Fight Fire With Fire.

by Amy J. Fetzer

  The Triad house was still, yet the windows brightly lit. The mansion stretched for a block and had several levels. A bank of windows faced the south, toward Singapore City. Barasa was in there. She’d seen him on the terrace, but it was the man beside him she didn’t recognize. A clear picture would help to run through the databases.

  While she’d never heard of a biomarker before, it was doing its job. Ellie had a duplicate trace on it off the station computers. She should have invited Riley to join her, but his type had the “protect the womenfolk” attitude and she didn’t need it. Not to observe and follow. From here, she could see the infrared sensors surrounding the house or she’d be a lot closer than a block. She’d buzz him when she had something concrete, she told herself.

  Her position on top of a neighboring building was just a street’s width outside the stone wall that separated the wealthy elite from the people scrounging daily for work.

  Suddenly the sensors blinked off, and she saw two figures cross the courtyard to the garage designed like a carriage house. Barasa, she thought, recognizing him instantly. The other, she’d let Ellie figure out and held her cell, waiting for a clearer face shot. Hired muscle, she decided, but didn’t disregard him. Barasa trusted few to keep them around for long. Their path had them flickering in and out of the darkness until they stopped outside the side door to the guest house. A light came on above them and she photographed them. The second man paused behind Barasa, scanning the grounds and the rooftops. She slid lower. They went inside. The windows were blackened, her first clue Vaghn might be there and not in the big house. She couldn’t do more than wait and backed up a bit, then flinched when her backside hit something.

  Instantly she rolled onto her back, weapon drawn. “Damn.”

  Riley knelt, and looked really ticked off right now. Not that she didn’t blame him.

  “I wanted to trust you,” he said.

  “And taking the phone from my jacket was an example of that?”

  His brows shot up and she grabbed his shirt and pulled him down to the roof. “Don’t spy much do you, Donovan?” She rolled back on her stomach and looked through the scope again.

  “We can’t work together if you don’t trust me.” He settled beside her.

  She scoffed. “I don’t trust anyone, least of all a government hired civilian.”

  “And here I thought we were making such progress.”

  She ignored the sting of that. Guilt wasn’t something she’d felt in a long time and she shook it off. “What did you find in the phones?”

  “Vaghn and Red Shoes have knowledge of each other. The extent . . . ?” He shrugged. “It gives me the notion your arms dealer is being well used.”

  Her brows shot up. “Good work, Donovan. I agree, Barasa’s working his own deal.”

  “What are you planning to do from here?”

  She spied. “Have to know the players before you can anticipate their moves.”

  “Hand someone else that weak crap, but not me.”

  She tipped a look at him, night vision scope still poised.

  “I want Vaghn back. I cannot let him slip away.”

  “You’ve got him tagged. Be satisfied with that for now. You said you would do anything. This is it. We’ll never get in there. Sensors, guards, alarms. He’s surrounded and protected. No, you can’t take him back. He’s the perfect bait.”

  When he didn’t respond, she turned her head to look at him and judged his expression best she could. “Yes, I will fight you on this.”

  “Then you best not be giving me the slip again. Because I can put an end to your operation right now.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Lass. I know people.” He smiled. “And they owe Dragon One.”

  She arched a tapered black brow, her gaze searching his face. She felt her skin tighten when it sunk in. She didn’t doubt him. McGill was first on his list, and Safia didn’t want to butt heads with the one man who’d helped her do her job in the field. She shifted enough to hold out her hand. “You have my word on it. Partners. No secrets.”

  His gaze dropped to her palm, and she wasn’t surprised when he leaned in and said, “This has a bit more truth to it,” then kissed her so hard she almost lost the scope over the edge of the roof.

  Oh Lord, she’d keep him with her just for this, she thought, sinking into him. He snaked an arm around her, pulling her against him with a soft crush. It was a moment before he drew back, gently kissed her forehead, then pried the monocular from her hand.

  “I adore it when you let me in.” He sighted on the carriage house, smiling.

  She nudged him. “You’re just growing on me.”

  “Good, I’m not leaving your side till Vaghn is back in custody.”

  She sighed. That could take a while.

  Barasa walked into the room and stared at the young man in the chair. He was bound, but his blind had been removed. His chin rested on his chest, his light hair matted. He barely breathed, lifeless. Barasa glanced at Rahjan who stepped close and shoved the prisoner.

  Vaghn tipped his head back, his eyes bloodshot. “You have no idea what you’re messing with, do you?”

  “The men who captured you, who were they?”

  “I don’t know. Federal agents, I guess.”

  Barasa assumed so, and could not ignore that they were still out there hunting for their target. Absently he wondered how to eliminate them completely. Perhaps this will do it, he thought as he slid Vaghn’s laptop onto a small table. He opened it. “What do they have?”

  “Nothing.”

  He glanced up.

  “And neither do you,” Vaghn said.

  Barasa scowled.

  “You can’t do a damn thing without me and at the mo-ment”—Vaghn looked at his surroundings—“I’m not happy. You should make me happy. There are people hunting us right now. Some really good ones, so if you don’t get me where I need to be, now, you might as well give up.”

  “You Americans are so cocky.”

  “I’m not an American anymore.” He snickered to himself, his head lolling and Barasa realized he was feverish. His gaze dropped to Vaghn’s leg wound that was minimally but properly tended. The man was in pain, certainly, but so childishly vocal that Rahjan had drugged him after that. He was, as Odette had warned, juvenile.

  “The password.” The computer screen stalled, a window popping up as it had the last five times. He waited for the sequence. “Dr. Vaghn, please. It won’t be pleasant.”

  The young man gave him a rebellious glance. He nodded to Rahjan, and he withdrew his blade.

  Vaghn’s eyes flared, fear coloring his face. “You can’t be serious? He’ll kill you. The Professor, he will kill you if you hurt me. I have a job to do.”

  “Really? I want the weapon, Dr. Vaghn. I suggest you relinquish it.”

  Vaghn smiled for the first time, tilting his head back and meeting Barasa’s gaze. “You don’t even know what it is?”

  “You will tell me.”

  “Try to find it.” Vaghn laughed to himself a bit drunkenly and Barasa wondered if the wound was affecting him or the drugs. “It’s an undetectable weapon that can be detonated anywhere, anytime. But only by me.”

  And Odette had promised the perfect delivery system, Barasa thought, hating that he didn’t have all the answers. “Show me, now.”

  He shook his head. “You didn’t pay for it.”

  He’ll change his mind, Barasa thought. Vaghn wasn’t the first to refuse him what he desired. Rahjan was more than skilled at extracting information. At his nod, Rahjan nicked Vaghn’s arm and he winced, then glanced at the wound and rolled his eyes.

  “We going right to the hard stuff, huh?” Vaghn said.

  It was minor, a scratch, but then, that was just the first one.

  Jason gasped for breath, his exposed skin burning with little cuts the bastard had salted. He threw his head back as the man Rahjan grabbed his leg wound and squeezed. Blinding pain raced up his t
high, crashed into his hip. He tried not to scream. That only made it worse. To say this was part of any deal was a goddamm understatement. They wanted into his computer and thought a password would get them there. He couldn’t give it to them. He had to prove his worth to the Professor, not to this guy.

  When the man held a claw hammer, aiming for his kneecap, Jason flinched to the side, pain racking him in sharp blades. Jesus Christ. “Alright alright! Stop. The Professor can kill you himself! Because I’ll be sure to tell him about this!”

  He inhaled hard, wondering how it came to knuckling under to a stupid thug.

  “Cale,” the guard said. “Perhaps—”

  Barasa signaled him into silence.

  “Barasa,” Jason muttered. “I’ve heard of you. I’m not impressed. You’re a fuckup.”

  Cale made to strike him, then dropped his arm, letting Rah-jan do his bidding. Jason caught the imperceptible nod before his partner sliced open his cheek. Pain burst with heat and he spat to keep from biting off his tongue.

  “Well,” the man pressed.

  Vaghn lifted his head, the warm trickle of blood spilling down his jaw.

  “I’ll not ask again.”

  Rahjan raised the knife already dripping with his own blood.

  “Okay! Okay! Geez!” He gasped, his skin dancing with pain. “I need my phone.”

  Barasa frowned. “What phone?”

  Somewhere over the South Pacific

  Aboard the aircraft, Odette glanced at the steward, making certain he was out of earshot before she reached for the buzzing phone in the seat’s console. She sat back and crossed her legs as she brought it to her ear.

  “The meeting went rather well,” she said. Barasa needed to know he was never out of their reach.

  “And your assessment, my dear?”

  “He’ll do the necessary work.” She’d never considered the South African a wise choice. He had too many enemies. “But the scientist . . . I still don’t think it’s wise to bring him too close.”

  “I thought we ended this last week. I’ve heard your opinion, Odette. The facilities are ready.”

  She stiffened. “I’m only thinking of your privacy.”

  “Good, then I know he will be secure. Any difficulty retrieving our cargo?”

  She glanced at the long bench sofa. It was hidden in its base. “No, of course not.” She didn’t want to be near it and certainly didn’t like transporting the canister, but she’d do as he wished. As she’d always done.

  “You’ve taken care of the remaining ties as well?”

  “Again, of course.” Some trails must be obliterated for the good of the project.

  “What would I do without you, my sweet Odette?”

  She felt her face warm with his praise. “Go on as you have.”

  “Not as well, of that I know.”

  They’d spoken this same conversation countless times, and his constant gentle tone always assured her of a place in his life.

  “Let’s not allow Mr. Barasa to get comfortable, neh?”

  Wasn’t that what she accomplished earlier? “He needs us as well and while he might think of me as your secretary,” the bark of laughter that came through made her smile, “he’s paranoid and won’t ignore anything peculiar.”

  “He’s also watched.”

  “Not that we’ve seen. I can handle him. Haven’t I always taken every precaution?” She didn’t like reminding him that she’d never failed him, but understood his concern. Even she wasn’t privy to some details, but he enjoyed his secrecy. She didn’t concern herself with it. He was far too brilliant to question.

  “Very good, my dear. Call if you should need me.”

  “Thank you.” She slid the phone into the charging slot, and turned to find the steward with a tray filled with a delightful little repast. For a moment, she suspected he’d eavesdropped, then dismissed it. He’d been preparing the meal. She nodded and sat back as he adjusted the coffee table, then laid out the plates and cups. She’d missed tea.

  He poured, then she waved him away. Alone in the front of the aircraft, she slipped off her shoes and curled her toes. Her guards were in the rear of the cabin. Dining, she thought, catching the scent of spiced chicken. A partition separated them.

  No one part of this delicate dance would meet another until he chose. His plan was flawless and yet, she risked more. Her face was in the public, she thought, plucking a peeled, seeded and quartered apricot from the carefully arranged pile. And for that, she wielded his power.

  Exhaustion battered her and her eyelids felt heavy. She glanced at the tray, suspicious, then checked her watch. She’d been on a plane far too long today and was about to call for a hot towel when she heard a door open behind her, the soft suction in the pressurized cabin.

  She leaned out to see her captain cross the threshold. “William? What is the reason for this interruption?”

  He held up one finger as he went to the console of controls and tapped keys. A panel slid down, exposing the flat screen. He turned it on and flipped to a channel. “I thought you’d be interested in this.” He turned away and left her alone.

  Odette frowned, then increased the volume. It was a news report on an accident on the Singapore side of the Johar Bridge. What did he want her to see? The video played, blurred and jumpy. Taken from a cell phone or the like, she thought. A rescue helicopter hovered in the background, the men descending on cables. Then she recognized the figure standing inside the helicopter. Fool, she thought and reached for the phone. If she could recognize Barasa, others would as well. If one whisper came near them, her mentor’s plans would be destroyed.

  This was intolerable.

  Triad house

  Singapore

  Barasa answered the buzzing cell phone.

  Her voice was crisp and tight. “What are you doing with my scientist, Barasa?”

  Vaghn screamed like a child and Barasa waved at Rahjan, scowling. He was enjoying himself too much.

  “I’m gaining information you refuse to hand over. Neither of you have offered proof of such a weapon. And my services do come for a price.”

  “You will receive nothing if you destroy his plans. No one takes possession till the Professor has had his glory. That was the bargain. I will not be swayed. Neither will he.”

  “I hardly think—”

  “Don’t think, Barasa. Clearly you were the incorrect choice and you are very close to becoming a deterrent instead of an asset,” she hissed. “Agents already took him from you once.”

  His features tightened. How did she know so much so quickly? “They have no evidence to follow, nor do the police.”

  “A victim has your photo. It was on the news.”

  He’d expected someone to get it on film. They’d halted the bridge traffic for a few hours. “It’s local and easily remedied.”

  “I hope so, for your sake.”

  “I grow weary of your threats, woman.”

  “I do not threaten. Veer from the plan and you will feel it by morning.” Her tone sent a chill over his skin and he remembered the armed men traveling with her. “We have taken great pains to assure no positive trails lead to him till he wishes it.”

  “They’ve been eradicated.”

  “I doubt that. Agents will continue to hunt him and you. They are shadows that must be erased. Now.”

  “You might reconsider. They possess his prototype.”

  He heard her sharp intake of air. “Let me speak to Vaghn.”

  Barasa muted the cell phone’s microphone, crossed to Vaghn and tipped his head back. “Be careful what you say,” he reminded with a meaningful glance at Rahjan. He switched it to speaker.

  “You really need to get me the hell out of here,” Vaghn said, breathing hard.

  “Doctor Vaghn.” Her voice was gentle, almost motherly. “I will and believe me,” she said. “You will not regret it.”

  “I already do, God dammit. I’m wounded, tortured, tired and starving. This was not part o
f the bargain!”

  “Try to remain calm, Jason. I will personally see you have the best of care. But first, is it true? American agents have the prototype?”

  “Yeah, but they don’t know it. He must have taken—”

  “Inconsequential,” she cut in ruthlessly. “It must be destroyed, no traces back to the final outcome, understood?”

  “No,” Vaghn said. “We can’t. I can’t. It’s the Professor’s.”

  She hesitated, then said, “Would you like confirmation directly from him?”

  Vaghn glanced at Barasa, his smile thin. “Yes, I would.”

  Barasa heard two clicks and it was a moment before a male voice came on the line. “Doctor Vaghn.”

  “How do I know it’s you? We’ve never spoken.”

  Barasa frowned. Had they created all this by computer messaging?

  “Daedelus,” the Professor said.

  Vaghn’s features pulled tight, then he smiled. “Very good, sir.” He glanced at Barasa. “Do you really want that attention?”

  “They’ll be too busy sorting it out because you have designed a brilliant weapon, Dr. Vaghn.” The young man sat up a bit straighter. “Now is an excellent time to test it. Then you’re that much closer to spending your millions at your leisure.”

  “Fine, agreed, but sitting here in my own piss is not doing either of us any good.”

  Grow up, Barasa wanted to say, then heard the authority in the Professor’s tone.

  “Then it is time to make that step, Jason. If you choose not to fulfill your end of the bargain—”

  “No. Not a chance. I’m in. God, after all this, how can you doubt me?” he practically cried.

  “Good. Odette is my authority. This changes plans a bit. We will meet, Jason. I look forward to it.”

  A couple clicks and a short moment, Odette came back on the line. “Satisfied?”

  “Yes, quite,” Vaghn said and seemed to preen in the chair.

  “Then ignite it. Destroy all trails, gentlemen. And Cale? Did you really think we couldn’t tell you were listening.”