The Last Templar

Chapter 40

A s she pulled into the driveway outside her house, Tess misjudged the curb and hit it hard before squealing to a halt.

Sitting there, paralyzed with fear, she looked at her hands. They were trembling, and her breath was coming short and fast. She struggled to compose herself. She had to be calm about this. Come on, Tess. Keep it together. If she could just manage that, maybe, just maybe, she and Vance could each get what they wanted.

She got out of die car and suddenly regretted her decision not to tell Reilly about what had 86

happened. She would have still been able to come here, while he set up . . . what? A SWAT team, men with guns and megaphones all around the house, bellowing "Come out with your hands up."

Hours of fraught hostage negotiations before the inevitable and highly risky—however minutely planned—assault? Her imagination was getting die better of her. She tried to stay focused on the reality around her. No, maybe her choice had been the right one after all.

In any case, it was too late now.

She was here.

Walking up to the door, she suddenly hesitated. She could imagine what had happened here. Vance would have rung the bell, spoken with

Eileen. A few words about Oliver Chaykin, about Tess, and Eileen would have been completely disarmed and probably charmed too.

If only she had told Reilly.

Sliding her key into the lock, she opened the door and walked into the living room. The scene that greeted her was surreal. Vance was there, sitting with her mother on the sofa, chatting amiably, sipping a cup of tea. Tess could hear music coming from Kim's room. Her daughter was upstairs.

Eileen's mouth dropped when she saw the disheveled state her daughter was in. She jumped out of her seat. "Oh my God, Tess, what happened to you?"

"Are you all right?" Vance stood up, sounding genuinely surprised.

He has the nerve to ask that. Tess stared at him, doing her utmost to keep her rage, which had by now overwhelmed any feelings of fear that she had, under control.

"I'm fine." She managed to find a smile. "There was a leak in the street outside the office and this truck drove straight through the puddle just as I was standing there, and, well . . . You don't want to know."

Eileen took hold of her daughter's arm. "You've got to get changed, dear, you'll catch cold." She turned to Vance. "You'll excuse us, won't you, Bill?"

Tess stared at Vance. He was just standing there, radiating warmth and concern.

"Actually, I'm afraid I really should be going." His eyes bored into Tess's. "If you want to give me those papers, I'll be on my way. Besides, I'm sure the last thing you want is a guest in the house right now."

Tess stood there, glaring at him. The silence was deafening. Eileen looked at Vance, then at Tess, who could tell her mother was clearly sensing something uncomfortable in the room. She quickly snapped out of it and smiled at Vance.

"Of course. I have them right here." She reached into her bag and pulled out the manuscripts. She handed them to him. He reached out to take them, and, for a few seconds, they were both holding on to them.

"Thanks. I'll get to work on them as soon as I can."

Tess forced another smile. "That would be great."

Vance turned to Eileen. He took her hand and cupped it in his. "It's been a pleasure."

Eileen relaxed and blushed, her face beaming from the compliment. Tess felt hugely relieved that Eileen was spared the truth of who Vance really was. For now, at least. She turned back to Vance. She couldn't read his look. He was studying her.

"I should be going." He nodded at Tess. "Thanks again."

"Don't mention it."

He stopped at the door and turned to Tess.

"I'll see you soon." And with that, he walked out the door.

Tess left Eileen and stood at the door, watching him drive off. Eileen joined her.

"He's such a nice man. Why didn't you tell me you knew him? He told me he's worked with Oliver."

"Come on, Mom," Tess said in a low voice, as she quietly shut the door.

Her hands were still shaking.