“There was a possibility that he would.” He shrugged. “But I had to prepare damage control in case he didn’t.”
“I still might be able to persuade Venable that we should get Sen out,” Catherine said.
“I’m sure you could persuade a leopard to change its spots, but we don’t have time. If we don’t get him out, then he’ll be taken to jail. Or Kadmus might order him killed in the hospital to set an example for killing two of his men. It wouldn’t take nearly as much money as I spent to bribe someone to put a lethal dose in his bottle.” He met her eyes. “I can’t risk Venable’s saying no to you.”
“And you’re sure this Blake will be able to get him out of San Francisco?”
“The chances are 85 percent positive. I’ve had him do similar jobs for me before here in San Francisco. He’s very good at extraction.”
“Extraction,” she repeated. “Like the young Indian boy you arranged to be extracted from that train on the way to China?”
He grimaced. “Hu Chang has been talking.”
“A little,” Hu Chang said. “The circumstance warranted it. In the end, my loyalty is not to you but to Catherine.”
“Understandable.” Cameron said to Catherine, “Yes, that was considered an extraction. I sanction and personally do a good many.” He made a chopping motion with his hand. “And I do it well. So you should feel comfortable that Jack Sen will just be another one in a long list.”
“I’m not comfortable,” she said bluntly. “I want Sen to be out of danger, but I don’t want any innocent people hurt. Can you guarantee that won’t happen?”
“No, but I’ve done everything I can to assure that it won’t.” He paused. “Look, I’m going to be in constant contact with Blake throughout the extraction. I’ll be in a car a few blocks from the hospital when that ambulance pulls out of the garage. If anything goes wrong, I’ll be there to take charge. I’ll follow the ambulance to the airport and be there until Sen is on the plane and off the ground.”
“That will be a risk for you.” Erin frowned. “Kadmus won’t care a damn about Jack Sen if he finds out you’re anywhere near him.”
“Then hopefully he won’t. Though there’s a strong possibility that the hospital is being watched. What will be, will be. I’ll adapt.”
“How fatalistic,” Catherine said. “And stupid.”
“I’m sending Blake in to do the job. It may not be as clean as I’d like. I have to back him.” He added softly, “I’m touched you care.”
Heat.
Push it away.
“You didn’t worry that much when Erin was in trouble. You didn’t go near her. You were only concerned about your precious rules.”
“Catherine,” Erin said sharply. “I told you that—”
“Hush,” Cameron said gently. “I don’t need you to defend me.” He said to Catherine, “You’re right, but I’ve decided I have to change the rules. Kadmus has to be stopped no matter what anyone else thinks. But I have to make sure there are no hostages when I make a move. Jack Sen could be a hostage.”
Catherine was silent, studying him. He was telling the truth. At least, she thought he was being sincere. How did she know with all those mental tricks?
“You know,” he said. “And all the tricks are over. We’re so close now, I can’t stop being with you. But I won’t lie, and I won’t manipulate.”
She pulled her eyes away from him. “No, I don’t like hostage situations either, but I don’t like the idea of your running the risk.” She forced a smile. “You have a few unique talents. I might have use for you later.”
“I have every intention of letting you use me later. I’m leaving now. I should be back here by three, and we’ll start moving toward Kadmus.”
She stood up. “I’m going with you.” The words had come out of nowhere and caught her by surprise. “You may need backup yourself.”
“No.” He turned and moved toward the arched door. “Stay close to the house and don’t let—”
“Cameron?” Celia stood in the doorway with Luke beside her. Her eyes were wide with shock as she stared at him. “What are you doing here?”
“Just leaving.” He smiled at her. “It’s good to see you again, Celia. I take it that Hu Chang didn’t mention that I was involved in this problem he threw at you?”
“No. I prefer not to know details where Hu Chang is concerned. You’re … a surprise.”
More than a surprise, Catherine realized. She had never thought Celia would ever lose her composure, but she was coming very close.
“And so are you,” Cameron said. “More beautiful than the last time I saw you. And generous, as usual. Hu Chang couldn’t have chosen anyone better.” He turned to Luke. “I hear you’ve been busy. I got a very irritated report from Tashdon about you.”
Luke stiffened. “He said that you told him to hurt Catherine. You didn’t, did you?”
“No, but I told him to stop her. I didn’t want her hurt. It evidently didn’t translate well.”
Luke frowned. “She had the right to do what she wanted. I would have helped her.” His expression cleared. “But I’m glad you didn’t mean anyone to hurt her. I didn’t think you’d do that.”
“I’ve just been getting advice from Luke about my garden,” Celia said. “But it’s time to eat. We came in to get breakfast orders. I’m a magnificent cook. Won’t you change your mind and stay?”
He shook his head. “Thank you, I have things to do. Another time.”
Celia smiled brilliantly. “Anytime.”
Catherine inhaled sharply. That intimate smile could not be misinterpreted.
My God, they were lovers.
“No. You’re reading too much into—Dammit, I can’t get through to you. Your mind is all over the place.”
“Lovers.”
“Catherine, it’s not—”
“It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care.”
“Cameron has to go, Celia,” Catherine said. “Could I help you make breakfast? I’m sure I’m not as good as you, but I’ll play kitchen help.”
Cameron was silent a moment. “She’ll have to find someone else to help.” He smiled recklessly. “Have you forgotten, Catherine? You’ve just offered to be my backup. I’ve decided to take you up on it.” He went back, grasped her wrist, and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go.”
She could see Luke staring at her with a puzzled expression. If she struggled or caused a scene, she didn’t know what his reaction would be. The last thing she wanted was for Luke to confront Cameron. “If that’s what you want.” She smiled at Luke. “We’ll be back in a couple hours. Why don’t you help Celia?”
He nodded. “I will.”
She glanced at Hu Chang. He was very still, his eyes narrowed on her. “You handle everything here, okay?”
“With my usual splendid efficiency and understanding.” His glance went to Cameron. “And you will do the same, I trust.”
“You can count on me trying my utmost to do that,” Cameron said.
The next moment, they were out of the room and in the hallway. She immediately pulled her wrist away. “That was unnecessary. Why did you do it?”
“Because if I’d left you for the next four hours to come to your own conclusions, you’d have developed a mind-set that I’d have had to use a diamond-tipped drill to get through.” He opened the front door. “It was easier to confront the problem now.”
“There is no problem.”
He led her to a dark blue Mercedes at the curb and opened the passenger door. “Not now that I have you where I can control it. We have a couple hours waiting at the hospital for Blake to do his job. I should be able to get through to you by then.”
“All you should be concentrating on is getting Jack Sen away from here.”
“And I would, if it weren’t for you, dammit.” He started the car. “But it’s not happening. So I’ll have to—”
“Adapt? Isn’t that what you said?”
“Multitask. Now be quiet and let me get to somewhere that I can talk to you.”
“Why do you have to go anywhere special? After all, you’re a double threat as far as communication is concerned.”