To a dark blue Volvo parked beside the loading ramp of one of the buildings.
'Same license number, same description,' Garrett said. 'We've got him, Emily.'
The relief was so intense it almost made her dizzy. 'Do we know where that is?'
'A warehouse in the town of Sakvar, about sixty miles northeast.' 'What if he abandoned the car?'
'It's possible. But the Volvo is parked off the road and hidden by the building. It appears more likely that Staunton is still using it.'
'That's it. You've got what you need. I'm getting out.' Pauley's fingers were flying across the keyboard. 'And hope like hell I didn't leave any trace of evidence behind.'
Emily turned to Garrett. 'You have an address. Then we can go after her?'
He nodded. 'Very carefully. If Staunton is with her, there's a good chance he'd kill her if he thought he had a chance of losing her to us.'
She whirled and headed for the door. 'We'll be careful. We just have to get her away from him quickly. Dear God, I wasn't sure that Pauley would be able to do it.'
'I told you I could,' Pauley said. 'And followed through with my usual brilliant efficiency.'
She smiled exuberantly at him over her shoulder. 'Thank you, thank you, thank you, Pauley.'
He returned her smile. 'Since it looks like I was able to do this without endangering my life and liberty, I'll say that you're welcome.'
'Emily, don't be too excited,' Garrett said. 'We've only located Irana. We haven't freed her.'
Emily's smile faded. 'She's alive, Garrett. I know it. He wouldn't kill her if he could use her. All we have to do is go get her.' She was sounding simplistic. 'Okay, it's not that easy, but we have hope now.'
'Yes, we have hope.' He headed for the door. 'And we'll do like Pauley and follow through with brilliant efficiency. Let's go and see what-'
Garrett broke off as Emily's cell phone rang.
She went rigid as she reached in the pocket of her jacket.
It had to be Staunton. It had to be the call she had been waiting for most of the day.
And Garrett knew it, too. She could tell by his alert, watchful ex¬pression.
She punched the button and turned up the volume. She took a deep breath. 'It took you long enough, Staunton. I was expecting to hear from you much earlier.'
'I was busy. And I wanted to give you time to think about all the possibilities.'
'I've thought about them. Is Irana still alive?'
'Yes, do you want to talk to her?'
'Of course, I do.'
Staunton was gone from the phone for a moment, then returned. 'The bitch won't talk to you. I think she wants you to think that I've killed her, and there's no reason to bargain.' His tone had an edge. 'I'm finding her very annoying. I can't wait to get rid of her and take you instead.'
Her hand tightened on the phone. 'Just don't hurt her.'
'That's entirely up to you. I don't think you believe that I'd kill her until you and I could get together.'
'No, you wouldn't do that. Tell me your terms.'
'There's a deserted red-roofed silo about forty miles from Moscow, off of M-10. You'll meet me there, alone, and I'll take you to sweet Sister Irana. I have a pair of very powerful infrared binoculars. I'll be able to view the surrounding countryside for miles from that silo. If I see any signs of Garrett or any of his friends, then I'll phone and tell the man guarding her to dispose of the bitch.'
'No, you bring her with you. You release her, and we watch her drive away.'
'You're being demanding. I'm in control here, Emily.'
'Then let's compromise. I come to the silo, but I won't get out of the car. When you see me, you tell your guard to release her. Have her call me and tell me she's been released, and I'll turn myself over to you.'
He was silent a moment. 'I did want to have both of you. I was so entertained by your response to Levy.'
'I know you were. I won't go through that again, Staunton. Let her go.'
Another silence. 'Very well. Have it your way. Four hours, Emily. That will be about eleven tonight.' He hung up. Eleven tonight.
She turned to Garrett. 'It seems we have to wait again.'
'You're not going to meet him,' he said flatly.
'The hell I'm not.' She stared him in the eye. 'There's no way you could keep me from going. This isn't Babin. This is Irana. It's a way to get him away from that warehouse and for you to be able to surprise whoever is holding Irana. You said that you thought he'd kill Irana rather than give her up if we surprised them. I think so, too. And I don't believe she has a chance of living long after he gets his hands on me.' She moistened her lips. 'So you have to free her before that hap¬pens. I won't get out of the car, and you can figure a way to keep me safe. But he can't know you're anywhere near. I won't have Irana put in danger.'
'And do you have any suggestions as to how the hell we'll do all that?'
'That's up to you.' She turned away. 'Pauley rose to the occasion. You've got the experience at this kind of thing. Use it.'
'Oh, I will. But experience doesn't mean shit when it's someone you care about. This is Irana.' He paused. 'This is you.' He whirled on his heel. 'And I know right now that I'm going to have to let you have a big part in this, and its damn well killing me. But I'll be like our friend Pauley and find a way to get the job done.' He added grimly, 'And hope that it doesn't kill you.'
9:55 p.m.
'READY?' GARRETT ASKED, as Emily got into the driver's seat.
She wasn't ready. She was scared and a little sick to her stomach. 'Sure. I'm okay.'
'I'll be at the warehouse in Sakvar by eleven, and I should be able to get Irana out by eleven-fifteen. Keep Staunton busy talking so that he won't call and check on Irana before that time.'
'That shouldn't be hard. Staunton likes to talk.' She remembered all the hours he'd stayed with her-taunting her, questioning her.
'Don't get out of the car,' Garrett said. 'And don't let him leave the silo.' He handed her the black box he'd demonstrated to her ear¬lier. 'When I have Irana free, I'll ring you twice on your cell.'
'You've already told me all that,' she said. 'Eleven-fifteen, two rings.' She started the car. 'And don't get out of the car.'
'I guess I have.' He stepped back. 'It bears repeating. Be careful.'
'You be careful,' she said. 'And take care of Irana.'
She glanced at her rearview mirror and could see him standing there, hands clenched at his sides as she drove out of the farmyard.
Then he whirled and strode toward the BMW, where Dardon was waiting.
1 1.02 p.m.
EMILY COULDN'T TELL WHETHER the roof of the silo was red or not. It only appeared to be dark rust in the moonlight. But Garrett had said this was the right silo, and she had to trust him. She slowed the car to a crawl, then stopped a short distance from the silo.
The palms of her hands on the steering wheel were moist with perspiration. Her heart was beating fast, hard, as she gazed at the silo.
He was there. He was probably looking at her through the high-powered binoculars he'd mentioned. Keep her face without expres¬sion. Don't let him see his effect on her.
Her phone rang.
'My, my, you're right on time,' Staunton said. 'A little anxious, my Emily?'
'I'm not your Emily. Give the order to release Irana.'
'Presently. I'm looking the terrain over to make sure that you haven't got any unwelcome visitors trailing behind you.'
'You know better. I wouldn't take the chance.'
'No, you're very concerned about your friend. That's your great¬est weakness, Emily. I'll always be able to come out on top because I don't have that weakness.'
'I'm aware you don't give a damn about anyone. You've proved it time and time again. Let her go, Staunton.'
