Countdown - Iris Johansen [120]
He stared at her, a multitude of expressions crossing his face. He finally said curtly, “No, dammit. But there has to be a way of getting him to—”
“No pressure.”
“Okay, okay. I hear you. But what if I spent some time with him, got to know him? Just a couple days. Maybe I could get him to talk, nudge him a little.”
“No pressure.”
“I wouldn’t even mention Reilly. Unless he mentioned him first. I’m not dumb. I can be subtle.”
“When you’re not traumatized yourself.”
“I promise, Jane. I’m not cruel. I don’t want to hurt Jock. I feel sorry for the kid. Just let me help. Let me do something.”
She gazed at him thoughtfully. She could see the desperation in his expression. “It might not be a bad idea. You’d be a new voice in the mix. Trevor, MacDuff, and I have been pushing Jock. Every time he sees us, it’s a reminder. You’re close to his age. Someone else to distract him. A change of pace . . .”
“That’s right,” Mario said eagerly. “It makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“Perhaps.” She paused. “If I can trust you.”
“I promise. I don’t break my word.” He grimaced. “The priests made sure I believed in eternal damnation if I broke any of the commandments.”
“You’re planning on breaking a big one if you kill Grozak and Reilly.”
“Some things are worth chancing damnation. And I believe the Church would weigh my sin against the greater one they’re going to commit. I won’t break my promise, Jane.”
She made up her mind. “You’d better not. If you upset Jock, MacDuff will send you to that eternal damnation without a second thought.”
“You’ll let me do it?”
“On one condition. We need to make a deal. You can have your two days with Jock if you give me Cira’s letter at the end of that time.”
“I didn’t bring it with me.” He added quickly, “But I can tell you what it said.”
“Then tell me.”
“After I spend my time with him. That’s only fair. When can I see Jock?”
“When he wakes up.” She turned to leave. “But don’t be surprised if he doesn’t want to talk to you. He’s not exactly sociable. This is purely an experiment.”
“I understand that. I’ll just be a sounding board. If he wants to talk, I’ll be there.”
“I’m trusting you, Mario.”
“Within limits.” He smiled. “And with a backup in case I don’t come through. I don’t care. As long as I can see a way to help.”
For the first time since they’d started on this journey, Mario seemed almost cheerful, the brooding and bitterness lessened. Purpose could work miracles. Perhaps throwing the two young men together would work out. “MacDuff may not be needed if you foul up,” she murmured. “Jock is extremely well trained to take care of anyone who upsets him.”
Hello, Jock. Do you know who I am?”
Jock shook his head to clear it of sleep before studying the man in the chair beside his bed. “You’re the man who lives in the room with Cira. Mario . . .”
“Donato.” The man smiled. “And I don’t exactly live with Cira. Although I sometimes feel as if I do. I’m trying to decipher her scrolls.”
“You live with her statue, the one that belongs to Trevor. MacDuff let me go up and see it before you came to the Run.”
“Without Trevor’s permission?”
“It’s the laird’s castle, and he knew I wanted to see it after he showed me the photo on the Internet.”
“And you just walked right in?”
“No, I know how to get into places.” His expression clouded. “It was easy.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t have had to use your cat-burglar skills to see the statue. Trevor’s never objected to me having her in my study.”
He shrugged. “The laird didn’t want me to bother him.”
“But not enough to tell you not to trespass and go to see her?”
“It wasn’t trespassing. It was his right to give me permission to see her.”
“Trevor wouldn’t agree, I’m afraid.” He smiled. “The castle is under lease and the statue of Cira is his.”
He shook his head. “It was the laird’s right.”
“Well, we won’t argue about it,” Mario said. “I’m glad we share a passion for Cira. She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
Jock nodded. “I feel . . . close to her.”
“So do I. Would you like to read her letters?”
“Yes.” Jock studied