Chasing the Night - Iris Johansen [120]
She braced herself. It was coming. Think. How to set it up? Lord, it was going to be difficult. The prospect had been bad enough when she had thought there would only be Luke to rescue. Now she had to consider Eve and Kelly.
Czadas was following Rakovac and Catherine up the steps. It didn’t surprise her. From the short time since she’d regained consciousness, he had seemed a true soul mate to that bastard Rakovac. Okay, she had Czadas and Rakovac to take care of. But she hadn’t seen any sign of guards within the house. After she disposed of Rakovac, she’d have only Czadas to deal with until they got outside.
But how to get Luke to go with her? If he’d been taught to think of her as the devil, wouldn’t he panic? Worry about that later. One disaster at a time.
No, don’t think disaster. It had to go well. She had to save Luke.
Czadas had stepped in front of them and was unlocking the oak door. “Luke,” he called jovially as he stepped inside. “I’ve brought Rakovac. He wants to have a party. You remember Rakovac’s parties. First, he sent you visitors, and now he’s brought a special guest. You’ll recognize her at—” He stopped, stiffening, as his gaze raked the darkness. “Luke?” He reached out to the wall and turned on the light.
The room was empty!
“What the hell!” Rakovac pushed her through the doorway. “Where are they, Czadas? Is this some kind of trick? Are you holding me up for more money?”
“They were here,” Czadas said quickly. “Son of a bitch, I wouldn’t try to double-cross you, Rakovac.”
Rakovac’s face was flushed with anger. “Then where are—” His gaze went to the open trunk and the chair lying on the floor with one metal leg missing. “Is he hiding?” He strode over to the trunk. “Get that kid—” He stopped as he stared down into the chest. He started to swear. “You told me that the kid wasn’t trying to run away any longer. That you’d taught him a lesson.”
“I did.” Czadas was beside him, looking down into the gaping hole that pierced both the chest and the floor beneath it. “It will be all right, Rakovac. I promise.”
Catherine couldn’t believe it. Something had happened. Luke was free. They were all free. Thank you, God. Oh, thank you, God.
“Where does that hole lead?” Rakovac asked.
“Only the basement,” Czadas answered.
“And is there a window in the basement?”
“Yes.”
Rakovac spoke clearly, slowly, each word enunciated with precision. “Then don’t you think you’d better get down there and see if you can find out if they managed to get outside?”
“Right away.” Czadas had turned and was hurrying toward the door. “Even if they’re on the grounds, it won’t be a problem. I’ll have the guards scour the area and call in additional help from the village. We’ll find them.”
“Quickly.” Rakovac met Czadas’s eyes. “No excuses. I’ve planned this ending for years. I won’t have it ruined by your clumsiness.”
“Thirty minutes.” Czadas moistened his lips. “Forty minutes tops.” He hurried from the room.
“He’s a fool.” Rakovac whirled on Catherine. “But he knows better than to spoil this for me. He’ll have your son back in no time.”
“I hope you’re wrong.” How had it happened? Had Eve and Kelly helped her son to escape? It didn’t matter. Now wasn’t the time to analyze the miracle. Just accept it and try to build on it. “Maybe it was meant to be.”
“It was meant to be that I kill him and you, too, bitch,” Rakovac said. “And don’t hope. It won’t do you any good. Nothing is going to happen except exactly what I described to you. It’s just been postponed a short time.”
“If one thing is changed, maybe others will change, too,” Catherine said. “Chain reaction.”
“That sounds a little too optimistic.” He pulled out his gun and pointed