Dance With the Enemy (24 page)

Before dropping Grainger off, Logan had swapped phone numbers with her and they’d made a clear commitment to be in touch later in the day. Logan had then made the journey back to Paris and arrived at the safe house ten minutes outside the two-hour limit that Mackie had given him. Inside, he walked casually into the lounge, expecting to see Mackie there, so he was shocked to see a man he didn’t recognise sitting at the desk, facing the door. Logan guessed the man was a few years younger than himself. He was fresh-faced and dressed in an open-necked shirt with a blue blazer.

Logan stopped in the doorway, alarmed by the unexpected presence, and his hand instinctively reached towards the butt of the handgun stuffed in his trousers.

The man looked up and met Logan’s eyes. ‘He’s here,’ he said.

‘Logan? You’re there?’ said Mackie, over the conference phone.

Logan sighed and carried on walking over to the desk, eyeing the young man suspiciously.

‘I’m here,’ he said.

‘Good. Well, take a seat.’

‘I thought you would be here too.’ The tone of his voice showed Logan wasn’t pleased by the surprise.

‘Well, I would have been if you hadn’t left me with such a shitstorm to deal with back here. Things are getting complicated, Logan, very complicated.’

‘And who is this?’ Logan said, sneering at the man behind the desk, who reciprocated Logan’s less-than-impressed look.

‘This is Paul Evans.’

Evans nodded on cue.

‘My replacement,’ Logan concluded, starting to put the pieces together.

‘Well, in a way, yes,’ Mackie said. ‘But I think we can all come to a compromise on that. I don’t think you realise just how hard I’m working to keep you on this case, Logan. Evans has been drafted in to replace you, against my say-so, but luckily for you he’s willing to help us both out here. For some reason, I still trust that with you on board we can get to the bottom of Modena’s disappearance more quickly than we can without you.’

‘Is that so,’ Logan said, looking Evans in the eye. The young agent held Logan’s stare, a stoic expression on his face.

It didn’t surprise Logan that he hadn’t recognised the face of Evans, a fellow agent. Unless he’d worked with someone directly then there was no reason for him to know their face or their name.

‘And whose decision was it to replace me?’ Logan questioned.

‘It was the committee’s decision. Nothing I could do about that.’

‘Lindegaard,’ Logan stated.

‘It’s not important right now,’ Mackie said. ‘What’s important is that you keep out there, keep on after Modena. Let me handle the politics.’

Logan didn’t push the subject, but he knew it would be Lindegaard behind the decision to remove him from the case. He’d never seen eye to eye with the man. Although they rarely had direct dealings, their paths had crossed numerous times in the past. Most recently, and most regrettably, had been when Logan had slept with the man’s sister. He hadn’t known that fact beforehand; it was just one of life’s coincidences. After a fractious relationship, in which Logan had only been interested for a couple of weeks, he’d had a tough time rebuking her many subsequent advances. Ultimately that had incurred the significant wrath of her older brother, to whom she’d been mouthing off about the nasty man who’d been treating her like dirt.

That was all in the past, as were all their other run-ins, but Lindegaard was a man who held a grudge. Logan guessed that in that respect, the two men were very alike.

‘So what are we doing here?’ Logan said, looking at Evans as he spoke but talking to Mackie.

‘Tell me what happened at Blakemore’s house,’ Mackie said. ‘Why is he dead?’

‘Isn’t it in the police file?’ Logan said.

‘The one that conveniently omits the presence of a certain super-spy?’

‘Thanks for the accolade. Yeah, that file.’

‘Well, it gives me some of it, but I want to hear it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.’

‘We can safely say that the link to Blakemore was good. We saw Modena being dragged to a van at the back of the house.’

‘Did you actually see Modena’s face?’ Evans said.

‘No,’ Logan sighed, raising an eyebrow. He did not like being challenged by the young agent, whose stuffy accent suggested to Logan that he was likely to have come from a well-to-do family. Exactly the kind of agent Logan had come across time and time again in his days, who thought he was the next big thing but ultimately ended up taking a desk job after finding fieldwork just that bit too, well, real.

‘But you’re sure it was him?’ Evans queried.

‘Unless Selim and Blakemore have kidnapped someone else recently then yeah, I’m sure.’

‘Any idea what was happening out there?’ Mackie said.

‘I think that Blakemore has to be key to the kidnapping. That’s the only explanation that works for me. Whatever this is about, Blakemore was the key organiser. Has to be that way. He recruited Selim into this.’

‘You don’t think it was the other way round?’

‘No chance. If this was Selim’s deal then he wouldn’t have bothered with Blakemore in the first place. He didn’t need him. Blakemore brought in Selim to help out. Provide them with the terrorism link to keep us all guessing. They probably knew each other through business deals. Drugs and weapons and the like. We should check out that connection.’

It was a connection they should have found when they were investigating Selim before. It might have prevented Modena’s kidnapping happening in the first place if Blakemore had already been locked up.

‘That’s already underway,’ Mackie confirmed. ‘With a bit of hard negotiation we’ve got direct access to what’s coming out of
Blakemore’s house and all of his personal records. We’re looking over every financial transaction that Blakemore has been a party to in the past five years.’

Logan nodded. ‘What I want to know is how and why Blakemore got involved in the first place.’

‘Money would be my guess,’ Mackie said.

‘That’s where I’m going too,’ Evans chipped in.

Logan again gave him the raised eyebrow, this time for the unexpected interjection.

‘What? You might have a couple of days’ head start, but this sort of puzzle is exactly what I’m good for,’ Evans explained. ‘The way I see it, Blakemore hired Selim to provide the front for the operation, muddy the water a bit.’

Logan had to admit, he was pleasantly surprised by Evans’s comment. Finally someone else who was on his wavelength. Not that it made the man’s presence any more welcome for Logan. He had no intention of working out in the field with him.

‘But Selim must have planned to cross Blakemore all along,’ Evans said, looking at Logan. ‘He probably got paid handsomely by Blakemore for his part, knowing all the time that he was going to kill the guy and run off with Modena. For Selim, it’s all win-win. What we still don’t know is who paid Blakemore in the first place. Or why Modena was kidnapped.’

‘Well, I’m not sure that’s the biggest concern right now,’ Mackie argued. ‘The most important thing is still to rescue Modena. The whys and wherefores of Blakemore won’t help us to locate Selim. Or Modena.’

Logan had to agree with that. Knowing who had hired Blakemore and why was all very interesting, but it didn’t help get Modena back. And it didn’t help get to Selim, which, for Logan, was still the main event. But then …

‘If Modena was snatched for a reason,’ Logan mused, a thought hitting him, ‘that reason could still be important. What if Modena was kidnapped because he’s got some priceless information that’s worth a lot of money to someone?’

‘Like what?’ Mackie said.

‘I’ve no idea. But surely it’s important that we find out? If they were after information, and Selim and his cronies now have it, what further damage could there still be to come?’

‘It still doesn’t help us actually
find
Selim,’ Mackie said. ‘I’m
not denying that I’m dying to find out who hired Blakemore and why, but that’s got to go on the back burner. At least, for you it has. We’ve got a team already going over Blakemore’s life: his bank accounts, credit cards, business dealings, phone records. As well as helping you, Evans will lead that side of the investigation. Sooner or later, we’ll find out who hired Blakemore and why. But right now, you concentrate on getting Modena back. Find Selim.’

Logan mulled over Mackie’s words. It should have been what he wanted to hear: an order to go after Selim. That’s what he had wanted from the start. Much more than he had wanted to rescue Modena. But now, he felt like there was still a big piece of the jigsaw missing. Like there was much more to Modena’s kidnapping than met the eye. It was an uncomfortable feeling.

‘Is there anything at all that the police have found so far that could help us locate Selim?’ Logan said.

‘It’s going to take them a long time to process,’ Mackie admitted. ‘Evans can give you the low-down when we’re finished on this call.’

Another thought suddenly came to Logan. ‘When we arrived, they were already loading up the van to go. That was before we heard any gunfire. And given Blakemore’s state when we found him, I think Selim’s ambush had only just started.’

‘Blakemore’s state? You’re making it sound like he was drunk and disorderly. He was a complete mess!’

‘I know he was. But it was nothing that couldn’t have been done in five minutes. And the van was being loaded up by one of Blakemore’s guys. It wasn’t just Selim’s man. That to me suggests that Blakemore thought they were getting out of there. They had a plan to go somewhere else. Maybe it was because of the heat on them, or maybe they had planned to move out all along. Either way, the key to where they were going will be in that house somewhere.’

‘And you think Selim will go there still? The same place Blakemore had planned for them?’

‘It’s got to be worth a shot. We know Selim’s only been in France for a few days. It would have made more sense for him to let Blakemore arrange all those details. Then all Selim had to do was kill him and he already had everything he needed planned and in place for him.’

‘I agree,’ Evans said, catching Logan’s eye, who nodded in response. ‘It’s definitely worth checking it out.’

‘Okay, we’ll keep that in mind. How are you doing for supplies?’ Mackie asked.

‘I need some more clips,’ Logan said.

‘Okay, there’s fresh equipment in the cupboard in the bedroom next to you. Anything else?’

‘Did you get my IDs?’

‘Yeah. Why, you planning on going somewhere?’

‘Not yet, but it’s about time I swapped over. Burrows has been all over the place for the past couple of days. And he very nearly got me into trouble.’

‘Well, just keep your eye out. Don’t assume they’re not still after you.’

‘Who’s not still after me?’ Logan said, agitated that Mackie hadn’t yet said anything more about the two attackers back at the hotel.

‘I can’t explain just now. Like I said before, you’re making a lot of enemies out there.’

Logan sensed he wasn’t going to get any more information than that. He didn’t know why Mackie was being so cagey, but what could he do? If Mackie had thought it would help, he would have answered Logan’s question. All he could do was remain vigilant, as Mackie had suggested.

‘Is there anything else?’ Logan asked.

‘Just keep me in the loop, please,’ Mackie said. ‘Both of you.’

‘Of course,’ Evans responded.

They ended the call. Logan and Evans stayed sitting, an uncomfortable air still between them, though Logan was pleased that Evans seemed to be well on his side.

‘So what now?’ Evans said.

‘Well, it seems that you’re already up to speed.’

‘Yeah.’

‘I’m off then.’ Logan got up to leave.

‘What? Where are you going?’

‘I don’t know yet.’

‘We’re supposed to be working together now,’ Evans said, getting to his feet, frustration in his voice. ‘I’m helping you out here, don’t forget.’

‘I’m very grateful,’ Logan said without any real sincerity. He picked up a pen off the desk and a piece of paper and scribbled out his phone number. ‘When you find out something that can help me, give me a call.’

Logan put the pen down and handed the paper to Evans, who snatched it off him.

‘Oh, well, yeah, thanks a lot,’ Evans grumbled.

Logan ignored the sarcastic comment, turned on his heel and walked toward the door.

Logan headed back to the car. He was very conscious that there may well still be people after him, and he would much rather keep on the move, keep them guessing, than stick around the safe house with Evans, a man he had never worked with before and knew nothing about.

He was more than a little perturbed by the way Evans’s involvement had been revealed. He trusted that Mackie was fighting for him, but Evans being sprung on him like that seemed to just be rubbing salt into his wounds, almost as if Mackie were making it clear that even he thought Logan needed assistance. Evans may well be a great guy and a good agent to boot, but that didn’t mean Logan wanted or needed to work with him.

As he drove aimlessly through the busy central Paris traffic, Logan couldn’t rid himself of the feeling of frustration. All of a sudden it felt like his role in the investigation had ground to a screeching halt.

He had to figure a way to get things moving again.

With only limited next steps at his disposable, he went for some food, not only to pass the time, but because he hadn’t had a meal of any substance for some while. Add on the lack of sleep and the fighting that he’d been involved in and the result was that his energy levels were seriously depleted.

Logan was no health freak. Although he worked out during downtime, even more so during his period of rehabilitation, he didn’t really pay attention to his diet at all. He guessed he was still relatively healthy, though. He didn’t overindulge in any particular
thing, but that wasn’t a conscious decision, more down to the fact that he liked most types of food so he ended up eating a large variety: high fat, low fat, high carb, low carb. A balanced diet. But today was different. Today he needed something specific. He was eating for energy.

He was in central Paris, famed for its haute cuisine, its endless pavement cafes and the like, but it didn’t take long to find what he was after: an Italian restaurant. It was like it had been cut and pasted straight out of an Italy guidebook, together with fake vines on the ceiling, wood panelling, empty wine bottle displays everywhere and red-and-white-checked tablecloths. The food was simple but it did the job. Pasta, meatballs, fresh bread. It had just about everything he needed: protein for strength, fat for slow-burning energy, carbs for the immediate burst. He also had a glass of red wine, just for the hell of it.

He’d finished refuelling when Grainger called him. A welcome surprise.

‘Carl, are you busy?’

‘Not particularly,’ he said, downing the last of his wine.

‘Right, we need to meet up then. I need to talk to you. Where are you?’

‘In the city.’

‘I’ve just left Blakemore’s. Meet me halfway. Where we stopped for coffee yesterday?’

‘
That
place? You mean where you dumped me?’

She laughed. ‘That’s the one.’

‘Okay.’

‘I’m heading there now,’ she said.

‘Me too.’

She hung up.

He decided against another wine and left cash on the table before he walked out and headed towards the car. After fighting through the traffic towards the motorway, he had an untroubled journey back to the town where he and Grainger had eaten the day before. As it had been the previous day, the sky was clear and blue and there was a warmth that belied the time of year. That, and the prospect of meeting up with Grainger again, lifted his spirits considerably.

Grainger was already waiting for him when he arrived, standing
on the pavement, leaning against a Ford – the same model but a different colour to the last one she’d had. She’d changed clothes since he last saw her too: another tight-fitting suit, dark grey; standard Feds uniform, obviously. As he pulled in at the kerb, she gave him a broad smile. He parked two cars down from where she was. She didn’t wait for him to get out, but walked over to his passenger door.

‘Everything okay?’ he said, giving her a beaming smile as she got in.

Should he try to kiss her? No.
Just play it cool
, he told himself. This really wasn’t something he was used to having to deal with. He’d felt lust before. Who hadn’t? But this? What
was
this?

‘Yeah, fine. It’s good to see you,’ she said. Her expression didn’t agree with her words. It seemed to Logan that some of her troubles were back. ‘I kinda missed you,’ she added.

Despite the hesitation in her face, he felt a wave of relief at her words. It had only been a few hours since they’d seen each other, but he’d missed her as well.

Was this really him? Where had these feelings come from?

He smiled and put his hand on her leg, giving it a gentle squeeze, but resisted going in for a kiss.

‘So you didn’t take my advice on the cars then?’ he said.

‘What?’ she said. ‘Oh, that. No. Is your boss okay with you then?’ she asked.

‘Yeah. Wasn’t happy at first, but I think he sees that you and I working together has helped out so far. You can’t really argue with that. We very nearly closed this thing off earlier.’

Logan deliberately didn’t bring Evans’s involvement into the conversation. There was no need to complicate matters unless absolutely necessary.

‘That’s good. That your boss is okay with you, I mean. The police are pretty suspicious down at Blakemore’s, though. There are quite a few slugs from your gun. When they put them together with your prints, they’ll soon realise they belong to someone who’s missing. Perhaps they’ll pin you as one of Selim’s men who got away.’

‘Doesn’t matter. We’ll have this cracked by then. Once it’s all over, there’s no need to hide my involvement anymore.’

‘Wouldn’t that blow your … you know … cover?’

‘Well, they won’t actually name and shame me or post a picture in the paper, but exactly what happened will be explained to the police, high up the chain at least. Who their missing link was. Me, that is.’

‘Oh, right.’

‘What about you? Any other signs of trouble for you?’ he asked.

‘For me? No. Why? Should there be?’

Logan frowned; she really wasn’t with it. Something was troubling her.

‘Are you going to tell me what’s up here?’ he said. ‘What’s happened?’

‘Nothing,’ she said bluntly. ‘Nothing’s happened.’

‘Then what the hell is the matter?’

She started fidgeting, reluctant at first to answer the question. Then she smiled meekly and said, ‘You don’t realise how similar we are, Carl. Remember what I told you about my dad?’

‘Yeah,’ Logan said, utterly confused. ‘You joined the FBI because of him.’

‘What I didn’t tell you was that it was my fault he got killed.’

‘What?’

‘The man who killed him, I knew him. Not in a personal sense, but I knew who he was. And I had the chance to stop him. But I didn’t take it. I could have saved my own father’s life, but because of my inaction, he was murdered.’

She’d only spoken for a few seconds but already there were tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice, though, remained calm and unwavering.

Logan suddenly had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He had sensed her pain, had sensed it from the moment he met her, but this was the first time she’d shared it with him.

‘Why are you telling me this now?’ Logan said, sounding sympathetic, but also aware of the growing anxiousness that he was feeling at her unusual behaviour.

‘Because the man who killed my father is still running free. Just like Selim.’

It was then that Logan started to understand.

‘I saw the way you were at Blakemore’s when you knew you’d missed the chance to get Selim. Not just then, actually – the signs are there for all to see. I don’t know what Selim did to you,
but I can see the look in your eyes. The need for revenge. For redemption.’

She could read him like a book. He gripped hold of the steering wheel tightly and looked down, feeling almost ashamed. Ashamed because he’d had the chance to let her in, to tell her about Selim, and had blown it due to his own insecurities. And now here she was, doing what he couldn’t.

‘And I know how you feel,’ she said. ‘It hurts. Every time I think about it. Every time something reminds me of my dad’s death. About the man who did it. Every day I think about what it would be like to find him, to come face to face with him, to make him pay for what he did to my dad.’

‘Then I guess we really are the same,’ he said.

And finally Logan saw why their attraction to each other was so strong: theirs was a bond built on shared grievances, on pain and suffering, but also on an unrelenting need for revenge. It was the strongest bond that Logan had ever felt with another person. His instincts about Grainger had been right. There was a connection, something solid.

But there was one thing that she still hadn’t explained. Why was she telling him this now?

‘I know what you’re thinking,’ she said, as though reading his mind. ‘I want to help you, Carl. That’s why I’m telling you this. I just want you to know what I’m doing … what I’m doing here. I’m taking a big risk being here.’

She was sounding very unsure. Her hand played with her hair, pushing it back behind her ear, then pulling it forward again. She was doing her best to avoid making any eye contact with him.

‘What is it?’

‘Look. This could land me in big trouble,’ she said. ‘Hell, I’m already in big trouble. I’ve just been lying to an FBI director and a lead investigator of the French police for the past few hours. But what I’m about to do, you understand, this …’

‘What?’ he said, more agitated than intrigued now.

‘This is something else. And I’m telling you because I really trust you, Carl. And I know you’ll do the right thing here.’

‘Angie, just tell me!’

She opened her jacket, took out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Logan, who sat there, bemused.

‘Look at it,’ she said.

He unfolded it and stared at the handwritten scribbles.

‘What is it?’ he said. But he hoped he already knew the answer.

‘It’s an address. Carl, I think I know where Selim is.’