“The C-4 was Sean Norwalk’s,” Kaskov said. “He was planning to set off an explosion in Cara’s suite at the residence.” Kaskov added softly, “Only a touch of poetic justice. Tell me that you wouldn’t have appreciated that poetry, Jock. Though you would probably have preferred using your hands. The thought of Cara’s being blown to bits would have been difficult for you to handle.”
“Yes, and I’m not arguing that Sean Norwalk wouldn’t have died whether you’d been involved or not.”
“I regret robbing you of the pleasure. But I admit I thoroughly enjoyed giving that order.”
“And why didn’t you go after Manard?”
“I wasn’t sure he was involved. I didn’t know that much about Norwalk. He was going under an assumed name, Marc Sanford, and he wasn’t under an exclusive contract to Manard. There were at least four other organizations who used Norwalk’s services in France and Spain. I didn’t even know about Manard’s connection to Akim at the time. So I decided to watch and investigate and be certain. Only fools act hastily. I thought the immediate threat was over, and Cara would be safe now that I’d issued a statement.”
“Until she almost got choked to death,” Jock said harshly.
“I was watching Manard. I didn’t know Sean Norwalk even had a brother. As I said, he’d changed his name when he left Ireland. Yes, there were reports a Rory Norwalk visited Manard during the time I had him under surveillance after I’d disposed of the threat to Cara, but I didn’t see a connection.” He added, “But after the attack on Cara that night, I let you look for connections for me. You did exceptionally well, Gavin.”
“Always pleased to serve,” he said ironically. “It didn’t occur to you that you could have been a little more open.”
“It’s not my nature. I did give you considerable information. That’s not my custom, either. However, I will tell you that Rory Norwalk did me a favor in disposing of Manard. If he wasn’t such a totally erratic psychopath, I might have decided to let him live.”
“Really? Not likely. It was inevitable that he’d kill Manard. He had his own share of responsibility, and Norwalk is getting rid of everyone connected with his twin’s death. He probably went to Manard, crying vengeance, and pressured him into doing what he wanted. It wouldn’t have been that difficult. Manard had to know what a nut job Norwalk was from his visits to his brother during the preceding years.” He added, “And Cara is on that list. It’s a wonder he didn’t kill her that night. But we both know why he didn’t, don’t we?”
“He wants me to see her die,” Kaskov said without inflection. “And probably in the most painful and bloody way possible. It’s the customary ending in a situation like this.”
“Aye, so it is. But it’s not going to have a customary ending. Because you’re going to use yourself as the bait to trap Norwalk. It’s the only way to keep him away from her.”
Silence. “Oh, am I going to do that? It sounds like a fine plan, but I believe Nikolai would have objections to its effect on my many enterprises. Along with damage to my rather vulnerable body. Besides, there’s also the fact that I make my own decisions, Gavin.”
“I’m sure you do. So do I. That’s why I thought that I’d give you a chance to think about it before I made any overt moves. Give me some other way to get it done, or that’s the way we go.” He cut the connection.
How’s that for confrontation, Benoit?
*
“Shit,” Joe said. “Did you have to sign your own death warrant, Jock?”
“You may be exaggerating. It’s a practical way to go,” Jock said. “Norwalk wants Kaskov more than anyone else. If we dangle Kaskov in front of him, he may forget about Eve or Cara.”
“Dangle? No one dangles Kaskov.” Joe was silent. “Though I can see how tempting it—”
“No, Joe,” Eve said firmly, as she handed Jock his cup of tea. “What can you be thinking, Jock?”
“I’m thinking I have to get Cara out of the crosshairs.” He shrugged. “Oh, I’d try not to get Kaskov killed.” He smiled. “I thought I’d give him a chance to sacrifice for his beloved granddaughter. Of course, if he refused, it would look very bad for him, wouldn’t it? Do you think Cara would be so upset, she wouldn’t think she had to keep her promise to him? Pity.”
“No, she would not expect anyone to sacrifice themselves for her. You know that.”
He nodded regretfully. “It would only be an unexpected bonus. I didn’t really think Kaskov would go for it, but I wanted to throw it out and see if he could come up with anything else. He’s smart, and he likes challenges…” He added, “And he might care … something … about Cara.”
“That’s a huge admission for you.”
“I didn’t say what he felt. I’m just exploring every option.” He was silent. “I want this over. I don’t like what’s it’s doing to Cara. She’s not the same.”
“You can’t expect her to stay the same,” Eve said gently. “She’s growing up, and all this stress is forcing it to escalate at warp speed.”
“Then we have to get rid of the damn stress.” His lips tightened. “She has a right to enjoy these years. She had a nightmare childhood, and I thought when she was safe, she’d be able to live the life she should have.”
“I think she was living that life,” Eve said. “She had her music, she had us.” She hesitated. “She had you. But sometimes it’s a question of shifts and balances, and it all has to come from her.”
“No, it doesn’t. I’ll change the balance when I kill that son of a bitch,” he said recklessly. “Then she can go back to enjoying her life again.” He set his cup down on the coffee table. “Though she’ll probably argue about that, too. She seems to always be on edge with me these days.” He turned to Joe. “I want to take a look at that box that Sylvie’s skull was in. Can you take me down to the precinct today and get me into the evidence room?”
“Not today. Eve and I have to go to Michael’s first soccer game this afternoon.” He smiled at Eve. “Some things are too important to put off. Eve’s worried that Michael’s being cheated by all this ugly business. You should identify since you’re so concerned about Cara’s missing anything. But I’ll call ahead and get you permission to look at it on your own.”
“That will do.” He headed for the door. “Now that we know why Cara was a target, the only missing link is how Darcy and Sylvie fit in all this. I have Benoit looking into it, but maybe I can figure it out on my own if I examine that gold box.” He had a sudden thought and stopped as he opened the door. “Who’s going to be here with Cara and Darcy?”
“You mean besides half a dozen police officers milling around within calling distance?” Joe asked dryly. “I think that would be enough protection for our three-hour absence. I thought about it, Jock.”
“Aye, probably.” He frowned. “Still, maybe I’ll take them with me.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Joe asked. “You don’t trust anyone but yourself.”
Jock smiled. “Not true. I’d trust you, but you’re going off to play soccer.”
He swung the door shut behind him.
SATURDAY 4:40 P.M.
“We were pretty bad, weren’t we?” Michael was frowning up at Joe as he walked with Eve and Joe back to their car after the game. “The coach said we sort of fell apart, but we’ll be better the next time.”
“I’m sure you will,” Eve said. “I thought you were fine. You just have to become accustomed to all the action that’s going on around you. It’s distracting. Don’t worry. You’ll pick it up, bit by bit.”
“I’m not worrying. It was kind of fun. It didn’t matter if we lost.”
“Now that attitude does bother me,” Joe said. “Winning is important because competition always makes you perform better. And people should always reach the highest peak they can manage.”
“Says the ex-SEAL.” Eve chuckled. “So much for soothing his bruised ego.”
Joe looked down at Michael. “Climb the highest peak, or be satisfied with the roller coaster at Disney World?”
Michael thought about it. “Both.”
Eve laughed. “And I’m not going to delve into that. We might get in too deep. You did great, Michael. Next time, you’ll do even better.”