Eight Days to Live

by Iris Johansen

  “A very crucial time.”

  She looked back at the red-tipped clouds outside the window. “A dream.”

  “Or a story beginning to unfold,” Caleb said quietly. “And a demon being born.”

  London

  Day Five

  ROLAND ENTERPRISES.

  The name engraved in gold on the black granite gave the impression of being discreet, important, and affluent, Jane thought. But then so did the skyscraper that occupied a piece of London’s prime real estate.

  “Into the lion’s den?” Caleb said as he opened the glass door for her. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

  She shook her head. “No way.” She moved toward the elevator. “But I expected you to try to talk me out of it. Jock certainly did.”

  “I agree with you that there’s a risk, but it’s not major. A man who has tried so hard to keep in the shadows isn’t going to take a chance unless he’s sure that it’s not going to damage his reputation.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  He smiled. “And you’ve got me. I’d probably be able to sense any impending danger. I’ve got pretty good instincts.”

  Hunter’s instincts. “You said the executive offices were on the top floor?”

  He nodded. “Twelve.” He got into the elevator and punched the button. “And, according to the receptionist, Roland is in London at the moment.”

  “Why not? He sends Millet to do his dirty work while he cools his heels in this granite mausoleum.” She got off on the twelfth floor and strode toward the receptionist’s desk. There were executive offices on both sides of the hall and at least a dozen secretaries in cubicles down the hall.

  The secretary was blond, sleek, and attractive. SHEILA CARMODY was the name on the bronze plate on her desk. “May I help you?”

  “I need to see Alan Roland,” Jane said.

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “No, tell him that Jane MacGuire wants to see him.”

  “I’m afraid that he never sees anyone without an appointment.”

  “Except Jane MacGuire,” Caleb said. “She’s always the exception, isn’t she?”

  Sheila Carmody frowned. “I believe you’re right. I’ll see if he’s busy.” She got up and disappeared through the heavy oak doors.

  “Just a nudge?” Jane murmured.

  “Only a fraction of a nudge.”

  The secretary returned. “He’ll see you, Ms. MacGuire.” She shook her head at Caleb, who had started for the door. “I’m sorry. Only Ms. MacGuire.”

  “No,” Jane said, as Caleb opened his lips to protest. “I’ll handle it, Caleb.” She opened the door and went into the office. Strong light streamed through huge rectangular windows and burnished the rich mahogany desk and glass doors of the bookcases with a soft glow.

  There was nothing soft about the man sitting at that desk. Her first impression was of confidence born of years of meeting and attaining goals. He looked to be in his mid-forties and very fit. He was big, broad-shouldered, with a ruddy complexion, piercing blue eyes, and dark hair barbered to perfection.

  “Ms. MacGuire.” His smile was charismatic. “Or may I call you Jane? I feel as if I know you well.” He paused. “And you must feel the same, or you wouldn’t be here. I suppose that Adah left a trail that led you to me? I was hoping to close that avenue, but you and your friends were a bit too quick.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “You’re not denying that you’re working with Millet, that you belong to this cult?”

  “Did you expect me to deny it? It would be useless. I’ll just have to deal with your knowing about it. Actually, I look forward to dealing directly with you.”

  “Instead of having Millet go after me. You’re the one who started all this. You sent that photo to Millet.”

  He nodded. “I wanted to make sure that he saw it. Millet isn’t the type who would be interested in the art section of a newspaper. He’s a little crude. You might have noticed.”

  “Oh, I noticed. Why did you send it?”

  “I needed attention paid to you. I don’t do that kind of thing myself. I have an image to maintain.” He was studying her. “You’re a beautiful woman. That photo didn’t do you justice.”

  “It served its purpose for you. It started a killing spree. Millet butchered my friend.”

  “That was only a necessary side effect. Millet had to be given something since he couldn’t have immediate satisfaction in your case.”

  “Why?” Her hands clenched. “I didn’t know anything about your damn Hadar. And that painting was pure coincidence.”

  He shook his head. “Not possible. The resemblance is too close. You must have found a way to get into the temple. I’d judge it had to have occurred several years ago. About the time you had your run-in with Thomas Reilly.”

  She stiffened in shock. “What do you know about Thomas Reilly?”

  “If Adah led you to me, then you probably know that I’ve been searching for years for the Judas coins. I’ve scoured the world and dug in the background of everyone I ran across who was also on the hunt for them. Thomas Reilly was a criminal but an avid collector and I took a particular interest in him. Not easy since I had to bribe my way into several CIA files after Reilly’s death.” He smiled. “But it was worth it. Because I discovered that Reilly was convinced that you knew where those Judas coins could be found. He thought that they’d been thrown into a chest of gold coins that came from Herculaneum to Scotland.” He paused. “And that you knew where that chest had been hidden.”

  “If you know about this mythical chest, then you know that I’ve never tried to find it. And I certainly had no idea whether the Judas coins were in it or not. I don’t care.”

  “I think you do. I’ve kept my eye on you over the years, and it’s true you haven’t initiated any search. But that could be because you’re very clever, very patient. Then I saw the photo of Guilt. Big mistake. Did you feel safe because of the years that had passed?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “After I saw the photo, I decided that Reilly was wrong about that gold treasure chest. Maybe it was a red herring you tossed out. You knew the Judas coins were somewhere else entirely. I think when you were hunting for those coins, you found your way into the temple and saw the mosaic. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that you also saw Hadar’s Tablet. But I don’t think you’d risk taking it. It was enough that you knew that it was there and could reach out and grab it when you could figure a way to do it.”

  “That’s insane. I don’t give a damn about the Judas coins.” But he isn’t going to believe me, she realized. He’s obsessed and thinks everyone would be equally obsessed. “And I never saw that mosaic in your temple.”

  He shook his head. “You want the coins.” He added softly, “And now you have the tablet. But you’re afraid that we’re going to stop you from getting what you want, so you come and try to convince me that it’s all a mistake. Are things getting a little hot for you, Jane? You’re not playing with amateurs now.”

  “No, I’m dealing with thieves and murderers. And I came here to let you know that I know who you are and what you are. You can’t hide from me. I’m going find a way to bust you and all those monsters who think they can torture and kill and—” She stopped. He was smiling. Her words weren’t making any impact on him. “You don’t believe me.”

  “Tell me where the Judas coins are,” he said. “We can make a deal. It won’t be easy, but I can get Millet to forget about you. I’ll give you a fat share, and you’ll be safe.”

  “I’ll be safe anyway. You won’t be able to touch me or the people I love.”

  “Tell me where they are.”

  “Is that why you let me come in here to see you? I was surprised it was so easy. You wanted to make a deal?”

  “I thought I’d try. It would have made life simpler.”

  “How did you know I wouldn’t bug our conversation?�
�

  “I do business of all kinds in this office. I have electronic monitors. If you were wired, I would have known within the first fifteen seconds. I knew we could have an intimate conversation that wouldn’t hurt me and might further my aims. Besides, I was curious about you.” His smile faded. “You can’t hurt me, Jane. I own judges, members of Parliament, even senators in your Congress. If Millet doesn’t get you, then I’ll call on someone else. Do you feel secure with the little circle you’ve managed to gather around you? Try to fight me, and I’ll turn the big guns on them.”

  “I don’t think they’d worry too much.”

  “But you’d worry. You’ve already demonstrated that, haven’t you? You’re a strange mixture of greed and sentiment. You were very transparent when Millet killed Celine Denarve.”

  Yes, she’d worry.

  “Make a deal, Jane.”

  She turned on her heel. “Go to hell.” She walked out of the office and slammed the door. The secretary looked up, startled.

  “Problems?” Caleb asked.

  “No, he’s exactly what we thought he was. Maybe a little more obsessive.” She headed for the elevator. “And stronger.”

  “Yes.”

  She glanced at him.

  “I was doing a little probing.”

  “And?”

  “He wouldn’t be impossible to manipulate, but it would take a good deal of time at close quarters.”

  “No! Stay away from him.”

  His brows rose. “It could be valuable.”

  Close quarters with a man who had killers, judges, and senators on tap? “We’ll go another route. Roland is totally obsessive. Let’s go find out where those Judas coins are and let him come to us.”

  “Lina and MacDuff’s Run?”

  She nodded. “MacDuff’s Run. I’ll call Eve and fill her in before we get there.” The thought of Eve was like a warm, soothing breeze after that disturbing conversation with Roland. “And I’ll call Jock and ask him to send someone to get several versions of the Bible and any reference books they can find about Judas and have them waiting for me. I don’t want to have to rely solely on Lina.”

  “What are you going to be looking for?”

  “I don’t know. Anything I can find out about Judas, Hadar, or Caiaphas.”

  “Caiaphas?” Caleb repeated. “Who the hell is Caiaphas? I’ve never heard of him.”

  “He’s the high priest who paid Judas for the betrayal.” She wearily shook her head. “Or maybe he’s not.” The name had just tumbled out. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him either.”

  “No?” Caleb was smiling curiously. “Let’s just see what we can find out about him, shall we?”

  “Whatever. We’re going to have to move quickly. Roland didn’t believe a word I was saying. He has his mind made up, and he’s blind to anything that contradicts it.” It was incredible that Roland had interpreted and twisted Thomas Reilly’s belief that Jane had found those coins to apply to his own driving fixation.

  Two men with an obsession about the Judas coins that had hopelessly lured and held them captive. It couldn’t be just the money. What force would cause that kind of—?

  She had a sudden memory of the face of Guilt.

  Judas.

  “Jane?” Caleb was gazing curiously at her.

  She shook her head to clear it. She didn’t know where her mind had been wandering, but it was time she stopped thinking about mystical concepts and got down to trying to bring this nightmare to a close. “Nothing. I was just thinking. We should be at MacDuff’s Run by late afternoon, shouldn’t we?”

  FOURTEEN

  “JANE MACGUIRE WAS JUST HERE, Millet,” Roland said. “She knows about me. And she probably knows a hell of a lot more. You should have gotten to Adah before it ever came to this.”

  “Tough. It’s too bad you can’t hide away like you usually do. But at least we know where she is right now. My man, Nelson, who’s set up a camp in the hills above MacDuff’s Run, said that Gavin and Lina Alsouk arrived there earlier today. What are the chances the MacGuire woman will go there, too?”

  “Good. She’ll feel safe there, and she may need some time to examine that tablet. Can we take her before she reaches the castle?”

  “No, security is too tight. But we’re working on a way to get access.”

  “Do it. No more excuses. Get her.”

  “I told you, we’re working on it. I’m on my way to join Nelson right now.” He hung up.

  Roland pressed the disconnect and leaned back in his chair.

  He should be angrier. It was serious that Jane MacGuire had found out that he was involved. Yet he was experiencing more excitement and anticipation than rage. Some of it was sexual. Their encounter had been challenging, and the woman turned him on. Conflict and the desire to break and conquer was always intriguing. But the greater excitement came from the feeling that he was close, closer than he had ever been to the Judas coins. She had them or would have them. Every instinct was telling him that he had been right about Jane MacGuire being the road to the coins.

  And he would run roughshod over that path, and her along with it.

  I’ve called in the wolves, Jane.

  You should have made a deal before I set them to devour you.

  EVE WAS WAITING AT THE HELIPAD at MacDuff’s Run when their helicopter landed at sunset. The wind was blowing her red-brown hair back from her face and her fine white shirt against her body. Her feet were spread slightly apart, bracing against the tornado caused by the rotors.

  She looked fragile and strong at the same time, Jane thought as she opened the door. And totally indomitable, like a tree that could bend but never break. A rock in the middle of chaos.

  “Eve!” She jumped out of the aircraft and ran toward her.

  “It’s about time.” Eve hugged her close, then pushed her back to look at her. “You’re tired.”

  “It’s been a rough few days. Is everything okay with you?”

  “As well as could be expected.”

  “Is Joe still here?”

  She shook her head. “In Rome with Venable. Discovering all kinds of nasty things about Millet. The more I heard, the happier I was to hear that you were coming here.” She looked beyond Jane. “Hello, Caleb. Should I thank you for taking care of Jane? Or do you have an agenda?”

  “Maybe my agenda is taking care of Jane.” He smiled and took Eve’s hand. “How suspicious you are. But always interesting and a delight.” His gaze went over the massive castle perched above the stormy sea. “It’s quite a place. A fortress.”

  “Yes, MacDuff’s family has a history of needing fortresses.” She gazed at MacDuff, who was striding toward them. “But he couldn’t have been kinder or more protective of me.”

  “It was my pleasure.” MacDuff was scowling at Jane. “You’re not forgiven, you know.”

  “I don’t ask for your forgiveness, MacDuff. I did what I thought best.” She looked at Eve. “But I thank you for keeping Eve and Joe safe.”

  “There was no question about that.” His gaze was focused on Caleb. “You’re Seth Caleb? Jock told me some rather bizarre things about you. But I have an idea he still skated over a good many details. Jane thought you would prove valuable to her. Have you?”

  “Yes and no.” He smiled. “But at any rate, I account only to her. Ask Jane.”

  “I prefer to find out on my own.”

  “There are a few things I’d like to find out myself. I’ve been told how secure you are here. Have you seen any signs of Millet?”

  “Possible surveillance in the hills.” His gaze went to the rolling hills in the distance. “More than possible. We’re keeping our eyes open.”

  “You haven’t sent anyone up there to scout?”

  “Of course I have. Signs but no sightings.”

  “Who have you got to check it out? What kind of experience?”

  “Tim Mactaggert. Royal Marines veteran. Special Forces.” His gaze narrowed. “And I’m the one who is su
pposed to be questioning you. I believe that we should have a chat.” He gestured for Caleb to precede him. He glanced at Jane. “Will I see you at dinner?”

  “Probably not. If Jock managed to get the reference books I needed.”

  “You’ll have to ask him. He’s been running around getting Lina Alsouk settled. You’d think I didn’t have a housekeeper.”

  “How is Mrs. Dalbrey?”

  “The same. A little older, like the rest of us. But that young scamp of a son keeps her bustling. I’ll tell her to serve you in your room.” He turned away. “Coming?”

  “Not yet,” Eve said. “We’re going to walk down to the Run. It’s become one of my favorite places since I came here. I want some time with Jane.”

  “Is it safe?” Jane asked MacDuff.

  “Would I have let her go, if it wasn’t? You’ll be watched from the gates. I’ll see you when you get back to the castle.”

  “You’re very careful about my safety,” Eve said dryly, as they started for the path that led around the castle. “But going to see Roland today wasn’t very safe.”

  “It was a calculated risk, but meeting with him wasn’t all that dangerous considering that he’s so careful of his image.” She made a face. “It’s not as if he’d rig a trapdoor in his office to spring when an enemy walked through the door. I guarantee that he’s no comic-book-type character.”

  “Ugly?”

  “In his way as ugly as Millet. But it’s all inside. Neither one of them looks like what he is. I meant to send you a photo of Millet.”

  “Joe sent me one when he got Rome, along with photos of a few of Millet’s men in the Sang Noir.”

  “You said Joe has been finding out unsavory details about Millet. Anything that I should know about?”

  Eve shook her head. “Nothing that has a connection with you.”

  “What about Alan Roland? We’ve heard about his public image. We don’t know anything about his personal life.”

  Eve frowned, trying to remember. “He’s in his forties. He owns two racehorses. He likes women. He’s been divorced three times. None of his wives appears to have been heavy in the IQ department. No children. He wields a lot of influence. He dabbles in politics, but he’s never run for any office. It’s all behind the scenes.” She shrugged. “But he doesn’t seem as much of a threat as Millet.”