No, it was something else, something he couldn't put his finger on. Oh, well, it would come to him. “I'll stay in touch, Dickens. Keep on the woman. Don't just tail her. I want to know everything about her. Watch her, get a tech van, and monitor her phone calls. Let me know when you find a hole in her armor.”

“If I find a hole.”

“No, Dickens, when. Everyone is vulnerable—even you.” He hung up before Dickens could reply. He didn't want Dickens to have a chance to stammer or ask questions. It was important to strike just the right note with people of his caliber. You had to instill fear and never let them get the upper hand. Ki Yong had furnished him with a tool that was only adequate and had to be constantly sharpened.

Until it was worn out and had to be destroyed and tossed away.

8

I can't see you right now, Gillen. Perhaps in a day or two. Just be patient and—” Silver looked up as Kerry marched into the library and plopped down in the visitor's chair in front of the desk. “I'll call you back.” He hung up and stared warily at her. “May I help you?”

“You're damn right. It's been two days,” Kerry said. “And I'm tired of waiting for you to start teaching me something useful. I thought we'd agreed on what needed doing.”

“And I told you that I was running the show. Just be patient.”

“That's what you just told that Gillen person on the phone. I'm not buying it. While I'm being patient, Trask is probably setting up his next kill.”

“No doubt. But Fairchild's death had a sobering effect on the other people on Trask's hit list, and they're being much more careful. We have a little time.”

“But it doesn't make sense that we don't move ahead and—” She broke off as she saw he was staring at her with a complete lack of expression. It was like talking to a wall. “Damn you.” She stood up and started for the door. “I'm not going to wait forever. I want your help, but if you stall me much longer, I'll go after Trask on my own. I can't take this.”

Silver flinched as the door slammed behind her.

He had been expecting a blowup from her, but he'd hoped he could put it off for another day or so. Well, he hadn't gotten lucky. It had happened and now he had to deal with it.

A discreet knock and then George opened the door. “I beg your pardon, sir, but I ran into Ms. Murphy on the stairs. I'm forced to advise you that you're handling her with incredible stupidity.”

“Oh, am I? And would you like to tell me how I should handle her?”

“I wouldn't presume.” George shrugged. “Well, actually, I would. She's a woman who's used to action, and this inactivity is driving her crazy. I can fully sympathize.” He met Silver's gaze. “Because I feel the same way. So when are you going to get off your duff and do something?”

“I am doing something.”

“You'll forgive me, but I see no sign of it.” He added thoughtfully, “Yet I judge you to be a man who hates to spin his wheels. You could be telling me the truth.”

“Thank you.”

“Sarcasm isn't necessary. People who try to make a mystery of their lives should expect both skepticism and questions.”

“Mystery?”

George smiled. “I'm not really complaining. I enjoy a good whodunit. It stimulates my mind and imagination.” He turned to leave. “And I've been stimulated with some rather bizarre ideas since I met you.”

“Would you care to discuss them?”

“Presently.” He opened the door. “But I'm not your primary worry right now. I assume Ms. Murphy is important to you, and you may be losing her.”

“I won't lose her.”

“Such confidence. It makes one wonder on what it's based. . . .”

The door shut behind him.

Damn it all. Silver grimaced as he rose to his feet. George was too perceptive and his instincts were sharp. He was coming very close to the truth about Silver, and Silver didn't know whether that would be good or bad. Privacy had been a way of life to him for too long.

But George had been right about Kerry. He couldn't afford to lose her even though she might not be ready.

And it was too dangerous letting her simmer while he waited for the ideal time and situation to come together.

He might have to go for it.

Damn him.

She strode over to the window and stared blindly out at the driveway below. She should have known better than to try to budge Silver when she knew what an arrogant bastard he could be.

No, she'd been right to confront him. She hated this lack of control in their relationship, and she didn't like the idea of this delay. Trask might be moving closer to his next victim. How could Silver be so sure that they had time?

She was getting upset again. She should probably go for a walk or something and stop letting this impasse eat at her.

The hell she would. She wasn't going to trot meekly off and try to forget that she was right and Silver was wrong. She was feeling angry and hurt and helpless and there was no way she was going to stay that way.

She went to the closet, pulled out her suitcase, and tossed it on the bed.

There was a knock on the door. “Kerry.”

Silver.

She didn't answer it.

“Kerry?” He opened the door and stood watching her throw two T-shirts and underwear into the suitcase.

“May I ask where you're going?” He answered his own question. “For God's sake, be patient. You can't go after Trask by yourself.”

“I'm not going to be patient.” She threw a pair of jeans into the suitcase. “I'm going to do something.”

“What?”

“Oh, don't worry. I was angry with you downstairs. I'm not going to go after Trask and risk losing him.” She closed the suitcase and snapped the lock. “But I can't sit around and wait for you to teach me how to get to him. You just take your time. When you're ready, you come after me.”

“Where are you going?”

“Marionville.”

“The place where Trask grew up? Why? Surely you don't think he's gone to ground there?”

“No, but his roots are in that town, and I may learn something about him that wasn't in that dossier. Knowledge is power, and I need all the power I can get. I don't like feeling this ineffectual.” She gave him a fierce glance. “And don't tell me to be patient again. I'm sick of it.”

“I gathered that you were. What do you think you're going to learn?”

“How the hell do I know? Maybe the way he thinks. Maybe a clue to what makes him tick so that I can push the right buttons.”

“You do know there's a possibility you may be followed?”

“And that might not be bad either. At least it would mean something was happening.” She dragged the suitcase from the bed and started toward the door. “I'll see you when you get around to doing what you promised.”

“You'll see me before that.” He took the suitcase from her. “I'm going with you.”

“You're not invited.”

“I'm used to barging in where I'm not wanted. It's a way of life to me.” He opened the door for her. “So stop spitting at me and let's get going.”

“I don't need you. Ledbruk's agents aren't going to let me go anywhere without surveillance. If you think you're going to protect me, I can—”

“Oh, I know, you think you can protect yourself. Well, maybe you can. But that's probably what all of Trask's deceased targets thought,” he said. “Anyway, it wouldn't stop me from worrying, and I'm not going to go nuts wondering what's happening to you. I'd rather be on the spot and know.” He started down the stairs. “So are we going to take Sam?”

She stared at him for a moment before she slowly followed him down the stairs. “No, he'd be in the way. We'll leave him with George.” It was clear he was absolutely determined, and it didn't really matter whether he came with her or not. Maybe it would give him a nudge to start working with her. “I don't intend to be gone more than a day or two.”