Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(105)
Silence. “No. I might go into shock. What do you want, Gavin?”
CHAPTER
18
FIVE HOURS LATER
“You’re sure it will work?” Eve asked Jock as she waited for Joe to finish packing the weapons to take to the island. It was an idiotic question, she realized. But it had been terrible waiting here for these last nerve-racking hours after Jock had told her what Norwalk was planning for Michael. “Sorry, Jock. I know there aren’t any guarantees. We’ll just do the best we can and hope that we can all survive.”
“We have a chance,” Jock said curtly. “With you and Joe on his side, the odds on Michael may be better than for Cara. Remember to remind Joe he has to get Michael out of that shack right away. It’s primed with explosives, and we don’t know what orders Norwalk has given his men if the camp is attacked.”
“Joe could hardly forget it,” she said dryly. “He knows what he’s doing, Jock.”
“I know. I’m just hoping Kaskov does.” He grabbed his rifle and checked it. “I’ll go around to the north side of the island and take out the two guards there. That will leave you and Joe with only the two on the south side. Their absence shouldn’t be obvious to Norwalk when he takes Cara from the shack and puts her in the boat. It’s dark, and there will be no sound.”
“Damn him,” Eve said shakily. “And we have to stand there and watch him and not do anything?”
“Unless you want to watch him press that button on the detonator,” Jock said. “But one way or the other, I promise he’s not going to live long, Eve.”
“No, he’s not,” she said quietly. “As I told my son, he has to go away.” She saw that Joe was ready, and she turned and started to follow him. “I’ll see you at the island.”
*
Jock let the guard fall to the ground and wiped his knife on the front of his shirt.
One down.
He moved silently around the edge of the north bank, using the cypress trees for cover.
The other guard was using earphones, probably bored and listening to music. Not good discipline for a sentry. But he wouldn’t have to worry about it soon.
Jock stepped behind him, and his arm snaked around his neck. Quick. No sound. End it.
He broke his neck.
He dropped him on the ground.
Done.
Now go closer to the shack and make certain Norwalk wasn’t changing plans at the last minute.
*
“It’s time. Are you ready, bitch?”
Cara couldn’t see anything in the doorway but Norwalk’s dark silhouette behind the brilliant, glaring beam of the flashlight he was holding. “It wouldn’t matter, would it?” She got to her feet and turned to Michael. She had been preparing herself for this moment, but it was still difficult. “I have to go. Remember, I told you it might happen?” She put her arms around him. “Don’t worry, I’ll be—”
“Touching. But it’s not according to my plan,” Norwalk said as he grasped Michael’s shoulder and jerked him across the room and out the door. “He’s going with us.”
“No!” Cara ran after them. “You said I was going alone.”
Michael was looking over his shoulder as Norwalk pushed him down the incline toward the dock. “It’s okay, Cara. Don’t be scared.”
“Oh, do be scared,” Norwalk said mockingly. “That’s the entire purpose.” He stopped beside the motorboat tied at the makeshift dock. “You were being entirely too calm and disgustingly brave. I needed to see the panic.” He smiled at her as he quickly tied her hands behind her. “No, I haven’t decided to make him accompany you. I just wanted to bring him out here to bid you good-bye.” His waved at a man standing a few yards away. “Macvey here will keep him company until I call and tell him it’s time to bid him good-bye. Then he’ll toss him over that metal gate and send him to meet those alligators who want so desperately to welcome him.” He glanced at the other island. “Which will be at the exact moment when you meet your fate with Kaskov. I thought it would increase the pain enormously for you to know that was happening.” His gaze raked her face. “Yes, I can see it starting now. Mission accomplished. You may say good-bye to the boy now.”
She wanted to strike out. She wanted him to die. She could do nothing unless she wanted him to start the death cycle right now. At this moment, she was bitterly aware of the helplessness he’d wanted her to feel. The only thing she could do was to hide that fear and panic as much as possible. “I’ll do that.” She fell to her knees in front of Michael. “You’re going to be fine, Michael,” she whispered. “Don’t be afraid. Like I told you, I can’t believe that they won’t come for you. As for me, it’s only for a little while. And if it stretches out to be a little longer, then you just play my CDs I sent you, and when the music starts, I’ll be there. Understand?”
He nodded. “But I’m not afraid.” His dark eyes were shimmering in the light. “Don’t you be afraid, Cara. I tried to tell you…” His arms were suddenly around her neck, and he was holding her tight. “No one’s going to hurt me.” He whispered in her ear, “They’re not close, they’re here. Mama’s here.”