Eve watched him leave before turning to Joe. “And it will be a good dinner. He has a Cordon Bleu cook in residence who’s been preparing buffet meals we can eat at our convenience. She specializes in Cajun. Nothing formal. And no one else is in the house. He’s obviously been trying to keep us at a distance from his men … or himself.”
“Surprise.”
“We always knew he was a surprising man. Yet he’s been very cooperative.”
“He’s brilliant, but that only makes him more dangerous,” Joe said grimly. “But I’m relieved that he’s keeping his men away from you. All the snakes around here aren’t in that bayou.” He looked at the grand staircase. “Now suppose you show me where I can leave this suitcase. Jock phoned me right before I landed and told me that we have a trip to make to a Lost Cypress Bayou. I want to get going.”
Eve nodded. “He’s staying at the summerhouse. I’ll call him and tell him to come up here.” She took out her phone. “Our room is the first one to the left at the top of the stairs. I’ll tell Jock we should leave within the next five minutes.”
“We?” He stopped on the stairs to look back at her. “No Eve, Jock and I can handle this. I don’t want you running around where you might be picked off by some sniper, like Manard was. You’re the one who arranged to stay here against both Jock’s and my judgment. Now stay inside these gates, dammit.”
She shook her head. “I came here because it was the only place that I could be sure that I’d satisfy Norwalk’s desire to ‘position’ us for extermination and still have a chance to keep Cara and Darcy safe. That doesn’t mean I can stand to just sit here and do nothing.” She added gently, “You told me once that you were the guardian at the gates. But somehow through no fault of your own those gates were breached, and our boy was stolen. So you’ve got to let me help get him back. I’ve been going crazy all day waiting for Norwalk to call again and give us something else to work on.” She tried to steady her voice. “You’ve got to understand, I don’t matter anymore, Joe. Michael’s the only one who matters.”
“The hell you don’t,” Joe said hoarsely. He drew a deep, harsh breath. “But I do understand that I can’t budge you. Okay, but you’ll do what I say?”
She nodded as she smiled faintly. “I promise I won’t be careless. I have to take care of myself if I’m going to be able to take care of Michael. I don’t think that Norwalk is ready to take me down yet. He wants to see me hurt more.” She turned to go to meet Jock on the driveway. “Besides, I believe you’ll be able to keep an eye on me.”
“Count on it,” he said grimly as he started back up the stairs.
“Oh, I do. There isn’t a minute of my day I don’t count on you, Joe.”
* * *
Cara really was extraordinary, Darcy thought as she came down the staircase. The music pouring out of the music room was both poignant and intoxicating, singing through the house and making every note Cara’s own. She was always good, but perhaps the emotional trauma she was going through was freeing hidden depths. It was no wonder the critics thought she was a genius. Darcy would have liked to listen to her, but she had no time. She had to take advantage of this time with Eve, Jock, and Joe out of the house.
She went to the couch and retrieved the small pouch she’d tucked beneath the arm cushions where she’d tossed the boxes and packages when she’d come back from the city this afternoon.
She paused a moment, listening to the music as she tried to brace herself. Then she straightened her shoulders and sailed out of the parlor and across the hall.
I hope you’ve mellowed him, Cara. I might need it.
She knocked on the door of the study, but didn’t wait for an answer before she opened it. “I’m sorry to intrude, Mr. Kaskov.” She smiled at him as she swept into the room and shut the door. “I just wanted a word with you.”
“Did you?” His face was expressionless as he leaned back in his chair. “Now I wonder why? Because it is an intrusion, Miss Nichols. I’m sure you realize even after being here for such a short time that I generally don’t see anyone without an invitation. You’re either very bold or very stupid. And your motivation is a mystery.” He looked her up and down. “You could think that I might want a new mistress. You’re exceptionally beautiful, but I’m quite satisfied with my present arrangement.”
“Are you? That’s nice for you.” She moved a few steps closer. “But that’s not why I’m here. I knew this wouldn’t be a good time for you, so I’d better get this over quickly.” She cocked her head, listening to the music pouring out of the speakers around the study. “Your auditory connection to the music room here is wonderful. I thought it would be. You wouldn’t want to miss one note. You offered Cara her space and avoided any awkwardness, but you wouldn’t be cheated.”
He nodded slowly. “True.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “Have I underestimated you?”
“Probably. Most people do. It’s the blond hair and the big blue eyes.” She took another step closer to his desk. “But I’ll get out of here and let you enjoy Cara.” She pulled the pouch from the fold of her skirt. “I just wanted to show you—”
“Don’t move.” He was pointing a gun at the center of her forehead. “Drop it.”
“Oops.” She instantly dropped the pouch to the floor. “I made a mistake?”
“A big one.” His eyes were ice-cold. “Nikolai will be walking through that door in two minutes, and we’ll discuss remedies.”
“Did you think I was going to shoot you?”
“It occurred to me. Or anthrax or a stiletto wielded by someone accustomed to being able to get close to people.”
“Well, I can use a gun, but I know nothing about knives. However, most people do like me to get close to them.” She swallowed. “And I don’t know anything about anthrax. But evidently you do.”
He nodded. “Two years ago I had a visit from a delivery boy younger than you who tried to toss an envelope full of it in my face.”
“Risky. He must have been very brave.”
“Yes, but then so are you.”
“No I’m not. I’m scared to death.”
“I know. That means nothing.” He looked beyond her shoulder as the door opened behind her. “Just a precaution, Nikolai. Don’t hurt her yet. Check that pouch on the floor.”
Nikolai moved swiftly past her. “A weapon?”
“No,” Darcy said. “It’s just a— Oh, for heaven’s sake, see for yourself.”
“I will.” Nikolai cautiously slit the doeskin material of the pouch. “Something … black, sir.” He spread the sides of the pouch and examined the interior. Then he carefully lifted the mound out of the pouch. “Very soft … and malleable.” He frowned as he shook it out. “I don’t see any threat.”
“It’s a wig,” Darcy said with exasperation. “No anthrax, no gun, just a wig. I just wanted to show it to you. I’ve always believed in show-and-tell to get what I want. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea this time. Now will you stop pointing that gun at me?”
“What shall I do?” Nikolai asked, holding the wig gingerly. “She’s one of them. And she doesn’t appear to necessarily be a very—”
“You can leave,” Kaskov said. “As I said, just a precaution. Give her the wig, Nikolai.”
Nikolai handed Darcy the wig. “It was not wise,” he told her soberly. Then he was gone.
Darcy expelled the breath she’d been holding. “You made a big fuss for nothing.” Her fingers were digging into the thick black mass of the wig. “Though I guess I might have deserved it, considering who you are.”
“You were overconfident and it might have come from that beauty and charisma. But as Nikolai said, it was not wise. We’ve seen too many threats clothed in both of those qualities.” He put away his gun. “Now either leave or tell me why you have that wig in your hand.”
“I’m not about to leave after I’ve gone through all this.” She was swiftly and skillfully tucking her blond hair beneath the brunette wig. “Show-and-tell.” She smoo
thed the dark hair back and tidied it. “Long, dark, shiny. I wouldn’t fool anyone close-up, but we’re about the same size. From a distance it could work.”
“What could work?”
“Cara. If the hair’s right, you’d be surprised how many people would accept that I was her. The makeup would have to be just about perfect. But I’ve had lots of experience with that.”
“And?”
“You could use me,” she said simply. “You’re sitting back here and waiting and watching until the time is right to make your move. Then you’ll go after Norwalk yourself. From what I’ve been told, you like to be in control, so that won’t be long. I don’t believe you’d ever use Cara as bait, but it would be one way of trapping him. He wants to kill her to hurt you. I could put myself into a vulnerable position and let him find me.”
“And risk him blowing you away before I blow him away?”
“It is a risk, particularly since you don’t care if he does it. But Cara would care, so I might be okay. You seem to value what she thinks.”
“Bait.” He savored the word. “Why come to me? Why not go to Quinn or Gavin?”
“They wouldn’t let me do it. They care if I live or die. And Eve only wants to protect and heal me. So it has to be you.”
He was silent. “You must want this very much. Why?”
“You know why.” She met his eyes. “I may seem to be the least important person in this game Norwalk’s playing, but I’ll bet you know everything that’s happened to me just in case it might prove useful. Well, I’ve given you a reason to pay attention to me. I can be useful. Set it up, and just give me the chance. I won’t fail you.” Then she was suddenly smiling as she tore off the wig and fluffed her hair. “Now I’ll let you go back to listening to Cara. She’s wonderful tonight. I’m sorry that I took so much of your time, but part of that was your fault. I had no idea you were so paranoid.”
“Don’t push it,” he said dryly. “You were very close. Get out of here.”
“I’m gone.” She opened the door, then stood there, staring straight ahead, not looking back at him. “I can’t let him go on living,” she said in a low voice. “Please, let me help.”
Then she was out of the study and running down the hall toward the staircase.
It was done.
Now all she could do was wait for Kaskov or for some other opportunity to present itself …
CHAPTER
15
LOST CYPRESS BAYOU
PIERRE LADEAU SWAMP TOURS
FEED THE ALLIGATORS
Eve gazed up at the crudely painted sign nailed to an ancient oak tree. And then looked at the broken-down shack several yards away. “Not exactly a high-class operation. What are we doing here, Jock?”
“I have no idea.” His gaze went to the dock, where an airboat and two motorboats were anchored. “But those boats are in good condition. And this is where Donal Macvey had those Home Depot supplies delivered. It’s obvious that they weren’t used here, and Ladeau isn’t trying to hide.” He gazed out at the dark waters of the bayou that stretched into the distance, then turned and headed for the shack. “Let’s see if we can find this Pierre Ladeau and ask him.”
“Ask me what?” A stocky man with curly dark hair and round face stepped out of the trees a few yards away. He was thirtysomething and wearing jeans and a red short-sleeved tee shirt with an alligator on the front. He smiled cheerfully. “You want to go on a tour?” His Cajun accent was as broad as that smile. “It’s a little late in the day, but I can set you up for tomorrow.” His voice lowered dramatically. “Or if you pay me extra, I’ll think about a night tour. Did you know that the alligator eyes show up as pure red in the dark? It’s something to tell your kids when you get home.”
“No tour,” Joe said. “You took delivery of a shipment of supplies from Home Depot a few weeks ago. It was purchased by a Donal Macvey, but you accepted the merchandise a few days later. Tell us about it.”
Ladeau’s smile faded. “No tour?” He looked at them in disappointment. “Are you cops or something? I thought that guy was a little shady.” He added quickly, “Not that I did anything illegal. Strictly business, you understand.”
“No, we don’t understand,” Jock said. “Make us understand. Tell us about him.”
He shrugged. “This Macvey just showed up one day and said that he’d pay top dollar if I’d accept a delivery for him and rent him my airboat to transport the shipment into the bayou. What could I say? It wasn’t as if I was accepting drugs or anything like that. It was Home Depot for God’s sake.”
“Where did he take those supplies?”
“How do I know? I helped him load, but I didn’t go with him.” He frowned. “And maybe you don’t have any right to question me anyway. Show me your ID.”
“We have the right,” Eve took a step closer to him, and said fiercely, “It’s you who don’t have the right to say no to us, Ladeau. You’re helping to protect a monster. I want to know where Macvey went in the bayou that day. You will tell me.”
Ladeau looked taken aback, but he managed to smile at her. “I don’t have to tell you anything pretty lady. My cousin, Philip, is a lawyer on Canal Street, and all I have to do is give him a call and—”
“That’s assuming that you have fingers left to punch in his number.” Jock was suddenly between him and Eve. “Look at me. What do you think your chances are that will be true if you don’t tell me what I need to know?”
“Threats? My cousin says that’s—” He broke off as he met Jock’s eyes. He moistened his lips. “You’re no cop.”
“I never said I was. I’m someone who needs information. Where did Macvey go?”
“I don’t know. An island on one of the swamps out there, I guess. Why else would he need all that wood? But how could I know which one? Do you know how many bayous can be reached from this point? That’s why I set up my business here. Some of them are pure wilderness, nothing but winding waterways, alligators, and snakes. You can start off going into one bayou and end up in another.”
“Where?” Joe repeated.
He hesitated, then pointed to the west. “But it won’t do you any good. Like I said, he could have doubled back and around before he brought my boat back.”
“But you’d probably know all the ways he could do it,” Jock said. “And if we take you with us, you’ll be able to show us all that you know.”
He swallowed. “Maybe.”
“No maybe. You’ll do it.”
“Not likely. Macvey said that someone might be showing up and he told me—” He suddenly ducked back into the trees from where he’d appeared. “Screw you!”
A shot!
“Down!” Jock was next to Eve, and he was pulling her to the ground as another shot rang out. She felt Jock flinch, then he was on top of her.
“Eve?” Joe said as he pulled his gun.
“She’s okay,” Jock said. “Get him. The shot came from those trees. He must have had a rifle stashed there.”
“Watch her!” The next instant, Joe had disappeared into the thick shrubbery.
“Get off me,” Eve said as she pushed Jock away. “Go with him.”
He shook his head as he shifted to the side. “No way. I believe Ladeau might have been firing wildly to discourage us from following, but he might also have been told to get rid of you if you showed up. That second bullet came close to you, Eve.”
She inhaled sharply. “It came closer to you.” She was looking at the bloodstain on the lower right side of his shirt. “You’re hurt?”
“Just grazed me. I’ll take care of it later.” His gaze was on the trees. “But I don’t like the idea of your being out here in the open. Let’s get you back to the car.”
“I’ll get myself back to the car. Go after Joe.”
“And take the flak from him later?” He shook his head as he got to his feet. “Ladeau isn’t a big threat to Joe. He’s an amateur. He was scared, or he probably wouldn’t have even used that gun against us. He wa
s about to break, and he panicked.”
“Go after Joe,” she repeated. “Now.”
“I’m here.” Joe was coming out of the woods. “Stop nagging him, Eve.” He turned to Jock. “Why didn’t you get her back to the car?”
“I yield to your greater persuasiveness. Ladeau got away?”
He nodded. “It’s like a jungle once you get into those trees, and Ladeau must know every inch of it. I didn’t even get a glimpse of him after the first minute or so. He disappeared without a ripple.”
“Everyone makes ripples,” Jock said. “We just have to find out where the ripple begins.” He looked to the bayou to the west, where Ladeau had pointed. “But we won’t start there. We’ll go in the opposite direction.”
“And we’ll start first thing in the morning,” Eve said firmly. “I don’t think we’ll see anything in the dark but the red eyes of those alligators Ladeau mentioned.”
Jock shook his head. “The dark doesn’t bother me. I’ll go after him now. You and Joe go back to Belle Grace. I can handle this by myself.”
“No one goes alone,” Joe said flatly.
“I do. It was how I was trained. I’ll be able to find him,” he said quietly. “It will even be easier since there’s not a kill at the end of the hunt.”
“Unless he fires at you again,” Eve said. “No, Jock. Tomorrow.” She was looking at the blood on Jock’s shirt again. “And now we’ll go back to the car so I can take a look at that ‘graze.’”
BELLE GRACE
“Jock was shot?” Cara went rigid. “How bad, Eve? Why didn’t you tell me that right away?”
“Because I knew you wouldn’t hear anything else after I told you,” Eve said wearily. “You were asking Joe and me all kinds of questions the moment we walked into the house. I wanted to give you the big picture.”