Long After Midnight

by Iris Johansen

  I feel so damn alone.

  Marianne was asleep. Seth could hear the soft sound of her breathing.

  He rolled over and sat up in bed.

  Ishmaru.

  Not good.

  He got up and moved toward the open glass door leading to the balcony. The soft, warm wind felt good on his naked body. He stared out at the surf below. He’d always liked the freedom of the open sea, and this condo was as different from the crowded houses where he’d grown up as night was from day. God, how he’d hated those places. Funny that he hadn’t been able to keep himself from fighting like hell to belong in them. But then he’d been such a contrary little bastard, clawing for a place. . . . Thank God, he’d learned to let go and walk away.

  But some part of that hungry, desperate kid must still have survived, because one of the first things he’d bought was this condo. He’d kept it all these years. A place to come back to, a haven.

  Did Ishmaru have a haven?

  He didn’t like what Kendow had told him about Ishmaru. He wasn’t a man Noah would be able to handle easily.

  Seth wouldn’t find him easy either, but at least he was used to dealing with vermin. Noah didn’t have his experience.

  Even when they were in the Special Forces together, Noah had never been cautious enough. He lacked the basic cynicism that made a good fighting man. He always wanted to believe in the best scenario.

  Seth didn’t believe in much of anything and knew that most scenarios had to be molded to the shape he wanted.

  Yet it was Noah’s very lack of caution that had led him to rush in and drag Seth out of the line of fire when he was wounded at Grenada. Seth owed him.

  But he had been going to relax and let Noah run the show.

  Dammit, Noah was his friend. He couldn’t let him blunder in and get himself killed.

  He was doing Noah an injustice. Noah wasn’t a blunderer. It would be okay. Noah had said he was to go to the cabin and wait.

  “Seth . . .”

  Marianne was awake again and he knew that tone. He smiled as he turned and moved toward the bed. Marianne never asked for more than he wanted to give. She was usually available when he came back to Miami and asked no questions. She liked sex and a few laughs and then moved on to someone else. So give her what she wants. Take what you want. Forget about Ishmaru.

  Let Noah run the show.

  * * *

  FIVE

  * * *

  The man’s insane?” Kate repeated.

  “Sounds like it to me,” Noah said. “Doesn’t it to you?”

  “It may not be the same man. He didn’t seem—He was very . . . normal.”

  “All I’m telling you is what I found out from Seth. Your description rang a bell with him.”

  “Who is Seth?”

  “A friend.” He paused. “Can’t you see this changes the picture, Kate? Any threat is doubled when you’re dealing with someone who won’t do the expected.”

  Kate shivered and closed her eyes. The idea of criminal insanity had always terrified her. How could you protect yourself from a man who had no reason? “His name is Ishmaru?”

  “Yes,” he said. “I’ll be at the motel. Call me.”

  She stared at the phone after she’d hung up. Clever, Noah. Tell me just enough to scare the socks off me and then go away and let me brood about it.

  “You’re up early, Kate.” Phyliss came into the kitchen, dressed in her chenille robe. “Didn’t you sleep well?”

  “No.” She crossed her arms across her chest to ward off the chill that refused to go away. “I’ve been thinking, Phyliss. Maybe it would be a good idea if we all went away on a little trip.”

  “Just can’t keep away from us, huh?” Charlie Dodd straightened his glasses on his nose as Kate came into the lab. “Or maybe it’s me. Have you been harboring a secret passion all these years?”

  “That’s right, Charlie.” Kate smiled as she opened her top desk drawer and rifled through papers for the test results she’d done the day before Michael’s death. She was sure she’d put them there. “I just can’t help myself.”

  “I thought as much.” He got up and strolled over to her. “What are you doing? I told you yesterday that I’d bring you anything you needed.”

  Where the hell were they? “I know but I wanted to get these right away.” They weren’t in the drawer. Maybe she’d stuffed them in her briefcase before she left that day. She’d been pretty upset. “I must be losing it. I guess I took them home.”

  “Anything else?”

  “No.” The computer disk with the formula and records was locked in the trunk of her car with her laptop. “I just wanted to study those reports.” She picked up the phone and dialed Alan’s number at the precinct. It took her a few minutes to get through to him. “Hi, I have a favor to ask.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Could I have the black-and-white at the house again tonight?”

  “Sure. I’d already planned on it.” He paused. “Any problem?”

  “No, I’d just feel better. And could you have a car cruise by every now and then and keep an eye on the house for the next few weeks? I’ll be gone for a while.”

  “Where?”

  “I’m not sure. Tomorrow I’m just going to bundle Phyliss and Joshua into the car and take off. It may do us all some good.”

  “You’re not going because you’re afraid? There’s nothing to be afraid of, Kate. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

  “I just want to get away.”

  A silence. “Well, keep in touch. I’ll make sure everything stays safe and sound here.”

  “Thanks, Alan.” She hesitated. “Have you ever heard of a man named Ishmaru?”

  “Don’t think so. Should I?”

  “I don’t know.” She didn’t know anything, she thought in frustration. That might not even be the man’s name. She had only Noah’s word for it. “Could you run a check on the name?”

  “What’s this about, Kate?”

  “Could you just do it?”

  “Okay. Right now?”

  “Whenever you can.”

  “It will take a little time.” He was silent and then said, “You’re keeping something from me. I don’t like it.”

  She didn’t like it either. “I have to go now, Alan. Thanks for everything.”

  She hung up.

  “I guess you won’t be at Benny’s memorial service,” Charlie said. “I thought you were staying in town.”

  She had completely forgotten the service, she realized. She would have to remember to send flowers. “I decided it would be better to have a change of scenery.”

  “That’s what I told you.”

  “And you’re always right.”

  “Mostly always.”

  “There’s something seriously wrong with that phrase.”

  “Well, I had to throw in a qualifier. I didn’t want to sound too egotistical.”

  “Perish the thought.” She turned to go. “Bye, Charlie. See you in a couple weeks.”

  “Right. Too bad about Rudy.”

  She stopped in mid motion and faced him. “What?”

  “You didn’t hear? Rudy’s dead.”

  “How?”

  He shrugged. “Don’t worry, it didn’t have anything to do with your experiments. It happened two nights ago.”

  “How can you say that? It could have been a delayed reaction.”

  He shook his head. “It was a broken neck.”

  She stared at him in bewilderment. “Broken neck? Was he out of his cage?”

  “Nope, must have been some kind of freak accident.” He raised a brow. “Hey, don’t go into shock. It was a lab rat, not your best friend.”

  But, dammit, she had liked that lab rat. She had conducted the last four experiments using Rudy, and she had felt as if he somehow shared her pride and excitement as she had closed in on the final solution. “You’re sure he wasn’t out of his cage?”

  “The lab technician said she
fed him at six-thirty two nights ago and he was in his cage and happy as a clam.” He smiled. “Don’t worry. Before you come back, I’ll make it my personal responsibility to get you an A1 lab rat with all Rudy’s doubtful charms.”

  “Thanks,” she said absently as she headed for the door.

  Missing papers. A dead lab rat.

  The plant was blown up also to wipe out every vestige of RU2.

  Maybe Ogden thinks you’re working with me already.

  But to kill a lab rat because she was using it for experiments? And GeneChem’s security was superb. How could someone have gotten into the building and located her office and lab without anyone knowing about it? It was probably a freak accident, as Charlie had said. Any other explanation was ridiculous.

  No, any other explanation was terrifying.

  “You have lousy taste in motels,” Seth said when Noah opened the door. “I bet it has bugs.”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Noah asked. “I told you to go to the cabin.”

  “I got to thinking about Ishmaru.” Seth moved into the room and shut the door. “I decided you need me here.”

  “I can handle Ishmaru.”

  Seth shook his head. “You just think you can.” He threw himself in the chair and draped his leg over the arm. “You’re not qualified anymore. Maybe you never were. Not to deal with Ishmaru.”

  “What’s so special about Ishmaru?”

  “He’s crazy . . . and you’re sane. You don’t understand him.”

  “And you do?”

  “Hell yes, I have my moments of madness too.” He grimaced. “Or I wouldn’t be here offering to smash the rat.” He glanced around the room. “No coffeemaker. Now I know this is a lousy motel. Let’s go get some lunch. I haven’t eaten since dinner last night.”

  “I can’t leave. I have to wait in case Kate comes.” He gazed at Seth. “Go on to the cabin. I mean it, Seth. You should never have come here. I don’t like interference with my plans.”

  Noah’s tone flicked like a scourge, and Seth slowly straightened in the chair. “And I don’t like orders. In the old days we used to make plans together.”

  “Not this time. It has to be my way.”

  “Your way . . .” He studied him. “You know, something just occurred to me. We hadn’t seen each other in over six years when you stirred yourself to look me up five years ago. That was after you’d developed RU2.”

  Noah stiffened. “So?”

  “I just wonder if it was auld lang syne or if you were planning to use me even then.”

  Noah was silent.

  It was true, Seth realized. Noah had never been able to lie worth a damn. “You spent a lot of time preparing me to join the show. Talking about the old days so that I’d remember what I owed you. All those weeks on the Cadro, the hunting trips that—”

  “Don’t be a fool. You’re my friend. I’d probably have looked you up eventually anyway.”

  “You just found a reason to do it sooner. I hate to be used, Noah. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

  “Does that mean you’re opting out?”

  “No.” He smiled crookedly. “You did me a big favor once. I made you a promise and I’ll keep it. But that damn RU2 must mean a hell of a lot to you.” He rose to his feet and started for the door. “So I’ll hurry obediently to the cabin and wait for you.”

  “Seth.” Noah was frowning. “You are my friend. My best friend.”

  “I know. It snuck up on you, didn’t it? My fatal charm.” Seth opened the door. “Don’t worry, I can’t afford to jettison you. I don’t have that many friends.” He gazed into Noah’s eyes. “But I never use the ones I do have. Don’t try to manipulate me again, Noah.” He started to leave and then paused. “If you want Kate Denby to stay alive, I wouldn’t sit on my butt and wait for her. Get moving and keep watch on her, because you can damn well believe Ishmaru will.”

  “One of her police friends has a black-and-white guarding the house. I have to stay here in case she comes.” He added, “And I’m not one of your men, Seth. This is my game.”

  One that might blow up in his face. Well, what the hell should he care? He’d tried to tell him. “Sure. Your game.”

  Seth closed the door and moved quickly toward his rental car. He’d been a fool to come here. He should have known Noah would dig in his heels.

  And he’d learned more than he wanted to know.

  Forget it. It didn’t change things for him to know that Noah’s white hat was a little dingy around the edges. He still owed him. He was still his friend.

  He glanced at his watch. Three thirty-five. He could be on a plane out of here tonight. He washed his hands of Ishmaru. Good luck, Noah.

  And good luck, Kate Denby.

  The rays of the late afternoon sunlight dappled the path in front of Ishmaru as he ran swiftly through the woods. He always chose a motel that opened onto a wooded area. It was necessary for the preparation for the kill.

  He ran faster. His heart was pumping with fierce pleasure.

  He was fleet as a deer.

  He was unstoppable.

  He was warrior.

  But warriors should not be guided by fools like Ogden. The kill should be made in a burst of glory, not cool calculation. He had lain awake a long time last night thinking of the kill tonight, the disturbance growing within him.

  He reached the summit and stood there, gasping for breath. Below him spread a subdivision with neat, small houses like the one in which Kate Denby lived. If he shaded his eyes, he could see her subdivision just on the horizon. He had been pleased that her house was so close to the others in the neighborhood. It was an exciting challenge for him to move like a shadow among these sheep, to strike boldly.

  But Ogden did not want him to strike boldly. Ogden wanted him to hide the act behind lies and deception.

  Since it disturbed Ishmaru, there must be a reason. His instincts had told him from the first moment that Kate Denby might be special. Was she Emily sent to challenge him? He would meditate and wait for a sign.

  He fell to his knees and dipped his finger into the dirt of the path and painted streaks on his cheeks and forehead. Then he threw out his arms. “Guide me,” he whispered. “Let it become clear.”

  The ancient ones used to pray to the Great Spirit, but he was wiser. He knew the Great Spirit was within himself. He was both the Giver of Glory and the Punisher.

  He stayed kneeling, arms thrown wide for one hour, two, three.

  The rays of the sun paled. Shadows lengthened.

  He would have to give up soon. With no sign he would have to submit to Ogden’s will.

  Then he heard a giggle in the shrubbery to his right.

  Joy tore through him.

  He didn’t move. He kept facing straight ahead, but he slanted a glance toward the bushes from the corner of his eye.

  A small girl was watching him. She was no more than seven or eight, wearing a plaid dress and carrying a backpack. His joy increased as he realized she had fair hair. Not the same ash blond as Kate Denby’s but pale yellow like Emily Santos’s. It could be no coincidence; his power must have pulled the child to him.

  She was the bearer of the sign. If he could count coup on her, then that must mean he could ignore Ogden and follow the true path.

  He slowly stood up and turned to the little girl.

  She was still giggling. “You have a dirty face. What are you—” She broke off and her eyes widened. She took a step back.

  She felt his power, Ishmaru exulted.

  She whimpered, “I didn’t mean—Don’t—”

  She whirled and ran down the path.

  He started after her.

  It would do no good for her to run.

  He was fleet as a deer.

  He was unstoppable.

  He was warrior.

  “Did you pack my laptop and my video games?” Joshua asked.

  “They went in the trunk right after your bat and catcher’s mitt,” Phyliss said. “And do
n’t ask us to stuff one more toy in this car. There’s barely enough room for the suitcases.”

  “All we’ve got in there are clothes,” Joshua said. “Who needs clothes for sleeping? We could take out my pajamas and—”

  “No,” Kate said firmly and shut the trunk. “Now go into the house and take your bath. I’ll be in as soon as I check the tires and oil, and you’d better be in bed.”

  “Okay.” Joshua made a face at her before loping toward the front door.

  “He’s perking up,” Phyliss said. “I think this trip will be good for him.”

  “I hope so. Will you hold the flashlight for me? It’s getting too dark to see.”

  “Sure.” Phyliss took a step closer and aimed the beam of the flashlight as Kate opened the hood and took out the oil stick.

  “It’s a quart low. We’d better stop at a gas station before we get on the road tomorrow.”

  “You made up your mind in a hurry,” Phyliss observed. “It’s not like you.”

  Kate grinned at her. “Slow, boring, methodical Kate?”

  “You said it, I didn’t.”

  “I have a right to an impulsive moment now and then.”

  “Maybe.” Phyliss paused. “And it’s not like you to run scared just because some young hoodlum decided to rob us.”

  “I thought we’d all had enough.”

  Phyliss’s gaze searched Kate’s expression. “Is something wrong, Kate?”

  She should have known Phyliss was too perceptive not to be aware of Kate’s tension. “Of course there’s something wrong. We’re a house of mourning.” She knelt and began checking the air in the left front tire. “Will you go in and see if you can keep Joshua from smuggling his tennis racquet into his pillowcase? He was entirely too sentimental about taking his very own pillow along.”

  “I thought so too.” Phyliss chuckled. “What a schemer.” She went into the house.

  Joshua was always a good distraction, Kate thought. Or maybe Phyliss had merely allowed herself to be distracted. She had a great respect for personal privacy, both her own and—

  “What you got there?”

  Kate’s heart leaped to her throat and then quieted when she looked up and saw that the man who had spoken wore a blue police uniform. She hadn’t seen the police car draw up to the curb, but there it was.