether? I didn’t know if that was a good sign or a bad one. I debated if I should hang out in the parking lot or head back to the senator’s room. Maybe Keene had spotted Tom.
Or maybe I should keep trying. I slipped deeper into the trees, reaching out mentally, probing. Life forces were ahead. I soon caught sight of a large hot tub built into the earth in a secluded clearing, jungle trees all around. Three couples cuddled in the warm water, while another couple kissed on a lounge chair.
No Tom, so I continued searching.
In theory, I should be able to reach out and find him. Delia from the Triad had been able to span floors in the old Emporium headquarters in Los Angeles. She had years of practice, but I was young, strong . . . and apparently not very good at what I did.
Running water from a fountain alerted my attention, but with my senses in high gear, I knew no one was nearby. I sat on the rock wall border and closed my eyes. Tom. I pictured him as I liked to remember him best—standing with me on the top of a cliff with our bicycles in Kansas, far enough from the edge that my fear of heights wasn’t triggered. We’d made it up the difficult trail, sweat dripping from our bodies, chests heaving. The sunset was glorious, though it meant we still had to set up a tent so we’d have somewhere to spend the night.
Tom’s eyes often changed shades of blue, but that day they were like an inviting lake on a summer day. My favorite.
“Erin, I want to do this every day of my life.”
“What? You’re insane.” It had been fun, but the four-hour assent and three-hour return was far too taxing for every day. “Maybe every month. Except in winter.”
He grinned, smoothing back his brown hair from his tanned face. “I mean you and me. We should get married.”
“Married. Wow.”
He took my hand, spreading heat through my body. “Just think about it.”
All at once I found him. His mind was still dark, though not as dark as in the restaurant. Perhaps he wasn’t expecting someone like me. Or maybe like Jace he was too new to be consistent at blocking. Regardless, he was close by, if I could sense even this much of him.
Rising, I followed the hint of his mind, hoping the link would grow stronger with proximity. Up ahead was another small clearing where a foursome played cards under a weak lantern hanging from a pole. Skirting the light, I continued on.
Someone was with Tom, but that person’s mind was shut tight. Unbounded, probably, or someone like Keene who’d grown up with them. I walked more slowly and carefully. From my previous circuit, I knew the parking lot was up ahead. Maybe he’d just returned from wherever he’d gone. Was he with Justine? My stomach churned, but whether with anticipation or dread, I couldn’t say. If I could follow Justine, I might discover where they planned to take the kidnapped scientist.
Tom stood talking with someone who was hidden from my view behind a blue SUV. I hugged a bush leading into the parking lot, pushing my thoughts out harder. It was definitely Tom, and though I couldn’t sense all his thoughts, I knew he was with Justine. I could see the picture of her foremost in his mind. He thought she was beautiful, this “sister” of his. He still didn’t know she was really his mother.
This surface glimpse was all I could see of his mind, but their meeting in the open like this concerned me. It was almost as if they expected someone to come calling. Not just someone but a sensing Unbounded. Maybe even me in particular. I pulled my mind from Tom and sent it searching again, beginning at my current location and expanding in ever-widening arcs.
I found the dark presence seconds before it hurtled in my direction.
Throwing myself sideways, I tucked into a roll and was up and running before my attacker reached me. He registered on my senses as Unbounded, and he was fast, which likely meant gifted in combat. Justine had always been able to surround herself with useful people. I reached for my gun, but he knocked it from my hand. I whirled to face him.
He stood there, a grin stretching under his large, flat nose. I knew him, at least by first name: Edgel. He looked angrier and more determined than during our last encounter when he’d been under Keene’s command. Everything about him was dark, from his boots and canvas pants to his ebony skin and close-cropped black hair. A black knife jutted wickedly from his hand.
I pulled the machete. In retrospect, it was a dumb thing to do because I hadn’t trained with the weapon. Still, it seemed to fit the occasion. I lunged. He was faster, dancing out of reach and back in, nearly slic
ing my arm in the process.
I swung again, and this time I hit his knife. It shattered.
Before I had a chance to marvel at my accomplishment or at the craftsmanship of the machete’s blade, Edgel was in motion again, his foot crashing into my arm like a sledge hammer. The machete went flying.
“Edgel, stop!” I commanded.
He blinked, as though surprised I remembered his name. “Why? I owe you for shooting Justine’s brother. Thinking he was dead almost destroyed her. I can’t kill you because Stefan won’t let me, but no one said anything about not hurting you.”
Stefan? This was the second time Emporium agents had indicated that the Triad member had a vested interest in my well-being. Looked like they still wanted me for their breeding program. Whatever the motive, there was probably no use in reminding Edgel that Justine had tried to murder my family.
Edgel lunged, a huge fist coming toward me. I dodged easily but didn’t anticipate his other hand, which caught me on the side of my face. Pain exploded in my head. Stupid, I thought. I pushed my hand through a slit in my catwoman suit and whipped out one of my knives from my thigh sheath. For the first time in my life, I managed to sink it deep into my target, though farther above Edgel’s heart than where I’d intended. He grunted and pulled it out, dripping blood and grinning.
Now he had the knife. Not exactly the way I’d take someone’s weapon from them but effective. I wouldn’t be able to outrun it, and he wouldn’t miss.
Unless there was something more I could do mentally. Maybe shock his mind into missing. Desperately, I battered at the dark wall of his mind. If Ritter had sometimes had a hole in his barrier when he was distracted, maybe Edgel did, too. He grinned in anticipation. His arm went back.
There it was. I dived into the hole, at the same time releasing a mental scream. The knife flew past me. Edgel’s face contorted, but he was already in motion, one hand coming toward me in a blow that would knock me off my feet. I ducked and was about to step to the side, when I sensed his foot coming up. No, it wasn’t there yet, but it would be. I knew it. I stepped the other way and lashed out with my own kick. Solid flesh met my blow. Exactly as I expected.
The Cure Page 19
