Holdin' On for a Hero (72 page)

“Our opponent is real.” Shen didn’t raise his voice or react in any way to Konnor’s anger.

“Sure.” Konnor scoffed. “So you say. Just like this knowledge that’s so important, but not enough that you’ll come out and tell me what the hell it is.”

“You know what it is.”

“Do I?” Konnor’s anger was getting the best of him. When he realized it, he blew out his breath and tried to get it under control. “All I know is that Slater seems to think that Senna knows something about some weapon, or plans for one, that her father discovered. He thinks the information on how to build or use it is locked up in her head.”

“He is correct.”

Konnor gaped at him. “What? Are you telling me that you believe this fairy tale?”

“It is no, as you put it, fairy tale. It is all too real. Lucas Laserian did make a remarkable discovery. Not only did he uncover the plans for an extraordinary weapon, he discovered a device that allowed him to store all the information on the weapon within a human mind. Or more precisely, in Senna Laserian’s mind. We cannot allow anyone to possess that knowledge. It is too deadly. If we cannot find a way to hide that knowledge forever, it and the vessel that stores it must be destroyed.”

“You’re talking about killing her.” Konnor felt like a band had suddenly tightened around his chest.

“If that is our only option.” Shen looked away.

“I can’t allow that, Shen.”

“You cannot stop it.”

“I can, and I will. In this I’m serious. I won’t allow you or anyone to harm her. We’ll find a way to hide the knowledge. If we can’t, I’ll take her somewhere we can’t be found. But she will not be killed.”

“You speak through your emotions and not your reason.”

“Yes,” Konnor admitted. “And I’m sorry that you can’t understand. I didn’t think I would ever find love again, and now that I have I won’t allow anyone to take it from me. Not even you. If you understood love then you would understand.”

“Perhaps I do.” Shen’s voice was so low it was hard to hear. “Perhaps all too well.”

Myers Park, Charlotte NC

“Let me have Cook fix you something to eat,” Minora made the suggestion for the second time since Senna had arrived.

“I’m not hungry.” Senna was getting frustrated. She had been trying to convince Minora to leave for the past half hour and so far had made no progress at all. “Min, please listen to me. You have to leave. Whoever these people are, they’re very dangerous. Look at what they did to Harlan!”

Minora regarded her calmly and Senna jumped up. “Aren’t you listening to me? People are being murdered! You have to leave!” Senna fell to her knees in front of Minora’s wheelchair and took Minora’s hand. “Min, please, I can’t lose you.”

“You are absolutely right,” Minora replied, eliciting a confused look from Senna. “You can’t lose me. I won’t allow it. Nothing will happen to me, my dear. I know nothing of what your father was working on before his death so there is nothing I can tell them.”

“Harlan didn’t know anything either,” Senna pointed out. “But he was still murdered. Don’t you understand? I’m afraid. I love you, Min.”

“As I do you. And that is precisely why I cannot leave. If there is adversity to be faced, we will do it together.”

Senna slumped down on the floor. She wished she could tell Minora the truth, that Marcus was alive. But he had insisted that no one know. Senna didn’t understand why he had never gotten in touch with Minora during all the years since the time he was reported dead. When she had questioned Marcus about it, he had simply said that he could not bring danger to his sister. It was best that she think him dead. That way she was safe. Senna understood completely. She would not put Minora’s life in danger either. But she was still afraid that Minora was endangered just because of their relationship.

“Will you do me one favor?” she asked her aunt.

“If it is within my power,” Minora answered. “And within reason,” she added.

“Will you just consider what I’ve said? Maybe I am overreacting and being paranoid. But then again, maybe not. Harlan’s death proves that something is going on we don’t understand, but somehow it has something to do with me or my father. And Ian Drake didn’t kill himself, which is further proof that something is terribly wrong. So, for me, will you please just consider it? All I’m asking is that you take a little vacation. It’s not for forever, just a little while.”

“Very well,” Minora relented. “I will consider it.”

Senna gave her hand a grateful squeeze then stood. “I think maybe I will take you up on that offer. I’m a little hungry.”

“I’ll ring for Cook.” Minora reached for the phone.

“That’s okay.” Senna stayed her hand. “I think I’ll just raid the refrigerator. Can I bring you anything?”

“No, dear. Thank you.”

“Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

On her way to the kitchen, she heard a car door slam outside. Hoping that it was Konnor, that he had gotten her message, she ran to the door and peered out of the sidelight. A man she had never seen was opening the rear door of a black Mercedes, and Slater was getting out.

Senna wasted no time running back to the sitting room. “Min, we have to hide!” she exclaimed at the same time she rushed behind Minora’s wheelchair and grabbed the handles.

“Whatever are you doing?” Minora hit the brake on the chair.

“Don’t do that!” Senna groped for the brake release. “You don’t understand. We have to hide!”

Minora refused to release the mechanism. “I will do no such thing. Now, tell me what has you so frantic?”

One look at the set of Minora’s jaw squelched any ideas Senna had about arguing. Once Minora made up her mind, nothing could change it, short of an act of divine intervention. “There’s someone here. I can’t go into details. All I can do is tell you that he’s a very dangerous man and we can’t let him find us.”

About that time they heard the doorbell. “Come on!” Senna urged.

“No,” Minora refused and when Senna started to argue, she held up one hand. “Listen to me. Whoever this man is, he would not dare to harm me here in my own home. Besides, it’s possible that he is not here to do me harm, but merely to ask questions. However, I do think it best if you are not present when I speak with him.”

Senna could hear the muffled sounds of voices from the foyer and knew there was little time. She had to make a decision fast. “Okay,” she gave in. “I’ll wait in the library. But at the first sign of trouble I’m calling…someone,” she finished lamely. She could just imagine trying to call the police and tell them that the CIA was there threatening them.

“Go.” Minora shooed her along. “I will be fine.”

Senna wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do but at that moment she was too scared to think of anything else. She dashed into the library a moment before Mrs. Muller entered the sitting room. “There is a Mr. Slater here to see you, Ms. Laserian.”

“Please show him in, Mrs. Muller.”

Senna pressed against the wall beside the door and waited. Her heart sounded like a drum in her head, so loud she was sure it could be heard in the next room. A few seconds passed then she heard Slater’s voice.

“Ms. Laserian, thank you for agreeing to see me.”

“I do not believe we’ve been introduced,” Minora replied.

“Bruce Slater. I work for the government and I would like to ask you a few questions.”

“May I see some identification, Mr. Slater?”

“Certainly.”

Senna ventured a look through the crack of the door. Minora was looking at the identification Slater handed her. “Department of Energy,” she said. “Very well, what can I do for you, Mr. Slater?”

“Ms. Laserian, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but during the past two years your niece has been working on a government project. I cannot discuss the details of that project. I can only tell you that it is classified. Three other scientists associated with the project have been murdered and we have reason to believe that your niece is the next target. As such, it is vital that I locate her so that I can take her into protective custody.”

“A project for the government?” Minora asked. “You must be mistaken, Mr. Slater. My niece is a professor of physics at the University. Prior to that she worked for Fermilab.”

“I’m afraid that’s not entirely true,” Slater said smoothly. “You see those positions were merely a cover for her real work. Now, I need to know if you’ve seen or spoken with your niece in the last few days.”

“Actually, I haven’t.”

“Are you sure?”

“I assure you that my impairments are purely physical, Mr. Slater.” Minora’s voice took on a supercilious tone. “I am in complete command of my mental faculties.”

“I don’t doubt that for an instant. However, I must ask that you tell me where I can find your niece.”

“That would be impossible to say.”

“Ms. Laserian, I know from my long association with Dr. Laserian that you and she are very close. I can understand how you might be reluctant to divulge her whereabouts to just anyone. But as you have seen by my credentials, I am not just anyone. Therefore, I must insist you answer my question. Where is your niece?”

“I’ve already answered your question. I do not know.”

“I think you do.” Slater leaned over and put his hands on the arms of her wheelchair. “And I will have an answer. Don’t make this difficult, Ms. Laserian.”

“Are you threatening me, Mr. Slater?”

Slater chuckled and a shiver danced down Senna’s back. Minora might be stubborn and even brave, but there was no way she could take on Slater. If she didn’t give him what he wanted voluntarily, he would probably get nasty.

She looked around the library for something she could use as a weapon. She didn’t think the books would be much help. Somehow the idea of attacking him with a volume of Yeats didn’t seem plausible. Then she remembered the old shotgun Cook kept in the pantry.

She tried not to make a sound as she crept across the library and eased open the corridor door. Cautiously, she looked one direction then the other. There was no one in sight. She quickly made her way down the hall. As she drew near the foyer she heard a noise behind her. She turned to look. A split second later someone grabbed her arm.

She yelped in surprise and lashed out. Her fist impacted with the man’s jaw and his head whipped around. She struck again and he released her to block the blow. Before she could turn to run, a second man grabbed her from behind.

“Let go of me!” she shouted as he wrenched her arm up behind her, and pressed the barrel of a gun into the back of her neck.

He didn’t speak, but twisted her arm more sharply.

“See here!” Mrs. Muller’s voice came from across the foyer. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Call the police!” Senna shouted. “Hurry!”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Slater’s voice was like a cannon. Mrs. Mueller stopped in her tracks. “Make sure the housekeeper doesn’t do anything foolish,” Slater directed one of the men.

The man took Mrs. Mueller’s arm and led her into the living room.

“You, come with me,” Slater barked.

The man holding Senna shoved her forward and she stumbled down the hall to the sitting room.

“What are you doing?” Minora exclaimed as Senna was pushed into the room toward her. “Senna, are you all right? Have they harmed you?”

“No, I’m fine.” Senna rubbed her arm and glared at Slater and his man.

”Make sure there are no more surprises,” Slater snapped. The man nodded and left the room.

“Now, I want answers.” Slater turned his attention to Senna.

“What answers?”

“Don’t play that game with me,” his tone was one of warning. “Where have you been? Who are you working for?”

“I’ve been with a friend and I work for the university.”

She didn’t expect his reaction. His slap was hard enough to make her pitch to one side. “Shall we try again?”

She bit back the expletive that came to mind and stared hatefully at him. “I have never been known for my patience, Doctor, and what little I do have is wearing dangerously thin so I suggest you answer me.”

“I’m not working for anyone,” she replied sullenly. “As you well know. As to where I’ve been, it’s none of your business. As of this moment our association is over.”

“Hardly,” he sneered.

“I beg to differ.” She gave him a disdainful look. “It’s over.”

He pulled a cellular from his pocket and dialed. “Have Kinski prepare what he needs and bring him to the Laserian estate. We’ll perform the session here.”

At that moment Senna wished there were such things as superheroes or magic—anything to get herself and Min out of the house and away from Slater and his evil doctor. Unfortunately, all she had to rely on was herself and at the moment she was not feeling very resourceful.

The she had an idea. “No.” She took a step toward him. “Not with Min here. Let her go and I’ll cooperate, otherwise I’ll fight you and you know you’ll never achieve the level of control you need hypnotically if I resist.”

Slater regarded her for a long time. Senna forced herself to stare unblinkingly at him. If he called her bluff she didn’t know what she would do.