“See you,” Caleb corrected. “I think that we might be a little busy to plan on immediate reunions.” He looked her directly in the eye. “Because the minute we get off the plane, we’re hopping a helicopter and I’m taking you directly to see MacDuff.” Then he spoke into the phone. “Joe, do you remember I told you that I couldn’t decide whether to tell you what I was planning because it might make you an accessory?” He was smiling recklessly. “I decided to hell with it. I’ll worry about breaking you out of jail later if it comes down to it. So I’ll tell you exactly what’s on the agenda so far and what you need to do if you want to keep Jane from running back to that son of a bitch.”
Chapter
15
It might work,” Joe said slowly to Eve after Caleb had hung up. “It’s absolutely bizarre and shouldn’t have a chance, but it’s Caleb and he could pull it all together.” He shook his head ruefully. “Hell, he managed to get Jane away from Luca.”
“Yes, he did that,” Eve said. “And at the moment I’m just grateful that Jane is on her way here and not still with that beast who tortures helpless children.” She grimaced. “That makes it difficult for me to consider the ramifications for you if we become involved with aiding and abetting a bank robbery.” Her gaze was on his face. “But you’re already considering it, aren’t you? You’re going to go for it.”
“Well, it’s not as if Caleb needs me for the bank robbery itself. But Jane won’t be free of that bastard until we get that child away from Luca. All I have to do is find where they’re keeping him.” His lips twisted. “And, if I stumble over Luca while I’m doing it, all the better.”
“You never stumble. And you’re mad as hell with Luca. So am I.” She met his eyes. “What if Caleb decides he does need your help to rob that bank?”
He grinned. “Well, Caleb promised to break me out of jail. But you might have to take care of Michael on your own until he does it.”
“No problem.” She went into his arms and held him tightly. “I just had to be certain we’re on the same page. Actually, I might prefer the bank to having you wander around all those cult weirdos. I don’t suppose I get to go with you?” She shook her head impatiently. “I know. I know. One of us always has to be there for Michael.” She gave him a quick kiss and then pushed him away. “Go ahead and make your arrangements. I have to go talk to him.”
He nodded. “You’re going to tell him about Jane.”
She shook her head. “I’m going to tell him everything. He’s told us we have to trust him and that he has to help. If we ignore him now, he might try to do something on his own. I can’t have that, Joe. It’s too dangerous.” She shrugged. “So I’m going to trust him and so are you. That way we have a chance that Michael might not try to smuggle himself onto your flight to Mantua.”
He nodded wryly. “I hear you.”
“Let’s hope Michael hears me.” She turned and left the tent and started down the hill toward where Michael and Lisa were working. She hadn’t gone more than a few yards before Michael came out of one of the tents and stood watching her. A brilliant smile lit his face. “Jane’s safe?”
She should have known Michael would know the minute he saw her. “Not entirely. That’s what I need to talk to you about. But Caleb has her and she’s not with Luca.”
“Then she’s safe. We can handle the rest. Wait here. I’ll go get Lisa. She’ll want to know about Caleb. He hasn’t called her lately.” He disappeared back into the tent and a minute later he was pulling Lisa toward Eve. “Now you can tell us both. It’s not as if she’s not family.”
Lisa blinked. “It seems I’ve been adopted. That’s a little pushy, Michael. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.” Then she said to Eve, “But that doesn’t matter. He said you’ve heard from Caleb?”
Eve nodded and sat down at the picnic table a few yards away. “Just now, they’re on their way to Edinburgh. But there are still problems.” She took a deep breath. Smother the doubts and second thoughts. Go for it. She dived into the explanation. When she’d finished, she looked at Michael. “And that’s all your dad and I know about the situation. You wanted us to trust you and that’s what we’re doing. You said that you wanted to help, and Jane apparently thinks you’re already doing something. Are you? Have you been able to contact Tomas again?”
He nodded slowly. “But I haven’t been able to find out much from him. He was very unhappy and scared and pushed me away yesterday. But that might have been because Jane wasn’t there any longer. I’ll try again today and tell him Jane is safe. That might make a difference.” He paused. “Dad’s going to try to find him? Maybe I should go with him. If I was closer to Tomas, it might—”
“But you don’t know that,” she interrupted. “And you being there might make your dad worry, and that would get in his way. You can see how that could happen.”
He nodded, still troubled.
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to just concentrate harder with Tomas to get the info your dad needs?” Eve asked. “The minute you find out where Tomas is located, we’ll call him.”
He hesitated. Then he nodded. “I guess that would be okay. Or I might be able to do something with Luca…”
Eve let out the breath she’d been holding. “Stick with Tomas. Now go up and say goodbye to your dad. He’ll be leaving soon.”
“Right.” He got to his feet and started trotting up the hill.
“You handled that very well.” Lisa was watching him leave. “I thought for a moment you’d lost him.”
“So did I.” Eve got to her feet. “And it only worked because he allowed me to do it. He was probably thinking that I might insist on going along, too, and he’s very protective.”
“And you knew it.”
“I know my son. But I’m having to learn more every day.” She raised a brow as she studied Lisa. “You were very quiet. I was beginning to wonder if Joe was going to have to worry about you tagging along.”
“Why?” Lisa threw back her head and laughed. “I admit that I’ve been a little bored and the idea intrigued me. But Caleb is on his way to Edinburgh, and robbing a bank sounds much more exciting.”
* * *
MacDuff’s Run
MacDuff was waiting in the courtyard when the helicopter landed. He opened the passenger door and pulled Jane out of her seat and into his arms. “You’re well?” He pushed her back, his gaze raking her face. He gently touched the bruise on her cheek. “I mean as well as you can be. Considering that Caleb allowed this to happen.”
“Stop it.” Jane broke away from his embrace and then backed away from him. “I’m not going to put up with this any longer,” she said fiercely. “Everything that happened to me was my doing and Caleb still managed to get me away from Luca.” She looked him in the eye. “I’m grateful. If you’re happy I’m alive and here, you should be grateful to him, too.” She paused and then added pointedly, “And show it.”
“Wicked dilemma,” Caleb murmured.
“Indeed.” MacDuff grimaced. His gaze was suddenly searching her face. “Something’s…different. You were always defensive of him, but I believe I sense a certain tigerish protectiveness now.” He shrugged. “I suppose I’m grateful for the act of saving you, if not the consequences he allowed to be inflicted. But since he’s told me that he has a favor to ask, I might enjoy watching him beg enough to admit he didn’t do too badly in that extrication.” He was leading them toward the house. “Of course, I could have done better. Come in and have a drink in the study and I’ll tell you how.” He glanced with catlike malice over his shoulder. “After you tell me how much you want that favor and what you’re willing to do to get it.”
“Anything,” Caleb said. “Do you want me on my knees?”
“Oh, that would be delightful. I’d almost give anything to see that.” MacDuff opened the doors to the study. “But I have an idea that you still intend to rob me of the satisfaction. So come in and sit down and tell me how you’re going to cheat me of it…”
&nb
sp; * * *
“Amazing.” MacDuff leaned back in his chair after Caleb had finished outlining what he wanted from him. His expression had gone from incredulity, to amusement, to intense curiosity. “And totally outrageous. Did you actually think that I’d do this?”
“Could you do it?” Caleb asked. “I told Luca that you’d know all the pass codes and security measures. Do you?”
“I…might.”
“I believe you do. You’d want to know everything about the security arrangements for your treasure. It took you a long time to find it, and you wouldn’t risk losing it. That’s why you keep it here in Scotland—so that you can keep an eye on it.” He paused and said softly, “And that’s why you no longer have that treasure in the Royal Bank of Scotland, but in another location they offered you a few years ago.”
MacDuff’s expression didn’t change. “I beg your pardon?”
“The Royal Bank of Scotland was already one of the safest banks in the United Kingdom, but they wanted to go a step beyond for their best customers. So they built a new, incredibly high-tech facility to protect certain key accounts.”
“Indeed?” MacDuff had not stiffened, but Jane could see his sudden alertness. “Just what do you mean?”
“North Atlantic Loan and Trust,” Caleb said softly. “A small establishment at the edge of Edinburgh that appears to only be an ordinary neighborhood bank. But if you go behind the scenes it becomes very interesting.”
“How interesting?”
“It possesses one of the most secure vaults in the world, custom-made by Bossert and Sons of Switzerland. Although this creation is actually the product of Bossert’s youngest daughter, Emily, the family’s one true genius.”
“I’ve never been fond of nepotism.”
“Evidently you accepted it this time. Perhaps because she’d developed this masterpiece. I won’t go into details at the moment because you’re very familiar with every facet. I’ll just reel off a few of the main accomplishments. Absolutely foolproof vault programming of the biometric info on two of the bank’s senior officers to open the first vault doors. Very hard to keep up-to-date and accurate, but she found a way. Then, on the second door, scanners of those officers’ handprints that concentrate not only on the prints but also on an instant DNA analysis based on trace amounts of skin perspiration.”
“Impressive. If it works.”
“It works. And of course there’s also the retinal scan on the final vault door that’s also totally unique. But you’re also aware of that, MacDuff.” He paused. “Have I caught your attention?”
MacDuff was silent a moment. “As you said, interesting. I’d be more interested to know how you came to know about that particular establishment.” His expression hardened. “And whether I’m going to have to pull Cira’s treasure out of that supposedly foolproof financial institution that I was positively assured no one even knew existed outside of the top echelon.”
“No, it’s safe enough. Everything they told you was true. It has wonderful security that absolutely can’t be breached in the usual manner. You couldn’t be in better hands. I wouldn’t have even known about it if I hadn’t had to gather all that information about the Royal Bank of Scotland.” He shrugged. “I ran into a few anomalies that I had to look into when Palik gave me what I asked. It took me a little while to tap those Bossert executives in Switzerland for additional info and then put it all together. Then a little while longer to verify that your treasure was no longer in that bank. I guarantee no one else will notice or be able to use the information. I also promise that Luca won’t know those vaults exist until the last minute before we’re ready to spring the trap.”
“How comforting,” MacDuff said dryly. “Then I’d only have to worry about you robbing me.”
Caleb smiled. “That’s right. Unless you’d care to help.”
“You ask a lot.” His gaze was narrowed on Caleb’s face. “If you know all those details about those vaults, you have to know exactly how much you need me.”
“I know exactly how much I need you. Is this the time I fall to my knees?”
“Not yet. I might want to savor it. Not only do I have to worry about your extremely intrusive interference in my affairs, you also want me to keep an eye on some scum stealing it from me instead? Yes, Cira’s treasure is mine, but those vaults contain billions more than that treasure. Setting you loose down there would be dangerous as hell. I’d be putting the bank’s assets at risk, and the police would not be understanding. I’d say that makes the entire idea a bit ridiculous, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, but you might do it anyway.” Caleb was smiling. “Because everything I told Luca about you was true. It would amuse you to help me go after Luca. You’re angry that the bastard stole from you and murdered that guard who had spent most of his life working for your family. You’d hate the idea of anyone abusing or killing a child.” He nodded at Jane. “And you’d also hate the idea that Luca had hurt your friend who’d helped you find that treasure.”
MacDuff’s gaze shifted immediately to Jane. “No, I wouldn’t like that at all. How bad was it?”
“I told you, only a few nasty bruises. It could have been much worse.” She leaned forward. “And you’re not to do this for me, MacDuff. I told Caleb I didn’t want that. Let him find another way to get Luca that doesn’t involve you. Luca is a wild card. There’s no telling what he might decide to do, and I don’t want you hurt. And what about your reputation? You’re respected, practically a folk hero, in this country. Robbing a bank isn’t exactly what’s expected of the lord of MacDuff’s Run.”
“Quite right.” Then he suddenly smiled. “But it’s a new world and I’m only an earl. Have you noticed how not even the royals are doing what’s expected of them these days? Though I don’t believe any of them has robbed a bank.” He thought about it. “Though in his wilder days, the idea might have intrigued Prince Harry.”
Jane’s eyes widened. “MacDuff!”
“It’s all right, Jane. You’ve tried to save me from myself, but I find that Caleb knows me very well indeed.” His eyes shifted back to Caleb. “Now I have to make certain I know him before I take the chance. Will you promise I will lose nothing if I do this, Caleb? Can I trust you?”
“You will lose nothing.” Caleb smiled faintly. “Except a few days of boredom. And you’ve never trusted me, so you’ll have to make up your own mind about that.”
“That’s not good enough this time. The stakes are too high.” His gaze still held Caleb’s. “Jane, you answer for him. Can I trust him?”
She was startled at the question but answered instinctively. “You can trust him.”
MacDuff’s gaze never left Caleb’s. “How much can I trust him?”
“He gave you his word. You can trust him with your life.” She added, “If you’re crazy enough to do this, MacDuff.”
“It seems I am.” He looked away from Caleb to smile at Jane. “Because I realize that Caleb can accomplish amazing things if he chooses, and it’s clear you believe he’d never betray me. Besides, I’m going to enjoy keeping Caleb on tenterhooks, never knowing if I’ll back out at the last minute.” He got to his feet. “So go ahead and make your plans, Caleb. When is this madness supposed to take place?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“What? You did cut it close. And what would you have done if I’d said no?”
“You’ve just said you might still say no.” He shrugged. “Worried about it then. I need this to be over for Jane.”
“You’re impossible.” He shook his head. “It might be a bit too quick. But I do admit it does increase the entertainment factor. Just keep me informed of what you need and when you want to make the move. Will you be staying here?”
“No, we’ll be going back to Edinburgh,” Caleb said. “I have to make the advance contacts with the guards at the bank.” He shrugged. “And we’re waiting to hear from Luca. I’m sure he’s been keeping an eye on us since we arrived here.”
“Bastard,�
�� MacDuff muttered. “Keep him away from Jane. I’d rather she stay here.”
“So would I,” Caleb said as he opened the door for Jane. “But that won’t happen. The next time we see you will be tomorrow night at the North Atlantic Loan and Trust. I’ll be in touch about when and where you meet us to go into the bank, MacDuff.”
The next moment his hand was on Jane’s elbow, nudging her toward the helicopter. “Mission accomplished,” he told her. “Though I’m not sure he would have gone for it if you hadn’t been there trying to talk him out of it. It just reminded him what a good friend you are, and why he should go after Luca for hurting you.”
“And is that the way you planned it?”
“No, you had a right to tell him your opinion.” He paused. “But I thought it might have that effect on MacDuff. If I’d been wrong, I would have just had to find another way to convince him.”
He opened the passenger door of the helicopter for her. “But then you took care of that, too. He believed every word you were saying when he asked you if he could trust me. Even I was convinced.”
“Why shouldn’t he believe it? It was the truth.” She slipped into the seat. “Though he caught me off-guard. It’s really annoying that I have to run interference between the two of you. You’ll have to do something to work that out.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” His lips indented at the corners. “But you have to realize that the conflict seems perfectly reasonable from MacDuff’s viewpoint.”
“Because you’re usually difficult. And expect no one to trust you.” She waved her hand impatiently. “You should expect it. You deserve trust. You’ve never done anything to MacDuff to show him anything else.”
“If you say so.” He went around and got in the pilot’s seat. “At any rate, he’s accepting your word for it. And that means we can—”
Jane’s phone was ringing.
No ID.
“And here we go,” Caleb said. “Even sooner than I thought. I’d be glad to take it, Jane. I’m definitely in a mood to talk to Luca.”
The Persuasion Page 37