“If he permits it. Everything appears to be ebbing and flowing at the moment.” He shrugged. “We shall see.”
“Two possibles.” Jock was back and unrolling the first map on the coffee table. “This one is Green Cypress Swamp. Both of these swamps are off the beaten routes of any of the swamp tours because the waters are too difficult to negotiate, and it’s too easy to get lost. Once lost, you’re in bad trouble. Ladeau says nothing lives in either one of them but snakes and alligators. Very prehistoric.”
“Are there islands?” Eve came over to look down at the map. “I don’t see any islands.”
“Ladeau said he thought he remembered seeing a couple, but he was there only once. No reason to go back when it would have been foolish to try to take any tourists back there. But, if they exist, this map doesn’t show them.” He unrolled the second map. “Black Pool Swamp. Same scenario. Ladeau knows there was at least one island there because he tried to set up a tour through this swamp once and thought he might be able to use it as a rest stop. But once the interest faded, he thought it would be a lost cause to keep it on his agenda.” He pointed to the first map. “He thinks the chances are that it’s either one or the other. But they’re halfway across the state from each other. We can’t afford the time to try to wind our way through both those swamps. We have to guess right.”
“Not much information,” Joe said. “Can’t you go back to Ladeau and dig deeper?”
“I could. I have him tied up and locked in my car outside right now. But it would be useless. Ladeau told me everything he knew.”
Joe frowned. “You’re certain?”
“Everything,” he repeated with emphasis. “These were the only two options he could see that would afford Norwalk the isolation he’d need. I only brought him with me because I’ll need to take him along to act as guide when I make a decision.” He turned to Eve. “Joe’s right, neither choice is good. Do you see anything? Do you have any … hunches?”
He meant could she relate anything she was seeing to what Michael had told her. She shook her head. What could she see? Two dense swamps that Jock had said were almost prehistoric in nature. One that had perhaps only one island when Michael had shown her three. The other might not have possessed even that. Nothing on the map.
Snakes and alligators.
Michael had mentioned those, but both swamps had them. Probably every swamp in Louisiana had them.
Think. Was there anything else that would set one apart? Anything Michael had told her that could help.
Help me remember, Michael.
But Michael had helped her all he could, it was her responsibility now. She gazed at the second map with the island where Ladeau had been going to set up his rest stop. But he had abandoned that idea when—
She stiffened, her gaze flying to Jock. “You said Ladeau decided not to set up a tour when the interest faded. What interest, Jock?”
“He was going to set up Fright Night tours. Alligators with glaring red eyes, snakes hanging from the branches of the trees, creatures howling at the moon. He thought it would be a perfect setting and make him a bundle.”
“Creatures? What kind of creatures? No, let me tell you. Rougarou.” Her eyes were wide with excitement. “A mythical werewolf, half man—half beast that’s supposed to live in the swamps. Superstitious stories abound of sightings in the Louisiana swamps.”
Jock nodded. “Rougarou.”
She tapped the second map. “And there was a supposed sighting in this area?”
Jock nodded. “But only one or two reports, then the interest faded.”
She tapped the first map. “But none in this swamp?”
Jock shook his head. “Ladeau said only Black Pool Swamp.”
“And Norwalk mentioned a sighting of a Rougarou monster in the swamp where he took Michael to frighten him.” She pointed to the island on the second map. “Ladeau’s ‘rest stop’ might be where we can find Michael and Cara.” She drew a deep breath. “It’s all guesswork. But if I have to choose, I’ll choose Black Pool Swamp.”
“Good enough for me,” Jock said as he grabbed the map. “I’m on my way to check it out. I’ll be in touch.”
He was gone before Eve had a chance to even reply. She started to follow him.
“No,” Joe said. “My job, Eve.” He headed for the door. “As Jock said, I know my way around swamps. And you’re also a target, and I can’t afford to worry about you. Sorry, you might get in the way.” He glanced at Kaskov. “And I want someone here to make certain that he doesn’t do anything to spoil our play. Watch him.”
Then he was also gone.
“Frustrated?” Kaskov was looking mockingly at Eve. “And so unfair when you appear to have been the one to tell them where Norwalk could be found. Of course, I find it very hard to believe that you could be right about that swamp.”
“I don’t care what you believe. And, yes, I’m frustrated. But not enough to take a chance on blowing the opportunity of freeing Cara and Michael.” She met his eyes. “So I’ll do what Joe told me to do and watch you. Jock and Joe may be able to get in a position to ambush or rescue, but you and I are still the targets Norwalk wants to put down. You’re going to get a call, and I’ll be here to know what’s happening and how it will affect the people I love.” She smiled grimly. “Or I’ll get the call, and I’ll make very certain to share with you, Kaskov. Because then, whatever happens won’t be up to Joe or Jock, it will be up to us.”
CHAPTER
17
“What a tender sight,” Norwalk said sarcastically as he stood in the doorway, looking at Cara and Michael curled up together on the blanket on the dirt floor. “It’s not your mother, Michael, but obviously she’s a good substitute.”
“It’s Cara,” Michael said. “And I heard you say that something that man did to her could have hurt her. You shouldn’t have let him do that.”
“I didn’t mean it to happen. Brazoff was a fool. I took care of it. But if you don’t shut your mouth, I’ll—”
“Hush, Michael,” Cara said quickly. “Don’t talk to him. I’m fine now.”
“Yes, you are.” Norwalk was studying her. “A few hours ago I wouldn’t have given a dollar for your chances. Brazoff was so scared of Kaskov that he was a little too careless with sedating you. But you’ve bounced back.” He smiled mockingly. “You’ll be in fine shape for my grand finale.”
She looked down at the vest she wore. “I’m sure you’ve planned something as horrible as what you did at Gwinnett Square.” She tried to keep her voice steady. He would like it if he saw the fear. “I don’t believe you’d set it to go off at a certain time. You’d want to be able to control it.”
“Quite true.” He pulled out a small black control device and showed it to her before slipping it back into his pocket. “Does it make you feel helpless?”
She didn’t answer. “And all because my grandfather is Sergai Kaskov? We’re not that close, you know.”
“Close enough. You see him every year.” His lips thinned. “Close enough so that he blew my brother to kingdom come because Sean had been sent by Manard to take you out. The son of a bitch must care something for you.”
“Have it your own way. But if you’re planning something special for me, then that must mean that you’re going to bring Kaskov here to see it. That would be very stupid. He wouldn’t come alone. He may not come at all.”
“Even if he cared nothing for you, he’d have to make an appearance. Otherwise, his men would think he was afraid. And that could be the end of him. Strength is everything to the families. I just have to give him the foolish idea that he might have a chance.”
She shook her head. “He’s smarter than that. You’re stupid to think otherwise.”
“That’s the second time you called me that, bitch.” He was across the shack in seconds. His face was twisted with rage as he struck her with all his strength on one cheek, then the other. Then he did it again. And again.
Pain.