Final Target

Chapter Twelve

5:20 A.M.

The stone farmhouse was set a few miles back from the road and surrounded by trees. The interior consisted of a huge kitchen, a bathroom, and two small bedrooms, all spartanly furnished but spotlessly clean.

"Carry Cassie into that first bedroom," Jessica said. "After I get her settled, I need to fix her something to eat."

"I'll do it." Melissa headed for the kitchen.

Travis put Cassie on the bed and looked down at her. As usual, he couldn't be sure whether she was asleep or awake. "Hi," he said softly. "This all must seem pretty scary to you, but it's going to work out. I promise."

"Don't promise what you can't deliver." Jessica had come back from the bathroom with a basin and a washcloth. "Particularly since she seems to be low on your agenda."

"I'll deliver." Christ, he hoped he was telling the truth.

When he went back into the kitchen, Galen was just coming in the front door. "Secure?"

"As far as I can tell. I have a couple of my g uys scouring the area to be sure, and we weren't followed from the airport." He sat down at the table. "I'd keep to that eight-hour limit if I were you. You're too hot for it to be safe to stay in one place for long. Get moving."

"That's what I'm doing."

He dialed Jan van der Beck as he walked toward the rental car Galen's men had brought to the airport. "I'm on my way to the park," he said when Jan picked up. "Any problems?"

"No, I slipped away from the apartment the minute Galen notified me that your departure was imminent and went to the new flat. You're the one with problems. Even Karlstadt heard about them. The rumor is that you took something you shouldn't have. What have you been up to, Michael?"

"Things got complicated."

"I remember you saying that as a boy. And I always told you that it was you who did the complicating. Always keep it simple."

He certainly had done the complicating at Juniper, Travis thought ruefully. Jessica may have drawn him to Cassie, but he hadn't had to dive in with both feet. "The Swiss account transfer?"

"It went through. I told Karlstadt only a portion of the merchandise would be delivered this morning and that the rest would be sent to him in Johannesburg. Just in case he decided to cut our throats at the park."

"Smart."

"Of course. I'm looking forward to my cruise, and death would definitely interfere with it. You wouldn't care to come with me? It would be like the old days."

"I might join you later. I'm going to be a little busy for a while."

Van der Beck sighed. "I can see how you might. Remember, keep it simple."

He chuckled. "I'll do my best. Start packing. I'll meet you at the park by eight at the latest." He hung up.

"How is she doing?" Melissa asked Jessica as she came out of the bedroom.

"I can't see any change." Jessica sat down in the chair across from Galen. "I don't think there's been any harm done by the trip." She wearily rubbed her temple." But what do I know? Sometimes I think I don't do these kids any good at all. How can I, when I can't-"

"Bull." Melissa set a bowl of soup in front of Jessica. "You're just tired. Of course you did them good. You brought me back, didn't you? And what about Donny, and Eliza Whitcomb and Pat Bellings and Darren Jenk-"

"Okay, okay," Jessica interrupted and held up a hand. "I get the point. I'm wonderful."

"You're darn tooting." She hesitated. "But I've been wondering if you're being a little too patient with Cassie."

"What do you mean?"

"She's not like the other kids you've treated. She's so strong…Maybe she needs to be met with strength."

"You were strong too." Jessica frowned, troubled. "Do you think I was too patient with you?"

"No, of course not. You did everything exactly right. I was just wondering…Remember, I told you I thought she was hiding something? Do you suppose she's using the monsters as an excuse to stay in the tunnel?"

"That's a pretty complicated fantasy. She's seven years old, Mellie."

"You told me her father said she had a wonderful imagination. Put that together with an immensely strong will, and you might-Oh, I don't know. Just think about it. Now eat that soup before you go back to Cassie." She glanced at Galen. "Do you want a bowl?"

He shook his head and rose to his feet. "I'm going to take a look around the perimeter and make a few phone calls. As soon as Travis gets through with his little business with van der Beck, he's going to hop on me to get you access to the Wind Dancer. I always like to be ahead of the game."

" Fine." Jessica began to eat." It's the only good I can see coining out of this mess. I want a chance to help Cassie before they catch us and line us up before a firing squad."

"Don't be a pessimist." Galen smiled. " If Travis didn't have my invaluable services, you might have to worry, but I've the reputation of a miracle worker."

"God knows we need a miracle," Jessica murmured as he left.

"No, we need to make a deal with Andreas and put an end to this craziness/' Melissa said. "He could force Travis to help Cassie."

Jessica shook her head. "I told you what happened when I called his bluff. I won't risk you or Cassie again."

"The bastard." She was silent a moment. "You don't have to worry about me. I think I'm getting ahold of this thing."

"There's still Cassie."

Her lips tightened. "And you won't risk her."

"You wouldn't either."

"Wouldn't I? Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do." She moved toward the door. "You finish that soup. I'm going to talk to Galen. I hope to hell his phone calls have come up with zilch."

Galen was leaning against a tree a few yards from the porch. He switched off his phone as she came out of the house. "I was expecting you."

"Why?"

"You're not one to sit around when you're not happy about something."

"How do you know?"

"My impeccable intuition. Which at the moment is telling me that you want to grill me about my progress."

"Consider yourself grilled."

"Promising. If Travis can come up with the cash. A million dollars is not to be sneezed at."

"For the Wind Dancer?"

"No way. For the privilege of spending four hours in privacy with the statue."

"A million dollars for that short a time? He'll never go for it."

"You hope."

"It wouldn't help Cassie."

"Shock value?"

"It wouldn't help." Her hands clenched into fists. "And I don't want it happening. Don't give Travis the proposal."

" I beg your pardon? "

"I don't know what he's paying you, but I'll pay you more."

"You have that kind of money?"

"My parents left a comfortable inheritance. I have a trust fund."

"And you'd use it to bribe me?"

"I'll pay you anything if you'll forget about the Wind Dancer. If I don't have enough money, I'll find it."

He shook his head.

"If you don't want money, name your price. I'll do anything you want."

He tilted his head. "Are you offering me sexual favors?"

"I would if I thought it would do any good. But you're not attracted to me. We're too much alike."

"Are we?"

"Yes. You must have sensed it too. It would be like making love to your sister."

He laughed. "And I'm definitely not into incest."

She tried to keep desperation out of her voice. "Tell me what you want and I'll do it. I'm not dumb and I have terrific motivation. That can get most things done."

His smile faded. "If we're so much alike, then you should know I wouldn't betray a friend. I have old-fashioned principles."

She had known the chances were slim, but she'd had to try. "I mean it. I'll do anything. Think about it. There must be something you want done that no one else is willing to do. It's not often you get an offer like that."

"It's hard not thinking about it." His gaze narrowed on her face. "I can see I'm going to have to keep my eye on you. You're entirely too single-minded on this issue. You just might decide to make a call to Andreas."

Jesus, he was sharp. "If you've talked to Travis, you know that's not an option."

"I'm not so sure…" He shrugged. "Go back inside. I don't want to take the chance of anyone seeing you. People remember good-looking women. I have to check with my guys in the woods."

She smothered her despair as she watched him walk away. It had been a long shot, but she had been willing to try it. Okay, so it hadn't worked. She would just have to think of something else before Travis got back.

If he came back. The impression she had gotten was that Travis's "business" was not safe. His life had never been safe, and there was no reason to expect it to change now. It was possible he wouldn't come back. He could be killed or sent on the run. All her worry might be for nothing. He might abandon them if his life was on the line.

He wouldn't abandon them. As much as she resented and feared him, she knew he would keep his promise to Jessica. Christ, how she wished he wouldn't do it. The dominoes were falling faster, and she couldn't seem to stop them.

Stay away, Travis. Don't come back.

Please, don't come back.

"At last." Jan van der Beck gave Travis a bear hug. "It's about time you came and took over the reins. I'm too old for this."

Travis laughed as he returned the hug and then stepped back. "You weren't too old to chase after that pretty little Italian countess six months ago. Is she going with you on your cruise?"

"There's a possibility. She has a daughter, in case you're interested. I understand the woman even has a modicum of brains. Though I never understood why you make that a requisite. Stupidity is so much more relaxing." He started toward the playground a short distance away. "Where are the goods?"

"My jacket pocket." He fell into step with Jan. "You weren't followed?"

"Is the student questioning the teacher now? I'm never followed when I don't want to be." He glanced at Travis, whose gaze was scanning the surrounding trees. "You don't believe me. I'm insulted."

"Sorry. It's habit. I've had to be a bit cautious in the past several months."

"And now also, evidently. That fake mustache definitely does not suit you."

"I thought it wouldn't hurt. One of Galen's sources told him my picture was ordered to be circulated to every police officer in Amsterdam. Let's hope they haven't gotten around to it yet."

"Well, they won't expect you to be strolling in a place as public as this." He thought about it. "Maybe."

"Thanks for being so comforting. Is that the phone booth where we're supposed to leave the package for Karlstadt?"

Jan nodded. "The minute we're sure the money's in the waste can."

"Which waste can?"

"The red one by the front gate." He grinned. "The one being discreetly monitored by the bearded man by the cotton-candy stand. I told you Karlstadt would be anxious."

Travis glanced at the man Jan had indicated. Good-looking, blond hair, full face, beard. As he watched, the man casually folded his newspaper and strolled over to a bench by the gate. He frowned. "There's something familiar about him."

"How can you tell with that bush on his face? It's got to be as phony as your mustache."

"I don't know. It's just…something." He shrugged. "I may have run into him before if he's a hired gun."

"Possibly. Are you worried enough to walk away?"

Was he worried? He was always worried when an unexpected element appeared in a deal. Yet familiarity was not recognition…"I guess not."

"Good," Jan said. "I want the deal done. I don't think Karlstadt's man will try to stop us as long as he sees us make the exchange. And Karlstadt knows you're holding back half of the goods."

"Let's get it over with and get you on that cruise." He waited until the crowd around the playground entrance had dispersed before strolling toward the red waste can, keeping one eye on the man by the stand. "A department store shopping bag?"

"Right. De Bijenkorf's."

The shopping bag was jammed to one side of the can, the top stuffed with newspaper. So far, so good. While Jan blocked him from view, he retrieved it and moved quickly toward the phone booth. "Come on, Jan. I can practically see you walking up that gangplank now. You've got it ma-"

A popping sound.

Silencer.

Shit.

He dove for the ground as he reached for his gun. "Down, Jan."

"Too…late." Jan was falling. "My…leg. Run, Michael."

The blond man was sprinting toward them with a gun drawn.

Another shot.

The bullet whistled by Travis's ear as he rolled over in the grass. He got off a shot.

The blond man faltered, blood sprouting high on his shoulder. But he was almost on top of Jan. He grabbed Jan's shirt, jerking him to a kneeling position, then pressed the gun to Jan's temple. "Throw down the gun and pitch me the money, Travis."

"Screw you. Let him go, or you'll have a bullet in your brain before you can press the trigger."

"Do what I say and I won't kill him. I'm actually grateful to van der Beck. He's been very helpful. Give me the money and I'll let him live." His finger tightened on the trigger. "Even though you've caused me no end of trouble, I'll even let you live for a while. Your usefulness isn't at an end yet."

"You're lying. You won't do it. There are witnesses all over the place."

"I dislike witnesses, but I'll make an exception. Look at my face."

The cold son of a bitch would kill him. He threw him the shopping bag. "I'm putting down the gun. Now back away from him."

"Very wise." He glanced over his shoulder as he heard a commotion at the gate. Several security guards were racing toward them. He smiled. "Never mind. I'd love to stretch this out, but it seems we're about to be interrupted. Next time."

He shot Jan in the head.

"No!"

Agony twisted through Travis as he watched Jan's blood and brains splatter on the grass. "Jan!"

Dead.

And the man who had done it was streaking down the path toward the street.

Travis grabbed his gun, leapt to his feet, and raced after him. He could hear the shouts of the security guards behind him.

Another shot. This one not muffled by a silencer.

Who was shooting?

It didn't matter. All that mattered was catching the man running ahead of him and killing the son of a bitch.

Stinging pain.

Something warm and wet running down his side.

Keep running.

The man had reached the street and was ducking into a small Volvo.

Travis lifted his gun but couldn't get a clear shot as the Volvo pulled away from the curb.

Gone. Rage tore through him as he watched the car screech around the corner.

Shouts behind Travis. Another shot.

Get away. Find the son of a bitch later.

He ran across the street, down the alley, and then around the corner. His car was parked four blocks away. Reach it. Get back to the farmhouse.

Streaks of pain ripped through him. Murder. Jan's head exploding.

Don't think about it yet.

Get back to the farmhouse.

Jan…