Iris Johansen - Deadlock

Garrett's hand tightened on his phone. "I understand you can be very persuasive. Is Karif still alive?"

"Yes." Staunton paused. "But he's no longer important. He was just the means to bring us together. I have a proposition for you."

"I can't wait to hear it."

"It's very simple. Turn Emily over to me, and I'll let you live." "Go to hell."

"Or don't give her to me, and I'll track you down and kill you and everyone you care about. I'll wait two days. Isn't that generous of me?"

"She's no good to you. She can't give you what you want." The call could be a trap. He'd been on the phone too long already, and he should hang up. But Staunton had Karif, and Garrett had to run the risk if he was to have even a chance of keeping Karif alive. "What's Zelov's hammer?"

"Didn't Emily tell you?"

"She doesn't know anything about it, you bastard."

"I prefer to think that she does and just won't tell me. That will make it far more satisfying. I'm very angry with Emily. Give her to me, Garrett."

"No, you son of a bitch. I believe I'll give you to her."

"Really? No, I have the edge. You and Karif must be very close. He was able to give me a surprising amount of your personal informa¬tion. I've already found out a good deal about you, Garrett. I'll find out more. Then I'll find Emily."

"No way."

"You're really a shade too cocky for my taste. I think you need tak¬ing down a peg. Now, what can I do… Oh, I know. Talk to your friend Karif. Hold on, I'm putting him on."

"Garrett?" Karif's voice was thready. "I'm sorry. I tried to-"

"It's okay, Karif. I understand."

"Run. I didn't want-I didn't think I was-that weak. I never-" "That's enough." Staunton had taken the phone again. "Talking is difficult for him. Everything is difficult for the poor bastard now." "You son of a bitch."

"Yes, I am. But I took care of ridding myself of that particular bitch years ago." He spoke in an aside to someone. "Yes, Borg? Excel¬lent. I'm going to hang up now, Garrett."

"The hell you are." Stall. Find a way out for Karif. "I want to talk to Karif again."

"Karif? I told you, he's no longer useful. Let's put him out of his misery. A knife, I think…"

"No, dammit, wait. We can-" A scream.

My God. Garrett's teeth clenched, his hand tightening on the phone.

Staunton came back on the line. "He died for you, Garrett. Not many people can claim that kind of distinction. Does it make you feel important?"

For a moment Garrett couldn't speak. Rage was searing, burning through him. "You wouldn't want to know how I'm feeling right now, Staunton. You've just made a mistake."

"Perhaps. I had to balance the possibility of angering you and the satisfaction of putting Karif down. I didn't think there was much chance of your letting me have my Emily, so I opted for killing Karif."

"You'll never have Emily. But I'll see you soon, Staunton." He hung up the phone.

Bastard.

He had to wait a moment until he could subdue the shock and anger that was tearing at him. Smother the memories of Karif and their boyhood together. Block it all out. Control it.

Yes, Borg? Excellent.

What was excellent? Garrett had an idea and he had to move quickly. There would be a time for rage and regret and revenge later.

He moved toward the door, punching Dardon's number in his phone.

Oh, yes, there would definitely be a time.

Istanbul, Turkey

STAUNTON WHIRLED ON BORG. "Where?"

"Greece." He stared at the computer. "An island called Mykala in the Aegean."

"Yes." Karif had told them about Mykala as well as Garrett's other homes around the world. It was only a matter of elimination.

"It will only take us a couple hours to get there. A jet to Crete, then a helicopter from there. I wasn't sure we'd be able to get that info. It must have cost you a mint to get that satellite hookup."

"Enough. But our kindly employer has deep pockets, and he won't quarrel about it. I won't let him." Nor about the jet and crew of mer¬cenaries that were waiting to go with them to find Garrett. It was a good thing. Hunting down Emily Hudson might have been relatively inexpensive, but Garrett had both means and experience. Not that Staunton was sorry that Garrett had become involved. He would be a challenge, and it had been a long time since Staunton had been stirred to stretch himself. "And while we're on our way, I want you to delve into everything concerning Garrett on that island. I want to know his friends, his property, any place where he might hide our Emily."

"No problem. I can get the basics by that time." Borg was staring down at the body of Karif Barouk. "What do we do with him?"

"Let's see, Garrett seemed to have some feeling for him. I believe we'll throw him out into the back alley for the rats to eat." He added cheerfully, "Yes, that's the ticket. I'll enjoy letting our little Emily's pro¬tector know every bit of what it's costing him." He headed for the door. "One bite at a time."

"WAKE UP."

Emily sleepily opened her eyes to see Garrett standing above her. Darkness. Tension. Power. Angel of Death.

All that danger was back and tangible. Yet she wasn't afraid…

"Come on," Garrett said impatiently as he pulled back the sheet. "We're out of here."

She was instantly awake. "What's wrong?" She sat upright in bed. "It's still-"

"It's time to move." He turned on the lamp. "I sent Dardon to tell Irana we're leaving, but I'll have to go talk to her. You get dressed and pack."

"Wait." She swung her legs to the floor. "Stop trying to bulldoze me and tell me why you're in such a hurry."

"I don't have time for explanations." He moved toward the door.

(It»

Later. "Now."

He glanced back over his shoulder. "Okay. Have it your way. We have to leave. Staunton may know where we are."

She stiffened. "What? How do you know?"

"The bastard called me. He found out that you were with me and wanted to make a deal. I told him to go to hell. But I think he may have tracked my phone, and I want you off the island before he gets here."

She shook her head. "And I want to stay. Now we won't have to go looking for him."

"I'd agree with you, but we're too vulnerable here. There are too many ways, too many people he can go after. We have to protect our backs before I go after Staunton." "Then you go, let me stay."

"Get packed." His eyes were glittering with anger, his lips tight. "I'm in no mood to argue. I'm holding on by a thread. You'll go, Irana will go, or I'll-"

"Where am I going?" Irana asked from the doorway. "You shouldn't send Dardon to do your dirty work. You knew I wouldn't listen and obey blindly."

"I was going to talk to you. I just wanted to give you a chance to start making plans. You have responsibilities."

"Yes, I do." Irana came into the room. "And that's why I'll stay. I take it you think Staunton may come to pounce? I'll help you pack, Emily."

"I'm not going."

"Not smart." She turned back to Garrett. "It's dangerous for her to be here?"

"It's dangerous for anyone I know or care about. According to Staunton." He glanced at Emily. "It wasn't you he used to get what he wanted, remember?"

How could she ever forget? "Then let's get him now. Trap him."

"After I get you and Irana off the island."

"I can't leave the hospital," Irana said. "I have responsibilities. I have patients."

"Not any longer. I told Dardon to warn you, then arrange to get them on a boat and take them to Athens." Irana's hands clenched. "You had no right."

"Tough. It's better than having them butchered. Your nurses will be with them. You can join them on the boat or come with us."

Emily stared at him with bewilderment and anger. Garrett was taking charge, ignoring anything that Irana and Emily might say. "Maybe Irana should leave. She doesn't have anything to do with this. But I'm not going."