Always - Iris Johansen [7]
“Wrong,” he said succinctly. “I didn’t bring you here to let you go before you served my purpose. You’re the bait that’s going to lure my rat out of the woodwork.”
“You didn’t bring …” Understanding suddenly dawned. “You arranged for me to come here to Paradise Cay? What do you have to do with this place?”
He shrugged. “The island is a Sedikhan possession and so is most of the real estate on it. That’s not widely known since Alex purchased it only two years ago, so Baldwin shouldn’t learn that you’re sitting squarely in the lion’s mouth until it snaps shut.”
“Charming,” she said. “I suppose I should have suspected something. The deal was much too generous for a singer who is still struggling on the bottom rungs of the ladder.” She laughed mirthlessly. “I was very excited about it, you know. I thought I was getting somewhere at last.”
“You’ll get there. You’re extraordinarily talented. After your stint here, I’ll arrange for you to meet a few people who’ll be glad to help.” He smiled grimly. “I’ll just call in a few debts.”
“Bribery?” She felt the color rush to her cheeks. “Just close my eyes and be rewarded with a payoff? No, thank you, Mr. Donahue.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he snapped. “I just wanted to help.”
“Well, I don’t want to help you,” she said hotly. “And I’m not about to. Tomorrow I’ll take the first flight back to Miami. This engagement is now officially at an end.”
“That’s your last word on it?” Clancy asked calmly.
She nodded. “I won’t be used by you. I won’t be used by anyone, dammit.”
He stood up. “You will, you know. I’ll just have to find another trap to bait.” He turned and walked toward the door. “Good night, Miss Landon.”
Her hands clenched at her sides. “He may not even come,” she burst out in exasperation.
He opened the door. “You underestimate yourself. Baldwin will come.” He paused, and for an instant something flickered in his eyes that sent a tremor through her. “I would.” He softly closed the door behind him.
When Clancy left the dressing room he proceeded directly to his villa. He dialed Alex’s private number as soon as he reached the study. It was answered almost at once, as he’d thought it would be. Since the terrorist situation had taken on such dangerous proportions in Sedikhan, Alex often burned the midnight oil.
“Alex? I may need you to pull some diplomatic strings in the U.S. I’ll try to cover myself as much as possible, but it may get a bit dicey.”
“Baldwin?” Alex asked. “That shouldn’t be too difficult. He has both drug smuggling and assault with intent to kill charges pending against him in Miami.”
“Not Baldwin.” Clancy hesitated. “His ex-wife. I’m going to kidnap her.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. “Kidnap an American citizen? I can see how that could get a little dicey. You’re sure it’s necessary?”
“It’s necessary,” Clancy said. “I just thought I’d warn you in case I have to send out a Mayday.”
“Is she collaborating with Baldwin?”
“No, of course not. She wouldn’t—” He broke off. He sounded as defensive as Galbraith had earlier, he realized with exasperation. He finished lamely, “She’s not involved.”
“Oh, you’re going to kidnap an innocent American citizen.” Suddenly Alex chuckled. “Why do I have the feeling that you’ve stumbled across something that you can’t handle?”
“I can handle it.”
“I sincerely hope so,” Alex drawled. “You wouldn’t consider giving up your little captive in the interest of diplomacy?”
“I would not.”
“I didn’t think so.” Alex’s tone was slightly whimsical. “All right, Clancy. Make off with your little houri. I’ll take the flak if it comes down to it. Enjoy.”
“Enjoy!” Clancy said. “Dammit, this is business … your business.”
“Is it?” Alex murmured softly. “Somehow I have my doubts about that. If I can help, let me know. If I’d found it necessary with Sabrina, I would probably have done the same thing. Keep in touch.” The dial tone