Текст книги "Pandora's Daughter "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HARLEY ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL while Megan was still stitching the wound.

"Tsk-tsk." He shook his head. "All my excellent first-aid work going down the drain because you got careless." He grimaced as he saw the gaping wound. "It looks worse than it did before. I hope you're not going to ask me to do your rebandaging again. I hate wasting my time."

"I wouldn't think of it," Renata said. "I always knew you were squeamish."

"True. Where's Grady?"

"He took Hedda Kipler to the Publix parking lot a few blocks from here to turn her over to the CIA agents Venable sent to pick her up," Megan said.

"Good idea. He was telling me on the phone that the Kipler woman was a little worse for wear and he didn't want them to have to enter Renata prominently in their report." He reached in his back pocket and pulled out a brown leather sunglass case. "I brought you a present, Renata. This case was in Darnell's glove box. As long as you're in this Finding business, I thought you might as well try your hand at

Darnell."

"Leave her alone," Megan said. "You can talk to her after I finish."

But Renata was already picking up the case. "This Darnell was the one who killed Gardner, Jordan, and the nurse?" Yes.

Her fingers lightly moved over the leather. "He's nowhere near. I'm getting only a vague impression. He's... happy. Almost exultant."

"Is he with Molino?"

"I don't know. I told you, it's vague."

"He may be with Molino." Megan finished the stitching and started to bandage. "If he's delivering Phillip to him."

"I don't like this Vague' business, Renata," Harley said. "You sound like something on one of those psychic TV shows. I thought you were supposed to be the genuine article." He sighed. "I'm losing faith in you. Maybe all this paranormal business is only a bunch of malarkey."

"Which you suspect anyway," Renata said dryly. "I don't have to account to you, Harley." She stood up and pulled on her shirt. "Be as skeptical as you wish. Just don't get in my way."

"I'll stay humbly in the background while you sniff and howl like a bloodhound on the trail. But I hope you won't mind me tagging along. You may need someone to stand in for Megan when it's time to change your bandage."

"You can come." Her gaze slid away from him. "If Venable manages to get what I need. Perhaps he won't. Maybe Molino has moved his stuff somewhere else."

There was a note in Renata's voice that Megan had never heard before. She studied her expression and saw the usual trace of bravado, but there was something else. "What is it? You don't want to do this, do you?"

She didn't answer directly. "I wouldn't have told you where to find the damn thing, if I wasn't willing to do it." She headed toward the door. "I'm heading for Redwing. If there's a chance of locating Molino or Darnell before Megan has to meet him tomorrow night, I'll do it. I'll take the glasses case and see if I can get any vibes close to there. If Venable comes through, call me and I'll meet you." She glanced at Harley.

"Coming?"

"Of course, how can I resist such a gracious invitation?" Harley murmured. "I'll follow you in my car."

"You're shutting me out, Renata," Megan said. "I'm not going to let you do that."

"Yes, you are. If you can contribute, you can come along. Otherwise stay here with Grady and let us do the groundwork. Your job is to make sure Venable comes through for me." She didn't wait for an answer but walked out of the motel room.

"I'll keep an eye on her, Megan." Harley made a face. "Though it may be from six feet behind her."

"I don't like this. There's something wrong about how..." She drifted off in frustration. "We'll be in Redwing as soon as we can tomorrow. Don't let anything happen to her, Harley."

"I won't. I may not have any voodoo talents, but there's something to say for superb intelligence and experience." He moved toward the door. "And the willingness to duck and run to fight another day is really handy. You should learn to cultivate that philosophy. I've noticed you have a tendency to attack first and worry about repercussions later. See you tomorrow, Megan."

She watched the door close behind him with frustration and a sense of helplessness. She was the one who should be going after Molino. Phillip was her responsibility and the reason he was in this predicament was because Molino had found her Achilles heel and was using it against her.

She turned, and began to straighten her medical bag. It was surprising that Renata had managed to subdue Hedda Kipler with that wounded shoulder.

No, not really surprising. Renata had a determination and endurance that Megan had seldom seen before. She would never give up and ignore all obstacles in her path.

"You're frowning." Grady had opened the door and his gaze was on her face. "What's wrong now?"

"Me," she said unevenly. "It appears I'm not qualified to go after Molino. Renata and Harley have taken off for Tennessee and I've been told to sit here and stay out of their way."

"Which promptly goads you to do the opposite."

"Yes. But I won't do it, because they're right. I'm not a Finder. I'm not a Controller. I'm not some hot-shot soldier of fortune like Harley. I have a talent that's not going to help Phillip one bit." She snapped her medical case shut. "So I'll step aside and let everyone do their thing until I can see a way to help."

"That's the smart course to follow."

"Smart, hell." She whirled on him. "It's the only path. I opened my mouth and made Molino come after me frothing with craziness and venom. Do you know what could happen if Molino pulls those feeding tubes?"

"It's not your fault. You did what you thought was right."

"I thought he'd be coming after us, after me. Who the devil could believe that Molino would be able to snatch Phillip out of that place? But people died because I underestimated Molino. I won't let that happen again. I'm not putting anyone else on the line. What did Venable say?"

"He'll have a man in Molino's Miami apartment within a few hours. The personal object Renata needs will be delivered to us by eight A.M. tomorrow morning." He glanced at his watch. "That gives you at least six hours to sleep. Suppose we check in here for tonight?"

"Whatever," she said wearily. "Anywhere will do."

"I'm sleeping with you tonight." He shook his head as she opened her mouth to speak. "Sleeping. You've called me insensitive before, but even I have my limits." He took three steps forward and pulled her into his arms. "You're stretched tense and fragile as a rubber band," he said roughly. "You're full of sadness and worry and guilt and I can feel every single nuance of it. It's driving me crazy. If you'd let me, I could take it away and let you forget. But you won't do that, will you?"

She shook her head. "No." But he was taking away some of that disturbance just by holding her and letting her realize that she wasn't alone. Her arms slid around him and she buried her face in his chest. Her voice was muffled. "Thank you. This feels good. I'm not really... fragile. You know that, Grady."

"Yeah." His lips brushed her temple. "But let's pretend you are for tonight. It will make me feel as if I'm doing something worthwhile. Let me hold you, Megan."

Let me hold you. Let me share your burden. Let me be part of you. Sweet thoughts, a sweeter reality. "Okay," she whispered. "For tonight."

"HERE IT IS." GRADY CAME into the motel room the next morning and tossed a briefcase on the bed. "Venable's agent delivered it fifteen minutes ago." He paused. "He appeared anxious to get rid of it."

She swung her legs to the floor. "I'll call Renata and tell her we're on our way. What time is it?"

"Seven-twenty." He turned and headed for the bathroom. "We should be on the road in fifteen minutes."

"Right." She was already dialing Renata's number. "We've got it," she said when she reached her. "We'll be there in a few hours."

Silence. "You've got it?"

"Yes, I told you. Venable came through for us. Were you able to zero in on anything from Darnell's sunglasses?"

"No, the vibes were stronger but still inconclusive. If Molino is in this area, then Darnell isn't with him."

"Well, maybe you'll have better luck with one of Molino's possessions."

"Maybe."

"Where shall we meet you?"

"There's a side road on the other side of Redwing just after you pass a little restaurant called Roadkill."

"Yuck. What a name. That will stick in my memory. You'll be waiting on the side road?"

"I'll be there." She hung up.

Megan slowly pressed the disconnect. There it was again; that odd note of which she'd been aware when Renata had spoken about the objects in Molino's Miami apartment. Tension? Fear?

Megan's gaze shifted to the briefcase on the bed.

He appeared anxious to get rid of it.

Why would Venable's agent want to get this briefcase out of his hands? She slowly reached out and pulled the briefcase toward her.

RENATA WAS LEANING AGAINST the side of her SUV and straightened as she saw Megan pull up. "Where's Grady? He shouldn't have let you come alone."

"He's right behind me. I told him I wanted to talk to you." She grabbed the briefcase and jumped out of the car.

Renata's stiffened, her gaze on the briefcase. "Is that it?"

"Yes. Let's go for a walk." Renata didn't move. "Why?"

"Stop asking questions." Megan didn't look at her as she strode ahead of her down the road. "I have a few to ask myself."

"Just give me the briefcase." Later.

Renata caught up with her a minute later. "You opened it, didn't you?" Yes. "What was in it?"

She stopped and turned to face her. "Don't you know?"

Renata shook her head. "The Kipler woman said the drawer was crammed. It could have been anything."

"But you knew whatever it was that you'd be able to use it." Renata moistened her lips. "What's in it?"

Megan hands were shaking as she opened the briefcase. "It's a child's pink dress. It's ragged, faded, and it must have belonged to a little girl, no more than seven, or eight." She pulled out the dress and offered it to Renata. "Such a little thing to upset a tough CIA agent. Grady said he couldn't wait to get rid of it."

"It's not such a little thing." Renata didn't take the pink dress. "He must have known what it was."

"And what is it, Renata? What was in that drawer? You've been acting scared to death ever since we talked about it."

She lifted her chin. "I'm not scared."

"Then take the dress."

"I will." She didn't move for a moment and then reached out and her hand closed on the cotton material of the dress. She shuddered. "Oh, God."

She ran over to the side of the road and threw up.

"Renata." Megan was beside her, her comforting hand on the other woman's shoulder. "For heaven's sake, Renata."

"I'm sorry." She gasped. "I didn't mean—I'll be better soon."

"Sit down." Megan gently pushed her to the ground to lean against a tall pine tree. Renata's breathing was harsh, rapid. Megan knelt down beside her. "What's wrong? What's happening?"

"It's pretty obvious, isn't it? I got sick."

"Why?"

Renata looked down at the little dress she was still clutching. "Maybe I don't like pink."

"Then let me have it back." Megan took the dress from her hand. "You don't have to use this. We'll get something else."

"No." But her breathing appeared to be less labored now that she was no longer clutching the dress. "It has to be this one. Or something like it."

"Why? What is it?"

"I think you know."

"I made a guess when I saw it. I almost threw up too." Her hand tightened on the dress. "Did it belong to one of the little girl's Molino sold into slavery?"

Renata nodded jerkily. "The Kipler woman told me that Molino was into collecting trophies. He had everything in that drawer from body parts of men who had crossed him to the hair of children he'd raped and killed." The tears were slowly running down her cheeks. "He particularly liked the dresses the little girls had worn the day they were captured. Hedda Kipler made a number of trips from various parts of the world gathering booty from customers and bandits and delivering them to Molino. She said she'd seen him sit at his desk, smiling and fondling them."

The horror that image brought was almost overpowering. "And you still told us to go get... this."

"You want Molino, don't you? This will make it certain I can find him for you."

"You can't even touch this dress without throwing up."

"Yes, I can. Give me a little time." She reached out a tentative finger and touched the dress. She shivered, but her finger remained on the material. "I'm not usually this much of a coward. It's just that I can see her."

"You can?"

"And Molino too. They're all mixed up together. I was afraid it would be like that. It's happened to me before. I'm not like you. I... can't handle that kind of emotion. It's feels as if I'm being beaten." She drew a deep shaky breath. "And it wasn't only the money for him. It gave him a sense of power to destroy those little girls. He liked to stroke these clothes and think about it." A monster.

Renata nodded. "And these trophies couldn't be sending out stronger signals. This is the essence of that son of a bitch. I'll be able to find him even if he's a thousand miles away."

"You said it was mixed up with the little girl."

"Once I get used to her, I'll be able to isolate him." She said hoarsely. "She was so frightened, Megan. Her name was Adia and she ran and ran, but the bandits were on horseback and they caught her. She was crying but nobody cared."

"Maybe we can find her, Renata."

"Maybe. If she's still alive." Renata's eyes were glittering with moisture. "But first we have to find Molino." She sat upright and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. "Sorry. I'm okay now."

"For heaven's sake. There's nothing wrong with—" She wasn't reaching her. Renata's moment of softness was over and she was pushing her away.

Why accept it? She felt closer to Renata now than ever before. Renata would just have to learn to deal with affection.

Megan deliberately reached out and took her hand. "I think you're nuts to put yourself through this, but I admire and respect you for it." She got to her feet. "If I can help, let me know. What do you do next?"

"I drive around and see where it leads me." Renata smiled unsteadily. "I'll try hard to find Molino for you before tonight, Megan."

"I know you will. But if you don't, stay away from the graveyard. Do you hear?" Renata didn't answer.

"I mean it. I don't know what to expect, but I don't want Molino to make any phone calls that will hurt

Phillip."

"I'll think about it. It wouldn't do any good to try to make a connection with Molino there anyway. It won't be the place he has your Phillip. And it would be broken when he put enough distance between us.

What's the plan?"

"Harley is going to scout around the cemetery and make sure Molino doesn't have backup there. Grady will stay in the trees with a rifle trained on Molino."

Renata thought about it. "I suppose that's as safe as Grady can make it for you."

"Then promise me you'll stay away from the cemetery."

"If I can locate Molino before that it will be a moot issue."

"Promise."

She frowned.

"Promise."

"Hell, no." She turned on her heel and walked back toward her car.

10:45 P.M.

"HARLEY SAYS THE IMMEDIATE area's clear," Grady said. "There are four of Molino's men in the forest across the way. I didn't expect him to take a chance and come alone." He gestured to the south. "I'll be in that patch of trees with a rifle trained on Molino. Harley will circle and keep an eye out to make sure Molino's men don't start moving toward you. Understand?" She nodded her gaze on the top of the hill. "I understand." The Redwing cemetery had been in existence since the start of the Civil War and it showed its age. Rotting wooden crosses and stone markers with the inscriptions eroded by time, overgrown patches of grass sprouted between the graves.

"Don't get too close to him. I might need a clear shot."

"You can't shoot him. He has Phillip and Renata still hasn't been able to find where Molino's keeping him."

He put the scope on his rifle. "If I have to make a choice, it won't be Phillip," he said grimly. "Molino doesn't want to kill me. Not yet."

Harley appeared out of the brush. "Molino's here. He and Sienna are starting up the north slope of the hill."

She stiffened. "Then I'd better join him, hadn't I? We wouldn't want him to become impatient."

She heard Grady's low curse behind her as she moved up the path. He was feeling helpless and out of control and he hated to be put in that position, she knew. Well, he would have to deal with it. She was feeling pretty helpless herself at the moment.

The moon was full and shining brightly as she caught sight of Molino and Sienna standing on the crest of the hill. Her pace hesitated for an instant as a thrill of fear went through her. Don't tense. They might be monsters but monsters could be destroyed.

Molino was smiling at her. "Ah, Sienna, here she is. I told you that she'd be scampering to save that human refuse, Phillip. Her mother was just the same. Like mother, like daughter."

Sienna shrugged. "And neither of them is very smart. You're wasting your time. You have her now, kill her."

"What do you say about that, Megan?" Molino asked. "I keep telling Sienna that you're a worthy opponent, but he won't believe me. He thinks that I should concentrate on business."

"If you can call that filth you do business," Megan said as she came level with them. "Tell me how I can get Phillip back."

"Presently."

"Is he still alive?"

"Yes, but I can't dial him and have him talk to you." He chuckled. "His communication skills aren't exactly top notch at present. I understand Gardner was excited about him squeezing his hand, but we haven't bothered to explore that route." He tilted his head. "I'm more interested in having you squeeze Sienna's hand."

"What?" Sienna jerked his head around to stare at Molino. "What the shit are you up to?"

"Why, Sienna, there's nothing to worry about. You've always doubted that my Steven was victimized by that whore who bred this viper. I could see how contemptuous you were of me and my crazy ideas. If you're right, then you can prove it now. Let her take your hand."

"I don't want to touch him," Megan said. "He's as dirty as you are."

"But you were boasting how you were going to turn me into a vegetable. Such an ugly threat. Were you bluffing?"

"I don't want to touch him," she repeated.

"But I insist. That's why we're here. I had to know what I had to face with you, what I have to face with all those freaks listed in the Ledger. You boasted that you could find me, but that didn't happen. You bragged that you had powers like your mother, but there's no proof of that either." He smiled. "Show me proof, Megan."

"I don't have to show you anything."

"You do unless you want me to make a call and tell my men to disconnect the feeding tube from Phillip

Blair."

She shrugged. "All right, I'll admit it. I'm no Pandora. I just wanted to make you angry."

"Show me," he repeated softly.

"Screw you," Sienna said. "I'm not going to put up with this bullshit."

"Scared?" Molino asked. "Why? As you said, it's only bullshit. My Steven went insane for no reason at all."

"Don't be an ass," Sienna said. "It's just that I'm not willing to play your game."

"And you're scared of the pretty lady. My, my."

"Oh, for God's sake." Sienna took one stride forward to stand before Megan. He thrust out his hand. "Get it over with."

She didn't move.

"Take his hand," Molino said. He took out his phone. "I'll give you thirty seconds before I make the call." She glared at him. "Why don't you let me take your hand, Molino?"

"Because Sienna deserves whatever happens to him for doubting me. And I've always liked the idea of those Egyptian poison tasters. There's something regal about it. Fifteen seconds."

She reached out and took Sienna's hand. It was big, warm, and soft and all she could think about was how he had tortured Edmund Gillem with those hands.

"Press it," Molino said. "Hard."

Her hand tightened. She was hating this.

"Harder," Molino said.

She tightened her grip again.

"Crap," Sienna said. "This is taking too long." His hand crushed bruisingly around Megan's. Pain. Anger. Hatred.

Then Sienna released her and stepped back. "Satisfied?" He asked Molino curtly. "I almost broke her hand. Do you want me to do it again?"

Relief soared through Megan with dizzying force. Nothing had happened. She hadn't realized until this moment how afraid she'd been.

"No." Molino was studying Megan's expression. "I believe I'm disappointed. I admit I hoped to get a little of my own back by having you teach Sienna a lesson. It might not be as entertaining to kill you as I'd hoped. You're obviously not going to be the challenge I thought."

"I told you I wasn't a Pandora."

"But you're Pandora's daughter and that will have to be enough for me." He turned away. "Come along, Sienna. Let's go back to the house and pay a visit to Blair."

Megan tensed. "What are you going to do to him?"

"Make sure he's still alive in that cellar." He paused. "Then tomorrow night I'm going to cut off his feeding tube."

"No!"

"Yes." He stared her in the eye. "If you want him back then you have to give me something in return. I think you know the terms I'll accept. You want Phillip Blair, I get you. Unless you show up here tomorrow alone without Grady or Harley or that other freak, Renata Wilger, anywhere in the background you won't see Blair again alive." He glanced around the cemetery. "My men told me that Grady and Harley came with you. I'm sure they're still somewhere close. I was willing to let you feel safer tonight. Tomorrow is different. I want you to feel vulnerable. No, frightened. I want to taste your fear. Steven was frightened that night before he died. He whimpered and cried."

"You promise you'll let Phillip go?"

"I told you I would, under certain circumstances."

"I'm willing to make a trade, but I won't risk my life for nothing." She moistened her lips. "You bring Phillip to that open field just north of the cemetery and I'll arrange for a helicopter to pick him up and take him back to Bellehaven in Atlanta. When the helicopter takes off, you can come and get me."

"That's not satisfactory," Molino said.

"Hell and damnation," Sienna said. "Stop bargaining. What do you care about Phillip Blair? You'll have the woman and that's what you want. Let's put an end to this."

"So eager," Molino said. "Sienna, I can't decide whether you're pissed because I made you risk your sanity by holding hands with our little Megan or you're just eager to get her in bed." He smiled at Megan. "I did promise him he could rape you as a fringe benefit. That should give you something to anticipate for the next twenty-four hours."

"Send Phillip to be picked up in that field."

Molino was silent. "Very well. Sienna is right. I don't really care about anyone but you." He turned and started down the hill. "Let's go, Sienna." He added maliciously, "Tell me, are you feeling dizzy or light-headed? Any delusions?"

"Sorry to disappoint you," Sienna said dryly. "I'm normal as I've always been. This whole business is a bunch of baloney and she's a phony."

Molino's smile faded. "But her mother wasn't a phony. Steven was as sane as I am before she poisoned his mind."

"If you say so."

"I say so." Molino looked back at Megan. "I'm glad we came to an agreement. I'm sure if Phillip Blair was anything but a useless carcass he'd appreciate it too."

"Keep him warm and on those tubes," she said. "If he's in a deteriorated condition when I see him, I'll get on that helicopter with him."

"And I'd blow you both out of the air. Don't threaten me, freak."

She watched him walk away. She had never before encountered ugliness like she'd seen tonight. She glanced down at her hand that was still tingling with pain. Sienna's brutality had been the least of the horror of these minutes. She had suspected Molino's instability, but tonight it had been clear. His malice and viciousness had shaken her more than Sienna's cruelty.

"Oh, I just remembered something of interest to you." Molino had turned and stood looking at her. "I got the call just before I arrived at the cemetery tonight."

She stiffened. She had thought it was over. It wasn't over. She could tell by the malice in his expression that this horror of a meeting was not at an end.

He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and dropped it on the ground. "I told you I couldn't understand how you could be drawn into my net by that vegetable." He started back down the hill.

She stared after him in shock. What was he up to?

She ran over to the piece of paper he'd dropped on the ground.

Not a piece of paper. A photo.

She snatched it up and turned on her flashlight.

No!

She flew down the hill after Molino. "Stop, you bastard."

He turned and smiled. "Oh, that did hurt you where you live, didn't it? I thought it would be much better insurance for me than Blair. Such a cute little fellow."

"You're saying you have Davy?" Her voice was shaking. Her whole body was shaking. She felt as if she'd been punched in the stomach by an iron fist. "It's a lie. I received an e-mail from his father yesterday and he would have told me if something was wrong."

"My men took him tonight. They went through the window of his room while he was sleeping. We have a good deal of practice at that kind of thing. His parents don't even know he's gone." He added softly, "Call them. Tell them where their little boy is spending tonight."

"You son of a bitch. Don't you lay a finger on him."

"I believe I'll let you worry about that. Though I do prefer little girls, I might force myself to—"

"I'll kill you"

"No, you'll show up in that field tomorrow and if you're lucky I'll give you both the old man and the child."

"It has to be both. I won't bargain for one without the other." She paused. "And if you hurt Davy I won't go through with the deal."

"Damaged goods?" He frowned. "Yes, I understand the loss of value on damaged goods. I'll think about it." He turned and strode down the hill.

"Oh, God," she whispered. Don't let it be true. Let it be a lie.

She dialed Scott's number. It rang seven times before he picked up. "What are you thinking, Megan?" He sounded as if she'd woke him from deep sleep. "It better be important. I've got to be at the hospital at six in the morning."

"I hope it's not important. I'm praying it's not important. Look, Scott, do me a favor and go and check on

Davy."

"YOU LOOK AS IF YOU'VE BEEN run over by a bulldozer." Grady met her as she was coming down the hill. "What the hell did he do to you?"

"It's not me. He has Davy too." The tears were running down her face. "That bastard has Davy." Grady muttered a curse. "You're sure?"

"I hoped it was a lie. Molino was toying with me. He dropped it on me as he was walking away. But I called Scott and—They didn't even know Davy was gone. Molino let me tell him they'd taken him. Scott and Jana are scared to death. I'm scared to death. Do you know what that son of a bitch does to children? Yes, of course you do. You're the one who told me."

"He may not—"

"And he might." Her fists clenched. "He might, Grady. I let him see how scared I was. I shouldn't have done that. My only hope is that he thinks of children as something to buy and sell and damaged goods aren't as valuable. He didn't understand why I'd want to save Phillip. In his eyes he wasn't a prime specimen any longer. He might think I'd refuse to go with him if he hurts Davy." She said unevenly, "I feel so damn helpless. I've got to find a way to help them."

"We'll work it out." He took a step toward her with his hand outstretched. "There's got to be a—"

"Don't touch me." She knew he only wanted to comfort her but she felt as if she would splinter like broken crystal. She couldn't risk any weakness. "Not now."

His hand dropped to his side. "Okay, I understand. How can I help? What else happened up there?"

"I told Molino he had to bring Phillip to that field to the north and I'd have him airlifted out by helicopter. When he told me about Davy I told him he'd have to bring him too or it was no deal."

"And the deal?"

"After Phillip and Davy are gone Molino can come to the field and pick me up."

"The hell he can." Repressed violence vibrated in Grady's voice. "No way."

"It's the only way I can be sure Phillip and Davy will be safe and not used to hurt me. They have to be totally out of the picture."

"So you're going to walk in and put your head on the block?"

"Yes, and it's your job to make sure it doesn't get chopped off. He's not going to kill me right away. If he'd wanted to do that, he wouldn't have taken Phillip and Davy." Her pace quickened. "But I'm not looking forward to being raped and tortured while you spin your wheels. You won't be able to get near me after he picks me up, so you'll have to know where we're going. Renata said she'd be able to find him."

"She had a chance and she didn't find him today," he said grimly. "She said she'd have trouble making adjustments."

"And you're going to rely on her overcoming her 'trouble'? I know how hard it is for a Finder to focus. You could be dead by the time Renata comes through with a location."

"Then come up with another solution. I'm making sure that Phillip and Davy stay alive. That's my job. All the rest is in your court."

"And my job is to keep you alive."

"That's not how this started. You wanted the Ledger, you wanted Molino dead."

"My priorities have shifted."

"And I have only two now. Phillip and Davy. The rest is—"

"Why are you rubbing your hand?" he interrupted.

She hadn't realized she had been. It had been a purely automatic reflex. "It's a little bruised. Actually, it feels as if it's been crunched in a vise. Molino wanted Sienna to play guinea pig. I think he likes the idea of Sienna turning into a gibbering idiot. He was very disappointed that I turned out not to be a Pandora."

"And you were relieved."

"I never really thought there was a possibility that—yes, I was relieved." Her lips tightened. "Even though I would have liked to hurt Sienna in any way I could. What a piece of crap. Molino and he deserve each other. No, Molino's still number one on the horror chart." She headed toward the trees where they'd parked the car. "Arrange with Venable for that helicopter. I'm going to be in that field tomorrow."