“Nelda Avery?”

Joe nodded. “Probably through one of Drogan’s contacts. Or maybe she’s had a plan in mind for Sandler for a long time and just set it in motion. She appears to be very efficiently tying up all the loose ends she left dangling all those years ago.”

“Hans Gelber, now Cara Sandler. So much for having a witness that could keep Beth from being tossed back in that hospital.” She leaned her head on Joe’s chest. “Hell, Joe, Cara Sandler was in Canada. Nelda is reaching out like a scorpion and stinging—” She drew a deep breath. “Maybe if we tell Beth about Cara Sandler, it will have some effect and she’ll be able to see the pattern.”

“We can hope it will—” His phone rang and he glanced at the ID. “Newell? Why would he call from—” He accessed the call. “What’s happening?”

He listened for a moment. “See what you can find out from your friends at the hospital.” He hung up and took Eve’s arm. “Come on, let’s go downstairs and watch the news on TV. Harry Pierce has been reported missing.”

“Pierce?”

He nodded as he nudged her down the stairs. “He had a meeting with an important donor at noon today and he didn’t show. He took out $800,000 in cashier’s checks early this morning. Stella Lenslow was with him last night and presumably this morning.”

“Then maybe Pierce lost his nerve, and he and his lady friend took off for some South Sea island.”

“Maybe. He didn’t impress me as being very brave but he was greedy. Less than a million dollars? I think he’d want more than that to set up his own Shangri-la.” His lips tightened. “Newell is seeing what he can find out at the hospital. We’ll have to watch for more news and try to put a picture together.”

*   *   *

“WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME, Nelda?” George asked as soon as he picked up the phone. “I can’t stall the media much longer, and Rick is asking questions, too. What’s happening?”

“I’ve called Rick and told him that I’m fine. Let the campaign people handle the media.” She didn’t want to deal with George just then, but it wasn’t smart not to keep him calm and think he was still in the loop. She was too far away to influence him on a physical basis, and verbal reassurance was the best she could do. “I just wanted to let you know that everything is going well, and I should be able to come back in a few days.”

“You didn’t answer me,” George said. “What’s happening? Have you found Beth?”

“No. Not yet. But I’m getting close. It shouldn’t take much longer.”

“If you’re that close, then leave it up to Pierce.”

Pierce. It was going to cause a problem when George learned about Pierce’s death. Maybe prepare him a little? “I’m having trouble getting in touch with him. He may have decided to take the money we’ve been paying him and head for sunnier pastures.”

“Bullshit,” George said bluntly. “He’s been under your thumb too long. He hasn’t the guts to double-cross you.”

George was too sharp. She’d just have to deal with the Pierce problem when it developed. “I hope you’re right. I just want to have Beth back in that hospital and be on my way home to you.” She added quickly, “I have to go now. Take care. I’ll let you know if there’s any progress.”

“There doesn’t appear to be much chance of that happening.”

“Don’t be pessimistic. Trust me. Things are working out very well. Definitely progress.” She hung up.

It was true. There had been progress once she had gathered the reins into her own hands. Not the kind with which George would be happy, but it was the only kind she could make and still protect herself. She had taken the weapons she had found and made them her own. Drogan had been a particularly valuable tool, with his lethal mind-set, contacts with other equally efficient killers around the globe, plus a total lack of loyalty to Pierce. She’d needed only to furnish the money, and he had provided the means to start eliminating all the troublesome people who had been a danger to her for years. It had been almost a relief to know that she could break those chains she’d been forced to wear because of that night at the chalet. She was going to be free. She should probably have made this move before, but Rick had always been in her way. Now she had no choice since Pierce had failed so miserably to erase Beth from the scene.

But the list of the people who had been dragging her down and keeping Rick from reaching for the heights was dwindling. All she had to do was control Drogan after he cornered Beth and made the kill. It shouldn’t be too difficult. She was far more clever than Drogan.

And far more clever than Stella Lenslow.

She had a sudden memory of Stella sitting on the bed that morning. She couldn’t deny that the slut had stirred her. It had been a long time since she had felt that intensity of lust, and it had been even stronger because she knew Stella was so dangerous. It might have been interesting to take a few chances and enjoy the skills Stella was offering to show her.

Interesting and exciting …

CHAPTER

16

STELLA HAD NEVER LIKED MOUNTAINS.

She gazed out the window of the plane at the darkness of the Rocky Mountains below her.

Beaches and surf had always been more flattering backgrounds to show her off to advantage. Heat and undulating rhythms and sensuous breezes suited her very well. What could you do with mountains but climb them and smile when someone said how inspiring they were?

Boring.

As boring as the trip had been so far. It had been bad enough during the daylight hours when she had first boarded the plane, but now that it was dark, all you could see were the red lights on the wings and the shape of the mountains below. She was ready to land, but it was at least another hour until they reached Vancouver, where she would change planes.

The only thing that made the trip bearable was the fact that she was on a private business jet. Well, not totally private. There was a Korean businessman toward the back of the Learjet who looked promising but seemed too involved with his wife sitting beside him to be worth bothering about. She had flown with Pierce a few times on private aircraft, and she liked them. They made her feel rather special, and this corporation jet of Nelda’s was particularly luxurious: soft lights, leather seats, and burl wood accents.

“More champagne?”

She looked up at the smiling male flight attendant, Mark Telfer, who was standing beside her seat. Good-looking but probably gay. He hadn’t paid her more than polite attention.

“Why not?” She gestured to her empty glass. “It’s very good.”

“The best.” He refilled her glass. “If you’d like anything else, all you have to do is call me. I received a note from Mrs. Avery right before we took off, and she said to make sure that I fulfilled your every wish. She specified the year for the champagne and sent a box of after-dinner chocolates for me to serve you.”

That was good news. Not that she doubted her effect on Nelda was anything but a success. She was always able to gauge her power over people. She lifted her glass. “I’ll keep that in mind. I can see how you’d want to please the boss. How long have you worked for the Averys?”

His brows rose. “Oh, I don’t work for them. This jet is leased to New China Porcelain. We have no direct connection with the Averys.” He shrugged. “Though occasionally we’re hired to do a discreet run for them. But then they always have their own crews and insist that their names are never listed on any record. They just show up at flight time and board the plane. Like you, Ms. Lenslow.”

“Discreet?”

He grinned and winked. “Top secret.”

“How interesting.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t you find it curious enough to explore?”

“No, I like my job just fine, and they’re only one client among dozens. Not really important.”