“I have,” he said simply.
My eyes flickered to the scar on his temple, but I was nettled by his interruptions and retorted irritably, “Be that as it may, I still think it’s a bit much. I mean, how’s our madman going to find us? My husband isn’t going to tell him, and I doubt that Percy advertised our flight plan.”
“You must not underestimate your adversary.” Damian’s blue-gray eyes never wavered from my face as he continued. “You’ve seen only one of the e-mail messages sent to your husband. I’ve seen them all, and I’ve seen how well Abaddon covers his tracks. Abaddon may be insane, but he’s intelligent and he’s in no hurry. He’ll bide his time, make his plans. If he gets the chance, he’ll come at you when you least expect it—in the night, perhaps, or while you’re strolling on the beach. He may torture you first, or he may simply cut your throat. It’s impossible to predict, because I suspect he’s obeying voices no one else can hear. If I’m frightening you, I’m glad. I want you to be frightened enough to realize that you need my protection.You must be willing to do exactly as I say, when I say it, without hesitation. I can do my job only if I have your full cooperation. Do I have it?”
For a moment I could do nothing but stare at the man in stunned silence. He’d spoken calmly, without raising his voice, but his words conjured nightmarish images that paralyzed me. The hairs on the back of my neck rose, and I had to search to find my voice.
“I . . . I won’t let you scare my sons,” I stammered. “If Andrew’s up there telling them horror stories—”
“He’s not,” said Damian. “We do know what we’re doing, Ms. Shepherd. Andrew’s job is to bind Will and Rob to him with affection rather than fear. He’s doing his utmost at the moment to become their favorite uncle.” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “What about you? Will you let me do my job?”
“Yes.” I took a shaky breath. “Yes, of course I will. I’m sorry if I sounded skeptical. It’s just . . .” I fumbled for the right words and finished lamely, “It’s all new to me.”
“That’s all right.” His mouth turned up briefly in a humorless smile. “It’s old to me.”
“A few ground rules, I think,” Sir Percy suggested, crossing his legs.
Damian sat back in his chair. “Andrew and I will accompany you and the twins at all times. I’ll explain the sleeping arrangements when we get to your suite. You may go where you wish on the island, as long as I’m with you.You are, of course, to send no mail, and you are to make no outgoing calls. I assume you’ve brought a mobile telephone with you.”
I nodded.
“Turn it off. Put it away. If you think you might be tempted to use it, give it to me. Satellite signals can be traced. When necessary, your husband will ring you on my mobile. I’ve already contacted him, by the way, to let him know of your safe arrival.”
“Thanks,” I said, but I didn’t mean it. I’d wanted to speak to Bill myself.
“Any questions?” Damian asked.
“Are you . . . armed?” I sat up as an even more alarming thought presented itself to me. “Is Andrew?”
“No,” said Damian.
“It’s the twins,” I said, with a weak smile. “They get into everything. If the cannons worked, I’d advise the village to build bomb shelters. While we’re on the subject,” I added, turning to Sir Percy, “I’d appreciate it if you’d lock up your electric car. If the twins get behind the wheel—”
“They’ll have a jolly good time,” Sir Percy declared, thumping the arm of his chair.
“You needn’t worry about the car,” Damian said. “Andrew won’t allow the twins to drive it, Ms. Shepherd.”
“Lori,” I said automatically. “Call me Lori. Everyone does. Except Mrs. Gammidge.”
“Mrs. Gammidge is a stickler for formalities,” Sir Percy observed. “I believe she addressed her husband as Mr. Gammidge until the day he died. And they were married for thirty-four years!”
I chuckled raggedly.
“That’s more like it.” Sir Percy patted my knee. “Damian’s paid to be solemn, but I can’t have you looking like grim death the whole time you’re here, Lori. It’s a serious business, no doubt, but you’re in good hands. Hunter and Ross are the best in the business. I should know. They’ve saved my bacon more times than I care to recall.”
I twitched as a knock sounded on the parlor’s double doors, and two people came into the room, a bespectacled young man and a young blond woman. Both were dressed in business attire and carrying PDAs.
“Sorry to disturb you, Sir Percy,” said the woman, “but the call’s come in from Beijing, and we’ve had another offer on the Sydney property.”