Part 18 (1/2)

She raked her fingers through her hair and expelled an exasperated breath. Lucas was safe. Victoria was safe. Noah wasn't out there alone. And the dark was certainly his ally. She supposed she should be thankful.

”We're coming in,” Logan's voice suddenly echoed in her ear. ”We lost him.”

Blue looked from Maverick to Simon and back. They'd all heard the same thing.

Leberman had gotten away.

No team wanted to fail...but to know that kind of sick mind was on the loose made Blue nauseous. Without Leberman they would probably never find out who had helped him learn about Noah and his condition or Rothman's connection to Lucas. There would be at least one more unknown enemy...unless it was the general. And that was highly improbable.

An abrupt pounding on the front door jerked her attention in that direction.

Maverick and Simon were next to her in a heartbeat, weapons drawn and engaged.

”That could be him,” Simon said from between clenched teeth. The tone he used left no doubt what he'd like to do to the man if he was on the other side of that door.

Blue moved forward, but Maverick held her back. ”Take a position to the left of the door,” he instructed quietly. He inclined his head toward Simon. ”You step into the parlor there in case we need backup.”

Both obeyed the older man without question or pause.

Maverick walked noiselessly to the door. He peered through the viewfinder, then drew back. He gestured for Blue to take a look.

She closed one eye and squinted through the small peephole, surveying the man who stood on the dimly lit porch. He wore a cla.s.sic gray suit and wire-rimmed eyegla.s.ses.

Edgar Rothman.

She recognized him from a photo she'd seen in Noah's profile. She'd completely forgotten that he was on his way. It was about time. It was a good thing Noah hadn't needed him after all.

”It's Rothman,” she whispered to Maverick.

”You're sure it's him?” he whispered back.

She thought about that for a moment, recalling the group photo in the case file.

Rothman pounded on the door again.

”It's him. He's just late.”

”All right.”

Maverick jerked his head toward the left of the door. She resumed her position there. He rolled his head, stretching out his neck, then unlocked and opened the door in one swift, smooth motion.

”Where's-”

Before Rothman could complete his question, Maverick yanked him inside and shoved him against the door, closing it with the frightened scientist's body weight. ”Turn around and spread 'em, buddy,” he ordered.

Rothman adopted a look of disdain. ”I beg your pardon?”

Maverick whirled him around, pressing his jaw against the polished wood, and quickly frisked him. He didn't care for the scientific type. Especially one that kept him waiting.

”This is an outrage!”

Blue almost laughed. This guy had to be on the up-and-up. No self-respecting bad guy would make that kind of statement.

”Sorry, Mr. Rothman,” Maverick said after checking his ID, and clearly not sorry at all. ”Just had to be sure.”

His gla.s.ses askew, Rothman turned around slowly and glared from one to the other. He quickly straightened his eyewear. ”You don't know what a time I had getting here. And that truck I rented from some guy at that BullDog bar, well, let me tell you, the drive over was harrowing. The fellow who owned it claimed he was too far into the bottle to drive. Pitched me the keys for a mere twenty dollars.” He glared at Maverick. ”Are there any more indignities I should expect?” Not waiting for an answer, he turned his attention back to Blue. ”How is Noah?”

”Much better,” she a.s.sured him.

”I'd like to see him now, please.” Rothman adjusted his jacket and shot another irritable look at Maverick. ”I apologize for the delay. Flights were backed up for hours in D.C.”

Blue didn't doubt that. Her own flight here had been delayed in addition to the annoying baggage checks. ”He's not here right now, Mr. Rothman. But he'll be back any moment. He's with the rest of my team.”

He looked taken aback, but rebounded swiftly enough. ”I was under the impression he needed medical attention.” He shook his head before Blue could answer as if the whole situation was more than he wanted to attempt comprehending. ”I also want to try and persuade him to try the new antidote I've developed.”

Blue's gaze riveted to his. ”New antidote?”

He nodded. ”If my conclusions are correct, as I'm convinced they are, this will reverse all side effects related to the implant.”

Hope burgeoned in Blue's chest. If he could do that...

Noah would have his life back.

Chapter Fourteen.

By four a.m., Logan, Ferrelli and Maverick had headed for the mainland. Max and Simon, her new Colby Agency friends, had said their goodbyes as well. Noah and Rothman were in the parlor going back and forth as to whether or not the antidote was worth the risk.

Chester had made a pot of strong coffee and was hanging out in the kitchen per Blue's request. She'd need a way to leave when the time came.

And that time was almost upon her.

The threat to Noah, apparently, had never existed. Leberman was nowhere to be found. Though the mouth of the cave where it opened onto the beach had been closed off by steel bars when Noah first discovered its existence, now there was a gate and a key. Leberman had uncovered Noah's secret and made himself a duplicate key, probably months ago. Mission Recovery and the Colby Agency planned to set up a special joint task force to try and run him down.

General Regan Bonner had apparently disappeared. No further intel had come in regarding any untoward activities on his part. There was nothing else here for Blue to do. Noah had to make it clear to Director Casey that he required no protection. Blue strongly disagreed, but she couldn't force him to accept her help.

Victoria had called and given an update on Lucas, he was in stable condition. Casey had informed Logan that Ramon's condition had been upgraded to stable. Ramon had regained consciousness and there appeared to be no brain damage.

A locksmith would come to the island later in the day to install new locks on all the doors and windows in Noah's house. Casey had suggested a security company who could install an advanced system, which would be monitored and offered cutting-edge technology. But the man who wouldn't admit that he needed a bodyguard wasn't likely to own up to needing that kind of additional security.

Not even now, after all he'd been through.

Chester had agreed to take up the slack for Noah until he could hire a new a.s.sistant.

Noah apparently didn't need her in any capacity.

Hurt speared Blue's heart at the thought, but it was true. Why would he need her around? He could take care of himself. She'd seen that firsthand. Had the threat not come from within his own home, no one could have touched him.