Eight Days to Live (28 page)

“Tell me where the Judas coins are,” he said. “We can make a deal. It won’t be easy, but I can get Millet to forget about you. I’ll give you a fat share, and you’ll be safe.”

“I’ll be safe anyway. You won’t be able to touch me or the people I love.”

“Tell me where they are.”

“Is that why you let me come in here to see you? I was surprised it was so easy. You wanted to make a deal?”

“I thought I’d try. It would have made life simpler.”

“How did you know I wouldn’t bug our conversation?”

“I do business of all kinds in this office. I have electronic monitors. If you were wired, I would have known within the first fifteen seconds. I knew we could have an intimate conversation that wouldn’t hurt me and might further my aims. Besides, I was curious about you.” His smile faded. “You can’t hurt me, Jane. I own judges, members of Parliament, even senators in your Congress. If Millet doesn’t get you, then I’ll call on someone else. Do you feel secure with the little circle you’ve managed to gather around you? Try to fight me, and I’ll turn the big guns on them.”

“I don’t think they’d worry too much.”

“But you’d worry. You’ve already demonstrated that, haven’t you? You’re a strange mixture of greed and sentiment. You were very transparent when Millet killed Celine Denarve.”

Yes, she’d worry.

“Make a deal, Jane.”

She turned on her heel. “Go to hell.” She walked out of the office and slammed the door. The secretary looked up, startled.

“Problems?” Caleb asked.

“No, he’s exactly what we thought he was. Maybe a little more obsessive.” She headed for the elevator. “And stronger.”

“Yes.”

She glanced at him.

“I was doing a little probing.”

“And?”

“He wouldn’t be impossible to manipulate, but it would take a good deal of time at close quarters.”

“No! Stay away from him.”

His brows rose. “It could be valuable.”

Close quarters with a man who had killers, judges, and senators on tap? “We’ll go another route. Roland is totally obsessive. Let’s go find out where those Judas coins are and let him come to us.”

“Lina and MacDuff’s Run?”

She nodded. “MacDuff’s Run. I’ll call Eve and fill her in before we get there.” The thought of Eve was like a warm, soothing breeze after that disturbing conversation with Roland. “And I’ll call Jock and ask him to send someone to get several versions of the Bible and any reference books they can find about Judas and have them waiting for me. I don’t want to have to rely solely on Lina.”

“What are you going to be looking for?”

“I don’t know. Anything I can find out about Judas, Hadar, or Caiaphas.”

“Caiaphas?” Caleb repeated. “Who the hell is Caiaphas? I’ve never heard of him.”

“He’s the high priest who paid Judas for the betrayal.” She
wearily shook her head. “Or maybe he’s not.” The name had just tumbled out. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him either.”

“No?” Caleb was smiling curiously. “Let’s just see what we can find out about him, shall we?”

“Whatever. We’re going to have to move quickly. Roland didn’t believe a word I was saying. He has his mind made up, and he’s blind to anything that contradicts it.” It was incredible that Roland had interpreted and twisted Thomas Reilly’s belief that Jane had found those coins to apply to his own driving fixation.

Two men with an obsession about the Judas coins that had hopelessly lured and held them captive. It couldn’t be just the money. What force would cause that kind of—?

She had a sudden memory of the face of
Guilt
.

Judas.

“Jane?” Caleb was gazing curiously at her.

She shook her head to clear it. She didn’t know where her mind had been wandering, but it was time she stopped thinking about mystical concepts and got down to trying to bring this nightmare to a close. “Nothing. I was just thinking. We should be at MacDuff’s Run by late afternoon, shouldn’t we?”

“JANE MACGUIRE WAS JUST HERE
, Millet,” Roland said. “She knows about me. And she probably knows a hell of a lot more. You should have gotten to Adah before it ever came to this.”

“Tough. It’s too bad you can’t hide away like you usually do. But at least we know where she is right now. My man, Nelson, who’s set up a camp in the hills above MacDuff’s Run, said that Gavin and Lina Alsouk arrived there earlier today. What are the chances the MacGuire woman will go there, too?”

“Good. She’ll feel safe there, and she may need some time to examine that tablet. Can we take her before she reaches the castle?”

“No, security is too tight. But we’re working on a way to get access.”

“Do it. No more excuses. Get her.”

“I told you, we’re working on it. I’m on my way to join Nelson right now.” He hung up.

Roland pressed the disconnect and leaned back in his chair.

He should be angrier. It was serious that Jane MacGuire had found out that he was involved. Yet he was experiencing more
excitement and anticipation than rage. Some of it was sexual. Their encounter had been challenging, and the woman turned him on. Conflict and the desire to break and conquer was always intriguing. But the greater excitement came from the feeling that he was close, closer than he had ever been to the Judas coins. She had them or would have them. Every instinct was telling him that he had been right about Jane MacGuire being the road to the coins.

And he would run roughshod over that path, and her along with it.

I’ve called in the wolves, Jane.

You should have made a deal before I set them to devour you.

EVE WAS WAITING AT THE HELIPAD
at MacDuff’s Run when their helicopter landed at sunset. The wind was blowing her red-brown hair back from her face and her fine white shirt against her body. Her feet were spread slightly apart, bracing against the tornado caused by the rotors.

She looked fragile and strong at the same time, Jane thought as she opened the door. And totally indomitable, like a tree that could bend but never break. A rock in the middle of chaos.

“Eve!” She jumped out of the aircraft and ran toward her.

“It’s about time.” Eve hugged her close, then pushed her back to look at her. “You’re tired.”

“It’s been a rough few days. Is everything okay with you?”

“As well as could be expected.”

“Is Joe still here?”

She shook her head. “In Rome with Venable. Discovering all kinds of nasty things about Millet. The more I heard, the happier I was to hear that you were coming here.” She looked beyond Jane.
“Hello, Caleb. Should I thank you for taking care of Jane? Or do you have an agenda?”

“Maybe my agenda is taking care of Jane.” He smiled and took Eve’s hand. “How suspicious you are. But always interesting and a delight.” His gaze went over the massive castle perched above the stormy sea. “It’s quite a place. A fortress.”

“Yes, MacDuff’s family has a history of needing fortresses.” She gazed at MacDuff, who was striding toward them. “But he couldn’t have been kinder or more protective of me.”

“It was my pleasure.” MacDuff was scowling at Jane. “You’re not forgiven, you know.”

“I don’t ask for your forgiveness, MacDuff. I did what I thought best.” She looked at Eve. “But I thank you for keeping Eve and Joe safe.”

“There was no question about that.” His gaze was focused on Caleb. “You’re Seth Caleb? Jock told me some rather bizarre things about you. But I have an idea he still skated over a good many details. Jane thought you would prove valuable to her. Have you?”

“Yes and no.” He smiled. “But at any rate, I account only to her. Ask Jane.”

“I prefer to find out on my own.”

“There are a few things I’d like to find out myself. I’ve been told how secure you are here. Have you seen any signs of Millet?”

“Possible surveillance in the hills.” His gaze went to the rolling hills in the distance. “More than possible. We’re keeping our eyes open.”

“You haven’t sent anyone up there to scout?”

“Of course I have. Signs but no sightings.”

“Who have you got to check it out? What kind of experience?”

“Tim Mactaggert. Royal Marines veteran. Special Forces.” His gaze narrowed. “And I’m the one who is supposed to be questioning
you. I believe that we should have a chat.” He gestured for Caleb to precede him. He glanced at Jane. “Will I see you at dinner?”

“Probably not. If Jock managed to get the reference books I needed.”

“You’ll have to ask him. He’s been running around getting Lina Alsouk settled. You’d think I didn’t have a housekeeper.”

“How is Mrs. Dalbrey?”

“The same. A little older, like the rest of us. But that young scamp of a son keeps her bustling. I’ll tell her to serve you in your room.” He turned away. “Coming?”

“Not yet,” Eve said. “We’re going to walk down to the Run. It’s become one of my favorite places since I came here. I want some time with Jane.”

“Is it safe?” Jane asked MacDuff.

“Would I have let her go, if it wasn’t? You’ll be watched from the gates. I’ll see you when you get back to the castle.”

“You’re very careful about my safety,” Eve said dryly, as they started for the path that led around the castle. “But going to see Roland today wasn’t very safe.”

“It was a calculated risk, but meeting with him wasn’t all that dangerous considering that he’s so careful of his image.” She made a face. “It’s not as if he’d rig a trapdoor in his office to spring when an enemy walked through the door. I guarantee that he’s no comic-book-type character.”

“Ugly?”

“In his way as ugly as Millet. But it’s all inside. Neither one of them looks like what he is. I meant to send you a photo of Millet.”

“Joe sent me one when he got Rome, along with photos of a few of Millet’s men in the Sang Noir.”

“You said Joe has been finding out unsavory details about Millet. Anything that I should know about?”

Eve shook her head. “Nothing that has a connection with you.”

“What about Alan Roland? We’ve heard about his public image. We don’t know anything about his personal life.”

Eve frowned, trying to remember. “He’s in his forties. He owns two racehorses. He likes women. He’s been divorced three times. None of his wives appears to have been heavy in the IQ department. No children. He wields a lot of influence. He dabbles in politics, but he’s never run for any office. It’s all behind the scenes.” She shrugged. “But he doesn’t seem as much of a threat as Millet.”

“You’re discounting him. You’re saying he doesn’t give the impression of being a force to reckon with. That’s an asset in itself.”

Eve nodded slowly. “Yes, I guess it is.” She looked at Jane. “This is the bastard who sent your photo to Millet? He just threw you to that maniac like a fish to a shark?”

“You could choose a kinder comparison,” Jane said. “Millet may be a shark, but I’m no helpless, flopping fish. But, yes, Roland sent my photo to Millet.”

Eve’s lips tightened. “Then the bastard is totally without a conscience.” They had reached the edge of the steep cliff that bordered the back of the castle, and she was gazing thoughtfully down at the waves crashing against the limestone over a hundred feet below them. “It always surprises me when I run into people like Roland. It shouldn’t, I suppose. It’s not that I haven’t dealt with my share of monsters.”

“I know.” Jane had watched her battle against those monsters while searching for the killer of her child, Bonnie. She’d had to stand by, wanting desperately to help and not being able to do anything. “But you’ve always had hope. You want people to be good, to do the right thing.”

“Yes, I do. And I have to believe that most people are good. Life wouldn’t be worth living if I didn’t.” She changed the subject. “I do like this place. I never realized why they called this place the
Run.” Her gaze wandered around the rough rocks that formed a theaterlike circle around a stretch of green grass. “MacDuff told me that once a year his ancestors hosted games here and invited all the warriors in Scotland to participate. I can almost see those strong, bare-chested lads in kilts running across the green.”

“So can I.” Jane sat down on one of the rocks. “It was my first thought when I saw it a few years ago.” She smiled. “I should have known you’d feel the same way.”

“Yes, we generally have the same response.” Eve sat down beside her and linked her hand with Jane’s. “From the time you were a kid fighting everyone on your block. But I’m surprised that the MacDuffs built this castle on the edge of the cliff. It’s a beautiful view, but you’d think that they’d want an escape route since they were a warrior clan.”

“You’re right, the MacDuffs always thought about the safety of the clan first. But they managed to get around the problem of this cliff. They wouldn’t have built the castle here if they hadn’t worked out an escape route. But I’m sure they were relieved they could have their fortress here and enjoy having this to look at every evening.”

The rays of the setting sun were burnishing the waves far below them, and Jane could feel the cool breeze touch her cheeks. Peace was flowing over her, and she was aware that all the tension and desperation of the last days was beginning to ebb away. How many times had she sat on the porch at the lake with Eve, enveloped in this same sense of peace and contentment?

And love. Whenever she was with Eve, there was always love and the belief that as long as they were together, everything would be all right.

They were silent, enjoying the sound of the surf and the wind. No need to talk. Being with someone you cared about was like being by yourself, with no stress, no need to force the words.

It was minutes later before Jane asked, “How is your reconstruction going?”

“Slowly. Maybe he doesn’t want to be found.”

Jane’s brows rose. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you say that.”

“Just because I want to bring him home is no sign that his parents would welcome him.” She wearily shook her head. “Hell, maybe they’re the reason he ended up in that hole in the ground. Sometimes the parents are responsible either directly or indirectly.”

“But you’ve always told me they’re in the minority.”