“Not bloody likely,” he muttered as he opened the door of the car. “Don't fool yourself. Not for either one of us, Kerry.”

She could feel the heat flood her cheeks as she started up the walk. She should have known that the one thought she'd wanted to keep from him would be the one he'd pick up on. “Let me know if George has learned anything.”

“I don't think it will be urgent enough to break into your visit.” He got out his phone. “Or he would have called us. But you can be sure I won't close you out.”

She was aware of the slight emphasis on the pronoun. “Good God, after everything you've done, are you actually trying to give me a guilt trip?”

“Just stating a fact.”

She gazed at him in frustration before she jabbed the doorbell. “Damn you, Silver.”

Anything new?” Kerry asked as she opened the car door an hour later.

“George says everything is quiet on his front. Not a glimpse of anyone suspicious buzzing around any of the people Ledbruk has under surveillance.”

“Then where is Trask?” She shook her head wearily as she settled back on the passenger seat. “And what the devil is he doing?”

Silver backed out of the driveway. “At least you know Carmela and Rosa are safe. You should feel better about that.”

“I do.” She nibbled at her lower lip. “You're sure we weren't followed here?”

“I don't think so, but I can't be certain. There are so many high-tech long-range devices on the market that Dickens or Trask could be out of sight and still tailing us.”

“That's a comforting thought.”

“It's an honest answer. You don't want comfort, you want the truth.”

He was right. Facing the truth was the only way they might be able to survive. “I guess I was hoping for reassurance that maybe Trask had crossed Carmela off his hit list.”

“It could happen. But you might ask who'd be his prime target if he decided to do that.”

“I'm the logical—” She stopped as her phone rang and she reached into her handbag.

“How is our lovely Carmela? Fully recovered, I trust.”

Trask.

She drew a deep breath. “She's fine, Trask. And fully protected. You can't touch her.”

Silver muttered a curse and pulled over to the curb.

“I can touch her. Anyone can be reached. It just takes planning and the proper resources.”

“Does that mean you're going to try?”

“Perhaps. She's unfinished business, and I detest untidiness. She's definitely high priority since Firestorm was unable to complete its mission. I have to decide how high.”

“You're wasting my time. Why are you calling me, Trask?”

“I thought it time. I've missed personal contact with you, but I've been very patient. I've wanted to call you for days, but I had plans to make.”

“What kind of plans?”

“Why, I have to show you that you didn't best either me or Firestorm when you saved our little Hispanic charmer. That was only the opening battle.”

“Answer me. Are you going after her again?”

“Possibly. Mysteries are so intriguing. I believe I'll let you stay in the dark about that. That's really why I phoned you. I want to think about you worrying, on edge, perhaps even a little frantic. I find that a satisfying picture.”

“I'm not frantic, and I'll leave the worrying to the authorities.”

He chuckled. “I don't believe you. It's your nature to want to shape events to suit yourself. Like me.”

“I'm nothing like you.”

“You'll see. When you stand and watch Firestorm at work.”

“I've seen it. It sickens me.”

“You're lying to yourself. When you saw the warehouse burning, wasn't there a little excitement mixed with the horror you were feeling?” He didn't wait for an answer. “Never mind, you wouldn't tell me the truth. But I'll be able to see it in your face next time. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be in touch.” He hung up.

Her finger was trembling as it pressed disconnect. “The son of a bitch.”

“Without question. Did he leak anything?”

“No, he just wanted to touch base.” Her lips twisted. “He missed me.”

“He mentioned Carmela?”

“He knew she'd left the hospital. He said she was a high priority.” She drew a shaky breath. “Call back and talk to Agent Dorbin and make sure she knows we've gone to code red.”

He reached for his phone. “He may not know where they are. He could have just checked with the hospital to find out she was discharged today.”

“And he could have followed us. You said it was possible.”

“He told you that he was going after her?”

She shook her head. “The bastard likes to inflict his little torments. Hell, he likes big torment. He did say that anyone could be reached if you had the right resources.” Her teeth sank into her lower lip. “Christ, we have to keep her safe, Silver.”

He nodded as he dialed. “I'm not arguing. I'll call Agent Dorbin and then Ledbruk.”

While he made the calls she leaned back in the seat, staring out at the small, neat homes lining the street. This pretty subdivision was like a hundred others in a hundred other cities. It seemed impossible that a monster like Trask could be operating here.

It wasn't impossible. Nothing was impossible for Trask. He was completely unpredictable.

No, he wasn't unpredictable. Not if she concentrated on what she knew about him. She just had to suppress the panic and try to get one step ahead of him.

“Done.” Silver hung up. “Carmela's protection will be doubled. Though Ledbruk said he doubted if it was necessary. He was satisfied with the number of agents he'd assigned to her.”

“Maybe. If Trask was working alone. He mentioned ‘enough' resources.”

“Dickens?”

She shrugged helplessly. “I don't know. It doesn't seem as if . . . We'll have to see.”

He started the car. “That's for sure. But I'm not pleased about having to wait and—”

“Turn around.”

He glanced at her. “Why?”

“I want you to take me back to the safe house. I'm going to stay there with Carmela and Rosa.”

He muttered a curse. “The hell you are.”

“Why not? If it's safe for them, it's safe for me.”

“That doesn't mean you should mount guard over them yourself.”

“Yes, it does.” She met his gaze. “Because I'm the only one who may be able to know if Trask is stalking them. I may be able to stop him before he attacks. You know that's true.”

His lips tightened. “Then I'll stay too.”

“No.”

“What if he does have help? What if he sends someone else in to get Carmela? You'd be blind to anyone but Trask. You need me.”

But she didn't need to practically live on top of him in that tiny house. It was bad enough occupying a room in his multiroom mansion. “I'm not worried about anyone but Trask. Ledbruk's agents can handle anyone else.”

“Well, I'm worried, and I—”

“No, Silver.” She looked away from him. “I don't want you. Now, will you take me back to the safe house or shall I walk?”

He gazed at her in frustration before his foot stomped down on the accelerator. “I'll take you, dammit.”

Dickens had done well.

The farmhouse was almost perfect.

Trask gazed at the two-story cedar house with the wide front porch with satisfaction and a hint of nostalgia. He'd known that if he found the right place it would bring him this wonderful sense of déjà vu. There was no question this was the right place. It would be the ideal environment for Kerry and him to share Firestorm.

He checked his watch. Five to six. Almost time.

The front door opened and a stocky, graying man came out on the porch and then down the steps. Lon Mackey, on his way to feed the cattle in the barn down the road.

“Be sure you hurry,” Lon's wife, Janet, called after him. “They've got those college kids on Wheel of Fortune tonight.”

He chuckled. “I've got almost an hour. Am I supposed to let the stock starve because Pat and Vanna are on?” He didn't wait for an answer as he strolled leisurely down the path.