He staggered back but then kept coming.
She jumped back and did a round kick. Her foot connected with his chin. He grunted but kept coming.
God, he should be down. It had to be pure fury that was keeping him on his feet.
She took two steps to the side and the edge of her hand lifted to come down on the side of his neck.
He countered, grabbing her wrist.
She kneed him between his legs. Then smashed her palm under his nose and up, breaking the bones.
His eyes glazed over, and his knees buckled. He fell to the floor.
She backed away, her breath coming short and hard. Lester was crumpled over, and she couldn't see his face. But he should have been-
'Is he dead?' The door was open, and Lincoln stood in the doorway, a gun in his hand. 'I was anticipating screams, but the only scream I heard was from Enright.' He was gazing at Lester without expression. 'I didn't expect this at all. You always seemed to be such a gentle soul.'
'Gentle doesn't necessarily mean helpless.' How could she get that gun away from Lincoln?
'No, I'd say that's true.' He moved toward Lester. 'I repeat, is he dead?'
'I don't know. He should be. The bones of his nose should have shattered and entered his brain. That's what's supposed to happen.'
'I know. But I take it that it's only textbook theory for you.'
'Of course it is. I'm not a professional killer like you. He could still be alive. I struck him at an awkward angle.'
'Well, let's take a look.' He knelt beside Enright. 'Now how can I check him and still keep my gun handy to deal with you? You're clearly a force to be reckoned with. Oh, I know.' He pressed the gun to Lester's heart and pressed the trigger. 'Yes, he's definitely dead.'
She was staring at him, shocked. 'Why did-'
'Danner's orders.' Lincoln rose to his feet. 'The way he put it was that it's always wise to have more than one arrow to a bow. But when one arrow can do the job, then you should break the other and throw it away. It's much cheaper that way. Evidently Danner decided I was the more efficient arrow.'
'So he told you to murder Lester?'
'He would have preferred to do it himself, but he said the idea of giving Enright his last hour with you was appealing. Sort of like a condemned man having a last gourmet dinner.'
'And torturing me was to be Lester's final treat?' She shuddered. 'What a horrible man Danner must be.'
'From what I've heard, he and your ex-husband have similar tastes and characteristics. And there was always the chance that Enright would break you, and he'd get Marrok as a bonus.' He smiled. 'But you've spoiled that possibility.' He gazed down at Enright. 'Amazing. Actually, impressive. But now the ball is in my court to get you to make that call to Marrok. I won't be as easy as Enright.'
She knew he didn't want to kill her. Danner wanted her alive to lure Marrok. So the gun was a threat but not one that-
'Don't even think about it,' Lincoln said. 'I could shoot you and make excuses to Danner later.'
'It's hard not to think about it,' Bridget said from behind him. 'When you're such sleazy son of a bitch.'
He looked behind him and stiffened when he saw the gun in her hand. 'Why, Bridget, is this a double cross?'
'How clever of you to recognize one when you see it. But then you should be very familiar with the concept.' She glanced at Enright's body. 'He wasn't very smart, was he? Danner just used him and threw him away.'
'You heard me talking about Danner? But I was going to tell you about him. Naturally, I was going to bring you in on the deal.'
'Not likely. I didn't have to overhear you explaining Danner's nasty modus operandi. I recorded that last call you made to Danner.'
He shook his head reprovingly. 'What a suspicious bitch you are, Bridget. And what do you intend to do about it?'
'Kill you.'
'I do have a gun.'
'But mine is pointed at that nicely barbered head of yours. Even if you got off a shot, my finger would still pull the trigger.'
'Now don't be impulsive. We can come to terms. Naturally I tried to-' He dropped to the floor, firing as he rolled to the side.
BRIDGET DODGED BEHIND THE couch, and the bullet plowed into the cushion.
Take your time, Jordan had always told her.
I don't have that much time, Jordan.
Another shot. Closer.
But she saw Lincoln moving across the floor, trying to get behind her.
Draw a bead.
The skull is always best, Jordan had told her.
She pressed the trigger.
CHAPTER 17
'DEVON,' BRIDGET CALLED FROM the other room. 'I'm coming in. Don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you.'
Devon tensed, then instinctively reached down and picked up the lamp with which she had hit Lester.
Bridget appeared in the doorway. Her brows rose as she saw the lamp. 'Or maybe I should worry about you hurting me.' She put her gun into her jacket pocket. 'Does that make you feel better?'
'No. You just killed a man, didn't you?'
'Yes.' She glanced at Enright. 'But so did you. It's true you might have had a better reason, but then maybe not. It's all how you look at things.' She lifted her gaze to Devon's face, then to her open shirt. 'Did Enright hurt you?'
'Of course, he hurt me. What did you expect?'
'I didn't expect anything. Enright was the one factor I didn't know about.' She smiled faintly. 'And I'd say that you managed to hurt Enright more than he did you.' She turned. 'Put down that lamp and come into the kitchen where I can put a ban dage on the cut on your head.'
Devon didn't move.
'Look, I know you don't trust me. How could you? You'd be an idiot. But I don't know how I can-Yes, I do.' She crossed the room and knelt by Enright's body. She quickly searched him and came up with a shoulder holster. She pulled out the Glock and slid it across the floor to Devon. 'Hold on to that. It should make you feel more secure. I'm surprised he didn't try to draw it.'
'He probably didn't think of it.' Devon touched her breast, which was still throbbing. 'He liked to use his hands on me.'
'Bastard.' Bridget turned away. 'Pick up the gun. After all, I did promise you a weapon when you got here.'
'A promise you never meant to keep.'
'I meant to keep it eventually. I'm doing it now.' She disappeared into the other room. 'Now come and let me wash that cut before we hit the road. It's not safe here.'
Devon bent down and picked up the Glock. 'Why should I go with you? Maybe you're going to deliver me to Danner.' Yet she still found herself following Bridget into the kitchen. Bridget was right, the gun did make her feel safer. 'You set me up. I don't know how much you're lying and how much is truth.'
Bridget nodded. 'I know. But it's not what you think. It's not good, but I never meant you harm. You were just a way to accomplish an end.'
'Stealing the dogs.'
'No, getting rid of one of Marrok's enemies. You can accuse me of being ruthless and risking your neck, but I'd
