Iris Johansen - Final Target

"Forget it. It won't work," Melissa said flatly.

"I'm aware of how you feel." Travis studied her. "I just can't figure out why."

"I told you why."

He smiled. "As I said, I can't figure out why. But I'm sure it will come to me."

5:20 A.M.

The stone farmhouse was set a few miles back from the road and surrounded by trees. The interior consisted of a huge kitchen, a bathroom, and two small bedrooms, all spartanly furnished but spotlessly clean.

"Carry Cassie into that first bedroom," Jessica said. "After I get her settled, I need to fix her something to eat."

"I'll do it." Melissa headed for the kitchen.

Travis put Cassie on the bed and looked down at her. As usual, he couldn't be sure whether she was asleep or awake. "Hi," he said softly. "This all must seem pretty scary to you, but it's going to work out. I promise."

"Don't promise what you can't deliver." Jessica had come back from the bathroom with a basin and a washcloth. "Particularly since she seems to be low on your agenda."

"I'll deliver." Christ, he hoped he was telling the truth.

When he went back into the kitchen, Galen was just coming in the front door. "Secure?"

"As far as I can tell. I have a couple of my g uys scouring the area to be sure, and we weren't followed from the airport." He sat down at the table. "I'd keep to that eight-hour limit if I were you. You're too hot for it to be safe to stay in one place for long. Get moving."

"That's what I'm doing."

He dialed Jan van der Beck as he walked toward the rental car Galen's men had brought to the airport. "I'm on my way to the park," he said when Jan picked up. "Any problems?"

"No, I slipped away from the apartment the minute Galen notified me that your departure was imminent and went to the new flat. You're the one with problems. Even Karlstadt heard about them. The rumor is that you took something you shouldn't have. What have you been up to, Michael?"

"Things got complicated."

"I remember you saying that as a boy. And I always told you that it was you who did the complicating. Always keep it simple."

He certainly had done the complicating at Juniper, Travis thought ruefully. Jessica may have drawn him to Cassie, but he hadn't had to dive in with both feet. "The Swiss account transfer?"

"It went through. I told Karlstadt only a portion of the merchandise would be delivered this morning and that the rest would be sent to him in Johannesburg. Just in case he decided to cut our throats at the park."

"Smart."

"Of course. I'm looking forward to my cruise, and death would definitely interfere with it. You wouldn't care to come with me? It would be like the old days."

"I might join you later. I'm going to be a little busy for a while."

Van der Beck sighed. "I can see how you might. Remember, keep it simple."

He chuckled. "I'll do my best. Start packing. I'll meet you at the park by eight at the latest." He hung up.

"How is she doing?" Melissa asked Jessica as she came out of the bedroom.

"I can't see any change." Jessica sat down in the chair across from Galen. "I don't think there's been any harm done by the trip." She wearily rubbed her temple." But what do I know? Sometimes I think I don't do these kids any good at all. How can I, when I can't-"

"Bull." Melissa set a bowl of soup in front of Jessica. "You're just tired. Of course you did them good. You brought me back, didn't you? And what about Donny, and Eliza Whitcomb and Pat Bellings and Darren Jenk-"

"Okay, okay," Jessica interrupted and held up a hand. "I get the point. I'm wonderful."

"You're darn tooting." She hesitated. "But I've been wondering if you're being a little too patient with Cassie."

"What do you mean?"

"She's not like the other kids you've treated. She's so strong…Maybe she needs to be met with strength."

"You were strong too." Jessica frowned, troubled. "Do you think I was too patient with you?"

"No, of course not. You did everything exactly right. I was just wondering…Remember, I told you I thought she was hiding something? Do you suppose she's using the monsters as an excuse to stay in the tunnel?"

"That's a pretty complicated fantasy. She's seven years old, Mellie."

"You told me her father said she had a wonderful imagination. Put that together with an immensely strong will, and you might-Oh, I don't know. Just think about it. Now eat that soup before you go back to Cassie." She glanced at Galen. "Do you want a bowl?"

He shook his head and rose to his feet. "I'm going to take a look around the perimeter and make a few phone calls. As soon as Travis gets through with his little business with van der Beck, he's going to hop on me to get you access to the Wind Dancer. I always like to be ahead of the game."

" Fine." Jessica began to eat." It's the only good I can see coining out of this mess. I want a chance to help Cassie before they catch us and line us up before a firing squad."

"Don't be a pessimist." Galen smiled. " If Travis didn't have my invaluable services, you might have to worry, but I've the reputation of a miracle worker."

"God knows we need a miracle," Jessica murmured as he left.

"No, we need to make a deal with Andreas and put an end to this craziness/' Melissa said. "He could force Travis to help Cassie."

Jessica shook her head. "I told you what happened when I called his bluff. I won't risk you or Cassie again."

"The bastard." She was silent a moment. "You don't have to worry about me. I think I'm getting ahold of this thing."

"There's still Cassie."

Her lips tightened. "And you won't risk her."

"You wouldn't either."

"Wouldn't I? Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do." She moved toward the door. "You finish that soup. I'm going to talk to Galen. I hope to hell his phone calls have come up with zilch."

Galen was leaning against a tree a few yards from the porch. He switched off his phone as she came out of the house. "I was expecting you."

"Why?"

"You're not one to sit around when you're not happy about something."

"How do you know?"

"My impeccable intuition. Which at the moment is telling me that you want to grill me about my progress."

"Consider yourself grilled."

"Promising. If Travis can come up with the cash. A million dollars is not to be sneezed at."

"For the Wind Dancer?"

"No way. For the privilege of spending four hours in privacy with the statue."

"A million dollars for that short a time? He'll never go for it."

"You hope."

"It wouldn't help Cassie."

"Shock value?"

"It wouldn't help." Her hands clenched into fists. "And I don't want it happening. Don't give Travis the proposal."

" I beg your pardon? "

"I don't know what he's paying you, but I'll pay you more."

"You have that kind of money?"

"My parents left a comfortable inheritance. I have a trust fund."

"And you'd use it to bribe me?"

"I'll pay you anything if you'll forget about the Wind Dancer. If I don't have enough money, I'll find it."

He shook his head.

"If you don't want money, name your price. I'll do anything you want."

He tilted his head. "Are you offering me sexual favors?"

"I would if I thought it would do any good. But you're not attracted to me. We're too much alike."

"Are we?"

"Yes. You must have sensed it too. It would be like making love to your sister."

He laughed. "And I'm definitely not into incest."

She tried to keep desperation out of her voice. "Tell me what you want and I'll do it. I'm not dumb and I have terrific motivation. That can get most things done."

His smile faded. "If we're so much alike, then you should know I wouldn't betray a friend. I have old-fashioned principles."