Killer Dreams (16 page)

She hurried out of the room and ran down the hall. Royd had said Michael was at the Run with Jock but she had to see Royd first. She had told MacDuff he was always unpredictable, but something had changed. She sensed it even more strongly than MacDuff.

She would
not
let him leave her because he was developing a conscience about putting her at risk.

She tore up the stairs. Check his room first. Then go and make sure that he wasn’t at the stable, where they’d parked the rental car.

He was sitting on the bed talking on the phone, his duffel open beside him. He hung up as she came into the room. “Did you come to say good-bye?”

“No, I came to tell you that I’m going with you. MacDuff’s arranged for a satisfactory replacement to care for Michael.”

“Really?” He stood up and zipped his duffel closed. “Are you sure of that?”

“Yes, and stop trying to shake my confidence.” Her hands clenched. “This is the right thing to do. I know it.”

“Tell me that when you’re a thousand miles away from your son.”

“Damn you.” Her voice was unsteady. “You had no problem with using me when we started. What the devil is different?”

He met her gaze across the room. “The difference is how I want to use you.”

She couldn’t breathe. She could feel the heat tingling through her.

“You knew it,” he said harshly. “It’s been coming. I’m not a man who hides what he’s feeling.”

She moistened her lips. “But I didn’t think sex would interfere with what was important to both of us.”

“Neither did I. So maybe it’s not sex.” His lips twisted. “That shook you. If it’s only sex, then it’s strong enough to blow me out of the water. And if it’s that strong, you’re going to have trouble with me. I’m not cool and civilized like your ex. So think twice before you come anywhere with me.”

“Are you trying to make me afraid of you?” She shook her head. “You won’t rape me.”

“No, but I might try anything else in my bag of tricks.”

“I’m going with you.”

“Fine. Good. Why should I worry? All I want is to screw the hell out of you before you get yourself killed.” He grabbed his duffel. “I arranged for the plane. I want to leave here in thirty minutes.”

“Then you’ll have to wait. I have to talk to Michael. Is he still at the Run with Jock?”

“As far as I know.”

“I’ll meet you at the car as soon as I finish.”

“I need to see Jock. Send him to the courtyard.” He strode out of the room.

She drew a deep breath. Jesus, she was shaking. Yet she could still feel the heat spiraling through her. It bewildered her. She had been overflowing with fear and horror and worry about Michael and then suddenly had come this overwhelming need. The response had been intense and mindless as an animal in heat.

But she wasn’t an animal in heat aching to couple with Royd just because his sexual appeal was raw and bold and…

Stop it. Get back on track.

Find Michael. Try to make him understand why his mother was going away again when he’d just learned his father had been murdered.

How the devil was she going to do that?

14

M
ichael and Jock were not playing ball. They were sitting on one of the huge boulders that bordered the Run.

“Hello, Sophie.” Jock rose to his feet. “Everything okay?”

She nodded jerkily. “I need to talk to Michael. Will you leave us?”

“Of course.” He studied her face and then turned to Michael. “I think your mother needs a little help, Michael. You take care of it. Okay?”

Michael nodded. “I’ll see you later, Jock.”

He smiled. “You bet you will.”

“Royd wants you to meet him in the courtyard, Jock,” Sophie said.

He nodded and strolled toward the path.

She turned back to Michael. How to begin?

“You’re going away, aren’t you?” Michael asked quietly.

She stiffened in shock.

Michael gazed out at the sea basked in sunset glow. “It’s okay, Mom.”

She was silent a moment. “It’s not okay. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to leave you. If you resent it and me, I’d understand.”

He shook his head. “How can I be mad at you? You’re my mom. Things are bad for you right now. You’re trying to do what’s best for all of us. Jock says I have to do my part.”

“Jock?”

“But even if he hadn’t told me that, I wouldn’t be mad.” His hand reached out and grasped her own on the rock. “Remember, last night when you told me about duty and that sometimes it was a joy and sometimes a kind of burden? You were talking about me. But I’ve got a duty to do too. You’re in trouble and I’ve got to make it easier for you. That’s my job.” His lips tightened to keep from trembling. “I’m gonna be scared. I’m gonna worry about you. You’ve got to promise me you won’t get hurt or anything.”

“I’ll try not—” Oh, what the hell. “I promise.”

“Jock said that someone would be here to take care of me while he and MacDuff took care of you. I won’t cause them any trouble, Mom.”

Her throat was tight with tears. “I know you won’t.” She slid her arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. “I’m very proud of you, Michael. Did Jock tell you who was coming?”

He shook his head.

“Well, I’ll tell you what I know.”

“I don’t want to think about it. Jock will tell me later.” He leaned back against her. “Do you think maybe we could just sit here together for a while? You don’t have much time, do you?”

Thirty minutes. She could mentally see Royd pacing the courtyard. Too bad.

Her arm tightened around Michael. “Enough time. No hurry.”

It was fully dark when she reached the courtyard. Royd had drawn the rental car out before the front door. She instinctively tensed as she saw him leaning on the passenger door. “I had to spend a little time with him.”

“For God’s sake, I know that. Do you expect a tongue-lashing?” He opened the passenger door. “That’s why I waited over an hour before I sent Jock back to break it up. Get in. I told Jock to delay him fifteen minutes so that we could be out of here when Michael got back. You don’t want him to see you go, do you?”

“My duffel.”

“In the trunk.”

“I have to talk to MacDuff. I’ll only be a moment.”

“I’ve already talked to him. Jane MacGuire is going to call you back on your cell phone. Will you get in the car? You don’t want this any worse for Michael than it already is.”

She got into the car. “No, I don’t want that.” She leaned back and closed her eyes. “Get me out of here.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do.”

She heard the driver’s door slam and the engine spark to life. Royd didn’t speak until they’d driven for a few moments. “Pretty rough?”

Her eyes opened. “Do you mean, did he have hysterics or shout at me? No, he was understanding and loving and he didn’t do anything but break my heart. He’s such a good kid, Royd.”

He nodded. “I know. I wasn’t around him much but I could see that.” He paused. “But Jock said that he’s certain Michael is going to be safe. He knows these people and he trusts them. That should make you feel better.”

“It means everything.” She glanced at him. “You’re being suspiciously sympathetic.”

“Am I? I’ll have to watch that.” His foot pressed the accelerator. “You might get to thinking I’m a decent human being.”

“I never said I didn’t believe you were—”

“Come on. You never think of me in connection with Garwood? You never remember what I was?” He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “What I am?”

“That doesn’t mean you’re not decent. If I believed that to be true, then I’d have to question my own decency.” She changed the subject. “Jock told Michael that he and MacDuff were going away to help protect me. As far as I knew, MacDuff was going after Devlin.”

“His horizons expanded after I told him that Devlin would be under Sanborne’s protection. If he has to topple Sanborne and Boch to get at Devlin, he’ll do it.”

“And it’s better if we have a common plan and aren’t stumbling over each other.”

“Exactly.” His phone rang. “Royd.”

“Kelly?” Sophie murmured.

He nodded. “Stay where you are, Kelly. We’re on our way to Miami. I’ll let you know whether to come back to the States.” He hung up. “He’s in Barbados. It was the closest port when he lost the
Constanza
.”

“Miami? Why Miami?”

“It’s a good jumping-off place. We don’t know where Gorshank is located. He may be in the islands or still in the U.S….”

“Or anywhere else in the world.”

“From what you’ve told me, my bet is that Sanborne would want him and his work close and under his thumb.”

Yes, he would, Sophie thought. “When do you think we’ll hear from MacDuff about Gorshank?”

“He’s not going to drag his heels.”

“I know. I just don’t want—I’m scared. Before, the damage was limited. One on one. This is different.”

“Gorshank’s formula may be a bust. You said you didn’t know how he came up with some of his results.”

“And it may not be a bust.” She straightened her shoulders. “I can’t think about it now. I just have to take one minute at a time.”

“Sound reasoning. It will be an hour until we get to the airport. You might try to relax.”

“I can’t relax.” She gazed out the window into the darkness. “Not until Jane MacGuire phones me.”

“It didn’t work out,” Devlin said when Sanborne picked up the phone. “I did the best I could, but you didn’t tell me Royd would be on the scene.”

Sanborne cursed. “I wasn’t certain that he was. You’re sure it was Royd?”

“Oh, yes. I have a knife wound in the shoulder with his name on it. I know him well. We ran into each other frequently at Garwood.”

“If you were that close, you should have taken him out. What good are you to me?”

Silence. “I’m sorry,” Devlin said meekly. “What can I do to make amends?”

“Kill the child and the woman.”

“It’s too late. Royd identified me and will tip off MacDuff. If I get near the castle, they’ll hunt me down. I obeyed your order and removed an encumbrance. Well, several encumbrances. The police will be all over the property.”

“You careless idiot. You know that I didn’t mean for you to compromise your mission.”

“You told me to do what I had to do. I know you don’t want me to be caught when I can still be of use to you. Just let me go after Royd and he’ll lead me to the woman.”

“Then stay in Scotland and do the job.”

“I don’t believe they’re still here. Royd knows me very well and he’ll think he can track me down.”

“And you think you can track him. Which one of you is right?”

“Me. Because he’s burdened himself with the woman. That will drag him down.”

“You said you shouldn’t go back to the castle.”

“If he’s still there, he won’t be long. He wants you and now he wants me. He can’t get either sitting in that castle.”

“And Sophie Dunston?”

“You gave me an order. Naturally, I’ll get the job done. It just may take a little longer.”

Sanborne thought about it. The priority had definitely changed now that he knew that Royd had linked himself with Sophie. He was a danger that must be removed quickly and efficiently. “The woman may be picked up by the police at any time. Royd won’t stay with her if it puts him in danger. He wants me too badly to risk being picked up as an accessory.”

“Then I can go after Royd?”

“When he surfaces. You’ll stay with me until he does.”

“To protect you?” Devlin added quickly, “That’s smart. You mustn’t be hurt.”

“I’m glad you remember the prime directive,” Sanborne said sarcastically. “Sometimes I wonder about you, Devlin.”

“Why? I always do my job, don’t I?”

“Always. But there’s usually considerably more blood than I deem necessary.”

“A means to an end.”

“Perhaps.” He looked down at the report on the desk in front of him. If the analysis of Gorshank’s results was accurate, it could alter his focus. “Things are changing. Stay on the alert. I may have another job for you while we’re waiting for Royd to pounce.” He hung up. The blood that Devlin reveled in might not be so bad in this case. It might intimidate Sophie into coming into his camp. She must be feeling hunted, and having Devlin that close to her son could have been devastating to her confidence.

Go after the bitch and try to lure her again?

Maybe. He hadn’t been pleased with Gorshank before and now he was becoming uneasier by the day. At first he had thought that he’d discovered the perfect replacement and that he could afford to rid himself of Sophie. But Gorshank wasn’t as brilliant or innovative as Sophie, and the results of his last tests had been promising but tentative. Seven deaths and ten people who had shown only a small amount of the docility level he’d been striving to reach.

Wait until Devlin killed Royd and she felt more alone?

If the boy had not been behind stone walls, he could have taken him and let her son’s pain persuade her. But Devlin had said the boy’s security was very strong and now the countryside was crawling with police. Yet it might still be possible….

He’d have to decide soon. Boch was urging him to proceed with the final tests and give him the go-ahead to start negotiating.

Come on, Royd. Devlin is waiting on you.

And this time I won’t object to how much blood he spills.

Sophie’s phone rang a few minutes before they were due to board the plane.

“Sophie Dunston? I’m Jane MacGuire.” The woman’s voice was throaty and young but vibrated with strength. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you earlier, but I thought you’d rather I wait until I’d arrived at the Run and you could talk to your son.”

“Yes, I would.”

“He’s in the next room. I’ll call him when we’re finished. You’ll want to ask me questions. Go ahead.”

“MacDuff has told you about my son’s sleep disorder?”

“Yes, I’m sleeping in the room next to him. We’ll get along.” She paused. “He’s a fine boy. I’m sure you’re proud of him.”

“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “MacDuff said your father was a detective. I’m surprised you could persuade him to come with you.”

“It wasn’t easy,” Jane said frankly. “Joe tries to go by the book. But not when a kid’s life is at stake. Then he throws the book out the window. You can trust him. If I had a child, there’s no one I’d rather have looking after him than Joe.”

“You could get into trouble for doing this. Why are you willing to risk it? Are you that close to MacDuff?”

“Hell, no.” She paused. “That wasn’t a reassuring answer, was it? MacDuff and I have a history and we aren’t always on the same page. But we agree in this case. The boy has to be kept safe and Joe and I can do it.”

“Are you a policewoman?”

She chuckled. “Heavens, no. I’m an artist. But Joe has taught me to take care of myself and others. Any more questions?”

“Not that I can think of right now.”

“Well, you can always call me back. I’ll be here with your son, joined at the hip. I promise.”

“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. May I speak to Michael now?”

“Right away.” Her voice rose. “Michael! Here he comes.”

“Mom?” Michael came on the phone. “Are you okay?”

“Fine. I’m just about to get on a plane. Is everything good there?”

“Yeah, sure. Joe is a good guy but he doesn’t play soccer. He said he’d teach me judo instead.”

“That sounds…interesting. What about Jane?”

“She’s nice. And pretty, real pretty. She reminds me of someone….”

“Be sure and do what they say. They’re only there to help you.”

“You don’t have to tell me that, Mom. I’m cool with it.”

“Sorry, I guess I’m feeling a little out of the loop and trying to hold on to you. I know you’ll be as smart and good as you always are with me.” She drew a deep breath. “I love you. I’ll call you whenever I can. Good-bye, Michael.” She hung up.

“Satisfied?” Royd handed her a handkerchief.

“As much as I can be.” She dabbed at her eyes. “Jane MacGuire seems honest and frank. I think she’ll take care of Michael.” She drew a shaky breath. “And he likes her. Even if neither she nor Joe Quinn can play soccer. He didn’t seem to think it mattered. He says she’s very pretty.”

He smiled. “That could be trouble. Maybe Michael’s testosterone levels are beginning to soar. You may come back to a boy with a king-size crush.”

“I don’t care. I’ll handle that when I’m with him again.” She handed him back his handkerchief. “Let’s go.” She started for the plane. “Where are we going to stay in Miami?”

“Well, not the Ritz. I rented a cottage on the beach up the coast. I’ve stayed there before. Private, isolated, and fairly comfortable. It should do until we know where we’re going.”

She nodded. “I want to go over that Gorshank disk again. As I told you, I thought I caught a few holes in those formulas. I need to work through them when I have time to concentrate.”

“You spent an entire day concentrating on them.”

“A day isn’t much to spend on a work that probably took Gorshank at least a year to formulate.” She paused. “And when I was studying that disk, I was shaken and scared and that doesn’t make for clear and analytical thinking.”

“Oh, I forgot.” His smile faded as he followed her up the plane steps. “Your guilt complex had shifted into high gear by then. By all means, study those formulas. Maybe you’ll find you’re not really Hitler or Goering. That would be a pleasant surprise.”