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“I remember him. He’s probably better than anyone else you have.”
“That crazy Irishman is hell on wheels, and he’s been with me for almost two years now. No one could be more loyal to you. He’ll be arriving there tomorrow morning. You’ll be pleased with him.”
“We’ll see,” Caleb said. “Anything else?”
“Not from me.” He added sourly, “Unless you’d like me to send a man out to the Run tonight to monitor what you’re doing out there.”
“That won’t be necessary. I know MacDuff’s property like the back of my hand. Jane has always liked the Run and it seemed a safe enough place to leave her occasionally.” Caleb added mockingly, “Though I appreciate your interest. But we both know what I’m doing is no one’s business but mine.”
“It’s my business,” Palik said testily. “You pay my salary, and I don’t want to lose a valuable source of income. I’m just telling you that Rodland will take good care of Jane and you don’t have to go trekking across those hills tonight.”
“I’m touched by your concern. But I have to make certain that the entire area is still safe since Bohdan got to Jennings. Back off, Palik.”
Palik muttered a curse. “I’m backing off. Don’t you think it took a lot for me to confront you on this? I just realized you’re being reckless and it wouldn’t hurt to opt out and let one of my people do the job. Which blows my professionalism to hell.”
“Or increases it enormously. It depends on how you look at it. Not everyone would find it annoying.”
“When will you arrive at MacDuff’s Run?”
“Another hour. But it will be at least another two hours after that before I’ll finish going over the property.” He suddenly chuckled. “I have to be careful. I don’t want to have one of MacDuff’s marines shoot a hole in me. I wouldn’t want to seriously damage your source of income.”
“Very funny,” Palik said. “But I’m not in the mood to be amused. I had to go down to the coroner’s office to get that report and I saw what Bohdan did to that agent. I didn’t like it. Because I think Bohdan enjoyed the hell out of it. Not that I give a damn about you. But I like Jane, and it makes me sick to think of Bohdan hurting her like that. So make sure whatever you do tonight doesn’t target her.”
Caleb’s hand tightened on the phone. He couldn’t speak for a moment. “There’s no way on earth I’d let it happen,” he said hoarsely. “Not if I have to bring down all Bohdan’s forces in the Congo. Look, I’m going to do everything right. All I’ll do is check out the property and then get out. I’m not even going to see Jane tonight. Stop worrying about her and get me a line on Bohdan. I can’t tell you how badly I want him.”
“You’ll have him,” Palik said grimly. “But I gave you Rodland, too. I told him that Jane wasn’t to be out of his sight. Make use of him.” He ended the call.
Chapter
5
3:25A.M.
It was raining…
Jane rolled over in bed as she saw a flash of lightning streak across the night sky outside her window.
Thunder…
And something else…
She couldfeelit.
She sat up and swung her legs to the floor. Then she was out of bed and crossing the room toward the window.
More lightning…She could see the rain driving across the stones of the courtyard below her.
And shadows…
She stiffened as she gazed down at the stable across the courtyard.
Shadows?
Her heart was beating fast as she leaned forward, her gaze narrowed on the building.
Shadows.
Oh, yes, definitely something else.
