It was Brian, who had been little more than a shadow in the room, that raised the question lurking in the back of everyone’s mind.
“So, where is Brovinksi?”
* * *
Nicolai Brovinski hadn’t eluded capture by letting his guard down. He had ensured Barrett’s silence, he’d had the girl thoroughly checked out, and while he still wasn’t happy that she’d left her bag in her car while staying in Malibu, seeing her carrying the large tote as she walked into view from Malibu Road had made some kind of sense. Why take two bags if you can carry only one?
From the moment Belinda had left Malibu that morning, he had been watching her and listening to every word she’d said. Even in the hospital when she’d been picking up supplies she’d been under surveillance. She’d made no telephone calls, and she’d done nothing to spark his radar. In the back of limousine she’d sat quietly, and hadn’t seemed at all concerned when Theo had searched her belongings.
Though he’d been with Barrett for most of the morning, he’d been able to observe her on a small monitor that looked like a tablet. Once she had left the hospital and headed back to her condo, he had turned over the control of Barrett to his second-in-command, and hurriedly returned to the house to settle inside the control room.
Filled with equipment, it was housed in a guest house at the back of the property. It was his command center. Cameras were in position inside and outside the house feeding a dozen monitors, but the room was far more than just a place to keep watch over his base. He was in touch with his cohorts around the world. It was operated by half-a-dozen men, twenty-four hours a day, and it looked like something out of a James Bond film.
While Belinda been tending to Barrett, her suitcase and handbag had been searched again, her potted plants had been thoroughly checked out, and the information on her cellphone downloaded on to a flash-drive. He’d found nothing.
The only hiccup so far had been her planter. To make room for it she’d moved the ornament that housed the nanny-cam. It now faced a wall. As the day had progressed he’d contemplated what he’d do about it. Besides the cameras, both the bedroom and bathroom had listening devices. He’d finally decided that she’d be there for such a short amount of time he’d just leave things as they were.
“Sir? The kitchen is asking what time you’d like dinner served.”
“When did she have that sandwich?”
“At 2:13 p.m”
“It’s almost six. Tell him right away. We need to move forward.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Is everything ready at the location?”
“Yes, Sir, they just finished.”
“Good, it’s time to give our nurse the news.”
* * *
Back at the house, though the agents were as attentive as ever, they were deep in conversation. Whatever the reason for Barrett’s silence, they were convinced it had to be more than simple intimidation. They were also deeply concerned that Brovinski hadn’t been seen or heard since he’d left the hospital, and Brian’s question had brought the mystery to the surface.
Late in the morning, before Barrett’s arrival, a black Mercedes had made its way up the drive and into a garage. They had assumed Brovinski was traveling inside it, but he hadn’t appeared outside the house, nor had he stopped in to Barrett’s room to welcome Belinda or check on the man himself.
“Dean, we’ve picked something up.”
It was one of the techs monitoring the house.
“What kind of something?”
“The copter went up back and just did a pass across the back of the hill. The house is out of view back there, but they picked up a large amount of noise.”
“Noise?” Blake asked.
“Electronic sounds,” Brian explained.
“Something’s there,” the tech continued. “There’s a guest house just over the ridge and that’s where we think it’s coming from. Do you want the copter to go in close?”
“No. It’s too risky. I’m getting a drone up,” Dean said quickly. “Get him out of there before he’s spotted.”
“What’s happening? Why are you worried?” Blake demanded.
“I’m not worried. I think we just found his control center and I want that helicopter out of there before it’s detected.”
“Holy crap, just when I was starting to feel a bit calmer,” Blake muttered.
“Hey, this is a great thing,” Brian remarked. “If we’re right we can neutralize it before we enter the house.”
“Oh, of course,” Blake mumbled. “Duh. I guess I’m just to worried to think clearly.”
He listened to Dean order a drone, and feeling out-of-sorts he rose from the couch and walked outside to the patio. Closing his eyes he recalled the stormy night he’d been in the bar having his romantic dinner with Belinda. He’d known how important she was becoming to him even then.
“Boss?”
Turning around he saw Josh walking towards him. He’d been quietly keeping the agents supplied with drinks and snacks.
“Hi Josh. Just needed a bit of air,” Blake remarked.
“I know you’re really worried, but you don’t have to be.”
“Why do you say that?” Blake frowned.
“I know this is going to sound crazy, but in the years I’ve known you, you’ve never had a woman in your life, I mean, not like Belinda.”
“Why would that stop me worrying?”
“You wouldn’t have met her if you were going to lose her,” Josh declared. “It doesn’t work like that.”
Josh had dark hair, and extraordinarily bright blue eyes, and as Blake stared into them he felt a shiver.
“How do you know that?”
“It just came to me, like a vague voice in my head. I had to tell you.”
“I’ve learned to expect the unexpected, and I can feel something in the air, but having said that, I guess we both must be crazy, because I believe you.”
Chapter Forty
Still sitting next to George Barrett, Belinda stood up to stretch her legs. The man lying silently beside her moved slightly and looked up at her. Turning her back to Theo, she was tempted to lean in closely to adjust Barrett’s pillows and breath some reassuring words into his ear, but she’d promised Blake, no risks, so she just gave him a smile. Moments later she heard the door open, and turning around she saw Fred Simons.
“Mr. Simons, I wondered what had happened to you.”
“Hello, Miss Harris. I trust you have everything you need. How is our patient?”
“I have, thank you, my room is lovely, and that view, it’s spectacular. As far as our patient, as usual he’s absolutely no trouble.”
“Good to hear it. Would you please accompany me into the dining room. I’ve had dinner prepared for us, and there’s a matter of some urgency I must discuss with you.”
“Yes, I’d be delighted,” she smiled. No choice there, that was a demand, not an invitation. Just please don’t ask me to take off my lab coat.
* * *
Hearing the conversation, Brian hurried out to the patio to call Blake back inside.
“What is it?” Blake asked walking swiftly towards him, Josh following closely behind.
“Brovinski has just showed up. He’d insisting Belinda join him for dinner. Said he has to talk to her.”
“Shit,” Blake mumbled moving back inside. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“She’s still wearing the coat. We’ll be able to hear everything he says,” Brian reminded him.
Too nervous to sit on the couch, Blake stood behind Dean, but all he could hear were footsteps and the rustling of clothes.
“Here we are. Please, take a seat.”
It was Brovinski’s voice, and the room fell into total silence as every agent strained to listen.
“May I ask what’s on the menu?” Belinda asked.
“The chef has prepared a salmon dish. I hope you like it. It’s one of my favorites. Are you aware you’re still wearing your lab coat?�
��
“My goodness,” she exclaimed, “thank you. I think I must be getting tired, it’s been a long day,” she said as she carefully unbuttoned it and slipped it over the back of her chair.
“I’m afraid it’s about to get longer,” Brovinski said. “Good, here are our salads. The chef makes a very good lemon-dill dressing which works as an excellent precursor to the salmon.”
“Are you a gourmet, Mr. Simons?” she asked as an unsmiling man placed the salad in front of her.
“Yes, I am. There are only a few of life’s pleasures that I take seriously, and food is one of them. Would you care for some wine?”
“No, thank you. You said my night was about to get longer?”
“There’s been a change of plans,” he began as he started to eat his salad.
“Oh, and what’s that?” she asked calmly. Thank God I have that coat here.
“We’re concerned that Mr. Barrett’s release will cause unwanted attention here at the house. There was a paparazzi helicopter buzzing nearby when he came home so we’ve decided to move him. We’re going to slip him out tonight, with you along of course. We have a secluded beach house where he can recover in peace.”
“Fuck!” Dean exclaimed.
“No! What do we do now?” Blake asked urgently. “We have to get her out of there.”
“Shush, we need to hear this,” Dean said sharply.
“That sounds delightful,” Belinda lied. “When will we be leaving?”
“I appreciate your cooperation,” Brovinksi said. “I doubt many people would be so, what’s the word, flexible.”
“I think it’s a good idea,” she replied. “I’m not sure I would recommend moving him again so soon, but I saw the helicopter too, and if that’s any indication of what we’re in, I agree that we should find a quieter place for his recovery.”
“I’m pleased you understand. If you could be ready by 10 p.m. we’ll move out then. The town should have quieted down and there shouldn’t be much traffic.”
“I’ll be ready,” she nodded, “and you’re right, this salad is delicious. I trust someone is taking care of Mr. Barrett’s dinner? It’s not that I doubt it, but it’s my job to make sure he’s getting his nourishment on time.”
“Yes, that’s being dealt with right now,” Brovinski replied. “He’s particular about his diet.”
“May I ask you something?”
“Certainly.”
“Mr. Barrett hasn’t uttered a single word, not one, since his arrival at the hospital,” she said hoping the comment would reassure him that he’d not spoken to her. “It’s very unusual. Do you know why he’s not talking?”
“He will, at some point,” Brovinski replied, and I’m glad you finally asked me. I’ve been wondering why you haven’t. “The reason he has become a recluse is because he had an unfortunate reaction to some recreational drug use.”
“Oh, I see.”
“It has left him with severe scar tissue in his throat, and when he speaks it’s not attractive. He prefers to stay silent.”
“That’s terrible.”
“Yes, it is, and that’s why I’m here, to make sure none of his old friends come up and try to bring anything that might tempt him. I handle all his communication. The studios talk to me, I talk to him, and that’s how it works. When things settle down we can bring him back here.”
“Will you be joining us at this new place?”
“Yes, but I won’t be staying there full-time. Good, the salmon,” he said turning around as the man approached with their plates. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.”
Brovinski steered the conversation to idle chit chat, asking Belinda vague questions about her work. She answered them easily, and when the dinner plates were cleared away, he suggested dessert.
“No, thank you. I’d like to take a shower and nap before I start getting ready to leave, so if you don’t mind I’ll head back to my room. Thanks for a great meal. It was delicious.”
“You’re very welcome,” he said standing up. “If anything should happen with Mr. Barrett and you’re needed, someone will knock on your door. I think you’ve done enough tending for one day.”
“I appreciate that, though I will need to gather up the supplies, and I’d like to check on him before we leave.”
“Yes, before we leave, say around 9:45 p.m.”
“Great. I’ll see you later,” and this is very strange. They don’t want me going back into his room. What the hell is going on? Thank goodness Dean and Blake heard all that.
Rising from her chair she picked up her coat, draped it over her arm, and began to amble back to her room. She could feel Brovinski’s eyes on her as she moved away, but that didn’t stop her looking around. It was the natural thing to do.
Relieved to have reached her room she walked inside, powered on her television set, then headed into the bathroom and turned on the faucets.
At Blake’s house, Dean was on his feet, his troops surrounding him.
“We have to move tonight. We have no choice,” he declared.
“Sir, two things,” the young tech called. “I was listening to the conversation in Barrett’s room. I think you need to hear this.”
“Now what?” he muttered. “Go ahead, put it on speaker.”
“Open wide, Georgie,” a man’s voice said. “Easy does it, no sudden moves. There. Done.”
“Please, I’m not going to say anything, I swear. You don’t need to put that thing back in my mouth. Please.”
“Not my decision to make, Georgie, but I doubt Fred will change his mind. Can’t have you whispering to anyone. That wouldn’t be healthy for you, or the person who’s listening. It’s for your own good. The temptation to talk would be too great.”
“It won’t I swear.”
“Georgie, if you hadn’t tried to escape none of this would be happening. It’s your own fault. Now be a good boy and eat your dinner before I get annoyed.”
There was the sound of clinking glass and then nothing, presumably because George Barrett had started to have his meal.
“That answers that question,” Dean declared. “They’re putting something in his mouth to stop him talking. Pat, make sure the doc knows that the minute you arrive at the safe house.”
“The drone’s in place!” someone called.
“Monitor,” Dean called back.
The screen that had served the helicopter came to life, and as they stared at the guest house they saw six men walking inside, and a moment later, six men left.
“We got lucky. That’s a shift change, and what’s that next to the house, by those trees?”
The picture zoomed in and they realized they were looking at an oversized satellite dish.
“That’s enough evidence for me. That’s their command center. Okay, folks, let’s get this show on the road. Pay attention.”
Blake listened to Dean go through the changes in their plans, and though everything the agent said made sense, and Josh’s reassuring words were swirling in his head, Blake’s heart was still thundering in his chest.
“This just means she’ll be back with you sooner than you thought,” Brian remarked seeing the deep frown on Blake’s forehead.
“I’m okay. The adrenalin’s starting, that’s all, and why is that cellphone lit up?” Blake asked.
“Shit. That’s Belinda,” Brian exclaimed. “Dean, it’s Belinda, she’s texting.”
Dean had been so focused on outlining the minor changes in the operation, he hadn’t noticed that the black cellphone sitting on the coffee table was flashing and buzzing. Darting his eyes down he was initially shocked, then grateful that Belinda had found a way to contact them. Grabbing the phone he opened the message.
“What does she say?” Blake demanded.
“Listen everyone, a text from Belinda,” he announced. “One guard with Barrett. My room is down the hall to the right just inside the front door. It’s the third door on right facing the ocean. There is Brovinski, the chef, and Barrett’s g
uard. I can hear more men but haven’t seen them.”
He quickly typed in a response.
Expect delivery at 9:30 p.m. Stay in room until arrested. Remember, Blake’s knock is 3-2-1.
Pushing send, he waited anxiously, and her response popped up.
Understood. Can’t wait.
“Okay, folks,” he called. “Let’s get moving. Remember, quiet and quick, no shots unless absolutely necessary, easy does it,” then turning to Blake he locked his eyes. “Are you ready?”
“Absolutely,” he replied. “Like Belinda said, I can’t wait.”
Chapter Forty-One
Grateful for the communication, Belinda leaned back against the wall of the shower. Removing the cellphone from the rock had presented no problem, and she’d slipped into the shower stall with her back to the water to send and receive the messages. She’d brought a shower cap in with her, and wrapping it around the phone she placed it in the soap rack, then stood under the hot stream, letting it splash over her body.
Thank goodness I found that nanny-cam. What a relief to have this small amount of privacy. It sure made using the cellphone much easier.
Stepping from the stall and drying off, all she could think about was seeing Blake in three short hours. She put the phone back inside the rock, donned her bathrobe, and moving into the bedroom she slid between the sheets and stared at the television set. It was comforting to see something so familiar, but after a few minutes she wanted some peace, so switched it off and closed her eyes.
I hope this all works. I hope this sudden change doesn’t throw everything off. Blake, my dearest Blake, I can’t wait to hear you knock gently on my door. I’d write you a note in case something should happen to me, but I can’t. I can feel eyes on me all the time. I could probably sneak some paper and pen into the bathroom, but I promised you I wouldn’t take any risks and I’m going to keep that promise.
Though she was too wired to sleep, she felt herself begin to zone out, drifting into a strange place of being half-asleep, yet awake enough to know what was going on around her.
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