Iris Johansen - Deadlock

And he obviously thought the risk of recognition was worth it. I hen let s move.

"No arguments?"

"You didn't really think I'd argue with you." Even though she didn't want to go back to Afghanistan. She was afraid it would bring too many memories to vivid life. "If Aman Nemid's involved, I want to know about it. If he hadn't sent us to the museum, none of this would have happened." She looked out the window of the cab. "I didn't make the connection, but I damned well want to know if there is one. Do you know where he lives?"

"I checked it out this morning. He has a house on the outskirts of the city. Which may prove convenient." He smiled. "I like privacy."

"YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT." Moore turned to Ferguson. "Garrett was spotted at the airport."

Ferguson stiffened. "Here in Kabul? You're sure?"

"Dietrich said he's certain. You made all our guys study that photo of him until they were ready to pitch it. He caught a glimpse of him when they were leaving customs."

"They?"

"A woman. Dietrich didn't get a good look at her. Dark hair." Ferguson began to swear. "He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't have the nerve to bring her back here." "Emily Hudson?"

"Who else? Is Dietrich following them?"

"He wouldn't have risked calling you if he wasn't."

"Damn straight. And he'd better not lose them. Tell Dietrich not to interfere with them until I get there." He got to his feet. "Come on. Let's move."

"WE'RE BEING FOLLOWED," Garrett said, his gaze on the rearview mirror. "He's being careful, and he's good."

Emily's gaze flew to the mirror. "How long?"

"I noticed him a few blocks after we left the airport."

They had left the airport twenty minutes ago. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm telling you now. I wanted to see if he was going to be joined by anyone."

"Who do you think-Staunton?"

"I'd bet it's one of Ferguson's men," Garrett said. "He was bound to have someone at the airport." "And you came here anyway?" "I told you, I have to check out Nemid."

And nothing was going to stop him, Emily realized, once more aware of the ruthless intensity that drove him. "Well, we may have trouble if Ferguson gets in the way."

"Yes, it's time we lost him." He pressed the accelerator, and the car jumped forward. "Hold on."

She had to hold on. The next ten minutes were a nightmare of twists and turns, sudden stops and swerves.

"Okay, I think we're clear," Garrett glanced at the mirror. "And Nemid's house should be a mile up the road."

"And are we just going to walk up and ring the doorbell?"

"No, I like the idea of surprise and an element of threat. I've found it works. I'll look the place over and see if I can locate where he is, then go in."

"What if the doors are locked?"

"No problem."

No, she imagined he might have experience in handling locked doors. He probably had experience in handling all kinds of dubious practices. "Not too much threat. After all, we're not certain he's done anything wrong."

"I suppose you'll be there with me to make sure that I don't." He glanced at her as he parked the car near a large house surrounded by a low brick wall. "You wouldn't consider waiting here?"

"No." She got out of the car. "I would not."

"I didn't think so." His glance skimmed the exterior of the house. "There's a light on the far side of the house. Let's start there." He took a small black box out of his pocket. "But we might as well have a head start."

"What's that?"

"An infrared detector. The heat indication will show if there's someone in the house."

"Really? Neat gadget. My father could have used one of those when we were tracking animals for one of his photo shoots." Her gaze was fastened on the light shining from the windows. "Do you see any¬thing?"

"Yes." He frowned as he looked down at the infrared detector. "Two moving blips and two stationary in that room. What the hell?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST him?" Ferguson asked.

"He knew he was being followed," Dietrich said. "And he was damn good."

"And if you were good, he wouldn't have known he was being fol¬lowed. Where was he when you realized he was trying to lose you?" "About six blocks south of here." Six blocks.

That was in one of the nicer sections of Kabul. What was Garrett doing in that area? For that matter, what was he doing in Kabul at all? He took his GPS from his pocket, typed in a city map, then narrowed it down to the particular area. Then he started to scroll up the addresses and names of the people living in that area.

"I'm going to get you, Garrett," he murmured. "I'm going to have your ass."

"I DON'T LIKE IT." GARRETT stopped short as they cautiously approached the window with light pouring out into the courtyard. "Four indications of people in that room. But where is his guard? There should be one in the courtyard."

"Maybe he doesn't have one." Though it was unusual. She knew that the tense political situation in Afghanistan made it necessary that the council members be closely guarded. "Or maybe he's not at home."

"Maybe." Garrett stiffened as he looked down at the detector. "Two of the blips are gone from the room, moving toward the back of the house. "I don't like it," he repeated. I'm going in alone to check things out. Don't argue. You don't have a weapon, and you'd be in my way. If I don't call you in three minutes, get the hell out of here."

"No. I want to-"

But he'd already opened the door and was inside.

She muttered an oath as the door shut in her face. Should she go after Garrett?

If she went blundering in search of him, it could get clumsy and dangerous. He was right, she had no weapon. That wouldn't happen a second time. But it was sensible to stay out here and wait.

She didn't want to be sensible. She wanted to barge in and-

It didn't matter what she wanted. She wouldn't chance getting Garrett hurt. So she'd stay out here and wait, dammit.

It was quiet here in the courtyard. Just the soft trickle of the foun¬tain and the sound of the night insects. It should have been peaceful, but she didn't feel peaceful. She didn't like-

The door flew open. "Come in," Garrett said. "Quick."

His voice was sharp and his mouth tight. Something was wrong.

She was beside him in an instant. "What is it?" She whispered.

"You don't have to be quiet," Garrett said grimly. "No one can hear you." He threw open the door of the library. "I wouldn't have brought you in if I didn't need your help."

Blood.

A man lay crumpled to the left of the door, blood pouring out of his stomach.

"Dear God," she whispered.

"That's the guard." Garrett strode toward the desk. "Nemid is over here. He has a gun in his hand. He evidently tried to reach for a weapon when his guard was murdered."

Emily slowly crossed the room and stared down at Nemid. Or what remained of Nemid. His head was half blown off his body.

"Staunton."

"That's my guess. Or more than likely someone who worked for him. Those moving heat indications were his men, first in here, then running down the hall toward the back entrance. I took a look and the kitchen door was wide open." Garrett said. "These are fresh kills." He glanced around the library. "And afterward they tore up the room look¬ing for something."

For the first time, Emily was aware of the couch cushions thrown on the floor. A wall safe stood open, with documents scattered on the floor beneath it. Papers in disarray on the desk, books pulled out of the shelves. "Maybe they wanted it to look like a burglary."

"Or maybe they were in a hurry and didn't care. That's why I'd bet on its being one of Staunton's men."

"Borg."

"It doesn't matter. There's a chance he didn't find what he was looking for. He didn't have much time before we drove up. Someone must have been acting as lookout while the other one searched. That's why I called you into the house. We have to move fast. Let's see if we can find what he didn't."