“I could expect you to try to keep her alive. She’s of value to you. That was my only hope. But you chose to use her to revenge your damn vendetta instead.”
“It was certainly a consideration. Cara realized that when she came to recruit me. She’s such a clever girl. But, then, she also had an idea how much I’d enjoy the actual hunt.”
“I’m glad you were entertained,” Jock said softly. “Because when this is over, I’m coming after you, Kaskov.”
“You are angry,” Kaskov said. “Interesting. I believe most of the time you manage to overcome that bloodlust. What tipped the scales?”
“You enjoyed yourself a little too much. You hit her, you son of a bitch.”
“Yes, I did,” Kaskov said. “And I did it well. I imagine I made Svardak salivate. But I can’t really claim credit for that action. It was Cara’s idea.”
“What?”
“For God’s sake, Jock,” Cara said impatiently. “Of course I told him to do it. Svardak likes to see me hurt. It’s a power trip. If he had doubts, I knew it might have a good chance of blurring them.”
“Then by all means it had to be done,” he said sarcastically.
“Yes, it did.” She was silent. “I have to go now. Kaskov has the coordinates, and it seems to be a flat about an hour’s drive from the ranger station. He’ll leave me there for Abrams to pick up and take to Svardak.”
“Like a sack of potatoes?”
“Oh, I’m much more valuable than a sack of potatoes. And my packaging will be impeccable. Kaskov says that he has special chemically treated ropes that appear strong and foolproof, but will enable me to wriggle out of them if I try hard enough. When you see Abrams’s car coming down the road toward the station, it will be your signal to get Joe out. I’ll make a distraction to be sure that Svardak is out of that house for at least ten minutes. I might not be able to hold him any longer.”
“And I’m just supposed to accept that? Just rely on you and Kaskov, who might be there for you?”
“I believe he’ll try very hard. If you can think of something else, by all means do it. But not if it means not getting Joe out of there. That’s not an option.” She was silent, struggling to speak. “Don’t rob me of this, Jock,” she whispered. “And don’t you dare get yourself killed.” She cut the connection.
Jock sat there, frozen, gazing down at the phone.
Eve knew how he felt. She was feeling that same panicky helplessness she was seeing in him.
Then Jock was swearing beneath his breath and jumping to his feet.
“Jock?” She sat up straight. “Where are you going?”
“Where do you think?” He was gliding silently toward the ranger station. “Didn’t you hear her? I have my orders. I only have a few hours before I’m going to see her come down that road. I have to find a way to keep her alive. And that means timing the removal of those guards at just the right time.” He glanced over his shoulder. “And you have to make sure that canoe you used to come over from that far bank is as close as possible to the station without anyone’s seeing it. I’m going to need to move very fast to get Joe out of that first-aid room and both of you on your way across the lake to your car on the other side.”
“And you won’t be able to move that fast burdened by Joe and without help,” she said curtly as she got to her feet. “Joe’s no lightweight. I’ll have to help you get him out of the station and down to the canoe.” She held up her hand as he opened his lips to protest. “No,” she said fiercely. “You probably don’t want to risk either me or whatever plan you decide to go with. But I can do this. I’m no Wonder Woman, but I’m healthy and strong, and I’ll be able to help. Cara was right. Not doing everything possible to get Joe out is not an option.” She shivered. “She also said she could only give us ten minutes. The quicker we can get Joe down to that canoe, the quicker you can get back to help her.” She turned toward the lake and started moving. “So shut up, Jock. Just figure me into being there to help Joe and not just rowing him across the damn lake. I’ll call you when I get the canoe hidden closer to the station, and you can come and tell me what else I can do.”
RUELL FALLS
“Gavin might still go after me, you know.” Kaskov smiled ruefully at Cara. “Even if you manage to live through what that idiot, Svardak, is planning for you. Gavin was intensely annoyed about my abusing you.”
“You didn’t abuse me,” Cara said jerkily. She was still shaken and disturbed after hanging up on Jock. If everything didn’t go right, that could be the last time she would be able to speak to him, and the idea was terribly painful. “And I told him that everything you did was my idea. I’m the one with whom he was really angry.”
“Wrong. He was really angry with himself for not being able to keep you from doing this madness. I came in second because I was on-site and had the ability to stop you and didn’t choose to do it.”
“You couldn’t have stopped me.”
He smiled. “Not true. I’m more ruthless than anyone you’ve ever known, Cara. I have no problem channeling that ruthlessness whenever it’s necessary. Neither does Gavin, but he suffers from serious twinges of conscience on occasion. I’ve gone past that inconvenience.” He sighed. “But Gavin always makes an exception where you’re concerned. There might not be any twinges at all where I’m concerned.” He leaned forward and gently touched her lower lip. “This hurt you.”
“And it excited Svardak.” She moved her head to escape his touch. “It might have pushed him over the edge. You did what I wanted you to do. Shouldn’t we get going?”
“There’s a little time. It’s only a short helicopter ride from here. I’ve sent men to search the area to make certain there aren’t going to be any surprises for me when I deliver you.” He was still looking at her lip. “This displeased me. I’m a superb actor, but I found it difficult to give Svardak what he wanted. I believe I’ll have to take something excruciatingly painful back from him to make up for it.”
“Blood?” Cara shook her head. “I can’t think about that anymore. I’m beyond wanting anything but to keep everyone I care about safe.” She added wryly, “And maybe come out of this alive.” She frowned. “You wouldn’t have something I could use to help me ensure that I do, would you? I know you said that you’d use ropes that would let me free myself, and that should help. But Abrams is sure to search me for weapons. I thought you might be very clever about finding ways to get around obstacles like that.”
“Oh, I am. But it’s generally best to think in advance on devices of that nature.” He shook his head. “You’re such a novice, Cara. It’s good that I was prepared for it. I might have something on hand that could be a little more efficient than that amateurish dagger you stuck the bastard with before.”
“Might?” Amazingly, she found herself faintly smiling. “Jock didn’t like that word.”
“I remember. Perhaps I’ll work on making it a little more positive.” He shrugged. “Or perhaps not. I’ll have to decide if you’re worth it.”
“You’ve already made that decision, or you wouldn’t be planning on going to all this trouble,” she said quietly.
“No, I’ve decided that Svardak’s death is worth it. Your life is another matter. Perhaps I’m only interested in how you’ll perform in this particular arena.”
It was always performance with Kaskov where she was concerned. She was suddenly impatient. Her nerves were raw and on edge, and she wanted this over. “Whatever.” She got to her feet. “May we go now? I want to spend some time working with those ropes that you said I’d be able to wriggle out of so easily. You’re not the only one who doesn’t want to be surprised. And I can’t guarantee I won’t disappoint you. You’re right, I’m a complete novice. I’m afraid that I’ll do the wrong thing and get someone hurt.”
He was silent. “Yes, you are afraid.” He was studying her expression. “Very well, we can leave. Keeping busy will be better for you.” He got to his feet and headed for the helicopter. “But for your info
rmation, I don’t expect to be at all disappointed in you, Cara. Are you not my granddaughter?”
LAKE KEDROW
Lord, the water was cold. With every step Eve was taking, the icy water washed against her lower body and waist, taking her breath.
Ignore it.
She was almost at the cove she’d chosen as the safest and closest place to hide the canoe. It had taken her longer than she had thought it would because she’d realized she couldn’t use either the motor or oars because of the noise factor. She had to guide the canoe slowly along the bank, making it glide soundlessly, and the only way she could control that movement was to be in the water with it.
Eve tightened her hold on the rope she was using to guide the canoe along the bank of the lake.
Only seven or eight yards more to the cove …
Six.
Four.
Two.
Done!
Then she was boosting herself onto the bank. She sat there a moment trying to catch her breath and stop the shivering. The wind had risen in the last hour, and her lower body felt like an ice cube whenever it touched her. But that wasn’t the only thing that was chilling her as she gazed at the ranger station. It looked so far away through the trees. It had been the very closest she could get without running the danger of being spotted. How long would it take them to get Joe, who might have to be almost entirely supported, through those woods?
She couldn’t stay here and waste time worrying about it. She was already running late. Secure the canoe firmly, then go meet Jock.
She got to her feet and started to pull the canoe closer to the bank so that she could tie it to that pine tree a few yards from the bank. The rope was cutting into her hands as she fought with the sharp wind.
“I’ll do it. Let me help, Mom.”
She stiffened in horror. It couldn’t be.
She looked down the bank.
Oh, my God. Michael was running toward her.
Here?
Then he was next to her, his hands on the rope with her own, pulling the canoe, helping her secure it to the tree.
“Is that okay? That’s the knot Dad taught me.” Michael was frowning worriedly. “You’re all wet. You shouldn’t be wet. You could get sick again.”
That remark was so typical, it proved this wasn’t a nightmare. He was really here. “It’s not okay. Nothing is okay. You shouldn’t be here. I left you miles away, where you’d be safe. How could you do this?” She ran her shaking hand through her hair. “And keep your voice down. They’ll hear you.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so.” But his voice was lower. “Mr. Cheknof checked and said that there weren’t any guards along this strip of the bank. He knows about things like that.”
“Cheknof.” This was still worse. She had thought perhaps Michael had gotten away from Cheknof and found a way to get to her. “Cheknof is here with you? Did something happen? Was there some reason why you had to leave Hunter—”
Michael was shaking his head. “Nothing bad happened. I just knew that I needed to help you, and Mr. Cheknof was the only one who could bring me. But it took a little while to persuade him, so I was only able to get here just now.” He frowned. “But you’re wet, and I should have—”
“Michael, be quiet.” She drew a deep breath, trying to pull herself together and confront this new disaster. “I have to get you out of here. Cheknof is with you? Where is he?”
“He’s coming.” Michael nodded down the bank. “I could feel you up ahead and started running. Please don’t yell at him. He only wants to help now, and like I said, he knows things. Some of it is bad, but it won’t matter if he can help Dad.”
“Jock and I are going to help your dad. All I need Cheknof to do is get you out of here.”
He shook his head gravely. “I won’t go this time. You need me.” He reached out and touched her wrist. “I know you’re afraid something will happen to me and that’s why you wouldn’t listen to me before.” His gaze shifted to the distant ranger station. “You’re going to have to get Dad out of there. But he’s sicker now, and he’s not going to understand or be able to help you. But if I get close to him, I can still reach to him and explain. I can make him wake up and stay awake until you have him safe. You know that would be a help.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’ll do it without you. Do you think I’d let you go with us?”
“No, but what if I stay back here at the canoe and wait for you? I don’t really have to actually be there. I could do what I did before.” He smiled. “Besides, I’m not big enough or strong enough to help you get him this far, am I? You need someone like Jock.” His gaze went to Cheknof, who was stalking down the bank with a scowl on his face. “Or Mr. Cheknof … Remember not to yell at him.”
She started toward Cheknof. “No promises.”
Cheknof slowed down warily as she approached. “I told the kid that you’d be angry. But I did take care of him. It’s just … difficult.”
“Tell that to Kaskov,” she said grimly. “Never mind my being angry. I can’t believe you’d disobey his orders. Do you have a death wish?”
He shook his head. “He won’t be angry when I explain this is the best way to protect you and the child.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “He won’t?”
“Why would he? If I take out Svardak and keep him from hurting his granddaughter, I’ll be a hero. Nothing else will matter to him.”
He appeared absolutely convinced, Eve realized incredulously. A complete reversal of his cautious attitude before she had left him with Michael earlier that evening. “I wouldn’t count on that.”
He made an impatient gesture. “You don’t understand. I had to think about it for a while myself before I realized the best way to handle everything to please Kaskov. But now I’ve got it right.” He glanced at Michael and changed the subject. “And you shouldn’t have run away from me. You promised you wouldn’t do that.”
“I forgot,” Michael said solemnly. “It won’t happen again, Mr. Cheknof. If you need to do something important for Mr. Kaskov, I’ll stay here where I’m safe. That way you won’t get in trouble.”
Eve’s mouth was open as she watched the interplay between them. Michael was being completely respectful but he was playing faultlessly to Cheknof’s new attitude toward Kaskov. What was going on here?
It took me a little while to persuade him so I was only able to get here just now.
Persuade. Just what had Michael done to “persuade” Cheknof to do what he wanted him to do?
The answer was literally mind-blowing. She had an idea, but she was having problems accepting it. She didn’t want to acknowledge even to herself how Michael had probably managed to shift Cheknof’s thinking to suit himself so that he could get to his father.
“I’m sure it’s comforting to you that my son is so concerned about keeping you out of trouble, Cheknof.” She turned to Michael, and said grimly, “However, you’re definitely in trouble in all kinds of ways, young man.”
“No!” Cheknof’s expression was suddenly menacing as his gaze swung back to Eve. “He’s helping me. And you’re getting in the way.”
“No, she’s not,” Michael said quickly. “She’s fine, and Mr. Kaskov likes her. She’s just a little confused.”
“That’s certainly true,” Eve said dryly.
“But you’ll need time to talk to Jock, then tell us how we can help.” He stared directly into her eyes. “Because we do have to help, Mom. Mr. Cheknof and I both really want to do it.” He was suddenly smiling coaxingly. “I know you’re probably in a hurry. Suppose we go back to the canoe and wait for you? That’s a safe place, or you wouldn’t have taken the canoe there.” He turned and headed for the pines. “Come on,” he said to Cheknof. “You can check out the canoe while we’re waiting for them to come back…”
Eve stared dazedly after Michael and Cheknof, who looked like a giant wrestler lumbering beside him. She wanted to run after Michael and swoop him up and hide him away som
ewhere until this was all over. Get a grip. Where could she hide him that he wouldn’t be in danger? He had made it clear that he wouldn’t leave until his father did. In the short term, there was clearly no question that Michael would be as safe as he wanted to be until she could get back to him after her meeting with Jock. Cheknof had even been ready to attack her when he’d thought she was threatening him. It was only Michael’s intervention that had saved her.
Which was as bizarre as the rest of what had happened since Michael had run down that bank toward her.
Accept it. He was here and determined to stay. And she doubted if she had time to change the course that Michael had put in motion if they were to save Joe.
She just hoped to God she could think of some way to keep them all safe. Don’t try to do it alone. Talk to Jock about these new problems that had emerged from the shadows. Tell him she hadn’t been able to get the canoe as close as she’d wanted. Tell him about Michael and Cheknof.
She suddenly stiffened as she glanced back at Michael and Cheknof.
Cheknof …
CHAPTER
17
“Good God,” Jock said. “We don’t need another complication, Eve.”
“Don’t tell me something I already know,” Eve said curtly. “But it appears that Michael thinks that we do, so we have to deal with it. He’s here, and somehow he’s convinced Cheknof he’ll be Kaskov’s superhero if he helps us keep Svardak from killing Cara and Joe.” She saw the skeptical look on his face and held up her hand. “I know. I felt the same way. But I think it might be true. As I listened to Cheknof, he sounded genuine enough. What if he is? You know we need all the help we can get. And Michael says Cheknof knows things. I assume he means that he’s an expert at the violence and mayhem Kaskov appreciates so much.”
“Aye. Kaskov always hires the best.” His eyes were suddenly narrowed. “What do you want me to say? All right, if we were able to use Cheknof, it might be just what I need to solve a major problem.” His lips tightened. “God knows, I’ve been looking for something, anything, that could work.”
Dark Tribute--An Eve Duncan Novel Page 34