Iris Johansen - Final Target

"Worth two million?"

"I think Guilliame will agree. Karlstadt did."

"You're going to use the merchandise you promised Karlstadt?" He gave a low whistle. "That could be dangerous."

"I'll worry about that later."

"You may have to worry about it sooner."

"Screw him. It could have been Karlstadt who killed Jan."

"But you're not sure."

"No, I'm not sure of anything right now." He met Galen's gaze and repeated, "Screw him."

"Far be it from me to interfere with a man bent on revenge. I've found reason usually goes out the window." He turned away. "We should be in Paris by midnight."

"Hire more men," Deschamps said as soon as Provlif picked up the phone. "And don't talk to me about money. I have all the money you could possibly want. Now find Cassie Andreas."

"She may not be here to find."

"What?"

"My CIA contact says there are rumors she's been taken by your old friend Travis." He launched into the explanation.

Deschamps was silent for a moment after Provlif finished. "Highly unlikely."

"The President flew back to Washington from Japan claiming he was ill. Andreas is healthy as a horse."

The more Deschamps thought about it, the more he was inclined to believe the rumor. Travis had never mentioned the child in his conversations with van der Beck, but Andreas could have trusted him enough to ask him to help his daughter. And Travis was sharp enough to have been able to pull off the escape. Excitement began to surge through him. Everything was coming full circle back to him. Travis, and now perhaps the child.

"Deschamps?"

"It could be true."

"Why would he take the kid?"

For the same reason Edward had wanted her? It was possible. Maybe Travis's interference at Vasaro had been merely a setup for a move of his own.

"I want Travis's phone number."

"I've been trying to get it."

"Try harder. You know damn well the CIA knows it if Travis was at this place in Virginia."

"I told you they weren't able to trace his calls."

"I don't want to trace them. But I may want to talk to him."

"I'll work on it."

"Do it. Then get on a plane and come back here. I may need you." He hung up and sat back in his chair. He wanted that phone number. He felt a strange need to be in contact with Travis. It had never happened before with any of his other targets, but Travis was different. Travis had humiliated him, and taking the money from him wasn't enough. And this new information showed Travis as still another danger. He was not only a threat, he was competition. Yes, he wanted to savor this kill, toy with Travis, show him he would always be one step ahead.

What would that next step be? If Travis was as hot as Provlif thought, he should be hiding out. But Edward had killed his friend and Travis was sentimental enough to want revenge. To do that he would have to identify and then locate Edward. The only lead Travis had was Henri Claron's death, and it was likely he would pursue it.

So, Lyon?

Perhaps.

Or perhaps not.

Travis had been robbed of the money he'd been expecting, and keeping Cassie Andreas hidden could be an expensive proposition. He might decide it was necessary to go forward toward his prime objective.

Edward would definitely have to go over everything he'd learned about Travis and then just follow his instincts…

Paris

The modest apartment was on the outskirts of Paris near a small, very green park. It was also four blocks from the Museum d'Andreas.

"Nice." Galen put the suitcases down and glanced around the living room. "Old-fashioned, but very comfortable. Maybe a little too much blue. Blue may be a primary color, but I've always found it depressing."

"It's okay. We won't be here long enough to be depressed." Travis carried Cassie into the bedroom and put her down before turning to Jessica. "She hasn't had a nightmare since we left Juniper. That's good, right?"

"Do you want me to tell you kidnapping her is good therapy?" she asked dryly. "I won't do it, Travis."

"Well, it hasn't hurt her."

"Yet." Melissa came into the room, deposited a suitcase and Jessica's medical bag by the radiator under the window. Then she went into the adjoining bathroom and slammed the door.

Jessica made a face. "She's right, you know. I don't know what long-term effect this will all have on Cassie."

"I can't help that." He tried to keep the edge from his voice. "I'm doing the best I can." He went out into the living room to see Galen heading for the front door. "Where's Stuart Thomas?"

"In the apartment across the hall. He likes his privacy. Believe me, you don't want him too close. When he gets involved in a project, he thinks things like showering and brushing his teeth are a waste of time."

"And is he involved in this project?"

"On a small scale. If you'd asked him to break into top-secret Pentagon records, it would have been more interesting for him." He opened the door. "I'll go check on him."

"I'll go with you."

"No, you won't. You're too tense and I won't have Stuart upset. Besides, it's after midnight. Get some sleep. You can see him in the morning."

"I don't need-" He stopped as he met Galen's steady gaze. It would do no good. Galen had made up his mind and wouldn't budge. "Wake me if Thomas has a breakthrough."

"In the morning."The door shut behind him.

Damn Galen.

And thank God for Galen.

"When are you going to take Cassie to the Wind Dancer?" Melissa stood across the room.

"Two nights from now, after the museum closes. If all goes well."

"It won't go well." She walked to the window and stared out. "But you won't listen to me, will you?"

"I can't listen to you."

"You're hurt. Why don't you wait until you're better?"

"As you pointed out, this is hardly a scratch. Not worth the time it took you to bandage it. Isn't that right?"

She was silent a moment. "Yes. I wish he'd killed you instead of your friend."

"Well, you're out of luck."

"We may all be out of luck." She paused. "I want you to get me a gun."

He stiffened. "Why?"

"I want to be able to defend myself. I'm not going to depend on you." She smiled sardonically. "Don't worry, I'm not planning on shooting you, though it's tempting."

"Do you even know how to use a gun?"

"There were some rapes and assaults on campus a while back and my roommates and I got a little nervous. We took self-defense classes and I bought a Smith and Wesson.38 for the apartment. We all took lessons."

"Okay, I'll have Galen get you one tomorrow morning."

"Good." She started to go back to the bedroom but stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. He was surprised at the desperation in her expression. "I don't want you dead. I don't want anyone dead. Life is such a precious gift. Every minute should be treasured and-"

"Do you think Cassie is enjoying her life? Jessica is doing whatever she can to make it better." He wearily shook his head. "And I guess I am too."

"Jessica doesn't understand. You don't understand." Her voice was filled with despair. "I can't let you do it."

Travis stared thoughtfully at the door after she'd shut it behind her. The intensity of Melissa's feelings was growing, and that could be dangerous.

Jesus, he didn't need this. All he wanted was to come through on his promise to Jessica and get on with finding Jan's killer.

Think about the man in the park. Go over every minute from the time he'd first seen him. He'd told

Jan there was something familiar about him. What was familiar? Green eyes…But he hadn't been close enough to see those eyes when he'd made that remark to Jan.

He sat down on the couch. Think. Go over it. Make a connection.

Washington, D.C.

"Danley thinks he's located Travis, Mr. President" Keller said. "Well, not exactly located, but there was an incident in a park in Amsterdam yesterday. Jan van der Beck was murdered."