She sat down in the chair to wait for Frankie to come out of the bathroom.
It’s . . . different.” Frankie’s eyes were fixed on the stable. “I keep expecting to see Charlie walking out of the barn or the stable and teasing me because I got up late.”
“Me too.” She got out of the car. “But he’s not going to be doing that, baby. So we have to get used to it. Why don’t you run and start your chores? I have to go in and do a few things inside the house.”
Frankie’s gaze shifted to her face. “What things? Something to do with Charlie?”
“Partly. I have to gather all his important papers together and send them to his lawyer.”
“And what else?”
“I have to pack our clothes.”
Frankie was silent a moment. “That’s right; we won’t be able to live here anymore. This was Charlie’s place. I’m going to miss it.”
“We’ll come back. Charlie would want us to come back.”
Frankie was shaking her head.
“Frankie, listen to me. Things are going to change for a while, but I promise you that you’ll still have this place and the animals. Do you believe me?”
Frankie nodded. “You don’t lie to me.” She headed for the stable. “I’ve got to go see Darling. He’s smart, but he won’t understand either.”
Either. Frankie didn’t understand, but she was trusting Grace to make things right. She couldn’t disappoint her. “I’ll be there in an hour and we’ll start exercising the horses.”
Frankie lifted her hand in acknowledgment before disappearing into the stable.
Grace stared after her for a moment before turning and going up the front steps. She’d promised her she’d be there in an hour, and it was going to be tight. But she didn’t want Frankie to be alone any longer than she had to be.
“Grace.”
She stiffened and turned to face Kilmer, who was walking down the road toward the house. “I don’t want you here.”
“But you need me.”
“The hell I do.”
“Then Frankie needs me.” He’d reached the porch. “You can be as independent as you like, but you won’t jeopardize Frankie.”
“Don’t you tell me how to take care of my daughter.” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Christ, he was just the same. In character and appearance. He must be in his late thirties now, but the years had been kind to him. Tall, lean—deceptively lean, she knew, because no one was more aware than she of the strength and stamina that lay behind that slenderness. But it was his face that she had found so riveting nine years ago. His features weren’t actually good-looking. His dark eyes were deep-set, his cheekbones high, his lips thin, tight. It was his expression that she had always found fascinating. Or lack of it. There was a quietness, a wariness, a containment that had been a challenge from the moment she had first seen him.
“I wouldn’t presume.” He smiled. “Not when you’ve done such an excellent job. She’s quite wonderful, Grace.”
“Yes, she is.”
“I’m only suggesting that you take advantage of my help in getting her out of this predicament. After all, it’s your right to make a few demands on me.”
“She’s not in any predicament I can’t get her out of. And I’ve no intention of making any demands. I don’t want you involved in her life.”
“Then I’ll have to insist.” His voice was soft but there was a thread of hardness running through it. “I’ve left you alone as long as I could because it was safer for both of you. But the situation has changed. I have to step in.”
“Insist all you please. You’ve no right to—”
“I’m Frankie’s father. That gives me a hell of a lot of rights.”
The words struck her like a slap in the face. “You don’t know that. And I’ll swear in any court that you’re not her father.”
“DNA, Grace. The magic of DNA.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “And the timing is right. I don’t think you’d be capable of taking another lover and conceiving in the short time between the time you left me and the time she was born.”
“You’re not taking her away from me.”
“That’s not my intention.” He paused. “Look, I promise that I won’t try to take her away. I won’t even tell her that I’m her father. I only want to make sure you’re both safe.”
“Go to hell.” She turned on her heel and opened the front door. “We don’t need you. We have Robert and the CIA to protect us.”
“And they’ll protect you as long as you’re useful. But you’re soon going to prove an encumbrance.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve broken my deal with them.” He made an impatient gesture. “Look, the important thing is that Marvot’s turned his dogs loose. He’s put a five-million-dollar bounty on your head. And a three-million-dollar bounty on Frankie.”
“What?” she whispered.
“Dead or alive on Frankie. He prefers you alive because you could prove valuable, but he doesn’t care about Frankie.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “No.”
“Yes. You know he’s been looking for you since the raid. But when I came back on the scene and became a threat, he decided to pull out all the stops. He put the word out a month ago, and every bounty hunter and cheap hood in Europe and the U.S. is scrambling to find you. Kersoff must have paid off someone at the CIA and hit the jackpot. Donavan got word through one of his contacts that Kersoff had gotten lucky and was on his way to you.” His lips tightened. “I decided it was time to check out Tallanville.”
“Three million dollars on Frankie.” The horror of it was overpowering. “A little girl . . .”
“You know that wouldn’t make a difference to Marvot. You haven’t been away from the action that long.”
“Long enough.” She shuddered. “Why?”
“I stole something away from him that he valued. He knew it was only the opening foray and wanted to punish me. You know Marvot. He believes in a clean sweep. The Mafia has nothing on him.”
“Frankie . . .”
“I know it sucks. I didn’t know he’d find you or her,” he said roughly. “The Company was supposed to be protecting you. They screwed up.”
“And it’s not your fault,” she said sarcastically.
“I didn’t say that. I take the full blame. I’m just giving you my reasons for thinking it wouldn’t affect you. I was wrong and I have to correct it.”
“Tell that to Charlie. Correct that, Kilmer.”
“I can’t.” He paused. “But I can keep you both alive if you’ll let me.” He held her gaze. “And you know I’m your best bet, Grace. You may believe I’m a son of a bitch, but nobody’s better than me at what I do.”
She shook her head and opened the door.
“Don’t be scared if you run into Dillon inside,” Kilmer said.
She froze. “Dillon?”
“You’ve never met Cam Dillon, but he’s very efficient. I had him put a photo of ‘the Pair’ in Blockman’s truck while I hurried on here.”
“Why? How melodramatic. Wouldn’t it have been simpler to just have Dillon talk to him?”
“No, there wasn’t time and I knew Blockman would contact North when his truck was broken into. Orders from headquarters are quicker than long, drawn-out explanations. Anyway, Dillon’s been watching this place since last night, and when I saw you take off in this direction, I told him to start packing for you.”
“What?”
“You don’t have much time and you won’t want to spare the time from Frankie. I told him to pack up your and Frankie’s things. You’ll have to grab Charlie’s documents and any mementos. Dillon wouldn’t be able to decide what you’d value. He should be almost finished by now. If you want him to do anything else, just tell him.” He paused. “He’s only obeying orders, Grace. Go easy on him.” He turned away. “I called your neighbor, Rusty Baker, this morning and arranged for him to send two of his hands from his horse farm to take care of your
horses and keep this place clean. They’ll start tomorrow.”
She started to open her lips to speak, but he was already walking away from her.
He glanced back. “Admit it, that’s what you’d do. That’s what would make Frankie happiest when she knows she has to leave here.”
It was what Grace would have done, what she’d been considering doing since she’d realized they couldn’t stay. He’d just beaten her to the punch. “Perhaps.”
He smiled faintly. “You know it. I’ll stick around and talk to you later. Consider what’s best for Frankie. Three million dollars is a lot of money, and there are a lot of money-hungry bastards out there. You need me, Grace.” He strode toward the paddock.
She didn’t need him, she thought as she went into the house. She didn’t want him in her life. He’d brought her nothing but trouble in the past, and now he’d brought her another tragedy. The CIA would relocate her and protect her. They owed her big-time and they wouldn’t let Marvot kill her.
Three million dollars.
But, if there was a leak at Langley that had led those bounty hunters here, then who was to say it wouldn’t happen again?
If North knew there was a leak, then he’d plug it. She had to—
“You’re Ms. Archer?” A tall, sandy-haired man was coming down the stairs. “I’m Cam Dillon. Glad to meet you. I packed a pretty wide selection of clothing for you and your daughter. The suitcases are in your room.” He smiled. “But I didn’t know whether to pack your daughter’s teddy bear or the Star Wars collection. Or both. Kids’ favorite toys change from year to year. I don’t get to see my son very often, and I’m always behind the eight ball.”
“You have a son?”
He nodded. “But I’m divorced. My wife has custody of Bobby.” He looked around the living room. “This is a nice place. Homey. And I bet your daughter loves being around the horses.”
“Yes, she does.” She started up the steps. “I’ll finish packing her things. She likes the teddy bear, but she doesn’t need to take it. As long as she has her keyboard and books, she’ll be fine.”
“I can squeeze it in. Her keyboard is already in its case with the suitcases. Anything else I can get from the other rooms in the house?”
“No, it’s my job. Kilmer shouldn’t have involved you.”
“I was glad to help.” His smile faded. “I saw the picture of the old man on the piano. I’m sorry we didn’t get here in time. Kilmer was hopping mad. He looked like a nice old guy.”
“He was more than nice.” She had to steady her voice. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have things to do. I have to get back to my daughter.”
“Sure. I’ll be outside on the porch if you need me. Just give a call.”
“You don’t have to stay.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do. Kilmer’s orders.” He moved toward the door. “And that means I stay.”
Her lips twisted. “It seems discipline is on the same level as when I was working with him.”
He grimaced. “He cracks a mean whip. But it’s worth it. It’s a good feeling to know you’re the best.” He headed for the front door. “I’ll put the bags in your car when you finish.”
It’s a good feeling to know you’re the best.
That was how she’d felt when she was working with Kilmer. He was tough, painstakingly thorough, and pulled every bit of talent and skill from those who worked for him. Yet his team had shone like diamonds when he’d finished training them. You could always count on the man or woman next to you. And you could always count on Kilmer to get them all through. He had never failed them.
Except for the last mission at El Tariq.
Don’t think about it. She’d learned from that night and moved on. It had not been easy. For years afterward she’d had moments filled with fury and a desire to murder that son of a bitch Marvot. Yet she’d been forced to put it behind her when she found she was pregnant with Frankie. At first, she couldn’t risk her unborn child, and it was even more impossible after Frankie had come into the world. She’d hoped as time went by that she’d be able to forget and live a normal life. It wasn’t happening. Kilmer was here, bringing back the past.
And all hell was going to follow.
4
I want to jump the barrier, Mom,” Frankie said as she rode Darling back toward where Grace was sitting her mare. “Is that okay?”
Grace searched Frankie’s face. “Why?”
“I just do. Okay?”
She nodded her head. “If that’s what you want. Be careful.”
“He won’t toss me.” Frankie turned Darling and started around the ring. “I’ll be right back and then we’ll put him up.”
A last good-bye to the horse? No, Grace had an idea it was more than that. Frankie wanted to be in control of something, anything, in this life that had been turned upside down. Grace could understand that feeling. She was feeling the same sense of inadequacy herself. Only pushing a stallion over a barrier wouldn’t help her.
“Come on, Darling,” she murmured. “Give her what she needs.”
No hesitancy this time. Darling soared over the barrier with room to spare and appeared very pleased with himself.
“Good boy.”
She watched Frankie ride back toward her. No joy or exultation this time. Just satisfaction and determination.
“Very good, Frankie.”
Frankie lifted her shoulders. “Darling’s the one who jumped. I just went along for the ride.”
“And a very good ride.”
Frankie turned Darling toward the stable. “Which one of the wranglers from Baker’s Farm will be riding Darling?”
“Who do you want to ride him?”
“That Viennese girl is pretty good. I think her name’s Maria. I saw her ride in a show at Compton and she was kind to the horses.”
“Then Maria will take care of Darling. I’ll see to it.” She added gently, “But it’s only for a little while, Frankie. You’ll be back.”
“Yeah.” She was looking straight ahead. “But it won’t be the same, will it? There won’t be Charlie. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to— I can’t look at it in the same way. I’ll see . . . those men.”
Grace felt the anger sear through her. Christ, so much had been taken from Frankie last night. Grace had worked hard to give her a golden childhood and now it was tarnished. “Then you’ll have to forget them and think of Charlie. It’s what he’d want you to do. It would be your gift to him.”
She shook her head doubtfully. “I’ll try, Mom.” She dismounted and started to lead Darling into the stable. “I’ll say good-bye to Darling and be right with you.” She looked back over her shoulder. “It may happen again, right? That’s why you want to run away.”
What should she tell her?
The truth. She wouldn’t lie to Frankie. She’d always been honest with her and she wouldn’t let that trust be damaged. “It might happen again.”
Frankie stopped and turned to face her. “Why?”
Grace had known it would be coming and now it was here. She was almost relieved. “A long time ago I was working for a government agency and I made a very powerful criminal angry with me. I did something he didn’t want me to do and I had to hide to keep him from killing me.”
“It’s like something in the movies,” Frankie said.
“Not the G-rated ones you’re supposed to be watching.” She tried to smile. “I always told Charlie not to let you watch those action movies.”
“Can’t the police or someone keep him from hurting you?”
“They’re trying. There are problems. He’s very important.”
“I don’t understand.”
How could she? Grace thought. Bribes and deals and corruption were outside her realm of knowledge. “Sometimes I don’t either. But the bottom line is that we have to run.”
“But you didn’t do anything wrong.” Frankie was frowning. “Can’t we fight them?”
Three million dollars on Frankie’s head. r />
“No, we can’t. But I’ll try to work out a way that will keep us from having to run again.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry this happened, Frankie. I wish I could have stopped it.”
Frankie turned. “Charlie would have wanted you to fight. He was in World War Two, and he said if they hadn’t fought those Nazis they would have run all over this country. Even here in Alabama . . .”
Grace watched her lead Darling into the stable. She’d taken it as well as Grace could expect. It was probably not real to her, as that remark about the movies proved. But Charlie’s death was real; that terror she’d experienced last night was real. Given time, she’d accept the reality of the story Grace had told her. She dismounted and started to follow Frankie.
“Grace.” Robert was coming toward her. “I’ll take care of your horse. North and Crane are here. They’re in the car outside the paddock. They want to talk to you.”
“I don’t want to talk to—” She stopped. She had no choice. She had to talk to them. She’d need help to relocate and protection for Frankie. She tossed Robert the reins of her horse. “Frankie will help you. Stay with her until I get back.”
He nodded and led the horse into the stable.
She glanced at the blue Buick outside the paddock. No one else had gotten out of the car. They were making her come to them. A psychological move? If it was, it didn’t bode well.
She started across the paddock toward the Buick.
Hell, no!” Grace opened the door of the Buick and got out. “You’re nuts if you think I’d let you use me or Frankie for your games.”
“You’d be quite safe,” Crane said. “We’d see that you were protected. We just need to draw Marvot out of his lair, and you may be the ticket.”
“And put Frankie at more risk? No way. Find us a place to dig in until Marvot forgets about us.”
Crane shook his head. “Unfortunately, we can no longer fund your protection. After all, we gave you eight years.”
“And my father gave his life.”
“I know nothing about that. It was before my time. My job is to put this business to rest, and I expect your help in doing it.”