“Open your eyes and look at me,” Kendra said. “You’ll see that I’m not wrong. I want you to know this is the end. I want you to know that you’re on your way to hell, and nothing can stop it. Open your eyes, dammit.”
He slowly opened his eyes.
“That’s right, look at me,” Kendra said harshly. “And think about all those poor people you killed at Colby’s bidding. Think about how you’re going to burn for all eternity because of them.”
She’d gotten through to him at last. For an instant, she saw realization and fear in his eyes. Then they were once more filled with a wild hatred. “The end? Never … you’ll never be…” He coughed, struggling for breath. “Closer … come closer, bitch. You’ve got to hear … Listen…”
She leaned closer, until they were only inches apart. “I can hear you, Chatsworth. What are you trying to say to me?”
“Only … this.” His eyes were burning into hers as he whispered, “Tetro … dotoxin.” Then his lids were closing. “Mereor…”
He was dead.
And Kendra was transfixed, frozen, as she stared down at him.
Tetrodotoxin?
She slowly sat back on her heels.
“Kendra?” She was barely aware of Lynch kneeling beside her. “Thank God. I heard the shots when I was down the road. Are you hurt?”
“No.” She moistened her lips. “I killed him, Lynch. But I don’t know…”
“You’re in shock.” He put his arm around her. “You’re shivering…”
“You’re right, I’m cold. I’m cold to my soul…”
“Because you killed that bastard? You know he deserved it.”
“Yes.”
“Look, you don’t have to stay here with him. Let’s go back to the car. I’ve called Griffin, and his team is on the way by helicopter. It’s over, Kendra.”
“Is it?” She was still looking down at Chatsworth’s face. “He didn’t think so.” Her mind was in high gear, thinking, searching, discarding, searching again. “And I’m not sure that I’m—” She broke off and leaned forward, her hands moving over Chatsworth’s body, searching his pockets.
“What are you doing?” Lynch asked. “What are you looking for?”
“I don’t know. It could be nothing.” She’d found a wallet. Nothing in it but a driver’s license and some cash. She dropped the wallet and jumped to her feet. “Maybe in his car…”
She was running back to Chatsworth’s SUV, where it was parked on the hill.
“What the hell?” Lynch was running after her.
She was already in the front seat of Chatsworth’s SUV when he reached her. She’d grabbed the iPad from the front seat and was going through the menu. “I’ll check the memos. You check the glove box.”
“And what am I’m looking for?”
“Information.”
“What kind of information?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Great.” He opened the glove box and started to go through it. “Nothing in here but some receipts, gloves…” He reached back. “And maybe…” He pulled out a small, ringed notepad. “This?”
She gazed at it for a moment and then slowly took the notebook. “Maybe…” She flipped open the cover. “Addresses…” She felt suddenly sick. “One of them is Dean Halley’s.” She flipped more pages. More names, more places. The Go Nuclear Club, her own address …
She flipped more pages.
Tetrodotoxin.
The word jumped out at her.
And beneath it another name and address.
She frantically flipped other pages. Nothing. No other writing for the rest of the notebook.
“You found what you were looking for?” Lynch asked.
“I think so. Maybe not enough. Give me a minute. I have to think about it.” She closed her eyes. Connect all the dots. Put it together.
Impossible. It was impossible.
But impossible was only a word.
And she was terrified that word had become reality.
“You’ll notice I’m being very patient,” Lynch said mildly.
She opened her eyes. “Come on.” She jumped out of the car. “Or give me your car keys. I don’t care which.”
“I’m coming. And it’s Nelson’s car.” He beat her to the car. “Where are we going?”
“I know the way. It’ll be quicker if I drive.” She held out her hand. “Please, don’t argue, Lynch. Not now.”
His gaze narrowed on her face, and he dropped the keys in her palm. “Though it’s against my better judgment. I’m not sure you’re in any shape to drive.”