Part 6 (1/2)

Jeff continued driving north, away from the city and away from Kray's villa. He circled around small villages, turned onto one-lane roads, always keeping the ocean in sight and on his left.

The woman trembled. Every few seconds a tremor swept through her. She clasped her hands tightly together, her fingers squeezing so hard, the skin around her knuckles turned white. Even Bobby was quiet, as if he somehow understood the danger.

At the top of a rise, Jeff pulled into a dirt turnout. There weren't any other cars or people around. With a quick jerk of the key, he shut off the engine. Instantly the silence swallowed them.

Straight ahead was the blueCaribbeansea. Below, waves slowly slipped ash.o.r.e, aimlessly flowing onto the beach before retreating. Lush plants surrounded them. Large palm trees provided shade. After a few moments, the birds and insects scared off by the Jeep's presence returned. The low hum of wings and sharp calls of separated mates filled the air.

He should have been able to smell the flowers, perhaps even the salty sea. Instead, there was only the scent of a woman's fear. Andie Cochran had run out of options.

He glanced over his shoulder. Bobby was lying on the back seat. The boy had found a few leaves on the floor of the open-air vehicle and lined them up like soldiers.

Jeff knew the easiest thing in the world would be to walk away. They weren't his responsibility. Maybe Andie would get lucky and find another way off the island. Maybe he would be able to finish the job he was here to do before she got caught. Or maybe Kray would choose not to be merciful when he found her. Maybe he wouldn't kill her quickly, but instead would punish her for taking his son.

Jeff rubbed the bridge of his nose. ”You have another plan?”

”Of course,” she said brightly. ”Just drop us at the edge of town. We'll be fine.”

”And pigs fly.”

She turned to look at him. ”I'm telling the truth.” She made an X over her left breast. ”I swear.”

”You don't know how much I want to believe that,” he mumbled under his breath.

”You can, Rambo. Look, I don't need to be with someone who thinks I'm slightly less worthy of life than the local variety of c.o.c.kroach. So get us back to town and forget you ever saw us.”

He was surprised at her vehemence. He s.h.i.+fted in his seat, wondering how she'd been able to read him so easily. There'd been a time when no one had known what he was thinking. Of course it had been five years since he'd been in the field.

Rusty instincts or not, he was the best Andie and the kid were going to find on this island. Letting her go wasn't an option. Not only because she could identify him, but because she was an American citizen. He didn't have to likeher, he only had to get her away from Kray. He started the engine.

”Where are we going?” she asked.

”Back to town.”

”You're going to let us go?”

He glanced at her. The sungla.s.ses hid her eyes, but he knew what she was thinking. He was going to take her at her word and dump her. The problem was she couldn't decide if she was relieved or terrified.

”Let's get some food and more supplies. Then we'll discuss your options,” he said. ”The man at the airport didn't get a good look at me, so that helps. We'll head to the shopping center by the harbor. The cruise s.h.i.+ps stay in port until around six so the whole area will be crawling with tourists.” He s.h.i.+fted into gear. ”Your braid's come loose.”

He pressed on the gas, easing the vehicle out into the narrow road. As he headed back toward town, Andie dug through her purse for a brush. He tried not to notice as she drew her blond braid over her shoulder and brushed the strands free. He stared straight ahead as she raised her arms to begin refastening her hair in its neat style. But from the corner of his eye he could see the way her T-s.h.i.+rt tightened over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

His fingers clenched on the steering wheel as he swore under his breath. He didn't want to notice she was a woman. He sure as h.e.l.l didn't want to feel his blood flowing hotter and faster through his aroused body. In the five years Jeanne had been gone, he'd avoided women and any connections, even the brief impersonal kind. He hadn't needed anything but his pain and memories. He hated that his body chose this moment to come back to life. So what if she was attractive? She was Kray's wife. She'd chosen to marry a killer. She and her kid were alive while his family was dead.

Refusing to look at her or acknowledge her, he drove down the coast toward town. As they got closer to the port, he began to check his mirrors. Up ahead, a white cruise s.h.i.+p sat in the harbor, an elegant vessel dwarfing not only the other boats, but the harbor itself.

”Do you think Kray already has men in town?” Andie asked.

He was still angry about getting turned on. ”Yes,” hesaid, the single word curt.

”If the man at the airport phoned about me, they'll be looking for us in a Jeep.”

”I know that.”

He continued on the waterfront road until they reached the edge of the shopping district. On the left were ancient stone buildings with low ceilings and small windows. Tourists swarmed along the narrow sidewalks. Laughter and bits of conversation carried to him. Everyone was having a wonderful time. Brightly flowered dresses and shopping bags blended into a kaleidoscope of colors. Tour buses lined up across from the shops, while cruise pa.s.sengers disembarked.

Jeff scanned the vehicles in front of him,then checked the mirrors again. Kray's men could be anywhere. There was an alley between a linen shop and one of the many jewelry stores. He turned left into the alley and parked next to three other Jeeps. Only then did he look at Andie.

She clutched her purse to her stomach. Her skin was pale under her tan. Her sungla.s.ses hid her eyes, but the fear was still tangible.

”Look like you're having a good time,” he said, getting out of the driver's side. Bobby scrambled after him.

”I wanna hot dog!” the boy announced.

”I know you do, sport.” Jeff tugged on the brim of the kid's baseball cap. ”We'll find one here.”

Bobby's smile was brilliant. And exactly like his mother's. Jeff stared at the child, seeing instead another boy. J.J. had had Jeanne's smile. The flash of pain was an explosion in his chest. Jeff swallowed hard and fought to keep his face expressionless. When this was over, when Andie and her kid were gone, he would remember one last time. He would recall the face of his wife and his child, remember their laughter; then he would have his vengeance. Maybe then he could lay his ghosts to rest.

Andie joined them. She settled her purse on her shoulder and took Bobby's hand. ”I'm ready,” she said.

Jeff pocketed the key,then led the way out of the alley.

Bright suns.h.i.+ne flooded the shopping district of St. Lucas. Cruise pa.s.sengers jostled for position on the narrow sidewalks. Jeeps and buses filled the streets. The sound of horns, conversations and vendors filled the air. The scent of suntan lotion, expensive perfume and sweat mingled with tempting aromas from tiny restaurants. Jeff ignored it all as he carefully searched the crowd, looking for any of Kray's men. So far, he hadn't seen anyone suspicious. If Kray knew Andie hadn't been able to get a private flight off the island, he knew she would be looking for another way out. How? What would his old enemy think a frightened woman would do?

The cruise s.h.i.+p? She could easily pa.s.s for one of the pa.s.sengers. Perhaps a fis.h.i.+ng vessel or a private boat. Maybe a commercial flight. Jeff doubted he would expect her to be in town. That was to their advantage.

Behind him, Bobby chatted with his mother. The boy took an interest in everything he saw, laughing at some of the funny hats people wore, gasping with delight as a native man walked by with a colorful parrot on his shoulder. Andie responded quietly, as if afraid to draw attention toherself . For the hundredth time Jeff wished she'd picked another day to rescue her son, or even another time. He'd only needed two more minutes to finish what he'd come to do.

The narrow street ended abruptly at a large, square, open-air market. The crowds were thicker here, the call of the vendors, louder. Jeff was jostled by a group of tourists, one of whom turned and smiled an apology.

”There's a hot dog stand over here,” Jeff said, pointing. ”Let's feed Bobby first.”

”Good idea.”

Within ten minutes they'd bought several hot dogs, potato chips and icy cans of soda. Jeff paid for everything with American dollars, knowing most of the tourists wouldn't bother to get any money exchanged for local currency. There were picnic tables set up under a woven gra.s.s awning. He led the way,then paused to pick a seat. A couple of tables were empty, although most were filled with cruise pa.s.sengers. He spotted an older couple sitting by themselves and headed in their direction.

”Afternoon,” he said, as he took a seat on the vacant end of the bench.

”h.e.l.lo,” the man replied and smiled. He was short, with gray hair and a ruddy complexion. His wife, also in her sixties, was dressed in a floral print sleeveless dress that fell loosely over her considerable bulk.

Andie gave Jeff a confused look,then urged Bobby to slide onto the bench. She took the seat next to him, directly across from Jeff.

He introduced them, being careful to avoid last names. The subtle implication was that they, too, were on the cruise s.h.i.+p. TheColemans were fromOmaha. After a minute or so, Jeff got them to talk about the small town they lived in and their grandchildren. Conversation flowed around them. Jeff didn't bother to do more than pretend to listen. He concentrated on watching the square. If one of Kray's men came looking for a woman and child alone, or with a single man, he wouldn't find them. Instead, he would see tables of happy cruise pa.s.sengers all chatting together, including this one. For the moment, they were safe. But he still had to get her and kid off the island.

Mr. Coleman pointed to an ice-cream stand. Bobby shoved the last bite of hot dog in his mouth and nodded vigorously.

”Can I, Mom?” he asked, already scrambling out of his seat.

Mrs. Coleman rose also. ”I think I'll have an ice cream, too,” she said, leaving her purse on the table and smiling at Bobby. ”Chocolate's my favorite flavor. What's yours?”