But he’d faced one before and did not flinch.
“No, Josepe,” Cassiopeia said, coming around to where Malone could see her. “No violence. I came to end this.”
“He is evil,” Salazar said.
“But killing him would be equally as bad.”
Salazar lowered the weapon, his expression one of disgust. “Of course. You’re correct. I have done nothing wrong. Nothing at all.”
Malone wondered how long Cassiopeia had been outside the chapel. Had she heard Salazar’s tacit confession? Perhaps Salazar was wondering the same thing. Which would explain his show.
Cassiopeia stepped to the altar and retrieved the book. “This belongs to us.”
She handed the box to Salazar, who said, “Tell your superiors, Mr. Malone, that I thank them for the purchase.”
“So stealing is okay?”
Salazar threw him a smile. “Under the circumstances, I would say no. We’ll call it partial compensation for what I owe you.”
He caught the meaning.
They headed for the doorway.
Cassiopeia backed away, her gun aimed on him.
His eyes never wavered from her, either. “You going to shoot me?”
“If you don’t stay here, until we’re gone, I’ll do just that. I haven’t forgotten your insults. To me. To him. To our religion. I believe in restraint. But if pushed, I will shoot you.”
And she left.
MALONE STOOD IN THE SILENCE. HE HAD NO INTENTION OF following. Cassiopeia had ended the confrontation her way.
And that was as far as it could go.
He stepped from the chapel into a small foyer hewn from the rock, and approached a rectangular opening in the outer wall. No glass filled the window. A gray-yellow amorphous quarter moon hid behind scattered cloud cover. Below, he saw the silent forms of Cassiopeia, Salazar, and the two Danites as they retreated from the graveyard, heading back into town. He felt angry, betrayed, disillusioned, bitter, and, more than anything else, foolish. He’d confronted Salazar with no real purpose, other than to pick a fight.
Not his style.
He usually never made a threat he could not back up. But this time had been different. The president of the United States had wanted Salazar hassled. What just happened certainly qualified.
The four shadows disappeared into the night.
One of whom he loved.
Now what?
Hell if he knew.
CASSIOPEIA ENTERED THE GOLDENER HIRSCH, THE GUN BACK in the possession of the younger man. She’d learned that both were staying on the third floor in a room down the hall from Josepe’s. She was one floor below them in a spacious suite. Josepe handed over the book to his associates then excused them, escorting her to her door. She inserted the key. He gently grasped her arm and drew her close.
“I want you to know that I have hurt no one. That allegation was false and malicious.”
“I know, Josepe. That’s not you.”
“Did you mean what you said? About our religion and that he insulted us?”
“Every word.”
Lying was becoming far too easy for her.
“Why did you follow me?”
“I have skills, Josepe, that may be of assistance to you.”
“That I can see.”
“I’ve been involved with several high-profile investigations. I can handle myself in … difficult situations.”
“I saw that, too.”
“The important thing is that you now have the book and he did not win. Whatever else exists between you and Malone and the Americans, I’m here if you want my help.”
He appraised her with careful eyes. She could almost hear his thoughts as he considered the reasons why he should not trust her.
“I could use your help,” he finally said.
“Then you have it.”
“We’ll discuss it more tomorrow.” He gently kissed her. “Good night.”
And he walked away, climbing to the third floor.
She listened as his footfalls receded.
Cotton had sent her another message with his accusation.
One she’d received, loud and clear.
And something had become abundantly clear.
This Josepe Salazar was not the man she once knew.
THIRTY-EIGHT
WASHINGTON, D.C.
5:20 P.M.
STEPHANIE HAD BEEN PROVIDED THE ADDRESS BY DANNY DANIELS. Then she’d listened as Daniels explained how her discretionary account was short some $500,000 thanks to an adjustment made to confidential audits conducted by the Justice Department. The attorney general’s assistance had been recruited, though he hadn’t been told the reason why, only that it was necessary that her job be in jeopardy. She thought, perhaps, the AG might actually like that, since the two of them had been known to clash. The appropriate leaks of the White House’s suspicions were made yesterday evening, after Edwin returned to Washington, to ensure that the rumor quickly made its way to Senator Thaddeus Rowan.