Iris Johansen - Final Target

Emerald eyes…

Not now. Block that memory. She was upset and shaking, and she needed to be clearheaded when she dealt with Travis.

Jesus, the Wind Dancer. As if this situation weren't bad enough…

She got up and headed for the bathroom.

"Iwant to speak to you."

Travis looked up from his notebook. "How do you feel, Melissa?"

"Mad as hell." She glanced at Cassie. Her eyes were closed and she was probably asleep. Better not to take a chance. "We need to talk. Privately."

"That doesn't surprise me." He stood up and moved down the aisle. "We can keep an eye on her from here."

"Your concern is touching considering what you put her through."

"I couldn't see any other way. I know it must have been hard for her…and you."

"You don't know jack." Her voice was shaking. "We trusted you and you weren't there for us. And if that wasn't bad enough, you pulled Jessica into this stupidity. If she doesn't get thrown into jail, she's bound to lose her license. I could kill you."

"I'll make it turn out right for Jessica."

"And Cassie? Jessica told me you've promised her the Wind Dancer. You can't do that. The Wind Dancer's bad news."

"If Cassie's afraid of being with the statue, maybe she just needs to face her fears."

"It's bad news."

He studied her face. "If Cassie's looking for the statue, she can't have bad feelings toward it, can she?"

She didn't answer. "If it's in the Museum d'Andreas, how are you going to get hold of it? There has to be all kinds of security surrounding it."

She shrugged. "Why am I worrying? You won't be able to keep your word to Jessica. We'll probably get caught in Amsterdam."

"That's a favorable option to you?"

"Yes. Why are we going to Amsterdam anyway? Isn't it the first place they'll look for you?"

"Yes. But I have business there. I have to see my friend."

"You have a friend? He must not have known you for long."

"All my life. He and my father were partners. He helped raise me." He smiled. "He says he likes me, but I suppose he just doesn't want to admit he did a bad job with me."

"More than likely." She stared directly into his eyes. "I'm not letting you get away with this, Travis. I won't be dependent on a son of a bitch like you, and I won't let Cassie be either. And when I find a way to get out from under you, I'll call Andreas and have him pick you up so quick, it will make your head swim."

"I may be a son of a bitch, but at least I'm not abandoning you. I could have left you all and flown off in the helicopter by myself. It would have taken a hell of a lot of heat off me."

"I'm surprised you didn't."

"I made Jessica a promise." He grimaced. "And you may not believe me, but I couldn't live with myself if the kid had been hurt by all this."

"You're right, I don't believe you." Melissa walked away from him. So much for calm and persuasion.

She shouldn't have lost her temper. She might have had a shot at changing his mind. So do what you told him you'd do. Find a way to break free. Cassie was the tether that held them all together. Cut the tether and they'd all be able to go their own way.

How to do it?

She had made a little progress separating herself from Cassie during the last four nightmares, but it was very slow. She hadn't been worried because she'd thought she had time.

Her time was running out. How soon after they arrived in Amsterdam would Travis turn his attention to the Wind Dancer? He shouldn't be able to do anything about the statue, but, dammit, he shouldn't have been able to get them away from Juniper either. The odds had been stacked sky-high against him.

"Well, did you finish venting your wrath on my poor friend?"

Melissa looked behind her and tensed. He was taller than she remembered, but those eyes were unmistakable. "You're Sean Galen."

"I have that honor." She noticed the faintest British accent as he continued. "I'm flattered you were aware of my sparkling persona. I should have known that even through the deepest drug haze I remain unforgettable."

"Who said I was drugged? Jessica?"

"No, but the signs were pretty clear."

"I wasn't drugged." She sat down on the couch. "And that makes you pretty lame at reading signs, doesn't it? How did you know I was arguing with Travis? I didn't see you."

"I was in the cockpit and I opened the door as you were ripping into him. Since my discretion is legendary, I stayed put until you marched off. Could I get you a cup of coffee from the galley?"

"No, I want to rest."

"You look very rested now."

"But we've already established you're lousy at reading signs."

"Ouch." He made a face. "Since I can't admit to being wrong, I suppose I've got to believe you're trying to get rid of me."

"I suppose you do."

He tilted his head inquiringly. "Why? Most people line up for the pleasure of my company."

"Before you shoot them?"

His smile faded. "Now, that came out of left field. And I thought we were getting along so well. Why did you say that?"

She looked away from him. "You're a friend of Travis's. Jessica said you were at Vasaro and helped him with the escape from Juniper. I can do the math." She leaned back on the couch. "If you don't mind, I want to rest."

"I'll go away." He squatted down beside her. "Just one question."

"You shouldn't have any questions. I'm sure you overheard my entire conversation with Travis while you were practicing your legendary discretion."

"Yes, it was very interesting. I intend to quiz Travis on the details later. But this question has nothing to do with him." His gaze narrowed on her face. "When I was carrying you to the plane, you looked up at me and said, 'Don't do it. Don't let him, Jessica.' What did you mean by that?"

"How should I know? I was out of my head." Face him down. "After all, you can't expect someone on drugs to be coherent."

"Stung." He stood up. "Serves me right. Never ask intimate questions of a stranger."

"That question wasn't intimate."

"Wasn't it?" He smiled. "It felt intimate. Never mind, we'll get back to it later."

She watched him walk away from her. Her first impression had been correct. Galen was a very dangerous man, and the less she had to do with him, the better. Forget about him.

Think about Cassie instead.

Break the tether.

How?

There had to be a way to wrest control of those nightmares from Cassie. The girl was strong, but her loneliness was heartbreakingly evident each time-

My God.

Why take on Cassie at the worst possible moment? Don't wait to be pulled into the nightmares; try to invade a gentler dream or sleep state.

She was crazy. She'd never tried anything like that before, and the prospect scared her. She sure as hell didn't have any idea if it was possible. But if Cassie could pull Melissa from deep sleep into her tunnel, why shouldn't she be able to go there herself?

Because maybe there were rules about this kind of thing?

Rules were made to be broken.

So go for it. There was no time like the present, since Cassie was sleeping.

Melissa closed her eyes. How the hell did you go about something like this?

Concentrate…

Amsterdam

"I want the delivery in the morning, van der Beck." Karlstadt looked out at the canal. "And there won't be any tricks."

"I stand by my reputation. You know I've never been accused of cheating a client."

"I don't like your idea of the transfer taking place in the park. For God's sake, that place even has a playground. There will be too many people around. I'll come to your flat in the morning at nine."

"Travis likes the idea of people being around. It's easier to become lost in a crowd. It will be in the park or nowhere. I told you how it's to be done, and that's the way it will be done."