Smokescreen

by Iris Johansen

  “Kiya,” Jill repeated. “It doesn’t surprise me. After all, a queen must have her slaves. It was clear she seemed to consider Dalai her special property.”

  “Exactly.”

  “That sounded bitter.” She was thinking. “I did feel sorry for her. And I remember that Eve was angry about the way she was treated.” She nodded suddenly, and said recklessly, “Go ahead. By all means, hand her over to us. We’re so frustrated that we’ll be glad to find a way to get some of our own back.”

  “Easier said than done. I’d have to fight Dalai as well as Zahra.” He changed the subject. “No word about whether the security tapes were delivered to Zahra or Varak yet?”

  “Not as far as we’ve heard. I was hoping you’d know something when you got back from the palace.”

  “Well, Zahra was definitely on the move this evening, and she had plans for later tonight.” His lips twisted. “I was tempted to follow them, but it sounded as if it might concern Dalai more than any connection to Asarti.”

  “Novak is monitoring the chatter, but nothing yet,” Jill said. “Other than that, we’re just trying to think of a way to make certain Eve’s safe and find proof that it’s Oscar’s skull that we have in that museum. We’ll probably hear about what Varak plans to do about those tapes soon enough.” She shrugged. “But I don’t think anyone is going to sleep well tonight.”

  “Then I might as well go have a drink with Novak and confess that I had an utterly worthless day. I don’t dare go to Quinn. He won’t accept any report that won’t contribute to keeping Eve safe and out of jail.”

  “By all means go get a drink. You look like you need it. I might join both of you later before I go to Hajif’s to turn in. He offered me a mat in his hut, and I’m trying to give Eve and Quinn their privacy.” She turned and strolled toward the museum. “But first I’ll go tell Eve that you’re back and that we might have to adopt Dalai before this is over…”

  * * *

  U.N. Headquarters

  10:32 P.M.

  “You look beautiful tonight.” Edward Wyatt stood at the top of the grand staircase and watched Zahra walk up the curving stairs toward him. Her dark hair shone as she passed beneath the huge crystal chandelier. His eyes lingered on her breasts, spilling out of the low neckline of her nude-colored silk gown. “Fantastic. Do you know how many times I’ve imagined you walking up to my bedroom toward me here in my own place? This is my domain, everyone has to kowtow and fawn to me. But all I could do was wonder what you would do to me if I could ever get you here.”

  “But I’m the one who arranged this. I’m always the one in charge,” Zahra said coldly. “And if you didn’t do as I told you to do, I will not stay. You’ve sent everyone away? I mustn’t be seen here or I’ll be known as your whore when I go to New York for my speech, and all those diplomats will not give me the respect I deserve. I’ll be angry if you’ve made this visit difficult for me, Wyatt. I’ve been looking forward to it since I called you.”

  “Do you think I haven’t?” he asked hoarsely. “I couldn’t think of anything else. Of course I sent them away. I told my private secretary that I was having a confidential meeting with a member of the Botzan secret service who wanted to speak to me about a possible terrorist threat he might need our help to solve. That’s what you wanted, right?”

  “That’s exactly what I wanted. We’ll see if you can please me in other ways tonight.” She had to get Wyatt out of the hall and into his bedroom right away. Varak had said he wanted the way clear to bring his men down to the vault ten minutes after she and Dalai arrived. She turned and said to Dalai behind her, “Come along. I want to see him perform. He’s sure to be better than you were today. Where’s your bedroom, Wyatt?”

  “Third door.” He gestured as she swept by him but paused to watch Dalai hurry after Zahra. “Hello, Dalai.” He smiled maliciously. “How are you? You appear to be moving a bit stiffly. I hear she gave you a hard time today. I hope you’re not going to spoil things for me tonight.”

  She quickly shook her head. “I’m fine, sir.”

  “You wouldn’t lie to me?”

  “Of course she wouldn’t lie,” Zahra said impatiently. “I’ll allow you to strip her down so that you can see the bruises. I thought you might enjoy it. Providing you don’t waste my time with this chatter.”

  “I’m sorry.” Wyatt moved down the hall and flung open the door for her. “I promise I won’t waste your time.”

  “We’ll see. Dalai, come and help him undress. I find I’m eager to see just how much he’s been anticipating this.” She gave him a catlike glance over her shoulder. “And judge what kind of torment it will take to make it worth my while to have come here tonight.”

  * * *

  Varak carefully drew the heavy bronze box out of the vault and laid it on the desk. “Get me the liquid, Markel.”

  Markel had it ready. “You’re sure this will work?”

  “Don’t question me.” Varak flipped open the lid and stared down at the blackened skull. “Hello, Oscar. How nice to see you again,” he murmured. “It seems okay, Markel. He’s as ugly a son of a bitch as the day I burned him to a crisp.” He took the skull out of the container and turned it over. “Did I tell you that I’d been wanting to do that since the prick took off and ran back to Johannesburg, Markel? Well, actually since he annoyed me when he was a kid. I just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.”

  “You told me,” Markel said nervously. “Why don’t you check the number so that we can get out of here?”

  “There’s no hurry now. Zahra will keep Wyatt busy.” He was opening the vial. “And who knows, this might actually be Oscar. It could be that Duncan didn’t go this route. If she did, then I’ll act accordingly. I’ve got my plan in place.” He put a drop of liquid on the bone near the ear. “And I’m actually looking forward to showing that bitch, Duncan, there’s no way she can beat me.” He added with sudden harshness, “I’m tired of hiding away when all I want to do is break out and let them all see what I can do.”

  “You said that the gold would be worth it.” Markel’s gaze was focused on the skull. “Did you make a mistake?”

  Varak’s head swung around like a striking cobra. “I don’t make mistakes.”

  Markel backed away. “I only thought maybe circumstances had changed,” he said quickly. “Is there anything I can do to help you with that skull?”

  Varak didn’t speak for a moment, and Markel tensed. Then Varak said, “No, I’ve got it.” He looked back down at the skull. “Just be still and let me see how this is going to play out. Whatever goes down, I’ll get what I want.” He added, “Because I don’t make mistakes, Markel.”

  He waited as the liquid did its work.

  “Anything?” Markel asked.

  Varak didn’t answer. His eyes were on the skull.

  Son of a bitch!

  No numbers appeared. Nothing.

  It was not Oscar.

  And the rage was beginning to sear through Varak.

  It was an insult that Eve Duncan had thought she could do this to him. Of course, she was only a woman, and Joe Quinn might have manipulated her. But she had to have been the one to do the actual reconstruction to prove that skull wasn’t Varak’s. He was suddenly furious with everyone connected to this defeat. Gideon, Joe Quinn, Eve Duncan, Jill Cassidy. He wanted them all dead.

  No, he wouldn’t accept that they had defeated him.

  “Varak?” Markel said tentatively.

  “Shut up,” Varak hissed. He took the skull and hurled it across the room to smash against the wall. “The bitch thinks she fooled me.” His hands clenched into fists as the white-hot rage tore through him. “Let’s show them how wrong they are. Set the C-4.”

  “Where?”

  “Everywhere, you fool. Everywhere.”

  Markel hurried out of the vault room.

  Varak strode across the room and jammed an explosive in the empty eye socket of the skull lying on the floor.

  Markel was back
in the room and setting the charges.

  “When you finish, get the other charges set throughout the house,” Varak said. “Then tell the men to do the other blocks. Be ready to detonate when I call you.” Then Varak was running out of the vault, down the hall, and up the staircase. Where the hell was she? Then he heard voices behind a door down the hall. A second later, he was throwing open the door of Wyatt’s suite.

  Wyatt was naked and kneeling before an equally naked Zahra. His head swiveled, and he stared in shock at Varak. “No one is supposed to be here. What are you—doing—”

  “Blowing your brains out.” Varak shot him directly between the eyes.

  Then he glared at Zahra as Wyatt fell to the floor. “It’s the wrong damn skull. It had to have been switched by that bitch, Duncan. You should have gotten rid of her. You should have gotten rid of all of them.” His eyes were blazing. “That’s why she sent Quinn to Asarti. You’re to blame for this. Now I have to protect myself.”

  “And you call killing a U.N. diplomat protecting yourself?” She was staring in horror at Wyatt’s shattered head. “How am I supposed to handle this?”

  “I don’t give a damn. I’ve already made plans to get rid of all the evidence. You just find a way to keep them from coming after me. Fix it. Put your clothes on and get out of here. This place is going to blow in another seven minutes. I won’t wait for you.”

  “You’re blowing it up?” She shook her head dazedly. “You are insane. Do you know what kind of nightmare you’re going to—” She was gasping, choking as his hands closed on her throat.

  “Listen to me,” he hissed. “And keep listening. From now on, you’re going to do exactly as I say. I’m done playing with you. Do you know how much I want to squeeze just a little harder and break your damn neck? I won’t tolerate your ordering me about. I’m in charge now. Do you understand?”

  She couldn’t speak, so she nodded.

  He released her, and she backed away, holding her throat. His smile was savage. “Yes, you do understand. Now get out of here and do what I told you. You’re always telling me how clever you are. Now prove it. It’s my game now, my orders, Zahra.” He whirled and strode toward the door. “Fix it!”

  * * *

  Zahra gazed after Varak for an instant as anger and shock struggled within her. Fix it? How was she supposed to fix this catastrophe? She looked down at the blood spattered over her naked body. It was like him to barge in and make things as difficult and horrible as possible for her, she thought bitterly. And this time it had been far worse. She was trying to swallow. She reached up and touched her bruised throat. This time she’d thought he was going to kill her. She knew he’d been very close.

  “What do we do?” Dalai whispered from the bed across the room as she scrambled to sit up. “Do we have to do what he says?”

  Zahra had forgotten she was there. She whirled on her as she grabbed her gown. “You do what you always do. You obey my orders.” She slipped the gown over her head. “And my orders are that you do whatever he says until I tell you differently. I don’t want you causing me any trouble while I work this out. I might have to do some delicate negotiations with him before I get what I want.” She headed for the door. “Now get dressed and go down and get in the car.”

  “Negotiations,” Dalai repeated numbly as she threw on her top and sarong skirt. “Then I’ll have to do what he wants. That’s what you mean?”

  “That’s what I said, isn’t it? Hurry. We have to get out of here. He’s a little crazy right now. He hurt me. The bastard almost killed me. I have no idea what he’s going to do next.”

  “Yes.” Dalai’s voice was trembling as she hurriedly stumbled after Zahra down the grand staircase. “He’s very angry. I can see there’s no telling what he’ll decide to do now…”

  * * *

  Robaku

  “Wake up, Jill!”

  Novak, she realized sleepily. He was shaking her, and he sounded really—

  Then she was wide-awake. Her eyes flew open.

  Darkness, but Novak was kneeling above her with a flashlight. “What’s wrong? What are you doing here?” She sat bolt upright on her mat. “Is Eve—”

  “Eve is fine as far as I know,” he said roughly. “You can check yourself as soon as we get to the museum. I’ve called Quinn, and they’re waiting for us. Put on your shoes, and we’ll get over there.” He pulled her to her feet. “Because there’s a hell of a lot wrong. I just got a call from my agent, Palmon, in Jokan to tell me to check my computer.”

  “Jokan?” She was slipping on her tennis shoes. “What happened in Jokan?”

  “What didn’t happen in Jokan?” He was pulling her toward the door of the hut. “I don’t believe there’s any doubt now that Zahra and Varak believe they know why Eve sent Quinn to Asarti to get corroborating evidence from Dobran.”

  “Stop talking in riddles. Just tell me.” She tried to stop at the door of the hut. “And give me just a second to tell Hajif and his wife I’m leaving. I don’t want to frighten them.”

  “I’ll send someone.” He was pulling her down the path toward the museum. “As for telling you, it’s not really necessary. That should give you a hint.” He gestured to the night sky to the north. “What do you think, Jill?”

  She halted, frozen, her gaze on the baleful red glow that lit the entire horizon.

  “Screw your hints,” she whispered. “What happened, Novak?”

  “The entire block that the U.N. occupied was blown to kingdom come. Along with two of the side streets on either side. Pretty clear that whoever set those charges didn’t give a damn if they blew up the entire city to make certain of that U.N. building.”

  “Casualties?”

  He shook his head. “It only happened forty-five minutes ago. But my agent says that no one could have lived through the primary explosions at the U.N. site. Initial information from Wyatt’s staff is that he was the only one there tonight. But it’s a total inferno, and the soldiers and police can’t even get near it to try to recover bodies. The neighboring streets are even worse. There were definitely multiple deaths in those shops and houses. I’ll be given updates as soon as they’re available.”

  “Why?” she asked dazedly. She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “Why would they do it? An attack on a U.N. facility would cause an uproar. Zahra wouldn’t want to be associated with anything like that.”

  “Unless it wasn’t her call,” Novak said grimly. “Unless she’s lost control of the agenda. We’ll probably know soon enough. This is her city, she’ll have to be involved in explaining and mopping up this disaster.”

  “And soon,” Jill murmured. She couldn’t take her eyes off that glowing red horror in the distance. “I don’t see how she could possibly talk her way out of this holocaust.”

  They had reached the museum, and Jill saw that it was ablaze with lights. Joe was throwing open the door. “What the hell?” His eyes were glittering, his lips tight. “What’s happening there, Novak? You’ve got to know something.”

  “You know as much as I do right now,” Novak said curtly. “I’ll find out all I can when I get to Jokan. I sent Gideon on ahead when I got word, and I’m on my way. I only wanted to bring Jill to you before I left.” He turned away. “Take care of her. There’s no telling what’s going to happen next.”

  “You’re leaving?” Jill asked, startled. Then she recovered. “Of course you are. This is a disaster, and you’re CIA. I should be going also. I have contacts, I might be able to—”

  “No,” Novak said. “You’d get in my way. I don’t want you seen there. Eve may be the prime target, but you’ve got to be high on their list by now. It’s not as if I won’t let you know right away. For once, just do as I say for—” His phone rang. “Gideon.” He answered and listened for another minute. “When?” he asked. “Find out and get back to me. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “What is it?” Eve asked as she joined them at the door.

  “President Zahra
Kiyani has just requested TV time to address the nation in response to this national disaster. Gideon believes that she’ll be speaking in the next hour or so. He’ll give me a definite time in the next fifteen minutes.” His lips twisted. “It probably won’t be immediately. She’ll want to give every news agency on the planet time to chime in and give her maximum exposure. I imagine the palace newsroom is already packed.”

  “Of course, it is,” Jill said. “It’s a great story. I should be there.” She stared him in the eye. “I will be there, Novak.”

  “You’ll have to pass,” he said coolly. “You have another story to cover. Anything Zahra has to say will almost certainly have a direct influence on Eve. You’re the one who chose Eve to be the one to put her neck on the line. Hell, you’ve been in agony about your responsibility for getting her poisoned.” His voice became crisp and cold. “So suck it up and forget about that story luring you to the palace. You haven’t finished this one yet. Stay here and make sure she lives to read it.” He turned and strode down the path.

  Jill stared after him, stricken.

  “Pretty rough,” Eve said quietly. “He probably didn’t mean it all.”

  “Yes, he did.” She shivered. “He always means what he says. You can always count on that.” She drew a deep breath. “And the bastard is so damn smart that he’s usually right. He sees right through you and cuts out all the bullshit like he has a scalpel.” She turned to Joe. “You can see that, can’t you? You know he’s right about my being to blame for Eve’s being in this position.”

  He nodded. “He’s right. You had plenty of help, but you’re the one who worked and made it happen.”