“Who said I was drugged? Jessica?”
“No, but the signs were pretty clear.”
“I wasn’t drugged.” She sat down on the couch. “And that makes you pretty lame at reading signs, doesn’t it? How did you know I was arguing with Travis? I didn’t see you.”
“I was in the cockpit and I opened the door as you were ripping into him. Since my discretion is legendary, I stayed put until you marched off. Could I get you a cup of coffee from the galley?”
“No, I want to rest.”
“You look very rested now.”
“But we’ve already established you’re lousy at reading signs.”
“Ouch.” He made a face. “Since I can’t admit to being wrong, I suppose I’ve got to believe you’re trying to get rid of me.”
“I suppose you do.”
He tilted his head inquiringly. “Why? Most people line up for the pleasure of my company.”
“Before you shoot them?”
His smile faded. “Now, that came out of left field. And I thought we were getting along so well. Why did you say that?”
She looked away from him. “You’re a friend of Travis’s. Jessica said you were at Vasaro and helped him with the escape from Juniper. I can do the math.” She leaned back on the couch. “If you don’t mind, I want to rest.”
“I’ll go away.” He squatted down beside her. “Just one question.”
“You shouldn’t have any questions. I’m sure you overheard my entire conversation with Travis while you were practicing your legendary discretion.”
“Yes, it was very interesting. I intend to quiz Travis on the details later. But this question has nothing to do with him.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “When I was carrying you to the plane, you looked up at me and said, ‘Don’t do it. Don’t let him, Jessica.’ What did you mean by that?”
“How should I know? I was out of my head.” Face him down. “After all, you can’t expect someone on drugs to be coherent.”
“Stung.” He stood up. “Serves me right. Never ask intimate questions of a stranger.”
“That question wasn’t intimate.”
“Wasn’t it?” He smiled. “It felt intimate. Never mind, we’ll get back to it later.”
She watched him walk away from her. Her first impression had been correct. Galen was a very dangerous man, and the less she had to do with him, the better. Forget about him.
Think about Cassie instead.
Break the tether.
How?
There had to be a way to wrest control of those nightmares from Cassie. The girl was strong, but her loneliness was heartbreakingly evident each time—
My God.
Why take on Cassie at the worst possible moment? Don’t wait to be pulled into the nightmares; try to invade a gentler dream or sleep state.
She was crazy. She’d never tried anything like that before, and the prospect scared her. She sure as hell didn’t have any idea if it was possible. But if Cassie could pull Melissa from deep sleep into her tunnel, why shouldn’t she be able to go there herself ?
Because maybe there were rules about this kind of thing?
Rules were made to be broken.
So go for it. There was no time like the present, since Cassie was sleeping.
Melissa closed her eyes. How the hell did you go about something like this?
Concentrate . . .
Amsterdam
“I want the delivery in the morning, van der Beck.” Karlstadt looked out at the canal. “And there won’t be any tricks.”
“I stand by my reputation. You know I’ve never been accused of cheating a client.”
“I don’t like your idea of the transfer taking place in the park. For God’s sake, that place even has a playground. There will be too many people around. I’ll come to your flat in the morning at nine.”
“Travis likes the idea of people being around. It’s easier to become lost in a crowd. It will be in the park or nowhere. I told you how it’s to be done, and that’s the way it will be done.”
Karlstadt’s lips thinned. “Then you’d better not disappear until I have the merchandise verified.”
“I’m sure you intend to have us followed until you finish the verification.” He paused. “Oh, did I forget to tell you that you’ll receive only half tomorrow? The other half will be sent to you in Johannesburg.”
“What?”
“Merely a safety precaution. Naturally, you’ll transfer half the money tonight to the Swiss account number I gave you. We’ll wait for the other half tomorrow at the park.”
“And what if you decide to take the first half and leave me in the lurch?”