But what was Michael doing? He appeared perfectly normal and loving, but she had been at her most vigilant in watching him. Yes, he was unusual and unique, but he was also a six-year-old child. “Do you want to go down and help your dad?”
He shook his head. “I’ll go down later. I’ll stay with you for a while.”
Because he knew that she needed him? Was he trying to heal her, too? “It’s nice sitting here and listening to Cara. She’s delayed her visit to Kaskov and she’ll be going back to school next week.” She paused. “And so will you, Michael. Your dad and I have been talking about it, and we’ve decided that maybe you should go to another school. We’re going to tell everyone that we were mistaken about your being in that ice-cream shop, that a relative had picked you up. But things might still be—it could be sad for you.”
He nodded. “It is sad for me.” He laid his head on her shoulder. “But it will be more sad for everyone else. I’d remind them, wouldn’t I, Mama?”
The only survivor from that terrible tragedy? “Yes, I’m sorry, but that’s true.”
“And families need to remember them all alive and happy. It’s going to be hard for them to go on if they don’t. It’s like what you do with the skulls. They have to believe they’ve come home to them.”
“I guess it’s something like that,” she said huskily. “So is it okay with you if we sign you up in another school?”
He nodded. “But maybe not right away? Is it all right if we go to London to see Jane? I haven’t seen her for a few months, and you said she was busy with her paintings. Maybe I could even go to school there for a little while.”
She looked at him in surprise. “I guess we could. If that’s what you want.”
“That’s what I want. Then we’ll find a great new school here. Maybe I’ll even play soccer again.”
And maybe he wouldn’t. But he’d slip seamlessly into the new regime after giving everyone a chance to forget who he was and start their healing. Her arm tightened around his shoulders. “I think that’s a very good idea. Anything else on your wish list?”
“Just one.” He was silent for a moment. “Remember that last day when Gary came running up and said he wanted to see your face because he’d been told it would make him feel better to know who you were.”
She nodded. “And your dad and I thought it was you who had talked to him.”
He shook his head. “Not me. But I was wondering … Would there have been a reason for Gary’s mom to want you to … help her with him?”
She remembered Gary’s terribly damaged face, which she’d looked at when she’d been searching for Michael. “It’s possible.”
He looked soberly up at her. “Then will you call her right away and ask if you can help? I think maybe that would make Gary and his dad feel better if his mom was happier.”
“I’ll offer,” she said gently. “Almost a week has passed. It may be too late.”
“I don’t think it is. Maybe when real bad things happen, we sometimes get a break.” He leaned back against her, his eyes on Cara. “She’s switched to the Tchaikovsky. I like that better. She says it soars, Mama. What do you think?”
“I think she’s right,” she said unsteadily as she pressed her lips to the top of his head. “I believe there’s definitely some soaring going on, Michael.”
BELLE GRACE
Kaskov was back.
Darcy drew a deep breath as she saw the huge white speedboat pulling up at the dock. It was almost nine at night, and she’d thought he’d be here earlier. But what did she know about what Kaskov did or didn’t do? He was careful to make certain that no one really knew him and made it clear he didn’t appreciate her attempts in that direction. And that was fine with her. Their encounters had been filled with tension, and even danger, and she wanted no more of it. She wanted peace and good times and to be totally in control of her life.
Well, she was almost through with dealing with him, and she wouldn’t have to think about it for much longer. Or would she? Cara’s connection to him would almost assure that she would also have some kind of connection. Because she would never give up her friendship with Cara. But that would be okay, she assured herself. Darcy would see that Kaskov would be a very distant connection.
Worry about it later. Right now, she had to finish what she had on her list and move on. She tidied her hair and swept majestically down the grand staircase. She would miss the feeling of cloning Scarlett O’Hara after she left this—
“Much better,” Kaskov said dryly from the foyer, looking up at her. “I like Eve’s look, but I much prefer you as a blonde.” He looked at her peacock-colored maxi skirt and purple halter top. “Is this all for me? I think I told you I was content with the arrangement I have.”
“Don’t be silly. We both know you’d never seduce any of Cara’s friends. Besides, you find me a little disruptive,” she said as she reached the foyer. “I just wanted to leave a lasting memory on this old house.” She grimaced. “And after trekking in that stinking swamp, I needed to remind myself who I am.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about lasting memories,” he said dryly. “Though I wasn’t sure you’d still be here. Eve said you wanted to stop here and clean up, but I thought you might want to leave before I got back.”
She shook her head. “I had a couple things to finish up with you before I left.” She smiled. “But I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I take care of them.” She swept past him into the parlor. “It may be my last chance since you’ll probably have all your defenses up the next time we get together.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“See. It’s starting already.” She turned to face him. “First, you have to do something about Norwalk.”
His brows rose. “I believe something quite permanent has already been done about Norwalk.”
“And that’s fine. I wish it had been me, but Eve says that maybe it was, and I have to accept that she might—” She broke off. “That’s not what I meant. It was too permanent, too efficient. You have to fix it.”
He leaned against the French doors and crossed his arms across his chest. “Elaborate.”
“Jock took over the cleanup on the island. Knowing Jock, any trace of what went on there will have vanished as if it had never been. Absolutely no answers. He had to protect Cara and Michael and Eve and Joe. He wouldn’t want to make one mistake.”
“I agree. He’s exceptional. I’m getting impatient, Darcy.”
“But there have to be answers,” she said simply. “Norwalk killed too many people. He hurt too many families. He left them bewildered and angry and frustrated … and empty. Just as I was when he killed Sylvie and my mother. I had to have a reason. I had to have revenge. It was tearing me apart.”
“I know.” His eyes were narrowed on her face. “What are you saying?”
“Give those families what they need. You can’t give them Norwalk, but you’re very clever. You can set up an entire scenario. There are so many scumbags in your world that the human race would be much better without.” She moistened her lips. “You’d have to choose well to give the ultimate in satisfaction. Really, really, bad people, Kaskov. Maybe even worse than Norwalk. No, that’s not possible. But find someone just as bad. Then you prove they were at the square and did that horrible, horrible thing. And then provide a truly spectacular ending that would give final resolution to all those poor families. That’s just good theater.”
He suddenly chuckled. “You’re incredible. A colossal frame-up? And then you want me to remove them from this earthly plane?”
“I told you, only if they’re monster caliber.”
“And why would I go to all that trouble?”
“Because you started it all by killing Norwalk’s twin.”
“And saved Cara from being blown up.”
She nodded. “But it’s like dominos, they keep falling. But you can help put an end to it.” She paused. “If you’ll do it. It will be very complicated. But you can look on i
t as a challenge. You might enjoy it.”
His smile vanished. “You have the nerve to think you know me that well?”
“I wouldn’t presume. If I did, you’d go the other way to prove me wrong. I only know how it hurts not to know, to be helpless, to have justice just out of reach.” She lifted her chin. “And I know that you’ll never tell me if you’re going to do it or not. But I had to try.”
“Are you finished?”
“No, just going on to item two. I thought I’d give you a reward if you took item one under consideration.” She met his eyes. “I got to Cara just in time to stop her from rolling out of that boat when it was heading toward you. She had her hands tied, and she knew she’d probably either drown, or Norwalk would immediately blow her up. But she wasn’t going to let you die because of her.”
“Indeed?” His face was without expression. “And that’s supposed to mean something to me?”
“Yes, it does. I don’t know what you want from her, but it means you have a chance.” She turned toward the front door in a whirl of peacock skirts. “That’s all. Would you call Nikolai and ask him to take me to an airport hotel?” She stopped at the door to look over her shoulder. “Good-bye, Kaskov. It’s been quite intriguing.”
“Yes, it has. Almost … entertaining.” His tilted his head. “But I’m not going to let you run away before I’m finished, Darcy. I have a question to ask.”
“What?” she asked warily.
“You’re a singer, I’m told. Are you good?”
“I’m fairly spectacular. Not the talent of the century like Cara. But I have so many other talents, that would be overkill. But I’m a very, very good singer.” She frowned. “Why?”
“Jock and I had a discussion about Cara, and I tried to convince him that she was her talent, and that was her worth to me. And, therefore, that was why I insisted on keeping her close to me. I think he might have believed me.”
“Was it a lie?”
“I think I’ll let you decide. I do have a certain obsession about music that might point in that direction. There could be a possibility that I enjoy being behind the scenes and pulling the strings, of controlling the artist even if I can’t control the music. But, of course, that’s only a possibility.” He was smiling mockingly. “However, I’ve just decided to get a few of your CDs from that concert you did with Cara. I hope you prove just as entertaining performing as you are in real life.”
Her mouth fell open. “You’re joking?”
“Am I?” He turned away. “Why would I do that? I’m always interested in new talent. Good night, Darcy. I’ll give you my critique after I listen to your concert. And I’m certain you’ll want regular reports, regarding the progress of my ‘challenge.’” He headed for his office. “You’re so very concerned about it…”
Controlling the artist, if not the music? What the hell? Had he meant it? So much for keeping her distance, she thought dazedly. If he had meant it, that would be a constant battle to maintain her independence. No, surely he must have just been annoyed with her for trying to tell him what to do.
Maybe. But that smile …
Darcy watched as the door closed behind him before she managed to pull herself together.
“Holy shit,” she whispered.
ATLANTA AIRPORT
“I saw our plane, Cara.” Michael’s eyes were shining with excitement as he ran back from the observation window to where she was standing with Eve in line at the gate. “They’re loading our luggage. One guy was putting on a crate with a puppy. You said it was a long flight to London. Will the puppy be okay, down there?”
“Fine. It’s just as comfortable for animals as it is in the passenger compartment for us.” She pushed him toward Eve, who was holding the boarding passes. “But stay here now. It’s time to board the flight. You don’t want to miss it.”
“You wouldn’t let me.” He was grinning at her. “Is there a way for me to get down in the cargo compartment from where we’ll be sitting in the—”
“I have no idea. You’ll have to ask the flight attendant. They probably wouldn’t like it.”
“I’ll ask. People can be nice sometimes. I bet that puppy is going to be lonely.”
Yes, people could usually be nice when it came to Michael, she thought. And it was wonderful that he still had that faith in human nature after the nightmare he’d just gone through. “It wouldn’t hurt to ask,” she said gently. “Just don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work out.”
“I won’t.” He was frowning, trying to puzzle it out. He looked at Eve, who was giving the boarding passes to the flight attendant. “What do you think, Mama?”
Eve pushed him ahead of her in line. “I think that we should worry about getting to our passenger seats before you worry about the cargo hold.” Her gaze shifted to the gate lobby, then she looked at Cara. “And I think that Cara may be too busy to answer questions for the next few minutes.”
Cara stiffened as her gaze followed Eve’s.
Jock.
She whirled and was out of line and beside Jock in the lobby in seconds. “Why are you just standing here? Weren’t you even going to come and say good-bye?”
“Maybe.” He smiled crookedly. “I just got here. And the last time we had an in-depth conversation, you were telling me that you were the one in control of the situation. Yet I notice you didn’t call and let me know that you were going to London.”
“I knew Joe had called you.”
“But Joe isn’t you.” He was silent an instant. “I was surprised you and Darcy hadn’t gone back to school.”
“Darcy did. I’ll go back to New York next week. I thought I should help Eve get Michael settled with Jane. We all need family right now. Joe will be coming in a few days.”
“From what I saw, Michael is doing pretty well.” His gaze was still searching her face. “How are you doing?”
“All bruises healing. Who knows how the inner scars are doing? But they will go away, Jock. So stop looking at me as if I was still that kid you’ve known all these years.”
“I liked that kid,” he said thickly.
“Well, she doesn’t exist any longer. I told you that I was grown-up that night at the summerhouse.” She shook her head. “It wasn’t true. But what I went through with Norwalk gave me my diploma.”
“I know it did. I could see it. I hated it.”
“So did I.” She added fiercely, “But I’m not going to let him ruin one minute of what I want to take forward with me. I thought quite a bit about that when I was in that boat heading toward my personal Armageddon. I want beautiful, splendid music, and a family that will light every darkness, and all the love I can gather and hold.” She punched her finger at his chest. “And I want you, Jock Gavin. I don’t know how I’m going to manage to get you, but it’s going to happen.”
“No, it isn’t,” he said roughly. “I told you that’s not possible. I’m the worst choice you could make. You might have forgotten that you’re also my best friend. That’s allowed, that can’t hurt you.” He added bitterly, “And I won’t destroy my best friend because I want to take her to bed.” He added in frustration, “And, for God’s sake, you’re only eighteen years old. Out of bounds, Cara.”
“Interesting thing about age is that it keeps changing. Going up and up and up.” She shook her head. “I don’t know where we’re going, Jock. But I know we have something wonderful that we can build on. So I’m not letting go.” She met his eyes. “And I don’t think you can let me go. I’ll have to see. Let’s do a trial run.” She moved into his arms. “I don’t know much about this part, but I’m a fast learner.” She kissed him. “I’ll ask Darcy about all the nuances.” She kissed him again. “Unless you’d like to demonstrate.” She looked down at his lower body. “And I think you would, Jock.”
He drew a harsh breath. “Damn you, Cara.”
“I’m not going to let you cheat me.” She took a step back. “But I’ll let you give me a little more time if that’s what’s bo
thering you. You might need a period of adjustment.”
“I’m not right for you,” he said through set teeth.
“You’re the only one who will ever be right. So get used to it. Find a way to deal with me.” She took another step closer, her voice shaking. “We can do this.”
“Get on that plane. You’re going to miss your flight.”
“And then what would you do with me?”
“Get you on the next flight.”
“But you do live a good deal of the year at MacDuff’s Run, near Edinburgh. Maybe I could join you for a few days in Scotland.”
“No!”
“Then take what I offered. You set the pace.” She smiled. “Because today, tomorrow, or in a few years, I’m going to have you, Jock.”
“The hell you are.”
“You’ll see.” She turned and walked back toward the gate. She looked back over her shoulder at him. So golden and wonderful, so angry and grimly determined to give her what was best for her. Why hadn’t he ever been able to understand that he was that best?
She knew the answer. Because she hadn’t been able to make it clear, and that had to change. She smiled lovingly at him because he had to see the love. Passion was all very well, but they had so much more.
She turned and started down the jetway.
“Think about me,” she called back to him. “Think about us. Because you can bet I’m going to be thinking about you, Jock Gavin.”
ALSO BY IRIS JOHANSEN
Mind Game
No Easy Target
Night Watch (with Roy Johansen)
Night and Day
Hide Away
Shadow Play
The Naked Eye (with Roy Johansen)
Your Next Breath
The Perfect Witness
Sight Unseen (with Roy Johansen)
Shattered Mirror Page 33
