Iris Johansen - Stalemate

"Yes." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I've just finished making the computer comparisons. I've been packing away the cameras." She glanced at him. "And, no, you don't have to sneak me out of here. Montalvo's sending us home."

"Is he?"

She stiffened. "Is that supposed to mean something?"

"He may be sending you home, but I'm not sure about Quinn." He paused. "That's why I dared break in on you."

"Soldono, what the devil are you talking about?"

"I'm trying to tell you. I think Quinn took off last night."

Her heart jumped in her chest. "He couldn't. I saw him yesterday afternoon and he could barely function."

"Well, he must have garnered the strength from somewhere." He was looking at her sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Eve. I checked his room an hour ago and no Quinn. I followed up and went to Galen's room and Galen isn't here either."

"Galen went with him?" She wanted to murder both of them. Why couldn't Joe have waited one more day? But no, he had to go off on his own. Not quite his own, thank heavens. Galen at least was strong and healthy and might strike the balance. "You're sure about this, Soldono?"

"Unless they're both hiding out in Montalvo's armory. I can't quite see that scenario as being realistic."

"Neither can I." No, they'd be going after Diaz to take him out. She had a sudden memory of that castle on the hill. It might be grandiose, but it represented massive power and she was scared to death that power would be leveled at Joe and Galen. "I have to see Montalvo. Do you know where he is?"

"He was out in the courtyard fifteen minutes ago." Soldono had gone over to the dais and was looking at the reconstruction. "She was very beautiful. Is it a good likeness?"

"Very good." She was moving toward the door. "Except for a few little things. No reconstruction is perfect."

"This one must come pretty close. Montalvo should be pleased."

"Yes, but that's not important right now." She strode out of the room and a moment later she was out in the courtyard.

"Eve, are you finished shooting those photos?" Montalvo looked up from talking to Miguel. "I can't wait much longer for-"

"Did you know about Joe?"

"Quinn?" He asked warily, "What was I supposed to know?"

"Soldono says Joe is gone. He and Galen left sometime last night."

"And I'm supposed to have kept this from you?"

"I find it odd that you'd not know what was going on in the compound. And how would Joe manage to get out of here without you knowing about it?"

Montalvo turned to Miguel. "I also find that strange. Miguel?"

He shrugged. "He and Galen left at three this morning. They went over the west wall. I was very impressed. I wouldn't have thought that a wounded man would be able to make it."

" Damn you," Eve said. "Why didn't you stop him?"

"He was in the way," he said simply. "The Colonel didn't want him here, but he wouldn't send him away. This way he didn't have to do it. Quinn did it himself."

"You should have told me, Miguel," Montalvo said.

"But that would have spoiled everything. An opportunity was presenting itself. Neither of us had to kill him. He has a chance of surviving if he's as good as we've heard." He smiled. "It seemed very sensible."

Eve stared at him in disbelief. Sensible to serve up Joe to Diaz? The total ruthlessness of the boy was incredible.

"It was wrong, Miguel," Montalvo said. "And we'll have to make it right. That may not be easy."

"For God's sake, you're talking to him as if he were a two-year-old who'd used a crayon to scribble on the furniture. He let Joe leave. He'd probably have given him a boost over that wall if he'd needed it."

Miguel nodded. "But he didn't need it. As I said, he was impressive."

"Go get him back," Eve said through her teeth. "He's alone out there."

"He has Galen," Miguel said. "But I'll go if the Colonel wishes it." He checked his watch. "It's been over ten hours. Quinn was a SEAL and I don't believe I'd be able to track him."

"You know where he's going," she said. "Diaz."

Miguel nodded. "But if I interfere with the Colonel's plans for Diaz, he won't be pleased."

She swung on Montalvo. "Tell him."

"I will," Montalvo said. "But I'm not going to order him to go retrieve Quinn. One, that might trigger the kind of action you're trying to avoid. Two men with guerilla training have a much better chance of surviving than a whole unit trooping through Diaz's territory. Two, if Quinn is as good as I've been told, then they'd be able to avoid Miguel and anyone I sent with him."

"Then what the hell are you going to do?"

"Send Miguel to Diaz's village and have him ask questions and do a little surveillance. Miguel lived there most of his life and he still has contacts. Everything that goes on at the castle is known in the village. They'll know if Diaz captures Quinn and Galen."

"And if he does?"

"Then I'll have to get Nalia's father moving very quickly before Diaz cuts Quinn's throat." He added, "Though if he doesn't know you've completed the reconstruction, Diaz might use him as a tool to make you stop."

"You still don't know who he has in your camp that might tell him?"

"I'm leaning toward Destando, a man who hasn't been with me as long as others. He's being carefully watched." Montalvo turned to Miguel. "If you'd been watching Destando instead of following Quinn around, I'd be better pleased."

Miguel shrugged. "I was only doing as you taught me. It was an opportunity." He turned away. "I'll leave right away for the village. I'll let you know as soon as I hear something."

"Immediately," Montalvo said. "And, dammit, be careful, Miguel."

"Of course." Miguel smiled back at him over his shoulder. "It would cause you much grief if anything happened. Where else would you find such a fine son as me?"

Eve watched him leave with a mixture of anger, frustration, and concern. "Will he be in much danger?"

"Enough. For a spy there's always danger. But he's gone back to the village and gathered information for me before. Miguel will get out if he sees a threat."

"But you're letting him go."

"He knew that he was disobeying orders. It doesn't matter that he thought the result would please me. He has to learn he can't run the show."

"Even if it kills him."

Montalvo didn't answer directly. "He made the mistake, he has to make it right."

"I'm angry as hell at him, but I don't want him to die."

Neither do I." He was gazing after Miguel. "If I love anyone in this world, I think it's that boy."

"Then call him back. Send out-"

"It's done." He turned away. "Everything I said was sound and this is the best way to handle it. Now have you finished with the reconstruction?"

"Damn the reconstruction."

"I can see how you'd feel that. Is it finished?"

"Yes, you single-minded bastard."

"Then I'll go pack it and get ready to take it to Armandariz." He started for the front door. "And, yes, I am single-minded. However, you might consider that the sooner I can turn Armandariz against Diaz, the sooner Diaz will be rendered helpless to hurt or kill your Joe."

"If he doesn't open that wound and bleed to death before he gets to him."

"Somehow I don't think Quinn will let himself die before he gets within shooting distance of Diaz. I was watching him when he was in the library. He was very… focused."

"Christ, I should have said something to him. Though I don't know what I could have said that would have stopped him." Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Why did he do it? He knew I was close to completing the reconstruction. If he'd only waited one more day. He's not an idiot. It was almost over. Why did he-"

"He knew that I'd try tohold you here," Montalvo interrupted. "He's a perceptive man. He guessed that I'd need you to take the next step."