No One Lives Forever

'Really? I find that hard to believe, but I'll take your word for it.' He grinned and leaned a shoulder against the door frame.

'How is she?' Raven asked.

'She gets better with each passing day. Doctors are expecting her to make a full recovery.'

'That's good.' Raven nodded and smiled.

After a long moment of silence, Charboneau cleared his throat.

'One thing you will learn about me—that is, if you care to—I'm not the type of man who ignores an elephant standing in the middle of a hospital doorway. Aren't you even a little curious about my involvement with Genotech Labs? You've never really asked me about it.' He directed his question to Christian. 'And I know it's put a strain on any chance we might have.'

The man had balls. A brass pair.

'I think I have a pretty good idea about your interest in the lab. Just because the police don't have grounds to arrest you doesn't mean your slate is clean.'

Nicholas narrowed his eyes. 'Whatever happened to the presumption of innocence?' he asked. 'Would it surprise you to find that a man my age and in my line of work might have regrets? I've assessed my life and found I'm not perfect. There . . . I've said it. Alert the media.'

Christian shook his head, unable to hold back a lazy grin. Yep, a brass pair of whoppers. 'You're a crime boss, for crying out loud. That's not exactly a minor character flaw.'

'I wasn't the one who ramped up the experiments and instigated that bogus and disreputable medical clinic. The chief of police knew it would be easy to place the blame on someone like me, for exactly the reasons you brought up.' His father splayed a hand over his chest. 'Why is it so difficult for you to believe I would want to turn over a new leaf?'

Christian stared at his father. The man didn't flinch and he didn't turn away or divert his eyes. If body language could be trusted, he wasn't lying. Yet why would a man like Charboneau care what he thought? And why was he fighting so hard to convince him of his innocence?

'So let me get this straight. You came to Brazil to put your capital dollars in a genetics facility geared to fight drug addiction . . . even though you and your crime syndicate make money off the other end of that coin. Is that it?'

Nicholas shrugged again. 'Do you think my business associates would support such a benevolent act? Why do you think I came to a country half a world away . . . and invested my personal funds? There are some things a man would be wise not to share. I just figured if I did this, it might balance the scales a little.'

What he said was beginning to make sense in a strange sort of way. And Charboneau certainly was pulling out all the stops to convince him.

'It's a pity Dr. Phillips isn't talking,' Nicholas said. 'Otherwise he might back me up.' He rubbed a hand against the back of his neck, his fatigue showing.

Christian smiled and cocked his head. 'Yeah, too bad the doctor's so scared. But I suppose a man's got to put his family first.'

'Yes, I would feel the same, if I were in his shoes. I think I'm beginning to understand the importance of family.'

Before Christian could reply, Captain Duarte walked up behind them.

'Sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to find out how Ms. Lee is doing today.' He smiled with his uniform cap in hand. The humble act looked as if it pained him, a smile as much of a hardship for the captain to summon as speaking before a crowded auditorium. Duarte was living proof that a person shouldn't judge a book by the austerity of its cover.

'She's better.' Nicholas nodded and shook the man's hand. 'No offense, Captain, but we'll be happy to take leave of your company . . . and your beautiful country. I just want to get her home.'

Home. The word sounded good to Christian.

'No offense taken, Mr. Charboneau. I for one will be happy to see you go. And I hope you don't take this personally, but I would rather we not cross paths again. Do I make myself clear?'

'Very. We are in complete agreement. And believe me, I don't say that often with an officer of the law.' His father smiled.

Turning to Christian, Duarte said, 'I came to see you and your lovely lady to the airport. Your jet is fueled and ready for departure.'

Christian put his arm around Raven and shook his head, fighting a smile.

'How did you know we'd be leaving, Captain?' Raven asked.

Christian rolled his eyes. He'd stopped questioning the captain's superhuman powers. 'Let's just say the guy's a real know-it-all. And I mean that, literally.' He turned his attention toward the cop. 'We'd appreciate the lift. Thanks.'

'It would be my pleasure.' Duarte nodded and moved down the hall, sensing Christian had unfinished business.

He turned toward his father, dreading this moment. See you around wouldn't cut it. Yet he didn't know what to say. Nicholas saw his uncertainty and made it easy.

'The next time we meet, it'll be hard to top this, you know.' His father grinned.

'Yeah, well. If it's all the same to you, I could do with a little less excitement.'

Nicholas's face grew solemn. 'Doctor said that what you did for Jasmine back there, you saved her life. I have no idea how to thank you.'

'Just tell her we're even. She'll know what I'm talking about.' He reached out his hand to his father. 'Don't be a stranger.'

Nicholas looked at his outstretched hand, then opened his arms and pulled Christian into his embrace. 'If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. I mean it,' he whispered in his ear. 'If you'll give me a chance, maybe we can take this father-son thing a day at a time, see what happens. Can you handle that?'

'A day at a time sounds like a plan.' He wondered if his father noticed that he didn't answer the question.

Christian pulled from Charboneau's arms and stared into his eyes long enough to know his father accepted what he said, for now. He watched him rejoin Jasmine at her bedside and found himself wishing things had been different, but trust had to be earned. And they had a long way to go before that happened, if it ever did.

As he turned, Raven slipped her hand into his, an endearing gesture he'd grown to love. She fixed her eyes on him, giving him the quiet reassurance he knew he could count on for a lifetime. They walked to where Captain Duarte stood, then headed for the bank of elevators a few steps away.

'As you said before, Christian, I do know things.' Duarte shrugged with a self-satisfied smirk on his face. 'Things that might surprise you.'

He shifted his gaze to the captain but didn't respond. He didn't have to.

'Such as?' Raven took the bait, then hit the button calling for an elevator.

'Nicholas Charboneau is Christian's father, isn't he?' Duarte asked, looking as if he really didn't expect an answer.

A little shocked by the man's abrupt declaration, Christian cocked his head and stared at him. He would have guessed the family resemblance didn't get by the detective's keen observation, but he would have been wrong. It would appear Duarte was a mind reader as well.

'I saw it in his eyes. Your father's,' the cop added without hesitation. 'Even for a man as complicated as Nicholas Charboneau, the undeniable connection was plain to see.'

Christian let Raven and Duarte into the elevator before him, then punched the button for the ground floor. The cop had looked behind the curtain of Oz and saw something even he had missed.

'Nothing gets by you, Luis.' He shook his head, giving the man his due.