“Do that.” She hung up.
Which sounded remarkably like an order, he thought. So much for letting her think she wasn’t calling the shots. He turned to Agent Jed Stone, who was on the computer at his desk across the room. “I’m going to need passage for a civilian out of Hong Kong right away. Get me Colonel Radcliff.”
“Right.” Stone checked his directory and started to dial. “Would I be out of line to ask for a name? It’s not for Agent Ling?” He grinned. “I’ll volunteer to personally escort her. God, she’s gorgeous. I picked her up from the airport in Atlanta once, and it was a memorable experience.”
And Venable remembered how impressed Stone had been. He was sharp and enthusiastic but young enough to be dazzled.
“Oh, she’s memorable all right,” Venable said. “And very magnetic. But I don’t have to remind you that Jantzen just got killed because Ling got a little too close to him.”
“Not her fault,” Stone said. “I’m glad you’re pulling out all the stops to protect her.”
“The lift is for Erin Sullivan,” Venable said curtly. “And, of course, I’d protect Ling. She’s one of us. Do we have any more information about Santos?”
“Not yet.” He broke away and spoke into the phone for a few moments. He turned back to Venable. “There’s a plane leaving Hong Kong four hours from now. Okay?”
“We’ll make it okay.”
“Confirmed,” Stone said to his contact on the phone and hung up. He looked at Venable. “Anything else?”
“No.” He changed his mind. “Yes. Check and see what’s the latest we have on Richard Cameron.”
Stone accessed the computer. “Not much. He was under surveillance in Copenhagen, but he disappeared from there two weeks ago. We think he may be in Beijing.”
“Oh, shit.”
“A problem?”
“Cameron is always a problem. I’d hoped he was still in Europe.”
“We have no record of his contacts in Europe. But then we didn’t start shadowing him until he was in San Francisco.” He frowned. “I wasn’t with you in San Francisco. I was still in the Atlanta field office.” He was reading the screen in front of him. He gave a low whistle. “He blew up a fireworks factory in the middle of the city and walked away without even being charged? Did we intervene?”
“No, Cameron appears to have much more influential friends in his corner,” Venable said sarcastically. “Which is why we may have to take him down. Too much power corrupts.”
“What friends? I don’t see anything here that spells out much about—”
“Because we don’t know much. For years, we’ve just been hearing vague reports about Cameron from our agents in Tibet and India. It’s all guesswork and trying to put vague stories together.”
“So why are we even interested?”
“Because Catherine Ling is interested. Because Cameron got her and Erin Sullivan out of Tibet after Ling rescued Erin from that prison at Kadmus Palace.” He shrugged. “It seemed impossible at the time, but he did it. When we went in later and started asking questions about Cameron, I became … intrigued. He appears to be some kind of bandit or warlord or mystic who moves from place to place in the mountains. He has commando units and sophisticated weapons at his disposal. There are rumors of kidnappings of young, brilliant technicians and a few killings of Chinese agents.”
“Only rumors?”
“That’s all anyone has on Cameron. Here’s another one: He’s supposed to be backed by a huge conglomerate that has world political ambitions and put him in charge of the security of their operation. He’s known as the Guardian.”
Stone chuckled. “Shades of Marvel comic books.”
“Yeah, maybe. I’m glad you find it funny. Catherine Ling does not. The Agency was supposed to drop all protective services for Erin Sullivan when she arrived safely in the U.S. Catherine wouldn’t do it, and she teamed with Cameron to give Erin protection.”
“And it worked?”
“If you call blowing up half a block of prime real estate working. But Cameron managed to bribe his way out of trouble.” He grimaced. “Which has a significance that’s intimidating. I don’t like anyone who has that kind of power. With backing like that, you can fund revolutions and hire armies. That’s why I decided to take a closer look at Cameron.”
“Why not let Ling investigate him?”
“I might, but not until I have something concrete to show her that he’s a threat. She wasn’t pleased when she had to do without our help in San Francisco.”
“But she’s only an agent, sir. You’re her superior, and she should be guided by you.”
God, he was young.
“Absolutely right. Next time you see her, remember to tell that to Catherine Ling.”
CHAPTER
3
“Catherine?” Sam knocked on the door of the study, then opened the door. “Sorry to disturb you, but I have orders from Hu Chang.” He smiled. “And I’ve learned that it’s always wise to obey him. Otherwise, I tend to have egg on my face. He said you need an intervention.” He came into the room and studied her face. “And this time I believe he’s right on. You’ve been in here going over those Santos files for four hours. You need a break. Why not let me take a turn at the computer? You can rest your eyes and your brain and spend a little time with Luke.”
She glanced out the window and realized it was already dusk. She had been so intent on researching Santos that those hours had flown. “Why didn’t he come and tell me that himself?” She rubbed her eyes. “Is he with Luke?”
“No, he just left. He said to tell you that he was on his way to San Francisco to meet Erin’s plane. He said something about meeting the challenge.” He held up his hand as she opened her lips. “Luke’s not alone. The extra agents I called in are here. I’ve told them that Luke’s never to be left alone. They’re very good men, Catherine. I’ve sent their qualifications to your computer, and you can check them out.”
“But they’re not Hu Chang, and they’re not you. I want someone who cares. It could make a difference.”
He nodded. “Okay, I’ll go back to him right away. But there’s no reason why I can’t do research while I’m with him. Tell me what you need.”
Why not let him help? She was getting more and more frustrated going at this blind. “I’m gathering info about Santos’s possible residences, any of his men we can squeeze to tell us anything. Any weakness of any sort. He thought of his wife as a strength, but he was obsessed with her. That could also be a weakness. I’m looking into their relationship.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what I’m looking for. I just have to find him. I just need to do something.”
“Got it.” He smiled. “Now go to the kitchen and have a bite to eat with Luke. He’s rising to the emergency and made you a fantastic lasagna straight from the freezer. Then go to bed and try to nap. It’s better than being bleary and missing something you should catch about this Santos scumball.”
Her brows lifted. “Is all this Hu Chang’s orders?”
“Let’s call it a combined effort.” He turned to leave. “After all, I have to keep you sharp. Hu Chang tells me that I’m on your list of people who it would hurt you to lose and therefore a target. That makes it doubly important that you’re in the best shape possible to get this asshole. It’s sheer self-preservation on my part.”
“Yeah, sure.” She added quietly, “I’m really sorry, Sam.”
“We’ll get through it.” He turned at the door and inclined his head. “And may I say I feel honored to be included on that list?”
Then he was gone.
And she was sitting there with stinging eyes staring after him. Sam O’Neill was a good guy, and she was lucky to have him in her life as well as Luke’s.
And Santos wanted to take him away from her, too. One by one, he wanted to strip away the people she cared about and leave her in pain and defenseless.
No way.
But the reminder of that threat sent a bolt of panic t
hrough her. She wanted to reach out and touch, hold those she cared about tight and close.
Luke.
She jumped to her feet and strode toward the door.
She needed to see him, sit across the table from him, watch the expressions on his face, have him smile at her as he’d done over that silly hat.
It was going to be okay. She wouldn’t let anything happen to him. Santos wouldn’t put a finger on him.
But she couldn’t stop the panic until she was once again with her son.
“Hey, Luke,” she called as she moved down the hall toward the kitchen. “I’ve been promised lasagna. Did you make the garlic bread to go with it?”
* * *
“Good night, Catherine.” Luke turned at the door to his bedroom to look at her. “Sam told me you need to get some rest, too. Are you going to do it?”
“Sure.” Then, as he stood there looking at her, she made a face. “At least, I’m going to my room and take a shower. I’ll see after that if I can function efficiently. I’m feeling very frustrated, and I need to get a handle on this guy. It’s not enough just to protect the people I love. I’ve got to get rid of him.”
He smiled. “Like you got rid of Rakovac?”
“Exactly like that.” Though all the psychologists would have told her she shouldn’t have told a twelve-year-old child that she would kill this man who had threatened them. Too bad. She had tried to wrap Luke in cotton to heal him and make him forget when she had rescued him from his kidnapper, but she’d had to give it up. Luke had grown up with Rakovac, a monster who had abused him and tried to make him into a murderer and thief, too. He understood life and evil more than most adults and had told her that if she had not killed Rakovac, he would have done it. “Don’t worry. I’m going to keep you safe, Luke.”
“I’m not worried.” He grinned. “But I’m absolutely not going to let Sam come in and sleep in his sleeping bag in my room. And not any of those other guys, either.”
“Did Sam suggest that?” Catherine smiled, too. “It’s not a bad idea, but he should have known you wouldn’t go along with it. Don’t blame him. I made it pretty clear that I wanted everything that could be done to be done. So don’t be surprised if you find him out here in the hall when you come down to breakfast.”
“That’s okay.” He looked at her door across the hall. “Because then he could watch out for you, too.” He paused. “This Santos is a real bad guy?”
She nodded. “Sorry, Luke. I seem to have stacked the cards against you when I brought you into the world. Every time you turn around, you’re facing one of these ugly crooks I have to get rid of.” She tried to smile. “No PTA or Soccer Mom for you. Maybe the next reincarnation.”
“You’d do that if I wanted you to do it. But it would be boring. I like you better as a soldier or cop. CIA is kind of like both.” He opened his door. “I just have to get you to let me help you…”
And that was her greatest fear, she thought, as she watched the door close behind him. She could surround him with guards, but they would do no good if he slipped away from them. Only one solution. Just find Santos and get him out of their lives.
She turned and went into her own room. Take a shower. Get a short nap. Then back to work.
But first she’d try to call Cameron again to tell him to keep his damn hands off that shooter …
* * *
“Wake up, Catherine. I’m in a hurry and, dammit, you keep interfering.”
Cameron, she realized drowsily. A very impatient and annoyed Cameron.
She opened her eyes.
Not her bedroom, she realized. Cameron was playing his mind games and furnishing her with the setting of his choice. But it wasn’t a firelit library as he’d done with her before. There was a fire, but he appeared to be in some sort of cave. He had a cup in his hand, and she could see the steam rising from the black coffee. He was dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans and was leaning against the craggy stone wall. Dark hair, high cheekbones, wonderfully sensual lips, and blue eyes that appeared icy against his deep tan. Tall, lean, with possibly the most beautifully muscular body she had ever seen. Hell, he was beautiful, period.
And she had better stop thinking that because one of his more annoying psychic gifts was the ability to read minds if he chose. She didn’t want to give him any more ammunition than necessary when he was so angry with her.
“And you think I’d use it against you?” He frowned. “Maybe you’re right. I’m mad as hell that you didn’t tell me right away that there was a problem. You waited until Erin was forced to do it.”
“It was my problem. I was handling it. Venable sent an agent to get Erin.”
“I know all that. It didn’t work out too well, did it?”
“No,” she had to admit. “There was no time. It was the best I could do, being half a world away from her. Could you have done any better?”
“Maybe.” He grimaced. “Maybe not. I guess you did okay.”
“No, I didn’t do okay. She almost got killed. The best I could do wasn’t good enough. Do you think I don’t realize that?”
His gaze narrowed on her face. “And you’re feeling guilty and responsible.”
“Yes, about her and everyone else who is unlucky enough to be my friend.” She glared at him. “And get out of my mind. You promised me that you wouldn’t do that to me. Keep your word, dammit.”
He shrugged. “I’m out now. It’s always tempting. I did slip when I first joined you. I get reckless when I’m angry.” He suddenly smiled. “But only with you. Sometimes it frustrates me not to know which way you’re going to jump. Though I always hope it’s going to be into bed with me. You’re the exception to every rule, Catherine.”
Sensual and erotic memories were flooding back to her as she stared at him. She could feel the heat tingle through her body, tightening the muscles of her stomach, causing her breasts to swell. She could remember lying naked on his lap, his fingers moving inside—
“I’ve missed you, Catherine,” he said quietly. “I don’t remember ever missing a woman after I’d left her. But I missed you. I wanted to come back and show you how good we could be together.”
“Sexually?” she asked. “No argument. But life isn’t only sex, and we’re hardly compatible on any other level. I told you when you were running off to Copenhagen that I wasn’t going to go with you and be your mistress. I’m CIA. I have a job to do.” She looked him in the eye. “And that job might be to go after you and take you down someday. We don’t think alike, Cameron. You believe the world is trying to blow itself up and going to hell. You want to prepare a new civilization by hiring superbrains, stealing knowledge, and storing it away so that we’ll have something to go back to. Me? I believe you may be right, but I’m going to work my ass off to try to keep that blowup from happening. Don’t get in my way.”
“It might be impossible not to do that.” He tilted his head. “But we’re both warrior stock, Catherine. We’d probably enjoy that, too. The idea … stimulates me. But then, everything about you stimulates me. I’d wake up in the middle of the night and want you there beside me. Do you remember my mouth on—”
“It’s over,” she said curtly. “And the last thing I want to think about right now. I have more important concerns.”
“What can I say? I’m only a man, and there are no more important concerns than sex. Well, maybe long-term, but never on the current scale.” His smile faded. “Okay, let’s get down to it. Why did you phone me four times?”
“Why did you ignore me four times?”
“I don’t like cell phones. I was irritated with you, and I wasn’t ready to make contact.”
“You mean in your own special way, where you have all the advantages?” she asked sarcastically. “But you slipped up, that’s a very crude set you’ve created for me. Was it supposed to bring up thoughts of rough, tough cavemen?”
“No, I wasn’t in the mood to play games. I just brought you to where I am.”
She went
still. “And where is this cave?”
“Tibet.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “I thought you were in Copenhagen. Didn’t your committee send you there?”
“That was an easy problem to solve. I went straight from there to Beijing.”
“Why? Did they have a few brilliant computer whizzes you wanted to ‘liberate’?”
“Perhaps. Whatever I was doing is classified, Catherine.”
She dismissed the question. “Venable will find out. So what are you doing in a cave in Tibet?”
“I’m waiting for a helicopter to land to pick up our shooter. He’s on a plateau about five minutes from where I am.”
She inhaled sharply. “You found him?”
“I sent my men out questioning and searching the minute I got Erin to Hong Kong. I put an urgent on it. And I boarded a flight out of Beijing within the hour.” His brows lifted. “Would you expect anything else? Erin is one of mine. No one is permitted to touch her.”
“I’m afraid she doesn’t accept that designation,” she said dryly. “She’s an independent journalist and belongs only to herself, not to you, not to your committee.”
“And we respect both her independence and her vision. It’s what made her a Pulitzer Prize winner. It’s what made us have an interest in acquiring her for our project.”
“She turned you down, Cameron. She doesn’t want to be part of your ‘perfect’ future world.”
“Not at the moment. But as she becomes more discouraged and disillusioned at what’s happening around her, she might change her mind. She came close a few months ago.” He shrugged. “If she doesn’t, so be it. I still chose her, and I have to protect her. It’s my job.”
“As the Guardian?” she said mockingly.
“It’s what I am,” he said simply. “It took me a long time to decide I’d accept the responsibility. I take it seriously.”