Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(85)

“Don’t move.” He was pointing a gun at the center of her forehead. “Drop it.”

“Oops.” She instantly dropped the pouch to the floor. “I made a mistake?”

“A big one.” His eyes were ice-cold. “Nikolai will be walking through that door in two minutes, and we’ll discuss remedies.”

“Did you think I was going to shoot you?”

“It occurred to me. Or anthrax or a stiletto wielded by someone accustomed to being able to get close to people.”

“Well, I can use a gun, but I know nothing about knives. However, most people do like me to get close to them.” She swallowed. “And I don’t know anything about anthrax. But evidently you do.”

He nodded. “Two years ago I had a visit from a delivery boy younger than you who tried to toss an envelope full of it in my face.”

“Risky. He must have been very brave.”

“Yes, but then so are you.”

“No I’m not. I’m scared to death.”

“I know. That means nothing.” He looked beyond her shoulder as the door opened behind her. “Just a precaution, Nikolai. Don’t hurt her yet. Check that pouch on the floor.”

Nikolai moved swiftly past her. “A weapon?”

“No,” Darcy said. “It’s just a— Oh, for heaven’s sake, see for yourself.”

“I will.” Nikolai cautiously slit the doeskin material of the pouch. “Something … black, sir.” He spread the sides of the pouch and examined the interior. Then he carefully lifted the mound out of the pouch. “Very soft … and malleable.” He frowned as he shook it out. “I don’t see any threat.”

“It’s a wig,” Darcy said with exasperation. “No anthrax, no gun, just a wig. I just wanted to show it to you. I’ve always believed in show-and-tell to get what I want. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea this time. Now will you stop pointing that gun at me?”

“What shall I do?” Nikolai asked, holding the wig gingerly. “She’s one of them. And she doesn’t appear to necessarily be a very—”

“You can leave,” Kaskov said. “As I said, just a precaution. Give her the wig, Nikolai.”

Nikolai handed Darcy the wig. “It was not wise,” he told her soberly. Then he was gone.

Darcy expelled the breath she’d been holding. “You made a big fuss for nothing.” Her fingers were digging into the thick black mass of the wig. “Though I guess I might have deserved it, considering who you are.”

“You were overconfident and it might have come from that beauty and charisma. But as Nikolai said, it was not wise. We’ve seen too many threats clothed in both of those qualities.” He put away his gun. “Now either leave or tell me why you have that wig in your hand.”

“I’m not about to leave after I’ve gone through all this.” She was swiftly and skillfully tucking her blond hair beneath the brunette wig. “Show-and-tell.” She smoothed the dark hair back and tidied it. “Long, dark, shiny. I wouldn’t fool anyone close-up, but we’re about the same size. From a distance it could work.”

“What could work?”

“Cara. If the hair’s right, you’d be surprised how many people would accept that I was her. The makeup would have to be just about perfect. But I’ve had lots of experience with that.”

“And?”

“You could use me,” she said simply. “You’re sitting back here and waiting and watching until the time is right to make your move. Then you’ll go after Norwalk yourself. From what I’ve been told, you like to be in control, so that won’t be long. I don’t believe you’d ever use Cara as bait, but it would be one way of trapping him. He wants to kill her to hurt you. I could put myself into a vulnerable position and let him find me.”

“And risk him blowing you away before I blow him away?”

“It is a risk, particularly since you don’t care if he does it. But Cara would care, so I might be okay. You seem to value what she thinks.”

“Bait.” He savored the word. “Why come to me? Why not go to Quinn or Gavin?”

“They wouldn’t let me do it. They care if I live or die. And Eve only wants to protect and heal me. So it has to be you.”

He was silent. “You must want this very much. Why?”

“You know why.” She met his eyes. “I may seem to be the least important person in this game Norwalk’s playing, but I’ll bet you know everything that’s happened to me just in case it might prove useful. Well, I’ve given you a reason to pay attention to me. I can be useful. Set it up, and just give me the chance. I won’t fail you.” Then she was suddenly smiling as she tore off the wig and fluffed her hair. “Now I’ll let you go back to listening to Cara. She’s wonderful tonight. I’m sorry that I took so much of your time, but part of that was your fault. I had no idea you were so paranoid.”

“Don’t push it,” he said dryly. “You were very close. Get out of here.”

“I’m gone.” She opened the door, then stood there, staring straight ahead, not looking back at him. “I can’t let him go on living,” she said in a low voice. “Please, let me help.”