Janet Evanovich - Full Speed

Nick had known she would find it. He knew she would try to contact Max. Whether he knew she would have suspected as much she could only guess. The only thing Jamie knew for certain was that she had to protect Max at any cost.

Any cost.

The phone jack was easy to find. Jamie plugged in the telephone and dialed Max's cell number. He answered on the first ring.

"It's me," she said.

"Jesus Christ, Jamie, where are you?"

Had Jamie not been listening for the soft click on her end, she would not have heard it. Nor did she miss the relief in Max's voice. "I can't give you that information, Max. I only have a second to talk."

"Jamie, listen to me. Michael Juliano is Nick Santoni."

"I know."

"Is he there?"

"Not at the moment. Max, I've decided to go away with Nick. He wants to make a fresh start."

Silence. Finally, he spoke. "I see."

"I knew you would."

"Are you sure about this, Jamie? Do you know what you're getting into?"

"Nick wants to make a fresh start."

"So what the hell do you want from me?" Max's voice was terse.

"I'm asking you to back off. Give Nick and me this chance."

"You want me to just forget everything, walk away, and let you screw up your life? The man almost killed us. Dammit, Jamie, I thought you were smarter than this."

"I'm not screwing up my life, and even if I were, it's none of your business."

"What about us?"

"There is no us, Max. How many times have I told you? Back off." Jamie hung up the telephone and returned it to Nick's hiding place. She was pretty certain Max was with the program; he was good at reading between the lines.

Someone knocked at the door. She stood and crossed the room. She found one of Santoni's men holding a tray of food and a small pot of coffee.

"Mr. Santoni thought you might want a snack."

Jamie stepped back, and he carried the tray inside and placed it on a round table beside the chair. "Thank you," she said. "Is the fog lifting?"

He did little more than look her way. "Mr. Santoni will be in shortly," was all he said before he closed the door behind him.

Jamie ignored the small wedge of Brie and fruit and delicate finger sandwiches, instead reaching for the silver coffee server. The china was delicate — white, edged with gold. A linen napkin with Nick's initials covered a small basket of croissants with various jams and jellies.

Fleas thumped his tail, an expectant look on his face.

"OK, come here." Jamie fed him three finger sandwiches before she turned to her coffee. She barely had time to finish her cup before someone knocked. "Come in."

Nick Santoni stepped in and closed the door behind him. Fleas walked closer to Jamie and propped his chin on her lap. Nick chuckled. "I'm glad you were able to rest." He glanced at the tray. "Did you eat or did you feed it to the dog?"

"I could use a cigarette," Jamie said, ignoring his question.

Nick pulled open the drawer in the bedside table and produced her brand of cigarettes, a gold lighter, and a crystal ashtray, which he set on the table. He opened the cigarette pack, offered her one, and lit it for her. Fleas's eyes followed his every move.

"It's OK, boy," Nick said, although he didn't reach out and pet Fleas as he usually did.

"You obviously planned for my visit," Jamie said, inhaling the smoke. It burned her lungs, and she realized she was going to have to either get used to smoking again or give it up altogether. Neither sounded particularly appealing at the moment.

Nick sat on the edge of the bed. "Yes. And for longer than you think. At first all I could think of was getting even with Holt. Until I found out about you." He glanced at the pack of cigarettes. "I know you sometimes smoke when you're upset, although you gave it up some time ago."

"You know a lot about me, Nick."

"Yes."

"Why did you check me out?"

"I was curious. I figured you must be pretty special to capture Maximillian Holt's attention."

"I'm hardly the first woman Max has taken a second look at."

"True. But you've certainly managed to hold his interest, haven't you?"

Jamie met his gaze, a question in her eyes. "You find me appealing because Max likes me?"

He smiled. "Perhaps in the beginning. Now that I know you personally I can't help but like you."

Jamie watched as he reached for the coffee server, refilled her cup, and added the amount of cream and sugar she liked. Then, with hands that appeared too large to grip the dainty handle, he offered it to her.

She sipped as he watched.

"I need to know your decision," he said quietly.

She returned the cup to its saucer. "I'm coming with you."

"Do I sense regret in your voice?"

Jamie could feel his eyes boring into her. She raised her head and met his gaze. "Don't push it, Nick."

He stood. "We leave at dawn. The fog should have lifted by then."

* * * * *

"What do you think?" Muffin asked Max.

"I think Nick knows his eggs are fried, as Jamie would say."

"Could you put that into words that a brilliant computer like me can understand?"

"His time is up. He's planning to leave the country. He'll probably use the local airstrip to get out of Sweet Pea."

"I just heard back from Jersey. Leo Santoni was one pissed mother when I woke him."

"Not my problem. What'd he say?"

"He'll cooperate."

Max nodded. "I guess we're going to have to call in the big guns. Call Quantico and find out where Helms is. Tell him I'll need backup. He'll probably have to send someone local. Also, tell him if he wants Santoni, we play by my rules."

"You're such a hard-ass."

"Where Jamie's life is concerned you're damn right."

* * * * *

Rudy Marconi was waiting for Nick when the man stepped out of the bedroom.

They didn't speak until they were inside Nick's office on the other side of the house.

"We couldn't trace the call," Rudy said, "and Holt hasn't returned to the cabin. We've got the place surrounded, but there has been no sign of him."

Nick began packing his briefcase. "I want him found, Rudy."

"I've never let you down before."

Nick regarded him. "Don't let this be the first. I won't rest until Holt is dead." He closed the briefcase. "Oh, that damn bloodhound has to go, too."

* * * * *

Two hours later Jamie followed Nick outside and into a waiting Hummer. The man called Rudy loaded Fleas and several pieces of luggage into the back.

"Good thing I'm traveling light," Jamie muttered, noting her dog barely had room to move around.

Nick chuckled. "You'll have plenty of time for shopping later."

Rudy and a man named Victor whom Jamie had seen scouring the premises climbed into the front seat. Nick opened the door to the backseat so Jamie could get in. He slid in beside her. They pulled up to the gate, Rudy said a few words, and it slid open for them.

"It'll take us about thirty minutes to reach the landing strip," Rudy said.

"Sounds good." Nick put his hand on Jamie's lap. She didn't move it. Fleas propped his head on her shoulder as though offering support. He obviously sensed a problem; he hadn't left her side all night. "You OK, boy?"

He nudged her chin in response.

"Lie down," Jamie said, not wanting the dog to do anything that might annoy Nick. Fleas sank to the floor.

"He seems agitated," Nick said, patting Jamie's knee. "I wonder if he misses the truck?"

"I think it has more to do with the big guns your boys are carrying."

Nick didn't reply.

Jamie saw they were going down the mountain. They had almost reached the foothills when they came upon a number of cars stopped in front of them. Ahead they saw blue lights flashing.

Nick frowned. "What's going on up there?" "Looks like some kind of accident," Rudy said.

Victor opened his door. "I'll check it out." He climbed out and hurried down the road.