Countdown - Iris Johansen [119]
A week ago MacDuff wouldn’t have bet on it happening at all. But he was encouraged and exhilarated that at least Jock was able to weigh consequences, and he was more normal than MacDuff had seen him since he’d known him as a boy. “Nonsense. I have faith in you.”
“Do you?”
“Would I have gone through all we have together if I didn’t?” He smiled at him over his shoulder. “Do your job. Make me proud of you, lad.”
“It’s too late for that. But I’ll do my job.” He closed his eyes. “It may take a while.”
“We’ll give you time.”
“Good. He keeps getting in the way. I can’t see. . . .”
“You will. Just let it come.”
18
Well?” Trevor asked when MacDuff came out of the bedroom. “Do we have a fix on Reilly?”
“Maybe. He’s still leaning toward Idaho. Where’s Jane?”
“In the kitchen with Mario. Where in Idaho?”
“He’s not sure.” He moved toward the kitchen. “Near Boise. I’m not going through this twice. I want to make sure everyone knows that I don’t want Jock harassed.”
“May I point out that it was you who sent him around the bend?”
“With help from Jane.”
“She’s giving you a little too much help. I saw those marks on her throat.”
“And did she complain?”
“She said it was worth it. I don’t agree.”
“You would if you’d seen Jock just now. He’s coming out of the fog.”
“Good for him. It’s still not worth it.” Trevor preceded him into the kitchen, where Jane and Mario sat at the table. “MacDuff says that Jock is zeroing in on Boise as a possible location.”
“Really?” Mario’s body tensed with eagerness. “Where exactly?”
“He’s not sure. You can’t expect everything to come back to him right away.”
“Can’t you talk to him, push him?”
“No. He’s doing the best he can. I don’t want him to have a set-back.”
“How was he?” Jane asked.
“Tentative. Like a baby taking its first steps.” He smiled. “And so goddamn close to normal it was bloody incredible.”
“Then he should be able to tell us something soon,” Mario said.
“Back off,” Trevor said. “It’s what we all want.”
“How long?” Jane asked.
MacDuff shrugged. “As long as it takes.”
“That’s not acceptable.” Mario frowned. “What if Grozak and Reilly find out what we’re doing? And even if they don’t, there’s only a week left. Grozak could close the—”
“I’m not pressuring him,” MacDuff said. “And neither are you.”
“I don’t want to hurt him, but you need to—” Mario threw up his hands in frustration as he met MacDuff’s gaze. “Never mind.” He strode out of the room.
“He’s right,” Trevor said. “We can’t twiddle our thumbs and wait for time to cure Jock.”
“We’ll see. There has to be a compromise.” MacDuff went to the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee. “I’m not going to destroy Jock because Mario wants his revenge yesterday. We can afford a couple days. It will come.”
“And we don’t want Mario striking out on his own and blowing what little cover we have,” Trevor said.
“He won’t do that.” Jane stood up. “I’ll talk to him.”
“By all means,” MacDuff said. “You hold his hand. I’m not about to do it.” He glanced at Trevor. “And I don’t believe Trevor’s in a mood to do it.”
“At least I’m not going to have to worry about Mario choking the life out of her,” Trevor said. “It’s a step forward from the way you put her head into the lion’s den with Jock.” He glanced at Jane. “I could do it if you don’t want to deal with him.”
“Neither of you is remembering that Mario is hurting too.” Jane moved toward the door. “All he wants to know is that there’s an end in sight.”
Trevor’s brows rose. “That’s all we all want to know.”
Have you been sent on a mission of diplomacy or as a teacher to slap my hands?” Mario asked. “I’m not sorry. I spoke the truth.”
“No one sent me,” Jane said. “And you should be allowed to speak your mind.” She paused. “But not before you think it through. My first impulse was the same as yours. Jock could be the only way to stop this. Just a few words and he might be able to lead us to them.”
“Then tell Trevor and MacDuff.”
“I will. But not until we give Jock his chance. We’re not savages. We don’t want to destroy a mind if we can save it by letting Jock find