Think. Was there anything else that would set one apart? Anything Michael had told her that could help.
Help me remember, Michael.
But Michael had helped her all he could, it was her responsibility now. She gazed at the second map with the island where Ladeau had been going to set up his rest stop. But he had abandoned that idea when—
She stiffened, her gaze flying to Jock. “You said Ladeau decided not to set up a tour when the interest faded. What interest, Jock?”
“He was going to set up Fright Night tours. Alligators with glaring red eyes, snakes hanging from the branches of the trees, creatures howling at the moon. He thought it would be a perfect setting and make him a bundle.”
“Creatures? What kind of creatures? No, let me tell you. Rougarou.” Her eyes were wide with excitement. “A mythical werewolf, half man—half beast that’s supposed to live in the swamps. Superstitious stories abound of sightings in the Louisiana swamps.”
Jock nodded. “Rougarou.”
She tapped the second map. “And there was a supposed sighting in this area?”
Jock nodded. “But only one or two reports, then the interest faded.”
She tapped the first map. “But none in this swamp?”
Jock shook his head. “Ladeau said only Black Pool Swamp.”
“And Norwalk mentioned a sighting of a Rougarou monster in the swamp where he took Michael to frighten him.” She pointed to the island on the second map. “Ladeau’s ‘rest stop’ might be where we can find Michael and Cara.” She drew a deep breath. “It’s all guesswork. But if I have to choose, I’ll choose Black Pool Swamp.”
“Good enough for me,” Jock said as he grabbed the map. “I’m on my way to check it out. I’ll be in touch.”
He was gone before Eve had a chance to even reply. She started to follow him.
“No,” Joe said. “My job, Eve.” He headed for the door. “As Jock said, I know my way around swamps. And you’re also a target, and I can’t afford to worry about you. Sorry, you might get in the way.” He glanced at Kaskov. “And I want someone here to make certain that he doesn’t do anything to spoil our play. Watch him.”
Then he was also gone.
“Frustrated?” Kaskov was looking mockingly at Eve. “And so unfair when you appear to have been the one to tell them where Norwalk could be found. Of course, I find it very hard to believe that you could be right about that swamp.”
“I don’t care what you believe. And, yes, I’m frustrated. But not enough to take a chance on blowing the opportunity of freeing Cara and Michael.” She met his eyes. “So I’ll do what Joe told me to do and watch you. Jock and Joe may be able to get in a position to ambush or rescue, but you and I are still the targets Norwalk wants to put down. You’re going to get a call, and I’ll be here to know what’s happening and how it will affect the people I love.” She smiled grimly. “Or I’ll get the call, and I’ll make very certain to share with you, Kaskov. Because then, whatever happens won’t be up to Joe or Jock, it will be up to us.”
CHAPTER
17
“What a tender sight,” Norwalk said sarcastically as he stood in the doorway, looking at Cara and Michael curled up together on the blanket on the dirt floor. “It’s not your mother, Michael, but obviously she’s a good substitute.”
“It’s Cara,” Michael said. “And I heard you say that something that man did to her could have hurt her. You shouldn’t have let him do that.”
“I didn’t mean it to happen. Brazoff was a fool. I took care of it. But if you don’t shut your mouth, I’ll—”
“Hush, Michael,” Cara said quickly. “Don’t talk to him. I’m fine now.”
“Yes, you are.” Norwalk was studying her. “A few hours ago I wouldn’t have given a dollar for your chances. Brazoff was so scared of Kaskov that he was a little too careless with sedating you. But you’ve bounced back.” He smiled mockingly. “You’ll be in fine shape for my grand finale.”
She looked down at the vest she wore. “I’m sure you’ve planned something as horrible as what you did at Gwinnett Square.” She tried to keep her voice steady. He would like it if he saw the fear. “I don’t believe you’d set it to go off at a certain time. You’d want to be able to control it.”
“Quite true.” He pulled out a small black control device and showed it to her before slipping it back into his pocket. “Does it make you feel helpless?”
She didn’t answer. “And all because my grandfather is Sergai Kaskov? We’re not that close, you know.”
“Close enough. You see him every year.” His lips thinned. “Close enough so that he blew my brother to kingdom come because Sean had been sent by Manard to take you out. The son of a bitch must care something for you.”
“Have it your own way. But if you’re planning something special for me, then that must mean that you’re going to bring Kaskov here to see it. That would be very stupid. He wouldn’t come alone. He may not come at all.”
“Even if he cared nothing for you, he’d have to make an appearance. Otherwise, his men would think he was afraid. And that could be the end of him. Strength is everything to the families. I just have to give him the foolish idea that he might have a chance.”
She shook her head. “He’s smarter than that. You’re stupid to think otherwise.”
“That’s the second time you called me that, bitch.” He was across the shack in seconds. His face was twisted with rage as he struck her with all his strength on one cheek, then the other. Then he did it again. And again.
Pain.
Darkness.
She was vaguely aware of Michael crying out and throwing himself across her. He mustn’t do that, she realized dazedly. He’d get Norwalk’s attention. Dangerous … She managed to push Michael aside and get in front of him. “Did that feel good, Norwalk? As good as how you felt when you killed all those poor children?”
“Maybe better.” His eyes were blazing down at her. “If you’d died that night, Sean would have walked away, and I’d still have him. But I have a chance to make it right now. Did you know that Sean was planning on blowing you up in your suite that night? But Kaskov used his own C-4 to kill him. Can you guess how you’re going to die, Cara? Don’t you think it fair that Sean be able to put his plan into effect at last?”
“I’m sure that you do.”
“Oh I do. And even if your Eve Duncan was alive, she’d never be able to put you together again. Poor Cara.”
“Since I seem to be the main attraction, could I talk you into sending Michael back to Eve or Joe?”
“Of course not. I want it all, Cara. I’ll have it all.” He turned away. “And I’ll see that no one follows Kaskov and keeps me from keeping to the main plan.” He smiled. “But I think it’s only fair I give you something to think about until it’s time to phone Kaskov. When I was sitting watching the flames cremate sweet, gentle Sylvie, I was reading about the Vikings. I found one of their customs very interesting. Can you imagine why?”
Yes, she could, and it was sending a chill through her.
But he didn’t wait for an answer. The next moment he was gone.
“Cara.” Michael was running from behind her. “He hurt you.” Tears were running down his cheeks. He reached out and touched the bruise on her left cheek. “I tried to stop him…”
“I know you did.” She pulled him close again. “You were very brave, but you mustn’t do that. Because I couldn’t stand it if he hurt you. That would be much worse than being hurt myself. So we’ll both just have to be careful.” She paused. But that last threat of Norwalk’s had filled her with sick dread, and she had to prepare him. “But in spite of what Norwalk said, you have to know that everyone loves you and they will be coming to get you, Michael. Nothing will stop them. Your mama and your dad, and Jock, and probably other people.” She had to keep her tone calm and unafraid, or he would sense that fear. “But Norwalk may separate us before that happens, and whatever you see, you must not fight back, you have
to stay here and wait for your mama. Will you promise me?”
His arms tightened around her neck. “I won’t leave you, Cara.”
“No, it will be me leaving you. But only for a little while. Promise?”
He was silent. “You shouldn’t go away. It’s Norwalk who has to go away.”
“Well, if I do have to go, will you promise?”
He nodded. “But it won’t happen, Cara. We can’t let it.”
“Right, we’ll do our best.” She had his promise. “Now let’s sit here and talk about your mama and dad and all the fun things you’ll do when you go home to them.”
* * *
“I can’t take you any farther, Gavin,” Ladeau said. “The river ends here, and the bayou runs right beside the swamplands for the next seven miles. It almost splits the swamp in two. Any boat would be spotted by anyone on guard.” He moistened his lips. “If you expect there to be guards with guns?”
“Oh, I expect it,” Jock said. “And that island is five miles?”
He nodded. “Five or six. I don’t remember.”
“Remember,” Joe said. “Precisely.”
“Five miles. When are you going to let me go home?”
“When it’s over,” Jock said as he took the paddle and rowed the speedboat off the bayou and deeper into the marshy swampland cove. “But we won’t ask you to go any farther, we’ll leave you here in the boat and make you as comfortable as possible. You’d just be trouble from here on.” He jumped out of the boat, and his boots sank into the deep peat mud. “But you’ll be in very deep shit if I get to that island and find it’s not where you said it was. Or that it’s not the place Norwalk would choose to put his shack.”
“I didn’t say for sure. How could I?”
“Talk to Joe Quinn about it,” Jock said. “Norwalk might be holding his six-year-old son on that island.” He looked at Joe. “I’ll go and check it out. Will you tie up Ladeau to make sure he doesn’t decide to give us any grief? And then set up a base camp for us?”
Joe nodded reluctantly. “Though I should go with you, dammit.”
“And if you saw Michael, would you be able to stop yourself from trying to go after him?”
Joe didn’t answer.
“I didn’t think so.” Jock turned and headed through the shrubs. “I’ll be back before dark. We’ve just got to hope that Eve was right about this being the place. I’ll call you as soon as I know. If it is, I’ll try to put up a couple cameras and audio feeds around the island and find a place to take my shot.”
“Shot? Only one? Eve said there were four men beside Norwalk.”
“If Eve’s intel from Michael is accurate. But he’s only a little boy, and we can’t be sure that Eve wasn’t having a dream.”
“I’m sure.”
“And I’ll be sure after I take a look and see how close she came. Besides, Norwalk is the one who gives the orders. I blow his brains out, and his great plan falls apart.”
He didn’t wait for an answer but plunged into the brush.
Keep moving.
Five miles, and he’d know if Eve had guessed right.
Five miles, and he’d see if Cara and Michael were still alive.
Five miles, and he’d see who he’d have to kill.
Keep moving.
BELLE GRACE
“Nikolai says I have a call, Eve,” Kaskov said as he lifted the phone from his ear to look at her. “I imagine it’s our mutual adversary. Would you care to listen?” He smiled. “Never mind, I know the answer. Put him through, Nikolai.” He spoke into the phone. “What do you have to say to me, Norwalk? I’m a busy man.”
“Not that busy. You took the call, and you let Eve Duncan talk you into protecting her and the pretty girl I’m looking at right now. I’d say that you have an interest in what I’m going to tell you.”
“I’m mildly amused by all this furor. But it’s gotten out of hand. I stopped your inept twin from killing Cara because it was a question of family pride. But as you must know, I’m a man who never goes too far without stepping back and looking at the big picture. And I certainly have no intention of sacrificing myself for a granddaughter whom I have only known for a few short years. However, I might be persuaded to offer a ransom.”
“Not an option.”
“Too bad. Good-bye, Norwalk.”
No! Eve sat up straight in her chair. He couldn’t cut this connection. She wouldn’t let him—
“Bluff,” Norwalk said. “You may care nothing for the girl, but you wouldn’t want your reputation to suffer because you’d allowed me to take her away from you … and be killed in a most unpleasant way. All the crime families of Moscow would come after you with blades drawn to cut your empire into digestible pieces. You have to make the attempt.”
Silence. “Go on.”
“I’ll send you directions to where you can find your Cara. I’m sure you’ve discovered that she’s somewhere in the bayous, but that’s such a very large area. It would take you weeks, months to search for me. But I’m willing to help you. I’ll even send her halfway to meet you.”
“Generous.”
“Yes, but you can’t have all your very competent men with you. I realize that you won’t come alone, but I’ll permit only two boats, your boat and another occupied by no more than three other men. That will allow you a certain amount of security.”
“Not much. And allow us to be picked off?”
“Possibly. But that’s your challenge. When Cara joins you, then you whisk her away … if you can. Then you turn the tables on me and maintain your sterling reputation.”
“And you’ll have a number of dirty surprises for me along the way.”
“Without doubt. Just as you did when your men killed Sean. Dirty wasn’t the word for it. I not only couldn’t tell he was my twin, I couldn’t tell he was a human being. Is Eve there?”
“I’m here, Norwalk,” Eve said.
“I just wanted to assure you that I’m not leaving you and your son out of my plans. But you can see how I have to concentrate on Kaskov at the moment. However, I’ll permit him to bring you along if you so choose.”
“So that you have the chance to get two instead of one?”
“Actually, I’d rather deal with you individually, but I’m a practical man. And I’m remembering that you wouldn’t help me to put my brother back together after this bastard blew him apart.” His voice lowered to deep malice. “I’ll even try to arrange to make sure that you’ll get the opportunity to see your son one more time while we reminisce about it.” He paused. “Kaskov, I’ll put the directions on your phone in four hours. If you come, you have a small chance. If you send someone, Cara and the boy die. If anyone follows you, they die. And I’ll know if that happens. You’ve noticed I do make preparations.” He cut the connection.
“He sounded very satisfied, didn’t he? But he’s no fool. He picked out a way that he thought would force me to get in the crosshairs. He has obviously studied me extensively.”
“And was he right about you?”
“Yes and no.” He looked at her. “But he was right that it’s to my advantage to go after Cara. Providing that he made it a possibility that I’d survive.”
“He’ll not let you live. He won’t let Cara live. You know that’s true. It’s better to wait until we hear from Joe and see if they’ve located Norwalk’s island.”
“Perhaps. It depends entirely on what they find there. I’ll be interested in hearing from them.” He turned and headed for his office. “In the meantime, I have some advance preparations to make in case I decide to let Norwalk lure me into his trap.”
She went rigid. “Preparations? But Norwalk told you that if you made any move at all, Cara and Michael would die.”
“Then I mustn’t let him see them.”
“And if he does?”
“I’ve already answered you. I don’t lose, Eve. I won’t go there without having—”
Her phone rang. Jock.
She tensed as she
quickly punched the access. “Yes or no?”
“Yes. Black Pool Swamp. I saw the camp, and it was very close to those sketches Joe showed me on the trip out here.”
“Michael and Cara?”
“No, I didn’t see them. They must have been in the shack. But I saw Norwalk and all four of his guards. Plus a corpse that was floating in the bayou about fifty yards from the island and furnishing lunch for a couple alligators. Norwalk has put up a metal-link fence to protect the bayou waters around his island from gators, so he must have tossed Brazoff to them. Norwalk would have been finished with him after he delivered Cara.”
“Good,” she said fiercely. “Let them all kill each other.”
“We can’t hope for that. But it will get done.” He paused. “There are a lot of explosives on that island, Eve. Some of it’s packed around the door of the shack. We’ll have to get around it before we can get to Cara and Michael. I’m on my way back to Joe to figure it out.”
The explosives Michael had mentioned. Of course, it was practically Norwalk’s trademark. But the thought of it that close to Michael and Cara terrified her. “Get back to me as soon as you can. Call Kaskov later, he may be thinking of doing something that could be a problem.”
“No, he won’t,” Jock said grimly. “No one gets in the way when we’re this close.” He hung up.
“So you were correct?” Kaskov said, as Eve turned to face him. “How very interesting … and helpful.”
“And it might eliminate Norwalk’s trying to find a way to kill Cara and you at the same time. That sounded like a losing proposition. You’re damn right it could be helpful. We might have a chance of going in and getting them off that island.”
“Or not.” He gazed at her quizzically. “You’re excited. I take it that you’re not going to accept Norwalk’s concession to accompany me to his deluxe ambush?”
“No, and neither should you. I’m going to leave for Black Pool Swamp right away to join Joe. If Norwalk’s not going to give you the directions to the swamp for another four hours, I’ll have time to get there before he suspects that we know where he is and heightens security. Will you arrange to get me a speedboat?”
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