“Damn him,” Eve said shakily. “And we have to stand there and watch him and not do anything?”
“Unless you want to watch him press that button on the detonator,” Jock said. “But one way or the other, I promise he’s not going to live long, Eve.”
“No, he’s not,” she said quietly. “As I told my son, he has to go away.” She saw that Joe was ready, and she turned and started to follow him. “I’ll see you at the island.”
*
Jock let the guard fall to the ground and wiped his knife on the front of his shirt.
One down.
He moved silently around the edge of the north bank, using the cypress trees for cover.
The other guard was using earphones, probably bored and listening to music. Not good discipline for a sentry. But he wouldn’t have to worry about it soon.
Jock stepped behind him, and his arm snaked around his neck. Quick. No sound. End it.
He broke his neck.
He dropped him on the ground.
Done.
Now go closer to the shack and make certain Norwalk wasn’t changing plans at the last minute.
*
“It’s time. Are you ready, bitch?”
Cara couldn’t see anything in the doorway but Norwalk’s dark silhouette behind the brilliant, glaring beam of the flashlight he was holding. “It wouldn’t matter, would it?” She got to her feet and turned to Michael. She had been preparing herself for this moment, but it was still difficult. “I have to go. Remember, I told you it might happen?” She put her arms around him. “Don’t worry, I’ll be—”
“Touching. But it’s not according to my plan,” Norwalk said as he grasped Michael’s shoulder and jerked him across the room and out the door. “He’s going with us.”
“No!” Cara ran after them. “You said I was going alone.”
Michael was looking over his shoulder as Norwalk pushed him down the incline toward the dock. “It’s okay, Cara. Don’t be scared.”
“Oh, do be scared,” Norwalk said mockingly. “That’s the entire purpose.” He stopped beside the motorboat tied at the makeshift dock. “You were being entirely too calm and disgustingly brave. I needed to see the panic.” He smiled at her as he quickly tied her hands behind her. “No, I haven’t decided to make him accompany you. I just wanted to bring him out here to bid you good-bye.” His waved at a man standing a few yards away. “Macvey here will keep him company until I call and tell him it’s time to bid him good-bye. Then he’ll toss him over that metal gate and send him to meet those alligators who want so desperately to welcome him.” He glanced at the other island. “Which will be at the exact moment when you meet your fate with Kaskov. I thought it would increase the pain enormously for you to know that was happening.” His gaze raked her face. “Yes, I can see it starting now. Mission accomplished. You may say good-bye to the boy now.”
She wanted to strike out. She wanted him to die. She could do nothing unless she wanted him to start the death cycle right now. At this moment, she was bitterly aware of the helplessness he’d wanted her to feel. The only thing she could do was to hide that fear and panic as much as possible. “I’ll do that.” She fell to her knees in front of Michael. “You’re going to be fine, Michael,” she whispered. “Don’t be afraid. Like I told you, I can’t believe that they won’t come for you. As for me, it’s only for a little while. And if it stretches out to be a little longer, then you just play my CDs I sent you, and when the music starts, I’ll be there. Understand?”
He nodded. “But I’m not afraid.” His dark eyes were shimmering in the light. “Don’t you be afraid, Cara. I tried to tell you…” His arms were suddenly around her neck, and he was holding her tight. “No one’s going to hurt me.” He whispered in her ear, “They’re not close, they’re here. Mama’s here.”
She stiffened. Oh, God, make it so. Whatever miracle you have to perform. Keep him safe.
“Enough,” Norwalk said. “Into the boat.”
“Do whatever you have to do, Michael,” she whispered. “No one must hurt you. Your mama wouldn’t like it.” She kissed his cheek. No good-byes. “See you later.” She turned and got into the boat. She glanced at Norwalk as he jumped in and started the motor. “You don’t look pleased. Wasn’t my response satisfying enough for you?”
“Not entirely. But you’ll make it up later when it comes home to you how many deaths are going to be triggered by you when you do your Viking bit.” He was guiding the boat carefully through the shallow waters of the bayou. “Including that kid back there. I can hardly wait to stroll back from bidding you farewell to see that big alligator finish him off.”
She looked back over her shoulder. Michael was standing on the dock, his legs parted, looking after her. An eager smile lit his face. Then he turned and gazed into the thick, impenetrable darkness of the cypress trees of the swamp across the bayou.
Oh, God, protect him, she prayed.
Let it be true.
*
“You can change your mind,” Kaskov said as he glanced at Darcy standing beside him at the wheel of the speedboat. “If you’re seen, you probably won’t survive.”
“And you sound so concerned,” Darcy said as she gazed out at the darkness of the water whipping in front of the powerful white boat. “I’m surprised you’re trying to talk me out of it. I’m your ace in the hole, Kaskov. What would you do without me?”
“I usually manage. But I’m also surprised that I’m offering you a choice at the eleventh hour.” He looked at her. “You’d better live up to all that PR you gave me. It’s got to be done right or not at all.”
“I always live up to my PR,” she said. “And I won’t be cheated, Kaskov. I can do this. I will do this.” She tensed as she saw the lights of a small boat appear from the jutting edge of darkness of the swamp ahead. “Is it showtime?”
“We shall see.” He cut the engine. “Let’s have Norwalk tell us. I imagine he’ll give us a proper greeting.” He looked at Nikolai coming up behind in another speedboat, with two men on board. “Be ready,” he called.
Nikolai raised his hand and cut his engine.
“Is she there?” Darcy asked, her eyes straining on the boat. “It wasn’t a lie? It’s Cara?”
“It’s Cara.” He handed her the infrared binoculars he’d used. “Much worse for wear. But she must not have your talent and access to makeup.”
Darcy quickly focused the binoculars on Cara. “That wasn’t funny,” she said. “That bastard.”
“Just your usual, garden-variety sociopath. But I admit I’m having problems with what he did to her. I’m getting quite anxious for the action to begin.” His phone rang. He murmured, “And that must be the bell to signal the start.”
*
“Welcome, Kaskov,” Norwalk said. “Do you know that until this moment, I wasn’t positive you’d actually accept my invitation? You must actually care something for Cara. That will make the prospect to come much more entertaining.”
He was practically salivating, Cara thought bitterly. All the malice and ugliness had come to the forefront in these final moments. He believed only triumph was ahead. She could only pray that he was wrong.
“I have a certain sense of family,” Kaskov said. “And as you said, it was a move that was politically correct. I believe it’s your move. What’s next?”
“I told you, it’s very simple.” He jumped back on the shore. “In a few minutes, I’m going to start the motor on this boat and send Cara toward you. If you wish to help her, you can try to retrieve her. In which case, I will press the button, and she will blow you away. Or when you think she’s getting close enough to be a threat, you can fire off that heavy artillery I’m sure you’re carrying at her boat and save yourself. That’s probably what you’ll decide to do. But it will mean that you’ll kill Cara yourself. Which will be very satisfying for me.”