Chapter Eight

“We’re agreed then?” Khalid asked the caller. “With the time limit we can’t take any chances?”

“It has to be done tonight.” How much plainer could it be said? “And we have a short space of only a few hours here.”

“Your partner agrees with this? He was the one who thought we were rushing things.”

“Khalid, right now this woman is an unknown quantity. Chase Carpenter and the others aren’t buying into her so-called visions any too quickly, but they’re leaving the door open. Phoenix is investigating, and we only have four days until our deadline.” There was a pause. “Or have you changed your mind about wanting the device? You know there are others who would gladly step up and take your place.”

“Yes,” he said in a deadly soft voice. “But we both know that I can surpass anyone, which is why you struck your deal with me. Is that not correct?”

“Agreed. So can you help us?”

“Where is she now?” Khalid asked.

“At the home of Faith and Mark Halloran. But the best place to do it would be in the museum garage. Romeo will have to give her a ride back to get her car. Once he’s out of the way, that’s the time.”

Khalid’s disapproval of the rush job hummed over the phone connection. “I’ll have to give you whoever is available. And he’ll expect to be paid in cash.”

“Half up front, the rest on completion. Just as long as he understands there must be no trace of her.”

“I assure you I will get you the best I can within the limited time,” Khalid snapped.

“Fine. When you contact him, give him this number to call me. Be sure to tell him if he screws me over he won’t be around to collect the rest of his money.”

Khalid’s voice was tinged with faint humor. “I’m sure that will inspire him to greater performance.”

“Fine. I’ll be waiting for his call.”

* * * * *

“The Hallorans are wonderful people,” Mia said as she and Dan pulled away from the house.

“Yes, they are. And Faith’s aunt and her friends will help you as much as they did Faith when she needed them.

She looked out the window and realized they were heading for the interstate. “I need to go back to the museum and get my car. I’ll need it to get to work tomorrow.”

“I have a call in to speak with Dr. Hunter first thing in the morning to get you sprung loose until this is over,” he reminded her.

“But I’d still like to have my own transportation,” she protested.

“Faith said she’s picking you up in the morning, and I don’t want you driving by yourself at night. Especially after what happened.”

“Did you check on everyone involved to make sure they’re all right? I keep having this sick feeling I’m missing something.”

Dan nodded. “I also called our team at Carpenter Techtronics. They’ll double their patrols and make sure the entire floor where Oscar is held is completely secure. Anyway, that building would be hard to burn down.”

“But someone could use a torch to get in or something,” she insisted. The memory of the fire and the heat wouldn’t leave her.

He squeezed her good hand, then dropped it as if realizing he might have been doing it too much. “We’re on the lookout for everything. Trust me. This is what we do. But I still don’t want you out at night alone.”

Her laugh was shaky. “Surely you don’t think someone will physically attack me.”

“I don’t leave anything to chance. Ah, here’s our exit.”

He pulled off the highway and into the parking lot of a convenience store. Two men were sitting in an SUV identical to the one they were driving. One of them came over to speak to Dan, who held out his hand to Mia.

“This is Greg,” he told her. “Give him your keys, please. He’s going to pick up your car and take it home for you. Dane, the big lug behind the wheel, will follow him and bring him back to the motel where they’re staying. They’re part of the morning security team.”

“If you think this is all necessary.” She dug in her purse for her keys and handed them over.

“Call me when you’re all locked up tight,” Dan told the man, who nodded.

They drove to Mia’s through the quiet streets of North San Antonio, silence thick in the car. Suddenly she seemed to have run out of topics of conversation. She could feel Dan’s electric presence beside her and the sensual heat that radiated from him like a living thing, and had no idea what to do about its grip on her. At last, thankfully, they pulled into her driveway.

He had just gotten out of the vehicle when his cell phone rang. He unclipped it from his belt and held it to his ear.

“Romeo.”

Mia saw his face tighten and the lines deepen. His hand clenched the cell phone so tightly she thought he might break it in two.

“What is it?” She could feel anxiety bubbling up inside her.

“Change in plans.” He got back into the SUV and backed out of her driveway.

“Wait. Where are we going? I have to get into my house.”

“What you have to do is stay alive.” His voice was grim.

“Excuse me?” She frowned at him.

He was speeding through the darkened streets, his hands gripping the steering wheel like steel talons.

“That was Hank. They went to get your car from the museum garage.” He stopped as if the rest of the words were stuck in his mouth. “Greg got in, turned the key, and the car exploded.”

“Oh, my God.” For a moment she thought she might throw up. “Is . . .”

“Yes. He’s dead.”

“This is my fault.” She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth. “I should have been able to figure this out. In the kitchen with Faith, when I had that flash of heat . . .”

“Mia.” Dan made an obvious effort to keep his voice even. “There’s only so much you can interpret. No one expected this. You can’t blame yourself for it. Whoever put the bomb in your car is responsible, not you. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, but—”

“But nothing. And I’m counting on you to keep it together just a little longer so I can make some calls and then check out the scene. Can you do that for me?”

She swallowed past a lump in her throat the size of Rhode Island. “Yes. I can.”

I hope.

“Good girl.”

She said nothing after that. Dan was on his cell phone again, speaking in low tones to whoever was on the other end. By the time he finished they were at the museum, pulling around to the covered parking in the rear. Two police cars, emergency lights flashing, were already there, and uniformed officers were still stringing crime-scene tape around the area. Two fire department vehicles had pulled up close to the garage and were spraying down the area.

A black van labeled SAPD Bomb Squad was in the garage a good distance away from the smoking mess that had been Mia’s car.

Dan threw his vehicle into park so abruptly it rocked forward, and he leaped out, leaving the door open. “Stay right here,” he ordered Mia as he ran toward Hank, who was leaning against a pillar, looking sick.

Not that she could have moved anyway. She was immobilized with shock. Someone had actually tried to kill her. Blown up her car. She didn’t know which nauseated her more, the knowledge that at this moment she could be a million pieces of ectoplasm or that an innocent man who was just doing his job had died in her place.

She watched Dan put his arm around Hank’s shoulders and lead him away from the scene. The anger on his face before he turned away was like a living thing. And Hank looked like he wanted to murder somebody. Anybody.

“Miss? Excuse me. You’ll have to move the vehicle away from here.”

Mia looked up at the policeman leaning in through the open door, then at the keys still in the ignition. She unbuckled her seat belt, ready to shift to the driver’s side.

“She’s fine.” Mark had materialized from someplace and flashed his Phoenix credentials at the cop. He stuck his head in the car as soon as the cop moved away. “Stay right here. You’re out of the way. Can I get you something, Mia? Water? Anything?”

She shook her head, rubbing her arms and trying to control the shivers racking her body. The whole scene had a nightmarish quality. “This is my fault, Mark. I can’t read the images well enough.”

“Okay, let’s put that to rest, please? This is not your fault. This is the work of someone very evil.”

“But if I hadn’t . . . If I didn’t . . .”

Dan was back at the car, his face grim. He reached in and cupped her chin. His eyes were warm and reassuring—difficult, she knew, under these circumstances.

“Listen to me. I’m so angry and upset about Greg I can hardly keep myself under control. But I’m damned glad you weren’t the one in the car. We’ll find this person, Mia. Don’t take this on your shoulders.”

“I’ll try,” she whispered, still shaking.

An ambulance had pulled in just behind them. Dan opened the passenger side door. “How about letting the EMT take a look at you?”

“No. Just . . . take care of what you need to. I’m okay.”

But she wasn’t, and they both knew it. Only she wasn’t about to make herself a burden when there were other more important things to attend to.

Mark assessed her with his gaze, frowning. “Wait just a sec.”

Mia watched him jog to his car and return in a minute with a blanket, which he wrapped around her.

She smiled at him gratefully. “Thank you. I don’t know why I feel so cold, but I can’t stop shivering.”

“Shock. Your system’s gone haywire.” He checked his watch. “Hang on just a little longer, okay? Then we’ll get you settled for the night, and tomorrow Faith is hooking you up with Aunt Vivi. She’ll be a big help to you.”

“All right.” If I last that long.

The air was heavy with the stench of burned rubber and metal and the chemicals sprayed to coat the area. She was only glad that this had happened long after the museum closed for the day, so hers had been the only car around.

Through the windshield she saw a luxury sedan pull into the area, disgorging both Chase and Joy. Chase immediately buttonholed Dan, who Mia could see was holding onto his temper by a very thin thread. Chase was ranting nonstop, pointing at Dan’s SUV.

At me. I’m sure he’s pointing at me.

She watched as Dan walked Chase to a corner of the garage that was free of people, while activity eddied around them. As upset as he was about Greg, he was still doing what she realized was his norm—attempting to establish an air of calm and keep the client under control.

Joy leaned against their car and stood with her arms folded across her chest, anger sharp in the lines of her body. In powder-blue slacks and sweater, with her long, pale-blonde ponytail, Mia thought the woman looked too angelic to be as caustic as she seemed. But she’d been hostile at the meeting, and now rage simmered around her like a visible aura.

Why is she angry with me? I’m the one who almost got killed, and she didn’t even know the man who died in my place. Does she think I blew up my own car to call attention to myself?

Right now, however, she couldn’t care about Joy’s attitude or Chase’s anger. They were the least of her worries. Someone wanted her dead, and because of that, a man had died in her place. It took every bit of discipline she had not to throw up, then run away and hide.

She felt someone move into the seat next to her and jumped, startled, before she realized it was Mark.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to make you jump out of your skin. Here.” He handed her a Styrofoam cup. “Coffee. It’s hot, and it’s strong. I got it from the medics.” He grinned. “If you won’t let them check you over, at least get this into your system.” His voice softened. “Mia, you’ve had a terrible shock. Give yourself a break, okay?”

He was right. The coffee was hot and bitter, but it was just what she needed to give her system a jolt.

“Thank you.” She gave Mark a weak smile. “I see Chase is upset.”

“Only because he’s finally decided maybe you’re onto something after all. Otherwise why would someone try to take you out?” He shook his head. “I just wonder why whoever it is thought this would be a good idea. If they want us to ignore you, this isn’t the way to go about it. Now you can bet every word out of your mouth will be checked and double-checked and analyzed three times over.”

“So what does Chase want?”

“He’s demanding Dan come back to the company tonight and review every security procedure with him.”

Mia bit her lip. Where would that leave her? Anyone could drive her home, but unexpectedly, Dan had become her security blanket. “Is he going?”

Mark shook his head. “I am. Dan can’t be every place at the same time, and he needs to talk to the people here. See what they find out.”

“Someone should take me home,” she pointed out, “and get me out of everyone’s way.”

“We’ve got that covered. The police and the bomb squad will need your statement,” he told her, “but Dan’s convinced them to wait until tomorrow. After you’re through at Aunt Vivi’s in the morning, Dan will pick you up and take you downtown.”

“I can just imagine how that will go,” she said, her voice bitter. “I’ve been through this with the police before. Trust me. They’ll listen to what I have to say and file it in the nutcase folder.”

“Trust Dan, okay? He knows how to handle these things.”

“He seems to know how to handle everything,” she commented.

“Yes, ma’am,” he grinned, trying to break the tension. “That’s the truth. Dan is the man.”

At that moment she saw another car pull into the area, and a tall, thin man in gray slacks and a polo shirt climbed out.

“Oh, lord,” she said. “Here comes trouble. I knew he’d be here sooner or later.”

“Who is it?”

“Dr. Hunter. The museum director and my boss. He just got back in town tonight. Security must have called him.”

She watched the man in angry conversation with one of the policemen. Then Dan left Chase with Joy and walked over to Dr. Hunter. Mia watched him pull out his Phoenix credentials and gesture at the hulking mess that had been Mia’s car. They spoke for several minutes, and Mia guessed Dan was telling him the story they’d cooked up. Finally he pointed toward the SUV Mia was sitting in.

In a moment, Hunter was headed in her direction, walking with his familiar lanky stride.

“Are you okay to talk to him?” Mark asked.

“I’d better be.”

“Dan’s probably given him the special consultant story by now. Let’s see what he has to say.”

Mark opened the door, got out, and introduced himself to Hunter.

The man bent down and peered inside the SUV at Mia. “Are you all right? I couldn’t believe it when security told me what happened.”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she assured him, hoping he couldn’t see the trembling in her hands.

“This must be some dangerous project they’ve asked you to consult on,” he remarked. “I’m not sure it’s safe to let you continue.”

Mia wasn’t sure whether he was jealous that she’d been tapped or genuinely concerned for her safety. Hunter had a hard time giving up the spotlight to anyone on the staff. As far as he was concerned, he was the public image for the museum and the key person at all times.

“I promise you that Dr. Fleming will have the utmost security from here on in,” Mark assured him. “None of us expected that she’d be the focus of an attack. After this, we’ll be prepared. Major international art thieves will do anything to get what they want, you know.”

“International art thieves?” he repeated and his eyes gleamed. “I’m wondering if I might not be a more appropriate person for what you need.”

“I think the museum needs your strong hand,” Mark said smoothly. “Taking you away might not be such a good idea.”

“It’s all right, Dr. Hunter,” Mia told him before he could think up any more objections. “Really. I’ll be fine. And Tally can continue working on the brochure.” Tally Shuman was her wonderful assistant.

Mark motioned to Dan to join them. “Dr. Hunter, I think you might want to have a further conversation with Dan Romeo, the man you just met. He’s our senior partner and the man in charge of the project. He’ll answer any questions you still have and also take care of getting this mess cleaned up.”

Skillfully, he steered the man away from the vehicle and toward Dan, then climbed back inside next to Mia.

She shivered, and Mark’s forehead wrinkled with concern. “Are you still cold? Dummy me. I should have closed the door and turned on the heater.”

“No, that’s fine. It’s not the weather.” It was May, and the temperature even this late was still in the seventies. “Listen, I know Dan probably needs you.”

“Actually, I think your temporary ride is here.”

Mia frowned at him. “My who?”

“Your taxi service.”

The door next to her opened and Faith was there, leaning into the SUV and putting her arms around Mia and giving her a warming hug. “Come on. We’re going to your house to pack. Dan called to send someone on ahead to make sure there aren’t any booby traps waiting for you there.”

“Wait. Wait just a minute.” Mia’s breath hitched. “This is all moving too fast for me. Pack?”

And then Dan was beside the SUV, reaching a hand in to help her out. “Listen. You can’t stay at your house, Mia. It isn’t safe.”

She looked up at him. “Not safe?”

“Think about it. Before this morning I didn’t even know you existed. Hardly anyone knows you’re helping us or that you were the one that alerted us to Oscar’s danger. I hate to say this, but there’s a leak somewhere. That’s what I was talking to Chase about. A fact that’s making him very unhappy.”

“I didn’t think anyone but you was even taking me seriously,” she told him. “The reaction I got today in that conference room is more the norm.”

“Someone is, and it’s apparent they aren’t taking any chances. The big event is this Friday, and if someone is planning to steal Oscar, they don’t want you around to come up with any clues.”

“But I hardly know anything,” she cried.

“Yet,” Dan pointed out. “If whoever blew up your car is hiding someplace, watching, he already knows he missed his target. You need to be someplace safe.”

“Safe. Right.” She drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “And where would that be?”

“I wanted you to stay with us,” Faith told her, “but Mark thinks that would make us a target, too, and he may be right. It’s no secret where we live.”

“So then where can I go?”

“With me.” Dan’s face was carefully expressionless. “I called the hotel where I’m staying and had them change me to a two-bedroom suite. It’s quiet and out of the way, and at least I can keep an eye on you. One of my men is on the way there to move my things and put some security measures in place in the suite.”

Mia looked at each of them. “Dan, I can’t stay with you. It isn’t . . . It isn’t . . .”

“Proper?” He snorted. “I think at the moment propriety is the least of our problems. I’d stash you at the cabin in Maine if I thought you’d go along with it.” He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to protest. “I know. I know. You have to be here. So this is the next-best option.” His face softened, an obviously unfamiliar expression. “Please. Just go along with this. You and I both know you’ll have more visions. We also know that until these people are caught, you’ve got a big bull’s-eye painted on your back. So let’s just do it, okay?”

She sighed. “All right. What choice do I have?”

“You’re all set.” Faith snapped her cell phone shut. “That was Dan’s agent calling me with an ‘all clear’ at your house. We’ll go pack your bags, and I’ll take you to the hotel. Someone will stay with you there until Dan gets back.”

“My God, how many men does he have working for him? Are they all on this case?”

Faith laughed. “The number is a mysterious unknown. From what Mark said, they carefully recruit and select, then train them, keep them on salary, and call them in when they’re needed. If this continues to escalate, you’ll see the other three partners here, too.” She led a still-stunned Mia to her car. When they were buckled in, Faith turned to her. “Dan and his partners helped me get Mark out of the worst situation of his life. I’d trust them to do anything.”

Mia stared out the window at the huge mass of people now gathered in the garage as Faith headed toward the street. She wondered about the man who’d died in her place, and nausea rose again in her throat.