The underground clinic was hidden at the rear of a building that warehoused goods donated to a charity. Dr. Patel said that it was just one of many locations they used.
Serge never woke and his condition worsened despite the I.V. drip he was receiving. Once they reached San Francisco, Dr. Smith took over Serge’s care. Cody was surprised to discover that the doctor was only in his early thirties. The man claimed to be a thoracic surgeon.
Smith had a full head of wavy brown hair and alert brown eyes to match. He had greeted them wearing a suit but removed the jacket to cover himself with a surgical gown.
By this time, the boys had been awake for more than a day and needed rest. They were escorted to a room with three cots and told that they would be called if the patient woke up. Although they had no reason to distrust the doctor or his staff, they took turns sleeping in two-hour shifts. Spenser had trained them to be cautious and to never assume anything.
Refreshed by their naps, the boys left the room to discover that Serge was in a coma but expected to come out of it within a day or two. For an additional fee, a guard would be posted outside the ward.
“I don’t think a guard is necessary,” Dr. Smith said. “As much blood as that man lost, he’ll be too weak to run, and that leg of his will also hinder his movements.”
“Call us as soon as he wakes, and we’ll be back,” Cody assured the doctor.
“Are you nearby?”
“We’re about an hour away.”
“There’s one more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“I understand you’re only keeping this man alive to get information out of him. Once you have it and he becomes dispensable, he cannot be harmed here, understood?”
“Understood, and the man is just a lackey. If he helps us, I’ll let him live.”
“Why?”
“That was the deal he asked for. If he holds up his end, we’ll hold up ours.”
The doctor offered his hand. “We’ll keep you updated on his condition.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
The boys arrived back home around nine p.m. and were met by May Ling and Emma. The girls wore worried expressions and checked them over with their eyes for injuries.
“I’m fine,” Cody told May Ling, “but I’m hungry and need a shower and some rest.”
“The same goes for me, babe,” Romeo told Emma.
The two couples parted and entered their respective homes. Once inside, Cody lowered himself onto the sofa. May Ling joined him and stared into his eyes.
“It’s not over, is it?”
“No, we think Vivian might have been working with someone else.”
“I’m worried. Why don’t you get help? What about your mentor?”
“Spenser? We don’t need Spenser. Romeo and I can handle anything that comes along. Spenser trained us to be able to do so.”
May Ling caressed him. “I’m still worried.”
“Don’t be. Romeo and I will deal with this and then life can get back to normal.”
“Normal? Xavier, I don’t think our lives will ever be normal, not given who you are.”
“I’m sorry, May Ling. I know you deserve better than this.”
“As long as we’re together I can withstand anything.”
Cody kissed her. “I love you.”
* * *
At the Citadel, Jack Begley groaned as he brought a cell phone to his ear. Every little movement made his wounds ache. Mere hours after being operated on, he was fighting weakness and fatigue to complete the simple act of making a phone call.
His second attack on Cody and Romeo was a disaster that made the first bungled attempt look like a success in comparison. He placed the blame for the initial failure on the missing Knox, whom Begley assumed had been killed and disposed of. However, the debacle he suffered through in the early morning hours was the fault of Vince Ryker.
Standing beside his bed inside the Citadel’s infirmary, a worried Irina stared down at Begley.
“Jack, can’t this call wait? The doctor said you needed to rest.”
“No, I have to speak to Ryker… I’ll rest later.”
“Look at you. Just talking is wearing you out. You nearly died you know?”
Begley closed his eyes as his face reddened with shame.
“I bet I’m doing better than Serge.”
“I feel bad about Serge too, but you couldn’t have helped him, you barely made it back in here alive yourself.”
“Thanks to you,” Begley said.
Although he had been in great pain and on the edge of unconsciousness, Begley remembered Irina shielding him from further injury by using her own body. Begley had been attracted to Irina Devoe because of her exotic good looks. He had thought she was drawn to him to a degree because he was in a position of power. Her actions said otherwise and spoke of the love she held in her heart for him.
Irina had saved his life, and Begley’s fondness for her had increased beyond her physical beauty. Still, Begley didn’t love Irina. He had only ever loved one woman. That was his wife Ann, who was God only knew where.
After taking over the Citadel from a murderous con artist named Richard Abadandi, Begley had hired a private detective to find Ann. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe that Ann would ever come back and live with him inside the Citadel, but he wanted to know that she was all right.
Things between them had ended not only badly but abruptly. They had been under the threat of violence from Abadandi’s assassin, a man named Clark Hawthorne. Hawthorne was dead, and Ann knew that, but she had no way to know that Abadandi had been slain as well. For all Begley knew, Ann was living under the impression that someone still wanted her dead.
So far, the search for Ann had come up empty. As for poor Serge, Begley assumed he was tortured for information and buried in a shallow grave. Serge had been his best friend and Begley had abandoned him as if he meant nothing. He had to live with that shame for the rest of his life.
After finding the right number in the phone’s directory, Begley called Ryker. The phone was laid against his cheek; in his depleted state the device felt ten times heavier than it actually was. When the phone was answered, Begley hurled an accusation.
“You set me up, Ryker.”
“Who is this, Begley?”
“That shack of a house you sent me to was a trap… I’m the only one that, that…” Begley had to stop talking to catch his breath, and Ryker cut in.
“I didn’t send you into a trap, but I warned you that those boys were dangerous.”
“Vivian, your daughter, maybe she’s the one who set me up.”
“My daughter?” Ryker said in a hushed voice, as if he were considering the idea. His daughter had gotten close to Cody and Romeo, and he knew she liked Emma. Was it possible that she would betray him?
Ryker shook his head at the thought. No matter how much his daughter might enjoy interacting with their enemies she would never forget that they had killed her brother. Despite that, it might be prudent to withhold information from her in the future.
Begley began speaking again.
“Vivian is the one who told me that Zane and Slade would be at that house… but instead of ambushing them… they set us up.”
“Why are you panting, Begley?”
“I, I was wounded… that bastard Zane shot me three times.”
“And what about your men?”
“Dead, all dead because of you.”
“You knew the risks when you went after those boys. If it makes you feel any better, I have another partner stepping up to take them down.”
“What other partner?”
“You don’t need to know that, but the man will be attacking with a small army. Zane and Slade will be dead in a matter of days.”
“If you’re smart, you’ll keep Vivian out of the loop.”
“I trust Vivian; I think she was just outsmarted and given bad information.”
“I hope you kill those bastards, Ryker… but I’m o
ut of it now.”
Begley ended the call and handed the phone to Irina.
“You didn’t tell him about Serge, Jack. Serge might have told Max about Ryker.”
“I hope he did, then it might be Ryker walking into a trap.”
Irina leaned over the bed and kissed Begley.
“Get some sleep and I’ll be here when you wake.”
Irina went to the door, after opening it, she hit the light switch and the room grew dark. As she stood silhouetted in the light from the hallway, Begley called to her.
“His name isn’t Max. He goes by the name of Xavier Zane.”
“I know, but I still think of him as Max.”
“Whatever his name is, if I ever see him again, I’ll kill him.”
“Rest, Jack, close your eyes and get some sleep.”
Irina left Begley lying in the dark, his only company was the monitors that checked his vital signs. Their soft clicks and the drip of the liquid in the I.V. stand were discernable in the quiet room. Despite his weakness and exhaustion, Begley lay awake for over an hour thinking of Cody, while desiring his death.
126
The Calm Before The Storm
ROBBIN’S COVE, CALIFORNIA, FEBRUARY 2004
Although winter, the first day in February saw the temperature reach high into the seventies in Robbin’s Cove. Romeo and the others boarded his boat for a day of rest and recreation.
They’d yet to learn anything from Serge. The Citadel guard had lapsed into a coma after surviving surgery, but Dr. Smith was hopeful that he would emerge out of it once he became stronger.
As they sailed, Emma spoke of her desire to go to nursing school, while May Ling was considering returning to college to obtain her master’s degree. She had majored in European history and had a desire to teach it at the college-level someday.
Upon arriving at the dock, their neighbor Bart greeted them while eyeing May Ling like she was a gift he couldn’t wait to unwrap. When Cody asked the older man what he was staring at, Bart looked over at him and swallowed hard.
“Nothing, just being friendly,” Bart said.
“May Ling doesn’t need any new friends,” Cody told him, and Bart scampered back to his own boat.
The weather on the water was wonderful and the breeze revitalizing. To Cody and Romeo’s surprise, May Ling also knew how to sail, although she said she hadn’t much experience. Romeo bid her to pilot the boat for a while, then later activated the automatic helm control to test it out. The device worked well, and Romeo cut the engines when it was time for lunch.
During the meal, they discussed Vivian. Emma was heartsick over her friend’s betrayal and puzzled by her intentions.
“Why was she in our lives for months if she was working for that man Begley?”
“I guess Begley was waiting for us to return to the states,” Cody said.
“Yes, but you and Romeo have been here for some time now, why the delay in attacking you? It’s almost as if they were waiting for something to happen.”
“Xavier,” May Ling said. “Do you think it’s safe for you to work on the home you’re building again?”
“We’re getting back to work tomorrow. With Begley handled, we shouldn’t face any more threats.”
“You should still be careful, that jobsite is isolated.”
“We’ll take added precautions, and with all the cameras we have out there now, we’ll see anyone coming.”
“What about Vivian?” Emma said. “Do you think she’ll try to hurt you?”
“Vivian was probably just acting as a minion for Begley. She’s long gone,” Romeo said.
* * *
Not only was Vivian not gone, but she was only twelve miles south of them and on a boat of her own. It was a rented speed boat. Vivian’s destination was One-Man Island. After learning about the island from Sid Rodgers, Vivian inquired about it and discovered that it was available to rent for the winter months. The secluded isle was perfect for Ryker, as it allowed him to stay in the area without the risk of being spotted.
Vivian docked her boat beside the one Ryker was using, then left her craft while holding a bag full of groceries. To her right, the dock continued on as it rose and became a pier that sat twenty feet above the water. It was a good spot for fishing or ocean viewing, but Vivian had been warned by the realtor handling the property not to use it for diving. The waters around One-Man Island were notorious for their strong currents.
* * *
Ryker met her out on the porch of the old weather-beaten home that sat east of the pier. He had been working out with a pair of eighty-pound dumbbells and was sweaty. Since the injury to his leg, Ryker had given up running, however, he did extensive workouts with weights and concentrated on doing high repetitions until he was exhausted. Although not as efficient as running to increase cardiovascular endurance, the weights kept him in shape. He had also packed eight more pounds of muscle on what had already been a brawny frame.
Vivian knew of Begley’s defeat. As she put the food away, she asked Ryker when Jorge Garcia would be attacking the boys.
Ryker hesitated in answering her. Perhaps Begley had been right, and he should keep things closer to his vest, even from those nearest to him. Vivian had also admitted that she liked Emma Hart.
“Garcia is still gathering men. I’m not sure when he’ll finally be ready.”
“I could have a go at them.”
“No, Vivian. I doubt that would have been successful when they trusted you. Now that they know that you were working with Begley, you’d never get near enough.”
Vivian shook her head in disgust.
“That bitch Emma lied to me like a pro and made me send Begley into a trap.”
“I thought you had grown fond of her?”
“That was before she used me. I don’t like being used and made a fool of.”
Ryker picked up one of the TV dinners Vivian had bought, but she plucked it from his hand.
“Don’t eat that. I’m going to cook up a pasta dish when I get back.”
“Get back from where?”
“The dock. I have a load of canned goods to bring in.”
“Do you need help?”
“It’s just one box. I’ll be right back.”
As Vivian left to head back to the dock, Ryker watched her. She believed that Garcia wasn’t prepared to move forward. The truth was that the man was eager and had plans to attack the boys in three days, after traveling to California from Dallas.
Ryker smiled. Once Spenser’s apprentices were dead, he would come to Robbin’s Cove full of fury and looking for revenge.
Spenser would find that vengeance, but he’d be on the receiving end of it. All hell was about to break loose in Robbin’s Cove.
127
Hard Rain, Harder Truth
ROBBIN’S COVE, CALIFORNIA, FEBRUARY 2004
After returning from their day on the water, Cody called Dr. Smith and inquired about Serge’s condition.
He learned that the Citadel guard was still in a coma but showing signs of coming out of it as his blood pressure improved.
Serge had come damn close to dying according to the doctor, and Cody had almost let him. But Serge had said that Vivian had a partner. That partner was probably the same man she was spotted with in Ireland. The likelihood that it had been Begley was next to nil now that Serge had revealed another conspirator.
Whoever he was, once Cody had his name, he would track the man down and make him lead him to Vivian. Romeo had promised not to harm Vivian, but Cody had made no such pledge. Anyone who threatened him was by extension threatening May Ling, and they would die.
The one exception to that would be Serge. By saving the man’s life, Cody had entered into a deal with the Citadel mercenary. He’d keep his word. Besides, after Begley abandoned him to die alone, Cody guessed that Serge held no love for his boss and would no longer do his bidding.
* * *
The next day, Cody and Romeo were back on the jobsite where worker
s were adding sheets of plywood onto the framing. It was a large experienced crew and they were making fast work of the task. Cody felt confident enough that he had let go of the two guards they’d hired.
The cameras hidden around the property, along with the motion detectors, would provide a warning were anyone to trespass. And if it were a serious threat, the rent-a-guards would have been endangered.
On the off chance that Begley was foolish enough to send more men at them, Cody had upped their arsenal.
While in Oregon, he had acquired four hand grenades along with two bricks of .223 Remington ammo, and spare magazines. Combined with their skill, Cody was confident that he and Romeo could survive any attack.
The plywood had been secured to the home’s frame before a storm blew in on Wednesday night. The gale was accompanied by torrential rains and was expected to last through Thursday. Work on the home was postponed, but Cody and Romeo went to the site to do paperwork and place orders for the following day.
They also met with the men installing the two metal support columns, and the subcontractor who would build the home’s fireplaces.
The metal support columns weren’t needed in Cody’s opinion, but the town’s building inspector believed differently. It added onto the cost of the home and the welder was scheduled to come back and finish the next day.
With the house coming together, Cody and Romeo felt pride in the project. They had always wanted to supervise the building of a home. It was as rewarding as they had hoped.
As they stood looking out a window in the trailer, Romeo smiled.
“I wouldn’t mind living here myself, but man that is one big house.”
“Emma wants to have kids, right? Just make sure you have enough to fill it.”
“Don’t laugh. She said she’d like to have at least four. Emma was lonely sometimes growing up as an only child.”
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