Deadly Games - Cate Noble [44]
“Would this person in Belarus be open to a partnership?” Ian was obviously interested.
Harry set the hook. “I’d approach it from a work-for-hire angle. The fewer people to split profits with, the better.”
“Let me see what other sources I can tap to trace Taz.”
You do that, Harry thought. “Any news on where Rocco’s sister is?”
“She was supposed to be moved but apparently her son has disappeared. No sign of foul play; they think he sneaked away to meet a friend. The kid’s got a cell phone, but he’s keeping it off. The mother was refusing to leave until he returned. She’s also demanding to speak to Rocco but he’s not answering his cell phone either.”
“We can use this.” Harry took a sip of coffee. “Get word to Dante Johnson about Rocco’s nephew disappearing. Mention that Rocco’s sister wants contacts. You can bet your ass Dante knows how to get in touch with Rocco. Then monitor the sister’s cell phone. Rocco will call her.”
Chapter Fifteen
Springfield, MA
October 4, 11:00 P.M.
Mission incomplete.
Find Rufin.
“Almost there.” Taz grunted as he withdrew the ice pick from his thigh. The slender metal pick created a neater, smaller wound than a knife. It also preserved his clothing and conserved his ability to self-heal, which had grown erratic.
The best part, though, was that the pain of ramming an ice pick straight to the bone was far more excruciating than simply cutting muscle with a knife. And the more intense the pain, the longer the moments of clarity lasted.
He sheathed the ice pick. Something else to thank Hades for. During one of their recent connections, Hades had reminded him of the tenets of self-administered pain. Short and extreme served better than long and less intense.
Hades had also been ready to help when Taz began experiencing brief but powerful bursts of hallucinations. Hades had mentally guided him through the process of compartmentalizing.
Break it down.
Prioritize.
Focus on a single task.
It had worked.
But at a price. When Taz allowed his connection to Hades to open fully, he’d given Hades complete access to his thoughts for a short time.
Hades had quickly exploited the opportunity and discovered where Taz and his hostage were holed up. Taz had felt compelled to release the woman as Hades insisted. In the end, Taz had had to trigger a seizure in Hades to forcibly close their portal.
Then a funny thing had happened. In those scrambled seconds while Hades had writhed in pain, Taz had been granted reciprocal access to Hades’ thoughts. That’s when he uncovered the connection between Dr. Erin Houston and Dr. Rufin.
Hades’ concern for Erin had been off the charts. Mine! Hades had even established a mind link with the woman, not to exploit or manipulate her thoughts, but to protect.
And during those moments when Hades’ consciousness was battling the seizure, Taz had touched that connection to Erin. To Erin’s thoughts.
She had visited with Dr. Rufin yesterday, in a Washington, D.C. hospital. Rufin had been moved today, to an undisclosed location, while Erin had rushed off to Massachusetts.
Right here.
She was currently inside the building, perusing records. What she hoped to find and why it was so urgent wasn’t clear. Nor did it matter.
Prioritize.
Find Rufin.
From his hidden spot across the street, Taz watched the building. According to the front marquee, it housed a half-dozen medical businesses most of which had the word research in their name.
Though foot traffic was low this time of night, Taz still saw a few people he presumed were employees gain entrance by swiping a magnetic card. A security guard had come by twice in the last hour talking on his cell phone while checking doors.
Taz sensed a mental nudge. It was his connection with Hades.
Cautiously, Taz checked it and found Hades was speaking with Erin, by phone.It’s late, why don’t you call it a night?