Текст книги "Firestorm "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

2

For God's sake, shut it out.”

Someone was standing silhouetted in the open doorway, she realized dimly. A man. A tall man. A doctor? It didn't matter.

Hurting. Hurting. Hurting.

The door slammed behind the man and he was kneeling beside her. “Listen to me. You've got to shut it out.”

“Charlie.”

“I know.” He took her hands. “But you can't help him by hurting like this.”

“He's in pain—backdraft. Down . . . down . . .”

“And you can't shut it out.” He drew a deep breath. “But I can. Don't be scared. I'm coming in.”

What was he talking about?

“Look at me.” His dark eyes were holding her own. “It's going to go away now.”

It wouldn't go away. The smoke and the fire were going to go on forever. Charlie . . .

They're coming up the stairs to get you, Charlie.

Too late.

Hurting. Hurt—

The pain was gone. Charlie was gone. No smoke. No fire.

A blue lake. Sunlight. Green grass.

Peace.

“Come on.” He was standing, pulling her to her feet. “We have to get out of here. I don't how long I can hold it back.”

Two deer were coming to drink at the lake. A soft breeze was blowing the tall grass.

“Come on.” He opened the door and pulled her out into the corridor. “We're going to go get Sam and then you're going home.”

“Charlie . . .”

“He's not here at the lake now. We'll go back to him later.” He was pulling her down the corridor toward the lounge. “I'll explain everything and get us out of here. But when we enter the room, you have to smile at the kids. You don't want them to worry.”

No, children shouldn't worry. Their world should always be full of sunlight. How they'd love to be away from the city by this beautiful lake.

And suddenly they were there. She could see the little boy, Josh, laughing as he ran through the grass.

“Are you all right?” It was Melody Vanetti, gazing worriedly at her. “I went to the rest room to check on you, but you weren't there.”

“She's a little under the weather,” the man holding her arm said. “I ran into her in the hall and took her out to get a little fresh air.” He smiled and held out his hand. “You're Nurse Vanetti? She's told me how good you are with the kids. I'm Brad Silver. I work with Kerry.”

Melody shook his hand, but she was still frowning as she gazed at Kerry. “Do you think she should see one of the doctors?”

“That's what I suggested, but she just wants to go home. Isn't that right, Kerry?”

Home was the lake. Home was the children playing in the meadow.

“Kerry?”

She nodded. “I want to go home.”

“Then I'll just go get Sam.” Silver moved across the room toward the children. He squatted beside Josh.

But how could that be when she could see Josh running by the lake? Silver must be talking to some other little boy.

“I have to take your buddy away now,” he said gently to the little boy who looked like Josh. “But I promise you'll see him again.” He touched the little boy on the shoulder. “Everything's going to be all right.” He smiled at the other children as he led Sam toward Kerry. “Kerry will see you next week. She has to leave now.” He nodded at Melody. “Thanks for everything. I'll let you know how she's doing once I get her home.”

Then he was nudging Kerry out of the lounge and down the hall.

The sky over the lake was getting cloudy. Or was that smoke in the distance?

No smoke. The answer came immediately and firmly.

Sunlight. Children playing. Blue delphiniums growing straight and proud on the hillside. How she loved delphiniums. . . .

They were out of the elevator and he was leading her toward the parking lot. “Only a little longer, Kerry.” He opened the door of a black Lexus. “Jump in, Sam.” Sam jumped into the car and immediately settled down on the seat. He opened the passenger door for Kerry. “I'll have you home in no time.”

He was smiling as he helped her into a boat at the dock on the lake. Then he was rowing, his oar lifting and falling in the glittering blue water.

He pulled into her driveway and stopped the car. He reached for her purse. “I need your keys.” He pulled them out, opened the rear door for Sam, and strode up the steps to the front porch.

They had drifted under the overhanging branches of a weeping willow and she could see the reflection of the lacy fronds in the water. He was smiling at her. Warmth. Safety. Joy. “Kerry.” He was holding out his hand to help her from the boat. “Come with me.”

Where? It didn't matter. She knew wherever he led her would be beautiful. She took his hand.

They were going up the front stairs. Sam was tearing around the porch and Silver let him into the house before he pushed her gently into the foyer. He followed her into the house and closed the door.

He leaned back against it and drew a deep breath. “Thank God.”

Clouds again over the lake, she noticed uneasily. She didn't like it. . . .

“Not clouds. Smoke,” Silver said. “I can't keep it away from you any longer. It's smoke and it's getting thicker. But it's not going to hurt you anymore. That part's over, Kerry. I'm getting out. I'll try to do it slow and easy, but it's going to be a wrench.”

Smoke was swirling about her like fog, obscuring the lake and the willow and the children. And beyond the smoke . . .

Fire.

Charlie!

She screamed.

Easy.” Silver grasped her shoulders. “You knew it was coming. Accept it.”

“He's dead. Charlie's dead.”

He nodded. “He died about five minutes ago.”

She closed her eyes as she tried to absorb the shock and sorrow. “How do you know that?” Her eyes flicked open and she tore away from him. “And what the hell are you doing in my house?”

“Trying to keep you from blowing your cover. And don't give me any grief.” He added roughly, “I'm too pissed to feel sympathetic at the moment. Do you think this was easy for me? I suppose I could have left you in that closet until someone found you. But by that time you'd have probably had to be treated at the local funny farm.”

“Get out of here. I don't know who you are and I don't care.” She moved toward the telephone. “I have to call the station.”

“To find out what you already know? Charlie's dead. The other man on the staircase is on his way to Grady Hospital. He'll probably live.” He paused. “And you suspect who I am. Or at least what I am.”

“Go away. Maybe Charlie's not dead. It doesn't have to be true.” She dialed the station number and Dave picked up. “Dave, I heard there was trouble at—”

“Oh, God, Kerry.” His voice was cracking. “Charlie. What a hell of a—I knew him for thirty years. He was thinking about retiring in the spring. Why did it have to happen to—”

She hung up. She couldn't take any more. She leaned her head against the wall, the tears flowing down her cheeks.

“I'll give Sam some water and make a pot of coffee,” Silver said quietly. “Come when you're ready. Kitchen's down the hall, right?” He didn't wait for her answer.

She moved into the living room and dropped down on the couch. She should call Edna and see if she wanted her to come over. No, not now. She didn't even know if she'd been notified yet. Kerry dropped her head on the arm of the couch and didn't try to stop the tears from coming. Charlie deserved tears. . . .

She could hear Silver in the kitchen saying something to Sam. This stranger was clearly making himself at home, and yet she felt no sense of threat. Maybe she was too stunned to feel fear.

Or maybe he was making sure she wasn't afraid. That thought was terrifying in itself.

She wouldn't think about it. She was too upset to deal with anything right now. She'd give herself a little time to regain her composure before she had to go and face him. She'd close her eyes for just a moment and escape from all the pain and sorrow. . . .

She was sleeping.

Silver stood in the doorway and looked down at her, curled on the couch. He knew it was a sleep that wouldn't last long. She'd been exposed to too much and had to recoup from the overload. He'd seen it many times before.

She looked almost childlike with her tousled, short, chestnut hair and smooth, satiny complexion. But she wasn't a child. She was tough and stubborn and was going to give him a hell of a bad time.

So stop feeling sorry for her. He'd try to give her something in return, but there was no doubt he was going to use Kerry Murphy.

There was too much in the balance for him to walk away now.

It was over an hour before Kerry woke and another fifteen minutes before she felt steady enough to leave the shelter of the living room and go to the kitchen to face Silver. If that was his name. How could she be sure anything he told her was true? He'd exploded into her life when she was at her most vulnerable and he was still only a shadow figure to her.

She stopped in the doorway. He was sitting at the kitchen table, talking on the phone, and he didn't look in the least shadowlike. He had dark hair and dark eyes, was somewhere in his mid-thirties, and powerfully built. Yes, power was the key word to describe him. He exuded authority and confidence. The impression was so dominant that it made no difference that he was dressed in faded jeans and sweatshirt and that his features were less than handsome. Particularly now that he was frowning at something that he was hearing on the phone. He glanced up and saw her and said quickly, “I'll call you back, Gillen.” He hung up and rose to his feet. “Sit down. I'll get you a cup of coffee.”

“I'll get it myself.” She moved toward the cabinet. “After all, it is my house.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He sat back down. “Just trying to be accommodating. I promised I'd be nice to you.” He scowled. “It's been damn hard.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “I couldn't care less whether you're nice to me or not. I don't know you and I don't want to know you. I lost a good friend today and I just want you to get out of here and leave me alone.”

“Can't do it.” He sipped his coffee. “I need you. Believe me, if I thought I could get the same kind of help somewhere else, I'd be out of here. I've had a hard week and you've made it tougher. Sit down and we'll talk.”

“I don't want to talk.” She poured her coffee and had to steady her hand before she picked up the cup. “I was pretty much out of it, but I believe you were kind to me earlier today. But that doesn't mean you can barge into my life. If you don't get out, I'll have to call the police.”

“You don't want to call in the cops. Any questions they ask me may have awkward consequences for you.” He added, “And you're not going to get rid of me until you sit down and listen.”

She hesitated, staring at him. She was tempted to tell him to go to hell, but there was something she had to know, something that was filling her with fear. She slowly moved across the room and sat down at the table. But she found she couldn't ask that question yet. Instead, she asked, “How did you know I was in that closet?”

“You were sending out a distress call that was nearly blowing my mind.” He studied her expression. “You're afraid of me.”

“I'm not afraid.”

“Not that I'm going to mug you or rape you. You're afraid I'm going to intrude.” He shook his head. “No way. It hurts too damn much.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“The hell you don't.” He shook his head wearily. “I was told you were stubborn and preferred to turn a blind eye. I meant to be patient and kind and all that crap, but you blew me out of the water. You must have really liked this Charlie—”

“Of course I liked him. He was a great guy.”

“But not too perceptive. He liked you, but he never realized how you were using Sam.”

She stiffened. “Sam?”

He sighed. “Okay, let's jump over this hurdle and get things out in the open. Sam's a nice pup, but as an arson dog he's a complete washout. He couldn't sniff out a beefsteak in a butcher shop.”

“You're crazy. Everyone knows he's the best arson dog in the Southeast.”

“Because that's what you wanted everyone to believe. You didn't want anyone to know the truth.” He paused. “You didn't want them to know that the only way you knew where and how the fires were being set was that you saw it being done.”

“You're nuts. Do you think I'm some kind of pyromaniac?”

“No, I think you have a special psychic talent triggered by fire. If you come anywhere near the area a fire was set, you receive vibes; sometimes you actually see it being done. In cases where you have a relationship with the people involved in the fire, you don't have to be close.” He was silent a moment. “Like with your friend Charlie. You connected and couldn't get away.”

Smoke. The door on the third floor. Backdraft.

“Steady,” he said quietly. “It's over now.”

She drew a deep breath. “You seem to think you know a good deal about me. Who are you? Some kind of reporter?”

“No, and I have no desire to let everyone know how you're using Sam. That's your business.”

“That's good.” She tried to smile. “Because it's all ridiculous. No one would ever believe that hocus-pocus.”

“I agree. It's a nitty-gritty world with no room for fantasy. I can understand perfectly why you needed to protect yourself. You wanted to make sure the bad guys got what was coming to them, but you knew you'd be laughed out of your job if you didn't have a way to validate what you were seeing.” He reached down and patted the Lab's head. “Enter super arson dog Sam. But you could have picked one who had a little more credibility.”

“I don't need your understanding. And Sam's just fine.” She moistened her lips and looked down into her coffee. “And if you're through making outrageous guesses, maybe you'd like to tell me why you're here.”

“I have a job for you.”

“What kind of job?”

He studied her for a moment. “You're not ready yet. You'd turn me down.” He stood up, reached in his pocket, and threw down his rental-car keys. “Use my Lexus if you need it. I'll arrange to have your SUV towed from the fire station back here. I'll be in touch.”

She glared at him. “Don't you dare walk out of here. I want answers.”

He smiled faintly. “There's only one answer you really want right now. It's to that question you've been afraid to ask me.” His voice lowered to a murmur. “The lake. It was pretty, wasn't it? I worked very hard to make it beautiful for you. And, no, you aren't going bonkers.” He threw a card on the table and headed for the door. “That's my cell number. Call me if you need me.”

“Wait. Dammit, who sent you?”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Michael Travis.” A moment later she heard the door close behind him.

She felt as if she'd been kicked in the stomach. She'd last seen Michael five years ago and she'd sworn she'd never see him again. She'd thought he was out of her life.

Stop panicking. She slammed the door on Michael all those years ago and she could slam it again.

But could she slam it on Brad Silver? She had an idea he was completely different from Michael. Less patient, more ruthless, more direct.

How did she know that about him? she wondered suddenly. He was a stranger.

Oh, God, the lake.

Or it could be just her own judgment of his character. This connection she felt with him didn't have to be anything bizarre.

Yes, it did. He was bizarre. If he'd managed to do what she thought he'd done, then he was even more of a freak than she was.

But she wasn't a freak. She'd learned to deal with her problem. And she could still do it. Nothing was changed. She could send Silver on his way and get her life back in order. But first she had to make sure he stayed away from her, and that meant getting Travis to call him off.

She drew a deep breath, reached for her phone, and quickly punched in the number she'd not dialed for over five years.

“What the hell are you doing, Michael?” she asked when Travis answered the phone.

“Kerry?”

“You know damn well it's me. I told you to stay out of my life, and that included turning loose any of your sycophants to make my life miserable.”

“I suppose you're talking about Brad Silver? If you knew him better, you'd realize there's no way he's anyone's sycophant. Silver is a law unto himself.”

“You sent him. You told him about me.”

“Yes. I thought long and hard before I did it, but I decided that it was necessary. He needs you.”

“Bullshit. Call him off, Michael. I don't want him anywhere near me.”

“That may be difficult.” He paused. “You're very upset. What did he do?”

“He's . . . weird.”

“But he's not stupid. He wouldn't have tipped his hand if he hadn't had to do it. Did something happen?”

“I'm not talking to you any longer.” She tried to keep her voice steady. “Just tell Silver to stay away from me.”

“What did he do?”

Blue lake, delphiniums, a child running.

“I think you know what he did. He's like you and Melissa and all those other people you told me about.” She bit hard on her lower lip. “No, he's not like them. He's . . . different.”

“Yes, he is. He's a controller.”

“Controller?” Anger seared through her. “I don't know what the hell you're talking about. Is this one of your stupid mind games? I won't have it, Michael.” Panic followed rage and she whispered, “My God, I didn't even know there were people like him.”

“Shh, I'm sure he never intended to—”

“I don't want to hear it.”

“He frightened you.” Michael sighed. “If you'd let me explain, you'd see that he's not as bad as you think.”

“He's worse. He's a nightmare. Get him out of my life.” She hung up the phone.

Controller. Just the word struck at her sense of independence and individuality. Well, now that she was on guard there would be no chance of a repeat performance if he came on the scene again. Her will was strong enough to make certain that Silver—

Stop thinking about him. She had more important things to worry about than Silver or Michael or any of their wacky friends. She had a life. Get busy. Don't think about him. She dialed Edna's number. It rang six times before she picked up the receiver. “Edna, this is Kerry. If you don't want to talk, just tell me to hang up. But I thought I'd bring Sam over and take care of the kids for you.”

“He's dead, Kerry.” Edna's voice was numb. “I can't seem to take it in.”

“Do you want me to come, Edna?”

“I think so. I haven't told the kids yet. I have to find a way, but what can I say?”

“We'll work it out together. Maybe I could do it.”

“No, it's my job. How can I tell them he's not coming home, Kerry? It's not right. He was such a good man.”

“I'm on my way.” She hung up and got to her feet. It was going to be a hell of a night, but at least she could try to do something to help. She started to fill up Sam's dog-food bowl. There was no telling when she'd be able to feed him if she didn't do it now. “Eat your dinner. You've got a job to do. Charlie's kids are going to need you.”

Kerry Murphy was coming out of the house, trying to keep the unruly black Lab from jerking her down the porch steps. It was the first time Trask had gotten a good look at her. He'd been too far across the hospital parking lot when Silver had taken her to his car, and he had to be careful of the bastard. She was slender, like Helen. But Helen had been brunette, with wonderful dark eyes. This woman had blue eyes and chestnut hair that gleamed deep red under the porch light.

Fire red.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel.

She was getting into Silver's Lexus with the dog. Time was running out. He had to make a decision. Should he kill her now?

She must be of value to Silver if he'd come all this way to see her. He might not be right, but it could be best to remove a weapon before it could be used against him.

No, he knew nothing about Kerry Murphy yet except her name, which he'd gotten from the mailbox. It might not be necessary to waste his time on her. He had to get back to Washington and prepare for the next target. Then he could come back and investigate her more thoroughly. And if she became involved with Silver, then he would take care of her death in the usual manner.

Until then he'd wait and watch.

Michael Travis called Silver when he was on his way to check into a hotel. “Kerry just called me yelling to high heaven. I gather you made contact.”

“Oh, yes. For all the good it did me.”

“What did you do to her?”

“For God's sake, I didn't damage her. What would be the point? I need her.”

“You could do it accidentally. You're not patient, and you're walking on the edge right now.”

“If you're so worried, why didn't you come with me and give her some tender loving care?”

“Because she told me to stay out of her life.”

“That's about what she told me.” Silver pulled into the Marriott parking lot. “She lost a good friend in a fire today.”

“Shit.”

“That's my reaction. I had to escalate my move and now I have to step back and give her breathing room.”

“The President called this afternoon. He wants me to call him back with a report. He wants answers.”

“No more than I do. You can't have it both ways. If I push her, I risk damage.” He paused. “But I'm damn curious about why President Andreas is risking our involvement. If the media found out, they'd tear into him. He's too squeaky clean for them.”

“He considers the situation critical.”

“And he thinks we can help. Why should he believe that? Does he have a reason to think we'd be effective?”

“Are you going back to Washington?”

It was clear Travis wasn't going to answer any questions about Andreas. He was a secretive bastard and never betrayed a confidence. Well, Silver had no right to complain. Travis had kept plenty of his secrets during the past years. “No, I'm sticking around here until I can find a way to bring her into my camp. She's going to be busy for the next few days comforting the bereaved widow. All I can do is keep an eye on her.” He paused. “God, she's powerful, Michael.”

“I told you that she was on her way five years ago. And instead of smothering her talent, she's been using it. Not to any great degree, but she must have honed it.”

“She can find Trask. Dammit, I know she can find him.”

“If he doesn't kill her.”

“I stand corrected. If he doesn't kill her.”

“I'll be very displeased if you let that happen, Silver. I would never have let you have Kerry if you hadn't made me a promise.”

“I'll keep it,” he said curtly. “Get off my back. I'll call you and keep you posted. If you hear anything valuable from Andreas, let me know.” He hung up.

He couldn't blame Michael for doubting him. No one knew better the recklessness of the explosive anger that was driving him. Hell, sometimes he doubted himself. Would he let Kerry Murphy die if it meant getting Trask?

Jesus, he didn't know.

Her brother, Jason, called Kerry as she was leaving Charlie's house to go to the funeral. “How's Edna?”

“As good as she can be. Her sister, Donna, arrived last night from Detroit and that's a help. They're pretty close.”

“And how are you?”

“Sad.” She stiffened. “What do you expect?”

“Don't get uptight. I'm just concerned.”

“I'm fine. Just fine. You keep expecting me to go off the tracks again. It's not going to happen.”

“I know that. But I think you need a few days' R and R.” She heard someone talking in the background and then Jason laughed. “Laura doesn't agree with me. She thinks you should come down and help her finish the gazebo like you promised. She needs you to paint. The fumes make her sick.”

“Tell her I'll drive down tomorrow. Now that Donna is here Edna won't need me. Family is always better.”

“I agree.” He paused. “Dad stopped by last week on his way to Florida. He asked about you.”

“Did he?” She changed the subject. “I have to go. Edna is waiting. I'll see you tomorrow, Jason.”

“He's your father too, Kerry. You can't blame him forever.”

“I don't blame him. I just don't want to see him. Tell Laura not to touch that paintbrush. Together we'll get that gazebo in shape.” She hung up and drew a deep breath. Jason never let an opportunity go by to attempt to bring her father and her together. He didn't understand. She had told him the truth: She didn't blame her father, but contact brought back the pain and disturbed the balance that she'd fought so hard to establish. She couldn't permit that to happen.

“Can we take Sam, Kerry?”

She turned to see Gary, Charlie's ten-year-old son, coming down the stairs. He was dressed in a blue suit and tie and his face looked pinched and pale. Poor kid. He had held on tight to his composure after the first night of tears, but this was going to be a rough day for him.

A rough day for all of them.

“I don't think they like dogs to go to funerals, Gary,” she said gently. “And Sam isn't always well behaved.”

“Dad wouldn't care.” Gary swallowed hard. “He liked Sam. He used to complain, but Sam made him laugh. I think Kim would like to have him there. She's only six and she's kind of—Sam sort of makes it easier for her.”

And it made things easier for Gary too. Touching a warm and loving animal was always a comfort to children. “I'll ask your mother if I can drive back here and pick him up when we leave the chapel for the cemetery. But you and Kim will have to make sure he doesn't cause a disturbance. Do you promise?”

Gary nodded. “He'll be good. He's smart. He'll know that Dad is—” His eyes filled with tears and he hurried past her out the front door. “Kim will be glad that Sam is coming. She's only a kid. . . .”

Kerry's eyes were also stinging as she followed him out onto the porch. Gary was only a kid too. Two great kids who had lost their father and would have to grow up without the warm, tough man who had been Charlie—

Forget the future. Right now it was her job to help get Edna and the kids through this nightmare of a day.

Good-bye, Charlie.

Kerry tossed the rose she'd been given on top of the casket and stepped back.

Little Kim and Gary were clutching their mother's hands, tears running down their faces as they placed their roses on the coffin. Kim reached down and clutched the fur on Sam's neck. Thank God, the dog was behaving himself, Kerry thought. She was glad the burial was almost over. She couldn't have taken much more without breaking down. She tore her gaze from the coffin. Don't look at it. Think of Charlie the way she had known him. It was better to—

She stiffened.

There was someone standing in the shadow of the giant oak a good distance from the grave site. He was half behind the tree and his attitude was . . . surreptitious.

Imagination. Everyone had loved Charlie and he had no secrets. Why would someone think it necessary to hide behind a tree to keep anyone from knowing he was watching Charlie's interment? Yet she was sure that—

He was gone. First he was there and then he had slipped away into the shrubbery.

“Can I ride back to the house with you and Sam?” Gary was standing beside her.

She nodded. “If your mother doesn't mind.”

“I already asked her.” Gary slipped his hand into hers. “She and Aunt Donna have enough to do taking care of Kim. She won't miss me.”

“She will miss you. She needs both you and Kim. You have to take care of one another now.”

He nodded. “I'll take care of her.” His hand tightened on Kerry's. “I'll do everything my daddy would want me to do. But not today. Okay?”

She nodded slowly. She had been as guilty as Edna for not being aware of Gary's needs. He had to come to terms with his own grief, and the overpowering sympathy with which he'd been surrounded was keeping him from doing it. “Plenty of time. No one's hurrying you. Go get Sam and we'll get out of here.”

She watched him hurry back to his mother before shifting her gaze back to the oak tree.

No one.

Why was it bothering her? There didn't have to be a reasonable explanation. It could be someone who worked for the cemetery, who didn't wish to intrude. Or it could be some sicko who hung out at graveyards to get some kind of macabre thrill.

Silver.

It was possible. She hadn't gotten a clear look at the man. She'd only had an impression of height and tension and a glimpse of a navy windbreaker and baseball cap.

But she couldn't imagine Silver skulking behind a tree. He was too impatient, too bold. But what the hell? Everything connected to Silver was guesswork, and she'd deliberately blocked all thought of him since he'd left her house three days ago.

But that hadn't stopped him from being the first man who sprang to mind when she had that moment of uneasiness.

Because there was no one who made her more uneasy than Brad Silver.

“Let's go, Kerry.” Gary was back, leading Sam. “Everybody's leaving.” He glanced at the grave and whispered, “But we're not really leaving him, are we? Mom says he'll always be with us.”

“Mom's right.” She took his hand and started down the path. “As long as we keep the memory alive. Did I ever tell you about the first day I met your dad? He was mad as the devil because I'd been sent to replace one of his buddies, who'd been transferred to—”