Countdown (31 page)

“Do you?”

“Would I have gone through all we have together if I didn’t?” He smiled at him over his shoulder. “Do your job. Make me proud of you, lad.”

“It’s too late for that. But I’ll do my job.” He closed his eyes. “It may take a while.”

“We’ll give you time.”

“Good. He keeps getting in the way. I can’t see. . . .”

“You will. Just let it come.”

18
                                                                                          

W
ell?” Trevor asked when MacDuff came out of the bedroom. “Do we have a fix on Reilly?”

“Maybe. He’s still leaning toward Idaho. Where’s Jane?”

“In the kitchen with Mario. Where in Idaho?”

“He’s not sure.” He moved toward the kitchen. “Near Boise. I’m not going through this twice. I want to make sure everyone knows that I don’t want Jock harassed.”

“May I point out that it was you who sent him around the bend?”

“With help from Jane.”

“She’s giving you a little too much help. I saw those marks on her throat.”

“And did she complain?”

“She said it was worth it. I don’t agree.”

“You would if you’d seen Jock just now. He’s coming out of the fog.”

“Good for him. It’s still not worth it.” Trevor preceded him into the kitchen, where Jane and Mario sat at the table. “MacDuff says that Jock is zeroing in on Boise as a possible location.”

“Really?” Mario’s body tensed with eagerness. “Where exactly?”

“He’s not sure. You can’t expect everything to come back to him right away.”

“Can’t you talk to him, push him?”

“No. He’s doing the best he can. I don’t want him to have a set-back.”

“How was he?” Jane asked.

“Tentative. Like a baby taking its first steps.” He smiled. “And so goddamn close to normal it was bloody incredible.”

“Then he should be able to tell us something soon,” Mario said.

“Back off,” Trevor said. “It’s what we all want.”

“How long?” Jane asked.

MacDuff shrugged. “As long as it takes.”

“That’s not acceptable.” Mario frowned. “What if Grozak and Reilly find out what we’re doing? And even if they don’t, there’s only a week left. Grozak could close the—”

“I’m not pressuring him,” MacDuff said. “And neither are you.”

“I don’t want to hurt him, but you need to—” Mario threw up his hands in frustration as he met MacDuff’s gaze. “Never mind.” He strode out of the room.

“He’s right,” Trevor said. “We can’t twiddle our thumbs and wait for time to cure Jock.”

“We’ll see. There has to be a compromise.” MacDuff went to the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee. “I’m not going to destroy Jock because Mario wants his revenge yesterday. We can afford a couple days. It will come.”

“And we don’t want Mario striking out on his own and blowing what little cover we have,” Trevor said.

“He won’t do that.” Jane stood up. “I’ll talk to him.”

“By all means,” MacDuff said. “You hold his hand. I’m not about to do it.” He glanced at Trevor. “And I don’t believe Trevor’s in a mood to do it.”

“At least I’m not going to have to worry about Mario choking the life out of her,” Trevor said. “It’s a step forward from the way you put her head into the lion’s den with Jock.” He glanced at Jane. “I could do it if you don’t want to deal with him.”

“Neither of you is remembering that Mario is hurting too.” Jane moved toward the door. “All he wants to know is that there’s an end in sight.”

Trevor’s brows rose. “That’s all we all want to know.”

H
ave you been sent on a mission of diplomacy or as a teacher to slap my hands?” Mario asked. “I’m not sorry. I spoke the truth.”

“No one sent me,” Jane said. “And you should be allowed to speak your mind.” She paused. “But not before you think it through. My first impulse was the same as yours. Jock could be the only way to stop this. Just a few words and he might be able to lead us to them.”

“Then tell Trevor and MacDuff.”

“I will. But not until we give Jock his chance. We’re not savages. We don’t want to destroy a mind if we can save it by letting Jock find his own way back.” She met his eyes. “Do we, Mario?”

He stared at her, a multitude of expressions crossing his face. He finally said curtly, “No, dammit. But there has to be a way of getting him to—”

“No pressure.”

“Okay, okay. I hear you. But what if I spent some time with him, got to know him? Just a couple days. Maybe I could get him to talk, nudge him a little.”

“No pressure.”

“I wouldn’t even mention Reilly. Unless he mentioned him first. I’m not dumb. I can be subtle.”

“When you’re not traumatized yourself.”

“I promise, Jane. I’m not cruel. I don’t want to hurt Jock. I feel sorry for the kid. Just let me help. Let me
do
something.”

She gazed at him thoughtfully. She could see the desperation in his expression. “It might not be a bad idea. You’d be a new voice in the mix. Trevor, MacDuff, and I have been pushing Jock. Every time he sees us, it’s a reminder. You’re close to his age. Someone else to distract him. A change of pace . . .”

“That’s right,” Mario said eagerly. “It makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“Perhaps.” She paused. “If I can trust you.”

“I promise. I don’t break my word.” He grimaced. “The priests made sure I believed in eternal damnation if I broke any of the commandments.”

“You’re planning on breaking a big one if you kill Grozak and Reilly.”

“Some things are worth chancing damnation. And I believe the Church would weigh my sin against the greater one they’re going to commit. I won’t break my promise, Jane.”

She made up her mind. “You’d better not. If you upset Jock, MacDuff will send you to that eternal damnation without a second thought.”

“You’ll let me do it?”

“On one condition. We need to make a deal. You can have your two days with Jock if you give me Cira’s letter at the end of that time.”

“I didn’t bring it with me.” He added quickly, “But I can tell you what it said.”

“Then tell me.”

“After I spend my time with him. That’s only fair. When can I see Jock?”

“When he wakes up.” She turned to leave. “But don’t be surprised if he doesn’t want to talk to you. He’s not exactly sociable. This is purely an experiment.”

“I understand that. I’ll just be a sounding board. If he wants to talk, I’ll be there.”

“I’m trusting you, Mario.”

“Within limits.” He smiled. “And with a backup in case I don’t come through. I don’t care. As long as I can see a way to help.”

For the first time since they’d started on this journey, Mario seemed almost cheerful, the brooding and bitterness lessened. Purpose could work miracles. Perhaps throwing the two young men together would work out. “MacDuff may not be needed if you foul up,” she murmured. “Jock is extremely well trained to take care of anyone who upsets him.”

H
ello, Jock. Do you know who I am?”

Jock shook his head to clear it of sleep before studying the man in the chair beside his bed. “You’re the man who lives in the room with Cira. Mario . . .”

“Donato.” The man smiled. “And I don’t exactly live with Cira. Although I sometimes feel as if I do. I’m trying to decipher her scrolls.”

“You live with her statue, the one that belongs to Trevor. MacDuff let me go up and see it before you came to the Run.”

“Without Trevor’s permission?”

“It’s the laird’s castle, and he knew I wanted to see it after he showed me the photo on the Internet.”

“And you just walked right in?”

“No, I know how to get into places.” His expression clouded. “It was easy.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t have had to use your cat-burglar skills to see the statue. Trevor’s never objected to me having her in my study.”

He shrugged. “The laird didn’t want me to bother him.”

“But not enough to tell you not to trespass and go to see her?”

“It wasn’t trespassing. It was his right to give me permission to see her.”

“Trevor wouldn’t agree, I’m afraid.” He smiled. “The castle is under lease and the statue of Cira is his.”

He shook his head. “It was the laird’s right.”

“Well, we won’t argue about it,” Mario said. “I’m glad we share a passion for Cira. She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

Jock nodded. “I feel . . . close to her.”

“So do I. Would you like to read her letters?”

“Yes.” Jock studied Mario’s expression. Although the fog that clouded his mind was lessening, sometimes clearing entirely, it was still difficult to focus. He forced himself to concentrate. “Why are you here?”

“I thought we should get to know each other.”

He shook his head. “You’re being nice to me. Why?”

“Does there have to be a reason?”

“Yes.” Jock thought about it. “You want what the rest of them want. You want to know about Reilly.”

“Why should I—” Mario nodded. “I won’t lie to you.”

He said wearily, “I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

“It will come back to you. I want to be there when it does.”

He shook his head.

“Look at it this way. I promised I’d ask you no questions. You’ll be able to relax with me. If you want to talk about Reilly, I’ll be willing to listen. No, I’ll be eager as hell to listen.”

Jock searched his face. “Why?”

“Grozak and Reilly killed my father. He was beheaded.”

That’s right, Jock remembered Jane saying something about Mario’s father’s death. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t me. I’ve never been told to behead anyone.”

Shock crossed Mario’s face. “We know who did it. I didn’t think it was you.”

“That’s good. It would complicate things.”

Mario nodded. “I’d say that’s an understatement.” He was recovered enough to force a smile. “You’re not what I expected. But that doesn’t mean we can’t come to terms and help each other.”

Jock didn’t speak for a moment, his gaze on Mario’s face. This man wanted to use him and thought he was simpleminded enough to let him do it. He couldn’t blame him. When the fog closed down, he was barely capable of functioning even on the simplest level. But now there were periods when the fog lifted and he felt keen and sharp as a dagger.

“Don’t you want to know what’s in those scrolls?” Mario asked persuasively. “I’ve just translated one that I haven’t let anyone else read yet. I could tell you about it. You’d be the first.”

He was trying to bribe him. Jock could sense the desperation that was driving Mario. Revenge and hate and the urgency that went along with that desperation. It was strange being able to know how others were feeling when he’d been turned inward for so long.

Accept it. He was still weak and everyone around him was strong. He had to build his strength. Take whatever Mario was willing to give him. Let him use him.

Until the fog vanished entirely.

I
didn’t think it would work.” Trevor’s gaze was fixed on Mario and Jock walking down to the pier. “I thought you had let Mario influence you. But it’s been two days and they seem to be best buddies.”

“He did influence me. I felt sorry for him. But not enough to let it go on if I saw any sign of him disturbing Jock. I had to fight too hard to get MacDuff to let Mario even talk to him. But it was a way to make him a deal to give us Cira’s scroll, and I knew I could yank him away if he upset Jock.” Jane shook her head in wonder. “And Mario seems gentle with him. He reminds me of the way he was when I first came to the castle. Jock tells me he jokes with him and tells him stories of his life in Italy. I don’t believe he’s asked Jock any questions at all.”

“Yet.”

“Yet.” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “But we’ll have to start asking questions ourselves soon. It’s been driving me crazy sitting here and waiting for Jock to get around to remembering something that could stop this horror. We can’t wait much longer for him to heal. Have you heard anything from Brenner?”

“Only that he checked out the resort where Jock worked. He sold equipment in the ski shop for three months and then just didn’t show up one day. The owner was pretty upset. He didn’t think Jock was that unreliable. He even thought about filing a missing-persons report.”

“But he didn’t do it?”

He shook his head. “Drifters come through those resorts all the time. They stay to earn a few bucks and enjoy the skiing and then move on.”

“Nothing on Reilly?”

“Not yet. He’s tapping a few sources, but he has to be careful not to tip off anyone that we’re looking for Reilly. Leaks are too dangerous right now.”

Everything was dangerous now. Including this waiting on Jock. Lord, she wished there was something else they could do. “Have you talked to Bartlett lately?”

“Last night.” He smiled. “Homeland Security hasn’t invaded MacDuff’s stronghold. So they’re basically watching and waiting.”

“And so are we.” She paused. “I don’t suppose you could rig my new phone with some kind of block so that I could talk freely to Eve and Joe?”

“Too risky. You know that.”

She had known that would be his answer. And it was the right answer, dammit. As much as she wanted to confide in Eve and Joe, it would be foolish to run that risk. “Okay.”

“Look, this is tearing you apart. It was your decision, but we all went along with it. You were right, if we’d pushed Jock he might have closed down. But if you’re having second thoughts, then say the word and I’ll have a talk with him.”

“You mean you’ll use force.”

“If I think it’s the only way. He’s our only hope and our primary stumbling block. I don’t want you having regrets for the rest of your life because you were too soft to do what you had to do.”

“I won’t be too soft.” It was true. She knew herself well enough to know that in spite of the agony, she’d make the decision she had to make if there was no other way. But, God, how desperately she was hoping there was another way. She gazed back at Mario and Jock. “But Mario had better get something from Jock pretty soon. If he doesn’t, we’ll do whatever we have to do. Including bringing in Homeland Security, the CIA, anyone who has a chance of helping. And they won’t be either understanding or gentle with him. They’ll take whatever they can get, even if they break his mind.”

“I’m not arguing. Let’s hope it won’t be necessary.” Trevor changed the subject. “But I do have another interesting bit of information you might want to know about. Demonidas.”