Sweet Caroline's Keeper

by Beverly Barton

  "And if you're thinking of calling in the feds, I would advise you not to. As far as making copies of whatever evi­dence you have—don't," Oliver said. "After we've made the exchange, don't consider double-crossing me. If you do, you should know that I have no intention of going to jail. I'd kill myself first. And I wouldn't die alone. I find the Egyptian custom of burying the pharaoh's wife with him rather inter­esting, don't you? You see, David Wolfe isn't the only one with something valuable to lose. You do still love my wife, don't you, Ellison?"

  "Why, you son of a bitch!"

  "Tsk-tsk," Oliver said. "Now that we understand each other, put Mr. Wolfe on the phone. I do so love bringing a big man to his knees and hearing the fear in his voice. Tell me, Ellison, how long has it been since someone put the fear of God into you?"

  Chapter 21

  Caroline wanted David. Where was her David? She was alone and frightened. She'd been calling for him for what seemed like days, but someone kept telling her that she would have to wait. Whose voice was that? she wondered. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt heavy. She tried to move, but her limbs seemed to weigh a ton. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she open her eyes and get up? She had to find David. He was lost and if she didn't find him soon, he would be lost forever. Her David, who had seen to all her needs. He had provided for her, protected her and loved her She could almost feel his strong arms around her, holding her, keeping the evil world at bay. He would never let any­thing bad happen to her. When everyone else failed her, dis­appointed her, hurt her, she could count on David to be her knight in shining armor.

  Suddenly Caroline realized that someone was talking, is­suing orders in a harsh voice. But who? And why? And what were they doing in her bedroom? Was she dreaming?

  "Bring her around," the harsh voice said. "We're making the exchange in two hours. I want her up and walking by then."

  Where am I? What's happening? Who are these people? Is this another nightmare or is this real? I need to know. Help me. Please help me. David. . .David. . . David!

  Wolfe sat beside Ellison Penn in the back seat as the driver breezed the big black limousine toward the Mount Hope san­atorium and health spa in Montgomery County. Every nerve in Wolfe's body screamed, every muscle strained. Adrenaline pumped through him, preparing him for the most important battle of his life. Everyone else involved in this rescue had an agenda of their own, but for Wolfe the only thing that mattered was saving Caroline.

  "We've done all we can," Ellison said. "Everything is set in place, and with a little luck, both your lady and mine will be saved from Oliver Harper."

  Harper had to be a monster if he were willing to use his own wife as a bargaining tool. Wolfe had never seen Ellison as distraught and worried as he'd been since Harper's threat­ening phone call. But then Wolfe knew only too well how Ellison felt—they both had a great deal to lose if anything went wrong.

  "We need more than luck," Wolfe said. "We need divine intervention. For our plan to work, everything has to come together perfectly. We have to take Caroline out of the san­atorium while the FBI take Brooke and Eileen Harper into protective custody. Since Harper isn't aware the FBI is in­volved, we'll have the element of surprise on our side. He's counting on our not bringing in outside help."

  Ellison looked directly at Wolfe. "I understand how you must feel because I know what's at stake for you."

  "Once Caroline is safe, I know you'll want to deal with Harper yourself. But if Robbins turns out to be the traitor within Peacekeepers, then I want to be allowed to deal with him personally."

  "With this exchange coming down, it's reasonable to as­sume the traitor will tip his hand and we will discover his identity," Ellison said. "There arc only a handful of men within the organization close enough to the top to be truly useful to the Loyalists Coalition."

  Yeah, Wolfe thought, only a handful. Robbins. His assis­tant, Latham. And Barry Vanderpool. They had ruled out Ellison's top agents, most of whom were out of the country on assignments at the moment. That left only the three sus­pects.

  Wolfe's cellular phone rang. He responded. "Yes?"

  "Dom just reported in with some interesting information. Barry Vanderpool left the Peacekeepers building about an hour before you and Mr. Perm," Jack Parker said. "Want to guess where he went?"

  "To Mount Hope."

  "You got it."

  "Then he's—"

  "Probably," Jack said. "But guess who's on your tail? Robbins left the building shortly after y'all did, along with a couple of Peacekeepers agents, and he's been keeping a dis­creet distance behind Mr. Penn's limo."

  "Damn! If Robbins was in this with Harper, he wouldn't have to tail us. He'd know where we were going. That must mean he suspects Ellison and me of being up to something illegal and he's hoping to nail us and make himself look good. I sure as hell was hoping he was our traitor, but looks like he isn't."

  "I'll make sure Robbins doesn't interfere," Jack said. "He might not be in with the bad guys, but if he gets in the way, he could foul things up for us. Sawyer's people are already in position and ready to strike the minute you get Caroline to safety."

  * * *

  An attendant led Wolfe and Ellison into Dr. Johnson's pri­vate office and asked them to take a seat. They chose to stand. Wolfe checked his watch. The minute they walked out of here, the FBI would enter the Harper home to take Brooke and Eileen into protective custody, while a squad of FBI agents, led by Sawyer McNamara would swarm the sanato­rium and arrest Oliver Harper. Within minutes of Harper's arrest, the other nine Loyalists Coalition leaders would also be arrested.

  Oliver Harper entered the office, a charming smile on his face as he looked first at Wolfe and then at Ellison. "Right on time, I see. I appreciate your being prompt. Did you bring the microfilm?"

  "We want to see Caroline," Wolfe said.

  "She's being brought here as we speak." Oliver glanced into the outer office. "She's been kept drugged, so she'll still be a bit groggy."

  It took every ounce of his self-control to keep from grab­bing Harper and strangling the man. No matter who the other players were, Harper was the one truly responsible for the threats against Caroline. Wolfe would derive great pleasure out of seeing the mighty Mr. Harper spend the rest of his life behind bars.

  "I'm sure you have a few Dundee men outside as backup, but I hope you haven't planned a double-cross," Oliver said. "You see, I have men posted in various positions throughout the sanatorium and even in the health spa that adjoins the sanatorium, so if you're thinking of creating problems, re­consider. Innocent people might die."

  Dr. Johnson personally escorted Caroline into his office. Although her eyes were glazed, she walked under her own power, aided only by the doctor's hand on her elbow.

  "Here's our little patient," the doctor said.

  The sight of her, so fragile and weak, broke Wolfe's heart. She wore a hospital gown and was barefoot. Her hair was disheveled, her face pale. She stared at Wolfe and opened her mouth on a silent gasp.

  "Come here, my dear." Oliver held out his hand to Car­oline and she went to him willingly.

  Ellison reached out and grabbed Wolfe's wrist, stopping him from doing what he knew instinct would tell Wolfe to do—rip Caroline away from danger and to hell with the con­sequences.

  "The microfilm?" Oliver held out his hand. "Once I have it, then she's yours."

  "Oliver, what's going on?" Caroline asked. "What micro­film are you talking about?"

  "Nothing for you to worry about, Caroline," he said, his tone gentle and fatherly.

  Ellison reached inside his coat pocket, removed the micro­film and held it out to the leader of the Loyalists Coalition. The look of triumph on Oliver's face was almost more than Wolfe could endure. Just as Oliver reached for the microfilm, they heard a commotion in the hallway and a voice calling out a warning.

  "Don't turn her over to Wolfe! The whole thing is a trap."

  Suddenly Ellison closed his fist around the microfi
lm. Oliver jerked Caroline to his side as he whipped a gun from his pocket just as Barry Vanderpool rushed into the office.

  Breathing hard, his face slightly flushed, Barry said, "This place is swarming with agents. I recognized our Peacekeepers agents, including Gavin Robbins. They saw me and know that I saw them. They've already taken positions and my guess is we could already be surrounded."

  Damn Gavin Robbins! Wolfe cringed at the thought of the gung-ho agent screwing this deal. Undoubtedly Robbins had somehow found a way to sidestep the Dundee agents.

  "I should have known better than to trust you, Ellison," Oliver said. "You're not a gentleman. You never were. Too bad for Eileen. I have men ready to—"

  "Eileen and Brooke are safe from you," Ellison said.

  Oliver's eyes widened with surprise, as if it had never en­tered his mind that Ellison would have taken precautions so quickly. He held the gun to Caroline's head. "She isn't safe. Does she mean anything to you, Wolfe? If she does, you'll call off the Peacekeepers and Dundee agents. I can and will kill her in a split second."

  "And I'll kill you if you hurt her," Wolfe said, his gaze locking with Caroline's. She stared at him, shock and puz­zlement in her eyes.

  Gunfire erupted outside, gaining the attention of everyone in the office. Damn! Vanderpool's spotting the agents had tipped their hand and set things into motion before the exchange had been completed. Now with Caroline still in his control, Oliver Harper was twice as dangerous.

  Holding the gun to Caroline's temple, Oliver kept a tight hold on her as he pushed her toward the door. "We're leav­ing. Dr. Johnson has a helicopter pad on top of the building and I'll be taking Caroline with me as my own little insurance policy. Better tell your men not to fire at the helicopter be­cause if I go down, Caroline goes down with me."

  The minute Oliver and Caroline disappeared up the hall­way, Ellison got on his cellular phone and contacted Sawyer McNamara. Wolfe grabbed Dr. Johnson and shoved him out the door.

  "You're going to show me how to get to the roof." Wolfe pulled his Sig Sauer from his hip holster and pointed it straight at the doctor.

  All hell had broken loose from the sound of it. The FBI agents were at war with the posted guards, members of the Loyalists Coalition trained in combat. Wolfe knew that the government agents would try their best to protect the inno­cent patients in the sanatorium and clients in the health spa. But right now, he didn't have time to worry about anyone except Caroline.

  When he saw Jack Parker rounding a corner near the stair­well the doctor had indicated led to the roof, Wolfe flung Dr. Johnson toward Jack and said, "Take this bastard to Mc­Namara. I'm through with him."

  "Wait and I'll—" Jack said.

  "Can't wait."

  Wolfe ran up the stairs, his heart racing, his thoughts wild with worry. When he reached the roof, he found Oliver drag­ging Caroline with him as he headed toward the parked hel­icopter. Wolfe aimed his pistol, but before he could fire, Oliver turned abruptly, placing Caroline in front of him as a shield. Wolfe realized that Oliver was about to open fire, so he dropped and rolled across the rooftop. Oliver began shoot­ing. Wolfe came to a halt behind a row of empty barrels, took aim and waited for a clean shot, one that wouldn't en­danger Caroline. Suddenly, Oliver pulled Caroline with him toward the edge of the roof.

  "Throw your gun out where I can see it—right now. And come out with your hands behind your head," Oliver called. "If you don't, I'll kill her. I can shoot her in the head or toss her off the building. And I doubt she'd survive the bullet in her head or the five-story drop."

  "No, Wolfe, don't!" Caroline screamed. "He'll kill you."

  Everything happened at once. Wolfe tossed aside his gun, then stood and came out from behind the barrels. Caroline took advantage of Oliver concentrating on David's move­ments and aimed her elbow to his mid-section. He growled with pain and loosened his tenacious grip on her arm, but before she could run, he grabbed her wrist A gunshot blast echoed in Wolfe's head and for a split second he thought Oliver had shot Caroline. No! God, no!

  But Wolfe realized a moment later that someone had shot Oliver. The gun in Oliver's hand fired once, straight down. A reflex action that happened almost simultaneously with the other gunshot. As Oliver staggered backward, blood oozed from the wound where he had been hit in the head, but he kept a deadly hold on Caroline. She struggled to free herself, but to no avail. When Oliver toppled backward over the two-foot high metal railing and off the roof, he dragged Caroline over the edge. She screamed. The sound echoed inside Wolfe's head as he ran forward, adrenaline flooding his body. He wasn't able to reach her in time!

  Wolfe cried out, his voice agonized. The roar of a wounded animal. Then he saw two hands clinging to the narrow decorative railing that circled the rooftop. Small, del­icate hands. Caroline's hands. An instant prayer rose from his heart. Thank God she was a fighter. Thank God she hadn't fallen to her death. Thank God she was alive.

  Wolfe knelt on his knees, reached down and grabbed her arms. "I've got you, sweetheart. Hang on. You're going to be all right."

  She clasped his wrists. He dragged her up and onto her knees, then wrapped his arms around her and held her. She clung to him, her body trembling, as she sucked in deep breaths of air.

  "You saved me," she murmured.

  "You saved yourself," he told her.

  He couldn't resist the urge to touch her, to reassure himself that she was alive and well. With shaky fingers, he caressed her face. She closed her eyes and sighed. He lifted her raw, bleeding hands and inspected them.

  "Are you two all right?" Jack asked as he came running up to them.

  Wolfe nodded. "Did you shoot Harper?"

  "No, Ellison Penn shot him."

  Jack inclined his head toward the open door that led to the stairwell. Ellison stood there, his pistol still in his hand.

  "Miss Caroline, it's sure good to see that you're all right," Jack said. "We've got an FBI lady right over here. She's going to take care of you. She'll drive you to the hospital and stay with you." Jack motioned for the six-foot female agent, who then came forward and identified herself.

  "Ms. McGuire, I'm Agent Lucie Evans."

  Wolfe lifted Caroline to her feet, then released his com­forting hold on her hands and gently shoved her toward Agent Evans. "Take good care of her."

  He turned and walked away.

  "Wolfe!" Caroline called out to him.

  More than anything he wanted to go back to her. But that wasn't an option. As he passed Ellison, the two exchanged a knowing glance. This was the only way it could end. He had known from the beginning that his sojourn into Caro­line's life would be brief and that once she was no longer in danger, he would have to leave her.

  Wolfe took the steps two at a time on his way down the stairs, hurrying as fast as he could to escape. He had to leave now and put as much distance between Caroline and him as he possibly could. He'd been kidding himself to think he could ever explain to her, ever rationalize his past actions. The bottom line was that he had killed her stepfather and for that she would never be able to forgive him. Better to make a clean break now and not prolong the agony for either of them.

  Caroline stayed at the church until the last minute. She threw handfuls of birdseed from the yellow net holders and waved goodbye to the bride and groom as they left for the D.C. airport in their white limousine. If ever two people de­served their happiness, Roz and Lyle did. Even the ladies of Lyle's church, who had so vehemently opposed the marriage in the beginning, had finally come around once they'd gotten to know Roz and saw beyond her flashy facade.

  Today Roz had walked down the aisle on her uncle Henry's arm, wearing a pale yellow satin dress that hugged her slender curves. Her mile veil, attached to a yellow rose headband, puffed out away from her face like a halo. Wear­ing a canary-yellow dress almost identical to the bride's, Car­oline had been Roz's only attendant. Fletcher had been Lyle's best man.

  Poor Fletch. He'd been duped by Oliver the way ever
yone else had been. And feeling terribly guilty for being so gul­lible, he had taken more than his share of the blame for trust­ing Oliver. And he had lost the woman he loved. The day Oliver Harper died, Peacekeepers International had arranged for Eileen and Brooke to drop out of sight. They had left Alexandria without a trace five months ago.

  As the limousine disappeared and the crowd dispersed, Fletch came up behind Caroline and slipped her coat around her shoulders. "It's good to see somebody happy, isn't it?"

  Caroline sighed, then smiled at her stepbrother. "You miss Brooke, don't you? Do you still have no idea where she and Eileen are?"

  "No idea whatsoever. It's as if they vanished off the face of the earth." Fletch walked Caroline to her car, then paused by the hood and took her hands into his.

  "It's been five months," Caroline said. "I would have thought she might have contacted you by now." Six months, two weeks and four days since Wolfe had walked out of her life.

  "Has David Wolfe contacted you?"

  Caroline shook her head. "I didn't expect him to."

  "Did you want to see him again?"

  "I honestly don't know," she admitted. "I suppose a part of me hoped that. . . I should hate him, but I don't. I still care about him. What sort of person does that make me?"

  "It makes you human, kiddo." Fletch squeezed her hands, then released her. "We don't get to choose who we fall in love with, do we?"

  Caroline unlocked her car, opened the door and slid behind the wheel. Fletch leaned inside, kissed her on the cheek and smiled. "If Brooke gets in touch with you. . ."

  "I promise that I'll call you if I hear from her."

  When Caroline turned the bend in the road, she saw a black limousine stationed in front of her house. Her heart skipped a beat. Was it possible that Wolfe. . .? She parked her Lincoln in the driveway, then got out just as Ellison Penn emerged from the limo. He came toward her hesitantly, as if he thought she might ask him to leave. She hadn't seen him since the night he shot Oliver Harper and helped save her life.