The Perfect Witness (7 page)

“And you’d enjoy it.”

“You’ll have to see. I’m torn between thinking of you as a kid and wanting to meet those challenges you throw at me on a purely adult level. That means my every response to you is a crapshoot.”

“Whatever.” Her brow was furrowed in thought. “But I want more. It’s not going to be enough.”

“Really?”

“Guns. I want to know how to handle guns. And maybe knives.”

“Good God.”

“Why are you surprised? You started this. All the martial arts in the world aren’t going to do me any good unless I’m close to Camano’s men. They’ll have guns and knives, and they’ll know how to use them. I’m going to know how to use them, too.” She added, “I don’t think I have to ask if you can teach me about guns. You said you were a mercenary.”

“I can teach you.”

“This is my life. I’m going to defend myself. I want to be very, very good.”

“I can teach you,” he repeated.

“Just checking. If you can’t, try to find someone who can.” She turned away from him. “I’m ready to go back to bed now. I need to rest.” She suddenly whirled back to him and took a deep breath. “There’s something I have to say to you.” She moistened her lips. “Thank you.”

His brows rose. “Well, that’s a surprise.”

“It’s hard for me to say because I’m confused, and I don’t know why you’re doing all this.” She shook her head. “But in the end, maybe it doesn’t matter. You saved my life. And now you may be going to save my sanity. That’s really something, Mandak. You have no idea what it means to me. I can’t just turn my back and ignore it.”

“Even though I’ve told you that I’m going to make you pay for it?”

“All my life, people have been doing that. You’re no different. I’ll work that out later. And, at least, you’re giving me something I want more than anything in the world.” She started to turn away. “That’s all. I don’t promise to trust you or not to be suspicious. But I wanted you to know that I value what you’re doing for me. Because I probably won’t tell you again.”

“Once is enough. I believe I’m touched.”

“You’re making fun of me. That’s okay. I expected it.”

“No such thing. I meant it.”

“Really?” The awkwardness of the moment was back. She headed for the door. “Like I said, I need to go to bed. I’ll start exercising early tomorrow morning.”

“And probably overdo it.”

“I won’t hurt myself.” She glanced back at him. “And I won’t let you hurt me either. You were surprised that I took the initiative just now about the guns, but it wouldn’t have been too long before you took another step in the same direction. You’re clever and manipulative, and you probably didn’t want to shock me.”

“Very perceptive.”

“Am I right?”

He slowly nodded. “I agree that you need all the tools you can beg, borrow, or steal to get through this.”

“I’ll get through it. I’ll study and learn and fight all the dragons that come my way. But it will be my battle, not yours.” She headed for the door. “You want a weapon? I’ll give you one, Mandak. But it won’t do you one bit of good.”

Trenton, New Jersey

“I’ve got a license-plate number,” Navarro said when Camano picked up.

“It’s about time,” Camano said.

“We were lucky to get it this soon. It was like working blind. If we hadn’t found the blood, we’d still be looking for who took her.”

“Blood?”

“Tantona was firing at her. We found traces of blood in the shrubs and at a campsite about thirty miles down the road from where we found Tantona.”

“But you didn’t find a body?”

“No, but we found a ranger who had spotted a car in the forest that night. He wasn’t happy about the campfire. So he took down the license number and was going to talk to the man who had lit it. But they only stayed a couple hours, then took off.”

“Man? Description?”

“The ranger was too far away. But it was only one man and, he thought, maybe a woman.”

“Bingo. What kind of car?”

“A dark blue Toyota.”

“And there was blood at the campsite?”

“Yeah, quite a bit. He might have been trying to bandage her wound.”

And it seemed Teresa had survived, Camano thought bitterly. If Tantona had aimed straighter, he wouldn’t be having this trouble. “Have you called in the number to our man Vaughn at the precinct?”

“Yeah, it’s a rental car. It was rented at Philadelphia Airport. I’m on my way to get a copy of the rental agreement and a photocopy of the guy’s driver’s license.” He paused. “We should have a picture of him within a couple hours.”

“Good man,” he said. “I should have relied on you instead of Tantona. Find this son of a bitch, and you’ll find me very grateful, Navarro.”

“I’ll find him,” Navarro said eagerly. “You can count on me. I’d never have let her get away to begin with.” He hung up.

“Blood?” Gina repeated as she lifted her coffee cup to her lips. “Is that what you said?”

He looked at her across the luncheon table. She was even more gorgeous in the full sunlight of the terrace than she had been last night. Her eyes were fixed intently on him, but he couldn’t read her expression. Her beautiful face was smooth and calm and portrayed only curiosity. “It seems Tantona was forced to fire at your little girl when she ran away. I’m sure that it was only a token shot, but he must have hit her. But the blood will probably help us to find her.”

She shook her head. “Then that’s a good thing. Such a foolish child. I always told Antonio that Teresa must be a little unbalanced because of all that weird stuff in her head. Now look at her running around the country, getting herself hurt. She’ll be much better off when she comes home to me.”

He smiled mockingly. “They say every child should be with their mother.” He took a drink of his coffee. “Only one man in that rental car. I feel better about the possibility she might be in the hands of the police. It’s still a possibility, but we may have gotten lucky.”

“A pervert?” She tilted her head. “She’s a pretty girl. Everyone says she’s almost as pretty as I am.”

“Nonsense.” It was the response Gina wanted, and besides, he had never found Teresa attractive. She always stared at him with those big eyes as if she could see his soul. “I doubt if it’s a pervert. He took out three men as if they were nothing. His focus isn’t on sex.”

“Every man’s focus is on sex. It just depends on the time and opportunity.” She met his eyes, and her own were wide and clear and totally enigmatic. “And the desirability of the woman. I’m glad you don’t find Teresa desirable. It would cause me so many problems.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure you would solve them with your usual skill and unique talents.” He set down his cup and pushed back his chair. “But Teresa’s desirability or lack of it isn’t important for you at the moment. When Navarro gets the information I need about the man who took Teresa, we’ll be going after her.”

“You want me to go?”

“Hell, yes.” He started across the terrace. “I don’t know what we’ll face with that bastard. But I do know you’re the one who can lead Teresa back into the fold. Be ready.”

*   *   *

HE SHOULD PROBABLY STOP HER,
Mandak thought as he stood in the doorway of the gym and watched Allie work out with the weights. Her forehead was creased in concentration and her tee shirt wet with perspiration. But she was smart, and she hadn’t overdone her workouts in the past two days. She’d paced the exercise, taken breaks, then started again. He’d been impressed by her sheer determination and deliberately left her on her own to make mental and physical adjustments. It was time for him to step in and start training her at the mental and psychological level, but he could let her physical workouts remain solitary for the time being.

She looked up and saw him. “You’re frowning. Go away. I’m not doing anything wrong.”

“No you’re not. I’m just admiring your stamina.”

“Go admire it somewhere else. You bother me.”

“Yes, I know. You bother me, too. In a few years, we might have to have a discussion about that.” He turned away. “In the meantime, I’ll let you have your space. You can have one more day on your own. I start teaching you the fine art of karate tomorrow.”

“Why not today?”

“Tomorrow,” he said firmly, and started down the hall. If he stayed in the gym, he knew she would persist and gnaw at him like a bulldog. She was nothing if not stubborn.

He’d gone only a few steps when his cell phone rang.

He went still when he saw the ID.

N. Praland.

He punched the access. “What do you want, Praland?”

“Why, Mandak. I only want courtesy.” Praland’s voice was silky smooth. “And to hear that note in your voice that pleases me to my very soul. Are you ready?”

“It wouldn’t matter if I was or not. Give it to me.”

“Karl Steinam. Age fourteen. Salzburg.”

“Fourteen?”

“Ah, that’s the note. It always bothers you when I kill the young.”

“Because you’re a son of a bitch. Why do you always call me? Why not Neal Grady or Renata Wilger?”

“How can you wonder? Our encounters have been so exhilarating. They’d sent many of their people to try to trip me. You came very close, Mandak. And then you made the fatal mistake of stealing that young fool before I was ready to toss him away. I dearly wanted to cut your throat when you did that. I still do. You’re not safe. Look over your shoulder, and I’ll be there. I’m going to find you, Mandak.”

“Why? When it obviously excites you to make me feel your superiority by killing these kids? Screw you, Praland.”

“But I am superior, and you can’t do anything about it. I’ll let you know when I have something else to report.” He hung up.

Cool down. There wasn’t anything he could do right now, and getting this angry and upset was exactly what Praland had intended. The son of a bitch knew how to rip him to pieces. He was a consummate sadist and enjoyed every minute of any pain he could inflict. Mandak had dealt with him for years, both in the field and leading raids to try to free the captives he held for profit. He had been marginally successful, but it wasn’t enough. His hands had been tied. They were still tied.

And the only one who could cut those ties was Allie Girard.

Allie thought Camano and her father were bad? She had no idea about the depths of the wickedness of which Praland was capable.

But she might learn if Mandak couldn’t prepare her to face him when he tossed her in Praland’s path. She had to be lethal enough to protect herself while she was doing what Mandak wanted of her. He had started her training, but there was still a long way to go. He was impatient, and he’d been tempted to bring in outside help.

Not yet.

It had to be just Allie and him until the bond was forged.

He pocketed his phone and continued down the hall toward the porch. He had work to do and contacts to be made. He couldn’t put his life on hold because he was absorbed with the promise Allie offered. But it was difficult to remember that there was a life outside Allie Girard. She was becoming an obsession.

Another reason to move forward as quickly as possible to push her away from him.

But first, he had to bring her closer …

Tonight.

Start tonight …

*   *   *

ALLIE TENSED,
jerked out of sleep.

Someone was in the room.

Mandak.

She could feel him in the darkness.

“It’s all right. You’re safe,” Mandak said from the chair beside her bed. “Well, as safe as you can be.”

“I’m not safe. Not with you.” She scrambled to a sitting position. “It’s creepy having you come in and stare at me in the dark.”

“Then we’ll turn on the lamp.” He reached forward and flicked on the lamp on the bedside table. “Better?”

She wasn’t sure. Now she could see those piercing blue eyes and feel the sheer power of him, which was a mixture of sexuality, charisma, and intelligence. That power was always present, but she could try to ignore it when she was busy. Now she felt vulnerable. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s time to start housecleaning in that interesting mind of yours,” he said lightly. “I told you how it would be. Though it may not be as easy to access as I thought. You were sleeping very deeply.”

“I was tired. I worked hard today.”

“I know. You didn’t show up for supper.”

“I ate later. I robbed the fridge.”

“I thought you would. I assumed you just wanted to avoid me.”

She nodded, and said bluntly, “You disturb me.”

“It’s mutual. But it will be easier once we get through a few sessions. Lie back down.”

She didn’t move. “I think I’ve changed my mind. Maybe I’ll wait a little while to—”

“Coward.”

“I’m not a coward.” She glared at him. “And I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.”

He smiled. “But you do want to do this. Be honest with both of us, Allie.”

Honesty could be painful. Honesty could be terrifying. But he was staring at her with that quizzical look, and she wouldn’t lie. “You said it wouldn’t be anything like Dr. Kramer. I won’t put up with that again.”

“Nothing like Kramer. Lie down and close your eyes.”

She lay back down. “That’s like Kramer. Next you’ll be attaching wires to me.”

“No, I won’t. I won’t do anything at all for a few minutes. Just go blank. You don’t have to talk or think.”

“Sneak attack?”

He chuckled. “I guess you might call it that.”

“Don’t you dare show me any butterflies or any of that kind of stuff.”

“I promise.”

She closed her eyes. “I feel like an idiot.”

He didn’t answer.

Her tension was leaving her, she realized. Was she becoming accustomed to him and relaxing? She asked him, “Is the way I feel natural, or are you messing with me?”

“Partly natural,” he said. “I have a little to do with it.”

“Probably more than a little.” But she didn’t care. She was committed, and as long as she felt in control and able to back away, it was okay. “Mess away. But I warn you, I’ll shut you down if you pull a Kramer on me.”

“Shh.”

Silence.

No sound.

No sensation.

Nothing.

“Easy. It’s coming,” Mandak said. “This one isn’t bad…”