Marilynn listened for a moment, as the man continued talking. She finally responded. “No. He is not telling me anything. I tried…believe me, I tried.”
Gerrit thought back to earlier, after their passion subsided. Marilynn casually tried to elicit information about where he went in England and why he was leaving again. He chalked it up to her insatiable curiosity. Kane had ordered a lid on all this information, so Gerrit revealed nothing to Marilynn. This seemed to irritate her.
As Gerrit opened the door all the way, Marilynn jerked her head up and seemed to stiffen. “I’ve got to go. I’ll…I’ll call you from the office.”
“Who was that?” Gerrit walked toward her.
“Hey, I’m sorry I woke you. Got this call and heard it vibrate. Thought I could return it in here without disturbing you.”
He waited for further clarification.
“Just work.” She dropped the phone on the counter, crossing her arms. “We have a surveillance going on in another case, and the guys were just checking in.”
Gerrit watched her face, trying to figure out why she was lying.
She walked past him into the bedroom and began gathering her clothes. “I need to get back to the office. Need to return this call on a more secure line.” She disappeared into the bathroom. “Be out in a jiffy. Why don’t you go back to bed?”
He waited until he heard the shower turn on and then reached for her phone. Flicking on the menu, he thumbed to the last call received, hit the Select button, and a menu emerged. The words Private Caller flashed on the readout. He tapped to the last incoming call and saw the number of the caller Marilynn spoke to. He glanced at the number, recognizing the numerals immediately.
Richard Kane.
Why was Kane calling her in the middle of the night-here?
Footsteps sounded across the bedroom. Marilynn appeared at the doorway, toweling herself off. “I forget my…”-she glanced at what he was holding-”my phone.”
He held it up. “Just getting it for you. Saw it here on the counter.”
The darkness prevented him from seeing her expression, but her voice seemed tight. “Just drop it in my purse. I’m almost ready.”
He complied, turning on a table lamp near the couch. Her purse had been left on the floor. He stooped down and slipped the phone inside. A few minutes later she emerged, fully clothed. He handed her the purse. “The cell’s inside. Wouldn’t want you to miss any more calls.”
Her eyes, questioning, shifted from the purse to his face. She brushed his cheek with her lips. “Call me later. Maybe we can do dinner?”
He nodded, watching her leave. He heard her car start up, tires slipping on gravel. Quietness settled around him.
He slipped on some jeans and a T-shirt before walking to the glass door. He slid it open and stepped out onto a small porch that sat only inches above the lake. He looked over the water toward downtown Seattle. Cold night air made him shiver. He watched as the running lights from a small craft cut through the night, the city’s silhouette beyond.
The dark water below him ebbed and flowed as small waves slightly raised and lowered the houseboat. Water carried a certain amount of force, of power, that moved like an unseen hand beneath him. Like his life, this current pushed and pulled without permission. Life seemed to forge ahead, inextricably dragging him along in its wake.
A warning blast from a horn carried across the water, bringing him back to the present. This feeling of emptiness-starting when his CO broke the news about his folks years ago-hounded him whether he was awake or asleep. There would be no peace until he learned what happened. Until then, he would just exist, even in moments when he and Marilynn lay on the bed in a passionate embrace. That phone call she fielded reminded him once again about how much his world had changed.
And who he could trust.
Chapter 13
Vienna, Austria
The trip to meet Kane and the reason for using an alias still nagged at him. Clearly, Kane or Senator Summers didn’t want Gerrit’s earlier travel to the United Kingdom to be flagged for some reason. Why?
Passport in hand, Gerrit approached the front counter of the Radisson Blu Palais Hotel. At least he was traveling under his right name on this trip. No hocus-pocus.
“Dr. O’Rourke.” A young woman extended her hand as he approached the counter, her heavy Germanic accent seemed to add more allure to this historic site. “May I assist in your check-in? I am working with Dr. Clarke to make sure his entourage is taken care of.”
“ Vielen Dank, Fraulein…?”
“Helene.” She bobbed her head self-consciously. “ Sie sind herzlich eingeladen. You are welcome, sir.”
Gerrit finished checking in as Helene stood by. When he was through, he turned to her. “I understand this hotel was originally built as two palaces in 1872.”
Helene nodded. “Yes, sir. And I am pleased to point out that we are overlooking Vienna’s famous Stadtpark. You will be able to see a number of monuments here, including one devoted to Johann Strauss.” She pointed proudly.
As Gerrit started to reach for his luggage, Helene shook her head. “I will have someone take your bags up. Dr. Clarke is waiting in the Palaise Cafe.” She gestured in the direction he ought to go.
He slipped money to the bellhop already grabbing his belongings. Waiting until Helene and the man walked away, Gerrit found his way to the cafe.
Henry Clarke waved from across the dining area as Gerrit entered. “Ah, Dr. O’Rourke. Good to see you’ve arrived safely. Mr. Lawton’s associates have been keeping me company.” Clarke motioned with his chin toward two men seated a couple tables away, a pink linen-covered table pulled out to allow both men to sit with their backs to the far wall. Teacups in hand, they looked like two NFL football players attending a women’s tea party. “I feel well protected, now that you’re here,” Clarke said, each word liberally doused with sarcasm.
Gerrit nodded to the two men. They eyed him without returning the greeting.
“The chap on the right is heading up our party here. I will introduce you after our tea.”
A waiter set a cup and saucer in front of Gerrit. Clarke leaned closer. “I hope you don’t mind, I went ahead and ordered for you.”
Gerrit thanked the waiter, taking a sip out of courtesy. He hated the taste, like weak coffee squeezed through a filter a dozen times before getting to his cup. Dishwater had more kick. He tried not to wince.
Clarke sipped his tea. The scientist carefully set down his cup before speaking. “Dr. O’Rourke, may I speak bluntly since we are finally alone?”
“Certainly, Doctor.”
“Let’s drop all this doctor stuff, shall we? You’ve been out of the business so long I hesitate using your title. From what I gather, you’ve been off gallivanting with bobbies since your parents died. Have you used any of your academic training since that time?”
“That is none of your concern… Henry.”
The scientist’s jaw tightened. “While you remain in my service, O’Rourke, you’re just a glorified errand boy. My own private muscle, if you will. Don’t embarrass me in front of my colleagues.”
“Don’t worry, Henry. I’m sure you can manage that all on your own.” He instantly regretted his retort to Clarke. Focus on the primary mission, even if it meant putting up with this guy’s ego. “Look, neither of us asked for me to be here. My government-and apparently yours-believe there’s some risk to you. I intend to work with your folks,” he nodded to the two agents across the room, “to make sure you return home safely. We can part ways at that time. Until then, let’s try to work together. And I will try not to…embarrass you while I’m here. Fair enough?”
