Final Target

Chapter Nine

Lyon

"Don't answer it," Danielle Claron said.

The doorbell rang again. Henri started for the door.

"Don't be a fool," she told him.

"If it's van der Beck, I'd be a fool not to answer it. We've already discussed this, Danielle. We need to leave Lyon, and I've no intention of leaving it a pauper."

"You'd rather leave it in a hearse?"

"Haven't I always taken care of you? During these last ten years you've never lacked food on the table, but now we have a chance to live the way we deserve to."

"I'm the one who gave you that chance. And I'm telling you that you shouldn't-"

The bell rang again.

"Very well, answer it. But be careful." Danielle moistened her lips . "We should never have gotten caught up in this. We didn't need that extra money."

"You never complained before. This is no different, only bigger. Now leave me to bargain."

She moved toward the bedroom. "Believe me, I've no desire to be here."

"That's good. You're too transparent. I saw van der Beck watching you when he was-" He suddenly tensed as he looked through the peephole. It wasn't van der Beck. This mail was tall, fair-haired, powerfully built, and only in his late thirties.

"Yes?"

"Monsieur Claron?" The man smiled. "My name is Jacques Lebrett. I've been sent by Jan van der Beck. I have something for you."

"Why didn't he come himself?"

"He's a busy man. I believe he told you he might send someone?"

Van der Beck had mentioned the possibility, but Claron was still uneasy. "Tell van der Beck if he wants to have the-"

"He's involved in some very delicate negotiations." Lebrett flipped open his briefcase and held it up so that it was visible through the peephole." But he's not too busy to furnish you with suitable funds for your information."

Money. Stacks and stacks of francs. He'd never seen so much.

"Can we talk, Monsieur Claron?"

So much money…

Henri unlocked and threw open the door. "Come in."

"Thank you." The man smiled. "I'm sure we can come to terms."

The wife had escaped.

No problem. Edward Deschamps had disabled the car in the driveway and the house was miles from the road. Henri Claron had died too easily, but tracking his wife down would be a challenge. He had needed this kill. He had been on the hunt for Travis too long, and that made him edgy. When the need for removing the Clarons had become clear, he had eagerly leapt at the chance.

Deschamps washed the bloody knife, carefully wiped his fingerprints from the sink, then did a pass around the house. Not that these precautions would do much good. Forensic tests made it very difficult for a man to do his job these days. Yet he still did as he'd been taught as a boy. Habits were hard to break.

He left the house and scanned the yard and surrounding woods. Which way would she go? The fields that eventually led to the highway?

No, the woods. She'd think she could hide in the trees.

But he would find her. This was the game in which he excelled. He'd known that Claron would open the door. Money was always the key. Several authentic bills on top and paper below and the man had thought he was rich. What a fool.

He went down the steps into the farmyard, flicked his lighter, and lit the taper he'd brought with him. He tossed the taper on the gasoline-soaked boards of the porch.

The house exploded in flames.

"Henri Claron is dead," van der Beck said.

"What?" Travis's hand tightened on his phone. "How?"

"His house burned to the ground, but the police think he was dead before the fire started. They haven't found his wife yet."

"She escaped?"

"Maybe. But if she did, she dug a hole and isn't going to come out."

"If she's alive, I need to know where she is. You said she was as nervous as her husband. There's a good chance she knew what he knew. Or maybe more."

"You think she's going to risk getting her throat cut after what happened to Henri?"

"Sometimes fear or revenge is a greater spur than money. Try to find her, Jan."

"I've already started." He paused. "Yesterday I found two bugs in my apartment. They weren't there three days ago, when I made my last check."

Travis stiffened. "Karlstadt?"

"Perhaps. Or possibly CIA. But the bugs were Chinese. I wouldn't think they'd be regular CIA issue."

Travis didn't like it. Events were taking a nasty turn and the pressure was mounting.

"What about the negotiations with Karlstadt?"

"He's up to twenty-three. You wouldn't consider taking him up on it?"

"I'll think about it."

"Good. I've got a bad feeling about this Claron development. I find it curious that he was murdered before I could complete our transaction. It makes me wonder if there's a wild card out there and closer than I'm comfortable with." He didn't speak for a moment. "And I think someone's been following me."

"CIA?"

"Oh, them too. Two men, green Porsche. I had them spotted three days after you left Amsterdam. But I have a hunch there's someone else."

"Did you see anyone?"

"No, but I've got that tingling in the back of my neck."

"Indisputable proof."

"Enough for me. As you know, it's saved my life any number of times. Things are getting too tense. I think I'll take my cut and set sail on a long, long cruise. Call me when you make up your mind. Good-bye, Michael."

"Wait."Twenty-three million was enough, and he didn't like the way the situation was shaping up for Jan. "Take the offer."

"Good." Jan gave a sigh of relief. "Karlstadt will want delivery at once, you know."

"Stall him."

"It's like trying to stall a cobra that's set to strike. He hates having to bargain for-"

"We don't have a choice. I'm having a few problems with my situation here."

"Four days tops. I'm warning you, Karlstadt will explode."

"I'll call you."

Jan suddenly chuckled. "I didn't think you'd give in to Karlstadt. Are you getting soft, Michael?"

"Maybe. You keep telling me what a tough customer Karlstadt is."

"Oh, I don't think you're afraid of Karlstadt. I believe you may be worried about me. I approve."

"Why should I worry about you? You've got that magical tingling neck to keep you safe." He hung up.

Four days.

How the hell was he going to find a way to leave here in four days? The barriers were monumental. Cassie. Andreas. The Secret Service.

And Jessica and Melissa Riley. The two women might be the most formidable obstacles of all.

Well, obstacles were meant to be overcome. An idea had already occurred to him as to how to finagle his departure, but he'd been trying to think of some other way.

It was nasty. Very nasty.

But so was the situation in Amsterdam, and that was his real life, not this hiatus here at Juniper. Jan was no fool, and if he thought there was danger, then the threat existed. His life might be on the line. It wasTravis's part of the deal to grab the money and get them both safely away from the Russians and Karlstadt, and that was what he had to do.

It was ironic Jan had accused him of going soft. He'd change his mind if he knew how Travis was planning to get away from here.

Nasty…

The sun was going down when Jessica opened the door to Travis.

"May I speak to you?" he asked.

She frowned in puzzlement. "Come in. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing that can't be solved. I'd rather not come into the house. Why don't we go for a walk down to the pond?"

"I have to get back to Cassie. I'm only taking my dinner break."

"I'll try not to be long."

She hesitated. "Fifteen minutes." She followed him down the front steps. "I wanted to speak to you too. I had a talk with Mellie last night. She told me the Wind Dancer was what Cassie was searching for in the tunnel. She seems to have an idea pursuing that lead will be bad for Cassie."

"And what do you think?"

"I think we have to grab any straw we can to help her. I made Mellie promise not to try to steer Cassie away from the statue."

"I imagine she had a few problems with that," he murmured.

"She agreed." She glanced at him. "You don't seem surprised."

"I think we both knew your sister's reaction was a little extreme."

"Then why didn't you follow up?"

"Why should I? I knew you'd do it and you would have only resented my accusing her of anything."

"Yes, I would have." She stopped as they reached the pond. "She didn't mean any harm. She was only concerned for Cassie."

"And that's your concern too."

"Of course."

"You love your sister very much, don't you?"

"That's no secret."

"And you wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her."

She went still. "My God, are you threatening Mellie?"

"Yes, I suppose I am." He turned to look at her. "I have to leave here soon. I've got to get back to Amsterdam. I'd like to take you, Melissa, and Cassie with me. It's the only way I can think of to salve my conscience at leaving." His lips twisted. "And I admit the package deal will make getting out of here easier."

Panic shot through her. "You can't leave."

"I can't do anything else."

"The hell you can't. Andreas won't let you."

"I'm going, Jessica."

"Cassie will die."

"Not if you come with me."

"And Mellie."

"She's been getting stronger. She might survive even if Cassie doesn't."

"You son of a bitch." She brought her trembling hand to her lips." It's crazy. For God's sake, you're talking about kidnapping Cassie. They'll find you, lock you up, and throw away the key."

"Not if we find a way to heal her."

"We? You think I'll become involved in this criminal madness?"

"Do you have a choice? You're crazy about Cassie and Melissa. You wouldn't want anything to happen to them."

"Nothing will happen to them." She glared at him. "You're staying and we're going to go on just the way we have been."

"Not quite."

"What do you mean?"

"If Cassie has a nightmare, I won't come to help her."

"What?" She stared at him in disbelief. "You have to come."

He shook his head.

"You may be a bastard, but you couldn't refuse to help Cassie when she suffers."

"It's your call and your responsibility. I've told you I'm willing to help her…on my terms."

"You're bluffing. You're not that cold."

"When I have to be, I'm colder than you could ever imagine." He stared directly into her eyes. "Am I bluffing, Jessica?"

Oh, God, she was afraid he wasn't. His face was without expression, but his eyes…She had gotten to know him over the past weeks; he wasn't capable of letting Cassie go through a nightmare without helping. "You're bluffing."

"I'm sorry. I hoped to make it easy for all of us. I wouldn't mention this to Melissa. It will only worry her. After all, you're rolling the dice for her well-being too."

"I'll do what I like."

"No, you'll do what's best for the people you care about. That's what I'm banking on."

Her hands clenched as she watched him walk away. Damn him. Damn him.

He was bluffing. He had to be bluffing.

The next night the lights came on in Cassie's room.

The phone in the gatehouse rang.

"Get over here," Jessica said. "Now."

"Nightmare?"

"Yes."

He hung up the phone.

Don't call back.

Don't go to the manor.

Don't think of that little girl.

He went back to the window.

And waited.

Thirty minutes later he saw Jessica running down the driveway. He opened the door and waited for her.

"You son of a bitch." Tears were streaming down her cheeks. "You bastard." She grabbed his arm. "You come with me."

"No."

"You've got to come-"

"I don't have to do anything. I do what I choose to do."

"I'll have Fike come down and drag you up there."

"And I'll sit in the chair by her bed and not say a word."

"You couldn't-" She stared at him in disbelief. "You could. My God, you're going to let Mellie and Cassie…" She turned and ran back up the driveway to the house.

Jesus, he felt sick.

Don't give in. You've gone this far. If you give in tonight, you'll have to do it again tomorrow or the night after.

Five minutes.

Ten minutes.

The phone rang.

"All right, you bastard." Jessica's voice was shaking. "I'll do anything you want. Just get up here."

"I'll be right there." He started up the driveway at a dead run.

Christ, it had been even more ugly than he'd imagined it could be.

"What happened, Jessica?" Melissa's voice was weak. "It went on for so long…"

Jessica didn't answer as she took her pulse. "How do you feel?"

"Like hell. He didn't come…It took so long--"

"Your heartbeat's still a little erratic, but it's coming back to normal now." She drew Melissa's coverlet up around her shoulders. "And Cassie's fine too."

"She wasn't fine. She's grown to depend on him. I tried to break away and talk to her, but she wouldn't…accept me. When I'm part of her, I'm part of the terror…not the salvation." She moistened her lips. "He's…the one she identifies as the savior."

"Some savior." She brushed the hair back from Melissa's forehead. "Are you going to be okay if I leave you and go back to Cassie?"

"Sure. Where was he, Jessica?"

"He got here a little late."

" Bad…" Her eyes closed. "So bad. We were so scared. He should have come sooner."

"It was bad." Jessica moved toward the door. "But it won't happen again. He'll be here right away next time."

"Good. We…couldn't breathe and our heart hurt…"

"It won't happen again," Jessica repeated, and closed the door behind her.

Son of a bitch. She blinked her stinging eyes and started down the hall toward Cassie's room.

Fike straightened away from the wall. "Gee, I hoped the little girl was getting better. This was the worst I've ever heard her."

"She's better now."

"Mr. Travis is still in there with her. He usually helps, doesn't he?"

"Usually."

"He told me you almost lost her this time. I'm crossing my fingers that she comes around."

"Thank you, Larry. I'm sure she will." She opened the door and went into the bedroom.

Travis was sitting on Cassie's bed and glanced up at her. "How's Melissa?"

"How do you think she is?"

He squeezed Cassie's hands. "Good night, sweetheart. I'll see you soon." He got up and moved out of Cassie's hearing. "Melissa's probably tired and very weak. Right?"

"You couldn't expect her to be anything else." Her hands clenched into fists. "You could have killed them."

"You wouldn't let that happen."

"That's what you counted on. You gambled on me giving in to keep them from suffering and maybe dying. How could you do that?"

"It was necessary."

"The hell it was."

"Think what you like. We all have our own agendas."

"Then why did you muscle into ours?"

"You invited me in. And can you honestly say that you weren't glad to have my help? When I didn't come tonight, I just returned the situation to the way it was."

"To get your own way."

"To get my own way." He gazed directly into her eyes. "I hope you won't force me to do it again. Because I will do it, Jessica."

"I know you will." She folded her arms across her chest to stop them from shaking. "And as soon as I can find a way to do without your help, I'm going to hang you out to dry. I hope they send you to prison for the next hundred years."

"You'd better be darned sure Cassie is cured first. You wouldn't want me to be out of her reach. Did you tell Melissa anything?"

"No, only that it wouldn't happen again. She'll not be satisfied with that answer when she's stronger."

"Then you'll have to stave her off. Melissa's fully capable of throwing a wrench into my plans, and that would be bad for all of us."

"I'm not going to lie to her."

"Would you rather we leave her here, where you can't keep an eye on her? I don't know if she'd still be connected to Cassie at a distance, but I wouldn't want to chance not being able to monitor her." He paused. "But perhaps you would."

"You asshole."

"I didn't think so." He started for the door. "Handle it any way you have to."

"Wait."

He looked back over his shoulder.

"You're not going to do this to us without paying. I'll cooperate with you, but I want your promise that if we get out of here, you're not going to drop us in Amsterdam."

"I told you I wouldn't do that."

"And I want another promise. I want you to arrange to take Cassie to the Wind Dancer and make sure she has some time with it."

"That won't be easy. And why should I? I've already won, Jessica."

"Because you owe it to us, you bastard."

He was silent a moment. "Good point. Okay, you have my promise. Just be aware if we're caught at the museum, they could shoot me or take me off to jail. Either way, it will be bad for everyone."

"It would almost be worth it."

He shook his head. "You don't mean that."

He was right. She didn't mean it. There was no way she would sacrifice Cassie and Melissa just to punish Travis. She gazed at him in despair. "This is so crazy. Change your mind. You can't get away from here."

"Yes, I can. But you're not going to like the way I do it."

She stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"If I tell you, you'll argue and then worry about it until it happens."

"Are you going to kill someone?"

"Not if they don't try to kill me. I'll give you the game plan right before we start moving." He left the room.

Dear God, what was she getting into? If they didn't get shot, they'd be hunted like criminals. They would be criminals, and she couldn't see Jonathan Andreas being lenient where his daughter was concerned.

And if the escape didn't work, it would all be for nothing. She'd end up in prison and Cassie and Melissa might be lost.

The escape had to be successful. The stakes were too high. Would Travis keep his promise to help cure Cassie? She'd have to worry about that later. As she'd have to worry about his plan to escape from Juniper.

Jesus, she hoped no one got hurt.