Vendetta Read online

  Dear God, she was making the connection now. But she didn’t want to believe it. “I’ve never heard of Morales or his Liberation Unity,” she said jerkily.

  “But you’ve heard of Max Huber and Red Star,” he said softly. “And Huber evidently has heard of you. That’s why he sent Morales across the border to scoop you up and send you to him. Just what did you do that pissed Huber off, Rachel?”

  She didn’t answer. After all these years you’d think that question wouldn’t bring back the nightmare memory. Yet she could feel the same chill and fear she had known then. No, then there had also been the horror and the anger.

  “You’re not answering,” Brandon said. “Are you still willing to hang around in this rain forest until Morales plucks you like a ripe banana and sends you to Huber?”

  “No.” She was having trouble steadying her voice. “But I have to be sure that Huber’s not paying you to do the same thing.” She took another swallow of coffee. “Who sent you?”

  He shrugged. “Your father and I had a mutual interest in taking Huber down and scattering his remains into the stratosphere. But as a top CIA guru, he had to be careful of how he did it so that he wouldn’t cause ramifications down the line. He told me that he’d been working under Huber’s radar for years but then suddenly Huber found out something about him that caught his attention.” He met her gaze. “And that ‘something’ also caused him to focus on you. Would you care to tell me what it was that galvanized Huber to such an extent?”

  “No. How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

  “You don’t. But might I point out that you do still have your gun?”

  “And you just want to save me from Huber and deliver me to my father?”

  He shook his head. “As you suspected, I have my own agenda. I want to keep you alive so that I’ll find a way of using you to bring Huber’s head to me on the traditional platter.” He paused. “And there’s no way I’ll be taking you to your father. I regret that doesn’t enter into my agenda.”

  “I don’t regret it.” She tried to think. He could be lying, but there was not a hint of persuasion in his demeanor. Morales and the Huber connection made sense.

  Just as it made sense that Huber would eventually find out what she’d done and come after her. She’d been waiting for it to happen.

  “Satisfied?” Brandon came toward her and held out his hand to pull her to her feet. “Come on, I’ll take you to the helicopter.”

  She slowly shook her head. “You’re not the only one with an agenda, Brandon.”

  He stiffened. “Money? I have plenty of that. We’ll discuss it after we’re out of here.”

  “That’s not on my agenda.” She turned to Nate. “I’m all turned around after that convoluted route Brandon led me. Look at your big picture and tell me how close we are to the Nalez Village?”

  “About five miles west. Why?”

  She didn’t answer. “And how bad did Morales hit the village? Any fatalities?”

  He shook his head. “My reports said that it was deserted. They searched it, then they set fire to it.”

  Violence and destruction, but no murder. How sad to be glad about anything connected to this atrocity. “Are his men still there?”

  “No, they’ve moved on. They’re searching the rain forest right now.”

  “They won’t find anyone.” She hoped she was telling the truth. But the last of the villagers had left almost an hour before Blanca and Maria had gone. They had a good chance. And Maria had an even better chance, hidden away in that cave in the hills.

  If Rachel could get to her in time.

  And she had to get to her in time.

  She turned to Brandon. “The hills start in the rain forest about three miles out of the village. I have to get there right away.”

  “No,” he said flatly. “We’re flying out of here in thirty minutes.”

  “I told you, I’ll only come back if I don’t take what I want with me.” She added fiercely, “What’s your plan, Brandon? Knock me on the head like that Morales’ ape was trying to do? There are three of you, and you might be able to do it. But you’d probably hurt and piss me off, and you said you wanted to use me. I promise that I won’t let that happen if I don’t get what I want.”

  “Yes, you would.” He met her eyes. “It will happen.”

  Power. Intensity. Boldness.

  For a moment, she was intimidated. Don’t let him see it. She forced herself to hold his gaze. “I have two things I have to do before we leave here. I’ll need your help. That’s my agenda, Brandon. And then you get anything you want from me. No questions. No battles.”

  He stared at her for a long moment. “Anything?”

  “Anything.”

  Another silence. “You must want this very badly. What did you leave in those hills?”

  “Maria Perez, a patient, and her mother. I need to give her a dose of medicine, then we have to get them on your helicopter. We can drop them off at the hospital in Georgetown. I’ll need two men to carry her stretcher.”

  “And fight off any of Morales’ men you come across along the way,” Brandon said dryly. “That could come at a high price. I might be willing to send in a team to find her, give the medicine, then bring her to the plane. But I’m not going to risk losing you to Morales. Then I’d have nothing to show for giving you the help you need. You’ll stay on board the copter and wait.”

  She shook her head. “I have to be the one to administer the potion. It has very special properties. It has to be me.”

  “No, Rachel.”

  Her control snapped. “Don’t you tell me no. She’s eight years old. I promised her mother I’d come back. She’s waiting for me. If you want to be sure that I’ll come out of this alive, then you come with me. But I’m going, Brandon. Blanca and I might be able to handle that stretcher between us, and she knows the rain forest, and we could—”

  “Be quiet,” he said harshly. “We’re wasting time. Nate, how long will it take us to get to those hills?”

  “An hour. Maybe less.”

  He turned to Rachel. “You know exactly where to find her?”

  “Yes, I have the directions. You’ll do it?”

  “I’ll do it.” He turned back to Nate. “You’ll lead the way until we get to the hills.” He glanced at Monty. “Send a couple of men to shadow us in case we run into something we can’t handle. Pull the other men out and wait for us on the copter.” He turned back to Rachel, and said coldly, “I’ll see that you get out of those hills alive. You’ll get your way. And then I’ll get mine.”

  She nodded as she got to her feet. She’d won the first battle. This wasn’t the time to make that second demand. Besides, she didn’t know if she had the energy to fight with Brandon. Another hour’s walk seemed as difficult as climbing Mt. Everest at the moment. She could only hope that the adrenaline kicked in again soon.

  “You can change your mind.” Brandon’s eyes were narrowed on her face.

  “No, I can’t. That’s another thing that’s not on the agenda.”

  “Then you might as well sit back down for another five minutes.” He turned and headed for the helicopter. “I have to go over flight instructions with Nate and Monty before we leave. Monty might have to take off damn quick if anything goes wrong.”

  Another five minutes to rest.

  She gratefully sank down again and leaned back against the tree. Do what Hu Chang had taught her to do. Close your eyes. Relax. Breathe deep. Sometimes a few minutes could be enough …

  Another five minutes …

  * * *

  Nate glanced over his shoulder at Rachel as he followed Brandon into the copter. “You didn’t tell her about her father?”

  Brandon shrugged as he checked Monty’s flight plan. “It didn’t seem the time. She’d just lost two friends back in that camp. We don’t need her to have to face the death of her father right now.” His lips twisted. “Though she assured me that she wouldn’t fall apart on me until everything
had been taken care of.”

  “Did she?” Nate was still looking at Rachel out the window. “I don’t think she will, Brandon. She’s very tough.”

  That wasn’t the word he would have used. She was strong, enduring, resilient, stubborn, but tough was too harsh a word for her. In the short time they had been together, he’d been aware of depths that were both frustrating and unassailable. She hadn’t shown him her pain, but he could see it was there. “She’s going to be very difficult.”

  “But she won’t fall apart,” Nate said. “Is that why you pulled us into this copter, to give her five more minutes before you drag her into those hills? I’m not hearing any weighty instructions from you.”

  “She’s dragging us into those hills,” Brandon said. “And I won’t cut her any slack once we’re on the trail. But a little rest now will pay off in the long run. And as I said, she’s a difficult woman to handle.”

  “And she’s having a difficult time,” Nate said quietly. “I think I like her, Brandon.”

  “Do you?” Brandon said. “And I think she’s a good deal like her father. I’ve always been wary of Venable…”

  * * *

  It took more than an hour to reach the hills and another thirty minutes to negotiate the trail to the cave where Blanca had hidden Maria. They’d had to change directions twice on the way to avoid Morales’ men searching through the rain forest.

  “They’re persistent,” Brandon said grimly, as they encountered the second group. “Huber must be paying top dollar to encourage that degree of dedication. You’re actually a threat to anyone near you. Your patient would be safer if you’d just come back after they’ve abandoned searching this area.”

  “That would be too late.” She looked at her watch. “I only have a three-hour window to give her the medicine in order for it to be at top efficiency. The timing has to be just right.”

  “You’re very good with timing,” he said as he moved ahead of her again. “You almost took down Morales’ man with those lethal kicks. Did Venable teach you kickboxing?”

  “No, Hu Chang.” They were almost there. She could make it. All she had to do was put one foot in front of the other and follow him. “He knew I had to have a way of feeling I could protect myself after I was released by the Taliban.”

  “He could have handed you a gun as I did. Kickboxing can be both personal and active.”

  “It’s too easy to kill with a gun. Violence … upsets me. Hu Chang said kickboxing was a great defense but could be almost like dancing.” Why was she telling him this? It must be because she was so tired, and it really didn’t matter what he thought. “He was right. But then Hu Chang is almost always right.”

  “About many diverse things I’ve heard.” He stopped his gaze on the hill ahead. “You said a waterfall? There it is.”

  “Then the cave will be on the other side of the hill.” Her pace quickened. “We’re almost there. Five, ten minutes, and we’ll be able to—”

  A bullet whistled by her ear and hit the broadleaf tree a yard away.

  “Shit.” Brandon knocked her down. “Behind those shrubs!”

  She crawled on hands and knees until she reached the cover of the stunted trees and shrubs. She was vaguely aware that Nate was somewhere ahead of her. But where was Brandon?

  More shots.

  Then Brandon was beside her. But he’d risen to his knees, his gaze searching the brush on the trees to his left. “Two shooters.” He turned to Nate. “Get her around that hill to the cave. I’ll divert their fire, then take them down as quick as I can. But be ready to move her out. We don’t know how many of Morales’ men heard those shots.” Then he was gone.

  “What the hell is he doing?” Rachel whispered.

  “What he said.” Nate was beside her now. “He has to know location before he goes after them. He’s heading for those rocks.”

  And a moment later, Brandon fired a quick round from the rocks near the waterfall.

  And was immediately answered by fire from the trees.

  “Come on,” Nate muttered. “You heard the man. We’re out of here.”

  She paused. “You’re leaving him?”

  “Exactly. And so are you.” He was crawling ahead of her. “Brandon wouldn’t thank me for disobeying orders.”

  “He might if it meant it kept him from getting his head blown off,” she muttered. “I’d think you’d want to—”

  “I do,” he said roughly. “Now shut up and let me do my job. No one knows better than Brandon how to take care of situations like this. He’s an expert. He probably lost track of how many kills he had in Afghanistan. He’ll do what he has to do. Move!”

  She hesitated only for an instant before she started crawling after him, trying to ignore the shots coming from the trees that were aimed at those rocks. Nate knew Brandon’s capabilities, and she did not, she told herself.

  Yet it was clear Nate was worried and didn’t like leaving Brandon. But then, you were always worried about your friends, weren’t you? And she could sense that there was a bond that had nothing to do with the fact that Nate worked for Brandon.

  “You’ll be okay.” Nate didn’t look over his shoulder as his pace increased. “He said he’d get you out, and he’ll do it. He keeps his word, Rachel.”

  But he had a reason for getting her out, she thought. Nate might believe he’d keep his promise, but she couldn’t be sure of anything except what she had to do to keep her own word. So go ahead and try to ignore that gunfire behind her.

  He’ll do what he has to do.

  That was also her father’s mantra.

  But people died, and there was pain and suffering connected to that mantra.

  But this time, Maria might live because of it.

  So accept it, accept the sound of those guns behind her, accept the knowledge of what it meant.

  And just concentrate on getting to Maria.

  * * *

  “Now how the hell are we going to find that cave?” Nate was looking up at the side of the hill that appeared to be a solid, thick mass of shrubs and vegetation. “It looks like a jungle up there. You’re sure this is the place?”

  “It’s the place.” Rachel was trying to get her breath. “And that’s the reason that Blanca chose it. Who’d be tempted to climb up there into a jungle?” She glanced at the trail behind her. “The shooting stopped over twenty minutes ago. Shouldn’t Brandon be—” She stopped. Stupid question. How would Nate know what was happening with Jude Brandon and those men? If he wasn’t uneasy, why should she be? Concentrate on Maria. “We’re here, and that’s ninety percent. Now all we have to do is find that cave.”

  But they didn’t have to find the cave. Blanca Perez found them after they’d been climbing for only five minutes.

  “I heard the shots.” Blanca came running down the slope. “And then I saw you…” Tears were running down her cheeks. “I thought you weren’t coming, Doctor. I thought you’d left her.”

  “I told you I’d be back. How is she?”

  “I don’t know. She woke up several times and smiled at me.” She wiped her eyes and started back up the slope. “That’s good, isn’t it?”

  “I hope it is.” Rachel was running up the slope behind her. “This is Nate Scott, Blanca, he’s going to help us.”

  Nate nodded. “And right now that help is going to be standing on guard and waiting for Brandon to show.” He jerked his head at Rachel. “Take care of business. Brandon wants us out of here.”

  If Jude Brandon was even still alive.

  But Nate didn’t seem to doubt him, and she had to do what she’d come to do.

  Three minutes later, she’d followed Blanca through a web of shrubs and ducked inside the cave.

  Maria was lying on the stretcher, eyes closed.

  “Maria,” she said softly.

  No answer.

  Then the little girl’s lids lifted and she smiled. “Doctor … Rachel…”

  Almost instant response. Good.

  “T
hat’s right. I’m glad to see you, Maria.” She quickly checked her vitals. Weak, but steady …

  Fever not gone, but down. Excellent.

  Blanca was hovering behind her. “She drank water whenever I gave it to her during the night. We prayed together, and I told her that Saint Gabriel wanted her to stay with me and not go to heaven. She seemed to understand. She’s better, yes?”

  “I think so.” Rachel took out the vial from her knapsack. She hoped so. And she was praying the final potion would make it certain. “Get ready to leave, Blanca. We’ll have to go right away.” She held Maria’s head up and carefully gave her the medicine. “No liquid for fifteen minutes, Blanca.” She brushed the hair back from Maria’s forehead. “There we go,” she whispered. “I’ve done my part, now you do yours.”

  “She’d better.” Brandon was in the doorway of the cave. “We’ve all gone to a good deal of trouble for her.” He came into the cave and looked down at the child for a long moment. “But I’d say she’s worth it.”

  And Maria was looking up at him. “Saint … Gabriel?”

  He blinked, then a smile lit his face. “Mistaken identity. But at least you didn’t call me Lucifer. And you’re nowhere near the gates of heaven. Your doctor wouldn’t permit it.” He turned away. “Are you done with her?”

  “For now.” That smile that had so startled Rachel had vanished. It was the first time she’d seen him smile, and she doubted if she’d see it again anytime soon. She looked back at Maria. “It will be principally observation for the next several hours.”

  “Then let’s get her out of here.”

  “Nate?”

  “Watching the trail. I took down the two shooters, but there is no way we can go back the way we came. We’ll go due north, and I’ll have Monty bring the copter to us. The hills slope down to a plateau about three miles from here before it becomes rain forest again.” He glanced at Maria. “Should you give her something to sedate her?”

  “No, that’s what we don’t want,” Rachel said. “She’ll be fine. I know she’ll be fine.”

  His lips indented at the corners. “Or you’ll know the reason why?”

  “I’m a doctor. It’s my job to find out why and fight to change it.” She was looking at the stretcher. “And I might not need Nate. Maria doesn’t weigh very much. I could help with carrying the—”