Standing in the Shadows (McClouds & Friends #2)(141)

He staggered around the bed, catching himself on the bedpost when his knees buckled. His head throbbed with every heartbeat. He fought back the humiliating urge to vomit It reminded him of his days in physical therapy. "Why are you helping me?"

"Actually, I'm not. It's you that's helping me," she said crisply. "Rescuing you wasn't part of my agenda. I've been trolling for a chance to kill that bastard all week, but he's too smart, and too suspicious, and I'm in over my head, and I think he's about to kill me."

"Oh," he said inanely. "Uh… why didn't you just turn him in?"

"Oh, yeah. Like that worked so well the last time," she mocked. "Besides, I have my own reasons to avoid the law. I wasn't expecting things to move so fast with you two, but it's just as well. I'm tired of being that monster's concubine. It's stressful. And the rape and murder plans for you and your girlfriend, well… yuck. I have a very strong stomach, but everybody's got to draw the line somewhere."

"Thanks," he said. "That's awfully nice of you."

"You're welcome." His irony was completely lost on her, "I'm glad for some backup. I would like to live through this. Can you walk? The drug should be wearing off by now. I loaded that dart myself."

He stumbled down onto his knees with a gasp. Tamara yanked him back up, her long, vicious nails digging into his arm. "I cut the power, so he won't see us on the surveillance screens for a few more minutes," she said. "He'll send Nigel to check on it any minute now. He'll be livid if he thinks he won't get to see the sex show."

"Sex show?" He gave her a wary glance. "What sex show?"

"Don't ask. Oh, but speaking of sex shows—goddamn it, move your ass, McCloud! The one bright spot in my week has been watching you and your girlfriend get it on. Very entertaining. And that's a high compliment, from me. I hate to be bored."

"Oh, Christ." He stumbled onto his knees again. "Don't tell me."

She yanked him back up. "You're good, big boy," she taunted. "Keep treating her right, or the next time we meet I won't be so friendly."

She was trying to piss him off, to help him throw off the effects of the drug. It was a nice effort, and he appreciated the thought, but it was all he could do not to pass out or barf. He didn't have the strength for anger. Tamara yanked the door open. He wiped cold sweat off his brow. His sleeve came away dark with dried blood. He swayed, and caught himself on the doorjamb. "In James Bond flicks, there are always at least two beautiful girls," he panted. "A good one and a bad one."

She gave him a catlike smile. "I'm the bad one."

"Don't confuse me. It's hard to take this in when I'm stoned."

"Flexibility is the true measure of intelligence. Novak told me you were relatively intelligent. Don't disappoint me now. OK, listen. This is the story. You got free somehow, clobbered me, took my gun, and forced me to show you where Erin is. We burst in, you using me as a shield—"

"Forget it." Connor splayed his hand against the corridor wall and stumbled doggedly after her. "He doesn't care if I kill you. We know it, he knows we know it. He might shoot you just to prove a point."

Tamara's perfect eyebrows snapped together. "Got a better idea?"

"How about you tell me where they are, and then run like hell and get help?" he suggested. "I'll just go in and do what I can."

She sniffed derisively. "Oh, please. You and Erin are dead meat if you go in alone, and so am I when he comes after me later. If I go in with you, it's two to three. Sort of. Tonia's stupid and slow, but Novak and Georg each count for two apiece."

"Three to three," he said.

"You're counting Erin?" She sounded amused.

"Hell, yes," he said. "Erin is an Amazon."

"An unarmed Amazon," Tamara said wryly.

"Three to three," he insisted.

"Whatever. We're getting close. Shut up, and think fast."

He struggled behind her for a second, and tapped her shoulder. "One thing," he asked. "Why are you avenging Lazar? He was a—"

"Criminal? Corrupt? Greedy? Ruthless? Sure. He was complicated. I like complicated men. I'm a greedy, ruthless criminal myself. And Victor was the only man who ever gave me what I needed."

He tried not to ask, with all his strength, but she'd set him up, and now he had to know. "Uh… so what do you need, anyway?"

She yanked up her skirt and pulled his SIG Sauer out of a pouch beneath it. She flung it at him, nodding her cool approval as he caught it one-handed.

"None of your f*cking business, little boy," she said. "Let's move."



"Stop," Novak said.

Georg's raised arm froze in mid-air. He and Novak exchanged looks. Erin reached out behind herself. Her stiff, cold fingers slid along the surface of the table, groping. They brushed the sharp tip of an object that spun around at her touch.

The bronze dagger.

They were all still looking away from her. She slid the tip of the dagger into her sleeve, trembling at her own daring. She scooped it up and wrapped that arm across her chest. She pressed her other arm over it in a shrinking, defensive pose. It didn't take much acting.