Chaos

by Iris Johansen

  “I’m sure you do.” And it was obvious he was already in full action mode. No use arguing with him. “Thank you,” she said awkwardly. “I’m sorry about this. Horses weren’t in our agreement.”

  “Neither was you getting shot.” He shrugged. “If I can find a way of rescuing the horses, I figure I’ll be on my way toward making recompense. The only thing I ask is that you let me set up the timing so that I don’t get those horses killed. I don’t believe either one of you would ever forgive me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re always superb with that damn timing. You’ve been torturing yourself about that stupid wound since it happened. It’s boring, I wish you’d forget about it.”

  “Difficult to do.”

  “You’ve done difficult things before. As far as I’m concerned, the slates are clean and your help with the horses deserves my gratitude. I don’t like admitting that any more than you do. So shut up about it.” She got to her feet. “I’m going to talk to Margaret and go over the maps again. If we have to move those horses at the last minute, we’ll have to take them somewhere very close to Jubaldar. I think I remember a canyon that we ran across this morning if we can find an access…”

  * * *

  Jubaldar Racetrack

  “Davidow tells me Chaos hasn’t thrown you today,” Masenak said as he strolled across the track toward Sasha. “Very good.” His gaze ran over her. “And you look very professional. Are you turning over a new leaf?”

  “I managed to stay on his back so far today. That doesn’t mean I’ll be lucky in the next hour or two. And I look clean and what you call professional because I haven’t been in the dirt yet.” She paused and then said urgently, “Cancel this race. Give me another two or three weeks to work on Chaos and I’ll have him ready to race…and win. I can’t guarantee what he’ll do right now.”

  “You’ll guarantee what I want. And what I want is that you’ll get on Chaos and show Reardon the fastest horse he’s ever seen.” He indicated the computer he was carrying. “Five minutes and I’ll make the call. I’ve promised him a preview of what’s going to happen when he’s on this track for the race.”

  “That’s not very smart. If I get Chaos around the track, Reardon might back out of his bet when he sees his speed. Just put off the race and I’ll—”

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” he said coldly. “I know exactly what Reardon’s reaction is going to be, and I’m prepared for it. In fact, I’m counting on it. I’ve thought it over and I may be changing strategy. So get out there and do what I ordered you to do.” He nodded behind her at the horse one of the stable boys was leading out of the stables. “Or you’ll lose your faithful buddy from times past.”

  Zeus. Beautiful, graceful, prancing as gracefully toward her as he had the first time she’d seen him when she was a little girl.

  And the threat was as clear as if Masenak was pointing a gun at Zeus’s head.

  “You understand?” Masenak asked softly.

  “I understand,” she said jerkily as she turned away and started down the track toward Chaos. “Make the call.”

  She heard him laughing as she stopped in front of Chaos.

  You’re angry…and sad.

  Yes, but you’ll be happy. You’re going to get to run.

  Then why are you sad? It will be joy.

  No choice. He would hurt Zeus. She gathered the reins and jumped on his back. So let’s give him what he wants and worry about everything else later. She gave him a gentle kick. Take the joy and save an old friend. Now!

  Chaos bolted forward!

  No breath.

  Stinging wind!

  Blurred colors.

  Thunder of his hooves.

  Silken movement.

  Faster.

  Faster.

  Faster.

  And then it came.

  Joy.

  Joy.

  Joy.

  She could see Masenak ahead.

  Stop, Chaos.

  He was paying no attention.

  She tried again. Enough.

  Never enough. But he was slowing. You aren’t sad now.

  No, I’m not. Thank you. But I have to leave you now. Stop, Chaos.

  He didn’t come to a stop until he’d passed Masenak. It was wrong that he wanted to hurt Zeus. Even if it meant joy for us. When can I stomp on him?

  Soon, I hope. She jumped to the ground. Though stomping isn’t always the answer.

  You only say that because you’re weak and don’t have the power to do it yourself.

  She didn’t answer because Masenak was impatiently motioning for her to come to him. His eyes were gleaming, his face pale with excitement. “Very good.” He jerked her in front of the computer screen. “Reardon wants to congratulate you. He was impressed. Though I told him you could do better.”

  “When I can stay on him,” she said. “Did you mention that was a problem.”

  “No, I didn’t.” His grip on her arm tightened painfully. “Because the problem is only temporary, as you just proved. Both Reardon and I are great problem solvers.” He looked at the screen. “When we believe in a project. Isn’t that right, Reardon?”

  “What do you want me to say?” Reardon asked curtly. “Yes, that was a spectacular run. Yes, Nightshade will have difficulty coming close to that speed. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. Anything can happen in a horse race.” His eyes were narrowed on Masenak. “And is that why you staged this little preview? To remind me there might be other options available?”

  “It could be. I’ll discuss it with you later.” He reached out and touched Sasha’s hair. “But you said you wanted to talk to my jockey. You see, she can be presentable.”

  “More than presentable. She was exciting on the back of that monster of a horse.” He was gazing at Sasha. “How did it feel?”

  There was something almost sensual in his tone that made her uncomfortable. “He’s very smooth.”

  “But rough, too,” he said softly. “I bet you’d like it rough.”

  “No.” She suddenly wanted to get away. It was ironic she was glancing at Masenak, seeking escape. “I should get back to Chaos. Do you need me for anything else?”

  He shook his head. “I think Reardon is finished with you for right now.” He looked at Reardon. “Yes?”

  “For the moment.” He spoke directly to Sasha. “Run along, I’ll see you soon.”

  She broke away from Masenak and strode back toward Chaos. She didn’t like anything that had gone on in the past few moments. Masenak’s attitude toward Reardon had been a combination of smug satisfaction and a kind of eager subservience. She didn’t like this change. She preferred the arrogance and half-bitter excitement of the first call, when there had been conflict on the horizon. There had been an element of kowtowing in Masenak’s attitude today.

  And she hated the way he’d deferred to Reardon in his attitude toward her just now. After Szarnar, she knew all the signs of lust, and she’d seen it in Reardon. Whatever new deal Masenak might be offering Reardon, she couldn’t be certain she wouldn’t be offered as part of it.

  But Reardon wasn’t due here at Jubaldar for another three days. Perhaps Alisa could get her out of here before she had to face the looming problem.

  Perhaps.

  * * *

  Atlas Mountains

  10:35 A.M.

  “Wait for me!”

  Korgan looked behind him to see Alisa striding from the road toward the bank of pines where they’d parked the Land Rover. “Something wrong? Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Because there was nothing wrong. I was just on the phone and got a late start. I knew I’d catch up with you.” She got into the passenger seat. “And I did.”

  “But you didn’t mention that you intended to come with me. I would have waited.” He made a face. “Though I don’t know why you’re coming. It should be a boring trip. Negotiating with those council members will cause your eyes to glaze over.”

  “Not if they manage to
get the best of you. I’m sure it will be a learning experience.”

  “There were reasons why I—”

  “Excuses?”

  “Reasons,” he repeated as he started the car. “And the last I heard, you were talking about going down and exploring that canyon passage near Jubaldar with Margaret. Why are you here now?”

  “I’m waiting on a return of the call I placed last night, and I changed my plans. I decided I’d rather go with you. Samlir will be more convenient for me.” She smiled. “I promise I won’t be bored, and I won’t get in the way of your negotiations with the Berbers.”

  He was silent. “What call?”

  “Just a little negotiation of my own. I’ll tell you about it if I manage to pull it off.”

  “Alisa.”

  “That’s all you’ll get from me.” She looked away from him. “How long will it take for us to rendezvous with that helicopter?”

  “Almost an hour, and then another forty-five minutes to get to Samlir.”

  “Not exactly a convenient distance if we need them to help launch an attack on Jubaldar.”

  “That’s the second time you’ve used the word ‘convenient.’” He shook his head. “Forget convenience. Nothing is convenient in these mountains. That’s why Masenak built his castle here. He’s as safe as it’s possible for him to be considering what a murdering asshole he is. There are ways to get around it, but it’s damn hard.” He scowled. “And your director isn’t making it any easier. But all I can do right now is make sure that Samlir is on our side and cooperative.”

  “From what you told me about the council, that isn’t going to be simple, either.”

  He shrugged. “We’ll see. The council members are basically politicians, and it’s been my experience that you can stop them in their tracks by appealing directly to the people they represent. I’ve been working on it. I’ll know when I get there and talk to Cazvar.”

  “Cazvar?” Then she recognized the name. “The trader whom Gilroy first got to bring him to Samlir? What’s he got to do with anything?”

  “It had better be plenty. When I knew Gilroy was going to be going to Jubaldar, I drafted Cazvar to act for me at Samlir. So far, he seems to be working out. He’s the quintessential wheeler-dealer, very money hungry, but he knows these people and how to reach them.”

  “That sounds as if you’re planning an uprising.”

  He smiled. “Only a minor one. And I promise everyone will be happy with it except the council members.”

  * * *

  Alisa began to understand what he meant when their helicopter started its descent on the edge of Samlir Village. There was a crowd of people looking up and smiling and pointing. “A welcoming committee?” she asked Cal Harris, their pilot. “Are they always this enthusiastic?”

  “Hell yes, it’s my third trip here this morning,” he said dryly. “And now they know what to expect when I unload the cargo bin.”

  “And what do they expect?”

  “You’d have to ask Cazvar. He makes the lists. I just fill them and deliver.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s been Christmas since the night I delivered Korgan here that first day.” Harris grinned. “Instead of a sleigh I use a helicopter, but the presents are impressive enough that nobody gives a damn.”

  She glanced at Korgan. “Bribery?”

  He shook his head. “This village is poverty-stricken, and its people are now my allies. Why wouldn’t I share with them? I couldn’t be sure the council would be equally generous. So I told Cazvar to make lists of what people needed that would make their lives better and start shipping it.” His eyes were twinkling. “It’s purely coincidental that it would make me more popular and make anyone on the council who won’t give me what I need very unpopular.”

  “You’re joking, but I believe you would have done it anyway.”

  “Would I?” He nodded. “Maybe. I’ve always liked the Santa Claus fable. And these days I can indulge exploring it. The process of making money is a hell of a lot of fun, but giving it away can be even more satisfying.” The helicopter was now on the ground and two villagers were struggling to keep the crowds back while a bearded third man was striding toward the cockpit. “There’s Cazvar doing his duty. He doesn’t look too happy, does he? I don’t think he agrees with me. He’s been a trader most of his life, and it offends him to just give things away. Plus, distribution can be a hassle.” He glanced at her. “But I don’t believe you’d mind doing it. Would you like to help Harris and Cazvar unload the cargo and play Santa while I go deal with the council? I don’t think it would bore you.”

  She gazed at the eager, excited faces of the men, women, and children in the crowd and slowly nodded. “No, it wouldn’t bore me.” She was opening the cockpit door. “Introduce me to Cazvar.”

  Chapter

  ​14

  Alisa was definitely not bored during the next four hours. She found that Cazvar was as organized and charismatic as Korgan had said. Once Korgan turned her over to him, he took full advantage of having another pair of willing hands and eyes at his disposal. Most of this shipment consisted of small farm equipment and carpentry tools, but there were also toys and board games and special teas and spices. After the helicopter was unloaded and the goods designated for various households on Cazvar’s list, they put them on a small truck, delivered them, and checked them off the list. Those homes were just as poverty-stricken as Korgan had told her, but most of the people were polite and contained their bubbling excitement at receiving the gifts. Except for the children. They were like children everywhere. A basketball or a Hula-Hoop or a doll was magical, and magic could never be contained.

  Korgan caught up with them when they were almost through with the deliveries. Alisa was outside in the street with a young boy and didn’t notice him until she heard his voice behind her. “I send you to work and find you out here playing with the kids?” he asked, amused. “Cazvar must be too easy on you.”

  “Hush.” She unfurled the Star Wars yo-yo with a flourish again. “I’m teaching him Walk the Dog and he’s almost got it.” She watched the child copy her movement. “Yes.” She beamed. “Wonderful.” He gave her a toothy grin and ran across the street to join two other boys. She turned back to Korgan. “I’d almost forgotten how much fun yo-yos could be. Very simple, but you can amuse yourself anywhere.”

  “Did you teach Sasha?”

  “No, she taught me. I told you that I never knew who was the kid sister. We taught each other so many things. We both had to catch up on things we’d missed.”

  “I can see how you would.” He turned to Cazvar, who had just come out of the house. “What’s her progress? Evidently you’ve put her in charge of the yo-yo and sundry toy division.”

  “She’s doing well enough for not knowing the language. She speaks fluent Arabic, but not the Amazigh Berber dialects,” Cazvar said. “She makes herself understood combining Arabic with sign language.” He frowned. “But she gives too many orders. I turn my back for one moment and she told Harris to go back to the helicopter and take off for Casablanca and bring back another shipment.”

  “We didn’t need him once we had the cargo unloaded,” Alisa said. “It seemed the reasonable thing to do.”

  “I would have told him myself when I got around to it,” Cazvar said. “You should not have done it.”

  Alisa nodded. “You’re in charge. I’ll remember.”

  Korgan chuckled. “Which is more than I’ve been able to make her do.”

  Cazvar shrugged. “She works hard. I have no real complaint.” He turned and went back into the house.

  “Why are you here?” Alisa asked Korgan. “I don’t believe it was because you wanted to check up on me. Are you finished with the council?”

  “Not quite. But I got a phone call from Vogel and I thought I’d take a break and come and tell you about it. I didn’t want you complaining to me later that I didn’t keep you informed.”

  She stiffened. “So
mething’s wrong?”

  “Maybe. I’m not sure. Something’s different, and with Reardon and Masenak that could signal a change either way. Reardon wasn’t scheduled to arrive at Jubaldar for another few days, but he altered his plans and Vogel said he ordered that Nightshade be ready to be picked up and flown out early this morning. Evidently Reardon is either anxious or excited about what’s happening with Masenak and wants to be on the spot. He should be arriving late today.”

  She frowned. “I don’t like it.”

  “I didn’t think you would,” he said. “But it’s only one day. It could mean nothing.”

  “But you’ve studied Reardon and you know him. You don’t like it, either.”

  “I think it’s worth noting. Reardon rarely does anything on impulse,” he said. “It’s a repositioning at an earlier time. I want to know why. But Sasha might be able to tell us that if she contacts you tonight. We’re not going to know before that.” His gaze was focused on her face. “Though I know you hate the idea of being this far away from Jubaldar when there seems to be any action going on. If you hadn’t sent Harris to Morocco to pick up that other shipment, you could have him take you back.”

  “And hover?” she asked grimly. “Yes, I want to be as close as I can to her, but I couldn’t do anything there but wring my hands and wait for answers. She has Margaret and Gilroy nearby to do that. But I might be able to get some answers of my own if I stay here.”

  “Because Samlir is more ‘convenient’?” he asked softly. “What are you up to? Isn’t it about time you told me?”

  “No. Not until I know I have a chance. I’ll let you know when I do, Korgan.” She turned to follow Cazvar back into the house. “In the meantime, I’ll keep busy. Go back to the council and get me the four riders we need to move those horses.”

  “It’s almost finished. The members have mellowed considerably since the first negotiations. I’m the hero of the village since those shipments started to arrive. They might erect a statue to me.” He lifted his hand. “If I tie up the loose ends before you do, I’ll be back to help you finish the distribution. If there are many more yo-yos or games in those boxes, I imagine you’ll still be on the job.”