The Ugly Duckling (40 page)

The auditorium. Fear rippled through her as she remembered Jamie’s story about the deadly virus applied to swords as part of Gardeaux’s macabre retribution. Her gaze lifted to his face. “Why are you telling me about the auditorium?”

“Because that’s where Gardeaux will take me.”

She almost spilled her coffee. “No.”

“Yes,” he said quietly. “It’s the only place my plan will work. If he picks up on the lead I gave him, he’ll take me somewhere he won’t be surrounded by people.”

“But he’ll have his people there. It will be a trap.”

“But I think I can spring it. Gardeaux will make sure I’m not armed, so sometime in the early evening I want you to slip back into the auditorium and tape this .44 Magnum under seat A15.” He pulled the gun out of his pocket and handed it to her. “It’s the first row middle aisle.”

“You
think
you can spring the trap? What will you do?”

“Manipulate Gardeaux into a position where I can bring him down.”

“How?”

“After I get him to the auditorium I’ll have to play it by ear. I’ve done it before.”

“He’ll kill you.”

He smiled. “We always knew that was a possibility, didn’t we? But I don’t think it will happen this time. Not if you help me.”

“It happened to your friend O’Malley.”

“Nell, this is the only way. Help me.”

He had made up his mind. “Is that all you want me to do?” she asked jerkily.

He tapped another spot on the map. “The drawbridge. It will be guarded, but I doubt if it will be up, since guests will be coming and going. You’ll have to get rid of the guards before eleven forty-five. Because at eleven forty-five, you need to be at the fuse box about five yards left of this door.” He pointed to the south side of the auditorium on the floor plan. “I want you to douse the lights in the auditorium and then run
like hell for the drawbridge. Jamie will be waiting in the woods on the other side of the moat with the car. And I’ll be right behind you.”

“Maybe.”

He ignored the comment. “Gardeaux will probably post a guard outside the auditorium when we go inside. You may have to take care of that guard before you go in the south door. Try to do it quietly, or you might get me killed. How’s that for responsibility?”

“More than I thought you’d want to give me.” More than she wanted to think about right now. “I expected you to be more selfish.”

“I am being selfish. I’m taking Gardeaux.” He met her eyes. “And I’m surprised you’re not fighting me for the privilege.”

She shook her head. “He has to die and I have to be a part of it, but I’m content to let you do it. He’s … remote to me. I’ve never seen him, never heard his voice. I know he’s as much to blame as Maritz, maybe more, but he’s not as alive to me. Not like he is to you.” Her lips tightened. “But don’t try to cheat me of Maritz.”

“Let’s take one at a time.”

“Is that an evasion?”

“You’re damn right. I don’t want to think about Maritz. I’m terrified at throwing all of this at you.”

“Are you? You don’t think I can do it?”

“If I didn’t think you could do it, I’d have drugged your coffee and locked you up until after tomorrow night.” He smiled. “You’re smart and you’re good and Jamie is right. We should have had you around in the old days.” His smile faded. “That doesn’t mean I want you within a hundred miles of Bellevigne.”

“I have a right to be there.”

“You have a right.” He winked. “But keep an eye on that coffeepot.”

She relaxed and smiled back at him. “Every minute.”

“Maybe not every minute.” He took her coffee cup away and set it down on the hearth. “It might get in the way.” He slowly drew her into his arms. He whispered, “Okay?”

More than okay. Passion. Comfort. Home. Her arms tightened around him. “Okay.”

“This was too easy. Maybe I should go away more often.” He kissed her. “Or are you providing aid and comfort to one off to the wars?”

“Shut up,” she whispered. “I’m going to war too.” She needed this. She needed
him
. She leaned back and started to unbutton her blouse. “I think you should be the one to provide aid.”

“Not here.” He pulled her to her feet. “Where’s your bedroom? I refuse to be seduced in front of a fireplace. It’s much too campy.”

H
e was getting dressed, a dim, pale shadow in the predawn grayness of the room.

“Be careful,” she whispered.

“I was trying not to wake you.” He sat down on the bed. “Why, Nell?”

She took his hand. “I told you, I needed aid and comfort.”

“You gave more than you took tonight. Where did all the anger go?”

“I don’t know. All I knew was that I missed you. I guess I’m not thinking very clearly right now.”

“Well, your head’s still in the sand.” He gently caressed her hair. “But maybe you’re thinking more clearly than you believe. Sometimes it’s best to trust instinct.” He smiled. “In this case it was a hell of a lot more enjoyable.”

Her grasp tightened on his hand. “This isn’t a good plan, Nicholas. Too many things can go wrong.”

“There will never be a better time or plan.” He added heavily, “And I’m tired to death of this. I’m sick of that scum Gardeaux living like a fat cat in his castle. I’m tired of thinking about Terence and the futility of his death. I’m tired of worrying about you. I want to get the job done and go home.” He kissed her forehead. “Last chance, Nell. Is all this worth it to you?”

“What a time to ask me that. You know the answer.”

“Nevertheless, I’m asking it.”

“You’re giving me a way out. I don’t want it.” She met his gaze. “They killed my daughter, deliberately and with malice. They took her life as if she were worth nothing, and they got away with it. They’ll keep killing and hurting innocent people as long as—” She stopped. “No, I’m not doing it because I’m afraid they’ll hurt someone else. I’m not that public-spirited. It’s Jill. It’s always been Jill.”

“Okay, I thought that would be your answer. But if you see everything going downhill, cut and run. Do you hear me?”

“I hear you.”

“But you’re not committing. Let me put it another way. If you’re killed at Bellevigne, Gardeaux and Maritz will live and no one will ever pay for Jill’s death.”

She flinched with pain.

“I thought that would strike home.” He stood up and moved toward the door. “Eleven forty-five. Don’t be late.”

New Year’s Eve
10:35
P.M
.

Gardeaux looked like an affable politician, sleek, mature, beautifully well groomed in his green and gold Renaissance garb. He was smiling courteously down at his wife, ignoring the horde of influential people surrounding him.

Charming.

To look at him, Nell would never have guessed his mistress was just across the room … or that he was a child murderer.

“What are you staring at?” Madame Dumoit hissed as she passed Nell. “We didn’t bring you here to stand in a corner and gawk. Move around. Show off Jacques’s gown.”

“I’m sorry, Madame.” Nell set her glass of wine down on a passing waiter’s tray and moved into the throng. In her Renaissance gown she blended perfectly with the costumed crowd, and the crush was so thick, she would be lost in its midst in seconds and could escape back to obscurity.

Twenty-five more minutes and Nicholas would be there.

The room was too warm, the music deafening.

Watch Gardeaux. Watch the child killer. How could he smile like that when he intended to kill Nicholas within the hour?

Oh, God, she was afraid.

Gardeaux was turning away from his wife, holding out his hand, a smile of welcome lighting his face.

A man was coming toward him. A small man, looking a little uncomfortable in his black tuxedo.

Nell froze in shock.

Kabler?

Kabler was smiling too. He took Gardeaux’s hand and shook it. He said something jokingly before slapping him on the back.

Not Kabler. Kabler hated him. Kabler would not be here.

He was here, and treating Gardeaux as if they were best friends.

But he was a policeman. He had to be undercover or something.

She drifted closer, her gaze fixed on the two men.

Gardeaux was introducing Kabler to his wife. His good friend, Joe Kabler, head of the Drug Enforcement Agency in America.

He knew who Kabler was. Kabler, his good friend.

Money can buy almost anyone, Nicholas had said.

She hadn’t thought it could buy Kabler.

He was smiling at Gardeaux’s wife and murmuring something about a nice party and how nice it was for them to invite him. His gaze casually wandered around the room. Oh, yes, he belonged to Gardeaux.

And he could recognize her
.

Her heart jerked with panic. What was she doing
standing here? She quickly wheeled away from them and headed for the door.

Had he seen her?

She was afraid to look over her shoulder. The most he would have been able to see was the back of her head and her profile.

The most? That would be enough. They had spent hours together.

She bolted through the door into the foyer.

Please. Don’t let him have seen me.

She tore down the front steps to the courtyard. She risked a glance over her shoulder.

Kabler, his expression grim, was weaving through the crowd in the foyer.

He caught her as she reached the bottom of the steps and spun her around.

“Let me go.” She glared up at him. “There are people not twenty feet from us. I could call out.”

“But you won’t. You don’t want to blow whatever you’re here for. I warned you to stay away from Tanek. Look what he’s done to you.” His tone was pained. “I don’t want you hurt. Give it up. I can still save you.”

“By interceding with your friend Gardeaux?” she asked bitterly.

“That filth is not my friend, and he’d pay no attention to any intercession if he knew who you were.”

“You didn’t tell him?”

“I said I thought I saw someone I knew. I don’t want you dead, Nell. Let Tanek be put down. He’s just filth like the rest.”

“And what are you?”

He flinched. “I couldn’t fight them anymore. It had gone on too long. I came home from Idaho that day and Gardeaux’s man was waiting for me again. So was my kid’s doctor. My son has leukemia. He deserves the best and now I can give it to him. You can’t beat them.
They have too much money and too much power. No one can beat them.”

“So you joined them. How much does he pay you, Kabler?”

“Enough. My wife is getting some of the things she deserves at last. My kids will go to good schools and have a future. I’ll be able to give them anything they need or want.”

“How nice for you. I don’t have a child. Gardeaux killed her.”

“But you’re alive. I want you to stay alive. You’re not like them.”

“I’m like you?”

He nodded. “It doesn’t matter what happens to them. I didn’t care about Calder or that woman. They were as dirty as Gardeaux.”

She stared at him in shock. She had not made the connection. “
You
killed them.”

He shook his head. “I just told Gardeaux where to find them. He wanted me to take you there first so that I could claim I was followed.” He smiled wryly. “I’m in a very valuable position. He didn’t want it jeopardized.”

“You used me. You did the same thing you accused Nicholas of doing.”

“You had a right to know about Calder.”

“And how will you explain your presence here tonight? Your people know what Gardeaux is.”

“I’m only trying to gather information. Just doing my job.” He glanced over his shoulder. “We’ve been out too long. Tanek should arrive any minute and I don’t want you in the way.”

“You’re going to help him kill Nicholas.”

“I don’t have to help him. That’s not why I’m here. Gardeaux wanted me to come, slap him on the back and nix any harm Nicholas might inflict on his image.”
He took her arm. “I’m going to take you to my room and stay there with you. When it’s over, I’ll let you go on your way.”

When it was over. When Nicholas was dead. “What if I won’t go with you?”

“Then I’ll have to tell Gardeaux who you are. And he’d kill you as well as Tanek.” He said gently, “I don’t want to do that, Nell. I want you to get out with your skin intact. Will you come with me?”

He wasn’t bluffing. He would tell Gardeaux. He wanted to save her, but he would let her die rather than endanger his affiliation with Gardeaux. “I’ll come.”

He was immediately beside her, cradling her elbow as they entered the foyer.

“I have a gun holstered beneath the jacket of this monkey suit. Just thought I’d let you know.” He led her toward the staircase. “Smile,” he murmured.

She glanced at the grandfather clock next to the doors to the ballroom. Her hand clenched on the banister.

Ten fifty-five.

11:10
P.M

Four people got out of the limousine as it stopped just inside the courtyard. Two women in rich Renaissance dress under velvet cloaks, their escorts in tuxedos. Talk. Laughter.

The perfect opportunity for Nicholas to blend in with the crowd. He stepped out of the shadows of the trees and quickly crossed the moat.

He fell in close behind the four guests as they strolled across the courtyard.

“Ah, Tanek, there you are.” Gardeaux stood on the
front steps. He wasn’t looking at the guests, but at Tanek. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Nicholas stopped short and then moved closer to the group of guests. “I can never resist a party.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to miss this one.” He gestured and the four partygoers parted like the Red Sea. “You seem to be lacking your advance guard.”

Nicholas watched the four hurry back toward the limousine. “Your people?”

“Obviously. Did you think I couldn’t counter such a simple ploy? You gave me the time of your arrival and I had only to set up the trap. I really couldn’t allow you to go into the ballroom. You might have made things awkward for me.” He looked over his shoulder. “Rivil, we’re going to escort Mr. Tanek to the auditorium. You remember Rivil, Tanek?”

“How could I forget?” He watched Rivil come down the steps. “He made a big impact on me.” Rivil was followed by a smaller man. Marple, Nicholas recognized, vicious, good with a garrote, excellent reflexes. Gardeaux had called out the top guns.