Final Target(70)
“Danielle Claron is obviously not willing to bear witness if she’s been hiding out for the last few weeks.”
“If we offer her protection, she might change her mind.” He shrugged. “And the worst that can happen is that I’ll turn her over to Andreas and let the CIA try to persuade her. If I hand him a witness gift-wrapped, he might be a little more inclined to think twice about throwing me in the clink.”
“Why do you have the money to find this woman if you don’t have enough to locate Deschamps?”
“If Galen can tap into the right contacts, he may be able to find the woman without spending a dime.”
“And I’m sure he has the right contacts,” she said dryly. “He seems to be able to manage almost anything . . . criminal. But then, you have the same contacts, don’t you? You’ve been known to sell information too.”
“Yes. But we don’t have the same sources. Which comes in handy on occasion.”
“I thought you had to contact Karlstadt. Why are you still here?”
“I have a telephone. If I need to see him, I can wait until Galen gets back.”
“Because you think you have to protect us?”
“Not you,” he said lightly. “You could take on Andreas and Deschamps single-handed. But there’s the kid to think about.” He glanced at her plate. “Do you want any more? Galen cooked more than enough for a couple of meals.”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry. It was very good though. He’s multifaceted, isn’t he?”
“More than you know. Or maybe not. He said you’d read him very well. Something about brother and sister?”
She smiled. “It was easy to see that we’re a lot alike.”
“In what way?”
“Well, we both believe in making the most of every minute.”
“And you’re both tough and very perceptive. Maybe too perceptive?”
“You think this was in the psychic grab bag I got handed to me? Maybe. Or maybe I’m just a good judge of character.” She lifted the coffee to her lips. “Like you are.”
“I haven’t demonstrated much of that ability lately.” His gaze went to the bedroom door. “How’s the kid?”
“She’s sleeping.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” She hesitated. “I can reach her whether she’s asleep or awake now. And I can do it when I’m awake.”
“What?”
“I tried it on the plane and it worked.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He shook his head. “Never mind. We weren’t on the best of terms.”
“No, and I couldn’t tell you without telling Jessica. She wouldn’t have believed me, and if she had, she would have been afraid.” She looked down into her cup. “And I didn’t know how I was going to use it. I wasn’t sure Jessica was handling Cassie right. We were all being so soft and gentle. . . .”
He stared at her thoughtfully, but he didn’t speak.
“Cassie’s not a gentle child. She’s lively and strong and very intelligent, and she was never a shrinking violet until Vasaro. The withdrawal was completely out of character.”
“Shock.”
“Yes, but I have a hunch that later her nurse’s betrayal made her more angry than hurt.”
“You sound as if you know her very well.”
“Only what Jessica found out from her parents and what I’ve observed myself.”
He smiled faintly. “And maybe you’re a good deal like Cassie too. I hope not. It took six years to heal your trauma.”
“But I have an advantage Jessica didn’t have with me. I know where Cassie’s at right now.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that after the first trauma heals, it takes a really strong push to destroy that world you built for yourself. Jessica never gave me that push. She gave me love and gentleness instead. It might have worked for some kids, but it took a long time for her to get through to a stubborn brat like me.” She added, “And it means I understand that Cassie’s not really a victim. She was in the beginning, but now she’s in that tunnel because she wants to be. She willed herself there, and it’s easier to stay.”
“Easier? What about the nightmares?”
“She needs them to validate staying in the tunnel.” She moistened her lips. “So I’m going to take them away from her.”
“How?”
“I’ve already told her she doesn’t have them anymore because the monsters are waiting outside the tunnel for her to come and fight them.”