Final Target

Chapter Eleven

Melissa didn't wake again until they were over the Atlantic.

Vibration. Throb of engines. A plane…

Plane?

Jessica. Where was Jessica? She jerked upright.

"Shh. It's okay." Jessica was suddenly beside her. "Everything's fine, Mellie."

"I don't think so." She slowly sat up. It was a plane and she was lying on a leather couch." I have an idea nothing's fine. Cassie?"

"She's sleeping in the front. Travis is with her. I wanted to stay with you."

"Is she well?" She tried to remember. "There was an ambulance…"

"Travis arranged that."

"And this plane?"

"Travis and his friend Sean Galen."

"Where are we going?"

"Amsterdam. By way of Antwerp."

"Amster-" Melissa drew a deep breath and said slowly, "I believe you have a few things to tell me. I go to sleep at Juniper and I wake up on my way to Amsterdam?"

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"No, I'd like to know every single thing that I've obviously not been privy to."

Jessica sighed. "Okay, I just thought you might need the caffeine before I throw all this at you." For the next several minutes she detailed the dilemma with which Travis had confronted her.

Melissa started swearing. "I can't believe it. I asked you what the problem was the other night, and you lied to me."

"Not really. I just didn't tell you everything. Okay, I lied to you."

"Why?"

"It was my decision whether or not to give in to Travis, and you would have complicated things."

"Your decision? I'm pretty deeply involved in this. I think I should have been allowed to put in my two cents' worth."

"Cassie's my patient."

"And you still think of me as a patient too. Which leaves you in charge, right? Well, I'm not a patient and I won't be treated like one. I'm not sick or off my noggin and I can pull my own weight."

"You didn't look like you were pulling your own weight tonight."

"That was a low blow."

"You deserved it. You may not be my patient, but as long as you have this connection with Cassie, you're as much in danger as she is. Do you think I'm going to let anything bad happen to you because I'm afraid of hurting your feelings?"

Melissa stared at her for a moment and then said grudgingly, "Dammit, you could have let me be right this one time, Saint Jessica. I'm all full of righteous indignation and you pull the carpet out from under me." She shook her head. "But you still should have told me. Together we could have found a way to pull the plug on Travis. His whole scheme is absolutely insane."

"Do you think I don't know that? I couldn't see any way out. We need him."

She couldn't argue about that, Melissa realized in frustration. "Why Amsterdam?"

"Travis has business there." She hesitated. "I didn't tell you, but I got him to promise me…the Wind Dancer."

Melissa froze. "What?"

"I pressured him into promising he'd find a way to bring Cassie and the statue together."

"No."

"Yes." She looked down at Melissa's hands clenched on the coverlet. " I knew this would upset you, but you're wrong. I believe this is a chance to help her. I'm not sure I can trust Travis to keep his word, but I'm going to try to hold him to it. I won't go through all this madness and not get something out of it."

Melissa could feel the muscles of her stomach twist. "Christ, how can I convince you what a mistake you're making?" she whispered.

"You can't convince me. My patient. My decision." Jessica squeezed her hand. "I'm afraid this time you'll just have to come along for the ride." She got to her feet. "Now I think I'll make coffee and sandwiches. If you want to get out of that nightshirt, there's a change of clothes and a toothbrush in the bathroom. They're in an overnight case neatly labeled with your name." She headed down the aisle toward the back of the plane. "Galen seems to have provided for everything."

Galen. A memory came back to Melissa of the man who had carried her to the jet. Dark hair, dark eyes, quick, strong…

And dangerous, very dangerous.

She had gotten those same vibes from Travis. He was probably even more dangerous than Galen. Certainly more dangerous to her, because he was the one who had promised Jessica the Wind Dancer. She had to talk to Travis, tell him to forget about the damn statue.

Emerald eyes…

Not now. Block that memory. She was upset and shaking, and she needed to be clearheaded when she dealt with Travis.

Jesus, the Wind Dancer. As if this situation weren't bad enough…

She got up and headed for the bathroom.

"I want to speak to you."

Travis looked up from his notebook. "How do you feel, Melissa?"

"Mad as hell." She glanced at Cassie. Her eyes were closed and she was probably asleep. Better not to take a chance. "We need to talk. Privately."

"That doesn't surprise me." He stood up and moved down the aisle. "We can keep an eye on her from here."

"Your concern is touching considering what you put her through."

"I couldn't see any other way. I know it must have been hard for her…and you."

"You don't know jack." Her voice was shaking. "We trusted you and you weren't there for us. And if that wasn't bad enough, you pulled Jessica into this stupidity. If she doesn't get thrown into jail, she's bound to lose her license. I could kill you."

"I'll make it turn out right for Jessica."

"And Cassie? Jessica told me you've promised her the Wind Dancer. You can't do that. The Wind Dancer's bad news."

"If Cassie's afraid of being with the statue, maybe she just needs to face her fears."

"It's bad news."

He studied her face. "If Cassie's looking for the statue, she can't have bad feelings toward it, can she?"

She didn't answer. "If it's in the Museum d'Andreas, how are you going to get hold of it? There has to be all kinds of security surrounding it."

She shrugged. "Why am I worrying? You won't be able to keep your word to Jessica. We'll probably get caught in Amsterdam."

"That's a favorable option to you?"

"Yes. Why are we going to Amsterdam anyway? Isn't it the first place they'll look for you?"

"Yes. But I have business there. I have to see my friend."

"You have a friend? He must not have known you for long."

"All my life. He and my father were partners. He helped raise me." He smiled. "He says he likes me, but I suppose he just doesn't want to admit he did a bad job with me."

"More than likely." She stared directly into his eyes. "I'm not letting you get away with this, Travis. I won't be dependent on a son of a bitch like you, and I won't let Cassie be either. And when I find a way to get out from under you, I'll call Andreas and have him pick you up so quick, it will make your head swim."

"I may be a son of a bitch, but at least I'm not abandoning you. I could have left you all and flown off in the helicopter by myself. It would have taken a hell of a lot of heat off me."

"I'm surprised you didn't."

"I made Jessica a promise." He grimaced. "And you may not believe me, but I couldn't live with myself if the kid had been hurt by all this."

"You're right, I don't believe you." Melissa walked away from him. So much for calm and persuasion.

She shouldn't have lost her temper. She might have had a shot at changing his mind. So do what you told him you'd do. Find a way to break free. Cassie was the tether that held them all together. Cut the tether and they'd all be able to go their own way.

How to do it?

She had made a little progress separating herself from Cassie during the last four nightmares, but it was very slow. She hadn't been worried because she'd thought she had time.

Her time was running out. How soon after they arrived in Amsterdam would Travis turn his attention to the Wind Dancer? He shouldn't be able to do anything about the statue, but, dammit, he shouldn't have been able to get them away from Juniper either. The odds had been stacked sky-high against him.

"Well, did you finish venting your wrath on my poor friend?"

Melissa looked behind her and tensed. He was taller than she remembered, but those eyes were unmistakable. "You're Sean Galen."

"I have that honor." She noticed the faintest British accent as he continued. "I'm flattered you were aware of my sparkling persona. I should have known that even through the deepest drug haze I remain unforgettable."

"Who said I was drugged? Jessica?"

"No, but the signs were pretty clear."

"I wasn't drugged." She sat down on the couch. "And that makes you pretty lame at reading signs, doesn't it? How did you know I was arguing with Travis? I didn't see you."

"I was in the cockpit and I opened the door as you were ripping into him. Since my discretion is legendary, I stayed put until you marched off. Could I get you a cup of coffee from the galley?"

"No, I want to rest."

"You look very rested now."

"But we've already established you're lousy at reading signs."

"Ouch." He made a face. "Since I can't admit to being wrong, I suppose I've got to believe you're trying to get rid of me."

"I suppose you do."

He tilted his head inquiringly. "Why? Most people line up for the pleasure of my company."

"Before you shoot them?"

His smile faded. "Now, that came out of left field. And I thought we were getting along so well. Why did you say that?"

She looked away from him. "You're a friend of Travis's. Jessica said you were at Vasaro and helped him with the escape from Juniper. I can do the math." She leaned back on the couch. "If you don't mind, I want to rest."

"I'll go away." He squatted down beside her. "Just one question."

"You shouldn't have any questions. I'm sure you overheard my entire conversation with Travis while you were practicing your legendary discretion."

"Yes, it was very interesting. I intend to quiz Travis on the details later. But this question has nothing to do with him." His gaze narrowed on her face. "When I was carrying you to the plane, you looked up at me and said, 'Don't do it. Don't let him, Jessica.' What did you mean by that?"

"How should I know? I was out of my head." Face him down. "After all, you can't expect someone on drugs to be coherent."

"Stung." He stood up. "Serves me right. Never ask intimate questions of a stranger."

"That question wasn't intimate."

"Wasn't it?" He smiled. "It felt intimate. Never mind, we'll get back to it later."

She watched him walk away from her. Her first impression had been correct. Galen was a very dangerous man, and the less she had to do with him, the better. Forget about him.

Think about Cassie instead.

Break the tether.

How?

There had to be a way to wrest control of those nightmares from Cassie. The girl was strong, but her loneliness was heartbreakingly evident each time-

My God.

Why take on Cassie at the worst possible moment? Don't wait to be pulled into the nightmares; try to invade a gentler dream or sleep state.

She was crazy. She'd never tried anything like that before, and the prospect scared her. She sure as hell didn't have any idea if it was possible. But if Cassie could pull Melissa from deep sleep into her tunnel, why shouldn't she be able to go there herself?

Because maybe there were rules about this kind of thing?

Rules were made to be broken.

So go for it. There was no time like the present, since Cassie was sleeping.

Melissa closed her eyes. How the hell did you go about something like this?

Concentrate…

Amsterdam

"I want the delivery in the morning, van der Beck." Karlstadt looked out at the canal. "And there won't be any tricks."

"I stand by my reputation. You know I've never been accused of cheating a client."

"I don't like your idea of the transfer taking place in the park. For God's sake, that place even has a playground. There will be too many people around. I'll come to your flat in the morning at nine."

"Travis likes the idea of people being around. It's easier to become lost in a crowd. It will be in the park or nowhere. I told you how it's to be done, and that's the way it will be done."

Karlstadt's lips thinned. "Then you'd better not disappear until I have the merchandise verified."

"I'm sure you intend to have us followed until you finish the verification." He paused. "Oh, did I forget to tell you that you'll receive only half tomorrow? The other half will be sent to you in Johannesburg."

"What?"

"Merely a safety precaution. Naturally, you'll transfer half the money tonight to the Swiss account number I gave you. We'll wait for the other half tomorrow at the park."

"And what if you decide to take, the first half and leave me in the lurch?"

"That's the chance you take. However, we both know Travis has never broken his word in a deal, and he'd be a fool to cheat you. He knows you'd never give up searching for him, and he likes civilized pleasures too well to want to hide in a third-world country. The only question you have to ask yourself is: Does Travis have the merchandise?" He smiled. "And I'm sure you've verified that information."

"He has it." Karlstadt's voice was harsh. "The Russians wouldn't be after him if he didn't."

"Aren't you lucky to be dealing with Travis instead of those unreasonable Russians?" He turned away. "I'll see you in the morning, Mr. Karlstadt, and I'll check the Swiss account tonight."

"Van der Beck."

"Yes?"

"I've been hearing troublesome rumors in the last few hours about your Mr. Travis. Rumors about U.S. Secret Service and CIA involvement."

He'd been hearing them too, but he'd hoped Karlstadt wasn't that deep in the loop. "I'm sure they're completely untrue."

"I don't care what Travis has done to irritate the Americans. I just want you to know it must not interfere with the deal. I would find that very annoying."

"He wouldn't allow that to happen." He paused. "Good night, Mr. Karlstadt." He walked rapidly from the bridge and down the street. He could feel Karlstadt's gaze on him, but he didn't look back. Karlstadt enjoyed his little games of intimidation and would have been entirely too pleased if he knew van der Beck was uneasy.

And there was no doubt he was uneasy. There were too many strings to this deal Travis had handed him. He could handle Karlstadt, but the business with Henri Claron was making him nervous. He was getting too old to keep all these balls in the air.

He looked up at the sky. Travis should be only hours away by now, and soon he could turn the whole business over to him. Travis was young and as sharp as van der Beck had been when he'd worked with Travis's father. God, that seemed a long time ago.

Only a few more hours…

"You're here."

Melissa could feel Cassie's delight and excitement envelop her in the sanding darkness. "I seem to be. Though it took me long enough to get here. It takes a while to get the knack."

"Are you going to stay?"

"No, I'm just visiting."

"Oh." Disappointment. "Lonely."

"We've gone through that. You don't have to be lonely."

"Not if you stay." A pause. "We're not…together. We need to be together."

"No, we don't. We're friends and we can stay apart and still be friends."

"Better together."

Melissa could feel the effort the child was making to draw her closer, to absorb her. Jesus, she was strong. "Stop that or I'll have to go away."

"You're going to go anyway." Sorrow. "You told me so."

"But I'll come back if you don't make it sad for me."

"Together isn't sad." But the effort to merge ebbed and then stopped.

"For me it is. I want to be your friend, like your mama and daddy."

"Gone."

"They don't have to be gone."

"They can't come into the tunnel."

"But you can come out."

"Gone." Melissa could feel Cassie's panic, like the fluttering of a captured bird. "They can't come in."

And Cassie wouldn't face coming out. But she could become accustomed to the idea. Jessica thought constant reminders helped and used them in therapy.

"Together." The strongest pull yet from Cassie.

It took several exhausting minutes for Melissa to fight her off. When she finally broke free, she felt limp. "That's it. I warned you. Good-bye, Cassie."

"No." Sorrow. Panic. "Stay. Won't do it again."

"Maybe I'll stay for a little while. But it's boring in this tunnel. No trees, no lakes. Nothing pretty…"

"Safe."

"Boring."

"Not if we find the Wind Dancer. He'll make everything-What's wrong? You're scared." Panic. "Are the monsters coming?"

"No." Melissa tried to close out her fear. "No monsters. And we don't need the Wind Dancer. Would you like me to tell you about my home, Juniper? You saw only the one room, but there's so much more. There's a pond and willow trees and an arbor where purple clematis climb…"

"Mellie." Jessica was shaking her, Melissa realized drowsily. "Wake up. We'll be landing in a few minutes."

That jarred her wide awake. She sat up and opened her eyes. "Amsterdam?"

"No, Antwerp. Some small airport in the backwoods that Galen said is used by drug traffickers."

"Wonderful. Just the kind of people I always wanted to associate with."

"He arranged to have a van waiting for us to drive to Amsterdam." Jessica was frowning as she studied her. "You were sleeping awfully hard. I had trouble waking you."

It didn't surprise her. She had been totally exhausted when she finally managed to leave Cassie. She still felt drained. "It's been a rough night." She got up and headed for the bathroom. Why hadn't she told Jessica that she'd reached Cassie? She had always hated keeping things from Jessica, but lately she seemed to be doing nothing else. Later, maybe. She hadn't really accomplished anything, and Jessica was having enough problems with Melissa's involvement in Cassie's nightmares. Melissa could imagine how she'd freak if she told her about the casual visit to Cassie in a normal sleep state.

Casual? She'd have to work up to casual. Just controlling the bond with Cassie had been a gigantic effort.

Travis and Sean Galen were waiting when she left the bathroom.

"Sit down," Travis said. "We're on the final approach."

"Where's Jessica?" She sat down and fastened her seat belt.

"Up front with Cassie. She wanted to be there in case the kid woke up and showed any signs of anxiety."

As if Jessica could tell if Cassie was anxious, she thought sadly. The only thing Melissa had gotten a gut feeling about was the Wind Dancer. For her sister, it was like working blind. "Okay, so tell me how you're going to work this, Travis. I trust you do have a plan to keep us from getting shot on sight."

"No, I left that up to Galen. If you get shot, blame him."

"The hell I will." She leaned back in the seat. "Galen?"

"I've arranged to stash the three of you in a small farmhouse outside Amsterdam. I've contacted a few of the guys I use when I'm in Holland and they'll meet us and act as escort. We stay at the farmhouse and protect you while Travis goes and conducts his business."

"How long will that take, Travis?"

"If it takes more than eight hours, then we're all in trouble. The CIA won't be spinning its wheels. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd staked out every airport in Holland."

"More trouble," Melissa corrected him. "Then what happens?"

"I see what I can do about prying the Wind Dancer from the Museum d'Andreas."

"There's no way."

"Galen?"Travis asked.

"Difficult," Galen murmured. "It will take money. Lots of money. You actually want to steal it?"

"Borrowing would do. I'd need at least four hours to give Cassie a chance to respond to the statue."

"Forget it. It won't work," Melissa said flatly.

"I'm aware of how you feel." Travis studied her. "I just can't figure out why."

"I told you why."

He smiled. "As I said, I can't figure out why. But I'm sure it will come to me."