Countdown

by Iris Johansen

  “You’re planning on breaking a big one if you kill Grozak and Reilly.”

  “Some things are worth chancing damnation. And I believe the Church would weigh my sin against the greater one they’re going to commit. I won’t break my promise, Jane.”

  She made up her mind. “You’d better not. If you upset Jock, MacDuff will send you to that eternal damnation without a second thought.”

  “You’ll let me do it?”

  “On one condition. We need to make a deal. You can have your two days with Jock if you give me Cira’s letter at the end of that time.”

  “I didn’t bring it with me.” He added quickly, “But I can tell you what it said.”

  “Then tell me.”

  “After I spend my time with him. That’s only fair. When can I see Jock?”

  “When he wakes up.” She turned to leave. “But don’t be surprised if he doesn’t want to talk to you. He’s not exactly sociable. This is purely an experiment.”

  “I understand that. I’ll just be a sounding board. If he wants to talk, I’ll be there.”

  “I’m trusting you, Mario.”

  “Within limits.” He smiled. “And with a backup in case I don’t come through. I don’t care. As long as I can see a way to help.”

  For the first time since they’d started on this journey, Mario seemed almost cheerful, the brooding and bitterness lessened. Purpose could work miracles. Perhaps throwing the two young men together would work out. “MacDuff may not be needed if you foul up,” she murmured. “Jock is extremely well trained to take care of anyone who upsets him.”

  Hello, Jock. Do you know who I am?”

  Jock shook his head to clear it of sleep before studying the man in the chair beside his bed. “You’re the man who lives in the room with Cira. Mario . . .”

  “Donato.” The man smiled. “And I don’t exactly live with Cira. Although I sometimes feel as if I do. I’m trying to decipher her scrolls.”

  “You live with her statue, the one that belongs to Trevor. MacDuff let me go up and see it before you came to the Run.”

  “Without Trevor’s permission?”

  “It’s the laird’s castle, and he knew I wanted to see it after he showed me the photo on the Internet.”

  “And you just walked right in?”

  “No, I know how to get into places.” His expression clouded. “It was easy.”

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t have had to use your cat-burglar skills to see the statue. Trevor’s never objected to me having her in my study.”

  He shrugged. “The laird didn’t want me to bother him.”

  “But not enough to tell you not to trespass and go to see her?”

  “It wasn’t trespassing. It was his right to give me permission to see her.”

  “Trevor wouldn’t agree, I’m afraid.” He smiled. “The castle is under lease and the statue of Cira is his.”

  He shook his head. “It was the laird’s right.”

  “Well, we won’t argue about it,” Mario said. “I’m glad we share a passion for Cira. She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

  Jock nodded. “I feel . . . close to her.”

  “So do I. Would you like to read her letters?”

  “Yes.” Jock studied Mario’s expression. Although the fog that clouded his mind was lessening, sometimes clearing entirely, it was still difficult to focus. He forced himself to concentrate. “Why are you here?”

  “I thought we should get to know each other.”

  He shook his head. “You’re being nice to me. Why?”

  “Does there have to be a reason?”

  “Yes.” Jock thought about it. “You want what the rest of them want. You want to know about Reilly.”

  “Why should I—” Mario nodded. “I won’t lie to you.”

  He said wearily, “I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

  “It will come back to you. I want to be there when it does.”

  He shook his head.

  “Look at it this way. I promised I’d ask you no questions. You’ll be able to relax with me. If you want to talk about Reilly, I’ll be willing to listen. No, I’ll be eager as hell to listen.”

  Jock searched his face. “Why?”

  “Grozak and Reilly killed my father. He was beheaded.”

  That’s right, Jock remembered Jane saying something about Mario’s father’s death. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t me. I’ve never been told to behead anyone.”

  Shock crossed Mario’s face. “We know who did it. I didn’t think it was you.”

  “That’s good. It would complicate things.”

  Mario nodded. “I’d say that’s an understatement.” He was recovered enough to force a smile. “You’re not what I expected. But that doesn’t mean we can’t come to terms and help each other.”

  Jock didn’t speak for a moment, his gaze on Mario’s face. This man wanted to use him and thought he was simpleminded enough to let him do it. He couldn’t blame him. When the fog closed down, he was barely capable of functioning even on the simplest level. But now there were periods when the fog lifted and he felt keen and sharp as a dagger.

  “Don’t you want to know what’s in those scrolls?” Mario asked persuasively. “I’ve just translated one that I haven’t let anyone else read yet. I could tell you about it. You’d be the first.”

  He was trying to bribe him. Jock could sense the desperation that was driving Mario. Revenge and hate and the urgency that went along with that desperation. It was strange being able to know how others were feeling when he’d been turned inward for so long.

  Accept it. He was still weak and everyone around him was strong. He had to build his strength. Take whatever Mario was willing to give him. Let him use him.

  Until the fog vanished entirely.

  I didn’t think it would work.” Trevor’s gaze was fixed on Mario and Jock walking down to the pier. “I thought you had let Mario influence you. But it’s been two days and they seem to be best buddies.”

  “He did influence me. I felt sorry for him. But not enough to let it go on if I saw any sign of him disturbing Jock. I had to fight too hard to get MacDuff to let Mario even talk to him. But it was a way to make him a deal to give us Cira’s scroll, and I knew I could yank him away if he upset Jock.” Jane shook her head in wonder. “And Mario seems gentle with him. He reminds me of the way he was when I first came to the castle. Jock tells me he jokes with him and tells him stories of his life in Italy. I don’t believe he’s asked Jock any questions at all.”

  “Yet.”

  “Yet.” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “But we’ll have to start asking questions ourselves soon. It’s been driving me crazy sitting here and waiting for Jock to get around to remembering something that could stop this horror. We can’t wait much longer for him to heal. Have you heard anything from Brenner?”

  “Only that he checked out the resort where Jock worked. He sold equipment in the ski shop for three months and then just didn’t show up one day. The owner was pretty upset. He didn’t think Jock was that unreliable. He even thought about filing a missing-persons report.”

  “But he didn’t do it?”

  He shook his head. “Drifters come through those resorts all the time. They stay to earn a few bucks and enjoy the skiing and then move on.”

  “Nothing on Reilly?”

  “Not yet. He’s tapping a few sources, but he has to be careful not to tip off anyone that we’re looking for Reilly. Leaks are too dangerous right now.”

  Everything was dangerous now. Including this waiting on Jock. Lord, she wished there was something else they could do. “Have you talked to Bartlett lately?”

  “Last night.” He smiled. “Homeland Security hasn’t invaded MacDuff’s stronghold. So they’re basically watching and waiting.”

  “And so are we.” She paused. “I don’t suppose you could rig my new phone with some kind of block so that I could talk freely to Eve and Joe?”

  “Too risky. You
know that.”

  She had known that would be his answer. And it was the right answer, dammit. As much as she wanted to confide in Eve and Joe, it would be foolish to run that risk. “Okay.”

  “Look, this is tearing you apart. It was your decision, but we all went along with it. You were right, if we’d pushed Jock he might have closed down. But if you’re having second thoughts, then say the word and I’ll have a talk with him.”

  “You mean you’ll use force.”

  “If I think it’s the only way. He’s our only hope and our primary stumbling block. I don’t want you having regrets for the rest of your life because you were too soft to do what you had to do.”

  “I won’t be too soft.” It was true. She knew herself well enough to know that in spite of the agony, she’d make the decision she had to make if there was no other way. But, God, how desperately she was hoping there was another way. She gazed back at Mario and Jock. “But Mario had better get something from Jock pretty soon. If he doesn’t, we’ll do whatever we have to do. Including bringing in Homeland Security, the CIA, anyone who has a chance of helping. And they won’t be either understanding or gentle with him. They’ll take whatever they can get, even if they break his mind.”

  “I’m not arguing. Let’s hope it won’t be necessary.” Trevor changed the subject. “But I do have another interesting bit of information you might want to know about. Demonidas.”

  Her gaze flew to his face. “What?”

  “I’ve been trying to keep myself busy and I found a reference to a Demonidas on the Internet. He did live during the same period as Cira.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Not much more.” He paused. “But he came to public attention when his ship’s log was found in Naples two years ago. It was supposedly in a good state of preservation and was going to be offered at auction by the government to benefit the local museums. There was quite a buzz about it. Collectors were lining up to bid.”

  “Can we see it?”

  He shook his head. “It disappeared a week before the auction.”

  “Stolen?”

  “Unless it walked out of that safe in Naples.”

  “Damn.”

  “But at least it did exist, and so did Demonidas. Does that make you feel better?”

  “Yes. Anything in this mess that has a basis in concrete fact is to the good.”

  “I’ll keep on looking, but I thought you’d like to know something definite. It’s been a pretty frustrating time for all of us.”

  “That’s an understatement.” She smiled. “Thanks, Trevor.”

  “You’re welcome. It’s worth it. That’s the first time you’ve smiled at me in days.” He reached out and took her hand. “I missed it.”

  She looked down at their joined hands. It felt warm, nice. . . . “I’ve been a little on edge.”

  “We’ve been balanced on that edge since the day we met. I don’t know how it would feel to be able to have dinner, go to a show, maybe sit around and watch TV together. Normal stuff.”

  He was right. Normal was a state they knew nothing about. They hadn’t had the time or opportunity to discuss, explore, and truly get to know each other. It had all been sexual tension, a fine balance between trust and suspicion, and literally walking on the wild side of violence. “And do you want that?”

  “Hell, yes. I want the whole nine yards. I want to know you.”

  She glanced away from him. “And what if you’re disappointed when you do?”

  “You’re backing away from me.”

  He was right. His hand felt too good and she needed the comfort and companionableness he was giving. It made her want to cling, and she couldn’t allow herself to do that. If she didn’t have her strength and independence she had nothing. “What do you expect? This is too new. I didn’t expect to— When I was a kid on the streets, what I saw of the man-woman relationship wasn’t pretty. I suppose . . . it scarred me. I’m afraid of what you make me feel. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever known, and I’m not sure if you’ll even be here when this is all over.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  She pulled her hand away and stood up. “Then we’ll worry about going to dinner and watching TV together then.” She headed for the door. “I think I’ll go down and sketch Jock and Mario together. They’re an interesting contrast, aren’t—”

  “Jane.”

  “Okay. I’m avoiding talking about it.” She stared him in the eye. “You want sex? Fine. I love it with you. I just can’t— It’s going to take me time to become close to anyone. And if you can’t accept that, you’ll have to deal with it.”

  His lips tightened. “I can accept it.” He suddenly grimaced. “And I’ll damn well take the sex.” He turned back to the house. “I’ll hit the computer and see if I can come up with anything else on Demonidas.”

  They must be just sitting around twiddling their thumbs,” Wickman said when Grozak picked up his call. “No sign of any action at all. Why don’t I take a few men and go in and stir things up?”

  “Because it would be stupid,” Grozak said. “I’m surprised you’d even suggest it. I told you I wanted the woman, and the minute you try to use force, they’ll start circling the wagons to protect her. And if you don’t succeed, it will show Reilly how inept we are. The bastard respects strength.”

  “I’m not inept.”

  “I know you’re not,” Grozak said quickly. “It would only be an appearance.”

  “Five days, Grozak.”

  “You don’t have to remind me. I’m in Chicago now arranging the shipment of the explosives to Los Angeles. Then I go to Los Angeles and make sure the bribes are in place.”

  “All your fine plans won’t do any good if we don’t give Reilly what he wants.” Wickman hung up the phone.

  Grozak’s lips tightened as he hung up the phone. Wickman was becoming more arrogant every time he talked to him. He was beginning to regret the day he’d hired the son of a bitch. Wickman might be smart and efficient, but there were moments Grozak felt as if he was losing control.

  Have him killed?

  Not yet.

  He glanced at the calendar on the desk and felt the muscles of his stomach clench.

  Five days.

  Four Days

  Hello, Jock.” Jane sat down on the porch steps beside him and gazed out at the splendor of the sunset before flipping open her sketchbook. “It’s peaceful here, isn’t it? It reminds me of Joe’s cottage on our lake at home.”

  “Do you have mountains there?”

  “No, just hills. But the peace is the same.”

  He nodded. “I like it here. It makes me feel clean inside. And free.”

  “You are free.”

  “Right now. But I always wonder if I’ll stay that way.”

  “I know how you feel.” She held up her hand as he started to shake his head. “Okay, no one could know unless they’d gone through what you did, but I can imagine. I don’t think there’s anything worse than being controlled like a slave. It’s my worst nightmare.”

  “Is it?”

  She nodded. “And Trevor told me that Reilly would just love to try his hand at controlling me. It made me sick.”

  He frowned. “But there weren’t any women there at the compound except Kim, and she works for Reilly.”

  “I was evidently going to be the exception.”

  He nodded. “Maybe it’s because you look like Cira. He liked her. He kept asking me about her and if the laird had found out anything about her gold or—”

  “He did?” Her gaze flew to his face. “You remember that?”

  “Yes, little things have been coming back to me in the last few days.”

  “What else?”

  “Four eight two.”

  She felt a surge of disappointment. “Oh.”

  “That’s not what you wanted me to say.”

  “I just thought that you’d already come to terms with that.”

  “Now I have. Now that I’ve remembered th
at I did all I could.”

  “Would you like to tell me what happened that night?”

  “There’s not much to tell. Reilly gave me the address and the victim and I went to do what he told me.”

  “Why a child?”

  “To hurt Falgow. Something to do with the Mafia. I think Reilly had been paid by them to punish Falgow for not cooperating.”

  “But a little girl . . .”

  “It would hurt him. It hurt me. I couldn’t do it. But if I didn’t do it, Reilly would send someone else. I knew it. I had to do something. . . .”

  “What?”

  “Anything. They thought she was safe. She wasn’t safe. She’d never be safe if they didn’t protect her. I turned over a table. I broke a window and went out that way. They had to know someone was there, that she wasn’t safe.”

  “It must have worked,” Jane said gently. “She’s still alive, Jock.”

  He nodded. “But no one’s really safe from him. He might have given up, but then, he might just be waiting. He’s very patient.”

  “Have you been remembering anything else?”

  “Yes.”

  She drew a deep breath. “We have to talk, Jock. We’ve left you alone as long as we could. It’s time.”

  Jock smiled. “Not quite alone. You sent Mario to remind me what my duty is.”

  “I told him not to bug you.”

  “He didn’t. He’s been very nice. I like him.”

  “So do I.”

  “But sometimes you don’t have to say anything. I know what he wants. What you all want.”

  “And are you going to give it to us?”

  He was silent a moment. “I . . . may give it to you.”

  Her gaze flew to his face. “You remember where Reilly is?”

  He nodded. “It’s coming back to me in bits and pieces.”

  “Idaho?”

  He nodded.

  “Where?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “Jock.”

  He shook his head. “You’ll tell the laird. Or Trevor. Or Mario.”

  “They all want to help.”

  “I told you the night I came to you that the laird can’t know, that I have to do it myself.”

  “Yes, but you didn’t say that you were going to close us all out.”