Countdown - Iris Johansen [88]
“No, I’d have been satisfied if you’d just kept your mouth shut.”
“I couldn’t do that.” Venable’s gaze shifted to Jane. “You opened a whole can of worms. You’ve no idea how fast and hard Homeland Security can act if they decide to do it. It may only be a token foray, since they don’t believe Grozak is a threat any more than Sabot does. But it will be enough to blow any cover you have. I’m probably too late, but I thought I’d try.” The door of the helicopter closed behind him.
Trevor glanced at Jane. “You didn’t ask him any questions about me.”
“I didn’t get a chance.” She turned toward the front door. “And I never said I wanted to ask him questions. That was your idea.”
“What did you think of him?”
“Sad.” She shook her head. “And very human. I believe he’ll do the best he can.”
“We’re all doing the best we can.” Trevor opened the door for her and let her precede him into the hall. “And I could use a little of that tolerance you’re showing Venable.”
“You should have told me what Reilly said.”
“No, I shouldn’t. I never make it hard on myself if I can help it. I could help it this time.”
“But I’m the one at risk. Every time I think we’re working together, I find out you haven’t told me something. Dammit, I don’t even understand how you think.”
He smiled. “Then skim the surface. I’ll guarantee to make it worth your while.”
She felt the familiar heat flow through her as she looked at him. He was standing there, his stance casual, but there was nothing casual about that smile. It was intimate, sensual, and devilishly seductive. Why did she let him do this to her? Christ, that tingling response had erupted out of nowhere. One moment she’d been upset, almost indignant with him, and then that physical response had come. “I’m not a skimmer. I don’t know how.”
“I’ll teach you. I’m an expert.” He was watching her expression. “Not now?”
“It’s not . . . my nature.” She hurried toward the staircase. “I’ve got to check on Mario and then I’m meeting Jock in the courtyard at five.”
“He seemed upset when he left you this morning. He might not show.”
“You were watching?”
“Brenner wasn’t here, and I trust MacDuff but he has his own agenda. Of course I was watching. And I’ll be watching this afternoon.”
“I don’t believe he’ll hurt me.”
“I want to be sure.” He paused. “I’m going to the Run tonight after dinner. I want you there. Will you come?”
“I don’t . . . know. I’m still angry with you.”
“But there’s something else going on too, isn’t there?” His gaze was fixed intently on her face and his voice was suddenly rough with feeling. “I want it very much. So much that I’ve got to get away from you or I’ll show you right here, right now. I’ll be waiting.” He headed toward the library. “And I’m damn human too, Jane. Come and see for yourself.”
It was five-fifteen when Jane saw Jock coming across the courtyard toward her.
“You came back.” She tried to hide her relief as she opened her sketchbook. “I’m glad.”
“The laird told me I should.” He frowned. “I didn’t want to do it.”
“Because I made you uneasy?” She started to sketch. “I didn’t mean to—” She stopped and then said, “I’m not telling you the truth. I wanted you to be worried, Jock. We’re all worried, and why should you be different? We have to stop that man who hurt you. It’s your job to help us.”
He shook his head.
“Do you believe it’s over? It’s not over, Jock. Reilly is going to hurt a lot of people because you’re burying your head in the sand. If he does, it will be your fault.”
“Not my fault.”
“Yes, it is.” She searched wildly for a way to get through to him. “And it’s not only strangers he’s going to hurt. He’d be angry that MacDuff is trying to stop him. Are you going to let Reilly hurt him?”
He looked away from her. “I’ll take care of the laird. No one will hurt him.”
“MacDuff won’t let you. He wants to find and kill Reilly because of what he did to you. MacDuff