Joe scanned quickly through the photos. A tall man in a black windbreaker, thirtysomething, dark hair in a crew cut, hooked nose. “I’ll check the Interpol database and see if I can ID him. There wasn’t anyone else who could be a contender?”
Jock shook his head. “Some people were taking photos, but it was all about the disaster for them. Run these and see what you get. In the meantime, I’ll send them to Benoit and see if he can connect them to anyone in Norwalk’s organization in Dublin.” He headed for his car. “And I’d make a bet this particular ghoul headed for New Orleans the minute he’d finished doing his duty for Norwalk here. You might see if you can check the airlines and see if anyone recognizes him.”
“Not likely. With the thousands of people who pass through that airport, faces are just a blur to them.” He held up his hand. “I’ll check it. But I have a better chance with Interpol.” He gazed at that face again. He remembered how agonized Eve had looked last night, and this scum had taken her photo when she’d been at her most vulnerable. “I’ll do anything I can. I want him, Jock.” He got into his car. “I’m going to the precinct and work on this. It may take a little time. But Eve called me, and she’s going to be on a flight leaving in two hours to New Orleans, with Cara and Darcy. She’s not waiting for anything. Who can blame her? She’s going to Michael.” He looked at Jock. “I don’t want them alone there. Not for a minute. I don’t think you do either.”
“Two hours.” Jock turned away and headed for his own car. “They’re not going to be alone. Call Eve and telI her I’ll meet them at the airport.”
CHAPTER
13
Their Delta flight landed in New Orleans at 11:40 P.M.
Jock stopped Cara for a moment while they were waiting for the doors to open. “What the hell is wrong? What did I do? You have barely looked or spoken to me since I met you at the airport.”
She still didn’t look at him. “You haven’t done anything.”
“That’s not good enough. Look, I know you’re traumatized by what happened. We’re all going through hell. Is it something you think I did wrong? I thought you wanted to be with Eve and Joe. It wasn’t because I didn’t feel your pain and was ignoring you.”
“I know that.” The doors were open now, and Cara moved quickly forward after Eve down the jetway. This was so terribly difficult, she thought. But she had promised. And it was a little thing compared to what Eve was going through.
Eve.
Support her.
Protect her.
She moved closer to Eve in that silent support as they moved toward the exit.
Jock glanced at the taxis and shook his head. “I made reservations for you at the Windsor Hotel and reserved a car. Give me a minute, and I’ll bring it around.”
“No.” Eve stepped forward as a black limousine slid to a stop before them. “I believe we have transport.”
Jock went rigid as he saw the driver get out of the car. “Nikolai?” He muttered a curse as his gaze shifted to Eve. “You expected him?”
She nodded. “I expected him. Kaskov prefers not to expose himself unnecessarily.”
“And Nikolai is extremely capable,” Jock said between set teeth. “Kaskov trusts him implicitly.”
“Thank you,” Nikolai said as he opened the passenger door. “It’s good to have the trust of one’s superiors. Are you going to accompany us to the compound? I was told to only pick up the three ladies.”
“Oh, I’ll be going to the compound,” Jock said. “But I’ll pick up my rental car and be right behind you.” He looked at Eve. “I assume this is your choice? No manipulation by Kaskov?”
“My decision. My choice,” Eve said quietly. “Any manipulation was on my part. I knew you wouldn’t like it, so I thought I’d face you and Joe with a fait accompli.” She got into the limousine. “I wasn’t in any shape to face a struggle.” She gestured to Cara and Darcy, who had followed her into the limo. “They were going to come with me no matter what I said. I had to find the best way to protect them.”
“Best way?” He shook his head as his gaze met Cara’s. “Major mistake, Eve.” He turned on his heel and strode toward the rental-car lot.
Nikolai slammed the door and moved around to the driver’s seat.
Eve looked at Cara. “He thinks you betrayed him by not telling him what I was going to do,” she said wearily. “I just didn’t know what else to do. As I told him, I’m rationing strength right now.”
“He’ll get over it,” Cara said. “And if he doesn’t, I’ll face it then. I know he’s been too important to me. I can’t let what he thinks run my life.”
“Hey, Jock isn’t going anywhere.” Darcy smiled and reached for Cara’s hand. “You did what Eve wanted, and he’ll come to terms with it. If he doesn’t, we’ll send him on his way, and I’ll show you how to live life like you’re in the middle of a tornado. Of course, we’d have to change the destruction for sensuality, and add a really sexy rock star to the mix. You haven’t lived until you’ve had a rock star or two. There’s something about their rhythm that translates to—”
“Please don’t.” Eve was smiling. “Let her find her own way, Darcy.”
Darcy grinned. “Only if she lets me come along for the ride.”
“No question,” Cara said. Darcy had managed to lighten the heaviness of the moment for both her and Eve. She was ready to face both Kaskov and Jock now. She squeezed Darcy’s hand, then released it. “You’re here for the long haul, Darcy. I’d have no idea how to handle that rock star.”
*
Eve braced herself as Nikolai drove the limousine through the guarded gates of Belle Grace and up the sweeping driveway to the huge, columned mansion. Jock had told them that it was a compound, but the outbuildings were so graceful and well built and that no one would guess the men inhabiting them were criminals. Light was pouring out of the open front door, and she could see Kaskov silhouetted against the brightness. It was one thing to fire orders to Kaskov over the phone, but entirely different to come face-to-face with him. She remembered how intimidating he could be.
But no one was more intimidating than that monster who was holding her son.
Cara sensed that tension and leaned forward. “It will be fine. I’ll stay with you.”
Eve shook her head. “I’m not afraid of Kaskov. I’m just wondering how to handle him.” Nikolai was opening the door and helping her out. “I’ll work it out.”
“Pleasant flight?” Kaskov was coming forward to meet her. “Welcome to Belle Grace.” His voice was deep, silky. “I do hope you’ll enjoy it since you were obviously so eager to come.”
“I don’t believe either one of us is going to enjoy my visit,” Eve said. “All I can hope is that it’s successful. It has to be successful, Kaskov.” She turned to Darcy, who had just gotten out of the car. “Darcy Nichols. Sergai Kaskov, Darcy.”
Darcy smiled. “I’ve heard interesting things about you, Mr. Kaskov.”
He chuckled. “And that’s an interesting way of greeting me.” He looked at her critically. “Fantastic-looking. You may be worthwhile just for decoration.” He turned to Cara and took her hand. “Here you are at last. I told you that you should come early. I’m sorry that it was this tragedy that brought you.”
“I’m sorry, too. I know our coming will turn this place upside down.” She looked him in the eye. “But I’m glad that you’re going to help Eve. Michael is very important to me.”
“I remember. After he was born, you couldn’t be pried away from Eve. I had to wait a long time.” He gestured toward the open door. “Come in. May I offer you all something?”
“We had a snack on the plane,” Eve said as she followed him into the house. “We need rest more than food. None of us have slept much in the last twenty-four hours. If you could get Cara and Darcy settled, I’d appreciate it.”