Final Target (5 page)

"I told you, I have sources."

"Who are they?"

"And have Danley and his men descend on them like a swarm of locusts? Sources have to be protected. It's the way I make my living."

"Among other rather nefarious enterprises, I understand."

"True. I'm big on nefarious enterprises. But we're not discussing anything but my ability to acquire information, are we?" He leaned forward. "You want to know who was behind Vasaro."

"And I'll find out."

"Not from me. Not now. I told you the truth. I didn't know anything about the attack except that it was going to happen."

Andreas studied him. Travis was staring at him boldly and he had spoken with seeming candor. But a man who made his living with his wits would have picked up certain skills and become a master of deception. Yet, dammit, Andreas's instincts were telling him that Travis
was
telling the truth. Disappointment surged through him.

"You wish I'd lied to you,"Travis said. "Sorry."

"You still could be lying."

"Yes, I'm very good at it." Travis smiled. "But you haven't gotten to where you are in life without relying on your own judgment."

Andreas nodded. "Maybe you didn't know then about the person behind Vasaro, but you could have found out something since that night."

"I've been busy, and it wasn't high on my list of priorities."

"It's high on mine."

"I know. That's why I'm here."

"You're here because I told Danley to rope you in."

Travis smiled.

He was actually pretty tame.

Andreas had thought it an unusual description at the time, and looking at Travis now, it was even more off target. The man was perfectly at ease, but there was an alertness to him, an edge.

"Danley's a smart man," Travis said. "He might have run me down in a week or two. But I decided it would be to both our advantages to hurry things along."

"Why?"

"I needed to exit the scene for a while. You need more information."

"Which you tell me you don't have."

"Yet. That doesn't mean I can't get it if I work at it. It will just take time."

Andreas stiffened. "How much time?"

Travis shrugged. "As long as it takes. I don't see how you can lose. Danley hasn't learned anything yet, has he?"

"And what do you get out of it?"

"Protection. My position at present is a bit precarious. I need to be in a place that has absolute security for a minimum of a month."

"What am I protecting you from?"

"The aftershock of one of my 'nefarious enterprises.' "

"Which one?"

"Do you want me to find out who attacked Vasaro?"

"I could have Danley find out what you've been doing."

"Good luck."

Andreas was silent, thinking. "You do realize if I surround you with men for protection that they would also act as guards. I'd make sure they knew you were under suspicion. I wouldn't think twice about crushing you like a cockroach if I find out that you had anything to do with Vasaro."

"I understand."

"Good."

"You agree?"

"Oh, yes." Andreas smiled. "I know just the place-the gatehouse of an old manor in Virginia, plenty of security. And if any bastards make any move on it, you'd be the first to get your throat cut."

"Really? Now, I wonder why they would attack…" His eyes narrowed. "Cassie. So that's where you've hidden her. I suppose I should be honored you trust me enough to send me there."

"I don't trust you. I don't know what you're up to. But you saved her life and I don't believe you'd harm her. When you handed me Cassie at Vasaro, I had a gut feeling about you. After all she'd gone through, she wasn't afraid of you. You may be a complete son of a bitch, but you risked your neck to protect her. I think you'd do it again." He paused. "And if you are lying to me about anything else, you'll be the-"

"First to get my throat cut," Travis finished. "I'll keep that in mind. When do I go?"

"Tomorrow night. About this time. Danley will find you a hotel for now." Andreas pushed back his chair and stood up." I'll take you when I visit Cassie."

"How is she doing?"

"Bad." His mouth tightened. "So bad that my so-called sense of honor wouldn't stop me from burning those bastards at the stake when I catch up with them. I'll tell Danley you're ready to go."

"Not yet." He took out his telephone. "I have a few calls to make."

"You can make them at the hotel."

He shook his head. "I'm sure this room is thoroughly clean of bugs, and I need that privacy." He smiled. "It's not as if you told me the location where you're taking me. There must be thousands of old houses in Virginia."

"Yes, there are. Who are you going to call?"

"A friend. I don't like the idea of disappearing from view with no one knowing you're responsible. I feel the need for a little insurance."

"But you say I'm such an honorable man."

"I could be mistaken. Tell Danley I won't be more than five minutes."

"Call whomever you please." Andreas started for the door. "I'll make very sure we're not followed tomorrow night, Travis."

"I'd be pretty stupid to try anything like that, wouldn't I?" He started to dial. "Just insurance. Good night, Mr. President."

"Jessica!"

Melissa jerked up in bed, her heart pounding. Her jaw felt sore and she knew she'd been screaming.

Oh, God. Oh, God.

The T-shirt she slept in was soaking wet with sweat, but she was ice cold. She swung her legs to the side of the bed and buried her head in her hands.

As soon as she stopped shaking, she'd phone Jessica and then everything would be fine. No, she couldn't keep running to Jessica. She had to be strong.

Emerald eyes staring at the blood pooling on the floor.

She jumped up, went into the bathroom, and drank a glass of water in four gulps. After wrapping herself up in her terry robe, she turned on all the lights in the apartment, then snuggled down in the worn armchair by the window.

It was going to be all right. She was still cold, but her heartbeat was steadying. She could make it. Only three more nights until she'd be home with Jessica.

Blood pooling on the floor
…

Don't scream. Don't scream.

Emerald eyes…

Don't scream.

"Nice house." As they drove through the gates, Travis studied the columned brick building set back from the road. "Shades of Tara."

"What do you know about Tara? "Andreas asked. "From the report Danley gave me on you, you've never spent much time in the U.S."

"My father always considered himself an American even though he chose to live abroad. He found it much easier to conduct business outside this country."

"Smuggling?"

Travis smiled. "Don't be crass. He was a romantic. Until the day he died, he thought of himself as a pirate."

" But you never considered yourself anything but a criminal."

"He chose his 'career' as a young man, he loved the excitement. I grew up with the reality of the underbelly of the game."

"Not the excitement?"

"Oh, yes. After all, I'm my father's son." His gaze was on the manor. "That's where Cassie is? Who's taking care of her?"

"Two nurses and her doctor, Jessica Riley."

"But no progress?"

"Not yet." Andreas turned to look at him. "Do you care?"

"Is that so strange? Let's just say I have a vested interest. I don't like to leave a job half done."

"Stay away from my daughter. I don't want her reminded of anything connected to that night."

"If she had to be reminded, you wouldn't be needing a doctor."

"You heard me." The limousine drew to a stop at the gatehouse. "Stay away from Cassie. I'm going to tell Dr. Riley exactly who you are and what you're doing here. And I'll give her orders that you're not permitted near my daughter."

Travis threw up his hands. "Whatever you say. I'm perfectly content to stay in my own little world." He got out of the limousine. "One last item of business. I know it's tempting to have my calls monitored, but I'd consider that a deal breaker. Besides, I'll be calling only one person. Jan van der Beck in Amsterdam. He'll be my go-between with any and all sources, and if he tells me your people are acting even a little bit intrusive, the deal's off."

"Why are you telling me about van der Beck?"

"You think I'm betraying him." He shook his head. "I'm making sure he's protected."

Andreas was silent a moment. "Your phone won't be tapped."

"Thank you. Then I'll be in touch."

"No, I'll be in touch." Andreas motioned for his driver to go on. "You can bet on it."

Travis watched the car move up the curved driveway. There were lights on in the upper floor of the manor. Cassie's room? Not his business. He turned and opened the door of the gatehouse. As long as he kept away from Cassie and was able to throw Andreas tidbits of information, he'd be permitted to stay here in safety. That was all that was important.

The gatehouse consisted of a living room, kitchen, and bedroom and was comfortably furnished. He spent the first thirty minutes checking for bugs and found five. There were more sophisticated means of surveillance, but they required a truckload of equipment, and he doubted the Secret Service agents would try them once they learned the bugs had been destroyed. The advantage of surveillance lay in the subject not knowing he was being monitored.

He did a final check on the books in the built-in shelves on either side of the fireplace and found two more bugs. He smiled as he realized one had been tucked behind a book by Dr. Jessica Riley,
Into the Light
. Not very clever. A book written by the owner of Juniper would automatically attract attention.

He sat in a chair, took out his digital phone, and called van der Beck. "I'm settled. Is everything set up?"

"In place."

"Then start negotiations."

"You're safe?"

"Stop being a mother hen, Jan. You're the one who's dealing with the bad guys. I'm surrounded by America's Finest."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better?"

"I'm safe, Jan."

"See that you stay that way."

"I'll call you tomorrow." He hung up and leaned back in the chair. Everything was set. He'd done the best he could. Would it be enough?

At least he had Jan doing the negotiations in Amsterdam. He could count the people he trusted on one hand. How long had it been since he'd accepted anyone at face value? Not since he'd been Cassie's age. He hadn't yet learned cynicism or that greed had a dazzling way of blinding a man. During those days when Jan and his father had taken him on their trips to Algiers, life had been full of excitement.

He went over to the window and looked up at the lighted window in the manor. He had a fleeting memory of Cassie's face that night at Vasaro. She'd never accept anything at face value again. She'd been torn away from childhood.

It wasn't his business. She was being cared for by experts, by this Dr. Riley. Just because he was plagued by the nagging feeling of leaving something unfinished was no reason to endanger his position here.

He turned away from the window. He'd take a shower and then hit the sack.

He stopped in the bedroom doorway, went back to the bookcase, and picked up Jessica Riley's book. It didn't mean anything. He often read himself to sleep. Besides, he made a good part of his living dealing in information, and it never hurt to know everything about his situation.

It had nothing to do with Cassie Andreas.

Chapter Four

"You understand?" Andreas demanded.

"You've made yourself more than clear" Jessica said as she walked him out. "No contact with the gentleman in the gatehouse."

"I don't t hink you'd consider him a gentleman."

"According to you, he saved Cassie's life. That qualification is hard to dismiss."

"A single action doesn't eliminate the instability of a lifetime."

"I deal with instability all the time. It's how I make my living."

"Well, you have no cause to deal with this particular instability." Andreas walked down the front steps. "Ignore Travis. He won't be here long. You have your hands full." He looked back at Cassie's window. "No nightmare tonight. That's good, isn't it?"

"It's always good. They tear her apart." And Cassie's nightmares were becoming more violent. The aftereffect was that she went even deeper into withdrawal. But Jessica wasn't about to mention that to her father. He had little enough hope. "Will you be here tomorrow night?"

He shook his head. "I have to go to Japan for trade talks. I'll be gone almost two weeks, but my wife will be calling every day for a report. You know how to get in touch with me."

Jessica watched the car move slowly down the driveway before her gaze switched to the gatehouse. A light was burning in the bedroom at the back of the house. Evidently, the unstable Mr. Travis was still awake.

His arrival was an interesting development. Interesting and perhaps…promising. She might be able to use Michael Travis.

God knows, she'd use anything or anyone to stop Cassie from descending any deeper into the darkness.

"I'm here." Melissa took the front steps two at a time to envelop Jessica in a bear hug. "Roll out the red carpet. Strike up the band."

"I think that line's from
Hello, Dolly
! and you're no Barbra Streisand." She gave her sister a fierce hug in return. "But I'm glad to see you anyway. Good trip?"

"Until I got to the front gates." She stepped back and looked down at Jessica. "Have you shrunk? I'm too old to have grown an inch."

"You're just annoying enough to do it. Why couldn't I be the one to take after Dad?"

"It comes in handy on the basketball court. But you're more the southern belle clinging-Who is that?" Melissa had caught sight of the runner at the far end of the driveway.

"Our guest. He's staying at the gatehouse. He takes a run every morning."

"Really?" Melissa gave a low whistle. "You didn't tell me about him. Sexy."

Was he sexy? Jessica had studied him. Michael Travis was not really good-looking. He had a great body-tall, slim, and muscular-but his features were irregular. His nose was too big, his mouth too wide, and his dark eyes set deep. But she knew why Melissa had made the comment. He exuded an energy that was almost electric, and it was difficult not to keep looking at him. The first time Jessica had seen him two days ago she had experienced…what? Surprise?