“He won’t care if I live or die. How many times do I have to tell you that? We’re strangers.”

“Blood means everything. He killed my son. Blood for blood.” He turned and picked up the tranquilizer gun. “And who knows? I may bury you both beneath that driftwood outside.” He smiled as he headed for the door. “Kevin would like that …

*   *   *

“I THINK YOU’D BETTER come back to the hotel, Jane,” Margaret said as soon as Jane picked up the phone. “Forget about those security tapes. Something strange is going on.”

“We’ve already got the tapes. It didn’t take us that long. We’re already on our way back. What are you talking about?”

“I was monitoring those machines, and Cartland called Harriet. He wouldn’t talk to her on the phone. She went down to the lobby to talk to him.”

“What? Did she leave the hotel?”

“No, that was what I was afraid would happen. I followed her down to the lobby. She talked to Cartland, then made a phone call and went back to her room.”

“Could you get close enough to hear the conversation?”

“No way. They were being supercareful.” She paused. “And when CartIand called her, he didn’t want her to talk on the phone. Does that suggest anything?”

“That Cartland might be afraid that her phone has been bugged,” Jane said. “Shit.” She turned to Trevor. “She may be on the run. She could take off at any time.”

“But not yet.” He stepped on the accelerator. “We should be back at the hotel in ten minutes.”

Seattle

CATHERINE SILENTLY OPENED the door.

The sitting room was dark.

There was no sound.

But she knew Zander was in that room.

And Zander knew she was standing there.

“Really, Catherine, you’re making me feel harassed,” he said. “Though you’re very good. I didn’t even hear the door open.”

“You’re ready to make a move, aren’t you?” she asked. “I’ve been feeling it all day. And you didn’t want me to follow you. That means you found out something from that contact Slater you talked to last night. You know where Doane is.”

“No, I have no idea … yet.”

“But you are ready to move.” Catherine turned toward the corner from where his voice was coming, but she couldn’t make him out in the darkness. “You know something. I’m coming with you, Zander.”

“You’re not invited.”

“Too bad.” She glided forward. “Now let’s stop playing hide-and-seek. Turn on the lights.”

“But you have such a delightful voice coming out of the darkness. Very soft, very mysterious.”

“If you don’t take me with you, I’ll follow you.”

“I know you will.” His tone was regretful. “And I can’t allow you to do that.”

His voice was issuing from about a foot right of the corner of the room, she judged.

“You won’t kill me. Why should you? I’m on your side, on Eve’s side.”

“No one is on my side but me. I learned that a long time ago. And you would get in my way, Catherine. That could be a great danger.”

She could feel her heart pounding. “Okay, but I’m on Eve’s side. That means something to you.”

“Does it?”

“Yes. That man Slater told you something. What?”

“Would I lie to you?”

“Yes.”

He chuckled. “True, but in this case I’m not lying.” He added, “And why are you trying to move closer to me? That’s really not wise, Catherine.”

“I want you to be able to see me, touch me. I want you to remember who I am, all our conversations. I believe it’s much harder to strike down an antagonist you know.”

“Not for me.”

“Even you, Zander.” She paused. “You were waiting for me, weren’t you? Cat and mouse?”

“You’re much more like a sleek, beautiful panther than a mouse. But yes, I was waiting for you. Since you’re my bodyguard, I thought I should tell you something.”

“I can hardly wait to know what. You haven’t told me anything since I’ve been with you.”

“Don’t be sarcastic. Pay attention. Judging by your information from Jane MacGuire, once I’m taken, I figure that I’ll probably have from five to eight hours before Harriet Weber shows up to witness my execution. After she shows up, I think that Eve’s survival will be very dicey. In case something goes wrong with my calculations, it might be wise if you find that driftwood cottage. Purely as a backup, you understand.”

Shock jolted through her. “What the hell are you saying?”

“I’ve always intimidated Slater. He probably did know where to reach Doane, but he would never deal with me. But he’d put out the word that I was in town and where I could be found … for a price. By this time, Doane should have set up his ambush. I’d bet he’s outside now waiting for me to appear.”

“And you’re going to walk into it?” she asked in disbelief. “No, that’s a sure way to lose both Eve and you, dammit. I won’t let you do—”

“I told you, I’m the one in control, Catherine.”

“Not of Eve. You can commit suicide, but I won’t let you take Eve with you.” She gathered herself to leap. He’d be expecting it, but if she did a half—

“Find that cottage, Catherine. Just as a precaution…”

His voice was no longer coming from the corner, she realized in panic just a second before the edge of his hand came down on the back of her neck in a karate chop. He was behind her.

How the hell … The bastard had been throwing his voice and been behind her all the time …

Darkness.

*   *   *

A COLD, WET CLOTH on the back of her neck …

She slowly opened her eyes.

“You’re going to be okay, Catherine.” Stang’s voice was relieved. “I didn’t think that Zander would—But then I’m never sure what he’s going to do.”

Anger shot through her as she struggled to sit up. She threw the wet cloth on the floor. “Neither do I, evidently.” She glared at him. “Did you know he’d set himself up?”

“No, he doesn’t confide in me.” Stang took the wet cloth and put it on the coffee table. “But I admit I suspected … something.”

“How long have I been out?”

“About fifteen minutes. Zander phoned me and told me to go into the sitting room, then hung up.” He made a face. “Considering what a bad temper Zander has been in for most of the day, I was a little concerned when I saw you lying on the floor.”

Fifteen minutes. There was no way that she would be able either to catch up or stop Zander. “I can see how you might be. I was an idiot.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I acted like a crass amateur. I wasn’t expecting magician’s tricks.” She said in disgust, “He threw his voice, for God’s sake. Did you know he could do that?”

“No, but it doesn’t surprise me. He’s an expert, and it would come in handy in his profession. Zander always takes time and effort to study ways to keep himself alive.”

“Like walking into the lion’s den?” she said. “That’s a weird way to stay alive. Like risking Eve?” Her lips tightened. “He even gave me an estimate on the number of hours Doane would allow him to live if he couldn’t manage to get away from him. Five to eight. That’s all the time he would have, that Eve would have.” She whispered, “Five to eight hours. How’s that for a deadline.”

Stang tilted his head. “Why would he tell you that? That doesn’t sound like Zander.”

“Just as a precaution, he said. He told me to find that driftwood cottage as backup.” Her hands clenched into fists. “He probably doesn’t believe Kevin’s cottage even exists. But he saddles me with setting up backup in case he screws up and Doane kills him. Or maybe he just wanted to keep me busy so that I wouldn’t chase after him.”

“Precaution,” Stang repeated thoughtfully. “I’ve never known Zander to rely on anyone else for backup. He’d regard it as a mistake to trust anyone but himself.” He smiled slightly. “You’re to be complimented, Catherine.”

“I don’t give a damn about compliments. I care about Eve.” She pulled out her phone and dialed Gallo. “Zander’s gone. I think he’s letting himself be taken by Doane. Or maybe not. What the hell do I know what the bastard will do? He’s put Eve in a spot, and I—” She drew a deep breath. “We have to find that cottage, Gallo.”