“Reginald Dysart,” Brianna repeated, the name sounding very familiar.
“The boy was hard to control after the divorce. Most of his early life was spent in juvenile when his mom had custody. When he was seventeen, he joined the navy, left after a few weeks.” Mike sniggered. “Bet that made his old man choke on his army medals.”
Mike punched up a new screen. A police mug shot of a tattooed, shaved-headed young man filled the screen. His face, gaunt to the point of haggard, sported over twenty jewelry piercings.
“Sonny Dysart.” Brianna said. “Now I know who he is. His girlfriend, Bonnie, was my client. She always called him Sonny.” A chill coursed down her spine as she remembered the small, wiry man, not more than a boy, who severely battered his girlfriend and her little daughter.
“It was my testimony that sent him to prison,” she said softly. “I remember when the judge read the sentence a disturbance broke out in the back of the courtroom.” She turned to Mike but in her mind she saw the man’s red face, his angry clenched fists, heard him shouting threats when he had to be physically removed from the courthouse. “I never got a good look at Sonny’s father, but I think his face and build are similar to David Malden’s.” She blinked away the memory and looked at Mike. “How did Dysart die?”
“He was beaten to death in the prison yard.”
Her stomach clenched. “Oh, how horrible.” She shut her eyes, then opened them. “And Reginald Fox blames me for Sonny’s death.”
“I’LL BE RIGHT WITH YOU, honey,” Mike said as he helped Brianna from the cab. “Just relax and you’ll be fine.”
She stepped onto the curb, the heat from the pavement welcoming as she waited for Mike before entering her office building. “I hope so. I’m so nervous, I’m shaking,” she said, rubbing her chilled fingers.
He put his arm around her and took her hands and rubbed them within his palms. “Want my jacket?”
“No, no. I’ll be fine,” she said, feeling that was a lie, too. Most of everything she was going to tell Larry would be a lie, and she never was good at telling fibs, even as a child. What if Reginald Fox could tell that they were laying a trap for him? Lord, she would never be able to pull this off.
“Ready?” he said before they entered the revolving door of the building. Mike had warned her that he and Liam had determined the bug could pick up their conversations as far away as the elevator, if they were alone. Crowds and noise were in their favor.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, then took his arm as they headed toward the elevators.
“I SHOULD BE BACK in a week,” she told Larry. Her fingers twisted the telephone cord as she spoke. “The Shapiro file and the Parker file are the most urgent. Yes, I’ll leave a note for Simone. You can get them from her.”
Mike stood by the window, silently looking at the view of skyscrapers. She wondered if he thought she was acting convincingly or not. No, she needn’t worry. He said he would write her a note as a means of communicating with her. She must stop worrying.
“It’s the old family estate,” she said after Larry had asked about her accommodations. “Isolated. Down a dirt road, in the heart of the Catskills.”
She took a gulp of water. “Yeah, the property has been in the family since my grandfather built it back in the fifties. He and my dad and uncle used to go fishing there. You should ask Simone about the place. She and I visited my aunt Nora there last October.” Her heart was beating so hard she was afraid Reginald Fox could pick up the sound over the bug. Mike had thought it would be a good idea to plant the info that Simone had visited the property. But when Brianna just said it, she thought it sounded staged.
Larry rambled on about the upcoming July the Fourth holiday plans at the local country club. She had to be polite and listen, but she felt like bolting from the room. Instead, she leaned back in her chair and sipped her water. Mike had mentioned that all the normal room noises could be picked up. She needed to sound as normal as possible.
“Promises to be a lovely affair,” she said and managed a laugh. “Thanks again, Larry. I’ll see you when I get back.”
Her hands were slick when she put the receiver back on the cradle. Mike turned from the window and winked, giving her a thumbs-up sign.
She returned a weak smile, picked up the receiver again and punched in the numbers of her secretary’s apartment.
Dear God, what if Reginald Fox answered the phone?
The number rang and rang. After four long rings, Simone’s answering machine clicked on. For a moment, Brianna panicked. She and Mike hadn’t rehearsed what to say if Simone wasn’t home.
“Hi, Simone,” she said lightly. “It’s Brianna. Say, how would you like another week off? With pay, of course. I’m extending my vacation for another week. Thought I’d spend some time at Nora’s estate in the Catskills while she’s in Denver. Mike is flying me up there on Wednesday morning. I should be there by noon. I’ve left a note of instructions for you on your desk.
“Nothing urgent, just the phone and page numbers of people I thought you and Larry might need while I’m away. I’d like you to come into the office on Tuesday to give Larry the files I’ve asked him to take over for me.” She hesitated, her mind bolting. Mike nodded and silently mouthed the words, “You’re doing fine.”
For some unknown reason she felt like crying. “Simone,” she said, forcing her voice to steady, “I’ll miss you, and I hope you…” Her throat started to tighten. The thought of Simone alone with Reginald Fox was more than she could bear. “I hope you…enjoy the time off. Bye.”
She hung up the phone and squeezed the receiver. Dear God, what if something goes wrong?
HE PULLED THE VAN into the airport security parking lot and drove into his designated spot. When he switched off the ignition, he was still beaming. Tomorrow at this time he’d have her. He could barely contain himself with excitement. Finally, he’d mete out her punishment in slow, agonizing degrees, just like they’d done to Sonny.
And as a bonus, he’d outsmart that hot-dog boyfriend of hers, too. He felt the charge of adrenaline rush through his veins.
The fools. She and Landis actually believed that he’d fall for that trap. Landis must have somehow discovered the second bug. Hell, so what. He knew Landis was flying her to the Catskills and that’s all he needed to know.
He was humming as he walked into the airport terminal, waved back at Maggie behind the security gate and climbed on the escalator that would take him to his office. All he had to do was check the past flight records that TALON-6 had filed. The reports would give him everything that he’d need to know about the various aircraft owned by them and their maintenance schedule.
That and a few phone calls would give him all he’d need to put his own plan into action.
Chapter Fifteen
It was a little past 6:00 p.m. by the time Mike and Liam had airlifted from the Crib’s rooftop in the TALON-6 helicopter to the target destination in the Catskills. That night, Brianna had felt so worried about Mike after he’d gone that she hadn’t fallen asleep until after 2:00 a.m. When she had, she’d dreamed that she was to meet Mike at a masquerade ball. From what she could remember through her nightmarish haze, a man in an evil-sorcerer’s costume kept chasing her through the throngs of festive party-goers. She bolted through the lines of guests, desperately searching for Mike. When she finally spotted him, she rushed into his waiting arms. Then he ripped off his mask and the face of Reginald Fox glowered back at her.
She awoke out of breath, her heart pounding. Dear God, what would she do if anything were to happen to Mike?
You’re experiencing acute anxiety, a normal reaction for what you’re going through, she admonished herself sharply. She should have taken Bailey’s advice and gone to bed early. But without Mike, the thought of spending a night alone, after what they’d had together these past few days, was torturous.
Instead, she’d spent the evening in the war room with Bailey. She’d wanted to help, to feel that she was doing something wor
thwhile. Bailey showed her how to log checkpoints on the perimeter area of her family estate in the Catskills. As she worked, Brianna was awed at TALON-6’s specialized technology, and she was filled with admiration at Bailey’s expertise as she coordinated orders between Mike, Liam and the other field agents with the aplomb of a four-star general.
The actuality of the mission, the exposure that Mike was undergoing, had turned the exciting hours of devising strategy into the reality of danger. The trap was set. There was no going back.
She’d lain awake until the pink rays of dawn filtered into the bedroom window, her mind hopelessly mired in recent memories of Mike. How she wished that just before he’d boarded the copter, when he’d gone into the bath to shave and change, she had joined him in the shower.
At the time, she didn’t think she could bear another goodbye. But now, as she lay in the huge, empty bed, she longed for him. When she closed her eyes, she could envision his face, teasing, serious, passionate, that special crooked grin that made her heart melt. She smiled, remembering the sound of his rich baritone singing their song, and a profound yearning had her unconsciously reaching out for him.
Then reality jolted her back from her fantasizing. Dear God, he’d only been gone a few hours. What would it be like to say goodbye to him forever…again?
She shoved her hair back with her fingers and returned to her packing. With a quick glance around the bedroom, she felt reasonably sure that she’d left nothing behind…except her heart.
Her eyes blurred with tears as she snapped the lock on her suitcase and carried it into the hallway. She swiped at her damp cheeks when she heard Bailey’s footfalls on the staircase leading from the war room.
“I just received word from Mike,” Bailey said with a smile. “He’s got his men in the field and all positions have been set. Now all we have to do is wait for Liam to pick you up in the helicopter. Mike said that Liam will be here by one o’clock this afternoon.”
Brianna glanced at her watch. “We have over two hours to wait.” She had a feeling those two hours would feel as long as two lifetimes. “Mike said the yacht is moored not far away. I’ll call you to let you know I’ve arrived.”
“Okay, but you’ll appear as a blip on my screen. There’s an automatic tracker installed on the copter.” She smiled. “Mike has more gadgets on it than Star Wars.” She cocked her head and grinned with pride. “The Tiger is Mike’s favorite chopper.”
“His favorite?” Brianna was truly surprised. “How many does TALON-6 use?”
“We have four, but two are only used for out-of-the-country missions.”
Brianna only smiled a response, not trusting her voice. Although she would have enjoyed to toss back a glib reply, the truth was, she was jealous of the cutting-edge technology that challenged him. How could she compete with a lifestyle fraught with danger and intrigue? Mike carved this life from nothing. But she was alien to it. She couldn’t exist in his world and he couldn’t exist in hers.
“Did you hear me, Brianna?”
Brianna shook away her daydreaming. “I’m sorry, Bailey, what did you say?”
“I said Liam called last night from the airport after he returned from piloting Mike to the Catskills. Have you heard from Mike this morning?”
“N-no. I—I asked him not to call.” She swallowed against the tightness in her throat. “I told Mike I’d call him once I’m safely aboard the yacht. Liam mentioned that Mike needed to focus on the operations, and I respect that.”
Bailey smiled. “I have a feeling that Mike will call you later.” She glanced at the suitcase. “Looks like you’re all set. Do you need anything?”
“No, nothing that I can think of.” Brianna shook out the stiffness in her neck and shoulders. “I’ve counseled women during the hours before they planned to leave their abusive relationships. I’ve seen how nervous and jittery they were. But I’m just now realizing how devastating it feels to think that another human being wants to harm you.” She dragged a hand through her hair.
Bailey was silent for a moment, then she said, “Heed the words of your own counsel and remember, in a few hours you’ll be safely on the TALON-6 yacht and this will be over.”
“Yes, that’s what keeps me going.” She smiled at Bailey. “I’ve really enjoyed our time together. When this is over, you’ll have to bring your mom and stay at my aunt’s estate for real.”
Bailey’s eyes lit up. “We’d love that. Thanks.”
“I know you have other things more important than baby-sitting me,” Brianna said, picking up her suitcase and heading toward the stairway.
“Hey, try not to worry.” Just then the satellite phone rang. Bailey moved to get it. “It’s for you, Brianna. Mike.”
Brianna picked up the receiver as Bailey discreetly turned and went down the stairs to the war room.
“Bria? I’ve only got a minute,” Mike said, his voice loud over the din in the background. “But I needed to hear your voice.”
“Mike.” Just the sound of his husky, deep voice sent a ripple of desire through her. “Where are you?”
“I’m in one of the police vans we’re setting up with surveillance equipment. I’m installing some of my own gadgets. We’re just about finished here.”
She knew he’d been working straight through since arriving last night. Besides dealing with all the red tape to bring in the proper authorities, Mike was supervising air, land and legal operations. She could hear the fatigue in his voice. “Everything is fine here, Mike,” she said brightly, hoping to conceal her nervousness. “I’m all packed, just waiting for Liam to arrive.”
“Hang in there, sweetheart. It won’t be long now.”
“I know.”
“The ex-Special Forces woman who’s acting as your decoy got to the hotel about two hours ago. She’s been briefed and will be arriving at the estate around three this afternoon.”
“Do you think Fox will believe it’s me?”
“She’s about your build and she’s wearing a blond wig. Dressed in your clothes that I brought with me, she’s a good match from far off. I don’t think Fox will guess a thing.”
“I hope nothing happens to her.”
“Brianna, this is her job. She’s the best at what she does. Now, do me a favor and stop worrying about everyone else and take care of yourself. Trust me.”
“Oh, Mike, of course I trust you.” But you’re not invincible, Mike. You’re human, and you can get hurt just like anyone else. For this one time she could pretend to be strong. He needed her to be strong. She didn’t want to say anything that might take his mind off the operation. But if there were momentary thoughts that she could put up with a lifetime of waiting around for him to return from dangerous missions around the globe, this was bringing home the fact that she wasn’t cut out for it. She’d grow to hate him for putting her through this kind of torture.
But it wasn’t his fault. He’d carved out this life for himself and he thrived on it. This was her problem, her weakness.
“Bria, do you miss me?”
“No, I hardly noticed you were gone.” She huffed with a forced humor she didn’t feel. “I think you know the answer to that,” she said finally.
“Yeah…I know. I feel the same thing.”
Phones were ringing and people were talking behind him, so she knew he couldn’t speak freely. “I know we’re going to catch Fox,” she said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
“Count on it,” he retorted. “And Bria…” The pause that spun on the line between them lengthened. “I love you. Don’t forget that.”
Her throat tightened with tears. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to be strong. “Keep safe.”
She was trembling when she hung up the phone. She wanted to tell him what was in her heart but what was the use? Yes, he loved her. In his way, he did. But he’d hate her if she asked him to give up the dangerous life he loved. And in time she’d resent him, too, if she denied herself the children and stable home that children requ
ired and that she yearned for.
She stabbed at the tears that rolled down her cheeks. Damn, why did he have to call and remind her of how much she loved him? Yesterday, when they had stood on the Crib’s rooftop before he lifted off, she had kissed him goodbye. She’d managed to be brave then. She’d do it now. Tears would do nothing but ruin her mascara.
MIKE HUNG UP the phone after talking with Brianna, battling for control. His stomach knotted at the thought that she might, once Fox was in jail, walk out of his life just as easily as she had before.
Damn, why couldn’t Brianna say that she loved him? They both knew she did, whether she’d admit the truth or not.
She had showed him by their loving. So why couldn’t she admit it?
Because she knows you have no future together. The truth jolted him like a cold shower. Hadn’t she said that very thing? She wants a guy who needs her. A guy who won’t get bored with diapers, Girl Scout-cookie drives and school soccer games.
Liam was right. Mike was almost obsessing about his ex-wife, and he needed to keep his thoughts on the mission. When this was all over, he’d talk to her. This time, he wouldn’t let her get away without a fight.
If this was all over. He quelled the negative thought. Everything was going to work out. In another two hours she’d be safely aboard the TALON-6 yacht, at sea, away from any chance that Fox could get to her. When they finally picked him up, Mike would call her, and the captain would bring her back to the city. For now, he had enough to concentrate on to keep his mind on target. Those hairs on the back of his neck wouldn’t let him shake the feeling that they’d overlooked something.
He usually never felt like this before a mission. Maybe Liam was right and Mike’s concentration was thrown off by thoughts of Brianna. Hell, he hadn’t thought of anything else since she’d walked back into his life.
Or was it the dread of her walking out of his life that was ripping him up? He turned from the console, snatched up his handheld computer and strode from the room.
Tough As Nails Page 19