Chasing the Night - Iris Johansen [129]
He nodded but didn’t answer.
Kelly had left them alone together so that they could come to some kind of understanding. It hadn’t happened. He still found her beyond his comprehension. She was reaching desperately for a way to peel away those layers of mental scar tissue from those terrible years, but it wasn’t going to happen in an hour or even a day.
She could see Eve standing by the front door, and she suddenly remembered what she had said.
He’s alive. We’ve brought him home. What difference does it make that he’s having trouble deciding where that home is?
She had forgotten that in those moments with Luke when she had been trying desperately to reach him.
Her pace quickened, and she waved at Eve.
He was alive. She had to be patient. Time and work, and she’d find a way to bring back the joy.
“We’ve got them!” Joe came striding out of the study into the living room. “No incidents. Though we were only able to pick up half of the suicide bombers. Homeland Security panicked and closed down all airports for three hours.”
“I approve of that kind of panic,” Eve said. “And they picked up the airline employees involved?”
Joe nodded. “It was a delicate operation. Some of them had been bribed, but others had been forced by a hostage situation like the one in Lima.” He lifted his head, listening. “I hear the helicopter. Is Catherine ready to go?”
“No.” Her gaze went to Catherine, who was standing, looking out the window across the room. “But she will. I told her we’d keep Luke for a while. Is that okay?”
“You’d still do it if I said it wasn’t.” Joe smiled. “No problem. It will be good having another male around the place. I’m constantly surrounded by women.”
“Luke isn’t your average ‘male.’ Sometimes he looks at me as if I were from another planet.”
“That’s probably how he feels. About all of us.”
“Venable says it’s time to leave, Catherine.” Kelly had come into the room. “The helicopter is landing.”
“I’m coming.” Catherine turned and moved across the room to Eve and Joe. “You won’t forget? You’ll let me know how he’s doing?”
“Every few days.” She took Catherine in her arms and gave her a hug. “And I’ll let him know what he’s missing.”
“No, don’t cram me down his throat. He wouldn’t understand.” She turned to Joe and reached up to kiss his cheek. “Take care of her, Joe. And take care of my son.” She stepped back, and said to Kelly, “How would you like to go to Hong Kong?”
Kelly’s eyes widened. “You’ll take me with you?”
“How can I do anything else? There’s no telling where you’ll turn up if I don’t keep my eye on you.”
She frowned. “Duty, Catherine?”
Catherine shook her head. “It was never duty. I just wanted to do what was best for you. I still do.” She smiled. “But now I’m being selfish. I figure that maybe I’m what’s best for you.” She paused. “So I’m willing to battle your mother and your professors and everyone else. Maybe we can work something out together, Kelly?”
“Yes!” Kelly’s face was flushed with color. “You won’t be sorry, Catherine.”
“I know I won’t.” She turned back to Eve. “I haven’t forgotten my promise. I owe you more than words can say. I’ll pay you back, Eve.”
“Catherine, we found your son. That’s payment enough.”
She shook her head. “I’ll pay you back.” She gave her a final hug and strode out of the room. Kelly hurried after her.
They had already boarded the helicopter when Eve and Joe walked out to join them.
“Let’s move.” Venable hopped into the helicopter. “I’ve got a ream of paperwork waiting for me in Moscow. Besides meeting with the reps from Homeland Security.”
“Wait!” Kelly was looking toward the house. “Just a minute.”
Luke was walking toward the helicopter. He stopped a few feet away from the aircraft. The wind from the rotors was blowing his dark hair about his face and his clothes against his thin, muscular body.
“You came to say good-bye?” Catherine asked. “I’m so glad, Luke.”
He shook his head. “I’ve never been to Hong Kong.”
She tensed. “I know. You said it sounded funny.”
“It does. And I’ve never ridden in a helicopter.