The Perfect Witness

by Iris Johansen

  He chuckled. “I admit that it will be intriguing.”

  “Bullshit. How do you know it will work? You said that you weren’t sure it would work with me.”

  “Kobu has a very simple mind. I’ll do a little fine-tuning, then intimidate him enough to give me a chance to influence him.”

  “Can you do that? Is it a sure thing?”

  “I told you, I’m very good, and Kobu has no block.”

  “You’re not answering me.”

  “I have an excellent chance.”

  “Then, dammit, have Renata get someone who is a sure thing. You told me that you have whiz-bang people in the Devanez family who can read minds and do all kinds of crap. You don’t have to risk your life doing this.”

  “But those whiz-bang people can’t do what I do. They can’t reshape Kobu and make it stick so that you’ll be as safe as I can make it for you. They don’t have the same qualifications in military and special-forces skill. They don’t have my knowledge of Praland’s palace and the surrounding countryside. I know that area like the back of my hand.” He smiled. “And they have no bond with you, Allie. I can feel you, sense you, from several hundred yards away. That bond could make the difference.”

  “Not enough.” She gazed at him helplessly. “And I thought Kobu was crazy.”

  “He is, that’s why I have to appeal to his self-preservation instead of his good sense.”

  He was going to do it.

  Allie felt a chill run down her spine. She was staring at him, seeing the strength, the vital aliveness of him. Life was so fragile. All those lives that had been taken yesterday. None of those people had thought they would not live to see another day. Panic was suddenly racing through her. “Don’t do this.”

  “It’s an opportunity, Allie,” he said quietly. “If we work it right, it could be safer than any other way to get to Praland.”

  “If you even survive Kobu,” she said unsteadily. “You said he’s an expert killer. You know the minute he sees you, he’s going to try to capture you and turn you over to Praland. Nothing else would make sense.”

  “I’ll try to give him an offer that he can’t refuse.” He flipped the notebook closed. “You may not have much trust in me, but I think you should know that I’m capable of defending myself against a scumbag like Kobu.”

  Her hand reached out and grasped his wrist. “Find another way.”

  He looked down at her hand. “You have a strong grip. There’s so much about you that’s strong. And I feel your heart beating in your palm. That’s strong, too.”

  He was also strong. The corded muscles, the veins of his wrist. She was once again aware of that warmth and vitality, and she didn’t want to let him go. She wanted to keep on touching him. Keep him with her. Keep him alive. “Stop avoiding the subject.”

  “I’m not avoiding it. I’m just pointing out that I love that strength in you.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “I helped create that strength. But I’m not going to step aside and let you have everything your own way.” He let go of her hand and stood up. “And now it’s time we got going. I want to be at Kobu’s camp by nightfall. We’ll take the helicopter, but we have to leave it some miles away, so that it won’t be heard from Kobu’s camp.”

  She looked at him in helpless frustration and anger. “Oh, you’re allowing me to go with you? How kind.”

  “I’ve arranged to have one of Renata’s agents take care of you outside the encampment area while I deal with Kobu.” He smiled. “I’m sure you’ll get along with him.”

  “I don’t want a babysitter. Let me go with you. We’re supposed to be doing this together.”

  “We are.” He moved toward the door. “As far as I can let it happen that way. How do you think I’ll feel when I have to watch you go into that palace by yourself? Remember when I set up your karate lessons, I told you that there would be some times when I couldn’t be with you?”

  And she had felt terribly alone at the thought that he wasn’t going to be there. She felt the same way now. But not about her danger. Too many deaths. And he could die, too. Tonight. Tomorrow. Next week. If she didn’t reach out to him, if she didn’t stop him …

  “But it shouldn’t be like this.” She moved after him out the door of the commissary. “You’re being foolish.”

  “And you’re being emotional,” he said softly. “But I like that far better than the way you were when I first saw you today. You were an ice woman. I’m not used to that in you. You’re all firecrackers and Roman candles. Now I’m watching the ice begin to break up. I’m glad it was only temporary. That bodes well for the future.”

  “If you have a future. Which you won’t if you do stupid things like going after Kobu.”

  “I stand corrected.” He slanted her a glance as he moved toward the helicopter. “Then we might have to live for the moment and not the future. I’ve been thinking on those lines anyway lately…”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  THE SUN WAS SETTING WHEN Mandak set down the helicopter on a plateau bordered by lush jungle.

  “Right on time.” He jumped out of the pilot’s seat and ran around to open her door. “We should reach Kobu’s camp in an hour by jeep. Then you can drop me off and go a safe distance away and—”

  “What jeep?” she interrupted.

  “The one coming up the road. Don’t you hear it? He’s a bit late.” He took her arm and nudged her across the plateau and into the forest. “Would I make you walk all those miles? You’d make them very unpleasant for me. Particularly since you’re not good company at the moment anyway. You’ve scarcely said a word since we left the clinic.”

  “Because I had nothing to say,” she said through her teeth. “Because you shouldn’t do this. It’s an insane risk. Let’s think of another way to—” She stopped as she saw the headlights of the jeep he’d spoken about spear the darkness as it pulled around the curve up ahead.

  “You’re late,” Mandak called to the driver. “I should have known. I told Renata to send someone reliable.”

  “I am reliable.” Sean Donavel pulled up beside them. “Only five minutes late,” he said indignantly. “I had to dodge some of Praland’s men. And I’m not accustomed to these crummy roads. To think I gave up Monte Carlo to face this barbarian country.” He mournfully shook his head. “And no gratitude.” He turned to Allie and smiled. “Hi, how are you doing?” he asked gently. “Renata tells me that you’ve had it rough lately.”

  She nodded. “And it’s not getting any better.” She got into the passenger seat of the jeep. “Mandak is being an idiot.”

  Sean gave a low whistle. “Harsh.”

  “True,” she said. She glanced at Mandak, who had climbed into the rear seat. “You know his ‘brilliant’ plan?”

  He nodded. “Renata told me. I’ve seen him pull off worse.” He pressed the accelerator, and the jeep jumped forward. “She also said he’d requested help to take care of you and get you out if necessary. I volunteered.”

  “You’re a gambler. I thought you were on your way to Monte Carlo.”

  “Which would be much better for all concerned,” Mandak said.

  Sean ignored him, and said to Allie, “I told you I jumped in occasionally on family business when I was needed. This appeared to be a situation where I was needed. Mandak seemed to be calling me.”

  Mandak grunted.

  “Don’t be rude.” Sean grinned. “Renata wouldn’t have sent me if she hadn’t known I’d come through for you. And you know it, too. I’ve been on missions with you before.” He turned back to Allie. “We’ll drop Mandak off to do his excruciatingly boring tasks, and I’ll take you up to the mountain to the cave from which Renata’s agent has been spying on Kobu. We’ll have to find a way to amuse ourselves. Do you play poker?”

  “Yes.” She experienced a sharp pang as she remembered that last night by the fire playing with Lee and Natalie. “I’m terrible at it.”

  “Good. I’ve no objection to dealing out humiliating defeats.”
r />   “I don’t think so,” she said.

  “Whatever.” He paused before saying quietly, “I’m sorry that the Walbergs’ service was such a disaster.”

  “The killings were a disaster. The priest … It was ugly and horrible,” she said unevenly. “But the service itself wasn’t a disaster. We got Lee and Natalie home to their son. I won’t let myself think Praland ruined that for them. That was the only victory we could take away.” Her hands clenched. “But we can’t let Praland have any other victories.” She glanced back at Mandak. “He can’t have you, Mandak. I won’t have it.”

  “Neither will I,” Mandak said. “But I’m glad you’re so passionate about it.”

  Passionate. Yes, she guessed that was how she felt. If passion meant intensity verging on desperation. If passion meant anger. If passion meant the fear she might have to live without Mandak.

  But she could see that he wasn’t going to pay any attention to her. She’d have to knock him out and tie him up. Lord, and she was tempted to do it. “Why should I care?” she said fiercely. “You’re an idiot.”

  “I believe you called me that before.”

  “Because it’s true.” She drew a deep breath. Don’t speak to him. She was becoming too upset. Just sit here and think of a way to avoid the inevitable. Be silent. Think.

  Forty-five minutes later, they arrived at the edge of the forest where Kobu had set up camp. “It will take you another fifteen minutes to hike to the camp itself, Mandak,” Sean said as he turned off the engine. “I’ll take Allie up the mountain, and you can call me when you want us to pick you up. Be safe.”

  Mandak nodded as he got out of the jeep. “Take care of her. You let anything happen to Allie, and I’ll come after you.”

  “If Kobu doesn’t cut your throat,” Allie said coldly. “That would seriously get in the way.”

  He gave a mock shiver. “The ice is back. I think I’d better get about my business, so that I can prove that I do know what I’m doing. It may be my only safety net.” He turned and moved away from the jeep. “I’ll see you soon, Allie.”

  The next instant, he’d disappeared into the trees.

  She felt instant panic. He was gone. She should have stopped him.

  Or if she couldn’t stop him, she shouldn’t have let him go like that. She had been cold and sharp. Life was too short. Just because she was angry and afraid was no reason to risk eternal regret if he didn’t come back.

  Eternal? Where had that come from, she wondered, shocked.

  And he might not come back.

  The panic was growing. She wanted to run after him and tell him all the things that were sealed inside her. All the words she wouldn’t admit, speak, even to herself.

  “Allie?” Sean was looking at her. “He’ll be fine. He’s a tough bastard. We have to get moving. Okay?”

  “No, it’s not okay.” She jumped out of the jeep and strode toward the forest. “It’s not at all okay.”

  “Oh, shit.” He jumped out of the jeep and ran after her. “This is not cool, Allie. You cause a ruckus, and you could get Mandak killed.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She moved into the trees. “Do you think I’d do anything that stupid? I’m not going to burst into that camp and spoil whatever plan Mandak is trying to pull off. Even if it is insane.” She stared fiercely at him. “But I’m not going to be taken up to some mountain and be coddled until it’s safe for me to come down and play. You know where Kobu’s camp is located?”

  “Yes,” he said warily.

  “Then take me there. I want to be within striking distance if I’m needed.”

  “That’s exactly what Mandak didn’t want.”

  “He ignored everything I wanted. He can’t have everything his own way. I told him that I wouldn’t let them have him.” She drew a deep breath. “Now you take me to a place close enough to Kobu so that I can see if Mandak needs me. If you don’t, I’ll go by myself.”

  He muttered a curse. “Okay, but you let me go ahead and check out the sentries. I don’t want to stumble over one of them and rouse the camp.”

  “Be my guest.” Her brows rose. “That didn’t sound like a man who spends his nights in casinos.”

  “I told you that Renata wouldn’t have sent me unless she could trust me. I asked Mandak to train me during one of my weaker moments, when I was all sentimental about the family.” He glided ahead of her. “Stay here. Five minutes.”

  She stopped, listening. She could hear voices somewhere ahead. Not close.

  Night sounds.

  Birds.

  Crickets.

  She could feel her palms perspiring.

  Was Mandak already in the camp?

  “Come on,” Sean whispered. “Quiet.”

  She hadn’t even heard him return. Evidently Mandak had trained him well.

  She faded into step behind him.

  The sounds of voices were closer.

  She could see the glare of a campfire in the distance.

  Bedrolls.

  One camouflage tent at the edge of the clearing.

  “Is this close enough?” Sean whispered.

  She shook her head.

  He grimaced and started forward again.

  “No closer,” he said firmly a few minutes later. They were about forty feet from Kobu’s tent. “For God’s sake, we’re right on top of him.” He fell to the ground beside a huge tree and pulled her down with him. “And Mandak is going to murder me.”

  “Hush.” Her gaze was searching the surrounding shrubs and trees. Where was Mandak? He had to be somewhere close. He had started out before she had dragged Sean into the woods.

  The bonding …

  Mandak had said he could locate her within a few hundred yards because of the bonding. Shouldn’t it work the same for her? She had never tried to concentrate on locating Mandak. For most of those seven years, she had wanted to push him aside, to be her own person.

  So do it now.

  Concentrate.

  She shut her eyes.

  The closeness, the bonding, the feeling of being one …

  Mandak!

  She couldn’t see him. He was on the other side of the tent. But she could feel him. He was sliding forward, moving toward the tent, a knife in his hand. He was going to slit the canvas and slide inside.

  But did Kobu know he was there?

  Could he hear him?

  She could feel her heart beat harder at the thought.

  Try to find out.

  She started crawling forward.

  Sean was crawling frantically after her. “No,” he mouthed.

  She ignored him. Thirty feet. She had to be at least within thirty feet.

  She stopped and drew a deep breath.

  Mandak was very close to the tent now.

  Kobu.

  She focused. If he was thinking and alert, it might mean he was aware of Mandak’s presence. She wouldn’t be able to read him, but she’d know that there—

  He wasn’t thinking.

  The tunnel was dark and smooth, whisking her inside.

  Tiger.

  He was thinking about a tiger, remembering how he’d felt when Praland had been taunting him.

  Son of a bitch Praland.

  He’d throw me to that tiger and laugh.

  Throw me with that little whore and let him eat both of us.

  Have to get Mandak and the woman.

  Throw them to the tiger instead.

  All Mandak’s fault, like the time he’d taken the children and made Kobu look foolish in front of Praland.

  Kill the bastard. He should have done it then, and—

  Tunnel closed. Tunnel closed.

  Fear. Death.

  Mandak!

  Allie’s body stiffened, her spine arching with shock. She couldn’t breathe.

  Mandak was in that tent with Kobu.

  And Kobu was afraid for his life.

  * * *

  “BE VERY STILL.” MANDAK’S knife pressed deep enough to bring blood
to Kobu’s throat. “I get nervous when I’m surrounded by scum, and you wouldn’t want my hand to shake.”

  “Bastard.” Kobu was breathing hard. “I’ll kill you.”

  “You’re not in a position to hurl threats around. I’m very angry about what you did at Talboa. You need to be quiet and let me try to save your life.”

  “Save my life? Do you think I’m a fool?”

  “No. Well, maybe. I’d have to think about it. But I do know you have a certain natural cunning that might save your life. But I have to make sure that you’ll be trustworthy.” He said, “Now, we’re going to sit here, and I’m going to find out.”

  “Filthy freak. Don’t you touch me.”

  Mandak made a clucking noise. “Don’t be rude.” He drew a little more blood. “And I’ve no desire to touch you, particularly in that sewer of a brain. But I’ve no choice.”

  He dove deep and clean. That was the only thing clean, he thought as he sorted out Kobu’s thinking processes. He reacted to the usual stimulus. No particular ogre of whom he was afraid. Praland came close, but Kobu was so arrogant he thought he could find a way to beat Praland and grow in his army.

  That was something he’d have to change. He spent a few minutes altering that arrogance and creating a terrifying conviction that Praland would destroy him if he didn’t run.

  He also had a hatred of Mandak because of past humiliations. Leave the dislike, eliminate the hatred. Add the belief that Mandak was often right.

  Kobu’s ambitions were aimed solely on a local level and gaining favor with Praland. Give him a desire to spread his wings and maybe join up with a terrorist group in Iran.

  Anything else?

  He had a basic hatred of women.

  That was dangerous for Allie. He couldn’t change a deep-seated prejudice without more time, but he could temper it. He could make Kobu have a contempt that would make him wish to demonstrate his superiority. Allie could play on that characteristic.

  Enough?

  Enough.

  In this short time, Mandak wouldn’t be able to do a permanent fix. But it should last a week, possibly a month, and that should give them time to use Kobu to the fullest extent.