The Perfect Witness

by Iris Johansen

  “He won’t. I made that a priority. I was thinking about getting a dart that would kill him, but I was afraid we might have to postpone at the last minute, and that would tell Praland that we knew about the ledger.” He started for the clearing. Then he suddenly turned to face her. “I’m not going to waste my breath trying to talk you out of this.” His voice was harsh. “But you do everything right. Do you hear me? You don’t get emotional because of that bitch of a mother. You think about you and the life you have to live. And maybe you think a little about me and what it would mean to me if you get yourself killed.” He turned back and started for the helicopter that was landing. “Do it right, Allie.”

  Sandek Palace

  8:10 P.M.

  Five minutes.

  She should be at the palace in five minutes.

  Allie’s heart was pounding hard.

  Dear God, she hoped that Mandak and Sean had managed to get inside and were safe. She hadn’t heard from them since early morning, just as they were approaching the palace. Mandak had told her any communication was dangerous.

  Assume everything was all right.

  Keep to the plan.

  Allie drew a deep breath and took out her phone. She pressed the call back for Gina. “I’m about five minutes away from the palace. I told you I’d phone you.” She should say something else. “Are you still okay, Mother?”

  “I’m fine. But Praland doesn’t like the idea of coming outside the walls. You come in, baby.”

  “No, I told you how it has to be. I have to make sure you’ll be safe. According to my map, I seem to be driving toward the west gate. Meet me outside, and we’ll talk.”

  Allie heard her talking to someone in the background. Then Gina was back on the line. “He said he’s been having you watched for the past several miles, and you seem to not be trying to cause him a problem. But he still doesn’t like it. I’ll try to persuade him, but you should really—”

  “Outside those walls.” Allie hung up.

  Praland had been having her watched. Of course he had. Gina could be mesmerizing, but it would be difficult to believe she’d been able to persuade Allie to take this risk for her. He’d think Mandak would be shadowing her.

  Instead, she hoped desperately that Mandak was already in the palace and waiting to make his move.

  Three more minutes.

  * * *

  TWO MORE MINUTES.

  From the dungeon window, Mandak saw Praland and Bruker crossing the garden toward the west gate. Gina was smiling as she came forward to meet them from the guest quarters. No guards in the garden itself.

  Yes.

  He turned to Sean. “Allie got them outside.” But God knows how long she could keep up the distraction before they closed in on her. He started to wriggle up the narrow tunnel to the window he’d already loosened and unlatched. “Move.”

  * * *

  ONE MINUTE.

  Allie saw her mother come out through the west gate. Praland and Bruker followed closely behind her.

  But where was Camano?

  Gina was smiling at her, and Allie felt a ripple of shock. Her beauty was no surprise. She had been aware that it had not faded when she’d had that glimpse of her in the Tiger Room. She had expected her to still be beautiful, but if anything, her mother was even more stunning. She looked older, but it was as if maturity had merely enhanced and deepened that glowing beauty. Butterfly. Fairy princess. And her smile had the same warmth and affection it had when she’d been the only caring person in Allie’s world. For an instant, Allie felt the same dazzlement she had experienced as a child.

  Then she saw Praland step forward to stand beside Gina. Her mother looked up at him and smiled proudly.

  Pride that she had delivered what Praland wanted.

  Allie’s pain was like a dash of ice water, washing away everything but what she had to do.

  She slowed the jeep until it finally came to a halt twenty feet from them. “I’m here, Praland.”

  “So you are.” Praland’s gaze slowly went over her. “Your photos don’t do you justice. You’re quite beautiful. Maybe more beautiful than Gina.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “No, true. Now throw out any weapons you have on the ground outside the jeep. Bruker, go pick them up.”

  She had known that would come. She could risk the holster at her calf that held her dagger as long as she didn’t get out of the jeep. But she had to give them something. She threw her gun in the dirt, followed by a spray container of mace. Bruker quickly retrieved them and took them back to Praland.

  Her hands clenched on the steering wheel. She didn’t try to hide it. Showing a few nerves wouldn’t hurt. “Now tell me how you and I can come to a deal that will keep you from hurting my mother.”

  Praland chuckled. “You’re either naïve or very cunning. The minute you came within sight of my gates, you lost any bargaining power you might have had. I don’t have to give you anything.”

  Gina laid her hand on Praland’s arm. “That may not be true. Don’t be unkind to her. You said that she might have value to you because of Mandak. Perhaps you could persuade her to call him and bring him here.”

  “I don’t need your suggestions, Gina. I’m not Camano,” he said coldly. “That’s exactly what I had in mind. I’m skeptical about the harm you say she could do me with that trick Mandak thought she could pull off. I went through a whole gamut of Devanez so-called mind readers. None of them could touch me. No, that’s not the way to get Mandak. He may be angry about having her walk into your trap, but he has a weakness.” He smiled at Allie. “He rushed to rescue Simon Walberg. A few phone calls, a body part or two. Let’s see how much he’ll take before he decides he has to come calling again.”

  “He won’t come. He had only one use for me, and that ended when I came here.” Allie looked at her mother. “And I’m not naïve. I just want you to let her go. She’s my mother, and I can’t seem to stop feeling something for her. I realize you probably didn’t hurt her, but you could.”

  “Yes, I could,” Praland said. “But she’s been both helpful and entertaining. It would be a shame to have anything happen to her.”

  “Thank you.” Gina smiled at him. “But you wouldn’t do that. I’ve done everything that I’ve promised.”

  “No? I might need a call from her to Mandak. It depends on whether it would hurt your beautiful daughter to see you in pain.”

  For an instant, Gina appeared disconcerted. “You’re joking.”

  “Really?” Praland looked at Allie. “Am I?”

  “No, you’re not joking. That’s why I want her out of here.”

  “And I’ve already refused to discuss any deal.” He took out his gun and pointed it at her. “And I believe it’s time you got out of that jeep and came to join us. I have a feline friend to whom I’d like to introduce you.”

  8:22 P.M.

  The tiger had fallen unconscious, and his breathing was steady and rhythmic.

  But was his state deep enough? Mandak wondered. It had taken him longer to go under than it should have. Almost seven minutes. He had to take a chance. He couldn’t stand here and wait while the clock was ticking, and Allie was having to hold off Praland.

  “I’m going to start jimmying the door of the cage.” He told Sean, who was keeping watch at the window. He started working at the bars. “Any sign of trouble?”

  “Not yet. But you may find it inside that cage,” Sean said dryly. “It’s only been four minutes since the cat went down. He’s a strong son of a bitch. He may decide to rouse and—” He stopped and held his breath as the tiger suddenly half lifted his head, then let it fall back. “Go very slowly, Mandak.”

  Mandak was working quickly, frantically at the lock. “That’s no longer an option. Time’s running out.”

  8:23 P.M.

  It was too soon, Allie thought in panic. She hadn’t been able to stall long enough. She hadn’t given Mandak enough time.

  Keep calm. Go down another road that migh
t intrigue Praland and keep him occupied for a few minutes more.

  Allie looked him in the eye. “I’m not going anywhere with you until we come to an agreement. Put down that gun.”

  Praland laughed incredulously. “You’re not listening.”

  “I hear you say that my only value to you is as a lure to bring Mandak here. That’s a lie.”

  “We’ll see, won’t we?”

  “Yes. We’ll see right now. Because Camano and my mother are right. I can go in and read your memory and almost anyone else’s that you tell me to read. My father found that a treasure trove. I don’t know how he used that information, but I’m sure you would be able to think of a multitude of uses. We could make a deal. You wouldn’t be sorry.”

  Praland was staring at her curiously. “It might be of interest if it’s true.”

  “It is true, Praland,” Gina said quickly. “How many times do I have to tell you?”

  He ignored her, his gaze on Allie. “She appears to be certain. I find Gina a little transparent but I’d be interested in just what memories she has in that gorgeous head. Why don’t you tell me?”

  “Oh, no,” Gina said. “I’m different. I’m her mother. She’s never been able to read me.”

  “How unusual.” He looked at Allie. “Is that true?”

  “I could read her. I’ve never wanted to do it. I don’t want to do it now.”

  “Then she’d be a perfect case to prove that you’re able to do it. Go ahead.”

  Gina was gazing at her warily.

  Go blank. Please don’t give me a memory, Mother.

  Concentrate.

  Nothing.

  Dark tunnel …

  A whooshing, and Allie was there.

  Too easy. It had come too easily.

  Gina’s memories, provoked by that wariness, were clear and without conscience.

  Such a pretty black bottle with a gold top.

  She’d known she’d have some use for it when she’d seen Camano becoming unmanageable.

  White powder mixed with his coke.

  Everyone would think it an overdose.

  Just a little more, and she’d be through with Camano. He’d become such a bore and no use to her at all. Praland could take his place and give her more than—

  Murder.

  The shock sent Allie spiraling back out of the tunnel.

  “Evidently not pleasant,” Praland said. “Would you care to disclose it?”

  “No.” She looked at Gina. “I was wondering where Camano was.”

  “He’s ill,” she said quickly. “We didn’t need him.”

  “No, I can tell you don’t.”

  “Our lovely Gina has actually turned pale.” Praland was laughing. “I’m beginning to believe you might actually have read her memories.” He shrugged. “But she’s your mother. Could be different. That’s someone else’s memory, not mine.”

  “You, too,” Allie said quietly. “Test me. Pull up a memory you want me to identify and think about it.”

  “A circus trick?”

  “Test me.”

  He was already testing her, she realized.

  His memories were sweeping forward, enveloping her.

  Dark tunnel. Dark tunnel.

  Screams. Agony.

  She almost threw up as she read the memory he’d brought up for her.

  Get away. Get away. Get away.

  She jerked herself free and leaned her head on the steering wheel.

  “Damn you.”

  “I just wanted you to know what was in store for you if Mandak doesn’t cooperate. Tell me about it.”

  “Simon Walberg. The night you were torturing him.”

  “Amazing. I’m feeling quite vulnerable.”

  And that was dangerous for Allie.

  Mandak, where are you?

  It had been over fifteen minutes.

  He’d be here. Distract Praland.

  “I wouldn’t be fool enough to put you in a vulnerable position. I’d be working for you.” She glanced at Bruker. “Would you like me to read his memories? I imagine he has quite a few that he wouldn’t want you to know about.”

  Bruker’s eyes widened in alarm. “Kill the bitch. Or let me do it. Can’t you see she’s a big-time threat to you?”

  “Or to you,” Praland said softly. “Interesting possibility. I’ll have to think which—”

  Kaboom.

  The explosion from inside the walls rocked the ground.

  Another blast immediately followed.

  Mandak! Setting off the signal that he had the ledger and to draw Praland away from her.

  Thank God.

  Praland was cursing, already running for the gate. Gina was right after him. “What the hell’s happening? Bruker, get those guards in here!”

  Allie dove out of the jeep and rolled under the vehicle.

  Get to that fifth stone in the wall, take out the gun, and fire a bullet into that bomb.

  But Bruker wasn’t following Praland. He was coming toward her, firing under the jeep.

  Wait until he got closer, then roll out and grab his legs and bring him down.

  “Got too smart, didn’t you?” Bruker asked. “Let’s see how smart you are after I blow your head off.”

  She braced herself to launch.

  And the wall behind her exploded with a tremendous blast.

  It knocked Bruker to the ground.

  Go after him.

  But Mandak was already on top of Bruker, his hands on his throat.

  He must have set off that bomb in the wall that she had been struggling to reach, she realized.

  The next instant, Mandak had his knife out, and the blade was sinking into Bruker’s chest.

  Then he was jumping off him and pulling Allie from beneath the jeep. “Come on, I don’t want to leave you here. Praland’s men are going to be all over the place. We have to get back to Sean. I left the ledger with him and sent him back down into the dungeon.” He was pulling her through the nearly destroyed wall. “But Praland is going to check that Tiger Room for the ledger, then send his men all over the palace. I have to take him out before he gives that order.”

  Smoke.

  Acrid smell of chemicals.

  Allie could dimly see armed men in camouflage gear moving around the garden and over the walls. Bombs were exploding at several points near the dungeon windows in the garden, and the smoke was getting thicker.

  And so was the confusion and misdirection, she thought gratefully.

  They had reached the terrace, and Mandak pulled her over the flagstones toward the Tiger Room.

  They heard Praland cursing before they entered the room.

  He stood before the door of the gilt cage, which was hanging off its hinges. He was staring down at the tiger, still unconscious on the floor of the cage.

  “He’s not dead?” Gina was standing close beside him. “He was so pretty. I think he’s still breathing. But you can get another one if he is dead, can’t you?”

  “You fool.” Praland lifted his gaze to the empty compartment in the cage ceiling. “Shut up and get away from me. I’ve got to get it back.”

  “You don’t mean that. I’m here to help you,” Gina said. “From now on, everything I do will be to help you, Praland. Didn’t I bring Teresa here for you?”

  “Yes, you did. And me, too,” Mandak said from the doorway as he barreled forward into the room. “Get down, Allie!”

  “You son of a bitch.” Praland whirled and raised his gun, dodging behind the velvet couch.

  Gina screamed and dropped to the floor.

  “You think you’ll keep that ledger?” Praland shouted. “I’ll find it, and I’ll burn it in front of you while I cut off your nuts.” He got off a shot that splintered the doorjamb beside Allie. “And then I’ll start on that freak that you brought here to trip me up.”

  “No, you won’t.” Mandak was moving, crawling across the floor. “Because you’re a dead man, Praland.”

  “Crazy. Bruker will be he
re in a minute with my men.” He got off another shot, which thudded against the velvet cushion inches from Mandak’s head. “I have an army, and you have nothing.”

  “Bruker is in hell. He won’t be coming to help you.” He tilted his head. “And by the sound of the firing and shouting out there in the garden, I think your so-called army is about to join him. Renata decided it was time to take you down. I do believe the troops have arrived.”

  Allie could hear the sound of helicopter rotors overhead.

  But it could be too late for Mandak if Praland got to him. She instinctively started to crawl toward him.

  “No,” Mandak said sharply. “Allie, let me do it.”

  She kept crawling and reached into her calf holster for her knife. “I’m only a backup. I won’t let him kill you, Mandak.”

  “You can see how worried she is,” Praland said. “She’s smarter than you. She realizes that you’re nothing compared to me. I’ll take you down and cut you into—”

  He grunted with pain as Mandak dove over the couch on top of him. His gun discharged, and Allie saw Mandak flinch.

  Shot. Mandak was shot, she thought frantically.

  But Mandak straightened, and the gun flew out of Praland’s hand and across the room.

  Praland’s fist arced upward, striking Mandak in the jaw. He pushed Mandak off him and went for the gun.

  “Here!” Gina had the gun and was pushing it toward Praland. “I told you that I—” She screamed as Allie’s dagger entered her hand. She jerked her hand away from the gun and cradled her bloody palm. “You hurt me.”

  “I hope so.” Allie picked up Praland’s gun. “Don’t move, or I’ll do it again.”

  There was no chance for Allie to use the gun.

  Praland cursed as Mandak brought him down once more. Praland’s eyes were glittering wildly in his contorted face. “Look at you. You’re bleeding. I did that. I hope you bleed to death. I’ll get out of this, and I’ll find that ledger. The killing will go on. It will never stop. I’ll call you with name after name, body after body.”

  “It will stop.” Mandak’s hands were around Praland’s throat. “Now.” His grip tightened. “I wish I could drag it out, make it more painful. But I have to get out of here and protect the ledger from that scum you keep around you. So this will have to do.”