Countdown - Iris Johansen [67]
“Reilly.”
He nodded. “Just a guess, but enough to make me think.”
“And when you took the scrolls and coins back from Dupoi, Grozak had to go after you to get what he wanted. You had Dupoi set up as a lure and to authenticate the find. And that’s what you planned.” She shook her head. “My God, you’re a devious son of a bitch.”
“But this time I’m on the side of the angels. That should make you happy.”
“I’m too scared to be happy about any of this.” She shivered. “And then you went to the CIA?”
“Not right away.” He grimaced. “I have a problem with all this self-sacrificing bullshit. I decided to verify and do a little soul-searching. There was the possibility that Grozak wouldn’t get his act together this time either. But then Reilly appeared, hovering in the background, and I knew it could happen.” He shrugged. “The opportunity seemed too good not to take advantage of it. I could rid myself of Grozak before he found a way to take me out. I could save the world.” He smiled. “And if I played the game right, I could still end up with the gold. How could I resist?”
“How indeed?” she murmured. She stared at the envelope containing the videotape. “The ultimate tightrope.”
His smile faded. “But I didn’t want you to be involved. Believe me, if I could have found a way to lock you up in a nunnery until this was over, I would have done it.”
“A nunnery?”
“A bit extreme. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a jealous son of a bitch where you’re concerned.”
“I’m not going to be locked up anywhere.” She raised her gaze from the envelope. “And I’m not going to have what happened to Mario’s father happen to Eve or Joe.”
“The first thing I did when I thought there was a possibility of a danger to you was to tell Venable that he had to have twenty-four-hour coverage for both of them.”
“But you’re not impressed by the CIA’s efficiency.”
“I told him if anything happened to them that I’d take the CIA out of the loop. As I told you, Grozak is a nervous man.”
“I’m going to warn them anyway.”
“As you like.”
She had another thought. “How are they going to do it? What are the specific targets?”
“I don’t know. I was lucky to get as much information as I did. I doubt if anyone but Grozak knows all the details.” He took the telephone back from her. “If you’re not going to call Venable, then I’d better do it. I don’t want his men getting in Brenner’s way when he reaches Lucerne.”
“Brenner said you think you know who the murderer is.”
“Ralph Wickman. Brenner thinks it’s Tom Rendle. I could be wrong but I don’t believe so. Brenner is going to scout around and see if he can determine if anyone has an idea of his next move.”
“Any hope?”
“Very little. But it doesn’t hurt to explore the possibilities. If Wickman is working for Grozak, we have to keep tabs on him.”
She shuddered. “He must be a horrible man.”
“Yes. But no more horrible than the man who hired him.” He reached into his desk drawer and drew out two photos. He threw one in front of her. “Grozak.” The face in the photo was that of a man in his forties, not bad looking but nothing extraordinary about him. “If Grozak had to do the job himself, he’d have wielded that sword without a qualm. And enjoyed it.” He tossed the other photo down. “Thomas Reilly.” Reilly was older, somewhere in his fifties, and his features were almost aristocratic, with fine bones, a long nose, and thin, well-shaped lips. “And, in his way, Reilly makes Grozak look angelic in comparison.” He took out his phone. “Do you want to talk to Venable?”
She got to her feet. “Why should I?”
“To see if I’ve told you the truth.”
“You’ve told me the truth.”
“How do you know?”
She smiled slightly. “Because you promised you’d never lie to me.”
“Good God, I believe we have a breakthrough.