IRIS

JOHANSEN

FIRESTORM

BANTAM BOOKS

CONTENTS

Title Page

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

BOOKS BY IRIS JOHANSEN

Copyright Page

PROLOGUE

She couldn't breathe!

“Mama!”

“I'm here, baby.” Kerry was being gathered in her mother's arms. “I'm going to put this cloth over your nose. Don't fight me.”

Mama was coughing and Kerry could barely hear her through the crackling.

Crackling?

Fire! Flames were climbing up the curtains at the window.

“It's okay, Kerry. We'll be out of here in just a few minutes.” Mama was moving toward the bedroom door. “Just try not to breathe too deep.”

“Daddy!”

“He's not here, remember? But we can make it. We're a team.” She opened the door and then took an involuntary step back as black smoke blasted into the room. “Oh, God.” She braced herself and then ran into the hall.

Fire everywhere. Crawling up the walls, licking hungrily at the banister going down the steps.

Her mother was crying. Tears running down her soot-stained cheeks as she hurried down the stairs.

Don't cry. Don't cry, Mama.

Her mother had reached the landing when she suddenly lurched and pitched forward.

Falling. Tumbling. Hurting.

Where was Mama?

She couldn't see her in the smoke-filled darkness.

“Mama!”

“Go on, Kerry. The door should be only a few feet away from you. Go outside and find someone to help us.”

“No, I won't go.” She was sobbing, whimpering. “Where are you?”

“Right behind you. I've hurt my leg a little. But you have to mind me. Run!”

Her voice was so commanding that Kerry instinctively jumped to her feet and ran toward the door.

Fresh cold air.

Find someone. Find someone to help Mama.

She slipped on the icy steps and fell to the sidewalk.

Find someone.

There was a man across the street, standing beneath the streetlight.

She picked herself up and ran toward him. “Help. The fire. Mama . . .”

He was turning and walking away. He must not have heard her.

She ran after him. “Please. Mama said I had to—” He turned and she stared up into his shadowy face only dimly lit by the flickering flames.

She screamed.

“Shh, be quiet. There's nothing you can do.” He raised his hand and she saw something glittering, metallic in his grasp. A gun? He brought it down on her head.

The night exploded.

1

OAKBROOK

WASHINGTON, D.C.

This isn't the end of it, Brad.” Cameron Devers's lips tightened with irritation. “I've no intention of standing by and watching you waste your potential working with those damn nutcases. You're one of the most brilliant men I know and I have a job for you here.”

“Where you can keep an eye on me?” Brad grinned as he leaned lazily back in the chair and stretched his legs out before him. “It wouldn't do you any good. I'm a lost cause.”

“Only because you want to be. And it's not good for you. You're burning yourself out. Look at you. You've lost weight since I saw you last.”

“A little. I've had a rough four months.”

“Then give it up and come to me.”

“And do what? If I were anywhere close to you, the media would eventually ferret out our connection. Besides, you can't trust me. I'd get mad and open my mouth at the wrong time and blow your political career.” His smile faded. “I've done a hell of a lot of harm to you in these last years, but I won't do that.”

“I'd chance it. I've been in the Senate for twelve years and if my reputation can be damaged by just having you around, then maybe it's time I stepped down.”

“No!” Brad paused and then tempered his tone. “Look, Cam, don't be an ass. Everything's going fine. We don't need to change anything.” He stood up and glanced around the elegant, book-lined library that breathed wealth and solidity. “This isn't my world. You can't squeeze me into your mold because you want me to share the good life.” He smiled. “Besides, what would Charlotte say?”

“She'd come around. She just has some weird ideas about you.”

Brad looked at him inquiringly.

Cam made a face. “She says you make her uneasy. She thinks you're . . . sinister.”

“She used that word? I didn't think anyone could make your wife uneasy. Maybe I'm more intimidating than I thought.”

“She doesn't understand you. Like I said, she'll come around.”

“There's no reason to force her to make the effort. Things are fine as they are.”

Cam was silent a moment. “Did it ever occur to you that I'm being selfish? I've missed you, Brad.”

He meant it. Cam was always honest. “Oh, shit. Don't do this to me.” Brad shook his head. “I've missed you too. Maybe we can arrange to get together more often.”

“That's not good enough. I've been looking at my life since that horror on September eleventh, and when it all comes down to the bottom line, it's friends and family that count. I won't let you walk away again.”

“Cam.” Charlotte Devers was standing in the doorway, sleek and sophisticated in a black gown. “I didn't want to disturb you, but we're going to be late for the embassy dinner.” She smiled at Brad. “You and Cam can talk when we get back.”

He shook his head. “I'm just leaving, anyway.”

“No, you're not,” Cameron said firmly. “I'll only be gone a few hours and I want you here when I get back.”

“Perhaps tomorrow?” Charlotte suggested. “I've had a room prepared for you, Brad.”

As usual, Charlotte was trying to control the situation with gentle skill, Brad thought. She wanted Cam to leave and she didn't want him to talk to Brad until she could find a discreet way to ease Brad out on his ass. Well, he couldn't blame her. She valued Cam's career more than his brother did and was always on guard to protect it.