Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(94)

He looked down at her hand on his arm. “Remove your hand.”

She ignored him and shook his arm. “You tell me. Is she hurt?”

He was silent, studying her face. “I have no idea. Is she?”

“How should I know? The last time I saw her, she was going to the music room. She was fine. And now you ask—”

“Remove your hand. Or I’ll be forced to break it.”

“Do what you have to do. Just tell me what’s happening.”

He was still studying her. “Perhaps I will. You’re supposed to be a very good actress, but I don’t believe you’re acting now.” He took her hand off his arm and put it on her lap. “Briefly, my very competent chef was murdered this morning. Throat cut. We found you unconscious on the couch. Cara was nowhere to be found. We’ve searched the house and the grounds.” He paused. “But one of my men, Alex Brazoff, drove out of the main gates forty-five minutes ago. He was on a very plausible errand to pick up supplies that Nikolai had approved yesterday.”

“And you can’t get in touch with him?”

“No answer.” He smiled coldly. “But there’s no doubt that I’ll get in touch with him.”

She tried to mask the shudder as she looked at him. “No doubt at all. You’re sure this Brazoff turned traitor and took a bribe from Norwalk? He wasn’t working on his own to kidnap Cara?”

“No one would be that stupid. He’d have to receive an exceptionally fat bribe to be able to get him to a country where he’d have a chance to escape me.” He leaned back in his chair. “And besides, Norwalk called Eve today telling her that Cara was going to be taken. It was what caused her to phone and alert me. You didn’t see Brazoff?”

“I wouldn’t have recognized him if I had. You evidently gave orders that your men be invisible.” She shook her head. “I had breakfast with Cara, then she went to practice. I was feeling a little tired, so I sat down on the couch.” She motioned with her hand. “I guess I went out like a light.”

“Drugs. Did you and Cara eat the same thing?”

She shook her head. “The only thing that was the same was that Cajun coffee.” She made a face. “That stuff is so strong that I wouldn’t be able to tell even if anyone put cyanide in it.”

“I guarantee it would become immediately obvious,” he said dryly. “But evidently the drug Brazoff used was weaker and more subtle. You came out of it in a remarkably short time.” His expression hardened. “But once Brazoff got Cara away from the property, he’d probably give her another injection to keep her out.”

“And because the dose I was given wasn’t that strong, you thought I might have been an accomplice?”

“It wasn’t unreasonable. You’re appealing, and you have a certain boldness. Norwalk might have bribed you to inveigle your way into my home. You’re a twin, and that would have pleased his hunger for statement. You could have been part of his master plot of which he’s so proud.”

“Yes, I could, and I would have done it well. You’re right, I’m a very good actress.” She looked him in the eye. “But I would never have done it. There are only two people in the world whom I’ve ever cared about. One was my sister, Sylvie, the other is Cara, who is like a sister to me now. Norwalk killed my sister, and now he wants to take Cara away from me. I’d burn in hell before I’d do anything to help him.”

He nodded slowly. “I believe you would. I was afraid you’d managed to con me. I’m glad that I can tell Nikolai that you are not involved.”

“I’m glad also. I don’t need to be dodging Nikolai while I try to get to Cara. You’ve sent people after Brazoff?”

“Immediately.”

“But you don’t expect them to find him.”

“He had a head start and is working on Norwalk’s plan. Norwalk has been very efficient so far. But we’ll still find him eventually.”

“Eventually sucks,” she said flatly.

“I agree. So I’ll work on a way that doesn’t suck.”

“I already gave you a way.” She swung her legs to the floor. “You should have done what I told you to do. We could have pulled it off. Then Cara wouldn’t have to go through—” She broke off as her eyes filled with tears. “You should have done what I told you. Don’t you screw up again.”

“I’ll endeavor to keep from doing that,” he said quietly. “Though I believe you’d think leaving you out of the equation would be a screwup, and yet I find I’m tempted to do it.”

“Don’t you dare!”

He shrugged. “Why should I argue when you might end up giving me what I need?”

“You shouldn’t argue. Just let me be with you when you go after Norwalk.” She wiped her eyes on the back of her hands. “But you’ll do it now because you feel guilty about—”

“Guilty?”

“I know you probably consider yourself above guilt or below it. But I can’t walk on eggs around you right now. Maybe when I feel better. Did you call Eve and Joe? When will they be here?”

“Shortly.” He got to his feet. “And I left it to them to notify Jock Gavin. I have things to do, and I have no time for the explosion.”