High stakes, p.24
High Stakes, page 24
“Yeah, he did.” Another silence. “Maybe we could work together. If you promise to get me away before Volkov shows up.” Another silence. “Look, I’ll send you the map and the other stuff you wanted but I’m not going to trust you for any face-to-face meeting yet. Why should I? I might end up in the hospital again. I’m better off not trusting anyone. I’ll get that info off to you tomorrow. You can pick it up at the front desk of the Aria hotel after two P.M. If you like what you see, you can get back to me about a deal to protect me.”
Tanner didn’t speak. “It sounds reasonable. Unless you’re trying to scoot away from me. I wouldn’t recommend that, Walker.”
“I’m not a fool. I listened to too many of Sandrino’s stories about you. He said you were a badass, but he never said you broke your word. I’ve just got to make you see I’m valuable enough to be worth a deal. I’m scared, Tanner. I’ve been scared for a long time. I’m not about to run if there’s any other way.”
“Then we’ll see how it goes,” Tanner said slowly. “I’ll get back to you after I look over what you send me. It had better be what I want, or I guarantee you’ll be much more scared.”
“You won’t be sorry. I didn’t want to get into any of this. All I wanted was the money for setting up the damn game.” He cut the connection.
“There it is.” Tanner stared down at the phone for an instant before he lifted his gaze to Lara. “I might have been an idiot. Maybe he will take off. What do you think?”
“I don’t know. Fifty-fifty?” she said thoughtfully. “You’d know better than me. You’re familiar with his background and able to intimidate him.” She made a face. “You intimidated me. If that’s what you wanted, then you accomplished it.”
“Nah, I don’t believe you. You don’t intimidate easily.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But it wouldn’t have taken much to scare him. He was already pretty much there. I just added icing on the cake. It depends if it lasts. We’ll have to see when we go to the Aria tomorrow. I might have blown it.”
“What would you do if you did?”
“Start over. But it would be harder. I’d have to talk to people I don’t want to deal with who could give me answers, but might demand payment I wouldn’t want to give.” He shrugged wearily. “Well, what will be, will be. I might have screwed up. I was concentrating too much on what he was saying about Sandrino when I should have had my mind on the game.”
“But this wasn’t a game.”
He smiled recklessly. “Everything’s a game. And I might have lost this one.” He got to his feet. “Or maybe not. I had an ace in the hole in play and that might come through for me if I did let Walker con me.” He was heading for the French doors. “But right now I’m going to take a walk in that Taj Mahal garden and forget about it. Care to come with me?” He didn’t wait for an answer but was opening the doors. “Another exotic experience that will give a little more dazzle to the evening.”
She hesitated and then slowly followed him. For some reason she didn’t want him to be alone right now. Foolish. When no one was more capable of handling every possible emotion, from the exotic and dazzling to the tense, dangerous negotiations he had just been going through with Walker.
Everything’s a game.
Only maybe, for a little while tonight, it had not been a game.
“You’re very quiet.” He looked quizzically down at her as he gestured to the rectangular mirrored lake leading to an ornate Arabic-style summer house. “The Taj Mahal setting getting to you? You’ve been exposed to quite a bit of wonderland in all its forms today. This one’s not my fault. It’s a little too Disney and dramatic even for me.”
She shook her head. “I’d think you’d like it. If it’s all a game, shouldn’t you have drama?”
“Was that a jab?”
“No, I think you’ve had enough of that for one evening,” she said quietly. “It hurt you to have Walker talking about Sandrino. It reminded you of too many things.” How was she supposed to say this? Just say it. “I’m sorry for your pain. I wish I could help you. What can I do?”
“Nothing. Walker probably thinks Volkov killed Sandrino. But he received that postcard and it might have been authentic. It depends if Sandrino had taken a liking to him when he was here. It’s a little too pat, but either it is or it isn’t. That may be the end of it, and I’ll just have to get over it.” He added curtly, “Do you want me to cry on your shoulder? Forget it.”
“Okay, I’ll try.” She turned away. “I don’t know if I can. You were nice to me tonight. I think you meant to sort of give me a gift. I wanted to give one back to you, but I didn’t know how.” She started back toward the house. “I just messed it up and I—”
“Hush.” His arms enfolded her from behind. “I’m the one who’s great at messing things up,” he said gruffly. “I’ve never known how to accept sympathy. It ruffles me. I have to either laugh it off or strike out. Either way it ends up hurting someone.” He suddenly inhaled sharply. “Or it ends up like it’s doing right now with me aching and trying to keep from pulling you down in the grass. Any way you look at it, it’s bad news.”
She could feel his lower body hard and warm against her buttocks. She was having trouble breathing, and she unconsciously melted back against him. “I think we decided this was a mistake. But I can’t remember why right now.”
“I remember why.” His hands moved across her breasts and then dropped away as he stepped back. “You might think it’s okay to do a little experimenting, but I don’t want the responsibility. It’s even worse now because I like you. I enjoyed the hell out of taking you to see the dazzle tonight. There’s so much glitter and dazzle in the world, and it would be a pleasure to show it all to you. But you’ve got your music, and after all this is over Maria can find you someone wholesome and clean-cut who will never hurt you. That’s the plan we should follow.”
She tilted her head. “You like me?” She thought about it. “I like you, too, Tanner. Why else did I feel so sad for you? I think that maybe you have this all wrong.”
“And I think perhaps you don’t have enough experience to judge.”
“Experience. Hmm.”
“Are you laughing at me?”
“I think I am, but it’s better than when I was feeling sad.” She smiled. “And I like it that you’re not feeling sad right now. It’s clear all I’d have to do to make you feel better is let you lecture me. Even when you’re not being reasonable.” She reached out and gently touched his cheek. “I believe that Walker will leave the notes he promised you tomorrow. Because you’re clever and can read people very well. Maybe that postcard will even be the real thing. In fact, I feel everything is going to go exceptionally well for us.” She started back toward the house. “Now I’ll go and tell Maria the same thing.”
“Anything else you want to share?”
“Yes, I liked touching you as much as I did the last time,” she said solemnly. “But I won’t do it again until I get your permission.”
She was laughing as she heard him start to swear while she ran into the house. She was still laughing when she ran into Maria’s room a few minutes later and plopped down on the chair beside the bed.
“Well, you look happy.” Maria set her computer on the bed beside her. “I gather the call to Walker went well?”
“Not really. It was scary and a little sad, but Tanner might have gotten a promise that Walker will work with him. He handled him very well. Though he thought he might have screwed up. We’re supposed to pick up some information tomorrow.”
“Then why are you looking so happy?”
“It was a good day.” She smiled. “Wonderland and glitter, and then I was able to help Tanner a little later with Walker. He’s a man who doesn’t ask for help often. Neither do I. On a Trial, I always had to do everything alone. It felt…warm to be working together. Sort of like being one with the music, only…different.”
“I’d think so,” Maria said dryly. “No one would compare Tanner to a concerto.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Lara was grinning again. “Complicated. A multitude of varied shadings of darkness and light. He could come close.” She got to her feet. “But I’d have to decide to which one.” She leaned down and brushed a kiss on Maria’s cheek. “And now I’ll let you get back to that beloved computer. We got a little nearer to the end today. Tomorrow could be even better. Good night, Maria.”
“Good night.” She reached for her computer again, but her gaze was still on Lara’s face. “I’m glad you had a good day,” she said softly. “We have to make sure there are many more on the horizon.”
Chapter
13
Ocean City, New Jersey
11:20 P.M.
The Gulfstream is hangared at Durango Airport in Las Vegas,” Anton said as he strode into Volkov’s suite. “I told you I’d find him!”
“And I told you where to find him,” Volkov said sarcastically. “I had an idea Tanner would have a reason to show up there. What else did you learn from the airport personnel? Were Lara and Maria there, too?”
Anton nodded. “Two women of their description. Plus the pilot, and one more man who accompanied them to the car rental counter. He was designated as a driver…” He checked his notes. “Rennell.”
“Of course it was,” Volkov murmured. “No Las Vegas address given?”
Anton shook his head. “But I had two of my men on a flight to Las Vegas an hour ago with orders to monitor the airport. They’ll stop Tanner if he tries to board the plane again.”
Volkov muttered a curse. “Useless. I don’t think he’ll fly out of there until he finishes what he came for.”
“Finishes?” Anton repeated. His eyes narrowed. “How did you know Tanner was heading for Las Vegas? Why should he take Lara there?”
“Because somehow he must have found out that I’d been there.” His lips tightened. “Shit, he probably knows a hell of a lot more than that. Or maybe he’s trying to dig it all out now or use Lara to get it.”
“You’ve been to Las Vegas?” Anton frowned. “You’ve never told me that. When?”
“Several times. And why should I have let you know? It was none of your business. It’s not as if I have to account to you. We really only have one thing in common and that’s the Trials.” He added harshly, “You would never have appreciated Las Vegas. You’re a terrible gambler, and you’re lucky I’ve let you tag along to Moscow the few times I have.”
Anton flushed. “I’m not that bad. And you wouldn’t have had the Trials if it hadn’t been for me. I let you run the show, but I had control of Lara through Maria. You only got mad when she started winning more than losing.” He smirked. “You didn’t like it that I won those bets, did you?”
“I like it less that you’re talking back to me like this,” Volkov said coldly. “I believe you’re forgetting how much you owe me, how many favors I’ve done for you, how many women I’ve sent to your bed. It’s time you came to an understanding that you’ll treat me with the respect I deserve.”
Anton immediately wilted and smiled weakly. “Just joking. We’ve been friends too long to have disagreements.”
“Have we? Perhaps. From now on you won’t disagree, you’ll just obey me.” He got to his feet. “And the first thing you’ll do is tell the pilot to get ready to transport your men to Las Vegas tomorrow. Set up camp outside the city. I’ll join you there tomorrow night. The second thing is for you to locate a local gambler, Lenny Walker. I definitely have to reach that bastard. I’ve an idea he might have been talking to someone. I’ve tried to call him, but his phone’s been disconnected.” He was heading for the closet to begin packing. “If you have trouble, I have some other contacts that I can use to reach him, but it’s been over a few years since I used them.”
* * *
Taj Safe House
7 A.M.
Rennell opened the ornate gates of the Taj for Mallory and his team to drive onto the grounds. Mallory saw Lara and Maria standing on the balcony watching and waved to her. “Hi! Here I am to the rescue. But Rennell’s going to be a little picky about me getting my men settled in that glorified bunkhouse first. He’s still got that police discipline thing going. I lost that the first month after I left the service. I’ll be right there!”
“Okay.” Lara watched him, puzzled, as he followed Rennell’s hand motions toward the huge lodge. She glanced at Maria. “Rescue? What’s he talking about?”
Maria shrugged. “Maybe something about Rennell shooting up that Chevy at the airport? Who knows? Men can be competitive.” She pulled Lara off the balcony toward the staircase. “But the only thing I’d feel competitive about at the moment would be a cup of tea. Let’s go down and get one.”
But they’d had two cups of tea before Mallory came through the front door. “Here I am, as promised.” He grinned at them and glanced longingly at the tea. “That reminds me, I haven’t had coffee yet.” Then he shook his head. “No, I’ll suffer without coffee until I do my duty. Where do you want the keyboard?”
“Keyboard?” Lara repeated. “You brought my keyboard?”
“Tanner told me that it was on the A-list. I didn’t have time to get it to the Gulfstream when I brought Maria, but I knew I’d better get it on the helicopter when I followed with the team.” He grimaced. “And it was the first thing Tanner asked about when I called him last night to tell him we’d be arriving early this morning. He said to get it to you ASAP. That you needed it.”
Lara felt a ripple of shock. “That’s what he said?”
“Sure, but I already knew that.” Mallory nodded. “So where do you want it?”
“I’m not sure. I wasn’t expecting it. He didn’t tell me.” She still felt stunned. “Give me a minute.”
“That grand ballroom would probably be good,” Maria said quietly as she took a protective step closer to Lara. “High ceilings. Okay?”
Lara nodded numbly. “I guess so.”
Maria turned to Mallory. “Down the hall and to the right.”
He nodded. “I’ll go get it out of the truck.”
“You do that.”
She waited until he was out of the room to turn back to Lara. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It was very considerate, wasn’t it?” She took another sip of her tea. “He put it on the A-list.”
“Don’t say nothing. What the hell is wrong?”
“He talked to Mallory late last night. He told him it was urgent. That I needed this keyboard.”
“And you do.”
“Of course I do,” she said shakily. “I’m just being stupid. He said he liked me. That made me feel…close to him. Because I didn’t expect anything else, but it would have been nice for us to like each other. And when he started lecturing me and telling me how bad he’d be for me, I laughed at him. I thought that I could make it okay. But I was wrong. Because when he talked to Mallory later, he told him how desperately I needed that damn keyboard.”
“It’s a very nice keyboard,” Maria said quietly.
“But is there any reason why I can’t have more? I want the whole world, Maria. I believe if I had it, I could put it into the music. I think he was starting to show it to me.”
“Not one reason,” Maria whispered as she took Lara in her arms. “And we’ll get there. But you might have to work your way through a few idiots and people who get in your way. At least this one has your interests at heart.”
“He made sure I had that keyboard because he thought it would totally absorb me. He wanted to put me back in a box and keep me there where I’d be safe. That way he could walk away and live his life the way he wanted and not worry about me. It never occurred to him that I’ve never really been safe, and I’ve survived it.”
“Maybe it did occur to him, and that was the problem.” She pushed her away and looked into her eyes. “All I know is that you were happy last night, and I liked it. I want it back. You’re smart and you can figure out how to make that happen. You want it all? Go and take it.”
Lara drew a shaky breath and nodded. She gave Maria a hug. “You’re right, of course. There’s nothing I can’t do. I told you I was being stupid. I’ll handle it.” She stepped back. “And the first thing I’ll do is go and play for a while, so that Tanner will hear it and be sure that he got his way.” She headed for the door. “Will you give Mallory his cup of coffee? He deserves it…”
* * *
Taj Safe House
1:05 P.M.
Tanner was coming out of the library as Lara came down the stairs.
She smiled. “Are you ready? I am.”
He stopped warily. “I was going to take Mallory. I thought you were busy.”
“I know you did. You made certain that I would be. But I run my life, you don’t. Thank you for arranging with Mallory for me to have my keyboard. I practiced all morning, and it was wonderful. It’s always wonderful.” She came toward him. “But right now it’s not my entire life. That’s not why I’m in Las Vegas. You know that, Tanner.” She stopped before him. “But it seems I scared you by letting you think I might want to have a life outside that keyboard. I thought that we were on the same page yesterday—maybe you were even a little ahead of me. I liked the dazzle, Tanner. I might decide to go searching for a little on my own.”
“You’re pissed off with me,” he said quietly. “Are you going to let me explain?”
“I’m not pissed off, I’m disappointed. You said you liked me, and I thought I had a friend who might guide me down some new paths.” She shrugged. “But I’ll have to find my own way just as I usually do.”
“Which is a lot safer for you.” His hands closed on her shoulders. “New paths? Shit. Look, I can get obsessive and then I can’t let go. I guess it comes from being a street kid. That’s why I’m trying like hell to keep my distance. You don’t need that.”
