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

extraordinary. But they should spend their money on something more productive.”
    â€œBalloons? Teddy bears?”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you? From what Jock told me, this isn’t the time for levity.”
    â€œI agree.” She made a face. “I think I’m a little light-headed.”
    â€œAre you?” MacDuff gazed at her searchingly. “Jock said that you almost succeeded in getting Cara back before Natalie Castino managed to escape with her. It must have been quite a brouhaha. I would have liked to have been there. But you look as if it drained you.”
    â€œAlmost is the key word.” She shook her head. “And may I remind you that we were wondering if you’d even survive, MacDuff. How are you?”
    â€œTired of this hospital and flowers and wanting to get back in control of my life.” His eyes were still narrowed on her. “How are you? Any news of Cara?”
    â€œNot yet. We think she’s on her way to Moscow.” She paused. “But I will hear from Natalie. She as much as told me that she wanted to strike a bargain for Cira’s gold.”
    â€œReally? A little premature, isn’t she? We haven’t found it yet.”
    â€œShe believes we will. She thinks it’s her destiny to have it.”
    â€œShe’s wrong. It’s my destiny, Eve.” He smiled. “My ancestor. My family. My gold.”
    â€œI know that, MacDuff. That’s why I’m here,” she said wearily. “I need your help. I’m not asking you to do anything that would jeopardize your opportunity to find and keep that chest of coins. I just want you to play the game for a little while.”
    â€œAnd that involves?”
    â€œContinuing to search for Cira’s gold, perhaps pretending to find it.” She hesitated. “If you do find it, be willing to offer to trade it for Cara. Offer, not actually go through with it.”
    He was silent. “If Natalie is as clever as you think, that might be a risk. I could lose what I’ve been searching for since I was a boy.”
    â€œYou won’t lose it. Joe and I won’t let you. That would be more dangerous for Cara.”
    He nodded. “I can see that.” He suddenly smiled. “But perhaps Jock and I could improvise a little. It would be far more satisfactory to let her have it, then take it back. It would soothe my broken bones and damaged pride.”
    â€œYou may not have Jock. That’s another thing I wanted to discuss. He’s leaving for Moscow, and I’m trying to keep him from getting himself and Cara killed before we put plans in motion. He’s promised to give me a little time, but I don’t know how long that will turn out to be.”
    â€œI don’t either,” MacDuff said soberly. “The child means something to him. Jock has a great heart, but he’s very guarded these days. Cara managed to slip under his defenses.”
    She had slipped under all their defenses, Eve thought. Full of wistfulness and warmth and music, Cara had quietly moved in and become part of them. At first, she and Joe had thought they were only being kind and helping her. She wasn’t sure at what point she had realized that kindness had become love.
    â€œYou, too?” MacDuff said, his gaze on her face. “Then we’d better do something about it, hadn’t we?” He straightened in the bed. “And I can’t do anything in this damn hospital. Is Jock still here?”
    â€œYes, not for long.”
    â€œIt will be long enough. Send him in, and I’ll tell him to get me out of here.”
    â€œThe hospital staff may not listen to him. You’re an influential man, and they won’t want to take chances.”
    â€œJock will take care of it.” He added wryly, “In case you haven’t noticed, Jock is a combination of sheer charisma and lethal determination. If one doesn’t work, the other will. I’ll be