The Persuasion

by Iris Johansen

  “I suspected as much,” Caleb said. “He’s a bit upset about the new arrangements. Thank Michael for the warning for me.”

  “At the moment, we’re not communicating. I’ll let you know when and if we dig out Luca. Take care of Jane. Good luck tonight.” He ended the call.

  Caleb turned to Jane. “It seems Joe is having a few problems.”

  “Of course he is. It’s the Highlands,” Jane said jerkily. “We both know what that means. It’s wild country and, even if Joe finds that blasted house, Luca could still manage to take off and lose himself if he got even a hint of warning.” She was silent a moment before she added, “And you know he’d kill Tomas before he did it.”

  “Yes, I do,” he said quietly. “But I prefer not to think about it at the moment, and neither should you. We’ll just trust that Joe can handle his problem and concentrate on taking care of our own.” He turned and headed for the library. “I believe I’ll just check and see if Angus Wilson is still planning on joining us tonight…”

  * * *

  Kendrick Castle

  Front Courtyard

  4:15 P.M.

  “This place looks like a staging center for an antiterrorist attack,” Eve said to Joe as her gaze traveled over the collection of sleek black vans and the uniformed policemen who were receiving their final instructions. “Everything moving like clockwork. But then the British are used to dealing with terrorists.” She turned to face him. “But Luca isn’t a terrorist, he’s a vicious psychotic and we don’t know what to expect from him. According to Jane, he can be totally erratic.” She shivered. “He could kill that little boy with no warning. He could kill Jane…”

  Joe shook his head. “Tovarth’s a good man and he has me along to strike the balance. No one can say I ever operate with clockwork precision. I learned in the SEALs that every situation can change in a heartbeat.” He frowned, his puzzled gaze on her expression. “What’s this about? I thought we agreed that we needed Tovarth. You don’t want him to go with me?”

  “I didn’t say that. I want very much for Tovarth’s team to go with you. I wish you had the entire British army to go with you.” She had to steady her voice. “Because I want that much protection to surround Michael.”

  He froze. “What are you saying? I told you that I’d refused him permission. It would be crazy to take him, Eve. Did he come running to you?”

  “Yes.” Then she shook her head. “No, he wasn’t playing you against me. He was very quiet. He just said he didn’t want to make either of us unhappy, but he had to go.” Her hands clenched at her sides. “It was almost like a damn goodbye.”

  “I’ll talk to him again.”

  “What can you say? What can you do? Lock him up and put a guard on him? I told you how he ran away from the lake cottage last year when he thought you were in danger. You probably don’t remember all of it because you’d been shot and were unconscious most of the time.” She added fiercely, “But I remember every single second of it. Michael traveled hundreds of miles until he found the cabin where you’d been shot. He’d do that again for Tomas or Jane.” She took a step closer to him. “He’d find a way, Joe. And I don’t know what else he’s learned and taught himself while he’s been working with that poor boy, Tomas, but I don’t want to force him to show us.”

  “And I don’t want to risk his life because I wouldn’t say no to him,” Joe said roughly.

  “He’d find a way,” she repeated. “I know it, Joe. And you won’t be the one to say yes to him, I will.” She stepped back. “I’ve already done it. I’ve told Michael that I’d go along with him, and he agreed to stay in the car at all times. I even told him to run and get Lisa and bring her down here.” Her lips twisted. “You see? I’m not only willing to risk Michael, I’m going to let Lisa come and help me guard him. Because I knew she’d actually jump at the chance to put her life on the line. That’s pretty ruthless of me, isn’t it?”

  “Pretty desperate,” Joe said hoarsely. “I can see it’s tearing you apart.”

  “It’s killing me. Everything about this is killing me.”

  “Then change your mind. We can talk to him. We can work through it.”

  “You’re wrong. It’s too late. You said once that Michael might have gone beyond us while we were trying to hold him back. I hope that didn’t happen, but I’m not going to take a chance on losing him now. Not physically, not mentally, not spiritually.” She turned away and headed for Joe’s vehicle. “I know this isn’t the way you’d like it to be, but that’s the way it is. You just concentrate on keeping yourself alive and getting Jane back, and leave Michael to me.”

  * * *

  North Atlantic Savings and Loan

  3:05 A.M.

  “Okay?” Caleb nudged Jane down the row of mulberry bushes that bordered the back entrance of the bank. “Your cheeks are flushed, and I can feel your body trembling. Do you want to back out? Say the word.”

  “I can’t back out. You told Luca that you had to have me down there to give MacDuff a reason to go down to the vaults. And it’s not nerves, it’s excitement,” she murmured. “I’ve never robbed a bank before. But I’m trusting you to make it a memorable but safe experience.”

  “Really?” He smiled crookedly. “I believe you’re embracing all this a little too eagerly.”

  “I’m not entirely without apprehensions.” She looked at the glass door ahead. “The thought of Angus Wilson has been haunting me since last night.”

  “Rightly. But nothing he does will affect you. If the persuasion doesn’t work, I’ll just have to go in another direction.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid about. I don’t want you to go in another direction with an honest, straightforward man whom I’ll probably like and respect.”

  “I didn’t say I meant anything fatal,” he said absently as he glanced to the right of the path. “And maybe I’m better than I think I am. Don’t worry about it.” He raised his voice. “Isn’t that right, MacDuff?”

  “Yes, don’t worry about it, Jane.” MacDuff was grinning as he stepped out of the shadow of the bushes. “Though I didn’t catch all you said, I caught the word ‘fatal,’ and I’m sure Caleb has that under control.”

  “Good heavens, you look like a cat burglar.” Jane shook her head as she looked him up and down. He was entirely in black from turtleneck sweater and jeans to expensive black-leather loafers. “What’s that about?”

  “I believe I’m insulted. I was trying to dress appropriately. There’s really no dress code for what we’re doing, is there?” He looked critically at Caleb’s jeans and jacket. “He looks entirely boring and common and so do you.”

  “Since these guards will recognize you as an important client, that wouldn’t be an entirely bad thing,” Caleb said dryly. “But I should have known that you’d take advantage of the opportunity to make a unique experience even more bizarre.”

  “I’m supposed to be going down to catch Luca in the act of stealing my fortune, aren’t I? My role should be both dangerous and threatening. I believe I’m entirely in character.” He looked down the street. “And, as I think I see a couple vans down the block that are probably Luca’s men keeping an eye on us, I think this absurd apparel conversation should be cut short.” His gaze was still on the vans as he added coolly, “And you said that you wouldn’t let Luca know until the last minute about the transfer of my funds here to North Atlantic, Caleb. I trust you kept your word.”

  “No, you don’t. You never trust me,” Caleb said. “But I called Luca right before we left the house tonight. He was most upset and distrustful that I hadn’t let him know about the switch before. But he decided he had no choice but to let our arrangement go forward.” He met MacDuff’s eyes. “Ask Jane.”

  “No, she wouldn’t be here if you’d done anything that might have upset her. It was just amusing me to goad you.” He moved toward the door. “I just hope that Joe Quinn has done his part to make my participation in this charade worthwhile. What have you heard from hi
m?”

  “He’s doing the best he can,” Jane said. “He has several valuable leads.”

  “That doesn’t sound promising.”

  “He’s always come through for me.”

  “I know,” MacDuff said as his pace quickened. “Let’s just hope this time isn’t the exception that proves the rule…”

  * * *

  Wick, Scotland

  Highlands

  “I need a decision.” Tovarth got out of his van and strode toward where Joe was parked on the side of the road. He unfolded his map down in front of Joe and shone the beam of his flashlight on the two roads ahead. “Two choices,” he said brusquely. “The road to the left leads toward the foothills of Ben Nevis. The road to the right will eventually get us to Skye. But we’re going to run out of time if we pick the wrong one. We took too long on those other farmhouses that proved to be duds.” He pursed his lips. “And I’m not going to be the one to choose. Your decision, Quinn.”

  Joe felt like cursing in frustration as he gazed down at the map. He had no clue if he had a better chance with either of these destinations. The farmhouse near the island of Skye was small but it had all the same general proportions as the other property of St. Giles House in the foothills of Ben Nevis. And he wasn’t certain they could reach either house before Caleb’s and Jane’s situation would prove critical.

  “Left.” It was Michael’s low voice from the backseat. “Take the road to the left, Dad.”

  Joe turned to look at him. “Believe me, you don’t want to make this decision, either, Michael.”

  “No, I don’t. And I know you’re upset with me and don’t want me to interfere. But I guess I have to do it.” He drew a deep breath and said, “You have to turn left, because it’s going toward the hills. The hills are important.”

  “Why?” Eve asked.

  Michael shook his head. “I don’t know. You just have to turn left, Dad.”

  “We need to make a decision, Quinn,” Tovarth said sourly. “And you’ll excuse me if I ask it not be based on the fact that your son likes the idea that one direction has a few hills.”

  Joe was silent. Then he said, “You heard him, Michael. You’ve told me that you had to come along because you’d be of value if you did. Now you’re going to have to prove it. Are you willing to do that?”

  “Joe,” Eve murmured.

  “Do you think I want to put him in a spot like this? But he chose not to act like a kid, so he has to accept all the ramifications that implies. He said we could trust him.” He met his son’s eyes. “I’m trusting him. Can I do that, Michael?”

  “You can do that,” Michael whispered. “Turn left, Dad.”

  Joe immediately turned to Tovarth and thrust the map back at him. “Left. Toward the foothills of Ben Nevis.” He started his car. “And get a move on, Tovarth. I need at least a chance of taking down Luca before he manages to find a way to kill Caleb and Jane.”

  Chapter

  17

  North Atlantic Savings and Loan

  MacDuff looked back over his shoulder at Jane and Caleb as they reached the front entrance. “What do you think, Caleb?” He was staring with curiosity at the glass doors. “Do I have any chance of finding this experience at all exciting? So far you’ve disappointed me.”

  “Exciting?” Caleb repeated, gazing warily at the eagerness on MacDuff’s face. Jane could tell just by the amusement and catlike anticipation in MacDuff’s expression that he might prove to be more trouble than any of the employees Caleb had so carefully programmed for tonight. Evidently Caleb agreed, because he said, “Not at all, MacDuff. I promised Jane I’d make it as boring as possible for those guards we’re using. You just make your appearance and I’ll handle the rest.” He added, “The only person you might regard as a challenge is Angus Wilson. You know him very well and he likes you. I’d really appreciate any help you can give me to take care of him.”

  “My, my, that actually sounded vaguely humble,” MacDuff murmured. “I wonder why…”

  “I’m sure you’ll dig and probe until you discover the reason,” Caleb said dryly. “Feel free. Angus will be on the lower level and you’ll have to be very convincing with him. I’ve told the guards and Angus that the bank is running a security test of the high-tech facilities here in the North Atlantic bank annex. You’ve kindly volunteered your time and are even allowing a portion of your treasure to be used in the test.”

  “Yes, I’m very kind,” MacDuff said silkily. “But I don’t have the reputation of being a fool and I don’t intend to acquire one. This had better work, Caleb.”

  “As I said, I’ll handle it.” Caleb stepped in front of the glass door and showed himself to the guard on the other side. “Let us in, James,” he called. “Let’s get this party started.”

  Jane tensed and then tried to relax. It was beginning. They’d done all they could; now they had to just react to any emergency that occurred.

  The door swung open and James Smythe smiled at Caleb. “Hello, sir, I’ve been waiting for you. I have to admit I’m a little nervous, but I’m happy you chose me for the job.”

  “It was really my assistant, Jane, who chose you.” He gestured to Jane. “She said the job needed someone who had your reputation for hard work and honesty.” He nodded at MacDuff. “And Lord MacDuff agreed with her. So you also have him to thank.” He looked around the foyer. “Now, where is Sergeant Campbell?”

  “When I saw you out there, he went to the audiovisual room to set up the automatic faux feed to go in effect to all the bank cameras.” He looked at his watch. “In exactly four minutes. We’re to meet him at the elevators.” He led them toward the bank of elevators and smiled at Jane as he pressed the button. “I appreciate this opportunity,” he said in a low voice. “Mr. Caleb said that it would make everyone sit up and take notice when promotion time came around.”

  “You’re welcome. And I assure you he was telling the truth.” She met Caleb’s glance. “It will be a night that will give you nothing but rave reviews, James.”

  “As promised,” Caleb murmured. He turned to a fiftyish, uniformed man with a black mustache who was coming down the hall toward them. “Isn’t that right, Sergeant Campbell? It’s not often a young man just starting out in security gets a chance to spread his wings like this.”

  Campbell nodded brusquely. “But we’ll have to make sure everything about the work tonight is well documented. No one can say that the tests tonight are going to be anything but unusual. I’m surprised that we’re being allowed to run them.” He punched the elevator DOWN button. “Mr. Wilson isn’t a man who likes to take chances, and I’ve found him a trifle…stubborn.”

  “Bullheaded,” MacDuff substituted. “But I’ve always liked that in a man who’s taking care of my money.”

  “Yes, my lord,” Campbell said. “I’m sure he was glad to cooperate with you this time.” He turned to Caleb. “While you deal with the vaults, James and I will go get the chests and prepare them as we discussed. Unless you have a change for us?”

  “Not unless Angus Wilson has some objection,” Caleb said. “As soon as we get off the elevator, you go and tend to your business while I go talk to Angus at the vaults. We’ll meet you back here at the elevators in thirty minutes.” The elevator door was opening, and Caleb stood aside to let Jane and MacDuff get off before he strode toward the bank of vaults at the end of the corridor. A man in black-rimmed spectacles and a neat, sandy-colored beard was sitting at a desk and looked up as they approached. His glance went past Caleb to MacDuff, and he frowned as he got to his feet. “I couldn’t believe when I got the email that you’d actually agreed to be a part of this, my lord. It’s neither conventional nor safe. I don’t wish to be disrespectful, but I have to speak up and tell you that you should not have agreed to do this.”

  Jane tensed, her gaze flying to Caleb’s face. Worst-case scenario?

  MacDuff smiled. “Ahh, I’m having second thoughts, too. I admit if I hadn’t known you were going to be involved, I
might have refused. But I’ve always trusted you, Angus, and I’ve decided we have to keep pace with the times.” His smile deepened. “So let’s get this over with and then have a few drinks before we go home and prepare to deal with the paperwork and all those technical superstars who will be asking us questions tomorrow.”

  “I don’t like it,” Angus said. He gave Caleb a cool glance. “Mr. Caleb was very persuasive, but as I was sitting here tonight, I began to think it was something that shouldn’t be done.”

  “Just tonight?” Caleb asked. Jane caught a flicker, a sudden intensity in his expression. Then he took a step closer and stared Angus straight in the eye. “That’s very interesting that only now are you having second thoughts. Then can I urge you to think again? MacDuff seems to think it a workable plan, and after all it is his money.”

  Angus frowned, but his gaze slid away from Caleb’s. “True. However, it’s my duty to care for it.” Then he glanced at MacDuff and hesitated. “Though I wouldn’t want to disagree with you, sir.”

  “Then don’t,” Caleb said as he took a step back and gestured to the vault. “He’s told you what he wants us to do, so let’s do it.” He moved to stand before the vault. “Providing you’ll come over here and give us the benefit of the infinite trust that the bank has placed in you. The first door is handprint with DNA analysis? Both parties have to enter their ID simultaneously.” He looked at MacDuff, who was just gazing at him with a bland smile on his face. “Perhaps MacDuff will oblige us by coming over here and setting an example?”