Block them.
Think.
“If Brukman started north toward the coast and then turned south back to the camp, it probably means he contacted Nicos and it’s on his orders. It won’t be totally up to Brukman. It may give us a little time.”
“But it also means that Nicos will be on his way down here with enough men to give us big trouble,” Mandell said. “And you told me how he feels about Margaret. It’s not a good idea to leave her there any longer than we have to.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” Lassiter asked harshly. “We’ve got Estefan’s group coming, but in case of any large-scale attack, Nicos’s first order will be to kill Margaret; his second will be to kill all the other prisoners. There won’t be the surprise factor there would have been before. Nicos knows that I’ll try to free Margaret.”
“Then what the hell do we do?”
It was the question Lassiter was asking himself. “Negotiate. I don’t think it will do any good. But it may buy us time to find a way out of this. Call our helicopter pilot and tell him to get it out of there. That’s where Nicos will be flying into and he’ll make sure that he sends men there to make it safe for him. And we have to try to find out where Brukman will be keeping her in that camp. You said you’d already located where every one of the other prisoners are being held. Will you still be able to get close enough to the camp to pinpoint where Margaret is?”
“Yes. I had my men fall back when those trucks started rolling through the gates. If they search the area, they won’t find anyone. Then I’ll go in and position myself again. I’ll keep out of the trees and go up to the boulders on the hillside and set up.”
“Then that’s all we can do right now. I’m going to go to the cave and check on Patrick and then we’ll arrange to meet.” He started the truck. “And I’ll have to call Carlos Estefan and tell him to stop where he is and not continue on to the monastery. Get back to me if you hear anything else.”
“Right,” Mandell said. “I’ll be in touch.” He hung up.
Lassiter sat there for a moment.
Get control.
Don’t think about anything but how to get her back.
Then he started driving toward the gray haze of smoke in the distance.
Detention Camp
7:35 A.M.
“What do you think of it?” Brukman asked as he pushed Margaret through the wire gates ahead of him. “There’s a stench to it, isn’t there? At times I scarcely notice it anymore, but I’m sure your delicate sensitivity will pick up on it immediately. What do you think it is?”
Pain. Urine. Blood.
And a dozen other foul smells that made her almost ill. “I don’t smell anything.”
“Liar.” He smiled. “Here comes Stockton.” He nodded at the man coming toward them. “He’ll be disappointed that he won’t be able to work on you right away. He really enjoyed María Estefan. Stockton, this is Margaret Douglas. She’s a special friend of Nicos.”
“Where do you want her? Shall I chain her to the wall?”
“Oh, no. I think we’ll tie her to the post in the center of the yard, as we did María. That way, Nicos will see her as soon as he comes in the gate. A kind of welcome present.”
“Should I strip her?”
“No, that first humiliation is a pain in itself for a woman. We won’t cheat Nicos.” His gaze went to the smoke rising above the trees in the distance. “Did they find Patrick?”
“No, Lassiter must have had warning and gotten him out. We’re still searching.” He was undoing the belt binding Margaret’s wrists. He thrust her against a wooden stake in the middle of the yard and fastened her hands to the manacles in back. “The monks were gone, too. But we killed one of his security team.” He smiled at Margaret. “There we are.” His hand reached out and stroked her breast. “I suppose that’s against the rules, too, Brukman?”
“Yes, you’ll get your fill later. But Nicos gets all the firsts.” He met Margaret’s eyes. “He should be here within a few hours. Think about it. I will.” He turned and moved toward the bunkhouse. “I’ll see you then, Margaret.”
Stockman stared at her for a moment, then shrugged and walked away.
Margaret let out the breath she had been holding. She felt terribly vulnerable bound out here in the middle of this dirt yard. It reminded her of someone prepared to be burned at the stake. She was trying to ignore the guards staring at her. How would she have felt if she’d been stripped naked the way that poor María had been?
It might still happen. Prepare for it.
Remember that no one can hurt you but yourself.
She leaned her head back against the post and closed her eyes so that she wouldn’t see the smoke from the burning monastery or the guards staring at her.
Those guards were probably not the only ones looking at her, she reminded herself. Mandell had sent men to keep an eye on what went on within this camp. Lassiter had told her how Mandell had climbed a tree in those woods outside the gates and trained his gun on Brukman. If they had found out that she had been brought here, she had no doubt they would send someone to try to find a way to get her out.
But what could they do? They might not even be able to get near those woods now. Brukman would be extra careful now that he had been targeted once.
And she didn’t even know if she wanted anyone that close to the detention camp. Her first thought had been a feeling of hope and reassurance that maybe she wasn’t alone after all. But now she realized one of the reasons that Brukman had tied her to this stake in full view of the camp and the woods beyond was that she was displayed like a goat to bait the tiger.
And the tiger was Lassiter.
No!
The rejection was instant and violent in its intensity. She had been standing here looking wildly for someone to save her because she was frightened. But if she accepted that role, it would mean that Lassiter might die, because they were using her to trap him.
Tiger. It was bittersweet that she had even laughingly called Lassiter that when they were making love. That time seemed a hundred years from this moment.
And she would make sure she would not be bait for anyone. She had always watched out for herself, and this was no different. So don’t expect to be rescued. Work it out. Use your brains and everything you are.
So stay away, Lassiter. You’re right. I have to do everything alone. Now let me do it.
Keep calm.
Block out the fear.
Concentrate.
Close out everything.
I’m prey, being hunted. But I’ll never make it easy for them.
Find a way to turn it.…
* * *
“You made good time.” Brukman moved quickly forward to greet Nicos and Salva as they entered the gate. “I have her ready for you.” He gestured to Margaret bound to the post. “She must be terrified. She’s been standing there with her eyes shut for the past few hours. Weird. But I didn’t want to do anything to her until you got here.”
“Very smart.” Nicos moved toward the post. “Since you’ve done everything wrong since the moment Lassiter got to you, that’s refreshing. What do you think, Salva? Do you think our Margaret is terrified at what’s going to happen to her?”
“She should be,” Salva said. “But she’s your toy. You know her better than I do. However, her reactions are always interesting.” He stopped a few yards from the post and called, “Tell me, are you playing possum, Margaret?”
“Hello, Salva.” Margaret opened her eyes and saw Nicos directly in front of her and Salva just behind him. It came as no shock. She’d been preparing herself for it. “Why should I keep my eyes open when everything here reminds me of you, Nicos? All the filth and the pain and Brukman, who’s as ugly and pitiful as you are. I had better things to—”
Her head snapped back against the post as Nicos’s hand whipped forward and backhanded her.
Pain.
Don’t show him.
Ignore it.
She
stared him in the eye. “As I said, I had better things to do.”
“Saying your prayers?” Salva asked mockingly.
“Yes,” she said calmly. “But perhaps not the way you mean it.” Her eyes never left Nicos. “I needed the strength and wisdom to face you and to get you to free me. Who could I count on to give me those things, Nicos?”
Salva chuckled. “Are you giving him that voodoo bullshit again?”
“Am I, Nicos?” Her voice lowered. “Is it bullshit? What happened in that airport in Montego? Did you ever see the dogs go on the attack like that? I told you I was getting stronger. I don’t have to use the dogs. Do you want an enemy killed? I can do it for you. Usually with no evidence of foul play. It takes a little time and concentration, but I can do it. You love the idea of having your private slaves. Remember Rosa? Wouldn’t I be the ultimate in what you want?”
“She’s playing you, Nicos,” Salva said.
“Perhaps,” Nicos said softly. “But you’re not a good judge. You don’t believe what I believe. What I’ve seen with my own eyes. Of course I find what she’s telling me is exciting. And it’s true that the dogs had never attacked before. That Lab nearly tore off Ricardo’s thumb. He had to go to the emergency room to get his hand stitched.”
“It could have been his throat,” Margaret said.
Nicos laughed. “And served him right, the fool. He should never have let you get away.” His smile faded. “You betrayed me.”
“Betrayal didn’t enter into it. You were threatening me.” Her lips tightened. “Lassiter threatened me, too. He wanted to score off you any way he could. Why do you think he forced me to take that risk in Montego Bay? Why do you think he brought me down here when he knew that there was a good chance I’d be killed? He knew I was valuable to you. He doesn’t care about anything or anyone but Patrick.”
“Bitterness?” Nicos said. “But I’ve always known that Patrick was Lassiter’s Achilles’ heel. You couldn’t compete.”
“I didn’t want to compete. I wanted to be left alone by all of you,” she said. “But here I am back with you, Nicos. And I’m going to stay alive any way I can. So what do you want from me? Do you want me to take you to where Patrick is hiding?”
“Do you know?”
“Not for sure. But I could probably find him. No, I’m certain I can find him.” Her gaze shifted to Salva. “Or perhaps you’d like to test me? I can see how intrigued you are at the idea of lifting your finger and somebody dying. Who shall it be? Salva? He’s always annoyed you a bit.” Her gaze swung to Brukman. “And you’ll never trust Brukman again. It would probably happen anyway. Which one?”
Brukman began swearing, but Salva’s expression didn’t change.
“Tempting.” Nicos smiled. “But you were always tempting in so many ways, Margaret. This one, I admit, is more intriguing than usual.”
“Think about it,” Margaret said. “I’m at your disposal. No promises. I know you’d never believe them. But do you believe anyone? All you care about is power, and as long as you control me, you’ll have the power. Test me. Let me show you.”
“I will think about it.” He tilted his head. “But what may be more tempting is what Brukman is so good at.” He reached out and his hand closed on her breast. “I’ve been thinking about it all the way down here.” His hand tightened with bruising force.
Pain.
Don’t stiffen. Don’t scream. No expression.
He was waiting for it, watching for it.
And he was clearly disappointed. His hand released her. “But perhaps I can have both.”
She shook her head. “Concentration is everything, Nicos. You’d distract me. You’d be cheating yourself.”
“I’ll take over.” Brukman had stepped forward. “Let me do it, Nicos. You’ll like it. I promise.”
“Are you frightened, Brukman?” Nicos smiled maliciously. “I think you are. I find that amusing. Go ahead and chain her with the others.”
“You’re believing her lies?” Salva asked.
“You’re nervous, too, Salva? When we’ve been together so long?” Nicos said. “She’s eager to prove herself to me. She said she might be able to find Patrick. As for the other, I think that a risk always stimulates competition. It won’t hurt to have a threat hanging over both of you until I decide what I’m going to do with her.” He turned away. “And it won’t hurt to have a threat hanging over her. She may appear cool, but there’s always fear.”
“Test me,” Margaret said again. She looked between Salva and Brukman again. “You know you want to do it, Nicos.”
“I’ll see you in a little while, Margaret.” Nicos glanced at Brukman. “Don’t kill her, and tell me if she tries to escape.” He smiled slyly as he headed for the bunkhouse with Salva following. “After all, Salva will tell you that she’s not really a priestess with black powers, and that her threats mean absolutely nothing, won’t you, Salva?”
Margaret could hear Brukman cursing as he undid her manacles. Her legs were feeling weak and she had to make an effort to keep her face without expression. Any show of weakness to any of them would be dangerous right now. They were men who would take advantage of any sign that she could be easily taken down.
She knew Nicos had been swayed by her words, but he was volatile and could waver and turn back at any moment.
“I know it’s all bullshit,” Brukman said sourly as he pushed her ahead of him. “But it will be worse for you if you don’t shut up about me. I don’t need Nicos getting any ideas right now that aren’t absolutely positive.”
“What could be worse for me than what you intend now?” she asked. “And Nicos doesn’t think it’s bullshit.” She looked at him over her shoulder and murmured, “You won’t either if he chooses you.…”
“Bitch!”
She smothered a cry as Brukman twisted her arm as he fastened her wrists to the manacles next to the other three prisoners chained to the long concrete wall. Then he stepped back and looked down at her. “Do you feel helpless? That’s what you are. If Nicos gives me two days with you, you’ll be begging me for forgiveness for that twisted tongue.” He glanced at the man chained next to her. “Tell her, Estefan.”
He turned on his heel and strode away.
Margaret drew a deep breath. She did feel helpless. Somehow being chained here to this wall next to these pitifully emaciated prisoners was different from being bound on that stake in the center of the yard.
“Kill … yourself.”
Her gaze flew to the man chained next to her. He might have been young or old; she couldn’t tell his age. Deep lines of suffering were carved on his face under the long shock of dark hair. His skeletal frame was almost naked and the wounds were raw and bleeding over the entire surface of his body. “You’re Diego Estefan?”
“Kill … yourself,” he repeated hoarsely. “I saw Nicos hit you.… It’s starting … again. Find a way.”
She could feel his pain, but it was dulled by despair. That, along with the fact that she had never had a chance to get to know him, were the only things that allowed her not to be drawn into his agony. It took her a moment, but she managed to block it. “We’re going to help you,” she whispered. “I promise you.”
He shook his head. “Find … a way. My wife was screaming at me to make them kill her before she died. I couldn’t … do it. I could only watch.”
The tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
He closed his eyes. “Don’t be sorry. Just don’t let them do … that to you.”
“I won’t. And I won’t let them hurt the rest of you, either.” She could see he didn’t believe her. How could he when she appeared as helpless as the rest of them chained to this damn wall?
So don’t think about feeling helpless. Think about being strong.
Concentrate.
Reach out.…
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Mandell had Brukman squarely in his sights.
One slight pressure on the hair trigger of his rifle
and the son of a bitch’s head would blow off his body.
I’ve got him, Dietrich.
Just not right now, he thought regretfully.
He took out his phone and called Lassiter at the cave, where he was still with Patrick. “Nicos and Salva arrived here thirty minutes ago.”
“Margaret?”
“She’s here. Brukman had her tied to a post in the middle of the yard of the camp. But when Nicos and Salva arrived and talked to her, Brukman took the cuffs off her and then took her away somewhere.”
“Dammit, where?”
“I couldn’t tell. It was out of my field of vision. But Nicos and Salva went in another direction.” He paused. “She might be safe for a while, Lassiter. Brukman didn’t allow her to be touched during the time they were waiting for Nicos.”
“And when Nicos showed up?”
“Nicos only hit her once when they were talking.”
Lassiter swore beneath his breath. “And you still think she might be okay?”
“For a while. It could be a delicate balance.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t hear what they were saying. But the body language was an interesting dynamic. Margaret was doing the majority of the talking and Brukman and Salva appeared to be on the defensive. And at the end of the conversation, Nicos must have given the order to take her off that stake. Maybe Margaret talked herself out of something? Or a delay at least. What do you think?”
“That I’m scared shitless.” He didn’t speak for an instant. “And that Margaret isn’t going to wait for us to try for a rescue. She’s a loner. She’s doesn’t really trust anyone but herself, and she’s probably already got a plan in place to get herself away from Nicos.”
Mandell gave a low whistle. “That’s pretty impressive. I applaud the thought, but she could get in our way.”
“Or we could get in hers.”
“Either way, it might spell disaster.” Mandell paused. “I came close to trying to take out Brukman a few minutes ago. It was very tempting. But I’m too far away up here in these boulders. It would take a miracle shot. And I knew, even if I made it, that it would cause the camp to explode and it might get Margaret killed. I can’t take out Brukman without taking out Nicos and Salva. If we take out all three, then there’s no one to give the orders or pay the salaries. The entire structure of Nicos’s world would crumble.”