Andreas studied him. Travis was staring at him boldly and he had spoken with seeming candor. But a man who made his living with his wits would have picked up certain skills and become a master of deception. Yet, dammit, Andreas’s instincts were telling him that Travis was telling the truth. Disappointment surged through him.
“You wish I’d lied to you,” Travis said. “Sorry.”
“You still could be lying.”
“Yes, I’m very good at it.” Travis smiled. “ But you haven’t gotten to where you are in life without relying on your own judgment.”
Andreas nodded. “Maybe you didn’t know then about the person behind Vasaro, but you could have found out something since that night.”
“I’ve been busy, and it wasn’t high on my list of priorities.”
“It’s high on mine.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here.”
“You’re here because I told Danley to rope you in.”
Travis smiled.
He was actually pretty tame.
Andreas had thought it an unusual description at the time, and looking at Travis now, it was even more off target. The man was perfectly at ease, but there was an alertness to him, an edge.
“Danley’s a smart man,” Travis said. “He might have run me down in a week or two. But I decided it would be to both our advantages to hurry things along.”
“Why?”
“I needed to exit the scene for a while. You need more information.”
“Which you tell me you don’t have.”
“Yet. That doesn’t mean I can’t get it if I work at it. It will just take time.”
Andreas stiffened. “How much time?”
Travis shrugged. “As long as it takes. I don’t see how you can lose. Danley hasn’t learned anything yet, has he?”
“And what do you get out of it?”
“Protection. My position at present is a bit precarious. I need to be in a place that has absolute security for a minimum of a month.”
“What am I protecting you from?”
“The aftershock of one of my ‘nefarious enterprises.’ ”
“Which one?”
“Do you want me to find out who attacked Vasaro?”
“I could have Danley find out what you’ve been doing.”
“Good luck.”
Andreas was silent, thinking. “You do realize if I surround you with men for protection that they would also act as guards. I’d make sure they knew you were under suspicion. I wouldn’t think twice about crushing you like a cockroach if I find out that you had anything to do with Vasaro.”
“I understand.”
“Good.”
“You agree?”
“Oh, yes.” Andreas smiled. “I know just the place—the gatehouse of an old manor in Virginia, plenty of security. And if any bastards make any move on it, you’d be the first to get your throat cut.”
“Really? Now, I wonder why they would attack . . .” His eyes narrowed. “Cassie. So that’s where you’ve hidden her. I suppose I should be honored you trust me enough to send me there.”
“I don’t trust you. I don’t know what you’re up to. But you saved her life and I don’t believe you’d harm her. When you handed me Cassie at Vasaro, I had a gut feeling about you. After all she’d gone through, she wasn’t afraid of you. You may be a complete son of a bitch, but you risked your neck to protect her. I think you’d do it again.” He paused. “And if you are lying to me about anything else, you’ll be the—”
“First to get my throat cut,” Travis finished. “I’ll keep that in mind. When do I go?”
“Tomorrow night. About this time. Danley will find you a hotel for now.” Andreas pushed back his chair and stood up. “I’ll take you when I visit Cassie.”
“How is she doing?”
“Bad.” His mouth tightened. “So bad that my so-called sense of honor wouldn’t stop me from burning those bastards at the stake when I catch up with them. I’ll tell Danley you’re ready to go.”
“Not yet.” He took out his telephone. “I have a few calls to make.”
“You can make them at the hotel.”
He shook his head. “I’m sure this room is thoroughly clean of bugs, and I need that privacy.” He smiled. “It’s not as if you told me the location where you’re taking me. There must be thousands of old houses in Virginia.”
“Yes, there are. Who are you going to call?”
“A friend. I don’t like the idea of disappearing from view with no one knowing you’re responsible. I feel the need for a little insurance.”