The Persuasion

by Iris Johansen

  “What isn’t? Is Lisa there with you? Let me talk to her.”

  “No. I mean she’s here, but I don’t want the two of you having a conference about me. I just need you to do something for me and then call me back. I don’t think I should even have you do it. But I have to know, Caleb.”

  “Then I’ll make sure that you do, if you’ll just tell me what’s happening.” He added harshly, “You’re driving me crazy.”

  “I don’t want to do that. I’m probably way ahead of you in that department.” She drew a deep breath. “It was a dream and it scared me. When I woke, I found I’d drawn three sketches. But I’m only going to send you a photo of the last one, it’s self-explanatory. I want you to see if you can find out if the tower exists and if it’s happened yet. I’m going to go to my tent now and send you the photo. If you’ll do this for me, let me know.”

  “Of course I’ll do it,” he said impatiently.

  “No, see it first. I don’t even have the right to ask this of you. And all I want is an answer to those questions, nothing else. I think perhaps the rest is meant to be in my court.” She cut the connection.

  Done.

  She got to her feet and went into the tent. She waved Lisa aside as she started toward her. “Not now.” She found the last tower sketch, took a photo of it, and texted it to Caleb. Then she took off her robe and lay down in her sleeping bag. “Now I’m going to try to sleep.”

  “Who?” Lisa asked.

  “Who do you think?” She pulled her blanket around her. “I had to ask Caleb.”

  “Good.” Lisa turned off the lantern and went back to bed. “I was hoping. It’s what you should have done.”

  “No, it’s not. I had no right to pile this on him, too. As I told him, I believe this one is meant for me.” Her phone was ringing. “Caleb? Yes or no?”

  “Of course you’ll have your answers.”

  “Thank you.” She hung up the phone.

  So many emotions were bombarding her through the fear and sickness that had surrounded her since the moment she had seen those sketches. Just the fact that Caleb knew and had agreed to find that damn tower was giving her a sense of safety. Even if she could not accept anything else, it made her feel not quite so alone.

  “You’re wrong, you know,” Lisa’s voice came out of the darkness. “And Caleb won’t let you run the show.”

  “Yes, he will. He’ll have no choice. Go to sleep, Lisa.”

  “Okay, but as long as you’re being foolish, it’s good that I’m here to temper it.” She yawned. “Where is Caleb, by the way?”

  “I have no idea, I didn’t ask him. I was a bit distracted.”

  “Never mind, he’ll probably call me later…”

  * * *

  Mantua

  He should probably call Lisa, Caleb thought as he set his phone on the coffee table. He could tell Jane was almost traumatized by the sketch she’d drawn, and he needed Lisa to tell him how deep that trauma had gone. If he couldn’t get Jane to talk to him, he had to tap Lisa for information.

  But perhaps not yet. Lisa was with Jane in that tent, and he needed to be able to question her without upsetting Jane. Wait and call her a little later. Get his mind on Jane’s problem and not on the pain she was feeling.

  He gazed down at the photo Jane had sent him and tried to remember anything similar that he’d seen in the years he’d lived in Italy, as a boy growing up and then later as a man on the hunt. He knew most of Italy and the surrounding countries very well. Yet nothing was occurring to him at the moment. He might have to wait and hope a location might pop into his head.

  And it might not even be Italy or a neighboring country. He was only leaning in that direction because that cave near Fiero Village had already been used by Luca to kill Donzolo and his sons. There was no way he could be certain of anything.

  Okay, then get help and avoid the possibility of having Jane draw an even more horrendous scene. Which might clarify matters but cause her more pain than what he sensed she was going through already. He picked up his phone again and dialed Palik.

  “You’re early,” Palik said. “But I’ll meet you in the lobby in—”

  “I’m going to send you a photo,” he interrupted. “Tell me if you know anything about the surroundings or the kid.” He punched the button and sent the photo. “Anything at all.”

  An instant later Palik gave a low whistle. “Ugly. Very ugly.”

  “I don’t want a commentary. I want information. What do you know?”

  “Not a damn thing. The trees look vaguely familiar, but I can’t be sure.”

  “Then be sure,” Caleb said curtly. “Find out. Right away. Put as many men as you need to get me answers.”

  “Right away? I can’t be ‘superb’ all the time, Caleb.”

  “This better be one of the times you are,” Caleb said. “As you might note from the sketch, there’s a certain urgency.”

  “Sketch,” Palik repeated. “Jane MacGuire?”

  “Yes. And she’s not going to have to wait. I want that information.”

  “You’ll get it. Shall I cancel Rome?”

  “No, not unless you tell me that I can find that tower immediately. But I imagine you’re going to have to turn your equally superb people loose to do that. I refuse to sit here and twiddle my thumbs. I’ll go to Rome and see if I can cause maximum intimidation or damage.” He paused and added harshly, “The way someone did to that kid on the crucifix.”

  “I’ll meet you in the lobby,” Palik said quietly. “Give me twenty minutes to start the search going for that tower.”

  “Twenty minutes,” Caleb repeated. He cut the connection.

  * * *

  “I hear you had a bad night,” Joe said, falling into step with Jane as they were walking toward the mess tent the next morning. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  She shook her head. “Just a dream. You’ve been there before with me when I’ve been plagued by them. This one was particularly nasty, and it shook me. But there wasn’t anything I could do about it.” She shrugged. “I guess that was why I got upset.”

  “If you need me, I’m here.”

  She’d already involved Caleb; she couldn’t bring Joe into it, too. “I know that.” She squeezed his arm. “But you’re doing enough just being here for Michael. I didn’t want him near me right now.”

  “You made that clear.”

  “It’s clearer than ever to me now. Like I said, it was a particularly nasty dream.” She moistened her lips. “Did you hear anything from Caleb?”

  He shook his head. “I assume you didn’t, either. He just left last night. He said he’d be in touch, he didn’t say when.”

  “I know. I just wondered if you’d spoken to him.” They had reached the mess tent, and she stopped as Lisa and Michael went inside. “You go ahead with them. I’m going to go to the castle and give these sketches to Lady Kendrick.”

  “Couldn’t it wait?”

  “I’m not hungry and she’s waited long enough. She was very considerate not to kick us out after that shooting.”

  “Or maybe grateful you didn’t sue her,” he said teasingly.

  “Cynic.” She grinned. “She’s very nice.” She waved and turned away. “See you later, Joe.”

  She probably should have waited until after breakfast, but she wanted to get those sketches into Lady Kendrick’s hands.

  Sketches.

  Don’t think about those other sketches that she’d deliberately left in the tent. She was only grateful that when she’d awoken this morning after a few hours’ sleep, those sketches of the tower were exactly the same. She’d been half afraid she might have drawn another one. Or changed one.

  But that might have been a good thing, she thought wearily. Maybe she wouldn’t have shown the child on the crucifix at all. Maybe it would have all been different and there would have been no dark-haired little boy in pain.

  Or it could have all been imagination and she had panicked for no good reason. Oth
er people had nightmares and it meant nothing.

  But other people didn’t make sketches of their nightmares without even being aware of it.

  So it didn’t matter if she thought it was different from the other times she’d experienced something similar to this. She had to see if there was any way she could keep the horror from happening. But first she had to—

  Her phone was ringing.

  No ID.

  She stopped short on the path, staring at the screen. She didn’t dare not answer it after that last call from Luca.

  She punched the button. “Hello.”

  “How are you, Jane?” Luca asked. “I received my usual weather report on Kendrick Castle this morning and I was told you had a beautiful, sunny morning. It’s been a bit stormy and gloomy here, but I’m looking forward to having you change all that when you get here. I remember in Mantua you seemed to light up the entire city.”

  Her hand tightened on her phone as she punched RECORD. Don’t let him realize either the shock or the fear. “Because I thought I was alone. I had no idea you were snooping around like some weird pervert. Why are you calling me, Luca?”

  “Because I had to hear the sound of your voice even if it says rude things. Of course, you’ll be taught better when I have control of you. You might remember that every insult you speak now will receive a punishment when you’re with me.”

  “Screw you.”

  “That’s two.” He chuckled. “You obviously don’t believe me. But you will, Jane, I’ve been waiting a long time to start training you. I admit I’ve been looking forward to it. I’m willing to spend a long time schooling you.”

  “Threats? I’m not going to listen to this. I’m hanging up now.”

  “Actually, I didn’t mean to threaten you. The words just came out because I’m accustomed to having everyone around me treat me with a good deal of subservience. Fear does that to people.”

  “Because you’re a bully?”

  “Partly. And partly because they’re never sure what I’ll do. I admit I have a tendency to be a little volatile, but that’s my right. No, I called you because our other contact was just an introduction, not enough for you to truly get to know me…and what I’ll do.”

  She stiffened. “What you’ll do? I think I know that very well. I heard how you butchered a man and his sons in that cave.”

  “But that was the tip of the iceberg. It was only meant to exhibit power and push my agenda. It really had nothing to do with you…or us.”

  “There is no us,” she said through gritted teeth. “What are you talking about?”

  “I mean that any bloodbaths I inflict might be interesting and exciting but they’re totally aside from anything connected with you. I realize I can only use people with whom you have a bond to further my dealings with you.” He paused. “I must have frightened you if you sent for Joe Quinn to come to protect you. Do you feel safer now that he’s there?”

  She was silent. How had he known Joe was here? “I wasn’t afraid of you. It was just time for Joe to come and pick up his son.”

  “After he and Eve Duncan had just gone back to Maldara?” he asked softly. “Don’t lie to me. I told you I know everything about you. I’m glad he came, it shows that I had a significant effect on you. I’m not as happy that Caleb disappeared from the castle grounds last night. Did you send him after me, Jane?”

  “No, I would never do that. And if you knew as much as you think you do about me, you’d realize that there’s no reason for him to do it on my behalf. If he went after you, it was because you’re a killer and he believes you had something to do with the murder of his sister Maria.”

  “That almost had the ring of truth,” Luca said. “If I hadn’t seen you together, I might believe you. I admit that I was a little concerned when I heard about your supposed breakup with him. It would have been most upsetting to my plans if that had been true. I need him to still have a passion for you. But I was sure I wasn’t wrong, because you’re not the only one I’ve been studying all these years. How could it be when Caleb has all those fascinating skills that could prove so valuable to me? It’s difficult to know everything about a cipher like Caleb, but I do know the buttons to push to get him in a position for me to take him down.”

  “You know nothing about him.”

  “You’re mistaken. I know a great deal about him. However, my plans for him are requiring me to be very careful. He can’t die before he performs the functions to help complete my list.”

  “Absurd. You’ll be disappointed. Caleb doesn’t perform for anyone.”

  “I won’t be disappointed. Everything is going splendidly on my end since I last spoke to you.” He paused. “I had a perfectly exhilarating and different experience to enjoy last night. I kept wanting to share it with you. It was almost…erotic.”

  She felt sick. She could feel the tension grip her. Was he talking about the crucifixion of that child? Was this the moment he was going to tell her about it? “What do you mean?”

  He was silent. “I don’t believe I’m ready to share it with you yet. Perhaps later…” He added, “But not much later. I thought I’d enjoy this cat-and-mouse game with you. But I find I’m getting very impatient for us to start our own game. Good day, Jane. I don’t have to tell you to think of me, do I?” He laughed. “Can you think of anything else?”

  He cut the connection.

  She was shaking as she thrust the phone back in her pocket. No, he didn’t have to tell her to think of him. She wished she could forget him for even a moment. The only mercy connected to that conversation was that he had not mentioned that boy pinned to the door of that tower. She’d been waiting for him to do it, and it hadn’t happened. Perhaps he was saving that particular horror to hit her with later. Which indicated that he didn’t realize it would be no shock to her. He’d said he knew everything about her, but evidently he didn’t know about the dreams that had haunted her all her adult life. Or maybe it meant that those sketches had been motivated purely by her imagination, and Luca had nothing to do with it.

  She hoped with all her heart that was true. But that single sentence he’d spoken when he’d been telling her of his “different” experience had been full of darkness. Don’t think of that right now, just be glad she couldn’t be sure that he’d committed that horrible act.

  Because heaven knows, there were plenty of other things to think about in that conversation.

  It’s rainy and windy here.

  In her sketch, the trees had bent almost double with the force of the wind and rain.

  And he’d known entirely too much about what was going on here at the castle.

  She felt she had to go over every sentence he had spoken. She could give those sketches to Lady Kendrick later. Luca had wanted her to get to know him better? She was beginning to do so, and a few things had stood out stark and clear.

  She was calling Joe as she turned around and started back toward the dig. “Set Lisa to watching Michael and meet me at the mess tent. I’ve just talked to Luca.”

  * * *

  Joe’s lips tightened as he finished listening to the recording of Luca’s call. “Nasty. Was the first one that bad? No wonder you called me, Jane.”

  She made a face. “Don’t insult me, Joe. I can take nasty, even when it’s packaged by that scum. I originally called you because we both needed to keep Michael safe.” She paused. “And I needed to get Caleb away from him…and from me. Luca was trying to give me bullshit about my being the reason he wanted to get rid of Caleb, but we both know I’m no femme fatale. It was ludicrous.”

  Joe shook his head. “Not so ludicrous. Those photos he took of you were almost obsessive. You do have your moments, Jane. I can see Luca wanting to remove the competition.”

  “I can’t,” she said flatly. “Not unless it served more than a single purpose. Caleb’s take on Luca is that besides being a psycho, he’s brilliant, complicated, and a complete egotist. He thinks he can have it all.” She met Joe’s eyes. “And he h
as some weird belief that he’s destiny’s favorite child and we’re all just put on earth to help him reach his full potential. During this last call, he admitted that Caleb was important and had to function in more than one way on his list.” She added quietly, “And I don’t believe he was lying about his list. I can see him sitting there like a spider, ticking off every item.”

  “So can I.”

  “But if he needs Caleb, it might mean Luca is lying about how much he’s accomplished in completing that list.” She smiled bitterly. “Lisa told me once that Caleb is always the target; that’s why she’s wanted to protect him. I thought this time she might be wrong.”

  “Perhaps she is.” He reached out and covered her hand on the table. “But there could be more than one target. I don’t like Luca’s concentration on you.”

  “And I don’t like the fact that he seemed to know everything that’s been going on at this encampment. The weather. And he knew that you’d come to be with me and that Caleb has disappeared. He didn’t try to hide any of it. He didn’t seem to care that I knew. It must be that damn egotism again.” Her hand tightened on his. “But how did he know, Joe? I’m not liking the answer to that question. I told Caleb how safe Michael and I would be here. But now I’m not sure. Did Luca manage to get someone into this camp? Is it one of the students?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ll find out,” he said grimly. “That was my first thought after I finished listening to that bastard. I’m going to go to the administration office at the castle and check out any new volunteers that have signed up.” He added, “And while I’m at it, I’ll bring Tovarth in to have the Yard start an in-depth background check on all the people who have been here since you and Michael came a month ago.”

  “That has to be close to a hundred people.” She shook her head. “It will take too long. And who knows how many people Luca has managed to plant?” She braced herself and said, “You’ve got to take Michael away from here right away. It’s not safe for him.”

  He went still. “I was afraid that might be where this was going.”