“I’VE GOT IT,” QUEEN SAID jubilantly as he strode into the camp. He pulled the ledger out of his pocket and waved it. “No trouble at all. He forked it over without batting an eye. Gallo was meek as a church mouse.”
“I’m glad you were pleased. I know he gave you a bad time on occasion. It’s always good to get your own back, isn’t it?” He glanced at Cara sitting a few yards away. “Aren’t we happy Mr. Queen got what he wanted?”
Cara was staring at Queen, her eyes wide. “But you said he was-”
“Soon.” Black turned back to Queen. “I’m trying to teach our little friend the connection between cause and effect. But she’s a bit confused. I believe I’m going to have to demonstrate.”
Queen’s smile faded. “Well, I’ll leave you to your… lesson. Now that I’ve got the ledger, I’ve no need to stay here any longer. I’d just be in your way.”
“That’s correct. It’s true I don’t need you any longer.”
“And the remainder of your fee will be deposited in your usual Grand Cayman account. I’ll be in touch when I need you again.”
Black smiled. “I believe you’re taking me for granted. I really don’t appreciate your doing that. I’ve decided I’ll do a little freelancing on my own.”
Queen stiffened. “As long as you don’t get yourself in a situation that I’ll have to pull you out of. I can’t allow you to be arrested.”
“Because I know too much?” He spoke to Cara again. “You see, knowing a great deal can be either a good thing or bad depending on the point of view. You can see that Colonel Queen is breaking into a sweat because he thinks it’s a bad thing.” He glanced back at Queen. “We’re confusing her again. She has so little time that I hate to have that sweet head in a whirl.”
“We’ll talk later,” Queen said curtly. “I’ll call you.”
“But that would defeat the purpose. I think it has to be settled now.” He pulled a pistol from his jacket. “For the good of Cara.”
Queen’s eyes widened in panic. “What are you doing? We have a deal. You’d be lost without my help. The police would pick you up in a heartbeat.” He was backing away, his hand inching toward his shoulder holster beneath his jacket. “I’ll double the fee for your next job for me. Put the gun away.”
“I wish I could. I don’t like guns. They lack the personal touch. But in this case…” He shot Queen in the stomach. “I’ll make do.”
Queen screamed and clutched his belly.
Black aimed and shot him in both knees.
Queen fell to the ground, groaning with pain.
Black moved leisurely to stand over him. He fired into Queen’s chest. “You see, even though the pain is there, it’s still only a remote pleasure for me.” He added, “So I might as well just end it.”
He shot Queen in the head.
He turned to Cara. “Dead man. Just as I told you.”
Cara was staring in horror at the remains of Queen’s skull, which had been almost entirely blown away. She started to cry.
“I’m getting very tired of all that weeping.” He reached down and plucked the ledger from Queen’s jacket and stuffed it in his own. “I think it’s time we started the hunt.”
“FIVE!”
Joe stood frozen, listening for more shots.
“East,” Catherine said tensely. “A little toward the north, but definitely the east.”
And there weren’t any more shots.
Joe whirled and started at a run toward the eastern quadrant of the property.
“You think it’s Black?” Catherine was right behind him.
“Good chance. I’d bet that Queen is no longer with us.” He hoped desperately he was right, that none of those bullets had been aimed at Eve or Judy’s daughter. “But at least we have a clue to his location. Now, if we can get there before he moves on-”
“And it’s east. There’s a chance of cell-tower access. We might be able to zero in on him. But we don’t have much time. He’ll know those shots are a giveaway.”
Which meant Black didn’t care, that he thought he could afford to let Gallo and Eve know where he was. A trap?
But he didn’t know Joe and Catherine were there and tracking him. That could be an advantage.
If there was such a thing in this ugly game.
“EAST.” EVE’S HEAD LIFTED, her gaze flying to the trees. “Those shots came from the east, John.”
He nodded and jumped to his feet. “Black.” He grabbed his rifle. “Will you stay here?” He answered his question. “No, of course not. Then stay close, dammit.”
He took off at a dead run.
“WE HAVE TO HURRY ALONG NOW,” Black told Cara as he jerked her after him up a low hill by the ropes binding her wrists. “Those shots were not only unsatisfying, they were dangerous. But what is life without a challenge? Gallo and Eve will be hot on our trail, so I think that I should make them play the game on my terms. I always have to control the play. Queen didn’t realize that, did he? I was right to shoot him, wasn’t I?”
Cara was sobbing. “Dead. Ugly.”
“Yes, death is ugly. But the art of killing is beautiful. It’s power and excitement and everything that life is about.” He pulled her the rest of the way to the top of the rise to stand beside him. “And that’s what you’re going to give me, Cara. Not that shallow little jolt of pleasure I felt with Queen.” He pointed to the high hills bordering the north tip of the lake. “Do you know what’s behind those hills? A little town, houses, stores, a church. I couldn’t touch you there. You’d be safe. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Oh, yes, I can see you would. You’re not at all grateful for the kind way I’ve treated you.” He untied her wrists. “Go on, run. The path is clear to the hill, then you’ll have to scramble through the brush on your own. Try to get to all the people who will save you from me. They’ll even take you to your mother.”
She didn’t move, frozen. “You’re letting me go?”
“Yes.” He squatted in front of her, his eyes holding her own. “But I’ll be coming after you. If you stop, if you hide, I’ll find you and I’ll cut you to pieces like I did your grandmother. You remember that, don’t you?”
He could see the pulse jumping with terror in her throat.
“Yes,” she whispered. “She screamed, but nobody could hear her…”
“But everyone will be able to hear you if I catch you.” He leaned closer. “Run, little deer…”
She gasped and whirled and flew down the path.
Black stood up and watched her run, stumble, fall, and jump to her feet to run again.
He smiled.
The prey had been put to flight.
Now to bring in the other prey to complete the hunt.
He dialed Gallo.
“You sound short of breath. I suppose you heard the sounds of Queen’s demise. Are you hurrying toward me in hopes of saving little Cara?”
“You didn’t kill her?”
“Not yet. That was only Queen, though Cara was a little upset with all the blood. She started sobbing again. You’d think shock would kick in and stop that nonsense. It was annoying me. So I sent her packing.”
Silence. “What are you talking about?”
“I told her that she’d only be safe if she reached the town behind that high hill at the end of the lake.”
“There’s no town there, you bastard.”
“I know, but I had to give her incentive to keep her running. I couldn’t have her collapsing and spoiling the hunt.” He paused. “Just as I’m giving you incentive to join the hunt. If I track her down, Cara will die. Unless you find her in time. Or unless you kill me. Though I’m betting I’ll take you and Eve Duncan out, then be free to finish Cara Clark. Would you like to give me odds?”