The Persuasion

by Iris Johansen

  Chill iced through her. “Michael? You’re lying.”

  “Do you want me to let you hear him?” Silence. “Oh, he’s being shy. Do you want me to make him talk to you? I assure you I can do it. But I didn’t want to hurt the poor lad.”

  “No, don’t make him talk to me.” It could be a lie, but she couldn’t take the chance of stressing Michael if it was true. But Luca had mentioned Lisa and Lisa had been with Michael. “You said that Lisa was indisposed. Do you mean she’s—” She stopped. “Did you hurt her?”

  “You almost said ‘dead,’” he said. “Actually, it was very close. I was tempted to leave it up to Alberto, and he’s a trifle bloodthirsty. After all, he does believe he deserves a reward since I did trust him and a few of his friends to take care of bringing me your brother. But I told him to try to keep her alive and evidently she survived him. Of course, he’d just killed that rather useless guard who was supposed to protect them. Perhaps he’d had his fill of gore for the time being.” He chuckled. “No, Alberto never has enough, he has an amazing capacity. But I believe he did leave her alive. Perhaps he was having problems with your brother and was in a hurry to get your Michael to me.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “You don’t want to believe me,” he corrected softly. “But you’re beginning to do it, aren’t you?” He added, “So I’d better tell you what you need to do so that I can cross this off my list. I’ve only allowed a certain number of hours to get this done tonight and I’m behind schedule. Neither one of us would want you to get it wrong. I’m sending you a photo of a child right now, and I want you to think of Michael while you’re looking at it. Because it will be Michael if you don’t obey me. You’ve brought it to my attention how soft and weak you are where children are concerned, and I decided to take advantage of it. Though I don’t really want your brother. He might be a decent enough tool to use against you, but that would be a petty way to start our relationship. I’m more interested in showing you that I’m the only one in your life who can give or take away on a large scale. That’s much more satisfying.”

  “And egotistical.”

  “Nothing wrong with ego. So I’ll let Michael go, if you take his place. When you decide to take my proposition, just run down to the parking lot outside the main gates and get into the blue Volvo. Drive out, press the button on the phone you find on the front seat, and I’ll give you further directions. I’d suggest you don’t tell anyone we had this conversation because they’ll try to persuade you to do things their way. And you should know exactly what that’s going to mean. If you don’t come, I’ll kill him. If you come and bring anyone with you, I’ll kill them and still kill Michael. If you come and give me exactly what I wish, I’ll let your brother go free.” He added, “What could be more fair? You’ve never been helpless. I’m sure that you have enough confidence to believe you can find a way to escape or kill me. The only way to lose is to do nothing and let me kill the poor boy.”

  “Don’t do it, Jane.” It was Michael’s voice in the background, fierce, hoarse, desperate. Unmistakable. She felt sick to her stomach. True. It was all true.

  “Ah, the brave lad speaks,” Luca said. “Now you have a decision to make for all of us. I hope it’s the right one.” He paused. “Look at the photo, Jane.”

  She pressed the button. It was the photo she’d known she’d see. The pain-racked little boy on the crucifix. It was good that Luca would think this was the first time she’d seen this image, because her shock and horror silenced her for an instant. There was no doubt that was the face of the dark-haired child she’d dreaded to see. Not her sketch, an actual photo taken by this monster of that child twisting in agony.

  And that was true, too. No nightmare. Somewhere out there, this tragic victim was being used as a pawn. “Is…he alive?” She could barely get the words out. “Who…is he? Did you kill him?”

  “Perhaps he might not be dead yet. The child was totally unimportant to me, I only used him to demonstrate what fate Michael could expect if you don’t cooperate. Should we take him down and put your Michael up on that crucifix instead? Because that’s what you’re choosing. And you don’t have many hours to make up your mind. As I said, I’m a bit behind schedule.”

  “Choice? You’d kill Michael anyway.”

  “No, I wouldn’t. That would be foolish. You’re suspicious and would never sacrifice yourself unless you could be certain it would allow your brother to live. I fully intend to let you see him go free before you take the final step toward me. I’ve worked it all out. I’m hanging up now. I have to make final preparations and you have to see if your friend Lisa survived Alberto. We both have to get busy, don’t we? There’s a deadline.”

  He pressed DISCONNECT.

  Dear God. She closed her eyes for a moment as the waves of terror hit her. Michael!

  Deadline.

  Her lids flew open and then she was running past the burning tents, crossing the bridge over the creek, and tearing up the hill toward their tent area where she’d left Lisa and Michael.

  Then she saw Lisa lying crumpled in a heap on the ground. Still, so still.

  She fell to her knees beside her. Unconscious. But no blood. No, that wasn’t true, there was a thin rivulet of blood issuing from a tiny mark on the side of her neck. Her hands grasped Lisa’s shoulders. “Wake up.” She shook her desperately. “He said you were all right. Tell me he wasn’t lying.”

  No answer.

  “Lisa! Talk to me.”

  Lisa’s eyes slowly opened. “Dizzy…Stop yelling…at me, Jane…”

  Relief poured through Jane. “It looks like you might have a mark made by a dart on your neck. Are you hurt anywhere else?”

  “Don’t think so—But Michael said I was the one…they wanted to hurt.” Her eyes widened in shock. “Michael!” She was struggling to sit up. “Where’s Michael?”

  “Sit still. I’ll find him.” Jane was already dialing her phone to get hold of Joe. “You’re in no shape to be staggering around searching.”

  Then Joe came on the line and he was speaking quickly. “It’s okay, Jane. The door was jammed shut and Lady Kendrick was unconscious, but I got her out in time. The EMT thinks she’ll be fine.”

  “That’s good.” Lord, she was glad something was going well during this nightmare that had erupted out of nowhere. She said curtly, “But that wasn’t why I called. You have to come back up to my tent right away, Joe. Bring a medic if you can. Lisa’s hurt and needs you.” She cut the connection and turned back to Lisa. “I’m going to leave you now. Don’t move around until you find out what chemical they used to put you out.” She squeezed her friend’s hand and jumped to her feet. “There’s nothing you can do now. But it’s going to be okay. Joe will be here soon.” She turned away. “I’ve got to get my jacket out of my tent. I’ll be right back.”

  She ducked into her tent and almost stumbled over the body of the guard Luca had told her Alberto had killed. His throat had been cut, and he was staring sightlessly at the ceiling. No time for horror or sadness at this butchery. Just accept that so far everything Luca had said was true—and hope what he’d said about Michael was also true and act accordingly. She threw on her jacket, took her .38 revolver from her backpack, and thrust it into her pocket. Then she was outside the tent again.

  Lisa’s eyes were narrowed on her face. “You didn’t tell Joe about Michael.”

  “Because I’m going to find him now myself. I told you that, Lisa. I’ll make sure he’s all right.” She’d already started running back down the hill. “Don’t worry, we’ll get him back.”

  “Jane, you’re being—” Lisa broke off and then shouted after her, “Come back. Stay here. I don’t like this!”

  Neither did Jane. But she ignored Lisa as she tore down the path and headed for the front gate. Because Luca had been right: If she hesitated, if she listened to arguments, it might be too late for Michael. It was up to her to get him back, because she was the target. She could do it, but only if
she was careful and didn’t let Luca play her.

  The front gates were right ahead and wide open, and the entrance driveway before them was filled with ambulances and fire trucks. There was no question that anyone would pay attention or try to stop her as she pushed her way through the crowds of patients, firemen, and EMTs. She could even see the blue Volvo parked by the edge of the road where Luca had told her it would be. It must have been so easy for Alberto and his men to get Michael out of the castle grounds without being noticed during that first panic after the fire started, she thought bitterly. Just light those fires that would endanger all those innocent students and volunteers and cause panic, pain, and fear.

  Damn him to hell.

  * * *

  “I’m a mile north of the castle,” Jane said as she punched the button on the burner phone that she’d found on the seat of the Volvo. “Tell me where I’m to go.”

  “Turn on the GPS. It will lead you right to me. However, I do have to tell you that the car is bugged, and if you try to transmit a message to anyone then Michael will go to the great beyond. But may I say how delighted I am that you’ve proved my judgment of your intelligence correct?”

  “No, I want you to put Michael on the phone again so that I’ll know he’s still alive.”

  He made a clucking sound. “But I gave you my word.”

  Then Michael’s troubled voice. “You shouldn’t do this, Jane. He’s really a bad person. Is Lisa okay?”

  “She’s going to be fine. And I know what I’m doing. He hasn’t hurt you?”

  “Only a little.”

  “A very little.” Luca’s voice was back on the line. “But that could change. He’s beginning to annoy me. Kids are so stupid. He doesn’t seem to realize how much danger he’s in.”

  And he had never met anyone like Michael, and it probably disturbed him that he couldn’t intimidate the boy. “He’s not in any danger. Because we made a deal and you’re going to keep it.” She was looking at the GPS. “You’re not far. Lake Cairnes. A boat?”

  “Helicopter. Much more efficient. We have a good distance to travel once you join me.”

  “Where?”

  “Now, if I told you that, your brother would hear and I’d have to kill him. See how careful I’m being to keep him alive?”

  “Just keep on doing that.” She cut the connection.

  A helicopter. And once she boarded it, she’d have a difficult time knowing where she was going or how to escape. Much more difficult than if a vehicle or boat was involved.

  Well, she couldn’t worry about that now. Her first priority was to find a way to make sure that Michael would get free.

  And stay free…

  Look.

  Plan.

  Not much time…

  * * *

  Kendrick Castle

  “Don’t you dare make me go to that hospital, Joe,” Lisa said fiercely as the EMTs were trying to put her into the ambulance. “I need to go with you. It was my fault. I was supposed to look out for both of them and I screwed up. Caleb’s going to strangle me. You should want to do it, too.”

  “None of us were expecting those sons of bitches to try to burn up the entire encampment,” Joe said grimly. “When you see a major disaster, you think first about saving everyone involved. In the confusion you sometimes lose sight of the ones who are most important to you. In all the noise and trauma, it was natural that you wouldn’t be aware of anyone on the attack.”

  “Michael was aware. He said they wanted to hurt me, not him.”

  “Yes, you told me. But Michael didn’t realize that in time, either. And I sent that guard up there to watch over you, but he was killed trying to do it. So stop blaming yourself.” Joe was trying to hold on to his patience. “Look, I’m not blaming you. But Michael is gone and I have to find him. I’ve spent the last hour searching for him, and neither he nor Jane is on the property. If you want to help, just let me get you off to the hospital to make certain that whatever chemical was on that dart isn’t going to have a delayed poisonous effect on you.”

  “Jane knew what happened to Michael. She said she was going to find him.” She waved her hand as he opened his lips. “Okay, I’ll go to the damn hospital. But she knew, Joe. Find Jane and you’ll find Michael.”

  He wasn’t about to mention that one of the firemen had already told him that a woman of Jane’s description had driven away from the castle shortly after the time Jane had called him. Lisa would never have given up and let them take her to be tested. “Don’t worry, I won’t stop until I find both of them.”

  He slammed the door of the ambulance.

  She knew, Joe.

  And if Jane knew, it meant Luca’s deadly plan was in motion and he might already have both Michael and Jane.

  And that possibility was scaring the hell out of Joe.

  * * *

  Lake Cairnes

  Wales

  Jane punched in Luca’s number the moment she got off the main road and caught sight of the large gray-and-black helicopter.

  It was sitting on a plateau that extended about three miles along the bank of the lake. The moonlight was bright enough to reveal the copter clearly, but otherwise the plateau appeared deserted.

  No Michael.

  “I’m almost there,” she said when Luca picked up. “I see the helicopter and I’m stopping the car now. But I’m not going to get out until I see you bring Michael toward me.”

  “How very demanding of you.” Luca stepped out of the shadow of the aircraft. “Do you have any idea how vulnerable you are, Jane?” He snapped his fingers, and someone shoved Michael out of the darkness behind Luca. “How vulnerable he is?”

  Michael seemed all right, Jane decided, relieved. But he did look as small and as vulnerable as Luca had said. “I have to make sure you haven’t hurt him.” She got out of the car. “Michael, come toward me.”

  “By all means, take him,” Luca said sourly. “He’s been a complete little ass. I almost gave him to Alberto to enjoy a dozen times in the last couple of hours.”

  “Alberto?” she repeated as she watched Michael run toward her. “I want to see this Alberto and whoever else you have there.” She pulled her gun out of her jacket pocket and pointed it at Luca. “I need to be certain that you don’t have anyone hiding in the trees ready to grab Michael again after you’ve supposedly let him go.”

  “Why don’t you shoot me and find out,” he said softly. “Because you’re very smart and know that I’d be prepared for you to be armed.” He nodded over his shoulder. “Come out into the light, Alberto. You’ll notice that AK-47 he’s holding is aimed at your Michael, Jane. I’m sure Joe Quinn has told you what a gun like that can do to the body of a child. Even if you aimed at me and pressed the trigger, Alberto would get off a round that would still kill your brother.” He smiled. “And Alberto regards me as his spiritual leader and naturally would instantly avenge any shot aimed at me. You can’t imagine how much he’s developed since I showed him the pleasures of power.” He tilted his head. “Correction. You can imagine. I sent you that photo.”

  “That was his work? It was hideous.” Michael had reached her; she motioned him to one side so that she could still cover Luca. “As you are. Is there anyone else there?”

  “Just Davron.” He motioned, and a man came slowly out of the shadows. “I designated this as a personal pleasure trip, but how could I forget to include him when he was so impressed with the painting of your ancestress, Fiona.” His smile was fading. “I’ve been very patient, but I’m beginning to become annoyed by you. You’re showing a distinct lack of respect.”

  Her hand tightened on the gun. “Michael, have you seen anyone except these three men since you were brought here?”

  “No.” Michael took a step closer to her. “That’s all. No one else. And I was watching and listening.” He whispered, “I know what you’re going to do. Please don’t do it. Think of something else and we can do it together.”

  “Not this time, Michael.”<
br />
  Because Luca was already shouting from the plateau. “You can see I didn’t hurt that kid. But that doesn’t mean I won’t. Throw your gun down and I’ll let him go. You know you’ve lost, Jane. Two minutes.”

  “Just let me say goodbye. I doubt if you’ll let me see him again.” She tossed her gun beneath the oak tree next to her. Then she was reaching down, her arms sliding around Michael in a fierce hug. “I’m slipping my phone into your back pocket,” she whispered low and fast in his ear. “Call your dad as soon as you get out of rifle range and then give him my phone as soon as you see him. Run as fast as you can back to the main road. About a mile down that road, I saw lights burning in a cabin nestled about halfway up the hill. Go there and tell the people who live there that you need help. Promise me you’ll do it, Michael.”

  “I promise, but I don’t—”

  “Hush.” She hugged him again. “I love you. You’ll be fine.”

  “He’s getting angry, Jane. And I shouldn’t leave you to…” His grip around her neck was anguished. “This isn’t right. You shouldn’t do it. I won’t let him—”

  “Go!” She tore his arms from around her neck. “Don’t look back. I’ll distract him. Run!”

  And he was running, thank God. Tearing down the path toward the main road. Michael was incredibly smart and more woods-savvy than they dreamed. Now that he was free, he had every chance to reach Joe.

  She straightened and stood in the middle of the path so that she’d block any shot at Michael from the plateau.

  There was no shot.

  But only a moment later she felt a brutal hand on her shoulder that spun her around to face Luca. His lips were curled and his eyes glittering with rage. “I told you I don’t permit a lack of respect.” His hand lashed out, backhanding her with all his strength.

  Pain!

  Her jaw was hot, burning.

  She staggered backward and fell to the ground.

  Dizzy. She was vaguely aware he was bending over her. “I intended to let him go…maybe.” His voice was harsh. “But you interfered and tried to take control. Only I can give or take away. That’s what this lesson was all about. And you spoiled it.”