“Thank God,” Michael breathed. “Where is Bastian now? Put him on the phone.”
“I can’t. McKay’s checking him out. He’s got some cuts and bruises, maybe a concussion—”
“What?” he shouted. His knees turned to rubber. “You said he was okay! I’m on my way.”
“That’s not necessary. I wanted you to know, that’s all. The assailant’s in a cell, but he’s not talking.”
“I’ll be there in forty minutes or less.”
Ending the call, he yelled for Simon. Like magic, the man appeared from around the corner. No doubt he’d listened to every word. He handed the old butler the phone. “Bastian had some trouble on the way to work. I’ve got to go.”
“Will he be all right, sir?”
“I think so. See my guests out, would you? They drove their own car, so they won’t need a ride.”
He sniffed. “With pleasure.”
There it was again, the disapproval. He didn’t have time for this. “I’m driving myself to work, and before you say anything, yes, I’m well enough.”
“I was going to ask whether that’s wise, considering that his trouble might have been calculated to goad you into rushing off alone.”
He stared at the old man. “You’re pretty smart, you know that?”
“So are you, but you’re upset. One of us must retain his wits.”
“You’re right.” His mind scrambled for calm despite his urgency to get to Bastian. “Ring security. Tell them I need the car and an armed man to ride with me. I’ll have a shower and meet them out front in ten. And, Simon, thanks.”
“You’re most welcome.”
The old man left to do as Michael asked. Michael returned to the bedroom and gave the ladies a lighthearted smile he didn’t quite carry off. “Emergency. I have to go, so you’ll need to get dressed. Simon will show you out.”
“Aww, I thought we were gonna spend the day together,” Jackie whined.
Jeri punched her in the arm. “Shush. Can’t you see something’s happened?” To Michael, she said, “I hope everything is all right. Call us?”
“Sure.” Somehow, he didn’t think he would, no matter how much he’d enjoyed their company. “I had a great time. Truly.”
They began gathering their clothes and getting dressed. He gave them each a brief kiss, but didn’t wait for them to leave before hitting the shower. He made short work of the task, and donned a pair of nice black pants and a white dress shirt. A shoulder holster containing his gun and a jacket over it completed the ensemble, and he made it out front with one minute to spare.
With the attempt on Bastian, all bets were off.
Michael Ross was officially back at the helm, and God help Dietz or anyone else who hurt those he cared for. His gut twisted in cold rage.
“You’re going to pay, motherfucker.”
Four
Katrina was headed for Michael’s office to report her findings on the pinhole camera when the man himself rounded a corner ahead and dashed for the elevator.
“Michael, wait!” She quickened her steps to catch up, reaching him as the elevator doors slid open and he ducked inside. Following him, she blew out a breath. “I was just on my way to speak with you.”
“About?”
“The camera,” she reminded him. “I stayed up half the night, but I located the problem.”
“Oh. That.” He looked distracted, and practically vibrated with impatience.
She frowned. “Yes,
He nodded, expression tense. “Good.”
“I don’t recall making it your business.”
“You’re obviously upset, and I care,” she said softly. “So I made it my business.”
The elevator glided to a smooth stop and the doors slid open. As they emerged, Michael grasped her upper arm and gently steered her away from the open doors of the compound’s hospital. He glanced up and down the hallway before he spoke, and let go of her arm. “This morning, an attempt was made on Bastian’s life,” he said in a rough voice tinged with anger that wasn’t directed at her.
The blood drained from her face. “Oh my God. Is he all right?”
“Agent Kelly said he was, but I’m here to see for myself.”
“Was it Dietz?”
“The assassin is in lockup, isolated from the one who almost killed me, but yeah. I’m pretty sure it was Dietz.” He looked as though he would strangle his former colleague with his bare hands, given the chance.
“But why would he target Bastian?”
“Why else? To get to me.” He closed his eyes as though in pain. “It never occurred to me he’d go after Bastian. God, I’m so stupid.”
“No, you’re not.” Reaching up, she touched his face. “You don’t think like a monster, that’s all.”
Opening his eyes, he took her hand and held it between them. “I get paid well to outwit the monsters, and sometimes that means thinking like one. Why I can’t seem to get the drop on Robert is beyond me.”
“You will,” she promised him. She believed that with all her soul. “In the meantime, let’s go see your friend.”
“You’ll go with me?”
A wistful expression crossed his face and tugged at her heart. This man had no one except Bastian, and someone had tried to take him from Michael. “Of course. Come on.”
Keeping hold of his hand, she tugged him inside, where a nurse quickly showed them to the cubicle where Bastian lay on a small bed. A butterfly bandage was stark against his tanned forehead, but no other evidence of injuries was present. He looked fine, if a little bored. When they entered, he momentarily brightened, but immediately seemed to withdraw as he watched Michael come in. Katrina wondered again what was going on with these two lately.
“Hey, buddy, how are you feeling?” Michael let go of Katrina’s hand and sat by Bastian’s bed, unable to hide his worry.
“I’m fine. Ready to get out of here.” His attention strayed to Katrina and his face brightened again. “Hey there. Checking up on me?”
She smiled. “Absolutely. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks. Me, too.”
Michael interrupted. “Concussion?”
“Mild. I only threw up once.” Bastian eyed his friend’s suit. “You’re awful dressed up for someone who’s not back at work yet.”
“I am now,” Michael said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “This changes everything. I’m here to stay, and I don’t want to hear a word about it, other than ‘you can count on me to be here at your side.’ ”
Bastian hesitated, appearing ready to argue, then relented. Probably realized it would do no good. “You always can. You know that.”
“Good. Now, this assassin — did you recognize him?”
