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But he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he was getting an incoming call from Jane. “Everything okay? I couldn’t reach MacDuff.”
“He’s probably a little busy,” Jane said shakily. “The last I saw was that he was trying to keep the Run from burning down. And then of course there were the drones that were dropping explosives. That could have been a distraction.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Bohdan. Who else could it be? I only called you because I couldn’t imagine that if you knew about the attack you wouldn’t have been here. But it’s pretty clear you didn’t know.”
“Are you all right? Where’s Rodland?”
“He was wounded, and I sent Fergus to take him to the village.”
“Rodland is supposed to be taking care of you.”
“Isn’t everyone?” she asked wearily. “It doesn’t seem to be working out, does it? You’ll pardon me if I bow out. Too many people are getting hurt and dying. I won’t let it happen any longer. I’ll call MacDuff after I hang up from you and find out what damage I’ve done to him. But after that I’m on my own.”
“That’s crazy,” he said roughly. “Where are you?”
“At the moment, I’m still at MacDuff’s Run. But you know what a huge property it is, and I can’t promise I’ll stay here.”
“Are you trying to shut me out, too? You know I can’t let you do that. I’m coming after you.”
“And you might find me, but I’ll try my best not to let you. Because you’re the one I most need to keep away from. Bohdan will kill you if he uses me as bait. That’s what we’ve been trying to avoid.”
“No, it’s not. And I don’t care anymore. I won’t have you out there by yourself. I have to be with you.”
“You will be.” Her voice was suddenly soft. “Always. But the stakes are suddenly much higher right now. I can’t risk you, too. Goodbye, Caleb.” She ended the call.
Caleb’s hand clenched on the phone. “Son of abitch.” He dialed Palik. “I suppose you’ve heard what happened at the Run?”
“Yes, I got through. I don’t know all the details. Rodland was still a little out of it. Something about drones and explosives. It probably took place about the same time you rigged your meth explosion. Bohdan must have found out about Jane and where she was located. He probably had his own attack plans ready to initiate.” He added, “I believe you got your response. Jane?”
“Alive. Well. With a guilt trip that’s going to cause me a hell of a lot of trouble.” He added hoarsely, “And may get her killed. I’m heading for MacDuff’s Run right away.”
“Might be a mistake. He could be waiting for you.”
“Then make certain that there are enough men up in those hills. Get me an army if you have to.”
“If she’ll go with you.”
“She’ll go with me.”
“Such confidence.”
“I’ve no choice. I’ve seen what Bohdan does to captives.” He was already heading for his rental car, parked on the road. “I’ll see you at the Run, Palik.”
***
Bohdan’s Yacht
1:40A.M.
“The drones worked.” Chiswick climbed out of the speedboat on board the yacht. He strode toward where Bohdan was at the rail gazing out at the castle. “I told you that it was the best way to access that castle. Between MacDuff and MI6, the property couldn’t be touched any other way. The explosions made it possible for us to send forces into the courtyard and attack their forces.”
“Dead?” Bohdan asked. “How many dead?”
“We couldn’t get a count. We had to withdraw after we set the gates on fire. Perhaps a dozen or so kills.” He added quickly, “But that courtyard will never be the same and we lost only a few men in the attack.”
“The woman?”
