Night and Day

by Iris Johansen

Disappointment.

  No, it would be better to wait, she told herself. Then Jock wouldn’t be in danger. And she wouldn’t have to see that look on his face that had so frightened her. “It’s okay. Eve is smart, she’ll find a way.” Her hands tightened on his. “And it’s okay for me here. I have that violin, and no one touches me. They just talk and listen and leave me pretty much alone. It will be better now. I’ll know that you’re out there, close to me. It won’t be dangerous for you? You’ll stay near me?”

  “I’ll be near you. And I’ll know what you’re doing every minute.”

  “You … couldn’t come back and see me, could you?” She rushed on, “That was a stupid question. Forget it. I know better. I wouldn’t let you do that. You shouldn’t be here now.”

  “No, I shouldn’t. And I won’t take the risk again until I have to come and get you. I just didn’t want you to think that you were alone in this. Every day I’d watch you walk up the driveway to that mansion, and before you’d go in the door, you’d straighten your shoulders as if preparing yourself. That’s why I wanted to make sure that no one was hurting you.” He touched her cheek. “And I know there are other ways to hurt you than that bruise Natalie gave you. I had to be certain.” He added, “Besides, I had to tell you that when I do come for you, you’ll have to be ready. We’ll be moving fast. No questions. No arguments. Understand?”

  She nodded. “That’s not new to me. Should I tell you how many times Elena and I had to leave a place and go on the run when she thought Salazar was close?”

  “No, don’t do that. I’ve had enough tonight. Just be ready when I come for you.” He rose in one fluid motion and pulled her to her feet. “And if you feel that there’s any threat to you, any threat at all, go out on the balcony and put your violin case on that little table out there. You’ll remember that?”

  “Of course I’ll remember.” She paused. “You think that you’ll have to come after me, don’t you?”

  “I hope I won’t. I just don’t like how things are shaping up. Nothing I can put my finger on.” He turned off the shower. “Give it seven minutes, then start playing your violin. That’s the usual time it takes you to dress and settle for the night.” He opened the door. “By that time, I’ll be out beyond the gates.”

  “You’ll be safe? How can you do that?”

  “Very carefully.” He smiled at her. “I’ve been trained to fade in and out where I please. It’s a part of me that you wouldn’t like one bit, Cara.”

  “I like all of you.” She launched herself at him and held him for a minute before she backed away. “And if it keeps you safe, I like that, too. How will I know if you made it out the gates?”

  He was heading for the staircase. “You’d know if I didn’t.” He looked over his shoulder as he reached the stairs. He stopped, his eyes meeting her own. “I told you once that from now on I’d keep you safe, that you’d never have to look over your shoulder or be afraid again. I broke that promise,” he said hoarsely. “Trust me. I’ll never break it again.”

  Before she could answer, he was gone.

  She stood there, looking after him. Pain. That moment, he had been in pain. He should have stayed and let her talk to him. Maybe she could have helped. There was so much pain stored inside Jock. She had sensed it since the first moment she had met him.

  Later.

  Now she had to do what he had told her to do. She looked at the clock. Seven minutes. Four minutes had already passed. She went to the stairs and picked up the violin case she had dropped when Jock had surprised her. She opened it and took out the violin. He had said that by the time she started to play the violin, he’d be outside the gates.

  That she’d hear if he’d been caught.

  She closed her eyes. Dear God, don’t let it happen.

  Five minutes had passed.

  Two minutes to go.

  She walked toward the balcony.

  One minute.

  She opened the balcony doors.

  Seven minutes.

  Safe!

  She lifted the violin.

  Do you hear me, Jock? You left too soon. But maybe you didn’t.

  Tchaikovsky. Jock always liked the Tchaikovsky.

  Let it flow. Let it sing.

  Joy. Triumph. Thanksgiving.

  She started to play.

  CHAPTER

  6

  LOCH GAELKAR

  “MacDuff is not pleased,” Jane murmured to Eve as she watched Caleb, Joe, and MacDuff disappear into the mist for the third time that day. “He’s accustomed to getting his own way, and he can’t understand why that damn mist won’t cooperate. He was on the phone until the wee hours last night, trying to find a lab that would give him what he needed.”

  “Did he get it?”

  “He got a promise that they’d send out a prototype of a new runway light that the airlines are experimenting with that they say is at least forty percent more efficient. But they can’t get it here for another couple days.”

  “Not good,” Eve said. “Particularly since they can’t guarantee that will work either. No wonder he’s baffled. That first light should have done the trick. There’s no reason why it didn’t.”

  Jane nodded. “That’s what I told him.” She studied Eve’s expression. “But you don’t seem too upset. You’re almost … serene.”

  “Only on the surface.” She shook her head. “Not entirely true. Yes, I’m worried about how slow the hunt is going. And it’s driving me crazy that I’m out of touch with Natalie. It’s been a waiting game for all of us. But at least I know that Jock is keeping watch on Cara, and there’s no indication that he’s near explosion level.” She shrugged. “As for serenity, the baby and I have come to an agreement.”

  “What?”

  “I won’t become overwrought without due cause, and I’ll get a little help to smooth everything down and make sure we’re both on an even keel.”

  “Interesting.” Jane smiled. “And how did this agreement come about? I don’t believe verbal would enter into it.”

  “No, it’s just a kind of knowing. But there’s no doubt that the link is there.” She made a face. “And I realize that it sounds very weird. It sounds that way to Joe, too. Though he does try not to let me see it. I can’t help how it sounds, it’s the way I feel.”

  “Did you ever feel that way before Bonnie was born?”

  “No. I felt love and worry and wondered what I could do to help her. But there was no actual link until she was born. Who knows? Maybe because I’m older now, and have seen more, I can recognize the signs the baby is trying to show me.”

  “Whatever. I do like the idea that you’re feeling calm and happy.”

  “Not happy. Not until we get Cara back.” She sighed. “Which reminds me that I have to call Natalie again so that she can ignore it. I’m getting very frustrated and not at all serene about Natalie.” She moved out of the tent. “Think good thoughts, Jane.”

  “That’s difficult when applied to Natalie Castino,” Jane said dryly.

  Eve knew exactly what she meant. Just the thought of the arrogance and venom that was Natalie’s trademark caused a ripple of rage and disgust to go through her.

  And then it was gone, and there was only hope and sunlight and the promise of something brighter to come.

  She looked down at her abdomen and shook her head.

  You do that entirely too well. You do know I’m not going to let you con me once we get past this rough patch? Not that I don’t enjoy it. But there appears to be a little too much control involved.

  The sunlight remained firmly in place, and was there … laughter?

  Accept it. She needed all the sunlight and laughter she could garner dealing with Natalie.

  She sighed and took out her phone.

  And it rang before she could dial.

  Natalie Castino.

  She gazed at it in bemusement.

  Very good. If this is your idea of hope, forget I was a bit snippy with you.

  She
accessed the call. “Did you get tired of not answering my calls, Natalie?”

  “I’ve told you that I like to be in control. You should have expected that I wouldn’t be too eager to talk to you. What do you want, Eve?”

  “Cara.”

  “Not possible. Why would I give up my dear child after I’ve been all these years without her?”

  “Because you don’t give a damn about Cara. You conspired with Salazar to murder both Cara and Jenny.”

  “How can you say that?” she asked mockingly. “And more to the point, how can you prove that? Everyone knows how devastated I was when they disappeared. And now, after my tragic loss of Jenny, I have Cara back in my arms. Her grandfather is ecstatic to have her here. How could I possibly take her away from him?”

  “You tell me, Natalie,” Eve said. “When you left Gaelkar so abruptly, you mentioned that you might be amenable to a deal. You liked the idea of Cira’s gold.”

  “It did catch my imagination. But I’m not certain that my father would approve of any deal concerning Cara. It’s so like human trafficking, isn’t it?”

  “And your father has never been involved in anything like that, has he?” Eve said sarcastically. “Nor drugs, nor murder, nor prostitution. I’m sure he’d be shocked at the idea.”

  “Not shocked. But he’s fond of Cara. He might be annoyed enough to strike back at anyone who decided to take her from him.”

  “You’re talking about Kaskov, not yourself.”

  “Well, my feelings are known by everyone. I’ve told you that no matter how much you want my daughter, I’d have to refuse unless you can prove that Cara would be happier with you.”

  “And what would be the proof?”

  “That you’d actually give up that fantastic treasure to prove how much she means to you. Now that would indicate true affection.”

  “I’d say that it would. Can we make a deal?”

  “I’m thinking about it. It’s possible if we do it right away. I’d hate for my father to become more attached to her than he is already. I really believe a clean break is best, don’t you?”

  “And what do you consider would be ‘right away’?”

  “Within the week. Perhaps the next few days. Providing you really do have Cira’s gold in your possession.”

  “I have it. Where can we meet for an exchange?”

  “I’ll choose the place after you prove that you have it. You were much too vague when you offered a trade before. I was dealing with too many problems at the time, or I would have pinned you down then.”

  “Yes, the killing of both a husband and a lover in one day could have caused a bit of stress.”

  She ignored the accusation. “At any rate, I must have proof that the treasure exists and that you have it. Is that understood?”

  “And how am I to do that?”

  “But that’s up to you, Eve. You’re the one who is so desperate to steal my little girl away. I’m only seeking proof you can give her a good home.”

  “It may take more than a few days.”

  “Don’t push it.” Natalie’s voice was suddenly hard. “I want it to happen now. Two days, tops. I’m not happy with my present situation, and I believe that Cara’s absence might improve it a great deal. One way or another.” Her tone changed, became almost sweet. “Perhaps I’ll send her to school or something of that nature. It’s just that a child on her own can be so threatened in the big world. I’m hesitating to do that to her again.”

  And Eve was feeling a shiver run through her. It was as close as Natalie had ever come to actually coming out with a threat over the phone. It just went to show both her determination and her utter ruthlessness. “Then I’ll try to see that you have your proof right away.”

  “I’m sure you will. You’re so clever, it won’t be any problem for you.” She hung up.

  And Eve let out the breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding.

  Two days.

  They didn’t have Cira’s gold and, since they couldn’t break through that blasted mist, the possibility that they’d have it by then was almost nil.

  And Eve had been able to tell that Natalie was not only impatient, she could be on the verge of something violent.

  Don’t think about it. Stave off the thought that Natalie had cold-bloodedly tried to kill her girls eight years ago and succeeded with Jenny.

  Concentrate only on how they could get the prize that Natalie had demanded.

  Proof.

  * * *

  “Proof,” Eve repeated. “Maybe I can find a way to stall the actual exchange of the chest for Cara, but Natalie’s not going to play the game if we can’t furnish her proof that it’s worth her while.” She’d gathered MacDuff, Joe, Caleb, and Jane together in MacDuff’s tent as soon as the men had returned from the north bank to try to brainstorm some way out. “What are our chances, MacDuff?”

  MacDuff shook his head. “I’ll try to get the lab to up the delivery time on those lights, but I can’t guarantee they’ll even work, Eve. It might be trial and error for weeks.”

  “We don’t have weeks,” Eve said unsteadily. “We have two days.” She looked at Joe. “I don’t want to turn Jock loose, if we don’t have to do it. But Natalie sounded…” She shook her head. “She’s so damn volatile. There’s no telling what she’s going to do.”

  “If it comes to that, I’ll head for Moscow, too,” Joe said. “Between Jock and me, we’ll be able to get her out.”

  “We could try going around the north bank without those fancy lights,” Jane said quietly. “It wouldn’t hurt to try it the way Cira and her family did all those centuries ago. Maybe that’s the way it should be.”

  “And you’re just aching to do that, aren’t you?” Caleb’s eyes were narrowed on Jane’s face. “I could tell that you were tempted to go on the other day.”

  “Yes, I was.” She looked him in the eye. “And now I have a reason.”

  “Not a good enough one,” Caleb said roughly. “We don’t know what’s around that bend in the lake, and we can’t see hazards. For all we know, there could be a sudden drop-off, or a whirlpool, or quicksand.”

  “Or there could be nothing at all,” Jane said. “Except a cave with the remains of a child who died all those centuries ago.” She paused. “Or a chest with Cira’s gold. That we need desperately right now.”

  “Not good enough,” Caleb repeated. He smiled recklessly. “Not when we have another option. So stop trying to find an excuse to risk your neck to find answers. We’ll do that later.”

  “I’m curious to know what that other option is,” Eve said. “I’m having trouble thinking of one that’s acceptable.”

  “The proof,” Caleb said. “Natalie wants proof that we have the treasure. Who said it has to be authentic? We’ll lie to her.”

  “She’s not stupid, Caleb,” Eve said. “She wants that treasure, but she’s not going to go for the bait if she thinks there’s any question that we don’t have it.”

  “But we’ll give her proof.” Caleb smiled. “What would be proof that we have it? A handful of the coins themselves. We send them to her to show our good faith.”

  “And where do we get these coins?” Joe asked.

  “I have no idea yet. That’s up to MacDuff.” Caleb turned to MacDuff. “You’ve done extensive research all your adult life about Cira and that chest of coins you’ve been hunting for. You must have a fairly good idea about the probable age and denominations of the coins that are in that chest.”

  “There’s no way of being certain,” MacDuff said.

  “I said probable,” Caleb said. “And Natalie can’t be certain either. But she won’t be fooled unless she can check and verify that there is an excellent chance of the coins’ being authentic. That means that the coins have to be rare enough so that they’ll pass muster.”

  “And be of the right age and national origin,” MacDuff said dryly. “You’re not asking much.”

  “You must have run across collectors who have what w
e need.”

  “And if the coins are that rare, we don’t have a chance in hell of prying them loose from a collector. They can be fanatic.”

  “But that’s my job,” Caleb said. “I’m exceptionally good at prying. All you have to do is the research to send me in the right direction. But I imagine it has to be done quickly. Eve will be nervous until she gets the coins in her hands.”

  “Extremely nervous,” Eve said dryly. “And maybe even more nervous about how you’re going to do this.”

  “But not so nervous that you’d be willing to send Quinn and Jock into the mouth of the dragon instead.” Caleb shrugged. “We all have our own priorities.” He glanced at Jane. “I find I have an aversion at the idea of Jane’s tripping through that mist. I don’t like the unknown when it’s connected to her. Strange, when I enjoy it for myself.”

  “Will it work?” Joe asked MacDuff. “Can you locate coins that could fool her?”

  “I have a few ideas.” MacDuff was frowning. “I’ll have to do some research, as Caleb said. But however you look at it, getting them away from any of those collectors will be a major headache.” He grimaced. “And if force is involved, possibly fatal.”

  “Then you’d better get to it,” Caleb said as he turned to leave the tent. “Let me know when you find the prime candidate. I’ll be down by the lake.” He raised a brow and glanced at Jane as he said melodramatically, “Would you like to come and hold my hand? Who knows what I’m going to face in the days ahead.”

  “I would not.”

  “You’re annoyed. And all because I wouldn’t let you go flying after your Cira…” He left the tent.

  And she wanted to run after him and yell at him, shake him.

  “It’s not a bad idea, Jane,” Joe said quietly. “If it works, it’s safer for Cara.”

  Jane realized that, but it didn’t help. “But not safer for Caleb. Not that he cares. He’s probably been looking for some trouble to get into.”

  “I’ll go with him if it looks as if there’s a possibility of difficulty,” Joe said.

  “With Caleb, there’s always a possibility of difficulty. He thrives on it,” she said jerkily. “And sometimes I think he concocts it.”