She lifted her gaze from the page. “She succeeded in fooling Trask. He loved her. Maybe he thinks he has reason to go after everyone connected with blowing that lab.”
“Remember, he sent her there. He might not have known they were going to blow it up, but he knew he was putting her in danger.”
“That's true. But maybe she persuaded him to let her do it. It would be a way of drawing him closer to her.”
“Possibly. And of getting her hands on valuable information that could be photographed before it was turned over to Trask.”
“But why didn't the government want anyone to know she'd been killed in that building?”
“The CIA stepped in when they found out who she was. They're trying to link the Iranian government with the espionage. She was well known to them, and they smelled an opportunity. They didn't want anyone to know she was dead and persuaded the President to let them pull the records and take over her part of the investigation. They've been sending messages to her contact in Iran in hope of getting something concrete against the government.” He made a face. “That's why all the records about her were erased. No leaks.”
“Another ‘need to know' case? Good God, don't these agencies tell each other anything?”
“As little as possible. Even Homeland Security hasn't broken through all the bureaucratic bull.”
“But Trask isn't dealing with Iran now. You said he was negotiating with North Korea. Why?”
He shook his head. “Since you're on such good terms, why don't you ask him? He hasn't contacted you again?”
“No.” But she knew it was only a matter of time. She could feel him . . . hovering. “There hasn't been any sign of Dickens either?”
“You'd have been the first to know if Ledbruk had sighted him. No sign of anyone suspicious at Carmela's hospital. No one following you when you leave here every day.”
Then what was happening with Trask? Her every instinct told her he wouldn't have taken that defeat at the warehouse without retaliating.
“You're quite safe,” George said as he read her expression. “I made sure Ledbruk has assigned top-notch surveillance people to you. They're not going to slip up and let you get killed.”
“Like they did with Joyce Fairchild?”
He made a face. “Touché. But they're smart enough to learn from their mistakes.”
“I hope so.” She turned away. “Silver is on his way to pick up Rosa Ruiz.”
“Yes, he told me.”
“Did he? Well, I don't want anything to happen to her.” She started to turn away. “And I don't want anything to happen to Silver.”
“Even though you're pissed at him?”
“That doesn't matter.”
He sat back and his eyes narrowed on her face. “No, it wouldn't. You have a very strong relationship.”
There was something in his tone that made her turn back to face him. “What's that supposed to mean?”
He gazed at her innocently. “Why, did I strike a nerve?”
“If you did, it's because you meant to do it.”
“Discretion forbids me to suggest I could have merely been referring to the fact that you've been sleeping together.”
The bluntness of his words surprised her. She'd assumed he was aware that she and Silver were lovers, but he'd never mentioned it.
Why do it now, out of the blue? “That remark wasn't in the least discreet.” She studied him. “And out of character. Could it be that you wanted to throw a red herring into the mix?”
He chuckled. “Absolutely. I was quite enjoying my subtle innuendos, but I should have known you'd see through me and call my bluff.”
“Then show me your hand.”
He was still smiling as he leaned back in his chair. “I paid a visit to Georgetown University while you were in Marionville. It's an open secret on campus that the hydrostatics lab isn't what it seems. There are all kinds of rumors about the people who come and go from that building. Even a few interesting ones about CIA connections. So I came back and called my buddies at the CIA who owe me favors.”
“And?”
“It seems the CIA also owes Brad Silver a few favors for some rather unusual contributions. One might even say weird contributions.” He tilted his head. “And I asked myself, if Brad is some kind of psychic guru, what are you, Kerry?”
“I'm sure you came up with an answer?”
“Oh, I did. And I found it fascinating. Life is always providing us with new ways to make our existence entertaining.”
“Believable ways?”
He nodded. “Do you mean, do I think you and Brad are wacko? I wouldn't risk my neck on something you ‘sensed,' but I have an open mind. I've been in enough bizarre situations to know that there's usually a hell of a lot more under the surface than we can see.”
“Then what are you going to do about it?”
“Not a thing. Why should I? I merely yielded to temptation to let you know that I was no longer in the dark. My ego required it. As for the extent of your talent, I'm really not interested as long as it doesn't affect me. You can't read my mind or anything, can you?”
“No.”
“Brad?”
She hesitated. “It's the last thing he wants to do.”
“You didn't answer me.” He grimaced. “Or maybe you did. Perhaps I'm not as comfortable with the situation as I thought. I believe we'd better concentrate on getting Trask right away, in case I decide to bail.”
He was uneasy. It was only to be expected. It was the response she'd tried to avoid since that day in the hospital when Travis had explained her talent. But for some reason it bothered her that even George would have that reaction. Dammit, she liked him. She tried to smile. “We haven't been concentrating on anything other than getting Trask.”
“But I've been letting you two carry the load. I may have to step in and escalate matters.” He picked up his phone again. “I'll have to think about it. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
It was a dismissal. There was a subtle change in his manner. That hint of mocking subservience was no longer audible. “No, I got what I came for. Another piece to the puzzle.” She turned away. “Helen Saduz.”
“Kerry.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder.
He smiled. “I'm not thinking of you as a freak. But I'm a private person and I have to protect myself from Brad. I have too many secrets.”
“Don't we all.” This time her smile was genuine. “I know how you feel. But I think you can trust him.”
“Do you trust him?”
Her smile faded. “Hell, no. But our relationship is . . . different. You don't have to get very close to him to have a problem.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Christ, I hope not. I'm really not tempted to go to bed with him.”
“That's good.” She opened the door. “The situation is complicated enough.”
15
Silver called her at nine that night. “Rosa Ruiz is safe. She's settled in a nice little house in a nice little subdivision close to the hospital. Agent Jane Dorbin is taking care of her.”
“Is she the only agent on duty?”
“No, there are several guards in a house next door, but I thought you'd be concerned for her emotional well-being.”
“I am.” She paused. “Is she scared?”
“Yes. But not enough to go home. She wants to stay with her sister. Carmela is being released tomorrow, and I'll pick her up and bring her to the safe house.”
“Never mind. I want to pick her up.”
“And make sure that she's going to be secure.” He paused. “I think you can trust my judgment there, don't you?”
She didn't answer directly. “I just want to see them together and safe.”
Silver muttered a curse. “For God's sake, you can't stop trusting me on every level.” When she didn't reply, he added bitterly, “Or maybe you can. I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow at ten. We'll both pick her up.” He hung up.