Part 13 (1/2)

You do that, Harry thought. ”Any news on where Rocco's sister is?” Harry thought. ”Any news on where Rocco's sister is?”

”She was supposed to be moved but apparently her son has disappeared. No sign of foul play; they think he sneaked away to meet a friend. The kid's got a cell phone, but he's keeping it off. The mother was refusing to leave until he returned. She's also demanding to speak to Rocco but he's not answering his cell phone either.”

”We can use this.” Harry took a sip of coffee. ”Get word to Dante Johnson about Rocco's nephew disappearing. Mention that Rocco's sister wants contacts. You can bet your a.s.s Dante knows how to get in touch with Rocco. Then monitor the sister's cell phone. Rocco will call her.”

Chapter Fifteen.

Springfield, MA October 4, 11:00 P.M.

Mission incomplete.

Find Rufin.

”Almost there.” Taz grunted as he withdrew the ice pick from his thigh. The slender metal pick created a neater, smaller wound than a knife. It also preserved his clothing and conserved his ability to self-heal, which had grown erratic.

The best part, though, was that the pain of ramming an ice pick straight to the bone was far more excruciating than simply cutting muscle with a knife. And the more intense the pain, the longer the moments of clarity lasted.

He sheathed the ice pick. Something else to thank Hades for. During one of their recent connections, Hades had reminded him of the tenets of self-administered pain. Short and extreme served better than long and less intense.

Hades had also been ready to help when Taz began experiencing brief but powerful bursts of hallucinations. Hades had mentally guided him through the process of compartmentalizing.

Break it down.

Prioritize.

Focus on a single task.

It had worked.

But at a price. When Taz allowed his connection to Hades to open fully, he'd given Hades complete access to his thoughts for a short time.

Hades had quickly exploited the opportunity and discovered where Taz and his hostage were holed up. Taz had felt compelled to release the woman as Hades insisted. In the end, Taz had had to trigger a seizure in Hades to forcibly close their portal.

Then a funny thing had happened. In those scrambled seconds while Hades had writhed in pain, Taz had been granted reciprocal access to Hades' thoughts. That's when he uncovered the connection between Dr. Erin Houston and Dr. Rufin.

Hades' concern for Erin had been off the charts. Mine! Mine! Hades had even established a mind link with the woman, not to exploit or manipulate her thoughts, but to protect. Hades had even established a mind link with the woman, not to exploit or manipulate her thoughts, but to protect.

And during those moments when Hades' consciousness was battling the seizure, Taz had touched that connection to Erin. To Erin's thoughts.

She had visited with Dr. Rufin yesterday, in a Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C. hospital. Rufin had been moved today, to an undisclosed location, while Erin had rushed off to Ma.s.sachusetts.

Right here.

She was currently inside the building, perusing records. What she hoped to find and why it was so urgent wasn't clear. Nor did it matter.

Prioritize.

Find Rufin.

From his hidden spot across the street, Taz watched the building. According to the front marquee, it housed a half-dozen medical businesses most of which had the word research research in their name. in their name.

Though foot traffic was low this time of night, Taz still saw a few people he presumed were employees gain entrance by swiping a magnetic card. A security guard had come by twice in the last hour talking on his cell phone while checking doors.

Taz sensed a mental nudge. It was his connection with Hades.

Cautiously, Taz checked it and found Hades was speaking with Erin, by phone.It's late, why don't you call it a night? Hades said. Erin agreed. Hades said. Erin agreed. I'll call you when I reach my hotel room, I'll call you when I reach my hotel room, she promised. she promised.

Taz quickly cut the connection to prevent Hades from sensing his presence. His eavesdropping.

After crossing the street, Taz moved toward the parking lot and hunkered down beside a large panel van. A few minutes later, a woman left the building, striding purposefully toward the parking lot. She had her keys out and headed toward a dark blue Taurus.

Crouching low, Taz shadowed her. Beneath the sodium lights, her red hair took on a burnished cast. He s.h.i.+fted the ice pick in his grip as he moved up behind her.

”Excuse me, Dr. Houston?”

She gasped and turned, clearly startled.

Even though he had accessed Hades' memories of this woman several times now, Taz wasn't prepared for the emotional jolt of actually seeing her. It was more than physical beauty. It's her eyes, Taz silently acknowledged as he recalled another of Hades' thoughts about Erin. Angel eyes Angel eyes. So big a man could fall into them. So big a man could fall into them.

It was impossible to look at Erin and not feel Hades' love for her. Which in turn brought forth a memory from Taz's own past. A hazy reminiscence of Taz's one true love.

The thought triggered a sharp spike of pain behind Taz's left eye. Memories of love were forbidden.

Taz quickly refocused his thoughts.

Mission incomplete.

Find Rufin.

Erin tried to back away, but Taz stopped her. Pulling her close, he pressed the tip of the ice pick against her ribs.”No screams. I just want to talk. Pretend like we're old friends.”

”You're Taz, right? I've seen your photograph,” she said.

He nodded. ”I need your help, Erin.”

She relaxed. ”We can go inside and talk. It's more private”

”No. Let's drive. You won't be harmed,” he said. ”As long as you do as I say.”

Chapter Sixteen.

Laredo, TX October 4, 9:15 P.M.