On The Run (5 page)

Three million dollars.

But, if there was a leak at Langley that had led those bounty hunters here, then who was to say it wouldn’t happen again?

If North knew there was a leak, then he’d plug it. She had to—

“You’re Ms. Archer?” A tall, sandy-haired man was coming down the stairs. “I’m Cam Dillon. Glad to meet you. I packed a pretty wide selection of clothing for you and your daughter. The suitcases are in your room.” He smiled. “But I didn’t know whether to pack your daughter’s teddy bear or the
Star Wars
collection. Or both. Kids’ favorite toys change from year to year. I don’t get to see my son very often, and I’m always behind the eight ball.”

“You have a son?”

He nodded. “But I’m divorced. My wife has custody of Bobby.” He looked around the living room. “This is a nice place. Homey. And I bet your daughter loves being around the horses.”

“Yes, she does.” She started up the steps. “I’ll finish packing her things. She likes the teddy bear, but she doesn’t need to take it. As long as she has her keyboard and books, she’ll be fine.”

“I can squeeze it in. Her keyboard is already in its case with the suitcases. Anything else I can get from the other rooms in the house?”

“No, it’s my job. Kilmer shouldn’t have involved you.”

“I was glad to help.” His smile faded. “I saw the picture of the old man on the piano. I’m sorry we didn’t get here in time. Kilmer was hopping mad. He looked like a nice old guy.”

“He was more than nice.” She had to steady her voice. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have things to do. I have to get back to my daughter.”

“Sure. I’ll be outside on the porch if you need me. Just give a call.”

“You don’t have to stay.”

“Yes, ma’am, I do. Kilmer’s orders.” He moved toward the door. “And that means I stay.”

Her lips twisted. “It seems discipline is on the same level as when I was working with him.”

He grimaced. “He cracks a mean whip. But it’s worth it. It’s a good feeling to know you’re the best.” He headed for the front door. “I’ll put the bags in your car when you finish.”

It’s a good feeling to know you’re the best.

That was how she’d felt when she was working with Kilmer. He was tough, painstakingly thorough, and pulled every bit of talent and skill from those who worked for him. Yet his team had shone like diamonds when he’d finished training them. You could always count on the man or woman next to you. And you could always count on Kilmer to get them all through. He had never failed them.

Except for the last mission at El Tariq.

Don’t think about it. She’d learned from that night and moved on. It had not been easy. For years afterward she’d had moments filled with fury and a desire to murder that son of a bitch Marvot. Yet she’d been forced to put it behind her when she found she was pregnant with Frankie. At first, she couldn’t risk her unborn child, and it was even more impossible after Frankie had come into the world. She’d hoped as time went by that she’d be able to forget and live a normal life. It wasn’t happening. Kilmer was here, bringing back the past.

And all hell was going to follow.

4
                                                                                                                                       

I
want to jump the barrier, Mom,” Frankie said as she rode Darling back toward where Grace was sitting her mare. “Is that okay?”

Grace searched Frankie’s face. “Why?”

“I just do. Okay?”

She nodded her head. “If that’s what you want. Be careful.”

“He won’t toss me.” Frankie turned Darling and started around the ring. “I’ll be right back and then we’ll put him up.”

A last good-bye to the horse? No, Grace had an idea it was more than that. Frankie wanted to be in control of something, anything, in this life that had been turned upside down. Grace could understand that feeling. She was feeling the same sense of inadequacy herself. Only pushing a stallion over a barrier wouldn’t help her.

“Come on, Darling,” she murmured. “Give her what she needs.”

No hesitancy this time. Darling soared over the barrier with room to spare and appeared very pleased with himself.

“Good boy.”

She watched Frankie ride back toward her. No joy or exultation this time. Just satisfaction and determination.

“Very good, Frankie.”

Frankie lifted her shoulders. “Darling’s the one who jumped. I just went along for the ride.”

“And a very good ride.”

Frankie turned Darling toward the stable. “Which one of the wranglers from Baker’s Farm will be riding Darling?”

“Who do you want to ride him?”

“That Viennese girl is pretty good. I think her name’s Maria. I saw her ride in a show at Compton and she was kind to the horses.”

“Then Maria will take care of Darling. I’ll see to it.” She added gently, “But it’s only for a little while, Frankie. You’ll be back.”

“Yeah.” She was looking straight ahead. “But it won’t be the same, will it? There won’t be Charlie. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to— I can’t look at it in the same way. I’ll see . . . those men.”

Grace felt the anger sear through her. Christ, so much had been taken from Frankie last night. Grace had worked hard to give her a golden childhood and now it was tarnished. “Then you’ll have to forget them and think of Charlie. It’s what he’d want you to do. It would be your gift to him.”

She shook her head doubtfully. “I’ll try, Mom.” She dismounted and started to lead Darling into the stable. “I’ll say good-bye to Darling and be right with you.” She looked back over her shoulder. “It may happen again, right? That’s why you want to run away.”

What should she tell her?

The truth. She wouldn’t lie to Frankie. She’d always been honest with her and she wouldn’t let that trust be damaged. “It might happen again.”

Frankie stopped and turned to face her. “Why?”

Grace had known it would be coming and now it was here. She was almost relieved. “A long time ago I was working for a government agency and I made a very powerful criminal angry with me. I did something he didn’t want me to do and I had to hide to keep him from killing me.”

“It’s like something in the movies,” Frankie said.

“Not the G-rated ones you’re supposed to be watching.” She tried to smile. “I always told Charlie not to let you watch those action movies.”

“Can’t the police or someone keep him from hurting you?”

“They’re trying. There are problems. He’s very important.”

“I don’t understand.”

How could she? Grace thought. Bribes and deals and corruption were outside her realm of knowledge. “Sometimes I don’t either. But the bottom line is that we have to run.”

“But you didn’t do anything wrong.” Frankie was frowning. “Can’t we fight them?”

Three million dollars on Frankie’s head.

“No, we can’t. But I’ll try to work out a way that will keep us from having to run again.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry this happened, Frankie. I wish I could have stopped it.”

Frankie turned. “Charlie would have wanted you to fight. He was in World War Two, and he said if they hadn’t fought those Nazis they would have run all over this country. Even here in Alabama . . .”

Grace watched her lead Darling into the stable. She’d taken it as well as Grace could expect. It was probably not real to her, as that remark about the movies proved. But Charlie’s death was real; that terror she’d experienced last night was real. Given time, she’d accept the reality of the story Grace had told her. She dismounted and started to follow Frankie.

“Grace.” Robert was coming toward her. “I’ll take care of your horse. North and Crane are here. They’re in the car outside the paddock. They want to talk to you.”

“I don’t want to talk to—” She stopped. She had no choice. She had to talk to them. She’d need help to relocate and protection for Frankie. She tossed Robert the reins of her horse. “Frankie will help you. Stay with her until I get back.”

He nodded and led the horse into the stable.

She glanced at the blue Buick outside the paddock. No one else had gotten out of the car. They were making her come to them. A psychological move? If it was, it didn’t bode well.

She started across the paddock toward the Buick.

H
ell, no!” Grace opened the door of the Buick and got out. “You’re nuts if you think I’d let you use me or Frankie for your games.”

“You’d be quite safe,” Crane said. “We’d see that you were protected. We just need to draw Marvot out of his lair, and you may be the ticket.”

“And put Frankie at more risk? No way. Find us a place to dig in until Marvot forgets about us.”

Crane shook his head. “Unfortunately, we can no longer fund your protection. After all, we gave you eight years.”

“And my father gave his life.”

“I know nothing about that. It was before my time. My job is to put this business to rest, and I expect your help in doing it.”

“By letting you stake us out like a goat for a tiger.”

“Or perhaps take a more active role. I understand you might be able to—”

“Screw you.”

Crane flushed. “Understand me. Cooperate or you’re on your own. You’ve had a free ride long enough. I’m leaving for Washington this evening. I’ll expect your answer.”

She turned to North. “You’re not talking. Is Crane speaking for both of you?”

He shrugged. “He’s my superior, Ms. Archer.”

“And that’s my answer?” She slammed the car door. “Get your butts off this farm. That’s your answer.” She strode away from them toward the paddock.

“You were tough on her,” North said. “She can’t be pushed, sir.”

“Everyone can be pushed,” Crane said. “You just have to press the right buttons. She has a child to protect, and she’ll give in eventually. Start the car. Let’s get back to town. I want her to see us drive off. The finality will frighten her.”

“Don’t count on it.” North glanced after Grace as he started the car. She was staring straight ahead, and her body language was angry and defiant. She did not look back. “She doesn’t look at all frightened.”

B
ureaucratic bastard.

There was no question Crane had wanted to scare her. How dare he use Frankie’s safety as a bargaining chip to get his way. She wanted to strangle him. No, that was too good for him. Roast him over a slow—

“I take it that it didn’t go well.” Robert was standing in front of the stable. “Crane’s pretty much of an asshole.”

“You’d better call them and tell them to come back and pick you up,” she said curtly. “I told them to get off the farm.”

“I drove my own car. I didn’t want to be any closer than I had to be to Crane.” His lips twisted. “That was fine with him. He doesn’t like dealing with us peons.”

“He’s not in touch with the human race. He wanted to stake me and Frankie out. Frankie!”

“Shit.” Robert frowned. “As God is my witness, I didn’t know anything about that, Grace. I guess I should have suspected something when North brought him into the picture. But North’s not a bad guy. I didn’t think he’d go along with—”

“Well, he did,” she interrupted. “And you’re probably out of an assignment. Do me a favor and say good-bye to Frankie before you leave. She’s had enough loss without you disappearing on her.”

“I wouldn’t do that. And I wouldn’t go along with Crane shafting you. You should know better than that. I care about you guys.”

A little of her anger faded as she looked at him. This was Robert, her friend. He wasn’t to blame for Crane’s decisions. “I know,” she said. “But you’re an agent and you have to go along with them. It’s hard for me to forget that.”

“Then work on it. Now, how can I help you?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. Where’s Frankie?”

“She’s still in the stable with Kilmer.”

She froze. “What?”

“He came into the stable right after you left and said he’d take over putting up your horse.” He made a face. “I made a token protest, but you know I’m really not into working with horses. I knew Frankie would be safe with him and he seemed to know what he was doing.”

She nodded. “Yes, he knows horses.” But she didn’t want Frankie around him, dammit. She knew how magnetic the bastard could be, and she didn’t want Frankie influenced.

Robert was studying her expression. “It seemed okay. She is safe, isn’t she? I called a buddy in Washington this morning and did a check on Kilmer. There wasn’t much on file, but Stolz said he heard rumors Kilmer used to be hot stuff with the agency.”

She glanced at him. “Used to be?”

“He severed relations with the CIA eight years ago.”

“What?”

“You didn’t know?”

“No, I didn’t want to know anything about him except that he was out of my life. The CIA took care of that. They gave me a new identity and you.” She glanced longingly at the door of the stable. She wanted to go running in there but she had to be more composed before she faced Frankie again. She was still angry with Crane and she didn’t want Frankie to sense her urge to jerk her away from Kilmer. She’d stay here with Robert until she was calmer. “What’s Kilmer doing now?”

“Search me. You know him pretty well. You guess. What’s he qualified to do?”

Anything he wanted to do. She’d never met anyone more capable of manipulating circumstances to suit himself. He was a natural commander and his people were fanatically loyal. “When I met him, he was running a special commando team for the CIA. He specialized in guerrilla raids and complex operations. The CIA sent him in when the situation was too hot for the usual commando teams.”

Robert gave a low whistle. “Impressive.”

Yes, that’s what she’d thought when she had first met Kilmer. His manner was quiet, offhand, but his presence dominated effortlessly. “Occasionally, North would send him an agent he wanted to season.”

“And he sent you?”

“He sent me.”

“How was it?”

“As heady as drinking straight whiskey. As scary as walking a tightrope over the Grand Canyon. He knew exactly what he was doing and swept us along with him. I was only twenty-three and he was larger than life. I was almost as dazzled as the rest of the team when I was around him.”

“But you got over it.”

“Oh, I got over it.” She couldn’t wait any longer. She was getting Frankie away from Kilmer. “I’ll go get Frankie.” She headed for the stable door. “Stay here and I’ll bring her out to say good-bye.”

“Don’t be in such a hurry. They’re going to have to pry me away from the two of you.”

“You have a job, Robert. Don’t risk it. I understand.” She added ruefully over her shoulder, “When I’m not mad as hell.”

She heard Frankie’s voice as soon as she entered the stable. “Darling is really my favorite. It doesn’t seem fair to have favorites, but Charlie gave Darling to me, and Mom says that some horses have a special understanding.”

“I’m sure she’s right,” Kilmer said. “She knows a good deal about horses. He’s certainly handsome.”

“I like palominos. Darling reminds me of Roy Rogers’s horse, Trigger. Did you know that Trigger knew fifty tricks?”

“No. I heard he was smart but that’s amazing.”

Grace was close enough now to see Kilmer and Frankie in Darling’s stall. Frankie’s expression was animated as she looked up at Kilmer, and Kilmer was smiling at her. It was a wonder that Kilmer had been able to stir Frankie out of her depression, if only for the moment.

“Frankie.”

Frankie nodded as she glanced at Grace. “Just finishing, Mom. I had to help Mr. Kilmer. He didn’t know where anything was.”

“Jake,” he told Frankie. “We can’t shovel manure together and still be on formal terms.”

She smiled. “I guess not.”

“Robert is waiting for you, Frankie,” Grace said. “He’d like to say good-bye.”

Frankie’s face fell. “That’s right. We’ll have to leave Robert. I didn’t think about that.”

“He’s just as sad as you are, Frankie. It’s not forever. Good friends stay good friends.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” She wiped her hands on the towel draped over the door of the stall. “It’s just that everyone seems to be . . . going.” She didn’t wait for an answer but ran down the aisle toward the door.

Grace gazed after her. “Dammit to hell.”

“They’re not assigning Blockman to you again?” Kilmer asked. “Can you request him?”

“No.”

Kilmer’s gaze was narrowed on her face. “Why not?”

She was silent.

“Why not?”

“Because I told North and Crane to go to hell.”

“Interesting.” He was perfectly still, but she could feel the storm beneath the calm. “May I ask why?”

“Crane wanted to play goat and tiger with me and Frankie as the price for continuing protection. I told him to stuff it.”

He was silent. “I believe I may have to pay a visit to Crane at the earliest opportunity.” He added, “Though his stupidity may work to my advantage if it drives you toward me. Does it?”

“No.”

“Tell me that after you’ve had time to consider all the consequences.” He turned and headed for the door. “I’ll leave Dillon here to play night watchman and horse sitter until Baker’s people take over in the morning. Are you going back to the motel?”

“For tonight.” She gave Darling a final pat and followed him. “After that I’m gone. As soon as I firm up a plan, I’ll go to the bank and take out money. You said I had a couple days. Does that still hold?”