The Perfect Witness

by Iris Johansen

  “Ah, but you’ve got to find the ledger.”

  “Tell me, Praland, how does your vicious little mind work? Do you take out the ledger and go through it and just pick a name? Did you make out a death list?”

  “Oh, no. When it’s time, I take out the ledger and savor the moment. There’s no stronger sense of power. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to select just the right victim, who will cause you the most upset. Of course, I try to pick the youngest and strongest. The ones who have the most to lose. It’s the best sensation to…”

  * * *

  DARK TUNNEL.

  It was happening, Allie thought.

  Dark tunnel. Dark tunnel. Dark tunnel.

  Suddenly she was there.

  So much ugliness. The monstrous things Praland had done. Block it. Don’t think of it. Just let his memories ignited by Mandak flow over her.

  * * *

  GET HIM BACK, YOU FOOL. DO you want to get me killed? Praland took the ancient leather book in his hands and drew it out of the compartment. Satisfaction surged through him. Time to give Mandak and those other fools another lesson in who was the one in control. He’d added the new children taken from Ukraine in the book last month, but now it was time to play his game with Mandak …

  * * *

  HE WAS FADING, ALLIE REALIZED with panic.

  Talk to him, Mandak. I almost had it.

  * * *

  “YOU CAN SHUT UP ABOUT WHAT you did with those young kids,” Mandak broke into Praland’s dialogue. “I know what kind of monster you are.”

  “Well, you did ask a question. I thought you were curious. I’m always willing to elaborate.” Praland added slowly, “Much as I’m enjoying our conversation, I’m wondering why you’re calling me. You issued a few threats, but I don’t believe you would go to the trouble of contacting me only for that.”

  Mandak was silent. “The Devanez family resources have been stretched to the max dealing with all your brutalities and the protection we’re having to give our people.”

  “Which in most cases proves to be futile.”

  “As you say, we’ve been thinking about asking for a compromise.”

  Praland burst out laughing. “Compromise? My how the mighty have fallen. Why should I deal with you? I hold all the power.”

  “We’d be willing to deposit an extraordinarily large amount in your accounts that would make you richer and more powerful than you could imagine.”

  “Really? And what in return?”

  “Only the ledger.”

  “How single-minded. But I’ve developed a great affection for that ledger.”

  “Still, it must be a burden possessing it, caring for it, moving it from place to place to keep us from finding it. You know we’ll never give up trying to take you down while you still have the ledger.”

  “And if I gave you the ledger, it would be the signal for you to go after me with all guns blazing. I know you, Mandak. Even with your hands tied these last years, you’ve caused me trouble.”

  “You’ll regret it if you refuse me. That ledger is an albatross around your neck. You can’t hide it forever. We’ll locate it eventually.”

  Praland chuckled. “You know, sometimes I look forward to your doing that. It would be the most exquisite pleasure that you could…”

  * * *

  GOT IT!

  Allie’s heart was pounding with excitement.

  Her palms damp with perspiration.

  Now get out and break the connection. Would Mandak know that she’d gotten what they needed?

  She never knew to what extent Mandak could know what she was thinking. That bonding was evidently stronger on his side.

  I’m out of here, Mandak. I think I—

  The thought vanished as her eyes met Kobu’s. She had made an effort and kept her attention partially on the bastard.

  But not enough during this last moment. He was on his feet and coming toward her.

  * * *

  SON OF A bitch. Kobu!

  Mandak felt a bolt of panic

  Get off the phone with Praland.

  Get to her.

  He started running toward the palace.

  “If that’s your answer, I’m done talking to you,” he said curtly to Praland. “I just thought I’d give you the chance to be reasonable.”

  “I’m being reasonable. I’ve got all the cards, Mandak. Your calling me just confirms that fact. I almost had you a few days ago at Talboa. Next time, you’ll be mine. I’m going to have you to play with as I did Simon. Do you think I don’t know what’s going on? You thought you’d try to bring in one of your freaky kids to help you find the ledger. I doubt if it would work, but I’m blocking it just in case. Do you know who just fixed me a drink? Beautiful Gina, who wants to give me everything I want in the world.” He chuckled. “Including her daughter. She assures me that’s entirely possible. What do you think?”

  Mandak had reached the east gate. Allie was not there. He’d known she would not be. He still sensed her alarm and panic. “I’m hanging up, Praland, call me if you change your mind.”

  * * *

  KOBU SMILED AS HE RECOGNIZED the panic Allie hadn’t been able to hide. He moved toward her, his words soft and venomous. “I decided you were bluffing, bitch. You’re not going to fire that gun. You’re scared shitless of the noise. So am I. So I’m going to take it away from you and get the hell out of here. I’m done with you and Mandak.”

  Get him away from that window. She couldn’t risk any noise.

  She got to her feet and backed away from him and onto the path.

  No sound.

  He was right, it had been a bluff. She couldn’t fire that gun.

  And she didn’t trust Kobu once she had no weapon. He was a bully and killer, and he didn’t like it that she’d had him at gunpoint for almost a quarter of an hour.

  Okay, fake it. Make him believe that she was terrified of what he’d do to her. It wouldn’t take much. She was scared and had to control her shaking.

  She backed farther down the path, her hand outstretched pleadingly.

  She could see Kobu’s expression change to contemptuous satisfaction as he followed her. He held out his hand for the gun.

  Did he think it would be that easy?

  Evidently he did.

  She stopped and extended the gun butt first to him.

  He reached for the gun.

  She threw the gun aside, kicked his wrist, then whirled, and her foot jerked his head backward as she kicked him in the throat.

  She was diving for the gun as he fell to the ground.

  She grabbed the gun and was straddling Kobu the next moment.

  She hit him in the head with the butt of the gun. Then hit him again. She raised her gun to hit him again.

  “Enough.” It was Mandak standing beside her, jerking her to her feet. He pushed her toward the east gate. “Run. I’ll take care of him. Get the hell out of here. I’ll be right behind you.”

  She ran!

  She was halfway to the gate when she looked back. Mandak was straightening away from dragging Kobu’s body into the bushes.

  Then he was running after her.

  He overtook her as she reached the gate. “Stay behind me. I didn’t have time to clear the way to the jeep. We may have to wing it.”

  Her heart was beating hard as she flew after him through the forest. “Where’s Sean?”

  “Right here.” Sean stepped out of the bushes ahead of them. “Mandak sent me ahead to get rid of the sentries when he decided that you might need a little help.” He looked at Mandak. “Only one, Mandak. I took him out.”

  “Good. Move!”

  It took them only a few more minutes to reach the jeep. They piled into the vehicle, and Sean jumped into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

  Allie was looking back at the palace. No uproar. No pursuit. She couldn’t believe it. “We got away?”

  “Not clean,” Mandak said. “They’re going to find those sentries soon. Th
en they’ll find Kobu. But we have time to get to the helicopter.”

  “That’s clean enough,” Sean said. “You always were a perfectionist.”

  Allie gave a shaky sigh of relief as she leaned back in her seat. It was over. After all the nervous anticipation and fear, the years of dread culminating in this night, she had managed to get through it.

  “Okay?” Mandak’s gaze was on her face.

  “Better than okay.” A smile illuminated her face. “I got it, Mandak.”

  He went still. “What?”

  “You heard me. I got it. At first, I didn’t think it was going to work. I was getting only bits and pieces, but then it all came clear, and it was right there in front of me.”

  “The ledger?” He grasped her shoulders. “You know where it is?”

  “I saw it. Praland was very proud of finding a foolproof hiding place, almost smirking. Every time you said something that had to do with you finding the ledger, it sent him spiraling back to the time when he ordered it built or when he was taking the ledger out of the compartment.”

  “Compartment? Where the hell is it?”

  “Inside the tiger’s cage. He had a false roof put inside the cage. Every time he wanted to access the ledger, he’d have the tiger removed, and he’d climb in the cage and open the compartment.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Sean murmured. “Talk about a built-in booby trap. No one would be eager to search that cage.”

  “Particularly since it had the reputation of being Praland’s private butcher store,” Mandak said grimly. “You’re certain, Allie?”

  “I’m certain.” She couldn’t keep from grinning. She felt as if a gigantic burden had been lifted from her shoulders. “I saw it. Why are you doubting me? You always told me that I’d be able to do it. That’s what all this has been about.”

  “Because it’s too good to be true.” His eyes were glittering with excitement. “We have our chance now.”

  She nodded. “The code for opening the compartment is 1485.”

  “The year that the Devanez fled the Inquisition,” Mandak said.

  She nodded. “He was remembering something about having the Devanez family on the run.”

  “The hell he has.”

  She looked back at the palace, which was now almost lost to view. Her smile faded. She said haltingly, “My mother was with Praland in that room.”

  “I know.” He reached out and grasped her hand. “He told me she was going to be very accommodating. Evidently, she’d promised to help reel you in. He didn’t know whether he believed you could be a danger to him, but he thought he’d play it safe.”

  And her mother was going to help keep him safe. It hurt. It was one thing to admit to herself that Gina could betray her. It was another to see it confirmed. “Camano wasn’t there. She and Praland looked … intimate.”

  “It could be that she’s in the process of changing allegiance, and Camano is no longer necessary to her.”

  “Yes, I guess that could be.” Smother the hurt. Try not to think about it. Focus on the positive. She had done what she had set out to do.

  Or had she?

  Her eyes widened, and she went tense as a sudden thought occurred to her. “Kobu. We left Kobu in that garden. When Praland’s guards find him, they’ll question him, they’ll torture him. He’ll tell Praland that he brought me to the garden and why. Praland will move the ledger.”

  Mandak was shaking his head.

  “Don’t tell me no. You know what he did to Simon. I only left Kobu unconscious. They’ll make him—”

  “He won’t tell them anything,” Mandak said. “I told you I’d take care of Kobu. I did what I promised.”

  She had a memory of Mandak’s dragging Kobu into the bushes. “You killed him?” she whispered.

  “I couldn’t take the chance. I had to make it as clean as I could.” He shrugged. “And I was mad as hell when I thought that he was on the attack with you. But it would only have been a matter of time anyway. I never intended to let him live. He killed Thorne, he killed Father Elwyn and God knows how many others of our people over the years. It just happened sooner than later.”

  “I’m not arguing he deserved it. I’m just … surprised.”

  “And I was surprised to see him lying there unconscious.” He made a face. “I thought I was going to rescue you.”

  “You shouldn’t have been surprised. You taught me, didn’t you?”

  “And very well, evidently.” Sean grinned over his shoulder. “But not well enough to keep him from freaking out when he thought you were in danger.” His smile faded. “But is there still a possibility of Praland’s moving that ledger?”

  “Yes. But not if we move fast enough. There will be confusion … and suspicion. Let’s hope the confusion is stronger. I broke Kobu’s neck. Praland will probably suspect a man, not a woman. I planted one of Kobu’s guns in his hand. Kobu had the gate codes. He knew the sentry schedules. Everyone knew he was terrified of what Praland was planning for him. Who’s to say he didn’t try to find a way to assassinate Praland?”

  “Except for the fact that he turns up with a broken neck,” Allie said.

  “That’s where the suspicion comes into play. Maybe he turned traitor, then got chicken? Praland will be trying to work out scenarios.”

  “He won’t want to move the ledger,” Allie said slowly. “He thought it was a stroke of genius.”

  “And there’s no reason he should have to do it if he doesn’t think you were in that garden tonight. I rubbed out your footprints on the dirt near the window. And, as I said, he’s not entirely sure you could do what Camano and your mother said you could do. An element of doubt may help.” He was frowning. “But he may have second thoughts. We have to act before he does.” He reached for his cell and pressed the speakerphone. “Renata, we know where the ledger is hidden. It’s in the palace.”

  “Thank God.” She immediately pounced. “How do we get it? Do you need men?”

  “Not to get the ledger. We have to be lean and mean. Too much could go wrong if we blunder through that palace with a full attack team.” He paused. “That being said, I think it’s time we erased Praland from the face of the Earth.”

  Silence. “So do I. I could set up the attack on the palace for as early as nine tomorrow night. Will you promise me that the ledger will be safe? The first thing Praland will do is keep his word that he’ll destroy it and those children.”

  “I guarantee that the ledger will be safe and in our hands by the time you launch.”

  “I’m trusting you, Mandak.” She paused. “You were right about her? Allie was able to do it?”

  “Smooth as glass. But not without risk.”

  “I didn’t think it would be. Is she safe?”

  “Yes, she’s right here. She can hear you. I’m on the way to put her on the helicopter. I’m going to need a few items flown back here right away.”

  “You’ll get them.” Another silence. “Good job, Allie.” She hung up the phone.

  Crazy. Allie was feeling a rush of pride, as if she’d received a medal. “Renata can throw a major assault together that quickly?” Allie asked. “I’m impressed.”

  “It’s been planned and on standby for a long time. We knew that once we took the ledger, we’d have to move fast so that none of Praland’s confederates had an opportunity to move the children. She just has to coordinate and give the word.”

  “And trust you to get the ledger.”

  “I’ll get it.”

  “How? You told Renata that you didn’t want additional help before the assault tomorrow night. But Praland’s bound to have the palace on alert after tonight.”

  “I have a few ideas.”

  “Share them.”

  “Not quite jelled.”

  “And you don’t want me involved.”

  “You were involved up to your eyebrows tonight. You’ve done your part. Leave the rest to me.”

  “And me,” Sean said. “I’m feeling a little cheate
d that I had so little to do tonight. One sentry does not a mission make. Now I’m a true animal lover, but I’m not sure I’d get along with that tiger. What do you think, Mandak?”

  “I think we’ll both have an opportunity to find out.”

  They were joking, Allie realized, frustrated. She wanted to strangle them both. She had seen that tiger and heard what Mandak said about him. They were going to have to get into that cage without being mauled. Before that, they had to negotiate the twists and turns of the palace and avoid Praland and his men. “It’s nothing to joke about. You have to see that damn—” She broke off as they turned a corner of the road, and she saw the beige-and-gold helicopter sitting in the clearing. A gray-haired man stepped out of the aircraft as the jeep came to a stop.

  Sean got out of the jeep and strode forward to greet the pilot.

  “Out,” Mandak told Allie as he jumped out of the jeep. “I have to give the pilot a list of supplies. First on the list will be a dart gun with knockout darts capable of sending that tiger to the Land of Nod. After that, I’ll have to improvise. Then you can both get out of here.”

  “Can I?” She didn’t move. “You’ve always told me what I could do, what I should do. When are you going to learn to ask me what I’m going to do?”

  He went still. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I’m not going to get on that helicopter. I’m not going to let the pilot take me to some cozy safe haven because you believe that’s where I should be.”

  “That’s exactly where you should be,” he said roughly.

  She shook her head.

  “You’re done here,” he said. “What the hell are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking that you’re not telling the truth. I’m not done here. I’ll decide when I’m done.” She looked him in the eye. “Praland, Camano.” She hesitated before she said haltingly, “My mother. They’re all responsible for what happened to Lee and Natalie. I have to make sure that they’re punished for it.”

  “I’ll make sure of it. Get on that helicopter.”

  She shook her head. “I told you once that I wasn’t going to let you be taken down. There’s only you and Sean here. I can help. You taught me about weapons, to shoot, to protect myself.”