No One to Trust - Iris Johansen [29]
“Why?”
“I had a hunch. I believe in hunches.”
So did Elena. “And then you came to the house to warn us.”
“But I got there when things were already starting to happen. Carbonari had evidently found a way to let some of Gomez’s men into the fermenting shed and didn’t like the idea of you getting in the way.”
“I wouldn’t have suspected anything if they hadn’t left the ladder propped against the vat. It was stupid of Carbonari not to put the ladder away and then put it up again later.”
“I wonder if the fermenting shed caught fire.” Galen tilted his head. “It would be pleasant to think of Gomez’s men in that vat, slowly roasting.”
“You’d like to kill them?”
“Oh, yes.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “And you’re studying me, analyzing my responses, looking for an edge. That’s fairly amazing after what you’ve gone through tonight.”
“It’s because of what I’ve gone through tonight.” Her hand tightened on her cup. “I have to find a way to keep Barry and Dominic safe. They won’t be safe for long in this place.”
“Don’t be so scornful of Logan’s pad. It has top-notch security. Billionaires are prime targets for kidnappers and terrorists, and he’s very careful of his family.” He added, “But I agree that penthouses aren’t the best safe houses. There’s only one way out and that’s down.”
“You could always arrange another helicopter pickup.”
“You almost smiled then.”
“Did I?”
“Yes, but it’s gone again.” He leaned back. “Go ahead. Ask me.”
“Ask you what?”
“I’m not going to make this easy for you. You’ve already been a pot of trouble for me. I want the words.”
She was silent for a moment. “I’m alone here. I need help.”
“You could call the DEA.”
“Forbes tried that. I won’t make that mistake again.” She paused. “I need your help. You have contacts and experience. You could keep Barry safe—if you wanted to do it.”
“And what do I get out of it?”
She met his gaze. “Anything you want. Tell me and I’ll find a way to get it for you.”
He said nothing for a time, then, “How can I resist an offer like that?”
Galen was angry. His expression hadn’t changed and his tone was as mocking as ever, but she sensed the anger was there. “You’re not supposed to resist it. You want to be paid; you’ll be paid. You’re not being reasonable.”
“I’m not, am I? I’m glad you called that to my attention.”
“So what do you want?”
“I’ll decide later. Maybe I’ll run across some old enemy you can knock off for me. You wouldn’t mind doing that, would you?”
“I’d mind.”
“But you’d do it.”
“It wouldn’t come to that. You’d want to make your own kill.” Her lips tightened. “What do you want to know? Could I do it? Of course I could do it. My father used to send me out to clear the way before the troops moved out.”
“Clear the way?”
“Find and kill any snipers or sentries who might be waiting. He taught me well. I was very good at it.”
“Bully for him.” He got to his feet. “You know, I don’t think I would have liked your father.”
“I loved him.”
“That makes it worse. Go to bed. I have some phoning to do.”
“You’re going to help us?”
“I thought we’d already established that fact. Yes, I’m going to help you. I have a ranch in southern Oregon that should fit the bill as far as security is concerned. I buried the paperwork on the place and it should be extremely difficult for anyone to find out I own it.”
“But not impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible. It only gives us an edge and a little time to make plans. I have a contact who can probably tell me when Chavez is getting close.” He stared her in the eye. “And you’re going to do everything I tell you to do. That’s the only way I play the game.”
“If I think what you’re doing is right for us.”
He shook his head.
She bit her lower lip. “All right. If you don’t do anything stupid.”
“It will be difficult, but I’ll try to restrain myself.” He added, “And for your cooperation, I’m going to give you