Countdown - Iris Johansen [44]
“Why would I do that?”
“You didn’t want me to ask questions and it was easier to distract me with—”
“Sex?” He shook his head. “Nothing easy about it. You want to ask questions? Do it.”
She drew a deep breath. “Joe says you’re into something very ugly. Are you?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re not going to tell me what?”
“I will eventually. Any other questions?”
She didn’t speak for a moment. “Where did you go last night when you left the castle?”
His brows lifted. “You saw me?”
“I saw you. Where did you go?”
“The Run.”
“What?”
“It’s better seen than described. I’ll take you there if you like.”
“When?”
“Tonight after dinner. I have work to do today.”
“What kind of work?”
“Research.”
“You said that before. Studying the scrolls, no doubt.”
He nodded. “Among other things. I’m trying to put the pieces together.”
“What pieces?”
“I’ll go over it with you after I have the whole picture.”
Her hands clenched in frustration. “And what am I supposed to be doing until then?”
“Explore the castle, take a walk in the courtyard, sketch, call Eve again and have her tell you what a scoundrel I am.”
“Again? You know I called Eve?”
“You told me that Joe had found out I was dabbling in sin and brimstone.”
That’s right, she had. “But I didn’t tell you Eve called you a scoundrel.”
“She probably didn’t. She likes me. Grudgingly, but the feeling’s there. But I’m sure she felt it her duty to express her distrust.” He tilted his head, studying her expression. “And I assure you that I wasn’t listening in on your call. I don’t care what you tell Joe and Eve.”
She believed him. “I came here because I want answers. I’m not going to stay if I don’t get them. Two days, Trevor.”
“Ultimatum?”
“You bet your life.” Her lips twisted. “Does that phrase stimulate you? You like to gamble. You love the tightrope. For years you made a living counting cards in the casinos, didn’t you?”
“You always stimulate me. Are you coming to the Run with me tonight?”
“Yes. I want answers and I’ll get them any way I can.” She put down her glass in the sink. “Which is why I’m not going to go for a walk in the courtyard or explore the castle.” She turned toward the door. “I’m going to see Mario and see if he’s willing to be any more communicative.” She looked over her shoulder in sly satisfaction at his reaction. “Want to bet on that, Trevor?”
“No bet.” He met her gaze. “But you might remember that I’ll hold him responsible for any fall from grace and act accordingly.”
Her smile faded. Bastard. He couldn’t have said anything that would have been more likely to deter her. “What if I said I didn’t care?”
“You’d be lying.” He added curtly, “Run along. You’ve gotten the rise you wanted out of me. I’m sure Mario will be ecstatic to see you.”
Yes, she’d gotten the response for which she’d aimed, but she felt no triumph. She’d wanted to get her own back, anger him, pierce that cool, smooth facade. She’d done it, but he’d managed to turn victory into a stalemate.
“What did you expect?” Trevor’s gaze was on her face. “I’m not one of the boys you fool around with at Harvard. You play for high stakes, you should be ready to have your bluff called.”
She looked away from him and headed for the hall. “It wasn’t a bluff.”
“It better be.”
His soft words trailed after her as she started up the staircase. She wouldn’t look back. She wouldn’t let him see that his velvet threat disturbed her. Not frightened. Disturbed. There was an excitement, a tingling awareness of uncertainty and danger that she’d never experienced before. Was this Trevor’s tightrope? Is this what he felt when—
Forget it. Shrug it off. She’d find out what she could from Mario without making trouble for the boy, and tonight she’d find out more from Trevor.
The Run . . .
No, put Trevor aside, don’t think of him, smother this eagerness. Concentrate on Mario and Cira.
Keep Jock Gavin away from Jane,” Trevor said as soon as MacDuff picked up the phone. “I don’t want him near her.”
“He won’t hurt her.”
“Not if you don’t let him within a hundred yards of her. She saw him