“And your ‘tender’ feelings?”
He looked away. “Maybe.”
“Do you resent it?”
“No, she just doesn’t understand. She wants me to be what I’m not. I try to be what she wants me to be, but I can’t do it.”
“Then why bother to try?”
He frowned. “That’s a stupid question. Because she wants it.”
“And Catherine has to have what she wants even though it’s not logical, and she doesn’t understand. Why go to all the trouble of pretending? Why should you care?” He took another verbal step forward. “Catherine could die tomorrow, you know.”
Luke quickly shook his head. “She’s good. She’s like a soldier. She’s been trained. She won’t get hurt.”
“She could die.”
“No!”
“She’s CIA, and she’s good. But even the best operatives can be taken down.”
“Not her. Not Catherine.” His eyes were suddenly glittering with anger. “And if you thought she could get hurt, you shouldn’t have told her to go after Nardik. If you knew she could get killed, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s within her capability, and it needed to be done. I will never tell her to hold back because of my fear for her. She would not thank me for it.”
“Catherine’s strong and smart. Nothing’s going to happen to her.”
“Don’t get emotional. I just want you to be prepared. You’re very sharp, Luke. Yet your feelings for Catherine are much too vague. I find that annoys me. I’m not like Catherine, who can’t help but think of you as a child, her child. We both know you’re not a child. That was burned out of you a long time ago. But the feeling wasn’t burned out, and it should belong to her. I don’t know if there’s some buried resentment or if you’re just fighting feeling too much. I don’t know, and I don’t care. It’s time you came into focus. So think about what Catherine is to you and how you’d feel if she ended up having her head blown off by Nardik tomorrow.” He smiled cheerfully. “Oh, that did give you a jolt, didn’t it? And now that I’ve disturbed you enough to deserve Catherine’s anger about damaging your tender feelings, I’ll go and untie Townberg and have him place another call.” He moved toward the door. “And I won’t kill him. Because, like you, I’m sensitive to how Catherine feels about such things. I’ll either take him with us if he proves himself meek and pliable enough, or just make sure he won’t be found until I want him to be found.” He paused at the door, and said softly, “You’re upset. Good. It will clear your head.” He opened the door. “A clear head can be of great benefit in a relationship. You can’t hide away any longer. I won’t permit it. The walls are down, and they’ll stay down. Just keep thinking what a terrible world this would be without our Catherine…”
* * *
“I MIGHT AGREE TO SUBSTITUTING the drug for the boy,” Nardik said warily to Catherine. “But I want the formula, too.”
“You won’t get it,” Catherine said flatly. “Hu Chang didn’t even want to give up another vial of Pondera. I had to persuade him. He certainly won’t give you the formula. Don’t be greedy, Nardik.”
“You could be lying to me. I might not have to have a second dose.”
“But you’re worried and want reassurance. This would give it to you. And do you think that Hu Chang would be willing to give that second dose if he didn’t think you’d use it? He said that he’d learned his lesson with Ali Gazaran when you got your hands on the extra dose he gave to him.”
Silence. “He can’t get it to you before eight tomorrow evening? That’s too close.”
“Do you think making a dose of that drug is easy? I’ve seen him work two days on one of his poisons. And then he has to deliver it to me after it’s ready. The debate isn’t until ten. He said he’d try to deliver the drug to me by eight here at the Andrews ranch. Set up a meeting anytime after that, and I’ll put it in your hands.” She paused. “Or you could let me meet with the person you’ve got here who’s supposed to administer the drug … after you release my son.”
“No, do you think I’d be fool enough to do that? Besides, I’ll have to test it to make sure that you’re not lying to me.”
“And you want to have your chance at me.”
“You don’t believe I’d keep our bargain?” he asked mockingly.
“No, and I want my chance to live. I want my boy to live. You meet me somewhere out in the open and leave your goons at home. If I see anyone with you, I won’t stop. When you give the order to release Luke, I’ll give you the drug.”
He was silent. “I’ll consider it.”
“I’m going to live through this, Nardik. It’s the best deal you’re going to get.”
“Actually, I want you to live for a while. I have plans for you.” He paused. “But I can wait. If I don’t get you this time, I’ll pluck you up when you least expect it. Bring me that drug, Catherine.”
“Where?”
“When you have the Pondera, get in the car and drive away from the ranch. I’ll call you and give you directions.” He hung up.
Yes.
She drew a deep breath and pressed the disconnect. Up to the last minute, she hadn’t been certain that he’d go along with her. There would still be hazards and traps all along the way, but at least they had a plan that might work.
Or might not.
Think positive. They were going to get that son of a bitch before he could butcher anyone else.
She took out her phone again to call Gallo and Hu Chang and tell them that Nardik had taken the bait.
Sugarland, Texas
July 3
7:40 P.M.
CATHERINE MET SAM IN THE DRIVEWAY of the ranch when he got out of his rental car. “Thanks for coming, Sam. You’re the only one I could think of to keep Luke safe while all of this goes down.”
He grimaced. “I’m surprised you’ll trust him with me after I screwed up. I don’t think I would.”
“It would have been different if you hadn’t had to deal with Hu Chang and Luke working against you from the inside. Hell, Luke unlocked the door and let Hu Chang walk in. It was something you couldn’t expect. You’d have handled Nardik’s men.” She met his gaze. “If I didn’t believe that was true, I wouldn’t only not trust you with Luke, I’d be coming after you for letting anyone take him.”
He nodded. “And it will never happen again.” He looked around the grounds and gave a low whistle. “Good God, it’s like a giant carnival.”
She could see what he meant. A giant outdoor barbecue kitchen and buffet. A band was blaring a tune from the musical 1776 in the gazebo, and the tables were already filled to overflowing with dozens of guests. “I’m leaning toward a rock-concert comparison. Wait until it gets a little darker, and the fireworks begin. Those are supposed to be nonstop until the debate starts.”
Sam’s gaze traveled to the hills, where hundreds of cars were already pouring through the north gates. “Holy smoke. I hope Andrews has good crowd control.”
“He does. Pat Gower wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“When do Hu Chang and Luke get here?”
She checked her watch. “Fifteen minutes. Hu Chang will be arriving by helicopter in a field about five minutes’ drive from the ranch. It was the only place that we could be assured a little privacy from the mob. John Gallo should already be there waiting.” She got into the Jeep parked down the driveway. “Come on, you can go with me.”
Sam got into the Jeep, but his gaze was on the stage across the grounds. “With so many people here, it’s going to be a nightmare trying to find out which of Nardik’s men is actually going to slip Andrews the drug.”
“Tell me about it,” she said as she backed out of the driveway. “And most of the hiring was done and the credentials issued before we even knew it was Andrews who was the target. I checked over Pat Gower’s list and reference file, but it was impossible to spot anyone suspicious in such a short time. We’ll just have to get the information from Nardik.”
Sam grimaced. “Piece of cake, right?”
“No, but we’ve got a shot.” She turned left as they left the ranch. “That’s more than we had a few days ago.” Her lips tightened. “And, dammit, we’ll make it work for us.”
Gallo was waiting by the fence bordering the field when Catherine pulled up. He was dressed in jeans, boots, and a denim shirt and looked very casual. But his expression was far from casual. He nodded toward the west. “I heard rotors. Hu Chang is right on time.”
“When he wants to be.” She got out of the car. “Sam O’Neill. John Gallo.” She looked up at the sky. “You’ve always had better hearing than I do, Gallo. I don’t— Yes, I hear them, too.” She watched as the large helicopter came into view. She started across the field as the helicopter began to descend. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER
19
HU CHANG GAVE GALLO A GLANCE as he jumped out of the helicopter. “How absurd you look in that Western garb. Are you supposed to be in disguise?”
“I was supposed to blend into my surroundings at the barbecue. This isn’t Hong Kong, Hu Chang. Besides, I like the West. I have a place of my own in Utah.” He looked beyond him to Luke and a beefy man huddled on a seat in the corner. “Hello, Luke, I’m John Gallo. I work with your mother.”
“How do you do,” Luke said politely. “Where’s Catherine?”
“Right here.” She pushed forward and smiled. Lord, she was glad to see him. She had known he was safe, but there was still a lingering anxiety that wouldn’t be dismissed. “And here’s Sam. You and he are going to hang out together.”
“Hi, Sam.” Luke didn’t look at him as he jumped out of the helicopter. “Are you okay, Catherine?”
“Of course I am.”
He frowned. “But you may not stay that way. Hu Chang said you could get your head blown off.”
“Hu Chang!” She shot him a furious glance. “What were you thinking?”
“Only a possibility,” Hu Chang said.
“I’m not going to get my head blown off, Luke. Hu Chang was being … Hu Chang. Getting Nardik is just a job like any other I’ve done.”
“I want to go with you.”
“You can’t do it. If I were worried about you, I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. That’s dangerous, Luke. You don’t want me making any mistakes.”
“Because then you could get your head blown off.” Luke’s dark eyes were suddenly glittering fiercely. “Just like Hu Chang said.”
“With total inaccuracy,” Gallo said. “As soon as we get you settled with Sam, I’m going to hijack this helicopter from the pilot, and Hu Chang and I are going to be on Catherine’s tail. There’s no way we’re going to let anything happen to her.” He glanced at Hu Chang. “Isn’t that right?”
“With me accompanying Gallo, the chances of anything dire occurring is down to almost zero,” Hu Chang said. “And since you’re part of the bargaining process, we can’t risk your falling into Nardik’s hand, Luke.” He suddenly beamed. “Much better that we risk Gallo. He’s of no importance to anyone.”
Luke was obviously not convinced. “What are you going to do, Catherine?”
“I go and meet Nardik by myself as agreed. Hu Chang and Gallo will be following, but they can’t be too close, and Nardik would be able to tell if the Jeep is bugged. So I’ve asked Venable to send one of the drone planes he borrowed from the border patrol to locate and send pictures to Gallo’s phone as soon as he can tell where I’m heading. By the time I meet with Nardik, they should have been able to take out any of Nardik’s men that he has planted.” She repeated Sam’s words to her, “Piece of cake.”
He shook his head. “Don’t tell me that. It won’t be easy.”
This was proving more painful than she had thought. “Let Sam take you to the car. I have to go, Luke.”
“I know that. But if I didn’t think that you were telling the truth about my distracting you, I’d be going with you.” He suddenly turned to Gallo, and said fiercely, “Don’t you let anything happen to her. Do you hear me?” He strode toward Gallo’s car. “And no one has to take me anywhere. Come on, Sam.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Hu Chang, I didn’t think I’d feel like this. I don’t like it.”
“You’re not supposed to like it,” Hu Chang said. “It’s a crisis. You’re supposed to deal with it.”
“But you’re not letting me. So you’d better do it for me.” The door of the car slammed behind him.
Gallo grimaced. “That sounded threatening.”
“And promising,” Hu Chang said.
“You shouldn’t have worried him,” Catherine said. But she couldn’t think of Luke now. As she’d told him, he was a distraction she couldn’t afford. She gazed at the beefy man huddled in the corner, who must be Townberg. He was distinctly glassy-eyed. “He looks almost comatose. Is he able to function?”
“Yes.” Hu Chang took out his syringe. “As soon as I give him his shot. This drug allows him to think with a certain clarity but not quickly. I may have to coach him. I’ll have him call Nardik and tell him that he’s landed at this field near the ranch and that O’Neill is here waiting to take the boy if he gives the word.”
“And then Nardik will call me and tell me where I’m to meet him.” She nodded. “I’ll get on the road. Give me the Pondera.”
He reached into his pocket, drew out a vial and handed it to her. “Keep it corked tightly.”
“Don’t worry, I will.”
“And here’s the heat nail polish.” He handed her another vial containing a dark red liquid. “It has quick dry. You’ll be able to function in one minute after applying. Get rid of the vial immediately.” He smiled. “It’s your color. I wouldn’t want you to make a fashion faux pas.”
“Heaven forbid.” She turned and headed for her Jeep. “No slipups. Protect my back.”
Gallo caught up with her as she reached the Jeep. “Don’t take chances. If we see you’re in trouble, we’ll move in to help.”
“Why would I take unnecessary chances?” She started the Jeep. “I have a son. But even Luke realized that I have to do my job.”
“And the pressure is on to keep Andrews alive.” His lips were tight. “So don’t tell me that you’ll play it entirely safe.”
“I’ve got to go. We’ve said what we had to say.”
“No, I have one more thing to say. Do what you have to do. Run your own show. But I’ve no intention of letting Nardik kill you either.” He turned on his heel and strode back toward the helicopter. “We have too much unfinished business.”
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. Keep calm and unemotional. She had a job to do. But it was difficult to be unemotional when she was around Gallo. Even when there was no sensuality, he managed to stir her to feeling.
Nardik.
Concentrate.
Get the job done.
* * *
GALLO WATCHED HER DRIVE AWAY before turning to Hu Chang. “Let’s get moving.”
“In a moment, this drug has to take effect.” He studied his face. “You’re very tense. Why don’t you go up to the cockpit and look over the controls. Are you sure you can fly it? I took you at your word and sent the pilot with Luke and O’Neill, but I don’t wish to risk my life. I’m too valuable.”
“That’s debatable. Yes, I can fly it.”
“Good.” He turned to Townberg and took out his phone before asking him, “You’re eager to have this over, aren’t you, Townberg? Be very convincing, and I’ll let you rest.”
“You know you don’t have to go along, Hu Chang,” Gallo said curtly. “I can do this alone. You’ll probably get in my way. You’re the prize in this game, not a participant.”
“It’s always pleasant to be desired, but I have to disagree. I’m of great value in any engagement. I always intended to be with Catherine. And I may be needed to get information out of Nardik about the assassination. Catherine has the capability to cause great pain. But pain doesn’t always have a great effect on Luci
fer.”
Gallo watched as Townberg’s zombielike demeanor was altering by the moment as the drug took effect. The man straightened only seconds later, his cheeks flushing and his eyes taking on an eager alertness. Amazing. “That’s incredible stuff. Is it dangerous?”
“Yes. Too many times, and it could kill him. I may be able to do it two more times, if necessary, without permanent damage. But if all goes well, we’re through with him, and it doesn’t really matter, does it?” He smiled at Townberg and handed him the telephone. “Now listen closely, Townberg, and I’ll tell you exactly what to say to Nardik. If he asks you questions, stop and pretend to have cell trouble until I tell you how to answer.” He was dialing the phone. “Tell him you’re ready to turn the boy over to O’Neill when he tells you to do it. Everything is going well. Do you understand? Good, then here’s the rest of it…”
Gallo had no desire to see Townberg perform like a mindless puppet. He had seen too much of that mind control when he was a prisoner of war in Korea. He turned, went into the cockpit, and settled himself into the pilot’s seat.
He called Venable. “She’s on the move. Have you picked up anything in the area?”
“Other than thousands of people at the Andrews ranch?” Venable asked dryly.
“How sensitive are those drones?”
“Very. If you give me a defined area, we’ll be able to zero in and give you targets. But she won’t have her phone so that we can track her. He’ll make her discard it before she gets to him.”
“She says that she has a gift from Hu Chang that will do the job. Something to do with a liquid polish that emits a powerful heat signal. She said you’ll be able to find her.”
“Then I’ll trust her. She’s never let me down. Anything else?”
Yeah, a guarantee that Catherine would come out of this alive. “No, nothing else.” He hung up.
Fireworks.
It was fully dark now, and a brilliant display of fireworks lit the night sky over the Andrews ranch.
What Doesn't Kill You Page 31
