Final Target by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online

Dr. Riley. Just because he was plagued by the nagging feeling of leaving something unfinished was no reason to endanger his position here.
    He turned away from the window. He'd take a shower and then hit the sack.
    He stopped in the bedroom doorway, went back to the bookcase, and picked up Jessica Riley's book. It didn't mean anything. He often read himself to sleep. Besides, he made a good part of his living dealing in information, and it never hurt to know everything about his situation.
    It had nothing to do with Cassie Andreas.

Chapter Four
    "You understand?" Andreas demanded.
    "You've made yourself more than clear" Jessica said as she walked him out. "No contact with the gentleman in the gatehouse."
    "I don't t hink you'd consider him a gentleman."
    "According to you, he saved Cassie's life. That qualification is hard to dismiss."
    "A single action doesn't eliminate the instability of a lifetime."
    "I deal with instability all the time. It's how I make my living."
    "Well, you have no cause to deal with this particular instability." Andreas walked down the front steps. "Ignore Travis. He won't be here long. You have your hands full." He looked back at Cassie's window. "No nightmare tonight. That's good, isn't it?"
    "It's always good. They tear her apart." And Cassie's nightmares were becoming more violent. The aftereffect was that she went even deeper into withdrawal. But Jessica wasn't about to mention that to her father. He had little enough hope. "Will you be here tomorrow night?"
    He shook his head. "I have to go to Japan for trade talks. I'll be gone almost two weeks, but my wife will be calling every day for a report. You know how to get in touch with me."
    Jessica watched the car move slowly down the driveway before her gaze switched to the gatehouse. A light was burning in the bedroom at the back of the house. Evidently, the unstable Mr. Travis was still awake.
    His arrival was an interesting development. Interesting and perhaps…promising. She might be able to use Michael Travis.
    God knows, she'd use anything or anyone to stop Cassie from descending any deeper into the darkness.

    "I'm here." Melissa took the front steps two at a time to envelop Jessica in a bear hug. "Roll out the red carpet. Strike up the band."
    "I think that line's from Hello, Dolly ! and you're no Barbra Streisand." She gave her sister a fierce hug in return. "But I'm glad to see you anyway. Good trip?"
    "Until I got to the front gates." She stepped back and looked down at Jessica. "Have you shrunk? I'm too old to have grown an inch."
    "You're just annoying enough to do it. Why couldn't I be the one to take after Dad?"
    "It comes in handy on the basketball court. But you're more the southern belle clinging-Who is that?" Melissa had caught sight of the runner at the far end of the driveway.
    "Our guest. He's staying at the gatehouse. He takes a run every morning."
    "Really?" Melissa gave a low whistle. "You didn't tell me about him. Sexy."
    Was he sexy? Jessica had studied him. Michael Travis was not really good-looking. He had a great body-tall, slim, and muscular-but his features were irregular. His nose was too big, his mouth too wide, and his dark eyes set deep. But she knew why Melissa had made the comment. He exuded an energy that was almost electric, and it was difficult not to keep looking at him. The first time Jessica had seen him two days ago she had experienced…what? Surprise?
    Melissa grinned. "You think so too."
    "He's too old for you. He must be in his mid-thirties."
    "For Pete's sake, I'm twenty-six. You keep thinking of me as a baby. I just may pay a visit to the gatehouse." She glanced slyly at Jessica. "Unless you have dibs on him."
    "I've never said two words to him."
    "Then you've been hanging out too much with children."
    "The President says he's off limits."
    "Great. Forbidden fruit always tastes better."
    "You didn't ask why he was living in the gatehouse."
    "I thought you didn't want to have your gigolo in the