Pure Dynamite (43 page)

Food and coffee were already on the table. Nevin joined them.

Willy motioned for Adam to have a seat. "Dish up. Chow's hot. And I bet these will be the best chicken and dumplings you ever ate."

Adam spooned a generous portion onto his plate. "After prison, everything's the best."

"I won't beat around the bush," Willy said after they'd both taken a few bites of food. "Lyle said you've made arrangements for my explosives?"

Adam lowered his fork. "I've confirmed availability, but there are a few details to work out, like payment and delivery. And I've had to blow my partner off twice now, which means he'll be jumpy."

"Montague? Can't blame him. I suggest we bring him here. We can complete our transaction. And discuss ... the future."

"Whose future?" Adam eyed the two men with undisguised suspicion. "And why would I want to discuss it with you?"

"Hear me out." Willy wiped his mouth. "I did some checking on you and your partner, and I think I finally figured out how you two were managing to rip off Uncle Sam."

"Oh?" Adam couldn't wait to hear this.

"Somehow, you managed to hack into the munitions program, arranged for inventory to ship from one warehouse, then you logged it in as received at another, after intercepting it somewhere else. The beauty of it is nobody even knew the stuff went missing since the computer showed it all accounted for. Till your girlfriend ran her mouth, that is."

Adam swallowed coffee, neither confirming nor denying. "And you got this information where?"

"Burt and Tristin figured most of it out. Now, I know I'm missing a lot of the details—for example, you had to have someone helping on the inside—but, to date, the Feds haven't figured out how you did it. So I'm betting your partner went in and removed every trace that you'd been inside the computer. Which means you can go back in, right?"

Again, Adam didn't acknowledge. But he knew by the gloating glint in Willy's eye that the old man assumed he was correct. "Is that what you meant by the future?"

"Yep. And I have a business proposition. You and your partner will make twice what you did before, plus you'll have new identities and transportation to Australia. I hear there's acres of nice looking women down there."

The inference was clear: With so many women, Adam wouldn't bat an eye over losing Renata.

Adam picked up a piece of bread and spread butter on it. "If I'm making twice as much, what's in it for you?"

"Commissions," Willy leaned close. "You know how much U.S. military arms sell for overseas?"

"Yeah. Big bucks. Which surprises me a bit. Doesn't that go against the pro-American doctrine all those groups you belong to embrace?" He knew many of the militia group members professed to be devoted patriots who simply felt the federal government overpowered the little man.

"Over the years I've become pro-Willy. Period. My associations are pretty limited these days, but the Feds still try to link me and my boys to every radical group they can."

Adam dished up more dumplings. "Guess that makes it easier to harass everyone under the guise of searching for you. Kill twelve birds with one stone."

"I hadn't thought of it that way." Pleased, Willy pushed his plate back. "Just give it some thought. For now we need to concentrate on getting that C-4, pronto."

"I'll need access to a phone and—"

A noise sounded from the hallway. Adam turned, saw Burt. Renata hovered behind him. Her hands were cuffed and she'd been gagged and blindfolded again. Seeing her treated like that angered him.

He turned to Willy. "We need to get clear on one thing: The woman can care for Lyle, but her well-being is my affair. I also don't think she needs to be tied up all the time. Where's she going to go?"

Willy looked at him, then nodded. "In here, that's fine. Someone will be with her whenever she's taking care of Lyle. But I'm putting you up in the bunkhouse near the barn, so I insist you keep her handcuffed in your quarters. I don't want to have to worry about her slipping away."

"Fair enough."

Willy nodded at Burt, who untied Renata. "In fact, he can take you out there now, let you get settled. We'll meet again a little later."

As soon as Adam and Renata left with Burt, Nevin turned to Willy.

"Lyle's pretty sick, Pa. He's trying to hide it, but his wound looks terrible."

Willy grew quiet. "I know. I'll have that doctor check him more often."

"Maybe we should move them into the house so she's closer."

"Not just yet. There's something you need to know about Lyle." Willy got up and poured another cup of coffee. "I saw a lot of gunshots like that in 'Nam. Once gangrene sets in, it's all over."

"You think it's that bad?"

"Yep. You never forget the smell of death. And if that infection spreads down his leg—he'll lose use of it."

"Be a cripple?" Nevin's revulsion showed on his face. "Lyle would hate that."

"All of us would. But I don't want to upset Lyle by telling him that. Who knows? Maybe he will get better from those antibiotics." Willy's voice said
I doubt it.

Somber, Nevin nodded. "Guess I'll go up and visit with him a bit. When will you meet with Duval again?"

"Not sure. I need to make a few calls while he's not around. And I need you to arrange to have the helicopter on standby to pick up his partner."

"You sure it's safe to bring him here?"

"We don't have a choice. Besides, I think Montague's the real brains behind their operation. He may be more valuable to us in the long run."

Nevin's frown deepened. "What if they decide not to join up?"

"We'll kill them. After we get the C-4, that is."

"And the doctor?"

Willy shrugged nonchalant. "Right now Duval's just looking for a bedmate. Can't blame him after prison, but even he knows she's history."

Stars twinkled in the sky as Adam and Renata followed Burt. Night had fallen, taking the temperature into the fifties, a considerable contrast from the scorching temperatures they'd left in North Carolina.

They passed a rundown barn. Tucked behind it, near the woods, was a small bunkhouse. Inside were two tiny bedrooms and a living area. The air was musty, the rustic furniture coated with dust.

Easing Renata into the closest chair, Adam checked each room even though it was obvious the place hadn't been used in a while.

Burt nodded to Adam's gun. "You always this jittery?"

"Cautious." He tucked his firearm away. "I also want to know the entrances and exits. How many others are staying here?"

"Just you and the doctor. Why?"

"I'd feel bad if I shot someone in the middle of the night, only to find out they were
supposed
to be here."

"No one will bother you. We're the only ones at the house right now. There's two guards stationed at the front, but they have a small trailer. You might see them at meal times."

The news that only two others were at the compound encouraged Adam. Those odds were better.

Burt tossed him the handcuff key, then crossed the
room and opened a tiny closet. It was empty. "Well, that figures. I'll go back and get some supplies from the house. Sheets and towels, too."

"The woman needs food. And I could use some coffee."

When Burt left, Adam motioned for Renata to remain silent. He knew she had a lot of questions; couldn't imagine what she must be thinking and feeling. Hell, he hadn't sorted it out himself yet.

The day had turned out to be one bombshell after another. Willy's interest in a long-term deal with Adam's fictional partner, Daniel Montague, was unexpected, but timely. It also confirmed that Willy believed Adam's cover.

Methodically searching the rooms, he checked for electronic listening devices, even climbed into the small attic space. He didn't expect to find anything, knew Willy kept him away from the main house to protect his own privacy.

A knock sounded at the door. It was Burt again. He carted a box of supplies to the table. "Pa said he didn't realize how late it was. He'll meet with you in the morning."

Adam had no choice but to agree. While he couldn't appear overeager, he was anxious to hear more about Willy's business proposition so he could contact his brother.

As soon as they were alone again, he unfastened one of Renata's handcuffs, leaving the other to dangle at her wrist. He placed his fingers over hers as she rubbed the chafed skin.

Unable to resist, he cupped her cheek briefly. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm scared," she admitted. "Afraid I'm going to do
or say something wrong, something that will get us both killed."

"You won't."

She held up her other wrist. He loosened the second cuff but didn't remove it.

"Willy wants you cuffed out here, so we need to keep one in place," Adam explained. "If we get visitors and I can't get to you, you need to cuff yourself."

"How soon can you get us out of here?"

"Not soon enough. I'll know more in the morning." He led her to the table and unwrapped the plate of chicken and dumplings Burt had brought. "You must be starving. And exhausted."

While she ate, Adam made up one of the beds. When he finished he found her asleep at the table, her meal only half eaten.

He flipped off the lights and gave his eyes a chance to adjust to the dark. Then he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. She stirred briefly, but relaxed when she saw it was him.

He tucked her in but made no attempt to join her. Yeah, he wanted her. Bad. But he wouldn't disturb her now unless her life depended on it.