Night and Day (7 page)

“Why was there a shot? Did you hurt her?”

Natalie's hand whipped across Cara's face.

Stinging pain.

The blow was so hard, Cara's neck snapped back.

Shock and pain made her dizzy for an instant.

“I said we won't discuss that.” Natalie leaned back in the seat. “Now you need to listen carefully. I want your meeting with my father to go well. I'll speak Russian to explain to my father how I ransomed you and even killed a few of the terrible men who were holding you hostage. Since you speak no Russian, you will just nod and agree when I finish. Do you understand?”

Cara couldn't let it go. Just talking about Eve was making Natalie angry, and that frightened her. She couldn't tell what was lies and truth. But maybe if she watched her, studied her, she'd be able to learn. She said slowly, expecting to be struck at every word. “Did you hurt Eve?”

“I did
not
. Good God, what do I have to do to you to make you shut up about it? I have plans for Eve. It would be stupid to get rid of her now. But I might find another way and see if I can arrange to hurt your precious Eve if you don't do as I wish. You will smile at my father and not be rude or cause me to be angry with you. Your grandfather is a very important man. More important than your father ever dreamed of being.”

“Elena said my father was a killer and a drug dealer. That was one of the reasons she was afraid to take me back to him. Is that what you mean by being important? Is that what my grandfather does, too?”

“Elena was a fool. In the end, it doesn't matter what people do. It's all about the power. And my father has more power than you can imagine.” She paused. “He can hurt people that get in his way, that get in
my
way. I don't want you to cause him to be displeased with me, or I might persuade him to do that.”

She was talking about Eve. Cara felt a chill go through her. Natalie was smiling, her face beautiful and her expression serene. Yet Cara knew that she would do what she threatened.

“Ah, you do understand,” Natalie said. “I thought it wouldn't take you long. You're my daughter, after all.”

“I understand.” She looked away from her. “I won't do anything to make him be angry with you.”

“He's never angry with me. I never permit that to happen. I just don't want a disturbance. Just follow my lead and protect me. Always protect me, Cara. Then we'll have no problems.” She paused. “And neither will any of the people you thought were your friends.”

Eve, again. Perhaps Jock, too. Cara felt a ripple of panic. The threat was there, hovering on the horizon. She had to get to Eve, take care of her. It was Eve she had to protect. “If I do what you want, will you let me leave here?”

“Why would you want to do that? I'm sure that after we get to know each other, you won't want to leave.” They were going through the iron gates now and gliding up the long driveway toward the house. “It's a new life for us, Cara. Just do everything I say and it will be a good one…”

A tall, heavyset man with iron gray hair and wearing a charcoal-colored suit was coming out the front door. His features were rugged, his nose looked as if it had been broken at one time and his eyes were a cool blue. But he was smiling as the limousine slid to a stop in front of him. “Natalie!”

“Daddy.” She jumped out of the car and into his arms. She was saying something in Russian, her voice broken, and Cara could see tears in her eyes. She held her father close for a long moment before she stepped back. “And this is my little girl.” She nodded at Cara and held out her hand. “Our little girl. She's been through such a bad time, but she's home now. Cara…”

Cara got out of the car. “How do you do, sir?” she said stiltedly.

“No Russian,” Natalie said. “She's forgotten anything she knew before those beasts took her away from me. Another reason why I was glad I was forced to kill Salazar.” She drew closer to him. “Did Nikolai call and tell you that he saw me kill that—”

“He told me.” He reached up and stroked her cheek. “You should have arranged it so that I could do that for you.”

“I was going to do it. It didn't work out.” Then she was speaking in Russian again, and Cara stood there watching his face as she told him whatever story she had concocted. He had little expression, but he continued to stroke her face and hold her.

He loved her, she thought suddenly. She didn't know if he believed her, but he did love her. And if he loved her, he might do anything she wanted him to do.

Eve.

Natalie was turning to Cara. “Tell your grandfather how grateful you are that he gave the money to save you.”

Say the words. Do what she wanted. “I'm very grateful, sir.”

“So formal.” His English was faintly accented, but he was smiling at her. “I know this seems strange to you, but I'm very glad you're here. And I know a good deal about you. When your mother called me and told me you were safe and on your way, I phoned one of my men in the U.S. I told him to send me a report about you and everything you've been doing. I may be a stranger to you. But you're no stranger to me.”

What could she say to that? “It's nice that you were interested, sir.”

“That formality again. You used to call me grandfather.”

“Grandfather,” she repeated. Don't be rude. Don't make him angry. Because that would make her angry. She couldn't do that until she had a way to get out of here, get to Eve.

“Don't be upset with her. Everything must be so strange to her. I've told her to call me Natalie for a little while,” her mother said. “She told me it's hard for her to think of me as her mother since I'm so young.” She smiled. “But we'll get there, won't we, Cara?”

Another lie. Was it because she didn't like the idea of being a mother? The lies were building, growing, and giving Cara a picture. “Yes, we'll get there … Natalie.” She added, “You do look more like a movie star.”

“How sweet.” She smiled brilliantly. “All I want is to look like your friend … and then later…” She turned to her father. “Let's go inside. I want to tell you everything. You heard about poor Juan? Salazar killed him before he turned Cara over to me. Salazar was afraid that Juan would go after him after he released Cara for the ransom.”

“Castino should have gone after him before,” Kaskov said harshly. “I would have known who took my granddaughters.”

“But Juan isn't as clever as you, Daddy.” Tears were brimming in her eyes. “I found that out too late for my girls. But he was good to me, and I have to remember that about him.”

“You remember that. All I'll remember is that he made you suffer hell when the girls were taken. It was only a matter of time until I stepped in and took over.” He turned back to Cara. “You're looking at me with those big eyes. I'm only telling the truth. Your mother put up with too much because she was desperate to find you. Sometimes it's better to just cut your losses and let the chips fall. Do you understand?”

Cara nodded. “I think so. You're telling me that it's not bad that my father is dead because Natalie is better off without him. I don't know if you're right or not because I don't even remember him.”

Kaskov stared at her in surprise. Then he threw back his head and laughed. “Exactly. At your age, Natalie would have been kinder and sad about the necessity of disposing of him. But I do like your frankness, Cara.”

“Do you?” Natalie's smile was forced. “It's good that you're getting along so well.” She whisked Cara inside the door. “But now we have to get her something to eat, and I have to get on the phone and order her some clothes. I wasn't able to take anything when I took her away from those bastards.” She shuddered. “Did I tell you that they kept her chloroformed? I'm not sure what she'll remember clearly.”

“Chloroform.” Kaskov frowned. “My granddaughter? No, you didn't tell me.” His expression hardened. “You told me about Salazar and Franco. Was there anyone else? I believe we may need a cleanup crew to pay a visit to Gaelkar.”

“It was such a terrible time,” she whispered. “I was so afraid that we couldn't get Cara out alive. Everything was a blur.” She looked at Cara. “I believe there were a few others. I think I heard about a woman who was involved. I'll try to remember her name.”

Eve. Cara's heart skipped a beat. She was setting Eve up in case she decided that Cara had to be punished.

“Cara, do you remember hearing a woman's voice?” Natalie asked.

“No,” Cara said hoarsely.

“But then you were under chloroform most of the time.” She sighed. “I guess it's up to me to come up with the truth.” She turned to her father. “I'm still so afraid for Cara. What if there is someone still out there who might hurt her? Could we put her in that apartment in the gatehouse? That way, she'd be surrounded by your men patrolling the grounds. And you'll make sure she's well guarded?”

“Of course.” His expression softened. “Nothing will happen to her while we're wrapping this up.” He kissed her cheek. “And get yourself some new clothes when you're ordering Cara's wardrobe. It's colder here than you're accustomed to these days. You never did like the cold.”

“Thank you.” She squeezed his arm. “You're so good to me. It's so wonderful to be home with you.” She looked pointedly at Cara. “And I'm sure that Cara feels the same way and will do everything she can to stay out of your way and not be a bother.”

Kaskov smiled. “What good is a granddaughter if she's scurrying around trying to stay out of my way?” He released Natalie and walked over to Cara. “One of the things I found out about you when I asked for a report was that you play the violin. Are you good or just competent?”

She didn't look at Natalie. She didn't know where this was going, but it could do no harm not to be a complete puppet. “I'm very good,” she said quietly.

“I thought you might be.” He met her gaze. “It's a talent that runs in my mother's family. I grew up in Siberia, and the only thing of beauty in my life was her music. She was a violinist, too. You were only three when you came here for the summer, and I remember the expression on your face when you'd sit and listen to your sister, Jenny, when she was playing the piano.”

“It was Jenny who had the talent,” Natalie said quickly. “I told you how she entertained all my friends in Mexico City.”

“Music runs in the family.” He didn't look at Natalie. “I told you that when I paid for music lessons for Jenny. Cara was too young, or I would have insisted on having her taught, too.” He smiled. “But you found your way anyway, didn't you? Why a violin? Why not piano, like your sister.”

“I was always having to move. I could take it with me.” She smiled back at him. “And it didn't matter. The music is always there.”

He nodded. “Yes, that's what I tried to tell Natalie. I could give her everything else, but she didn't understand that if all the rest is taken away, she could still have the music.” He shrugged. “She was too impatient to practice.”

“I may still try if it will make you happy,” Natalie said.

“You have a daughter, and that just may be enough to make me happy without your bothering.” He touched Cara's hair. “Will you play for me?”

She nodded. “I don't have my violin. It's back at the camp at Gaelkar.”

“I'll take care of that. After dinner tonight?”

She nodded again. “You know about the music. What do you play?”

“Nothing.”

She looked at him, puzzled. “Why not?”

He held out his hands. Four fingers on both hands were broken and terribly misformed. “One of the guards at the work camp in Siberia decided that I had been disrespectful. So I decided my life had to go in another direction.”

“I'm sorry,” she whispered. She couldn't imagine anything more terrible. The music stifled, never to be able to free it.

“I see that you are.” His hand lightly brushed her cheek. “And that you understand more than anyone else could.” His smile faded. “Except my son, Alex. He had the music in his soul. He played the piano and I thought I'd send him to the conservatory when he got tired of playing at my ‘other direction.'”

“He betrayed you,” Natalie said. “It broke my heart, but Alex did betray you, Daddy.”

“He claimed he didn't,” Kaskov said sadly. “But there was proof, and there were the rules. I couldn't spare my son when I spared no one else. It would have toppled me.” He looked back at Cara. “But it was lonely not having anyone else who really understood. I'm glad you're here, Cara.”

“And that's enough of all this sad talk,” Natalie said. “If you're set on having her play for you, she has to get settled, then get a little rest.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “We'll see you at dinner. I'll take Cara over to the gatehouse. Will you send Ivan Sabak to be her personal guard? I remember him as being very competent.”

His brows rose. “I thought perhaps Nikolai. Sabak's one of my best men. You think the threat is that serious?”

“How do I know? I'm only a woman. But I'd feel better about it.” She smiled. “Please?”

“Whatever.” He turned away. “I'll send Sabak. Now get out of here. I have phone calls to make.” He glanced back at Cara. “Welcome to my home, Cara.”

“Thank you. I'll see you at dinner.”

Natalie almost shoved Cara out the door and onto the driveway. “I didn't like the way you handled those questions, Cara.” She was walking quickly, her high heels clicking on the stones. “You were far too pushy, and you made me look less than I am.”

“I didn't say anything about you. He did. And I only told the truth.”

“It's a truth I prefer to avoid at present.” She didn't speak for a few moments, then burst out, “That damn music. I should have known it would get in the way. It always did. That's why I didn't tell him about it myself.”