Chapter 10 #2
“What did you expect? There was gunfire. I had to get them away from Jessie.” She got into the helicopter.
“Only you were part of that gunfire. How was I to know you were anywhere nearby? As far as I knew you were dead. All that blood in that garage . . .” She could still see it in her mind’s eye, and it was suddenly making her angry.
The relief and shock she’d felt when she’d first seen him was fading, replaced by bewilderment and nausea and this terrible rage.
“I was just trying to survive and find out what had happened to you. I don’t know why I cared.
You seem to have just been doing your usual machinations to keep everything as slick as it always goes for you. ”
“Yes, you do know, but this isn’t the time to discuss it.
” He’d jumped into the pilot’s seat and was starting the engine.
“You’re upset and angry, and I admit that probably a lot of it is my fault because I was making the decisions.
” The helicopter was lifting now. “And this is another one, and it’s probably going to piss you off.
” He was skimming over the trees where she could see several men breaking through the brush toward them and then the sound of shots as they glimpsed the helicopter.
But they were out of range moments later as Lynch turned east.
“Now will you tell me where we’re going?
” Kendra asked. “You’re right. I’m pissed off that you’ve been treating me like a nursery school dropout since that moment that you tackled me back there.
” She’d just had another thought. “And from what you said, maybe all that decision-making crap you were referring to started the minute you sent Olivia that message to begin this nightmare. Right?”
“Long before that,” he said quietly. “But I didn’t realize I’d have to involve you until that time. Events here were escalating, and I wasn’t sure that I could control your part of it.”
“My part of it?” she repeated incredulously. “I had no part of anything that was happening. You left me a few clues and then disappeared into the great beyond. Do you know how frustrating that was?”
“Yes. I knew exactly how frustrated you’d be.
” He added softly, “And how challenged. I planned on it. It was the best way I could think of to control the situation since I couldn’t be with you.
I know how clever you are and what pushes your buttons.
And I knew they wanted information from me and would try anything to get it.
Korkil had the contacts to know my entire background, which automatically made you a target.
I thought that if you made an appearance on the scene and obviously knew nothing, it would be safer for you than if they thought you were a partner . . . or a current lover.”
“Well, you succeeded in convincing everyone I was neither,” she said caustically. “You could have fooled me.”
He flinched. “It wasn’t that easy. We have a history as both. It was essential that no one realize they could get what they needed from me by using you as bait. That was why I had to bring you to England to keep an eye on you.”
“Keep an eye—” She drew a deep breath and said slowly and clearly, “I didn’t notice that I needed any help in that direction. Quite the opposite. After all we’ve gone through together, I don’t believe I deserve that kind of slap-down.”
“Shit!” Lynch said in disgust. “That came out all wrong. You know I didn’t—” He stopped.
“But I can’t back off and deny that I’d do anything, even go to hell and back, to keep you safe.
That has nothing to do with the fact that I respect that you can take care of yourself.
You know it’s true, but right now you’re angry with me and I’m not making things any better.
Let’s go back to square one and start again. ”
“That might be wise,” Kendra said coolly. “Since you didn’t get around to explaining anything to me in the first place. You mentioned Cambry. I suppose that means I was correct when I thought he might be connected to Korkil? How deeply?”
“At the moment, Korkil is using him mostly as an errand boy, but Cambry is working toward a full partnership. Because that’s where the big money is going to be.”
“And he’s betraying his country?”
“It happens sometimes. Korkil is doing his best to control the world, and Cambry wants his share. I thought you’d see right through him. And you did. I’ll fill you in more about him later. What else do you want to know?”
“Where are you taking me?”
“I’m heading for a cabin in the hills that belongs to a friend of mine. We’ll be safe there until we can straighten out this chaos and arrange a permanent residence. I’m working on that now.” He checked his watch. “We should be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Jessie!” Kendra couldn’t imagine why she hadn’t asked about her first. “I can’t go anywhere until I know she’s safe. I sent her back to our camp to get help. I can’t leave her and Fitz alone with Cambry and Korkil out searching for us.”
“Easy.” Lynch was taking out his phone. “Of course we can’t. I have a friend who will go and pick her up and bring her to the cabin. I’m sending a text message now with directions.”
“You know where our camp is located?”
“I wouldn’t have been able to keep an eye on you if I hadn’t made it my business to do that,” he said quietly.
“There’s not much I don’t know about what you’ve been doing since you arrived at Heathrow.
Why don’t you call Jessie and tell her you’re safe and to expect the unexpected when someone comes to get her. ”
She frowned. “Someone reliable?”
“Absolutely,” Lynch said solemnly. “Now, if that particular crisis is on its way to a solution, what’s your next question?”
“The big one,” Kendra said flatly. “What’s the assignment that you’re working on that would bring Korkil and his entire organization into cahoots with that slimy Cambry at the Justice Department? There must be one mega score on the line for them to bring you into the picture to take them all down.”
“You might say that,” Lynch said. “It’s certainly been an intriguing experience.”
She was studying his expression. “But you don’t want to talk about it? Is it because it’s top secret?”
He shook his head. “No more secrets, Kendra. It’s just that what you’re asking would require a good deal more time and explanation than we have right now. But I promise I’ll fill you in very soon.”
“How soon?” she asked suspiciously.
He chuckled. “How long is it going to take until you trust me again?”
“I have no idea. It . . . hurt me. We’ll have to wait and see.”
His smile faded. “I promise you’ll know everything by the time you go to bed tonight. Good?”
She nodded. “Of course it depends on what you tell me.”
“Tough. Very tough, Kendra.”
“Don’t talk to me about tough. It hasn’t been an easy day. I’ve gone from thinking you were dead to wondering if you’re the same man I’ve always thought you were. I’m still not sure of anything.”
“I’m sure enough for both of us.” He added gently, “We’re just going through a rough time right now. It will all come together. Why don’t you close your eyes. I’ll wake you right before we land.”
She did close her eyes, but she could still feel him looking at her. “Stop staring at me. I’m right to be angry with you.”
“Probably. But I like to look at you and why should I cheat myself? It’s been a while since we’ve been together. Just let go and get a little rest. It will be good for you. You’ll have a few adjustments to make once we arrive. But I’ll be there to take care of you.”
“You’re doing it again.”
“Can’t help it.” She could tell he was smiling. “I do try, Kendra.”
But what else had he said? “Adjustments?”
“Isn’t life always an adjustment?”
But was that what he’d meant?
She was too weary to think about it anymore. She’d just take these next several minutes and let the world blur and go away . . .
“Come on. Kendra. Time to wake up. We’ve arrived in Neverland.”
Lynch’s voice. Lynch’s hand on her shoulder.
Thank heavens it was Lynch. He was alive!
Then her memories returned and her eyes flew open to see his face.
Yes, it was definitely Lynch, and his expression was a little quizzical but principally gentle and amused.
She had seen that expression so many times before.
But not after the anger and mistrust that had preceded it this time.
She shook her head to clear it and sat up straighter in the seat to look around.
She must have been dozing harder than she thought, because the helicopter was nearly on the ground.
“I’m sorry I dropped off. It’s been a difficult day. ”
“I can see why you’d think so.” He turned off the engine. “Evidently I was a major part of that difficulty.”
“Yes, you were.” She wasn’t going to deny either her anger or her disappointment. But that wasn’t why she had come here. She got out of the helicopter and gazed around her. “You promised me information. Where is this cabin?”
“Just ahead.” He took her elbow and nudged her toward a large, two-story Craftsman-style house that looked more like a mansion than a cabin. It was set far back in a parklike lawn with such extensive gardens and shrubbery, it wasn’t visible from the road.
“Very nice.” She added, “But I’ve never seen a cabin like this before. Perhaps someone should tell the family so they can do a little downsizing.”
He smiled. “I understand it started out as a cabin, but the owner’s practice and personal situation meant he wanted more privacy. So it’s grown over the years.”
“Lucky for him.”
“Not necessarily. It all depends on what you consider important.”
“Well, I can see this entire area is as gorgeous as a fairy tale. But why did you call it Neverland?”