Hard to Kill: a Hard Targets novel Page 20

  "This has got to be some kind of suicide mission for you to be so happy to see us," Max added as he joined ranks on the other side.

  "It's just that I'm not real sure about the girl who gave me the info. That's the problem." She felt confident about what Caitlyn had revealed but couldn't help but question her state of mental health. She fought the urge to call Kane to find out how the raid had played out.

  "Okay, why don't you call your FBI guy and find out what he knows?"

  "Yeah, about that. He's got a lead he's following, but Caitlyn confirmed they were going after the wrong guy. It shouldn't be too hard to see who's right."

  * * *

  Kane catapulted down the steps and pushed through the door. By the time he hit the street, the bullets had stopped, and an eerie silence had descended. Lennard lay on his back with a bullet wound in the center of his forehead, while sounds of the ambulance making its way to the location broke through the awkward silence. Twenty feds stood around, trying to make sense of what had happened. A couple had been injured during the process, but it didn't look like anything too serious. It was more than clear the target had been Lennard.

  Sabrina.

  The possibility circled his brain, making his head ache and his stomach clench. He scanned the surrounding buildings and zoned in on where the shots might have come from. Old-school agents were doing their due diligence by looking upwards and doing the same thing.

  No doubt all sorts of fancy trajectory workups were already being formulated on somebody's laptop about now. As for him, he scrambled to the most likely building and roof location and prayed he'd find no evidence it had been her.

  His heart kept up the frenetic pace before he burst onto the rooftop. He ran from one corner to the next, searching for evidence. To one of his fellow FBI agents, he gave the appearance he was doing his job. And he was.

  As much as he believed in justice, he hoped he wouldn't find anything to implicate Sabrina. But he had to know for sure. He fingered the piece of paper with the number of the phone her brother had bought for her in Zurich.

  He dialed the number and hoped she'd answer. If she did, there was a fairly decent chance he could track where she was even if she wasn't forthcoming about the information.

  * * *

  "Not that I don't love you, Saby, and you know I love Venice, especially at Carnivale, but are you sure what this girl told you is accurate? I mean, she'd been held captive for several weeks. She could be hallucinating about facts and faces at this point," Jake commented.

  Sabrina chewed her lip. "We're good either way. If Kane's bust turns into a red herring, we've got a lead they don't know about."

  "That reminds me, why didn't you tell him about what Caitlyn revealed to you?" Max asked.

  "He'd already left by the time she gave me the lead." Sabrina rubbed her temples as something that felt suspiciously like guilt rose to the surface. "Besides, you know those feds. They were on a mission. And there was nothing that was going to stop them. I swear if Kane hadn't gone off map with me they wouldn't be where they are right now."

  She shook her head, more than a little thankful for the diversion of her brothers. The idea she was a tiny bit worried about Kane didn't settle well in her gut. The nagging thought of his parting words about finding her trailed through her brain.

  When her phone rang seconds later, she glanced at the readout. How had he…? Those annoying fed connections, that was how.

  "I should have figured you'd track me down." She tried to keep a bite of anger in her tone but worried it wasn't working too well, since a part of her was oddly happy to talk to him.

  "Lennard is dead. So my question is, where are you and your brothers?"

  The words reverberated through her body. He thought they were somehow involved. Once an assassin, always an assassin, no doubt. Not that she hadn't thought of it herself, but still…

  "We're not anywhere near Paris, if that's your question. So no, we didn't orchestrate the hit." Her snarky tone this time would be impossible to miss. "Now if you don't mind—"

  "I didn't think so. But I want to know what you know," he interrupted.

  So this wasn't a call to get her to confess. This whole thing with Kane had her confused.

  "Why do you think I know something?" Her brothers were staring at her as if she'd suddenly developed two heads. Max started giving her the come on sign, indicating his thoughts as to the matter. She wasn't about to cave that easily. They could accomplish what they needed to do on their own.

  "Because I think it's a little too convenient both Ponci and now Lennard were killed execution style. Since you didn't have anything to do with the hit on Ponci, I'm guessing the same person is responsible for Lennard as well. Putting two and two together, I'm thinking they are the two people who knew Trinity's identity. Because of that, they're dead. As the saying goes, dead people tell no lies."

  "Good hypothesizing, FBI dude." She felt the rush of comfort set in. That wasn't exactly a feel-good. She didn't want to get comfortable with Kane. Getting comfortable meant she'd lost her edge. Losing her edge meant she was a hair's breadth away from disaster.

  "I have my moments. So you gonna tell me where you're at, or am I going to have to track you or your brothers through your cell phones?" He bit off a laugh. "You do know I have some mad skills."

  She couldn't help but laugh. How did he do that? Laughing was another one of those expressions that seemed to elude her. Except around him, it seemed.

  "I'm sure you do. But we've got this whole thing under control. Besides, I wouldn't want you to violate any of those precious FBI rules." Without another word, she hung up, even while she couldn't help but think she'd made a monumental mistake.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  "What was that all about?" Jake asked.

  "He wanted to horn in on our fun." She drew in a breath and tried to ignore the little voice in her head. "Let's get to our hotel suite and strategize."

  "I hope you appreciate the room I scored. It overlooks St. Mark's Square, and should give us a bird's-eye view of most of the festivities." Max shook his head as they walked the streets of Venice. "You don't even want to know what I'm going to have to do to satisfy one sexually repressed hotel manager by the name of Francesca." He smiled as he sighed. "Yes, it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it."

  "Seriously? Cry me a river," Jake said. "I've got a line on somebody who's privy to the costumes and masks, not only for us, but for what the dignitaries are wearing." He brushed his knuckles against his chest. "Can you say score?"

  "Good start. Let's check in so we can come up with a plan," Sabrina said.

  The walked together to the hotel that held grandeur by size as well as proximity to the landmark square. Even though she'd spent the better part of her life in Europe, she couldn't help but marvel at the ancient architecture with a reverent eye.

  They entered their suite and dropped their meager belongings on the couch. "Impressive, Max. Dibs on the bedroom," Jake said as he opened his computer. "I need to see if my contact has some costumes for us and has learned what Ambassador Quarto is wearing."

  "Since we don't have any real evidence, except the shaky eyewitness, how do we play this?" She hated the thought she might not be victorious. In many ways this journey had been years in the making. "Caitlyn says that Ponci had evidence hidden in a safe deposit box, but didn't know where or which bank. Which pretty much leaves all of Europe as a possibility."

  "As much as I like the idea of going all Jason Bourne with this and getting into a safe deposit box, we don't have time. This guy has gotten away with it for a very long time without anyone knowing who he is. We've gotta hope we can somehow trick him into confessing," Max said.

  "I say we fake it till we make it." Jake rolled his eyes. "The guy doesn't have to know we don't have the goods on him. We've pulled this scam before."

  "I'm not sure it will work this time." She was second-guessing freezing Kane out. With his connections, he could run a list of regist
ered safe deposit boxes. Maybe she should have used him to bring this to a close. Then again, with all the bureaucratic red tape, their opportunity might evaporate.

  "It might be our only option," Max said.

  She shook her head even as the possibility had been in her thoughts for the last several hours. "Maybe I can propose a new venture opportunity for him in the Far East. I'll tell him that I've already recruited some girls but need his connections in order to make it happen."

  "Let's face it, the guy wants to corner the market, as sick as that sounds. I think your plan might work," Max said.

  "All right. If we're all onboard, when?" Jake asked.

  "He's having a benefit at the Carnivale for all the children he helps—yeah, I think I'm going to puke." Being in masks would keep their identity hidden, and the festivities would obscure anything they needed to do. And if they had to take matters into their own hands, they always planned for an exit strategy.

  "I hate to talk about the elephant in the room," Max said, his eyebrows signaling to her she was in for a lecture. "But since you're buddy-buddy with an FBI guy, why not utilize those resources?"

  "If I leave it to the FBI, they'll go after the wrong man, won't they?" Okay, she sounded a tad defensive, but she didn't care.

  "They're following protocol. Something we don't have to do. I get that." Jake shrugged. "But, despite what you think, it makes sense for him to be in on this. At least as a fallback if the ambassador doesn't go for your ploy."

  "What's with you two? All of a sudden you're afraid of a little challenge?" If they wanted to push, she'd push back. While they knew her Achilles' heel, she knew theirs as well.

  She needed to stay as far away from Kane Travis as humanly possible right now.

  * * *

  Kane trudged up the stairs, along with four other men, to take apart Pierre Lennard's home. They were looking for evidence that confirmed the intel they'd received that the guy was Trinity. To him, it was looking more and more like the FBI had been led in the wrong direction.

  The opulent residence was in Paris' 3rd District on the Right Bank. Known for its art galleries, small stores, and cafes, along with Renaissance architecture, it was trendy and expensive. The guy definitely had money. How much and where he got it remained to be discovered.

  The other agents had given Kane high-fives for taking down the largest trafficking ring in decades. He wasn't so sure. And he couldn't help but wonder what Sabrina knew but wasn't telling.

  "Start with his computer and see what you find." Kane drew in a breath. "We need something to back up what our informant told us."

  "You don't think he's Trinity, do you? " one of the agents asked.

  "I think either he was set up or somebody didn't want him to talk. Maybe he's got some notes somewhere to confirm his part in this, or leads us to the real identity of Trinity. Either way, keep digging until we find something."

  "Will do, sir," the young agent said, making Kane feel every bit of his age.

  His phone rang seconds later. "Travis."

  "We managed to triangulate that cell phone to Venice."

  "What's going on in Venice right now?"

  "Carnivale."

  "Thanks." He hung up and contemplated the significance of the Shaw family trip. He knew it had nothing to do with enjoying the festivities. They were there for a reason. As soon as he could, he'd hop on a plane and find out what.

  His phone rang seconds later. When he glanced at the readout, his heartbeat sped up. Something was going down. "Travis."

  "This is Jake Shaw. Max and I talked about it…and well…I think we might need your help."

  * * *

  Where were they? Sabrina paced the room, waiting for her brothers, who swore they'd be back two hours ago. When they had left that morning around ten, they'd mentioned something about meeting up with some old friends, which was Shaw-brother-speak for getting laid. Sometimes, her brothers were so predictable.

  She strapped a knife to the pouch around her thigh and slipped into the floor-length silver dress that Jake's friend had provided. Covered in rhinestones and sequins, it shimmered as she walked on strappy heels onto the balcony overlooking St. Mark's Square.

  Noise filtered from the crowd below as she scanned, both for her brothers and Trinity. Jake had been informed that Ambassador Quarto would be wearing a gold mask with a large black-and-white beaked nose, a black hat, and a black-and-white harlequin checkered suit. She hoped his costume would be unique enough that he would stand out, but given the numbers of people, she wasn't too sure.

  For more than a few pensive minutes she thought about her decision to leave Kane out in the cold. Was it a foolhardy choice or all about self-preservation? With the phone clutched in her hand, one simple call would enlist his help. Even though she hadn't heard from him since yesterday, she had to assume he was in Europe, trying to nail down more information about Pierre Lennard. Her fingers paused over the keypad as she contemplated what it might mean to solicit his help.

  By tomorrow this would all be over, and Kane Travis would be out of her life. Everything she knew about herself had not changed, and she would once again return to her solitary existence and the job she did best. But still…

  Before she could make a decision one way or the other, her brothers charged through the door. "Sorry we're late. We…got detained," Jake said.

  "Redhead? Blonde? Or was it a raven-haired beauty that snared your interest?" She shook her head and made a waving motion with her hands. "You guys have to hurry and get ready."

  "Did I tell you how beautiful you look, Sabrina?" Max winked as he tore off his shirt and made his way to one bathroom, while Jake headed to the other.

  She sat at the vanity table, applying white face makeup and slicking back her hair with gel. Next, she did her eyes and lips with dark liner. After filling in her lips in a deep red shade, she put on a silver mask adorned with black and red plumes of feathers along the top and sides.

  Nerves, for the first time, trickled inside. She fought against the sensations of doubt that accompanied it. Now was not the time to question her abilities.

  Three hours from now this would all be over. As that realization hit, a swell of memories rushed up to squeeze at her chest. Why was she thinking of all this now?

  She walked back onto the balcony to soak in a breath of air as the nerves threatened to get the better of her. The crowd had grown in the last hour, and the square was nearly wall-to-wall people as it neared seven in the evening. For the first time she contemplated the futility of the mission.

  They were working against so many obstacles. What were the chances she'd be able to find Ambassador Quarto in this sea of humanity? Granted, the ball they were attending had been sponsored by him, but that didn't mean he'd be easy to find.

  She took one last look over the crowd and hesitated.

  Kane.

  Standing outside the hotel…waiting…oh no, they didn't. She marched inside, catching her brothers as they walked out of the bathrooms showered, shaved, and ready to go.

  Was it her? Had the air in the room suddenly become so tense, she could have cut it with a knife? Or was that the betrayal swimming through her veins?

  "Is there something you two want to tell me?"

  Jake and Max glanced at each other than back to her. Finally Max spoke. "Kane's here."

  "I spotted him." She closed her eyes and drew in a breath as a combination of anger and relief rolled through. "Why?"

  "You weren't thinking clearly. Somebody had to be the voice of reason," Jake said.

  "You think it's okay to go behind my back?"

  "We thought of it more as making an executive decision, since you weren't thinking straight."

  * * *

  Kane had a plan, thanks to Jake and Max and their phone call earlier today. The FBI had located a safe deposit box under the name of Guillermo Ponci in Zurich. Right now, the powers that be were getting the proper authorization to open the contents and find out if Caitlyn had be
en right about it containing some sort of proof of Trinity's identity, even while they were trying to find an excuse to keep going with their original scapegoat, Pierre Lennard. Kane needed to buy a little time in the interim, since without proof, nobody at headquarters was willing to believe that Quarto was anything but a respectable philanthropist and pillar of society.

  Now he had to make sure he could build his case. He tried not to dwell on the fact that Sabrina had pushed him away so easily. But it was hard to ignore her rebuff.

  He knew if the opportunity presented itself, she'd take Trinity down in a heartbeat. There was no way she'd leave this place without Trinity's head on a platter, in the figurative sense if not the literal sense. That was definitely the part that worried him.

  Unlike most of the other people milling about in elaborate costumes, he didn't want any of that to interfere with his job. Instead, dressed in a tux to hide his Glock, he waited in front for Sabrina and her brothers to appear. He wasn't sure what, if anything, her brothers had told her.

  Ten seconds later, he had his answer when she charged out the door and seemed ready to take a chunk out of him.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Sabrina let all that tension steam through her as she shoved Kane in the chest. "What is this, some kind of boys' club?" All the frustration she'd been feeling coalesced into anger. Anger toward her brothers. Anger toward Kane. Anger toward a man who got rich by selling the bodies of young girls.

  Even though the crowd seemed to be growing by the second, she spotted her brothers moving alongside her. To their credit, they didn't interfere. She figured she'd have a whole plane ride home to chastise them for their betrayal.

  "We've located a safe deposit box in Zurich that belongs to Ponci and are waiting on approval to go in there." He had the good grace not to touch her, but she could tell by the way his hands clenched that he was fighting the urge. "It would help to have solid proof rather than put the onus on Caitlyn's recollection."