Live to See Tomorrow (37 page)

He grinned. “Neither did I. But I’ve been learning since you brought me home. Come and play. I’ll teach you.”

She stared at him in surprise.

“Yes, go on and play, Catherine,” Hu Chang murmured.

Come and play. I’ll teach you.

Was a door opening? She had been the one teaching Luke since they’d rescued him from Rakovac. She’d tried to supply all he needed and give him everything he’d missed. But he’d told her that she had to accept him for what he was.

Now he wanted to teach her.

Did he mean come and play, be my friend, not my mother, not my teacher? She didn’t care if she was overanalyzing it. She’d take it.

She smiled and started toward him. “You probably just want to have an easy mark. Celia looked like she was pretty good.”

“I’ve been savaged. Your son is a whirlwind.” Celia grimaced. “Please, take over for me.”

Catherine took the racquet Celia handed her. “Okay, Luke, show me how to play this game.”

*   *   *

“She’s not very good at this, is she?” Cameron asked Hu Chang from where he stood at the French doors. His gaze was on Catherine across the garden. She was laughing, her cheeks flushed, and she leaped forward, then sent the ball into the net. “I’m surprised. She’s always seemed so competent at everything.”

“She’s only been at this for a couple hours,” Hu Chang said quietly. “And she doesn’t care if she doesn’t win. She’s playing with her son. She figures she’s already won.”

“I can see that.” Cameron had never seen her like this. She looked almost as young as Luke. No wariness, no edge, just pleasure. He felt a surge of warmth that was rare for him. “I … like it.”

“She doesn’t care if you like it or not,” Hu Chang said. “And I like her like this, too. I don’t want her disturbed.”

Cameron’s glance shifted from Catherine to his face. “Do I detect antagonism?”

“I haven’t decided. I usually don’t interfere with Catherine’s choices. But you seem to have pulled out all the stops, and you’re very formidable.” He added thoughtfully, “Now, if you’d just walk away, it would solve a lot of confusion.”

“I’m not going to walk away.”

“Then I’ll just have to observe the situation and see if she regains her equilibrium. I believe that will be the way to handle it. Everything may resolve itself.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“The usual conflict that occurs between men such as us.”

“I would regret that.” He meant it. Those months with Hu Chang had brought him both relief and camaraderie. “I’ve not met anyone in all my years as Guardian whom I respect as much as I do you.”

“And I also. I do not know whether you’re right or wrong, but there are few men in this weary world who would battle so hard for a cause. I found it refreshing. I would hate to remove you.” He smiled. “But we will not discuss this yet. Catherine is in no danger of hurt while she concentrates on saving Erin. I assume you came to talk to her about plans to do that?”

“Yes.” His gaze went back to Catherine, and he felt again that strange warmth. He wanted to keep her smiling with that childlike enthusiasm. “But I can tell you as well. She’s busy.”

Hu Chang’s brows rose. “Interesting. And unusual for you. I believe that’s a step back.”

“Perhaps you don’t read me as well as you think.” He turned to face him. “I’ve had a report from Blake. Kadmus and Brasden arrived here a few hours ago.”

“Kadmus. Then you did manage to draw him here. How did you know he’d arrived?”

“Blake bribed one of Nagle’s team to come over to his camp. He’ll be very useful.”

“Without question,” Hu Chang said. “What comes next?”

“We bait the trap. I’m moving Catherine, Erin, and you to the fireworks factory tomorrow night. She told you about it?”

“Yes. What about Luke?”

“He stays here with Celia, where I can surround him with protection. I’ll have Blake assign several of his best men to him.”

“You may have trouble with that plan. Luke will want to protect Catherine.”

“He’ll have to forget it. I’ll try to find something for him to do that will be safe. I gave her my word I’d take care of him.”

“Indeed? Then I’ll gladly leave that task to you. After all, you are the Guardian.” Hu Chang’s tone verged on mockery. “And I assume that the man you have in Nagle’s camp will be able to give us warning when Kadmus intends to attack.”

“Yes.” He paused. “And also give Kadmus any information I might want him to have.”

“What information?”

“I’ll have to see. No plan is foolproof, there’s always ebb and flow. Just when you think every detail is set, something comes along to blow it apart.” He gave one last look at Catherine and turned away. “Tell her I’ll get back to her with any new info.”

“Or you can let me know. I’m always here for you, Cameron.”

“Or for Catherine.” Cameron smiled recklessly over his shoulder. “Always for Catherine.” He strode through the hall toward the front door. “But I don’t like to take steps back. I believe next time, I’ll deal with the lady herself.”

*   *   *

“Thursday. Tomorrow night,” Erin repeated the words after Catherine. She shivered. “Tomorrow night, Kadmus will be dead. Tomorrow, I can go back to living a normal life. It doesn’t seem possible.”

“It’s possible.” She added firmly, “It’s going to happen, Erin. Cameron set it up, and he may be many things that irritate the hell out of me, but, according to Hu Chang, he doesn’t make mistakes. He’s a master manipulator.”

Erin smiled faintly. “I know. But he never tried to manipulate me, Catherine. You’ve always accused him of being responsible. How can I convince you that he only gave me a choice, a wonderful choice?”

“That caused you months of imprisonment and torture.” She held up her hand as Erin opened her lips to speak. “I believe you … sometimes. When I’m far away from Cameron and not exposed to all that power and charisma.”

“You keep struggling against him.” Erin shook her head. “Relax and trust him, Catherine. You’re a good deal alike. You could understand him if you gave him a chance.”

She only understood the power and the hypnotizing force of both his body and personality. There was no way she could relax or trust Cameron. Yes, they were alike, but there was a secret place within both of them that neither would surrender. “I trust that he’ll get the job done in setting the trap for Kadmus. That’s the only thing that’s important.” She turned and headed for the staircase. “Now I need to shower and change. That son of mine showed no mercy, and I feel like a wrung-out dishrag.”

“But you enjoyed it,” Erin said quietly. “And so did he. It was nice to watch the two of you.”

“Yes, I enjoyed it.” She had felt younger than Luke as she had played. “And maybe next time, I’ll be able to take that rascal.”

“I was so busy laughing at the two of you that I didn’t even notice Cameron talking to Hu Chang.”

“Neither did I.” She started up the stairs. She couldn’t decide if she was relieved or disappointed that Cameron had not waited and spoken to her.

Relieved, of course.

“Catherine.”

She looked down at Erin still standing in the hall.

“Trust him,” she urged softly. “I’m not blind. I’ve been trained to watch and listen and draw conclusions. Your relationship will never be the same as mine with Cameron. There’s nothing cerebral or spiritual in what you are together. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t give him what he needs.” She paused. “He’s very much alone, Catherine.”

“His choice. He’s the Guardian.” She turned and started climbing the steps again. “And I can’t imagine anything worse than giving up my life and career to trail behind him when I don’t even believe in what he’s doing.” She glanced down as she reached the top step. “And you evidently didn’t either. You refused him when he tried to recruit you for Shambhala.”

“I’m not sure I would now.” Erin smiled. “I’ve been thinking about it. I’m stronger than that day he gave me the choice.”

“Then you go and keep the arrogant bastard from being lonely.”

“That wouldn’t be my job. As he explained it, I would have my own duties and rewards.” She turned away. “It sounded … wonderful.”

Catherine shook her head as she opened the door to the bedroom. She could see how Erin would embrace a life of giving herself to the cause of peace. She was as much a peacemaker as Catherine was a warrior.

“Catherine.”

She turned to see Luke standing at his bedroom door. His hair was wet from the shower, and he was smiling. “You did good that last game.”

“Liar. But I’ll get better. When we get home to Louisville, I’ll start practicing.”

“It’s not really worth it. What about tennis?”

“What? I’m just learning badminton.”

“Sam has been teaching me tennis for the past couple months. I’ll show you what he’s taught me.”

“Whatever.” She smiled at him. “It will be fun. You’re opening new doors for me, Luke.”

“I … liked it. I’m glad we came here.” He moved past her and started down the steps. “I’ve got to go down to the library and meet Hu Chang. You’ve been pretty busy. Are you going to be here for dinner?”

“Yes, but you’ll be so absorbed, you won’t even know I’m here.”

He didn’t look back. “I’ll know, Catherine.”

She felt a warmth surge through her as she watched him go down the steps. He had said he was glad they had come here. He was so resilient that he was able to ignore the bad and embrace the good. It was a great gift. She couldn’t say that she was glad. Last night with Cameron had shaken her world, and the looming danger was terrifying.

But for these few hours with Luke, she had been so happy that all the tension and worry seemed worth it. It had brought them together and even cast a glow on the future.

So maybe it had been worthwhile coming to Celia’s house. But now she had to concentrate on getting out of this house and doing what she had come to this city to do. It would be—

Her cell phone rang, and she glanced at the ID. Venable. She punched the access. “No, I haven’t dropped Erin Sullivan, and I’m not going to do it. Have you changed your mind?”

“No, I’m right, and you’re wrong,” he said. “I called to tell you that your private access information has been breached. It was done by someone who was good and had contacts in the Agency.”

“Kadmus?”

“Possibly. Whoever it was wanted your telephone number very badly.”

“Evidently, I may be about to be contacted,” Catherine said. “I’m flattered. I’ve been pretty much ignored since I snatched Erin. I must have made more of an impression on the bastard than I thought.”

“Enough to be targeted. Be careful, Catherine.”

“My phone is blocked. He can’t track me unless I actually pick up. That means I won’t be able to pick up while I’m in this house with the others.” She was thinking quickly, sorting out options. “But he wants contact. I need to give him what he wants. Can you put a tracking device on my phone for the next twenty-four hours so that I can grab his signal?”

“I’ve already done it.”

“Thanks, Venable.” She hung up.

What did Kadmus want from her beside the obvious? Revenge? Information? She was clearly going to find out.

And what then?

Go after Kadmus herself? Or stick with Cameron’s plan for tomorrow night? Tomorrow night might be too late. She had an idea that Kadmus was impatient and hungry. Impatient men were prone to mistakes. Cameron has set up his scenario and just assumed she would go along with it. Maybe she would. But she would have to think about it and maybe do a little reconnoitering of her own.

Her phone rang. Private number.

Is that you, Kadmus? Probably. But you can’t have me. Not yet.

He was as impatient as she’d thought. But if he’d called once, he’d call again.

Soon.

And she’d be ready for him.

CHINATOWN
CLEMENT
STREET
WEDNESDAY
9:35
P
.
M
.

Call me, Kadmus.

She gazed at her reflection in a shop window that sold Chinese toys. Pretty, genteel toys. Nothing Luke would appreciate. She didn’t look very genteel herself. She had aimed at appearing to be a casual tourist. She wore a loose white blouse, had bound her hair up beneath a colorful scarf, and was wearing large tortoiseshell glasses.

Call me, Kadmus.

She’d been moving around Chinatown for the last hour, waiting for a call that had not come. Though she had stayed principally in the alleyways and away from anywhere that she might be recognized. It was irritating that Kadmus had not seen fit to call when she was perfectly placed now.

Four blocks from the fireworks factory.

A good sixteen blocks from Celia’s house.

If Kadmus tapped her phone, he would definitely trace her to this area, and it would be a smooth way to make a connection to the factory if they decided to use Cameron’s plan. It might be assumed she’d come from the factory safe house.

And the distance to Celia’s house should be safe for everyone there.

Just call and get this over with, Kadmus.

Five minutes later, the phone rang.

Private number.

Be cool. No eagerness.

She let it ring three times before she picked up. “Is that you, Kadmus? I hear you’ve been exceptionally inquisitive. I’m flattered you think that I’m worth all the money you must have spent.”

“I’m only going to talk for a few minutes,” Kadmus said. “I know you probably have a trace, bitch.”

“And you don’t? Talk, Kadmus.”

“I want Cameron. You’re going to give him to me.”

“He’s not mine to give. Find him yourself.”

“You were with him when you took that scumbag, Jack Sen, from the hospital. What did Cameron promise you to help him? Money? Treasure? Death to your enemies? He’s very good at promises. But don’t bank on his keeping them. I’ve already killed one man he promised to take under his wing.”

“Did you torture him as you did Erin?”

“Yes, the fool killed himself rather than betray Cameron.” He paused. “I should have gone another route and tortured his children. But I learn from my mistakes.”

She tensed. “What are you saying?”