Final Target (26 page)

No, the little girl was still asleep.

Her anger slowly left her as she sat down on the bed and gazed at Cassie. "You have to get well, baby," she whispered. "You're coming so close. You have to come out. You owe it to Jessica."

Cassie stirred.

Melissa froze. She had never seen her do that when Jessica had talked to her. Jessica had said she could sense a response, but this was actual physical movement.

"Cassie?"

The child turned her head away.

Rejection. But that was a response too.

"Okay." She swallowed. "One step at a time. It seems we came closer tonight than I thought. Now, I'll just sit here and talk to you. And you'll listen, won't you? We're going to talk about the Wind Dancer and you and me and the way to get rid of the monsters forever…"

"Hello, Travis. You're proving to be exceptionally annoying."

He stiffened. "Who is this?"

"Don't you recognize my voice?"

He inhaled sharply. "Deschamps?"

"Do you know what beauty you destroyed?" Deschamps's voice was harsh with pain.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's just coincidence that my house was invaded and destroyed when I know you must be searching for me? I don't think so. It was you, wasn't it?"

"I'm not the one who blew up your place. You set an explosive."

"It wouldn't have gone off if you hadn't tried to enter the room."

"You're the one who destroyed it. Why?"

"It wouldn't have been mine any longer. I'd have had to think of it as belonging to you or whomever you sold it to. It would have spoiled it for me."

"Good God, you're a closet collector?"

"What a pat phrase. You know nothing about it. But you didn't succeed in robbing me of all my treasures. Do you think I'd keep them all in one place? But you're going to pay for that Monet. You're going to give me something in return. Where's the Wind Dancer, Travis?"

"The museum."

"Screw you. You took it with you."

"How do you know?"

"Where's the statue?"

"If I did take it, you know I won't tell you. So why are you calling?"

"I told you."

"Why?"

"Perhaps I thought it was time we got to know each other. I've been looking for you for a long time."

"You found me. But you shot Jan instead."

"I had my reasons. I believe you know what they are."

"The Wind Dancer."

"It was obvious from your conversation with van der Beck that you were going to steal it. All I had to do was wait and watch."

"But you'd already scoped out the museum for yourself."

"I thought it might be necessary after you kept me from getting the little girl. It would have been so easy to ransom her for the Wind Dancer."

"So it was always about the statue?"

"Of course. Always. I've known I had to have the Wind Dancer since I was a boy. All my life I've been waiting for my chance. You've spoiled it for me twice."

Keep him talking. Find out what makes the bastard tick. "What could you do with it? You couldn't sell it, and Andreas would never give up searching for you."

"You and I both know there are still places on this earth where a man can lose himself. I've been looking at the Orient lately. Europe is getting a little too hot for me." He paused. "And a man who would sell the Wind Dancer is a man without a soul."

"Do you believe you actually have a soul, Deschamps?"

"Because I'm not a sentimental fool? What is a soul? My entire being sings when I see a beautiful painting or a magnificent statue. I shed tears when I first saw a picture of the Wind Dancer. Who's to say that my sensitivity doesn't equal yours?"

"I'm not a cold-blooded killer."

"That's a poor argument. You're an intelligent man, but you'd be a much worthier adversary if you didn't let your emotions control you. It was very clear when I killed van der Beck."

He smothered the surge of rage. "You had no reason to kill Jan."

"Of course I did. It hurt you. I always have a reason. I never indulge myself with senseless slaughter."

"Not even when you killed your stepfather?"

"Ah, you've been busy. And what did you find out about my esteemed parent?"

"That you didn't like him and demonstrated that dislike by chopping him into pieces. Just what did he do to you?"

"He put me in prison for the very love he tried to instill in me. I practically lived in his art gallery. Wasn't it natural that I tried to take just a few pieces for my own? I had a lot of time to think when I was in prison. It was like being in a cocoon and turning into a butterfly."

"Hardly. Maybe a cobra. Why are you telling me this?"

"I
want you to understand me. I want you to know what's waiting for you." He paused. "You should have died at the museum. I was planning on killing you all and grabbing the statue. I would have done it if it hadn't been for that woman."

"You killed Jessica Riley, the only woman involved in this."

"It wasn't Jessica Riley who called Andreas and had him send the police that night." He paused. "But I find it interesting that you're lying to keep me from knowing about Melissa Riley. I was planning on looking her up in the near future, but I believe I'll have to put her near the top of my list."

"And distract your attention from my humble self?"

"There's time for all of you. Have you killed Cassie Andreas yet?"

"What?"

"You have the Wind Dancer. There's no reason to keep her alive. She must be a burden." He laughed. "My God, you haven't done it. That soft streak is going to be the death of you. It's difficult to be patient. Think about it. Dream about it. I will." He hung up.

Travis swore softly as he punched the end button.

"Problems?" Galen was standing in the doorway.

"It's about time you got back."

"Deschamps?"

Travis nodded. "You struck a nerve when you invaded his territory. Evidently, he's feeling the need to communicate."

"Anything interesting?"

"Just threats." Against him, against Melissa. "Damn, I wish we could have traced the call."

"Who knew he would decide to call you?"

"He may call again."

" If I start trying to get a tech crew together, we'll blow the cover."

Travis knew that. It was just damn frustrating that he couldn't take advantage of the lead. "He has contacts. He had my number and he knew the statue wasn't in the museum. He also knew Melissa was the one who blew the whistle. Can you find out who he's using?"

"I can try." His gaze shifted to Melissa, who was sitting on the beach. "Are you going to tell her?"

Travis hesitated and then shook his head. "Nothing to tell." Nothing but ugliness and blood and a homicidal maniac focusing on her. She had enough on her plate and didn't need another shock. "Maybe if you can get me something concrete."

Galen turned to go back into the cottage. "And maybe not. I can see protectiveness raising its gnarled, interfering head. If she does find out, you can bet she's going to give it a lethal karate chop."

Chapter Twenty

"Good news. We've identified the man who was found dead in the basement of the museum, sir" Danley said. "He was Pierre Cardeau. Born in Marseilles, a petty thief, but he's been known to take jobs in a variety of more violent areas. Excellent with guns." He paused. "And he was in Nice at the time of the attempt on your daughter at Vasaro."

"So he could have been in on it," Andreas said. "But on which team? Travis or the bastard who tried to kidnap her?"

"Are you still so sure that they weren't in it together?"

Andreas wasn't sure of anything. "All I know is that I want Travis caught."

"We're doing everything we can. This is a real break. Cardeau had a brother, and we picked him up this morning. They worked together occasionally. If he knows anything, I promise you we'll know it too."

"How long?"

Danley smiled. "Oh, very soon, Mr. President. I guarantee it."

Andreas wasn't going to question either Danley's certainty or his methods. It was the first break they'd had since Cassie had been taken, and he'd take anything he could get, any way he could get it. " Let me know as soon as you hear."

"Good morning." Galen looked up from the stove when Melissa walked into the kitchen the next morning. "Sit down. I'll have breakfast ready in just a minute."

"I didn't hear you come in." She sat down at the table. "Where's Travis? Isn't he up yet?"

"He rushed off the minute I got here. Cannes, I believe." He set a glass of orange juice down before her. "The Karlstadt business. He said he'll be back as soon as he can make it, but it could be a couple of days."

"Did you find Danielle Claron?"

"Not yet. But her father promised to have her call me if she surfaces."

"He doesn't know where she is?"

"He says he doesn't. Of course, he may cons ider everyone a threat to his daughter." He smiled. "Though who could be less intimidating than me?"

"Attila the Hun."

"Careful, I'll leave the seasoning out of your scrambled eggs. And what's life without the spices?" He set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her. "How's the little girl?"

"No more nightmares."

"Travis said you'd pulled the plug on them. Congratulations."

"I got lucky. It could have gone either way." She began to eat. "So you're here on guard duty in Travis's place?"

"I just needed a little vacation by the sea. After all, I'm the one who's been doing all the work. How are the eggs?"

"Fine." She sat back, her gaze narrowed on his face. "Will you tell me if Monsieur Dumair or Danielle Claron calls you?"

He stared at her thoughtfully. "What would you do if I said no?"

"Become very frustrated and start thinking of ways to find out for myself."

"I thought so." He nodded. "I'll tell you. Though Travis will not be pleased with me. Now, what do you want for lunch? My abundant talents are at your disposal. Ask me for anything."

She smiled. "You've already given me what I want."

Cannes

2:50 P.M.

The roof of the hotel.

Possibly the open window above the bakery.

Or the souvenir shop on the corner.

Any of the three or maybe none of them.

Travis stepped farther back in the shadows. He had already checked out the street earlier in the day, but he would have to check again before the meeting with Karlstadt that evening. To be unprepared was often fatal.

Was that movement in the alley beside the bakery?

6:05 P.M.

Galen and Melissa were sitting down to supper when his phone rang.

Melissa stiffened.

Galen smiled. "It could be anyone. An important person like me has to remain in touch."

"Answer it."

He nodded as he flipped open his phone. "Galen." He listened, his smile fading. "Right. I'll tell Travis. Of course I'm interested. I said, I'll tell Travis. Could I have a number to call you back?" He pressed the end button. "She hung up."

Her heart jumped. "She?"

"Danielle Claron."

"Are you sure? How did she sound?"

"Scared. Very scared. And no, I can't be sure about anything. But she had my number and she knew I'd talked to her parents."

"What did she say?"

"That she needed money, a lot of money. And a safe place to hide. She wouldn't promise anything until we came to terms. She wants to meet with Travis tonight."

"Where?"

"At the old church at the north edge of the village. She said they'd built a new one in the center of town and this one is deserted now. She'll be there after midnight."

"Then we have to go and meet her."

He shook his head. "Travis will go. It's with him she wants to bargain."

"But Travis isn't here, dammit."

"I'll phone him later." He glanced at his watch. "He's supposed to be meeting with Karlstadt in a couple of hours and the situation may be very delicate at the moment."

Even after his "delicate" situation was resolved, Travis would never let her go with him to the church, Melissa thought with frustration. And there was always Cassie to think about. "You stay with Cassie. I'll meet with Danielle Claron. There's a chance she'll feel less threatened with another woman, isn't there?"

He shook his head. "She specified Travis. Besides, she has to be targeted by Deschamps. It will be dangerous to be anywhere near her."

Her hands clenched into fists. "I'm not stupid. I won't barge right up and call for-"

"I know you're not stupid." His lips tightened. " But you don't know this game. I don't agree with Travis that you should be kept in the dark, but I'm not helping you act recklessly."

She could tell by his expression that she wasn't going to be able to move him. She got up from the table and strode toward the door.

Galen jumped to his feet. "Where are you going?"

"For a walk. I'm mad as hell and I need to burn off a little steam." She gave him a grim glance over her shoulder. "Did you think I was going to jump in the car and head for St. Ives?"

"The thought did occur to me."

"Like I said, I'm not stupid, Galen. I know you'd try to stop me and you're probably very good at stopping people." She slammed the door behind her and ran down the steps. She moved quickly, forcefully, her heels digging into the soft sand. She'd had to get out of the house before she exploded.

She wanted to hit someone, dammit.

No, she wanted to hit Travis. He was blocking her at every turn and seeing that Galen would be no real help to her either. This was the first break, a chance to find Deschamps, and she was supposed to sit here and wait for someone else to find Jessica's murderer.

Jessica.

Don't tear up. She had cried too much already, and she couldn't think straight when she let emotion rule her. She stopped at the edge of the surf and looked out at the sea. She felt very small and alone.

Stop thinking like that. Negative thoughts were bull. She was alone, but that didn't mean she couldn't do anything that had to be done.

She just had to work on it.

8:35 P.M.