Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(77)

“And therefore worthy of being kept alive and producing fantastic music.”

“She’s more than her music.”

“She is her music. It’s an integral part of what some people call the soul. I could see it the first time she played for me when she was eleven years old.” He smiled. “You’ve always been worried that I’d hurt her in some way. But there was never a chance of that. I would always protect the music.”

“If you could manage to do it without her getting in your way.”

“I will manage. Why do you think I haven’t interfered with you hovering over her? What better protection could she have than you, Jock Gavin? If I’m not there, you would be.” He met his eyes. “Perhaps in time, we might come to terms. Until then, I wanted you to know that if you see a threat you can’t handle, you have only to call me. On this subject, we’re on the same page.”

He meant it. And there was no way that Jock would reject that offer. The power potential was too impressive. “I’ll remember. I don’t expect it to be necessary, but we both know that expectations aren’t always fulfilled. Eve thinks that your security will be enough, but I managed to get through.”

“But you’re remarkable. Norwalk will not be that good.”

Jock made an impatient gesture. “I’d rather not take the chance. I went over some of the weaknesses with Nikolai, but tomorrow I’ll go and show him a few more.”

“I thought you’d probably leave a few for you to slip into the property again.”

“And the house isn’t that safe either. Every house has its secrets. I’ll look that over, too.”

“We’re at your disposal. I suppose you’re staying here?”

“Not in the main house. You have a summerhouse on the grounds. It’s close, and I’ll be able to monitor your security guards and yet be here in a few minutes if it’s necessary.”

Kaskov smiled curiously. “And did you have that possibility in mind when you scoped out the property the last time you came?”

“Not consciously. It’s an automatic response from my wicked, misspent past.”

“I don’t regard it as misspent. When you become an expert at anything, the time is well used.”

“But then look to whom I’m talking.” He turned and headed for the front door. “You might let Nikolai know I’m moving into the summerhouse so that he won’t try to shoot me.” He glanced back at him. “We might all get along if you give the order to everyone to stay out of my way, Kaskov.”

“Warning received, noted, and under consideration.” He leaned back in his chair again. “I’ve already given the order not to interfere with you, Gavin. Now run along and let me hear the end of Cara’s concert. I think a Tchaikovsky encore comes next…”

*

It was Jock.

Cara could see him moving quickly down the path, through the rose garden, toward a small, but elegant white summerhouse near the huge hedge that led down to the bayou.

She took a step closer to the window as she saw a huge shadow near that hedge. Nikolai.

But he wasn’t moving toward Jock she realized with relief. He was just standing there, watching him.

But Jock had stopped on the path. He was not confronting Nikolai but turning around and looking up at her second-floor window. He slowly nodded, then turned on his heel and continued down the path. The next moment he had disappeared into the summerhouse. It didn’t surprise her that he’d known she was watching him. Not only had he been trained to the hunt, but they had always had a connection.

“Jock?” Darcy asked from her chair across the room.

Cara turned to look at her. “How did you know?”

“Body language. I’m really good at it. Why do you think everyone thought I was such a primo actress? Expressions are only part of creating a character. A lot of it is what happens with the body.” She made a face. “And you’re easy. Every time Jock comes within view you tense, change.” She chuckled. “Besides, I hate to destroy my mystique, but we were expecting him to follow, weren’t we? That’s the reason I came in to keep you company until he showed. I knew waiting was making you edgy.”

“You said it was because you were on edge,” she said dryly. “I thought it was odd, but Kaskov has that effect on people.”

“I can see why,” she said. “He’d have to be carefully handled.”

“I wouldn’t know, I’ve never tried.”

“And that’s probably one of the reasons why you’re safe from him.” She smiled. “Along with the fact that I believe he might care about you.”

“It’s the music.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “What do I know?”

“Sometimes quite a bit,” Cara said quietly. “But you’re probably wrong about this. And I’ll ask you not to try to handle Kaskov for any reason, Darcy. It might … complicate things.”

“Ominous.” She made a machine-gun motion, firing all around the room. “Rat-a-tat-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat.”

“Darcy.”

“I know you mean it. I’m not stupid.”

“But you’re deliberately not answering.” She frowned. “I didn’t want you to come here. But I knew I couldn’t stop you. You’d have found a way. And Eve thought by putting us into this fortress, she could keep us safe.”