Jessie turned around in her seat. “They’re gaining on us,” she said worriedly. “They’re almost across the bridge.”
“Makes no difference,” Herbert said. “London is the best city on earth if you want to lose someone.”
“But I don’t think you’re losing them,” Jessie said. “They’re getting closer!”
“I want them closer.”
“What?” Kendra and Jessie said in unison.
“That’s the only way this will work.”
Herbert cut the wheel hard left and sped past The Savoy hotel.
“They’re still behind us,” Jessie said.
“Good.” Herbert slowed slightly, allowing the Audi to gain on them.
“What the hell are you doing?” Kendra asked.
“Watch and be amazed.”
As they approached Trafalgar Square, Herbert turned into a roundabout that took them past three turnoffs. At the fourth, Cockspur Street, he sharply pulled the wheel left and barely made the turn. Their pursuers, with no time left to make a similar move, sped past on the roundabout.
Herbert cackled as he sped up. “One more trip around for them. By the time they make the exit, we’ll be long out of sight.” He turned left on Pall Mall and made three more turns before they finally turned right on Piccadilly. “Ah, here we are. Those blokes didn’t know who they were dealing with. Now all we have to do is decide where you’ll be safe.’ ”
“I believe I can handle that,” Kendra said quietly. “I need you to drop us off at the park across from Devon Chadwick Mall. Are we fairly close?”
“It’s maybe ten minutes off Piccadilly.” He was frowning. “But we might need to discuss this.”
“No, we don’t,” Kendra said. “Get there as quickly as you can.”
“If you say so.” But Herbert was grumbling to himself as he proceeded down Piccadilly.
Jessie was more than happy, though. She smiled as she leaned back in her seat. “Wow. That was awesome. Sorry I doubted you, Herbert.”
“No offense taken, young lady. Just sit back and enjoy the rest of the ride. We’re almost there.”
Kendra was looking out the window at Piccadilly Circus. “I have fond memories here.”
Jessie shrugged. “It seems kind of touristy.”
“That never bothered me. It’s where I got my sight for the first time.”
Jessie gazed at her in surprise. “Really?”
Kendra nodded. “I’d had the procedure a few weeks before, and I was scheduled to have the bandages removed the next morning. I guess I was afraid of disappointing the doctors and my mom if it didn’t work. So I came here and took them off myself. It was nighttime, Christmas week, and all the lights and decorations were up. It was beautiful. I was twenty years old, and it was the first thing I ever saw in my life.”
Jessie put her hand on Kendra’s arm. “Definitely fond memories. I get it.”
Two minutes later, Herbert pulled over in front of a park, across from a large shopping center. He was frowning as he looked back at Kendra. “I don’t like the idea of dropping you off anywhere in town. Not wise. Those blokes following us weren’t exactly amateurs. Fitz said he wanted me to keep you safe. I have a place in mind that’s much more secure, a nice little hotel outside the city.”
Kendra firmly shook her head. “I have a few things I have to see and do before I leave here.”
Jessie frowned. “Are you sure, Kendra? Herbert seems to know what he’s doing.”
“I’m certain he does.” Kendra reached for the handle of the door. “But in this case, so do I, Jessie. Now stop arguing and come with me. I’ve let you practically run the show since youplopped down in that seat beside me on the plane, and I’ve been very grateful. But it’s my turn.” She got out of the cab. “Thank you, Herbert. If we need you, we’ll call.” She was walking toward the path to the park. “Jessie?”
“I’m coming.” Jessie was scrambling to get out of the cab and catch up with her. “You just surprised me.” She waved goodbye to a very disapproving Herbert before they were lost amid the park’s lush stands of trees and greenery. “I take it we’re not going to discuss this?” Her eyes were narrowed on Kendra’s face. “You seem to know exactly where you’re going. Correct?”
