“Yes, he could,” Jane said. “His friends are all for the efficiency of drone strikes. But if she had even a hint that it was coming, she’d press the button.”

“Breital just reported that a woman of Harriet Weber’s description boarded the plane,” Venable said.

“I thought as much,” Caleb said. “The GPS indicates a move across the tarmac.”

Relief flooded Jane at his words. It had been logical that Harriet would not leave Kevin’s box of letters in the car after she’d taken it from the hotel, but it was good to have it confirmed.

The airport exit was just ahead, but they still had no confirmation from Venable.

“Two hours,” Jane pleaded. “Give us a chance, Venable.”

He was silent for a long moment. “Two hours,” he said at last. “No more. And I’m making alternate plans in case there’s a screwup. You wouldn’t like my alternate plans. Junot’s already made arrangements for the plane you requested. He commandeered an executive jet that was ready to fly to Las Vegas. That plane better be a hell of a lot faster than that Learjet because you’ll have to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before Harriet Weber does.”

Jane felt limp with relief. “Thank you, Venable.”

“I won’t say you’re welcome. I’m still mad as hell with you. And I want those nuke locations.” Someone was talking to him again. “Hangar 43. Get there and get there quick. It’s a Gulfstream. Harriet’s Learjet is requesting takeoff from the tower. You’ve got to hope she doesn’t get it right away, or she might be too far ahead for you to make up the time.”

“We’re almost there,” Trevor said.

But Venable was no longer on the line, and Jane could visualize him shaking and moving, cracking orders with whiplike effectiveness. She had no problem with that awesome efficiency as long as it wasn’t leveled against them.

“I’ll give Venable what he needs to know about the nukes as soon as we’re on the plane,” Margaret said quietly. “I’ll have time to go through those security videos and see if I can zero in on a probable location.”

Jane nodded. “Give the security tape to her, Trevor.” She was glad not to have to concentrate on anything at the moment. Her mind was a jumble of fear and hope and desperation.

They pulled into the parking space by Hangar 43, and she jumped out of the car. She could see the Gulfstream, sleek and golden, like a crouching puma under the bright lights.

That plane has to be fast, Venable had said.

Everything was now dependent on their reaching Seattle before Harriet.

“We’ll do it.” Trevor took her hand as he came around the car. He smiled down at her. “Stop worrying. We’ll send Caleb up to the cockpit to take over for the pilot. I’ll bet he has a few tricks to cut some time off the trip.”

“I’d already planned on it. I’ll get us there on time.” Caleb was striding across the tarmac toward the plane. “But you’re not helping by standing around holding hands. Nauseating. Get on the damn plane.”

*   *   *

HARRIET GAZED OUT THE window of the plane and watched a plane take off from the next runway.

The pilot had told her they were fifth in line for takeoff, but she was not impatient. She was on her way. That was all that was important.

It was beginning.

She could feel excitement flush her cheeks.

She reached out and lovingly touched the box of Kevin’s letters she’d set on the seat next to her. She felt as if she could feel that beloved energy tonight. Sitting in this plane, she was remembering the plan she and Kevin had made to go away. The minute the doors of the plane closed, he was going to press in the code to set off the nukes.

But he wasn’t here to do that, she thought sadly.

I’m trying to make sure everything else is all happening just the way you’d want it to happen, Kevin.

But that memory had made her recall something else she’d meant to do on this plane before it left the ground. Of course, she would call James later and tell him she was on her way.

But this other little task was something she had been anticipating.

She reached into her handbag and drew out the cell phone detonator. It was now fully charged and ready for business.

How do you know that old detonator would still work? Cartland had asked.

She felt a little thrill go through her as her forefinger gently rubbed the T key. So much power. Is this how you felt, Kevin?

That last quotation from Robert Service was echoing in her mind from the game she had played with her son, the final quote that would complete the sequence. He had not wanted to risk it in a letter but had called her on the phone. She could still remember the sound of his caressing voice.

You measure out my breath,

Each beat one nearer death …

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

Kevin was so clever. What was a more fitting detonation code for nukes hidden in a clock tower than the ticking of a clock? She slowly pressed in the code, letter by letter, every letter bringing the excitement higher.

TICK-TO

She was tempted to type in just more letter of the code to see if the thrill became more intense.

No, she wasn’t entirely sure that the timing mechanism on the nuke might not grab the code before it was completed. Better to be safe. She reluctantly typed in the alternate code.

For a moment, nothing happened.

She frowned. What the hell was—

Then it came on the screen in bold gold letters.

TESTING. YOU HAVE ACTIVATED THE UNIT.

DO YOU WISH TO CONTINUE WITH COUNTDOWN?

She smiled.

Oh, yes, Cartland. This old detonator definitely works.

Driftwood Cottage

EVE HEARD DOANE’S GUTTURAL cursing on the porch, followed by his heavy footsteps.

Then the door flew open, and he staggered into the cottage.

“Did you miss me?” Doane said. “As you can see, I brought you a present.”

He was bent almost double with the weight of the man he was carrying on his back. She caught a glimpse of the sleek white hair and powerful body.

Zander. It had to be Zander.

She had been hoping against hope that Doane would fail. There had been a chance. Zander was incredibly skilled, and it had seemed impossible that Doane could take him down. But everyone had a nemesis. Evidently, Doane was Zander’s. “Did you kill him?”

“No.” He dumped Zander on the floor beside the couch. “That would have been a defeat. I told you how it was going to be.” He buried his fingers in Zander’s hair and jerked his head back. “He should be waking up anytime now. He was such a fool. All I had to do was wait in the parking lot of the hotel until he came to get in his car. He was out cold in five seconds. I gave the dart a little extra narcotic to make sure that he didn’t cause me any trouble on the way here.”

“Like you gave me a ‘little extra’? Your judgment sucks. You’d better check to make sure that he’s still alive.”

“He’s alive.” He released Zander’s hair and straightened. “I shouldn’t have worried about having to deal with him after I got him in the car.” He nodded at the cuffs on Zander’s wrists and ankles. “He can’t move. He’s helpless.” He added with soft venom, “Helpless. I love the sound of it. Can you hear me, Zander? You murdering son of a bitch, you’re helpless. I’ve won.”

“I hear you.” Zander didn’t open his eyes. “And it appears I’m at a disadvantage, but you’ve not won, Doane.”

Doane reached down and slapped him across the mouth with a force brutal enough to break the skin. “Then fight back, show me.” He slapped him again. “Show me.”

“He doesn’t have to show you anything,” Eve said fiercely. “How brave you are, Doane. Always willing to strike out when it’s only a child or a man who can’t defend himself. Is that what you call winning? Maybe in your twisted—” Her head jerked back as Doane whirled and punched her in the face.