Third Half (20 page)

             
"Apparently not enough."

             
"What do you mean by that?"

             
"Simply that you have put everything in jeopardy.  Especially
your life.  Do you have any idea what kind of people we're dealing
with?"

             
She allowed her eyes to slowly scan the man standing before
her.  "I have a pretty fair idea of the type of people
I'm dealing with."

             
Suddenly he laughed.  "If only you did know."

             
"Then tell me.  How in the world did Jack get mixed up with
your kind?  How did you meet?"

             
"Let's go to my room and I'll explain. You'll be safe,"  he
added when he saw her worried expression.  "I'm not so low that I've
taken to molesting nuns.  Even when they're as lovely as you."

             
He turned and started walking away and didn't see red dots of
color forming on her cheeks at his compliment.  She had to nearly run
to catch up with his quick stride.

I

             
"We met in prison,"  he explained as he laid on his bed,
watching her sitting primly in a chair by the small wooden table.

             
"Prison!"  She shook her head in confusion.  "Jack was never .
. .at least I don't think he was ever in prison.  We haven't always
stayed in close contact."

             
"That
is where we met."

             
"Tell me more."

             
"I don't think you should know more.  I think the wisest thing
right now, is to get you out of here.  Back to the States.  I still haven't
figured out why Juanita left us go.  I don't feel good about any of this."

             
"I'm not leaving until I find Jack.  And clear my sister of those
false murder charges,"  she added adamantly, reminding herself that
this man was the only person who knew she was innocent, and why.

             
"Would you believe me if I told you I'll take care of that?"

             
She flashed him a look of doubt, shaking her head.

             
"I didn't think so."  He sat up again, leaning forward with his
hands crossed over his knees.  His brown head bowed as if in prayer.

 
             
But Liane knew better, this man was plotting something. 
"You won't talk me out of it so don't try to think of a way."

             
"I didn't think there was one.  If Jack's request, that you and
your sister stay out of this, didn't work, I doubt that mine will." 

             
"You really are his partner,"  she said as though surprised.

             
He rolled his eyes.  "So you finally believe me."

             
"I wasn't certain."

             
"We are partners, and I'm as interested in finding him as you
are,"  he replied with sincerity.

 
             
For the first time Liane really did believe him.  "But you
admitted you didn't know where he hid the statues.  In case one of you
was caught."

             
"No, I didn't know.  But I could have found out easily enough,
from you."

             
She tensed, suddenly aware of how vulnerable she was.  She
glanced around the room noting that from his position on the bed he
could easily intercept her as she tried to make it to the door or the
window.

             
"Since you are certain you're not going back to the States, it
may be best that you are the only one who knows where everything is
hidden.  It could be your life insurance policy,"  he said ominously. 

             
"As for the money, I do know about that.  We wanted you to
have it for the mission school.  It was technically ours anyway.  Our
pay, or half of it."

             
"Half!"  Her eyes were wide.

             
"Mercenary's are paid well, M.C."  He laughed.  "We were to
get more when the job was done.  This is just the tip of the iceberg. 
Do you realize what that stuff is worth?"

             
"So that is why you got greedy and decided to hide it.?  What
did you hope to do, ask for more money, or melt it down and sell it?  I
suppose with the price of gold right now, those statues are worth less
as antiquities than they are for the metal."

             
"I can't explain that now."

             
"Of course not.  I'm sure it doesn't paint you and my brother as
fair-haired boys."

             
"Maybe not, but we did send you what we did for the school. 
And at the moment, unfortunately, I wish we had saved some of it. 
We could certainly use it . . ."  He stopped, watching her expression
change.

             
"Stop looking at me that way!"  She couldn't meet his dark
gaze. "Finish what you were saying."

             
"I was saying I'd be able to flash some of it around to convince
them we have it."

             
"But why?"

             
"To get to the top man
–
and don't ask anymore questions. 
Look M.C., the less you know the better.  You're already in enough
danger."

             
"So are you."

             
He smiled.  "That's hardly the same thing.  But I know you
won't reconsider, so you'll have to stick close to me.  Besides, after
opening your big mouth about what you know, you could be in serious
danger.  I may be the only protection you have."

             
"How do I know you are protection?"

             
"Trust . . .like I said before.  Like I also said, I could have
already forced you to tell me, and eliminated the possibility of them
figuring out that
I could easily be replaced by
you."

             
A chill ran down her spine as she again realized she would be
helpless against this man.  A man who had already murdered at least
once . . .Her eyes grew wide as a thought occurred to her.  "Jack knew
too.  Could you have forced him to tell you?"

             
He got up and came to stand before her.  "I get it, you think I
decided to go into business for myself and got rid of Jack."

             
"Well what should I think?  You've already . . ."  She stopped
and bit her lip, stopping just in time.

             
"I've what?"

             
Her cheeks were on fire.  "I just . . .well . . ."  She slid slowly
to the side of her chair, away from him, as he leaned closer.

             
"You what . . .?"  he hissed softly.

             
She could feel his tobacco-scented breath on her cheek as he
spoke.  "I . . . I . . ."  She slid further, until she suddenly tipped the
chair and fell to the floor.  "Damn! Look what you made me do!"

             
With that the man hovered over her.  Laughing.

             
"Stop it!"  She yelled from where she sat on the floor.  "Oh
you . . ."  She swung her heel into his shin.

             
"Ouch!"  He leaned forward rubbing his leg, before grabbing
her beneath the arms and lifting her from the floor as though she was a
mere doll.  "Now for you . . ." he threatened.

             
"Wait." She held up her hand to stop him, certain whatever he
meant for her would not be pleasant.

             
He slowly released her, not taking his brown eyes from her
green ones.  She had no idea the picture she made, her black and white
veil askew, blonde hair slowly making its way out of its confines.

             
A long, slow breath escaped his lips as he regained control. 
"What?" He finally asked.

             
"You said you could use some of that money Jack sent me.  I'll
get you some of it."

             
"I hope that means you finally believe me.  Really believe me. 
That you will fly back to the States and send me the money.  And that
you'll let me handle things down here alone."

             
"No.  It means I've brought some money along . . .In case I
needed it while I looked for Jack."

             
"Where is it?"

             
"Hidden.  With my things where I'm staying.  If we're going to
stick together, I suppose, I'll have to get them."

             
"We'll go now."  He had considered the possibility of being
stuck with this obstinate woman for a partner.  If that was the case he
may as well get his plan into action.

             
"Now! Do you have any idea what time it is?"

             
"Yes, and if we don't do it now it will be daylight.  I'd like to
get a little rest before we begin anything."

             
"Don't you think you could let me in on whatever it is we're
going to do."

             
"We're going to have a little substitution.  You're going to take
Jack's place."

             
"Doing what?"  She wouldn't budge if he didn't tell her more. 
"I came to get my brother back.  Not do anything illegal."

             
"It may be your only way of getting him back."

             
Her expression showed her distress.  "Okay, whatever it is, I'll
do it."

             
"Good," Marshal said flatly.  "Tomorrow, we let ourselves be
captured."

I

             
Liane quietly slipped into the Smith's home and went straight
to her room. "Finally you're back,"  Luke whispered as she stepped
into the room.  "I was worried.  So was everyone else."

             
"Oh Luke, I'm sorry.  I wish I could explain.  But there isn't
time."

             
"Have you found your brother?"

             
"No, his partner . . ."  She looked at the man who had been so
helpful.  "I'm going to go with him and try to get my brother back. 
You understand, don't you?"

             
"Are you certain I can't help?"  The Priest looked helpless
standing in the middle of the room, his hands out-stretched, palms up.

             
"Besides getting me something to eat, no."  She laughed.  "But
I must hurry."  She opened her small flight bag and picked up a few of
her things.  "Do you think Paul and Carla will mind if I leave some
things behind?"

             
"No, not at all, but . . ."  he stopped and looked up with a
frown.  "Okay, something to eat,"  he said as if changing his mind
from what he had been about to say.

             
"There is something else you can do,"  she said as she joined
him in the kitchen.  "If I give you a letter, would you please mail it
tomorrow?" 

             
The thought had just occurred to her that the real Mary
Catherine should be notified of what was going on.  She also should
be made aware of what to do in case things went wrong.

             
"Yes, but you will be careful, won't you?"  Luke asked as he
handed her a sandwich.  "I don't like the sounds of this."