Cause For Alarm (41 page)

K
ate sat beside Emma's crib and watched her sleep. Exhaustion and guilt pulled at her. How could she not have acted on the change in her daughter's behavior sooner? All the signs of illness had been there, crankiness, loss of appetite, sleeplessness. Instead, it had taken a 102.5 degree temperature to galvanize her into action. What kind of mother was she?

Kate passed a hand wearily across her forehead. The doctor had called ear infections a common childhood malady. If treated properly and promptly they posed no long-term health threat, if not, the child's hearing could be affected. He'd also tried to assure Kate that nothing she had or hadn't done had caused it.

As much as she wanted to, Kate didn't buy that. Emma had gone six months without so much as a sniffle; now, her life and routine in chaos, she had a raging infection in both ears and a temperature.

She squeezed her eyes shut.
Please find what we need, Luke. Please.

The phone jangled and Emma stirred and moaned, her face puckering up in reaction to the sudden, shrill sound. Kate dove for the offending instrument, catching it a moment before it rang again.

“Hello?” she said softly, her gaze on Emma.

“Kate, it's Luke.”

“Luke?” She pressed the receiver tighter to her ear, straining to hear above the din on the line. “I can hardly hear you.”

“I've run into a little trouble down here.”

“Trouble? What—” The line crackled, then faded. He was saying something, but she couldn't quite make it out. “Luke, speak up. I can't understand what you're saying.”

Julianna came to the door between their rooms. Kate glanced at her, and she mouthed,
“What's wrong?”

Kate lifted her shoulders to indicate she didn't know, then turned her attention back to Luke.

“I think we've got him, Kate,” he was saying, his voice fading in and out. “But we need to act quickly. How fast can you get down here?”

“Down there?” she repeated, her heart beginning to pound. “I don't understand—”

“Kate, I can hardly hear you now.” The line crackled again. “—need you down here. Three hundred Indiana Avenue, N.W. The Henry J. Daly Municipal Center. Third floor. Quickly. Got that, Kate?”

“Got it. But, Luke, what—”

“You'll understand everything when you get here. Hurry,” he said, “we don't have a minute to waste.”

The line went dead.

Julianna came into the room, eyes wide, the expression in them worried. “What's going on?”

“I don't know.” Kate stared at the receiver a moment, then returned it to its cradle. “Luke says he got what we needed, but there's some sort of trouble and we have to act quickly.”

“He got the proof?”

“That's what he said. He asked me to come right down.”

“But why?”

“I don't know.” Kate snatched up the diaper bag and carried it to the crib. “It was an awful connection, I could hardly hear.”

Kate gazed down at her sleeping daughter, doubt plucking at her. The Tylenol had brought down her fever and relieved her pain, making it possible for her to finally rest. “I hate to wake her up,” she murmured. “Poor thing just got to sleep.”

“Don't.” Julianna came to stand beside her. “You go, I'll stay with her. It'll be much quicker, and she can get some rest.”

Kate hesitated. Julianna was right. It would be quicker without Emma. She would have to change Emma's diaper, make sure the diaper bag had plenty of spares and make a bottle. Plus the doctor had prescribed rest.

“She'll be fine. I bet she won't even wake up.”

Kate caught her bottom lip between her teeth. She hated this. It felt wrong. But Luke had sounded almost desperate, and Kate knew her daughter—Emma did not like her sleep disturbed. If awakened now she would doubtless scream for the next thirty minutes. Kate didn't suppose that was what the doctor had meant by her getting plenty of rest and quiet.

“You can trust me, Kate. I wouldn't do anything to hurt Emma.”

Kate realized it was true. If Julianna didn't care about Emma, she would have high-tailed it out of Louisiana after disabling Powers. Instead, she had put herself in harm's way to save Emma. Besides, how long would she be gone? Surely not more than forty-five minutes?

Kate acquiesced, though still torn. “Okay, but lock the door. Don't answer it for anyone.”

Julianna laughed. “Are you kidding? There's a chance I won't even let you guys back in.”

On impulse, Kate gave the other woman a quick hug. “I'll check in when I get there. You know where the formula and—”

“And bottle and diapers and wipes are? Yes. Now, go.”

Kate grabbed her coat and hurried to the door, unlocked it and stepped out into the cold evening air. She stopped and looked back at Julianna, a knot in the pit of her gut. “Take care of my baby, okay?”

As she said the words she realized how strange they were, considering their relationship. In the beginning it had been Julianna who had entrusted Kate with the care for her baby.

“I will. Don't worry about a thing.”

With one last glance backward, Kate hurried out to hail a cab.

T
wenty minutes later the cab dropped Kate off in front of the Daly building. She paid the fare and hurried inside. She scanned the busy lobby, looking for Luke; when she didn't see him, she went through the metal detectors, heading toward the elevators.

She reached them just as one finished emptying out; she stepped inside and punched the third-floor call button. She lifted her gaze to the floor numbers above the door and drew in a deep breath through her nose, vacillating between being anxious and excited, hopeful and fearful.

Luke had said he'd gotten what they needed. But he'd also said he'd run into some sort of trouble. What could he have meant?

The elevator stopped on three and the doors opened. The hallway was empty, the door to the homicide division locked. Kate turned right and headed to the desk lieuten ant's office.

The woman, a capable-looking brunette, looked up when Kate entered. “What can I do for you?”

“I was supposed to meet a friend here, Luke Dallas. He was interviewing one of the detectives.”

“Detective Sims.” She nodded. “But I'm afraid you've missed him.”

“Missed him?” Kate repeated, her stomach falling. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. Detective Sims left on a call about ten minutes ago.”

Ten minutes ago. An eternity.

Something was wrong.

Kate began backing out of the office, heart pounding. “He's probably waiting for me in the lobby. Thanks for your help.”

She turned and ran for the elevator. This time she had to wait for a car; each moment seemed a lifetime. An elevator arrived. She hurried on. The car was already occupied by two uniformed officers. She eyed their sidearms, cuffs and radios, oddly reassured.

The taller of the two caught her gaze. “Everything all right, ma'am?”

She gazed at the officer.
She could enlist their help. Tell them the whole story and beg them to help her.

She opened her mouth to do just that, then shut it, remembering what Julianna had said about John and the police. That they would make her a sitting duck, that John would outwit them easily. She pictured herself explaining the story to them, then their superior officer or a detective; could hear their questions, their skepticism.

By the time she convinced somebody to accompany her back to the motel, if she ever did, Emma, Luke and Julianna could be dead.

“Everything's fine,” she said, her voice too high.

“You sure?” He narrowed his gaze on her, and she felt her cheeks heat. “You seem a little agitated.”

“I'm fine.” She cleared her throat and forced a smile. “I was supposed to meet a friend here and missed him. That's all. Thank you for asking.”

They reached the lobby and the elevator doors slid open. Kate rushed off, frantically scanning the lobby for Luke. Once, then again.

He wasn't there.

Heart in her throat, she made her way out of the building. She stood in the center of the sidewalk, scanning up, then down. She had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. That something bad had happened to him; that John had followed him. That she'd been had.

Stepping up to the curb, she signaled a cab. It veered over two lanes, nearly causing an accident, pulling to halt at the curb in front of her. She yanked the door open.

“Kate! Wait!”

She spun around. Luke was emerging from the Daly building, and she ran to him. “Luke! Thank God!” His arms closed around her. “I got here as quickly as I could. When I couldn't find you I thought the wors—”

“I didn't call you, Kate.”

She eased out of his arms and lifted her face to his, searching his expression for the
Gotcha!
She didn't see one and struggled for an even breath. “What are you saying?”

“I just talked to Julianna.” He tightened his grip on her. “That wasn't me on the phone. I wouldn't even be here if I hadn't called the motel.”

Kate felt the blood drain from her face, like an icy hand passing over her, stealing both her blood and her warmth.

John. Dear God.
She brought a hand to her mouth.
She had left Emma. Julianna couldn't protect her from John. Kate wasn't even certain she would try.

As if reading her thoughts, Luke held her at arm's length and looked her straight in the eyes. “Don't panic, Kate. I just talked to Julianna. Everything's fine. She's got the door locked and chained, she won't open it for anybody.” He lowered his voice. “And I told her where my gun is. It's loaded.”

“Gun?” she repeated, light-headed with fear.

“So she can protect herself and Emma if need be.”

The cabby she'd hailed tooted his horn. “You need a cab or what?”

Luke grabbed her hand and they jumped in. The rush hour traffic was a snarl, and the ride to the motel seemed interminable to Kate. She struggled not to cry, not to completely fall apart, but all she could think about was Emma and John and what he might do to her if he got to her.

How could she have been so stupid? So gullible? She had never even questioned whether it was Luke on the phone, even though she had been unable to hear him clearly.

John knew everything, she realized, despair welling up in her chest. Where Luke had gone and probably why. That Emma had been to the doctor; that Kate would leave her and Julianna alone.

Tears flooded her eyes. If anything happened to Emma, she would never be able to forgive herself. Never.

Luke reached across the seat and covered her hand with his own. She curled her fingers around his, holding tightly. “Hang in there, Kate. She's going to be okay.”

She glanced at him, then away, tears swamping her. “I'm trying, Luke. I really am.”

“I found what we were looking for.” She met his eyes. “Julianna's mother and Senator Jacobson were both murdered on the same night at approximately the same time. Apparently, the local boys' hands were slapped by the feds, who came in and took over. Some of the M.P.D. guys' noses were seriously out of joint. There was talk. Speculation about a cover-up of some sort.”

She worked hard to concentrate on what he was saying. “So, we have what we need? You can go to Morris now?”

“Not exactly. Two problems. One, Powers killed Jacobson after Julianna stole his book, so we still don't have anything concrete to link him to the senator's murder. Second, Detective Sims did a little checking for me. Guess what Agency those feds were with?”

She swallowed hard. “CIA?”

“Bingo.” Luke frowned. “I think we're being used.”

“I don't understand. Why—”

“They already know about Jacobson, Kate. And Powers is still on the street.”

She sank back against the seat, defeated. “What are we going to do? We have no place left to go.”

“Oh, yes we do.” Luke's jaw tightened. “If Morris doesn't give me what I want, I'm going to the press. We have enough to shake a few trees over at Langley. Think about it. A dead senator. A cover-up. A government assassin running amok. A little black book filled with nasty secrets. At the very least we can make Morris's life damn uncomfortable. That was what Condor was trying to tell me, they don't want the attention.”

“Who told you?”

“A contact.” Luke shook his head. “A friend.”

The cabby pulled to a stop in front of their motel. Kate threw open the door and ran for the stairs that led to the rooms on the second level, ignoring Luke's shout to wait. The metal stairs shuddered as she pounded up them, Luke only steps behind her.

She landed on the second level. Their adjoining rooms were located at the far end of the row; the door to their's stood ajar. Kate stopped, her life passing before her eyes. She opened her mouth to call out, but Luke grabbed her arm, silencing her. He bent his head close to hers. “Stay behind me.”

She nodded, stepping back slightly to allow him in front, although her every instinct screamed in protest. He proceeded slowly, inching toward the pair of doors.

He reached them. A finger to his lips, Luke eased the door open.

The interior of the room was dim. The curtain had been drawn tight, the lights were off. Luke reached inside and flipped up the wall switch. Light flooded the room.

It was empty.

Emma! Kate rushed to the crib. It, too, was empty. A cry flying to her lips, she spun toward Julianna's room. Luke was already there. Kneeling on the floor, bending over something. Or someone.

He looked over his shoulder at her. At his expression, a cry ripped from her lips. She raced to his side.

Not Emma, she saw. Julianna. She lay in a crumpled heap, naked, her pale skin bruised. Blood trickled from her nose and mouth.

She opened her eyes.

She was alive, thank God.

Kate knelt by her side and Kate took Julianna's hand into her own. The younger woman looked into Kate's eyes, her mouth working but no sound coming out.

“When, Julianna?” Luke bent close. “When did John come?”

Her gaze shifted to Luke's. “Here already…when you…” A spasm of pain shook her, contorting her features. Her fingers convulsed against Kate's. “I…fought…too…strong…I—”

Kate swallowed hard, fighting panic. “Where is she, Julianna? Where's Emma?”

Julianna coughed, spitting up blood. “…be like you. Wish I…” Kate had to bend her head close to hear. “…please…forgive…”

She coughed again, the sound frighteningly weak, wet as she bled internally. Kate gathered her in her arms. “Don't die, Julianna,” she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. “Please, hold on.”

Her body convulsed again, a shudder rippling over her, as if the last of her life force fought to survive against outrageous odds. Her eyes shut, and Kate tightened her arms. “No, dammit! Open your eyes. You're not going to die, I'm not going to let you! Open them!”

Julianna did as Kate commanded, the once vivid blue irises pale now, dull with approaching death. Kate could see her fight to pull away from the darkness, struggle for consciousness. She plucked at Kate's shirt, her mouth working. Kate bent close to her again.

“Please…believe…I…Save my…save Em…”

A breath shuddered past her lips. Her muscles went slack, and her head lolled back against Kate's arm.

For a moment, Kate simply held her, a kind of numbness stealing over her limbs. Then Julianna's words, their meaning, sank in. Kate lifted her gaze to Luke's.

“He can't have her,” she said. “He can't!”

She got to her feet and stumbled to the adjoining room and empty crib, tears blinding her. She gazed down at the small bed, at the rumpled blanket and the soft, bright-colored stuffed bear. Emma's favorite.

“Why didn't he bring it for her?” Kate whispered. “Who's she going to hold on to? When she's scared, who's she going to hold on to?”

Kate picked up the toy and brought it to her face. It smelled like Emma. She breathed deeply, her heart breaking, her despair yawning, unimaginable.

The phone rang. They both swung toward it. It rang again, and Kate lunged, grabbing the receiver before it jangled a third time.

“Kate, love, it's John. Or as you know me, Nick.”

“Where's my baby?”

He ignored her. “Surprised? Or did you figure it out?” He paused. “You did, I suppose. When you saw that photograph.” He paused again. “What you did to my home, that wasn't nice. It made me very angry, Kate.”

“You sick bastard. I want my daughter.”

Luke came up to stand beside her. He bent his head close to hers to try to hear what John was saying. From the corners of her eyes, Kate saw that he had laid the bedspread over Julianna. She saw, too, that he had a gun.

“I like that about you, Kate. Your single-minded loyalty. But I've told you that before.” He sighed. “I'm sorry I've had to involve you and the people you love. Julianna left me no choice. She was young and impulsive. And like most disobedient children, she didn't take my warnings seriously. And you were made to suffer.”

Kate gripped the receiver tighter, her stomach rising to her throat. “What about Tess?”

“She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just like the good senator. Sylvia always did have a penchant for paunchy old men with power. Go figure.”

“But why?” Kate managed, voice quaking. “What did Tess ever do to you?”

“She caught me stealing your Rolodex, Kate.” He made a sound of pain. “Your glass work was an impulse. One I deeply regret. That I destroyed works of art…it haunts me, Kate.”

He was a monster. And he had her baby.
“I don't care about that, I just want my daughter back.”