Deadly Games - Cate Noble [21]
“It’s like you compare all women to the Ghost of Gena Past,” Travis had once said. “Who the hell wants to compete with that?”
“I feel like an idiot for not picking up on it sooner,” Rocco said.
“Bottom line: you’ve got to trust Travis on this one,” Dante said.
“Tell me more about what happened in Texas. Did you say Gena was at a women’s shelter?” Had her problem resurfaced?
“My intel’s sketchy, but Cat’s gathering a full dossier for you. Gena worked for the company that was building a new facility for the shelter. In fact, it was still under construction. There’d been some recent vandalism. Nothing serious. Until last night. Gena and one other volunteer were there working when it happened. Local law enforcement seems to believe either the husband of the other woman is behind the attack, or whoever has been behind the previous vandalism decided to take it to the next level.”
“In light of the timing and what’s happening to people around me, I think we can rule both of those out,” Rocco said.
“I agree.” Max had been quiet up till now. “For what it’s worth, my Spidey senses are telling me Gena’s in serious danger.”
Rocco focused on Max. “What else do you know?”
Thanks to mind-control experiments conducted by the late Dr. Viktor Zadovsky, a protégé of Dr. Rufin’s, Max had developed some highly unusual telepathic abilities. Abilities Rocco had thought only applied to a link between Max and the missing man they believed was SAS Agent Logan Treyhorn. Better known as Taz.
Except now that Rocco thought about it, he recalled that Dante had had some clairvoyant experiences when he’d first returned as well.
“I sense someone watching her, but from a distance. Like they’re waiting.” Max rubbed his forehead as if in pain. “Sorry it’s not more specific. My, uh, channels are scrambled today.”
“He had a seizure last night,” Dante said. “After making contact with Taz.”
“Wow. Guess that confirms Taz is alive though,” Rocco said.
Taz had fallen into a deep ravine in Colorado after fighting with Max. His remains had not been found. That Taz’s body held data chips implanted by Dr. Rufin was one of the reasons the Agency sought him. That Taz was considered a friend by Max added another layer of complexity.
“I’ll go see Gena,” Rocco said. “And explain the danger she’s in and get her to a safe house.”
“We’re going with you,” Dante said. “We’ve got a jet on standby that can fly us to Texas in about three hours. We can be back by nightfall. Then—”
Dante’s words were cut off as his phone rang. Within seconds Max’s was ringing, too.
Max checked the display. “It’s headquarters. Damn. You think they already know about Rocco’s escape?”
“Play dumb,” Dante advised.
“Duncan.” Max grew silent, listening. “When did this happen? Send a copy of the video to my cell phone.”
Max disconnected and turned to Dante. “A gas station in Kentucky was robbed during the night. The female clerk is missing. The suspect’s photo matches the one police have on file for Taz.”
Taz had been sought in connection with an earlier assault following his escape from a hospital in San Diego.
Max’s phone buzzed, indicating an e-mail. He opened it. “It’s him.” Max held his phone up.
Even Rocco recognized the man staring directly into the security camera. “Damn. Now what?”
“I’ve got to get to him before the police do,” Max said. “If he’s unstable, I’m the only one he’ll listen to.”
“Change of plans,” Dante said to Rocco. “Max and I need to go to Kentucky. Who do you trust that we can tap for backup in Texas?”
Rocco shook his head. “Outside of this car? No one. If I can get to Texas in three hours, I can grab Gena and fly straight back here. She can stay with Adele and Billy until we get this straightened out.”
“We both know it won’t be that easy. From what I understand, Gena’s refused to leave the burn victim’s bedside,” Dante said. “Let’s face it, the truth will shock her.”
“Especially coming from me,” Rocco said. “But if I have to, I’ll drag her to a secure