The survivor, p.3
The Survivor, page 3
Cade called Kirby back fifteen minutes after he’d ended the call with Riley. “All secure for the night?”
“Absolutely,” Kirby said dryly. “Including a rather insulting salute from Riley before she went back into the mansion. I’ll probably hear from her tomorrow about my interference.”
“I doubt it. She’ll be too busy. She said she’s going to fly out to see Eve Duncan tomorrow.”
“Really? Any reason?”
“She’s restless. The Helen of Troy Museum is completed, and I think she’s bored. She’s used to being on her own since she was a kid trailing after her father in the jungle. She’s always been a wild child, and we’ll just have to find something to keep her interested.” He paused. “But I didn’t like it that you said she seemed upset. I’m glad you called me.”
“Well, I’m not,” he said flatly. “I like Riley and I respect her. I don’t want her to think I’m spying on her. I know that you worry about her when you’re not around, but I’ll learn to deal with it.”
“I’m making the attempt,” Cade said wryly. “We’ll come to terms. But I’ve never had to handle anyone as stubborn as Riley. I need a little more time to convince her that security isn’t all bad.”
“Bullshit,” Kirby said. “I’ve seen you browbeat dictators and lecture the pope. I realize she’s independent and you don’t want to interfere, but either one of your enemies is going to target her, or she’s going to end up walking away from you.”
“That won’t happen,” Cade said grimly. “I’ll work it out. This isn’t easy for her. I grew up with the knowledge that I could be kidnapped or murdered by anyone who hated my grandfather or father. She’s not used to being a target, and she’s not accustomed to having anyone trailing her. But I have a few candidates in mind she might approve of.”
“Yeah, you told me. Wild child. So what do you want to do about this trip?”
“See that she gets on the plane at Heathrow and ask Quinn to meet her at Atlanta Airport. No problem. She’s not unreasonable. I’ll be back in a few days, and we’ll have another talk.”
“As long as I don’t have to be caught in the middle,” Kirby said. “And I’ll see about a little temporary security while she’s at the Lake Cottage.”
“I knew you would,” Cade said. “And thanks for keeping an eye on her, Kirby.”
“I couldn’t do anything else,” he said grimly. “I know what you’d do if anything happened to her. It wouldn’t be pretty. Fix it, Cade.”
“Consider it done.” Cade cut the connection.
CHAPTER 2
ADEN NADIM’S CRUISER
OFF PALANDAN ISLAND
You’re sure you weren’t followed?” Nadim asked. “I don’t want to have to up anchor and move my ship because of your stupidity, Bevan.”
“I wasn’t followed,” Bevan said curtly. Then he pasted a smile on his face. Always keep the customers happy, even bastards like Nadim. “She tried to send someone after me, but I gave him the slip right away. And you’ll find I’m never stupid when money is involved. Ask Gunter, he’ll tell you how valuable I can be to you. Maya thinks I’m just trying to con her into signing a partnership. It wouldn’t be smart to let her know about our arrangement.”
“We don’t have an arrangement yet,” Nadim said coldly. “Gunter told me that you were promising him you could be useful, that you know all the villages, warehouses, and munition centers on the island. True?”
“Absolutely. When I first came to Palandan, I told Maya that I wanted to purchase some of the fruit grown on the island, and she had me taken to the groves. I’ve made several purchases in the last years and developed valuable contacts.” He shrugged. “I wasn’t allowed to go very far inland, but I’ll get there eventually. I can be patient.”
“I can’t,” Nadim said bluntly. “I’ve never learned. I regard it as weakness anyway.”
“Well, that puts me in my place,” Bevan said ruefully. “And since you’re much more successful than I am, I’d be foolish to argue. But we’ll see if you still feel I’m weak when I hand Maya over to you. I understand that you’re still a bit irate with the lady.” He deliberately gazed down at the ugly scar on Nadim’s right hand. “Gunter told me it sometimes bothers you even after all these years. Is it true you’ve put a price on her head with your men?”
Nadim started to swear, his hand slowly clenching. “You think it’s funny? I don’t find anything that bitch does amusing. I’m going to find a way to cut her heart out. That’s the only reason you’re here—to show me what you can do.”
“What do you want me to do?” Bevan asked. “Name it. But be prepared to pay the price. I’m not cheap, Nadim.”
“You’ve already started, if you’ve really been able to find a way to gain access to the interior of the island.” He leaned back in his chair. “I want to know everything about Palandan. Every possible weakness about the island and the people who live there.” He added, “Mainly Maya Fallon and the people who surround her. If you can get me the information I need, you’ll find me very generous.”
This was obviously the opportunity Bevan had been waiting for. “Then we definitely seem to be on the same page.” He reached in his jacket pocket. “I didn’t want to come to you with empty hands, so I brought you a gift.” He handed him a black remote. “It may be small, but I believe you’ll find it provides enormous benefits over time. Earlier this week I planted a bug in Maya’s office. You’ll be able to tap into every transaction she makes.” He smiled as he saw the eagerness with which Nadim was examining the remote. “Ah, I can see you’re beginning to appreciate me.”
“It’s a good start. See if you can follow up.”
“Oh, I will. Anything in particular you’re interested in?”
Nadim’s lips twisted. “Don’t play games. You’ve heard all the rumors about what might and might not be on that island or you wouldn’t be standing here. The only thing you should know is that whatever is there belongs to me. Understood?”
“Yes, I only asked so that I could be on the lookout for anything that might please you.”
Nadim laughed. “You want to know what would please me? I’ll tell you. Keep an eye out for the kid Maya keeps in that house in the village right across the bridge from the main house. She’s a pretty little girl about ten or eleven. There appear to be guards on duty at all times in front of the place. I’ve been wondering why. I’m very curious about her.”
Bevan frowned and shook his head. “I’ve never seen her around. But then I might not notice her. I don’t care much for kids.”
“You don’t? I’m quite fond of them. I have a girl only a little older than her down in my cabin right now. I had Gunter hunt her down in the fields when I realized I was going to need something to amuse me while I was waiting for my opportunity to go after Maya.” He smiled maliciously. “I might be willing to share.”
Bevan shook his head. Nadim was probably just bullshitting. He couldn’t imagine him being generous about anything. All Bevan would need was to have those villagers think he was the one who had snatched one of their children. He knew Maya always kept her villagers armed and ready to engage at the drop of a hat. That wasn’t the way he wanted to start out this deal with Nadim. “Like I said, I don’t care for kids. But I’ll see what I can find out about that girl you mentioned.”
“You do that,” Nadim said as he got to his feet. “Report back to me as soon as you can. I think Gunter said the kid’s name was Bailey…”
ATLANTA AIRPORT
3:40 P.M.
NEXT DAY
“Eve!” Riley enveloped Eve in an enthusiastic hug when she saw her waiting at baggage claim. “What are you doing here? Kirby told me Joe was going to pick me up.”
“So I’m not good enough for you?” Eve laughed. “After all that drama and your elaborate explanations about all the reasons you wanted to come?”
“Be quiet.” Riley made a face. “These days my life seems to be so regimented that I question every change. I’m very happy to see you even when you’re yelling at me.” She reached down and grabbed her suitcase off the carousel. “Where’s Joe?”
“We did a switch.” She grinned as they walked toward the exit. “Kirby called Joe this morning and asked him to pick you up and he told him he would. But he didn’t mention that he’d have to cancel his reservations to Edinburgh and book a later flight because he’d told me he’d let me work the full day on my current sculpture up to the time he’d drop you off.” She made a face. “He said it didn’t matter to him, but when he told me, it mattered to me. There wasn’t any reason I couldn’t stop work early and pick you up so that he’d be able to reach my son’s school in time to take him out for dinner before the soccer game.”
“Sorry. It appears I’m already causing trouble,” Riley said. “You should have told Kirby that Joe was planning on going to Scotland. I could have taken an Uber to the cottage.”
She shook her head. “Joe and Cade became good friends while we were on the Helen hunt. He felt duty-bound to make certain you were welcomed properly. It was easier for me to handle it.” She was striding to her jeep on the parking deck. “And it was no trouble. Stop apologizing.”
Riley shrugged. “Regimentation strikes again.” Then she threw back her head and smiled as she got into the passenger seat. “But I’m not going to let it bother me. I’m glad to be here with you. I’ll find a way to make it up to you.”
“Excellent,” Eve said gravely. “I’ll have to think about what exorbitant fee I can charge you for the ride.”
“I’m being ridiculous?” Riley asked.
“Marginal, considering you’re my good friend and I’m usually willing to do much more for a friend.” She smiled. “I’m glad you’re here. Now lean back and relax and let me tell you how marvelous my son is doing at school and what an amazing boy he is. He’s on the soccer team and he’s going to try out for the rowing team. Actually, Joe’s trip was a little unexpected. But it seems the other students all have their fathers coming up to the school this week to talk to the coach. He wondered if Joe could come, too.” She shook her head. “Michael was very polite and said he would understand if it wasn’t possible. But he thought Joe might be able to help the coach since he’d been a SEAL. What could Joe say?”
Riley was grinning. “Nothing but yes.”
“Right, it’s almost impossible to say no to Michael,” Eve said. “Now, you just chill and pretend to be enthralled while I tell you why. And you can laugh and be admiring and know that we’re not going to discuss anything that will make you tense until we’re back at the Lake Cottage and have had dinner and a glass of wine.”
Riley moistened her lips. “I’m not exactly tense.”
“Close enough.” She darted her a glance. “Did I tell you how Michael traveled with Cara when she gave one of her concerts? She said he was a big help, and he could do it again next vacation if I’ll let him.” She laughed. “I never thought that he had an ambition to be a roadie but it seems to be the thing kids want to try these days…”
“More wine?” Eve was already topping off Riley’s glass as she put the decanter on the coffee table in front of the porch swing. “I thought maybe we’d have dessert later. Wine is more what you need right now.” She leaned back on the swing and gazed at Riley. “Okay, are you comfortable?”
“Of course I’m comfortable.” Riley gazed at her with exasperation. “Why wouldn’t I be? A gorgeous lake, woods, and wonderful peace. This Lake Cottage of yours is perfect. I don’t know why you ever left it to help me find Helen.”
“Because you had a dream,” Eve said quietly. “And dreams are important.” She lifted her glass in a toast. “And your dreams happened to coincide with a dream of my own if you’ll remember. Though I do love this place. It’s been home for a long time for my family. Home can sometimes be as important as dreams.”
“I wouldn’t know about that,” Riley said. “Since I’ve spent practically all my life in jungles and deserts and following my father into tombs.” She shrugged. “And that wasn’t such a bad life. Every place has something going for it if you reach out and look for it.”
“I can see how you’d appreciate the nuances.” Eve chuckled. “But then didn’t you tell me you were taught medicine by an African witch doctor at one time? That was an extreme case of reaching out.” Her smile faded. “I do hope your present predicament doesn’t involve the witch doctor?”
“Not that I know about,” Riley said. “One can never tell with Maya, but that was Africa and I believe my problem may be moving from India to an island in the Himalayan Mountains near Tibet.”
“Tibet? That’s a surprise. I can see this may get complicated.”
“Not for you,” Riley said quickly. “I told you I’m the one who has an obligation. I owe Maya, and she wouldn’t have called me if there hadn’t been trouble. I told her that she can’t expect help from anyone but me.”
“Maya,” Eve repeated. “That seems a good place to begin. Who is Maya and why are you under obligation?”
“Wait a minute.” Riley jumped to her feet, ran to the guest room Eve had given her, pulled out her computer, and brought it back out to the porch. “I came prepared. I remember how detail-oriented you are. Her name is Maya Fallon.” She brought up the document. “She’s twenty-eight years old, speaks fifteen languages, has medical and agricultural training, and is probably the sharpest and best-informed woman I’ve ever met except you. She’s also wonderfully charismatic if she makes the effort and can charm the birds from the trees. That’s how she’s managed to keep the Chinese and Indian diplomatic wolves from attacking since she inherited Palandan Island from Jann Lu when she was only sixteen.”
Eve was studying the photos of the tall, graceful-looking woman wearing boots, jeans, and a loose white shirt. She had brown eyes and a thick, single tawny braid that fell down her back; she was smiling gently at a young, sarong-clad woman. “I can see the charisma,” she said absently. “Very warm.” She looked up at Riley. “Back up. I’m already a little lost. Island? Jann Lu?”
Riley pointed to a sketch of a large island. “Palandan Island. Southeast Asia. It’s enormous and supports several different villages. It’s absolutely beautiful with several fruit groves and wonderful flowers and abundant wildlife. It rather reminded me of what Eden must have looked like.”
“Wait,” Eve said, staring at a map. “This is in the middle of the Himalayas?”
“Yes, believe it or not. It’s in the center of a large lake, nestled in the middle of a treacherous cluster of mountains. It’s difficult to reach, which is what has kept it protected from invaders for centuries. Its altitude and topography create several weather systems, all within a hundred miles or so. To approach the heart of the island, you move through forty miles of blizzard conditions. Then you reach a temperate zone, where most of the residents live. There you’ll actually find jungles.”
Eve shook her head. “Amazing.”
“There’s no place quite like it. It also connects with a mountain range that extends a good distance into the Himalayas. Maya is in control of both the island and mountain range. Jann Lu was the woman who was in charge of the island before Maya. She ran everything for over sixty-two years before she had a fall in the mountains. It wasn’t easy for a teenager like Maya to take over, but Jann Lu had prepared her and in no time the villagers looked upon her as leader.”
“She was a relative of this Jann Lu?” Eve asked.
Riley shook her head. “Jann Lu was only about four feet tall and was of Eurasian descent. You see what Maya looks like. I guess she appears more Nordic than anything else.”
“You didn’t ask Maya any questions about that?”
“Not about her heritage. That was discouraged. The people who live on Palandan Island are pretty much multiracial. They’ve welcomed immigrants over the centuries from practically every country in Asia and Europe.” She hesitated. “Though while I was there, I sometimes heard the villagers refer to Maya as the chosen one.”
“Weird.”
“Yeah, I thought so. For heaven’s sake, it’s not as if she’s the Dalai Lama. But in those Himalayan Mountains, anything can seem spiritual. They’re that close to heaven. But then there were all kinds of stories floating around among the villagers on the island and mountains. My father and I just accepted it. When you’ve spent your life chasing down a fairy tale like Helen of Troy, you get used to giving every story a grain of salt, but you never totally discount them.”
“Because they were all part of the dream?” Eve asked.
Riley nodded. “But not my particular dream. We came to Palandan Island because we’d heard some of the stories and thought why not? We’d already been traveling all over the world trying to locate Helen’s tomb. But we thought it was a little far-fetched for the cultures of Tibet, India, and China to have any connection to Helen of Troy. It turned out we were right. When we got there, we found that Helen wasn’t mentioned, and the legends were about an entirely different woman of power. So we thought we’d spend a week or so and then take off north to Azerbaijan. My father was annoyed and impatient and spent most of the time planning for that next journey.” She smiled. “Though I got a bit distracted.”
“That’s hard to believe considering how single-minded you are.”
“It was because I was suddenly dealing with a completely different subject than Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. Helen had beauty and her own strengths, but she was nothing like Silvana. No comparison.”
“Silvana?”
“Most of the stories on the island were about Silvana Marcella, the purchaser and founder of Palandan Island. She lived during the height of the Roman Empire, and the more I heard about her, the more interested I became. Since I had nothing to do at the time, I started collecting the legends about Silvana. It amused Maya, and she even told me a few herself. I tried to interest my father, but by that time he’d become totally obsessed with Helen and was impatient with any other subject.” She smiled. “I understood. I only wish he could have seen your sculpture of her before he was killed. He always wanted it to be you who did the forensic work when we finally found Helen. That’s why I hunted you down and begged you to come with me when I knew I was close.”
