Part 9 (1/2)
”Go home, Doctor. And if you value your life, or your cop friend's, you won't say a word about tonight to anyone. I'll know if you do.”
Leah believed him. It was already obvious he'd been watching her. What else had he done? Tapped her phones? Put more cameras around? ”I won't say anything.”
He nodded, his lips curled in a malicious smirk. ”Good girl. Have a nice life.”
She got out and waited until the car drove away before going inside. She managed to make it to the couch before she broke down in a bout of hysterical crying. Curled in a fetal position, her chest heaving, she howled into a pillow until she was gasping for air and the fabric was soaked from her tears.
Gradually her weeping slowed down to whimpering sobs.
She fell asleep with her arms wrapped around her knees and the wet pillow under her cheek, her head filled with visions of her and John lying b.l.o.o.d.y and dead in the clinic's freezer.
Chapter Thirteen.
Del McCormick hadn't been able to see what went on in the veterinary clinic, but, judging from the way Tal kept the doctor at gunpoint and manhandled her into the limousine, it wasn't a friendly chat.
Parked three houses away as the lady vet got dropped off at her own place, Del had to make a split-second decision: continue to follow Tal, or stay and see if DeGarmo went back out.
Ultimately it was the notion that of the two of them, Tal Nova was more likely to lead him to important information he could use.
He put the stolen car in Drive and trailed the limo as it headed for the Parkway entrance.
Christ, I'm getting sick of this drive.
I need to come up with a better plan.
Tal Nova unwrapped a stick of Big Red and popped it into his mouth. The fiery tang of the gum exploded against his taste buds, and a wave of saliva washed over his tongue. He hit a speed dial number on his cell phone.
”h.e.l.lo?” The new strength in Marsh's voice was evident, even through the tiny speaker.
”I just dropped her off. She wasn't lying about having to get rid of it. She was yellow and sweating by the time we got back, barely able to walk. Then she touched one finger to some old mutt, and bang! The thing was dead and she was good as new.”
”I a.s.sumed she was telling the truth. She didn't seem to be a particularly good liar. What about the payment?”
”I've arranged to have it delivered by courier tomorrow. She was real freaked out tonight, so I didn't want to upset her further.”
”That's fine. I wouldn't want her to think I reneged on my part of the deal. When you return, come to my office immediately. There's a lot to discuss before tomorrow's meeting.”
”Yes, sir.” Tal flipped the phone shut. The abrupt way Marsh switched topics was typical of him. Never one to waste words, as soon as one project was completed or one plan finalized, he moved on to the next. In his mind, the subject of Leah DeGarmo was old news, history. Now that he'd been cured, he wouldn't think of her again unless something happened and he needed her services once more.
That's where we differ. Tal could see plenty of opportunities for someone with DeGarmo's talent. She's the perfect tool. Untraceable. What she can do is something most people would consider impossible. Which means she can operate in plain sight.
And no one will suspect a thing.
Not even Marsh.
Chapter Fourteen.
John Carrera stared at the phone. He'd been doing it on and off since finis.h.i.+ng dinner an hour before. Truth to tell, he'd been doing it pretty much since he'd gotten out of bed that morning.
He'd arrived home from work the previous day, only to find a message from Leah postponing dinner and saying that she'd call the following day.
Now here it was, the end of the day, and nothing.
Should I call her or wait? he wondered, while he watched the phone sit there in maddening silence. Maybe she didn't have as good a time as she said? Did she have second thoughts about dating a cop?
Stop acting crazy! he told himself. Something came up. It happens. You're thirty-six, for Chrissakes. Act like it. Either pick up the phone or wait.
But if I call, maybe I'll sound too needy.
f.u.c.k it.
He picked up the phone, dialed Leah's house. When he got the machine he froze, torn between hanging up and leaving a message. In the end, the idea of acting like a teenage, love-struck loser propelled him into action.
”Hi, Leah. It's John. I guess you're not home. When you get this message could you-”
Something clicked. Leah's voice came on the line. ”h.e.l.lo, John? Are you still there?”
A wave of conflicting feelings washed through him. Relief, annoyance, worry.
”Yeah. I didn't interrupt anything, did I?”
”No.” She sounded out of breath. ”I was just unlocking the door when I heard the phone ring. It was crazy at work today. Thursdays are always like that, because of Wednesdays being short days.”
”I hear you. So, when did you get back?” Did that sound too pushy?
”Last night. I would have called you but I was tired and went right to bed.”
”Hey, no big deal.”
She laughed. ”I can hear you pouting. Don't worry, I haven't changed my mind. Dinner, tomorrow night, my place. Seven o'clock. You bring the wine.”
Something relaxed inside John's chest, a tightness he hadn't even known was there until it went away. ”I'll be there. What are we having?”
”It's a surprise.”
Now it was his turn to laugh. ”Haven't even gone shopping yet, have you?”
”See you tomorrow, smart-a.s.s.” She hung up.
John tossed the phone back onto the table. What kind of wine should I get? Knowing the type of person Leah was, she'd probably try to impress him and cook something too hard for her limited skills.
Whatever I get, I'll make sure to get two bottles.