Chasing the Night - Iris Johansen [68]
“Good,” Eve said. “Let’s go.”
“Wait.” Joe’s gaze was narrowed on Kelsov. “This is a very small village, and everyone must know everything that’s going on. Even the town drunk. I can’t believe that someone didn’t know that Rakovac was in the area the night that photo was taken.”
“I didn’t say that,” Kelsov said. “Everyone knew that he’d come back. They just preferred to turn a blind eye. It was safer. They’d had experience with Rakovac and didn’t want to have anything to do with him.” He grimaced. “After he betrayed me to Moscow, he did a little more work for the government. He came back here and executed a number of revolutionaries who were hiding out here in the marshes and surrounding villages. He hunted them down and killed anyone who sheltered them.”
“Then I can’t see why they wouldn’t want to take him down,” Catherine said.
“Fear. Rakovac is good at spreading fear. I understand he set examples to discourage anyone from coming after him. You should know how clever he is at manipulating the emotions.”
“Yes, I know how clever he can be,” Catherine said. “Okay, they knew that Rakovac was here. Is he still here?”
Kelsov shook his head. “Bravski doesn’t think so. But he left at least two men in the marsh. Maybe more.”
“To see if the trap is sprung,” Eve murmured.
“That’s reasonable,” Kelsov said. “Which means that they have to be taken out before we can dig up that skeleton.” He glanced at Joe. “Care to go hunting?”
Joe’s brows rose. “You trust me?”
“I don’t have to trust you. You don’t have to trust me. We just have to trust that we can both get the job done. If you could take me down, I can trust you to do the same with Rakovac’s men.” He met Joe’s eyes. “Do you think I can do the job? I was damn clumsy when you jumped me. I’m not usually that inefficient.”
Joe studied him, silent. “I think you could be fairly lethal if your ego doesn’t get in the way.”
“It never gets in the way where Rakovac is concerned.”
“And now that you’ve completed your bonding, let’s go find that grave,” Catherine said impatiently. “I have to know.”
“I’m surprised you’re not wanting to go hunting with us,” Kelsov said.
“I could probably do it better,” Catherine said. “But I have to make sure that Eve is safe and gets to that skeleton. That’s all that’s important.”
“You’re damn right that’s important,” Joe said grimly. “You’d better guard her as if she were your precious Luke.”
“Joe, this is my choice,” Eve said quietly. “No one is responsible for my safety but me.”
“Wrong.” Joe’s gaze never left Catherine’s. “I’m not reasonable about this. Keep her safe, or I’ll come after you.”
“I understand.”
She did understand, Eve thought. Staring at the two of them she could see that there was an understanding between them that was forged not by years, but by spirit. She hadn’t realized until that moment how similar they were. The same recklessness, protectiveness, toughness, perhaps even the same philosophy. It came as a slight shock.
Then Catherine turned to her and smiled. “It’s okay, we’re not going to be at each other’s throats. You don’t have to worry.” She turned to Kelsov. “How do we get to this area?”
“Bravski drew me a map.” He pointed to a crooked symbol. “That’s the pine. We can drive through the marsh until we’re about two miles away. Then we’ll go on foot the rest of the way.” He started the car. “But you’ll give Quinn and me an hour head start. We’ll call you if there’s any mound that might be a grave near it and if it’s safe to go after the skeleton.”
Safe?
Eve was sure there wasn’t going to be anything safe about this night.
Jorge Chavez International Airport
Lima, Peru
“You’re late.” Juan Martinez scowled as Gonzalez came up to the gate. “It’s almost time to board the flight. They sent me to take over for you. I’m missing my lunch break.”
“I’m sorry,” Gonzalez said as he went behind the desk. “I was sick.”
“You still look sick.” Martinez’s gaze raked Gonzalez’s face. “You’re pale.