Night and Day by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page A

“I just want to kill her. When I caught up with those bastards, I saw them give Cara chloroform a couple times to keep her under. I almost stepped in and took her away from them then. If you don’t know what you’re doing with chloroform, you can kill someone. But Salazar’s goon, Franco, was being careful. Natalie Castino wasn’t worried at all, she was laughing and joking.” He looked back at Eve. “You told me to wait then. I shouldn’t have listened. If I’d taken the risk, Natalie Castino wouldn’t have managed to get away with Cara. I’m giving you one more chance. But if I see anything like that again, all bets are off.”
    â€œI can understand that.” She finished her tea and rose to her feet. She just hoped there wouldn’t be anything in Moscow to trigger Jock. It must have been agony for him to watch that being done to Cara. “But, as you say, it would have been a risk. And I can’t see Natalie keeping her drugged at her father’s place. It would be hard to explain.” She threw her cup in the waste disposal. “Will you call me and tell me what you learn when you get to Moscow?”
    He nodded slowly. “I’ll do everything right. Until it’s not right any longer.” He turned toward the door. “But I’m leaving right away. I’ll go say good-bye to MacDuff.”
    â€œI need to see him, too. Will you wait until I finish talking to him before you go in to see him?”
    â€œWhy not?” He suddenly smiled. “Are you going to read him the riot act, too? Remember, the Laird is a sick man.”
    â€œI believe he can defend himself.” She smiled back at him. “Or he can call on you.”
    â€œAye, he can always do that.” He still stood staring at her. “Did I truly hurt you? I didn’t mean to do that.”
    She had almost forgotten that she’d accused him of almost breaking her shoulders. “Yes, you hurt me. And I know you didn’t mean to do it. We’re all going through a bad time. It’s going to get better.” She met his eyes. “I promise, Jock.”
    â€œThen I’ll believe you.” His smile brightened, lighting his face with that warmth and radiance that Cara called the shining. “And if it does, you might be able to convince me that night is day and day is night. I’ll look forward to that, too.”
    â€œI don’t have to convince you. It’s a fact.” She headed for the door. “You just have to look at the right side of the world.”
    â€œEve.”
    She looked over her shoulder.
    He was no longer smiling. “I’m sorry I gave you a hard time. Not that I probably won’t do it again. Take care of yourself. I’ve never seen you look this tired.”
    â€œI always take care of myself. It’s just been a nightmare day.” She gave him a wave and walked down the hall toward MacDuff’s room. Jock was right, she was totally exhausted and had to focus to think what she had to say to MacDuff. She should probably have gone back to Gaelkar to rest and done this tomorrow.
    She was here now. Who knew what tomorrow would bring?
    She opened MacDuff’s door and poked her head in and saw him lying in bed across the room. She could hardly see him for the dozens of bouquets heaped all around the room. “Hi, MacDuff, I hear you’re better. Is it all right if I come in and talk?”
    He scowled. “Did you bring flowers?”
    â€œNary a one.”
    â€œThank God. Come in. And when you leave, take some of these flowers with you and dump them outside.”
    She came toward him. “That’s unkind. It’s clear that everyone loves and respects you and would prefer that you don’t leave them to go to the heavenly gates.”
    â€œAll these flowers remind me of a funeral home,” he said grimly. “Aye, they should love and respect me. I’m completely