Stalemate

7

She didn't go down to dinner that night and at seven-thirty that evening Miguel came to the door with a tray.

"You shouldn't have bothered. I'm not hungry."

"It's no bother." Miguel put the tray down on the low chest by the door. "It's just a sandwich and a salad. And it's my pleasure. Turnabout. You're going to help the Colonel. I'll help you."

"I didn't tell Montalvo that I'd help him. Everything's… changed."

He nodded. "And you're very upset about it. He knew you would be. Trust him. He'll try to keep you safe."

"'Try'? That's a little too uncertain for me." She sat down at the table and lifted the cover. "But you appear to trust him."

"Of course I do."

"Why?"

"Because he does what he says he's going to do. And he's always there when I need him." He poured her coffee. "He saved my life, you know."

"I didn't know. I don't know anything about any of you."

"That's right." He smiled. "But you'll learn more if you stay and help the Colonel."

And she needed to know more. She'd spent the afternoon torn between skepticism and hope. "How did he save your life? You're very young to be involved with a man like Montalvo."

He grinned. "That's what he says. He keeps trying to send me away. He tells me I need to go to school and learn to better myself. I'm pretty good just as I am. I'm a damn good soldier."

"Then join the army. Don't stay with a criminal. If he saved your life, he probably put it in danger to begin with."

He shook his head. "No, he killed my father."

She gazed at him in shock. "What?"

"My father was going to kill me. He'd already killed my mother. I was hiding in the forest and he was tracking me down. I was only thirteen. I wouldn't have been able to hide from him for long."

"Jesus, why would he do that?"

"The drugs. He distributed Diaz's drugs to the farmers as part of their payment for growing. He was a user too. When he was on the drugs, he'd beat my mother and one day he killed her. If I'd had a gun, I would have shot him. I took the drugs he had in the house and threw them down the well. Then I took off into the forest. He shot me before I could get very far. In the leg. I kept crawling but he caught up with me." His lips tightened. "I remember him standing over me and aiming his gun at my head to finish me off."

"And Montalvo shot him instead?"

"Yes. He'd come looking for my father and followed him into the forest. He thought he might be a weak link who could tell him something about the death of his wife." He smiled. "Was I not lucky? He killed the son of a bitch."

She shouldn't have felt that sense of shock at his words. The attitude was probably healthy. Fathers and mothers were only as sacred as their actions toward their children. She had run across many abusers in her life. She was glad that Miguel had survived and apparently managed to not be permanently scarred. "You're lucky if you take hold of your life and don't cling to Montalvo."

"He doesn't let me cling. He just gave me a home and a purpose. He says that purpose is important."

And Montalvo's purpose was revenge.

And finding his lost one.

And wasn't that her purpose too?

"I'll go now," Miguel said. "If you need anything, call me. I'll stay close."

"Wait."

He glanced back at her.

"Did Montalvo send you to tell me this?"

"No. He said to bring you supper." His lips indented in a faint smile. "But he's very clever and knows me well. He might have guessed what turn the conversation would take."

"I'd bet on it," she said dryly.

"Please finish your sandwich. You need your strength." He opened the door and left the room.

Jesus, another Montalvo in the making, she thought. And Miguel had the same tenacity and determination as his idol, together with an appealing boyishness. She liked the kid.

She finished the last bite of her sandwich. Miguel was right, no matter what path she took she'd need strength and determination to get her through the-

Her cell phone rang.

She tensed as she saw the name on the ID screen.

No, Joe. Not now.

It rang again.

Dammit, she'd told him she wouldn't answer if he called her. Why was he-

It rang again.

She punched the button. "Joe, I can't talk to you."

"The hell you can't. You're doing it."

"To tell you that I'm fine and there's no reason for you to worry."

"How nice of you to offer me that scrap of comfort. You're not fine. Not as long as you're in that compound. And I'm going to worry until I have you out of there. What do you expect?"

She expected exactly what she was getting from Joe. Anger and near-explosive frustration. "I expect you to respect my decision."

"Your decision? He swayed you like a snake charmer. He used Bonnie, dammit."

"Yes."

"Lies, Eve. You know it's lies. You knew you were following a ghost when you came down here. You just couldn't help yourself."

"You're right, I thought he might be playing me when I got on that plane. It didn't matter. I had to take the chance." She paused. "But after I got here I found out that there's a chance he wasn't lying. I have to stay until I can decide if it's worth-"

"No!"

"Don't tell me no. I'm the one who has to decide. I'll call you when I do."

"Don't hang up." He was silent a moment and she could feel him struggling for control. "Galen tells me that I'm blowing this. I can't afford to do that."

"Galen? He's with you?"

"He's more with me than I'd like. He keeps interfering."

She had a sudden suspicion. "Joe, where are you?"

"If I used my telescope, I could probably see you."

"Shit."

"My feelings exactly. You should be here with me, not in that compound."

"Go away, Joe. I don't want you here."

"It's mutual. I'm staying. And Galen insisted on bringing everything from explosives to surveillance equipment so we can set up for the duration."

"Joe, Montalvo's a desperate man. And he has a damn army at his disposal."

"Then come out and save me."

"Joe, listen to me. Montalvo's promised me you won't be harmed, but accidents happen and I don't want one of his men to get trigger-happy and shoot you."

"How do I know you're not being held against your will? Maybe Montalvo's standing there with a gun to your head."

"Your imagination is working overtime. I told you-"

"I don't know anything without seeing you face-to-face. I'll leave when you leave."

"Joe, don't blackmail me. I'm not-"

"Blackmail is permitted in circumstances like this. I'll do anything I can do. And Galen says if you won't come out and save me, you can save him instead. Or make it a package deal and get double credit."

"I'm hanging up, Joe. When you call me again, I want to hear you're in Bogota." She pressed the disconnect.

Jesus, it was exactly what she'd been afraid would happen. Admit it, what she'd known would happen or she would never have made Joe a part of her deal with Montalvo. Yet there had been the slightest hope that her actions wouldn't impact Joe.

She stood up and went over to the window and gazed out at the dark jungle. He was there. Close. She was filled with panic and yet there was also a tingle of primitive joy. They were together. That was how it should be. Her mind had said to leave him, but there was no rhyme or reason where instincts were concerned.

Crush those instincts. Protect Joe. She could understand his doubts about her safety. Telephones were often deceptive and unsatisfactory. Yet if she tried to meet with Joe and convince him in person that he should leave, she might be tempted to go with him. She didn't know what Montalvo's reactions would be if she ran. She would have bet on violence before she'd come here. Now she knew him better and yet he'd become eve more of an unknown quantity. He was a desperate man. Desperation could be even more deadly than ruthlessness.

"Quinn's here," Miguel said as he came into the library. "We have a report of a helicopter sighting this afternoon. We think it landed about twenty miles north."

Montalvo frowned. "You're sure it wasn't one of Diaz's? He's been making his presence known lately."

"We checked the number. Rented in Bogota to a Carmine Valdez. The pilot was to drop the clients off and then stay in the neighborhood to pick them up when they called."

"Description?"

"Does it matter? Quinn would have hired someone to do the rental for him."

"No, it doesn't matter." Montalvo grimaced. "I was hoping that I wouldn't have to face that problem right now. I'm making progress."

Miguel nodded. "But she's an emotional woman. She can be swayed by her feelings. I could see that tonight. She wanted to reach out and comfort me."

"She'd do just as well to comfort a tiger cub."

"Tiger cubs can be very cuddly," he protested. His expression sobered. "Do you believe Quinn is close? We've had no report from any of our sentries."

"Quinn was in the SEALs. There's a good chance our sentries wouldn't see him. If they did, they might wish they hadn't."

"Do you want me to go out and find him?"

"No, I don't know yet what I'd do with him if we found him."

"So what do we do?"

"We tell the men to be on high alert. We report any sign of Quinn. And we don't touch a hair of his head until I give the word."

"He could be an opportunity."

How many times had he said that? Montalvo thought as he gazed at the boy. It shouldn't surprise him that Miguel had thrown it back at him. An opportunity was to be grasped, never ignored.

"This particular opportunity could have a backlash. We'll wait and watch and see what he does."

"And see what she does?"

Yes, it all depended on Eve. Quinn would try to get in touch with her and his influence would be powerful. Which way would she jump?

It was almost midnight when Eve left her room. She saw Soldono crossing the foyer as she started down the steps.

He stopped. "It appears to be a late night for all of us."

"I have to see Montalvo."

"And I just came from having him grill me."

"Why?"

His gaze searched her face. "I think you know."

"Joe?"

He nodded. "Montalvo wanted to know if the CIA is helping him. He's here in Colombia."

It couldn't have been worse news. If Montalvo knew, they might be scouring the jungle for Joe right now.

Soldono's eyes narrowed on her face. "Just how near is he, Eve?"

"Too close. Did you help him get here?"

"Not personally. But there's a good chance Venable might have given him a hand."

"Then tell Venable to get him out of here, dammit."

"I don't give Venable orders. He's my boss."

"Then he shouldn't interfere in my business. I got Gonzales out of here for you. You owe me. I won't have Joe killed."

"I'll do everything I can to-"

"Forget it." She strode past him. "I'll take care of it myself." She went into the library and slammed the door. "You promised me Joe wouldn't be hurt, Montalvo."

Montalvo turned away from the window. "He hasn't been hurt yet."

Yet. Ice shivered through her. "And he won't be. I have your word. If you do anything to him, I'll kill you myself."

"I'd be stupid to take out Quinn when I have you considering helping me. I've worked very hard to accomplish that coup. I don't want you angry with me. But he shouldn't have come after you. Accidents happen."

"Not to Joe."

"He's contacted you?"

She hesitated. "Yes."

"And you couldn't persuade him to let you make your own choice." He shrugged. "He's a stubborn man."

"He's not sure that you're not holding me against my will. He said that you could be forcing me to tell him everything's all right."

"A valid premise." He met her gaze. "Convince him. I can't keep him safe if he persists in getting in my way. My men are trained as soldiers. When attacked, they react instinctively."

"Then you can forget about my doing the reconstruction."

"Stalemate." He was silent a moment, thinking. "You want Quinn to leave. You don't want to be forced to make a decision, even by him. What can I do to help you get him away from here?"

Knock the stubborn idiot on the head and put him on a helicopter, she thought in frustration. "I need to see him face-to-face. He needs to know that I'm under no restrictions. I have to have time to talk to him and persuade him to leave. It's the only thing I can think of that might help."

"And what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to swear you won't follow me and that no one will hurt Joe while I'm meeting with him."

He studied her, his expression impassive. "And what if I give you my word and then you take off with him?"

"I'll promise I won't do that. If I go, it won't involve Joe."

He nodded slowly. "I believe you."

"Swear to me."

He smiled. "I swear on the grave of my wife that I'll not follow you or do harm to your Joe. When do you want to do this?"

"As soon as I can get in touch with him. Tonight."

"You want to go alone? The jungle's not safe at night."

"And I'd probably get lost. I'm not jungle-savvy. Give me Soldono."

"Miguel would be happy to-"

"Soldono."

"Very well. Understandable. Miguel is definitely loyal to me. Sometimes a little too much." He moved toward the door. "You make your call. I'll get Soldono for you."

She reached for her cell phone. She'd bought time for Joe. If she could convince him to go, then he might get away from here alive. Montalvo had not been reassuring.

She drew a deep breath and dialed Joe's number.

Please listen, Joe. Listen.

"It could be a trap," Soldono murmured as he guided her through the dense undergrowth. "Montalvo could rid himself of an encumbrance and still bank on forcing you to do the reconstruction."

"It wouldn't be his style." Her gaze was peering ahead into the darkness. She'd taken down the directions but she didn't even know how far they'd traveled in the last ten minutes. "And he could force me to do a job but not necessarily a good job."

"You appear to be getting to know him very well."

"I've had no choice. I need to-" She jumped as the bushes ahead parted.

"Take off, Soldono. I've got her."

Joe.

But not the Joe to whom she was accustomed. He was dressed in khakis and boots, his hair tied back by a bandanna. This was Joe the ex-SEAL, the man who could kill silently and efficiently. She had seen him like this before when they'd been together in the bayous of Louisiana.

"That's up to Eve," Soldono said. "I promised her I'd take her to you and then bring her back to the compound."

"Go wait at the turn of the trail," Eve told Soldono. "I'll be with you in ten minutes."

"The hell you will," Joe said as Soldono moved away. "You're out. You're going to stay out."

"I came for one reason and it wasn't to-"

"It's no use. He's turning a deaf ear." Galen appeared out of the darkness behind Joe. "Hello, Eve. Quinn's a bit upset. You really shouldn't have taken off like that."

"Shut up, Galen." Joe didn't look at him. "Go away. I don't need you."

"I was about to do that. I need to do a little reconnoitering to make sure that Montalvo's not planning a double-cross."

"I've already done that," Joe said impatiently.

"I believe I'll do a second round," Galen said. "I wouldn't want Quinn to be dead meat, Eve. I've grown accustomed to his endearing nastiness. I might miss it."

"Montalvo's not going to ambush him," Eve said.

"I'll just take a look…" Galen disappeared into the shrubbery.

Joe's hand closed on her wrist. "We're going."

"Let me go, Joe. I promised Montalvo I wouldn't run."

"And I didn't promise anything." He smiled recklessly. "So I clip you on the chin, just hard enough to put you out, and you've kept your word and I've gotten what I wanted."

"You wouldn't do that."

"Look at me. I'd do anything to keep you safe. Anything."

She was looking at him and she didn't like what she saw.

His eyes were glittering with savagery in his taut face. "You're enjoying this," she whispered.

"No, I'd enjoy it if I could get my hands on Montalvo. Are the juices flowing? Hell, yes. Do I knock you out or do you come with me?"

"Neither." She looked down at her arm held by his hand. "Don't threaten me, Joe. And you're bruising me. Every time I look at my arm, I'll remember those bruises came from you."

"Better bruised than dead." But his grasp loosened on her arm. "And I don't care if you remember me as a brutal son of a bitch. Not if you're still alive to remember."

He was just as hard and angry as she'd known he'd be. Don't argue. It wouldn't work. She'd come here to explain. Do it. "I have to stay, Joe. It's my chance. Will you listen to me? Montalvo gave me a report. It was about Bonnie and I didn't…"

Galen slid silently through the shrubbery, his gaze raking the trees and palmettos on either side. He could hear Eve's voice but couldn't make out any words. Her tone was urgent, persuasive, almost pleading as she talked to Quinn. He doubted if it was going to do any good. Quinn was on the edge and ready to fall off.

What the hell? Wouldn't he feel the same if it were Elena in the same spot? He could tell Quinn that he should handle Eve with diplomacy instead of reaching out and grabbing, but Quinn was a desperate man and primitive instinct was para- mount now. Galen could only strike a balance and hope that Quinn didn't-

Something was moving up ahead.

He froze, listening.

An animal?

If it was an animal, the sound of its passage through the shrubbery indicated it was as large as a man.

Shit, it probably was a man. The direction of the movement was changing, cutting toward the path where Quinn and Eve were talking.

Galen started forward, his ears straining to hear the slightest sound.

Move fast.

Move quiet.

He had a fix on the location.

But the rustling had stopped, he suddenly realized.

Christ.

Screw being quiet. He took off at a run.

"The report could have been an elaborate fake," Joe said.

"That's what you said about the Valdosta report on Marty," Eve said wearily. "It turned out to be authentic."

"You know the saying: when you're about to tell a big lie, you pad the way with small truths. This could be the big lie."

"And it could be the truth. It could be the break I've been looking for all these years."

"You have the names. Let me go after them. You don't need Montalvo."

"Montalvo didn't need to give me those names. He trusted me to keep my part of the bargain."

"And after he has what he wants, he won't care what happens to you. Don't be blind. If he doesn't kill you, Diaz will. Opt out now while you have-"

"Eve! Down!"

Galen!

She heard Joe muttering an oath and then he was jerking her toward the ground.

A shot.

Pain streaked through her temple.

Darkness all around her. Fight it. Keep it at bay.

She was on the ground and Joe was covering her body with his own.

Another shot.

Joe's muscles jerked as the bullet entered his body.

No. No. No.

Her arms tightened around him.

Help Joe. Help Joe.

Darkness smothering her.

Help Joe. He was a dead load on her.

Dead. Don't think dead.

Help Joe.

Darkness swimming, increasing with every panicky breath.

Help Joe.

Oh, God, she couldn't even help herself…