On the Run

by Iris Johansen

  “How did you find all this out?”

  “I’ve been looking for answers for eight years. Donavan tapped some contacts in Washington for some of the info. I went searching in the desert until I found the nomad tribe that sheltered Burton. The Sheikh is very interesting but not very forthcoming. I had to live with them for over six months before they trusted me enough to talk.”

  “What about this map you stole?”

  “It was in a pouch taken off Burton when Marvot captured him. Very vague. Burton probably made it that way on purpose. He had the Pair; he only needed to know where to take them. It contained only the general area of about seventy-five miles where Marvot has been searching for years. Hell, when you’re dealing with dunes that shift with every storm, it could be buried anywhere. That’s probably why Burton trained the Pair to find it. He was afraid he might not be able to find it himself after a few years of having landmarks destroyed and shifted.” He shrugged. “But I hoped for more when I stole the map from Marvot.”

  “Couldn’t Marvot use some kind of aerial or metal detector to locate the engine?”

  “You’d think so. Burton must have found some way of masking any signal. There’s no question he was brilliant.”

  “So Marvot is left with only the horses as a clue. No wonder he takes such good care of them.”

  “Considering they could make him one of the most powerful men in the world.”

  “Providing it’s true that the horses can lead anyone to that engine.” She looked him in the eye. “Do you believe it’s possible?”

  He shrugged. “The Sheikh said it was true. I believe I’d be willing to take a chance on it panning out if it meant I’d rake in that kind of return. But then, I don’t know much about horses. What do you think?”

  She frowned. “I know that wild horses have an instinct that keeps them coming back to certain areas as the seasons change. And there’s the old true story about Dobbin always knowing his way home. Animals’ homing sense is definitely keener and more highly developed than ours. Look at all the stories of dogs and cats finding their way home across entire continents. Could Burton train those young horses to not only do it, but to do it only when there are two of them?” She shook her head. “I don’t know. If he was as brilliant as you say, it’s possible.” Her lips tightened. “But he must have been a cruel son of a bitch if he taught those horses to hate everyone but him.”

  “He was a bitter man. He probably enjoyed the idea of balking Marvot even after he was dead. Dangling the carrot and then making it impossible for him to reach out and grab it.”

  “But it was the Pair who suffered.” She rubbed her temple. So much cruelty. Not only from Marvot but from this Hugh Burton, who had been full of hate and left it as a legacy. “And Marvot expects me to make them do what no one else can do? Jesus.”

  “You don’t have to do anything but pretend to make progress until we can get Frankie away from him.”

  “Pretend? Marvot’s not stupid.” She shook her head. “But I can’t think of that now. I’ll face the problem when I’m at El Tariq. Be sure to assign someone good to watch me. Marvot will be expecting some move from you and will be on the alert. Whoever is doing surveillance will have to get close, and if he’s caught, Frankie’s dead.”

  “He’ll be good.”

  “Donavan?”

  “Yes.” He inclined his head. “Or me. Am I good enough for you, Grace?”

  She met his gaze. “Yes, you’re good enough.” She turned toward the door. “Drop me off at the airport. I’ll go the rest of the way to El Tariq alone.”

  “That would be best. Marvot’s going to be on the lookout.” He paused. “We’re going to do this, Grace. Don’t doubt it.”

  “I don’t.” She had to smother the panic. Take every minute one second at a time. “I can’t doubt it.”

  I didn’t think you’d let her go.” Donavan watched Grace disappear into the terminal.

  “No choice.” Kilmer pulled away from the curb. “She was right. She had to go. And I have to stay in the background until I see a way to get them out.”

  “And it’s killing you.”

  “It’s not easy.”

  “So when do I leave for El Tariq?”

  “If you’ve had enough of El Tariq, I’ll go instead.”

  “Don’t be an ass.”

  “I’ll come as soon as I can. I need to go back to the Sahara.”

  “What?”

  “I’m almost certain we’re not going to be able to get close to her at El Tariq. There will be guards all over the place. I can prepare the way at the oasis.”

  “You think that’s where they’ll end up?”

  “Grace is going to try to do what Marvot wants with the Pair. If she does, then he’ll take them to the desert to try to find that engine.”

  “What if you’re wrong? What if she needs you at El Tariq right away?”

  His hands tightened with white-knuckled force on the steering wheel. “Then I cut my throat.”

  14

  El Tariq

  The ropes around her wrists chafed as Frankie tried to loosen them by rubbing them against the side of the stall.

  No good.

  She gave up and leaned back to get her breath. The stall was dark and stank of manure and straw. Funny how stables always smelled the same. She would have thought that this foreign one would be different.

  “She’s younger than I am, Papa.” Her head lifted to see a boy peering down at her. He was older than her but not by much. He was standing beside the man to whom Hanley had brought her, Marvot. “The Pair will kill her.”

  Marvot chuckled. “Perhaps. That would make Hanley very happy. But it’s her mother who I’m bringing here to work with the Pair. Our little Francesca is just a means to an end.” Marvot lifted the flashlight to shine it into her eyes. “I’ve brought my son, Guillaume, to meet you. He saw Hanley carry you into the stable and he was curious. Say hello, Guillaume.”

  “Hello.” The boy’s tone was absent. “What’s going to happen to her?”

  “What do you want to happen to her?”

  Guillaume shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “I believe you do know. You mentioned the Pair.”

  Guillaume moistened his lips. “I just thought . . . she’s like me. I didn’t think you’d hurt her.”

  “But you were curious to see if I’d treat her as I would anyone else. The answer is yes. Just because she’s a child doesn’t exempt her. You must remember that.” He said to Frankie, “And you must remember that too. When your mother comes, you must convince her she must do as I tell her.”

  “Are you going to leave her here?” Guillaume asked. “She’s all dirty.” He wrinkled his nose. “And she smells.”

  “So do you,” Frankie said fiercely. “You stink.” She glared at Marvot. “And you do too.”

  Marvot chuckled. “Isn’t she delightful? No fear. I should keep her around for a while. You might learn something from her.”

  Guillaume scowled. “I don’t like her.”

  “You see? You’ve learned something already. Jealousy.” He smiled down at Frankie. “It gets cold here at night. If you asked my son’s pardon, I might give you a blanket.”

  She glared at him.

  “Suit yourself. Come along, Guillaume.”

  “May I come again?”

  “If you’re a good boy.” He glanced back at Frankie. “You should really be smarter about the battles you choose, little girl. I’ve noticed lately that Guillaume has a cruel streak. . . .”

  They were gone.

  Frankie drew a relieved breath. Jeez, she was scared.

  They were bullies and she mustn’t be afraid of them. That’s what they wanted.

  She had known bullies at school, and Mom had said that if you backed down they’d keep coming after you.

  She wouldn’t back down.

  But she hadn’t been tied up in a creepy place like this stable before.

  Don’t be scared. T
ry to get these ropes off her wrists.

  Don’t be scared. . . .

  I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.” Marvot smiled as Grace was brought into his office. “I always had a hunch that we’d be together again. You were really very naughty to keep me waiting this long.”

  “Where’s my daughter?”

  “She’s not been hurt—much.”

  Grace’s heart jumped. “Much?”

  “Well, last night she was trying to get out of the ropes and chafed her wrists raw. She almost made it. If one of my guards hadn’t checked on her early this morning, I might have had nothing with which to bargain. One of the sentries would surely have shot her.”

  “I want to see her.”

  “You will.”

  “Now.”

  He shrugged. “You’re very demanding. I should remind you that I call the shots here.” He rose to his feet. “But I can understand that you’re overcome with maternal concern. Come along. We can talk while we walk down to the stable.”

  “I want to see Frankie.”

  “I heard you. Your daughter is in a stall in the stable. After her bad behavior with Hanley, I decided that she should be treated like the animal she acted like. Hanley approved wholeheartedly.” He was leading her down the path toward the stable. “She’s not made her case any better by her defiance. She’s even antagonized my son, Guillaume. I believe he’d like nothing better than to have me throw her into one of the Pair’s stalls.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. Not if he’s your son. Bloodthirstiness must run in the family.”

  “Was that supposed to annoy me? It does run in the family. I’m not ashamed of it. My father and my grandfather were both men of power, and blood is the coin of power. All through history, no conqueror has made his mark without being willing to shed blood. Napoleon, Alexander, Julius Caesar.”

  “Attila the Hun, Hitler, Saddam Hussein.”

  He chuckled. “Even better. Ultimate power without worrying about civilized consequences.”

  Yet he didn’t look like a barbarian, she thought. Marvot was in his forties, with close-cut graying hair and handsome features. His strongly built body was clad in expensive white trousers and a loose white shirt that gave him an air of casual elegance. “Your heroes?”

  “No, they all made stupid mistakes.” He opened the stable door. “An error of judgment is acceptable. Stupidity is not. For instance, I thought Kilmer had forgotten about his defeat at my hands all those years ago. An error in judgment. But easily enough rectified.” He waved her into the stable. “First stall.”

  She ran past him.

  Oh, God, Frankie.

  She stood there, staring at her daughter. Dirty, hair matted, bound, and tossed in all this filth.

  “Hi, Mom.” Frankie scooted up to rest against the wall of the stall. “Don’t look like that. I’m okay. Honest.”

  “The hell you are.” She knelt beside her and grabbed her close. “But you will be, baby.” She rocked her back and forth, tears stinging her eyes. “I’ll fix it. I promise. I’ll fix it.”

  Frankie whispered, “He’s a real bully. We have to be careful.”

  “I know.” She looked over her shoulder at Marvot. “You bastard. Did you have to treat her like this?”

  “Yes, I thought it would carry the point home. You’re going to be much more amenable now, aren’t you? But I’ll be generous now that I’ve had the impact.” He looked down at Frankie. “I’ll even let you clean up those wounds on her wrists before they become infected in this filth.”

  Grace was looking at Frankie’s wrists, and she could feel the fury tear through her. The wounds were shallow but already filled with the dirt and manure of the stall. “Get me some water and an antiseptic.”

  “I’ll send someone after we’ve come to an understanding. You work with the Pair until they’re docile. Agreed?”

  “They’ll never be docile.”

  “Then until they do what’s needed.”

  She nodded jerkily. “If you leave me alone to do it my way.”

  “Of course. I have the utmost respect for your abilities. And I’ve no fear that you’ll drag your heels. Such a pretty little girl . . .” He turned away. “Now I’ll leave you alone with your daughter so that you can see how well I’ve treated her. Well, comparatively well. Come up to the house when you’re finished. I’ll be in my office and we can discuss details. You’ll be allowed to move freely around the grounds, but naturally you’ll be closely watched.”

  Grace waited until he was out of the stable before she asked Frankie, “Are you sore anywhere else?” Her hands were running over Frankie’s body. “Did they bruise or hurt you in any way?”

  “That man Hanley slapped me.” She added, “After I bit him.”

  Grace could see the faint bruise on Frankie’s left cheek. “Anything else? How about the wreck? Did you hit your head?”

  She shook her head. “I’m okay.”

  “You’re not okay.” She looked down at Frankie’s torn wrists and the fury flooded back to her. “They hurt you.”

  “I did that. You always told me that I had to fight the bullies, and I couldn’t do it with my hands tied.”

  “I’ve got a big mouth. I shouldn’t have—”

  “But you were right.” Frankie frowned. “Honest, I’m okay, Mom. I got a little cold last night, but that’s all. And I was so busy trying to rub those ropes through that I didn’t notice that much.” She lowered her voice. “But they scare me. I think we’ve got to leave here soon.”

  “We will.” Grace sat back on her heels. “But it’s going to be tricky and you have to help. You have to obey orders without question. You can’t argue—not with me, and not with any of these people. Can you do that?”

  She scowled. “I don’t know. They’re bullies. You said that—”

  “I know what I said. The situation is different. It will make it harder for me if I have to worry about you fighting with them. Will you do it?”

  She hesitated and then nodded. “If they don’t hurt you. I think they want to hurt you.”

  “They won’t hurt me as long as I’m giving them what they want.”

  “The Pair . . . Jake told me about them. Am I going to see them?”

  “I’ll try to arrange with Marvot to have you working with me. It will be safer for you that way. That’s why you have to make me that promise. If he sees that you’re getting in the way instead of helping, he’ll take you away from me.”

  “You think he’ll let me do it?”

  She hoped to God he would. Sometimes opportunities for escape came unexpectedly and out of the blue. If she saw an opening, Frankie had to be with her. “I’m going to do everything that I can to see that he does. But I have to be able to trust you, Frankie. The Pair can be pretty scary, and you can’t cry or scream even if you think they’re going to hurt me.”

  She was silent a moment. “But they won’t hurt you, will they? They’ll be like the horses at home. You can talk to them?”

  Grace drew her back into her arms as she saw that Frankie was shaking. She was obviously trying not to let Grace know how upset she was. “They won’t hurt me.” She added, “But it’s harder to make them listen. It’s going to take a while. The Pair have been used to having their own way for a long time.”

  “Remember when you had to break that stallion for Mr. Baker? He thought he was mean, but you said he was only scared. Maybe these horses are scared too.”

  “Maybe.” She stroked Frankie’s hair and tried to think of a way to distract her. “And I think it’s time we stopped calling them the Pair. They’re not two cogs in a machine. They’re individual horses, and I have to deal with them separately. Let’s name them.”

  “They’re both white? Do they look alike?”

  “Very close. One is a mare and the other is a stallion. They both have blue eyes, but one is a little smaller and has a darker mane. The stallion is bigger, more powerful, and has a small scar on his side. I think it was
caused by a spur.”

  “See? They probably are scared of being hurt.”

  “Names,” she prompted.

  Frankie frowned. “It’s hard. . . .” She thought about it. “Maybe Hope for the mare. Because that’s what we’re doing, isn’t it? Hoping that they’ll like us?”

  “Oh, yes. We’re definitely hoping that. And for the other horse?”

  Frankie shook her head. “What did you think about when you first saw him?”

  Death and fear thundering toward her. “I guess I was too distracted to think much.”

  Frankie was silent a moment. “Let’s call him Charlie.”

  “What?”

  “I want to call him Charlie.”

  “Frankie, this horse isn’t anything like Charlie. He’s very wild.”

  “But I loved Charlie. It will be easier for me to love this horse if I think of Charlie every time I see him. Maybe it will help you too.”

  Grace tried to smile. “Maybe it will.” She cleared her throat. “Okay, Charlie it is.”

  Don’t be absurd,” Marvot said. “The child will not be permitted anywhere near you. She’ll be kept locked up, and if you’re cooperative, you may be allowed visits.”

  “Why? You must know that Frankie has done work with the horses at the farm in the past. She could help me.” She paused. “Or do you doubt that your security guards could keep us from escaping? I suppose that’s a big worry. You haven’t done very well keeping Kilmer and his men in check.”

  “Was that supposed to sting? It doesn’t. I’ve corrected that problem.”

  “I don’t need to worry about my daughter when I should be concentrating on the Pair. It’s going to be hard enough. If you don’t have valid concerns, then let me have what I need.”

  “You’re saying that the child is going to help you tame the Pair? How interesting.”

  She stiffened. His smile was just a little too malicious. “I’m saying that she’ll be of value to me.”