Chaos

by Iris Johansen

  “What are you talking about, Alisa?”

  “I’m talking about Sasha, whom I just left at Jubaldar after listening to her coolly tell me she was probably going to hunt down Reardon and Masenak and kill them. No, not coolly, she was sad and resigned but determined.” She was trying to keep her voice steady, but it kept breaking. “So damn determined. She said that she couldn’t wait any longer, and she wouldn’t let them keep hurting and killing. She meant it, Korgan. She’s fifteen, just fifteen, and she was talking about her gun and it might not matter if I hadn’t taught her any other way to—”

  “Start at the beginning,” he said harshly. “What the hell were you doing with Sasha at Jubaldar?”

  “Gilroy called me. It seems Reardon decided to beat Nightshade in front of Sasha and then when she went after him, he took his temper out on her. If you could have seen her back…”

  “Why didn’t Gilroy call me?”

  “Because he didn’t know what to do with Sasha afterward, and he didn’t think you would, either. He was right to call me.”

  “The hell he was. Listen to you. Sasha tore you apart.”

  “Yes, she did. Because she was brave and in agony and she was right. It’s gone on too long for her, and this was the crowning blow. She wasn’t even talking about what Reardon did to her. It was all about Nightshade and all the other innocents he could hurt if she didn’t do something.”

  “You couldn’t talk her into waiting for us to take him down?”

  “She’s waited too long already. That’s what this is all about. Reardon is so angry with her, he’s going to leave right after the race and take Sasha and the horses with him. She knows that would make her even more helpless than she is now. She told me she wasn’t going to be stupid, and she won’t be. But she said she could see it coming and she won’t dodge it.” She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “So I ran out of there and came to you in a panic. Just as I did when I hopped the wall at that palace in Morocco. You’d think that I’d learn that you can’t fix everything even if you want to. Because the only way I can see to stave off what may happen is to keep her away from Masenak and Reardon. That’s why I asked how close you are. We can’t let him take her. We even have to cut down the risk time of her contact with them. But maybe it would help if we bring her into any planning. She might feel more willing to wait if she felt she was doing her part in taking them down.”

  “For someone in a panic, you’re already thinking of ways to solve it.” He was silent a moment. She could almost sense the wheels turning. “This is what I was worried about. He’s making his move to take total control of Chaos from Masenak. I’d bet that’s the reason he changed the departure again. He might have been angry tonight, but he’s also using it as an excuse. I’ve been working my ass off to keep him in check, but it’s not going to be easy to block him.”

  “We’ve got to do something.”

  “I didn’t say we couldn’t. We’ll have to switch our thinking and scheduling and maybe go at it from an entirely different direction.”

  “I’m afraid to do anything else. You didn’t see her face.”

  “No, I didn’t. So I’ll have to take your word for it.” He was silent again. “What the hell. Changing any plan is always a challenge. We escalated at Szarnar Jungle, but this sounds like more than any escalation is needed. Where are you?”

  “Starting the climb up the cliff. About thirty minutes from the cave.”

  “Then keep on going. Once you’re there, stay put. If Gilroy calls you again, don’t pay any attention. Do you hear me? I don’t want you going back there.”

  “If Sasha needs me, I have to—”

  “From what you’ve said, she appeared not to want any interference from you. If she does contact you, tell Gilroy to handle it. He sure didn’t do it the last time. I’m the one who needs you now. I’m getting Harris to bring me back there right away. We’re going to go over every bit of planning and see how we can adjust. I’ll want to be able to talk to you while I’m on the helicopter.”

  “I don’t have any ideas how we can—”

  “You’ll get them. Stop arguing. You have one of the brightest minds I’ve ever run across. I need to tap it. We don’t have that much time. So start thinking and be ready for me when I call you from the helicopter.” He cut the connection.

  He needed her.

  She’d called Korgan because she had needed him, but the fact that he’d said those words made her almost forget her own need. She knew it was rare that he would ever make that admission to anyone.

  She couldn’t fail him when he needed her.

  Her pace quickened as she climbed the cliff.

  * * *

  When Korgan walked into the cave an hour later, Alisa had the maps and photographs of Jubaldar spread on the stone floor and was going over them. She looked up, her eyes glittering, her expression intense. She pointed to the rocky canyon where Masenak’s emergency helicopters and vehicles were housed. “On that second day, I sent you photos of this entire area. What kind of security does Masenak have down there?”

  “Two sentries who guard the north exit leading from the main area. Three to five guards who rotate around the helicopter pad, the different warehouses, and the marijuana plantings. Maybe a few more than your photos showed since he’s allowing Reardon to airlift Chaos and Nightshade from there.” His eyes narrowed. “What do you have in mind?”

  “I was sitting here racking my brains trying to think of a way to bring Jubaldar crashing down before they killed Sasha.” She shook her head. “That was what it was all about. Protecting Sasha. Our hands were tied because everywhere we looked, there was a threat to Sasha. So we brought in Novak and Vogel and drones and all the rest of it.” She smiled bitterly. “But Sasha eliminated all of that tonight. She won’t let us protect her. So to hell with bringing Jubaldar crashing down. She was right: The only ones who have to be destroyed are Masenak and Reardon. We can work around the rest. That would cause enough confusion that Davidow and the other guards should be stopped cold. The way to kill a snake is to cut off its head. But to do it, first you have to trap it.” She tapped the map. “And this canyon looks like a good place to stage a trap to catch those cobras. That shale road down to the canyon floor is only a mile or so from the castle and connects with one that runs parallel to the racetrack. We know that Reardon’s probably already arranged to fly Sasha, Chaos, and Nightshade out of there after the race. After tonight I’ll bet he can hardly wait. I wouldn’t want to disappoint him. I think we should find a way to be down there to greet Masenak and him.”

  He gave a low whistle. “I don’t mean to discourage you, but there’s bound to be a chain reaction when you try to stage a move as bold as that. Don’t underestimate it. Jubaldar is still an armed camp.”

  “I can’t think about that now. You said you were almost ready to move. You and Novak and Vogel do anything you have to do about Jubaldar. But this has to come first.”

  “A trap?” His sober gaze lifted from the map to her face. “Have you thought this through?” he asked quietly. “You’d have to have something pretty irresistible to bait that trap.”

  “Do you think I don’t realize that?” she said hoarsely. “I haven’t been able to think of anything else. It’s scaring me to death. When I tell Sasha, she’s not going to have it any other way. Because it will do exactly what she told me has to be done. We’ve just got to make sure that they can’t strike out and hurt her.”

  “There isn’t anything sure about what she could face.” His voice was gentle. “Why do you think I’m trying to make you think twice about it? I’ll do everything possible, but there’s always a random factor in a situation like this. I disappointed you before and almost got you both killed. I can’t do that again.”

  “You can do anything you have to do,” she said fiercely. “Just as I can. If you’re still blaming yourself for that damn miscalculation, go ahead. It will just give you more reason to make certain that Sasha comes out of
this alive. I might call to your attention the fact that I’m the one who’s painting a bull’s-eye on Sasha’s back this time. Now sit down and help me stage this so that all the pieces will fall just the way we want them. Judging from what’s happened between Sasha and Reardon lately, I’d guess that Reardon will be the major stumbling block we’d have to target. You’re the only one who knows how he thinks, what the trigger would be to drive him to react. Get to work.”

  He stared at her for a moment. Then he smiled slightly and nodded. “You’re right, we can do whatever we have to do.” He fell to his knees and leaned closer to the map. “Reardon has always been stronger than Masenak, and we’ll have to deal with that. But there’s a possibility of striking a balance to use their antagonism against them. I’ll deal with that later. Right now I want to see how difficult it would be to spring your trap.” His gaze was narrowed intently on the winding road leading from the helicopter pad and utility garages to the cliffs on the north side of the canyon. “I think you might have chosen very well…”

  “Of course I did,” she said. “As you said, there are only two guards that patrol that north escape road. We’d have no trouble getting rid of them. And if Masenak hasn’t altered the numbers and locations of the other guards, then taking them out would be completely manageable.”

  “I can see that. But you don’t only want manageable,” he said absently as his finger traced the road from the castle down to the canyon floor. “It has to be fast, distracting, with maybe a little surprise…Let’s see what we can do to polish this a little…”

  Chapter

  17

  Jubaldar

  5 A.M.

  12 Hours to Race Time

  The horses.” Sasha had listened carefully to everything Alisa said, but that was the first thing she’d asked her when she’d finished. “What about Zeus and my other horses?”

  “As soon as the race starts at five this afternoon, Margaret and those Berber boys from Samlir will have them out of the main stable and on their way. I promise. Margaret and Juno will get them the rest of the way down to the pine forest. The race itself will be a massive diversion, but we’ll also stage another one if necessary.” She paused before adding, “But if all goes well, you won’t have to worry about them being shot anyway.”

  “Because no one but Masenak and Reardon would want to kill them,” Sasha whispered. “Because we can save them. They won’t be able to hurt anyone anymore.”

  “It’s a big chance. I’m letting you run such a risk. Please say no. I don’t want you to do this.”

  “I know you don’t. But this is what I want, and you gave it to me. I can’t let you take it away. If you hadn’t found this way, then I might have been on that helicopter tonight and I couldn’t bear it. And I’m not the only one running risks.” Alisa didn’t answer, and Sasha said softly, “Stop worrying. You’re smart, and you’re not going to let anything bad happen. You’ve told me exactly what to do, and I’ll do it. If anything changes, I know you’ll find a way to let me know.” But she didn’t want to talk about things going wrong when Alisa was this upset and added quickly, “I have to hang up now. It’s almost dawn and someone might come in to check on me.”

  “Because they want to reassure themselves that they haven’t damaged you?” she asked sarcastically. “I want to know, too. How are you, Sasha?”

  “Sore. But otherwise I’m fine. Bye, Alisa.” She cut the connection.

  She sat back on her heels and took an instant to try to pull herself together. She had not expected that call from Alisa, which had sent her spiraling from depression to hope in the space of a few minutes. But the hope had come, and now she had to do everything possible to make all Alisa and Korgan’s plans a reality.

  She got to her feet and moved over toward Chaos. She turned the phone off and ducked into his stall. One last time to hide this phone away. She only hoped she would never need it again.

  She stopped as she was leaving and leaned her head against Chaos. Nightshade had recovered quickly, but Chaos had been terribly upset. He had been quiet all night, but now he pressed against her as if trying to comfort. She slipped her arms around his neck. Very bad night, my friend. She could feel the tears sting her eyes. But I promise today will be better.

  * * *

  “It’s set,” Alisa said as she turned to Korgan. “She’s going to do it. Though who knows why. Make your plans.”

  “She’s doing it because she trusts you,” Korgan said quietly. “And she should. Because there’s a good chance we can pull this off.”

  “Not a good chance the way it stands.” Her hands clenched at her sides. “So many things can go wrong and she’d be lost. We need a backup plan.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I don’t know. You can’t just pull something out of the blue at the last minute and expect it to work.” She ran a hand through her hair. “You have to have plans and contacts. And there’s not much time.”

  “But you might be able to do it?”

  “How the hell do I know? But I won’t be able to do anything if I don’t try. I have to—” She stopped. “But maybe…” She turned and strode out of the cave. “I hope your plans don’t call for Cal Harris,” she called back to him. “I might be needing him…”

  * * *

  4:40 P.M.

  20 Minutes to Race Time

  “A little stiff?” Masenak asked as he watched Sasha pull herself into the saddle. “You’re doing much better than when I dropped into the stable to check on you this morning. I was afraid that Reardon might have ruined my chances of winning by being so overenthusiastic.”

  “I’m fine.” Sasha looked down at him. “A little stiff, as you said. I just needed to rest a little more. But I knew you wouldn’t allow me not to ride Chaos in this race. You and Reardon made it clear that I wouldn’t be the only one to suffer if I pampered myself.” She gazed out at the grandstand several yards past the starting gates in the distance. It was now filled with people running back and forth to talk to guests in other boxes, loud music, and waiters popping champagne corks and handing out goblets. “And think how sad I’d be to miss your party. Your friends have such class. Like to like.”

  “Shut up. I’m not going to listen to that sarcastic tongue. I would have thought Reardon had taught you something.” He was scowling at those same starting gates. “Chaos isn’t going to balk at them, is he? You should have practiced bringing him into the gates. Why didn’t you think of that?”

  “Because I knew he’s never nervous about anything you’d think he’d be nervous about. He’d just believe he could knock the gates down if they got in his way.” She looked beyond the gates to the now roaring crowd in the grandstand. “Those idiots shouting will annoy him more than the gates. If you want to worry about something, you should go make sure no one throws any of those wine bottles out on the track.”

  He gestured to several uniformed guards standing beside the steps leading up to the grandstand. “I have men to make certain nothing like that will happen.”

  “If they’re not afraid to do it. You’ve told them to be extra polite to your guests.” She shrugged. “But if you have that much confidence in them, why should I care?”

  He frowned, looking over his shoulder, and then wheeled toward the stands. Then he abruptly swung back to face her. “You seem to be very calm. After all those hysterics you put us through yesterday, I thought you might be more upset. It seems Reardon was right about you. All you needed was a little discipline.”

  “But in the end, you always believe Reardon is right, don’t you?” she asked coldly. “As far as both of you are concerned, might is right, even when it comes to punishing a defenseless animal.” She looked at Reardon, who was talking to Lee Chan, the Chinese jockey now mounting Nightshade outside the stable. He was frowning, obviously giving him instructions. “Will that bastard beat her again when she loses to Chaos? Even though he knows that there’s no way she could win against him?”

  He shrugged. �
�Probably. It always releases his frustrations. Reardon doesn’t like to lose. He made the best deal he could with me about Chaos, but we both know I’m the one who came out on top.” His smile was more of a smirk. “And that top is going to be stratosphere high, Sasha. Is it any wonder I’m willing to let him have a few pleasures to soothe his ego?”

  “Pleasure that comes from punishing innocent animals.” She was staring at him with sick horror. “No, it’s no wonder. It’s just hideous and horrible and not to be borne. What a coward you are, Masenak.”

  His face flushed; his satisfaction turned to rage. “But you will bear it, bitch,” he hissed. “Because Reardon will make sure you do. What he did to you yesterday is nothing. If I hadn’t stopped him, you wouldn’t have been able to get on that horse today. But we won’t need you to ride Chaos for a while after this race and you’ll have plenty of time to recover. I’m just sorry that he’s whisking you away so soon and I won’t be able to join in the fun.”

  “I’m sure you are. Now that you’ve decided that I’m no longer of any use to you.” Her gaze left him to go to Reardon again. His hand was on Nightshade’s neck, and though it appeared to be casual she wanted to rush over and protect the horse. She forced herself to look away. “But I’ll be able to survive him, just as I did you.”

  “I let you survive. He won’t.” His lips curled. “I’ll give you some advice. Don’t even think about holding Chaos back and letting Nightshade win. I’m going to win my bet with Reardon.”

  “You’ve seen us on the track. Did it look like I could hold him back? He’s only a little less wild than that first day when he dumped me in the dirt. Put him against competition and it would be twice as hard for me.” She stared him in the eye. “I promise Chaos will win this race.”

  Masenak nodded slowly. “I believe you.” His anger was fading, and he was smiling again. “Then I’ll give you another bit of advice. Make certain it’s a close race. I’d love you to humiliate Reardon, but I want you to be alive to win future races for our partnership. I’m not sure he’ll let that happen if you make him look foolish in front of this crowd.”