"Hardly. Maybe a cobra. Why are you telling me this?"

"I want you to understand me. I want you to know what's waiting for you." He paused. "You should have died at the museum. I was planning on killing you all and grabbing the statue. I would have done it if it hadn't been for that woman."

"You killed Jessica Riley, the only woman involved in this."

"It wasn't Jessica Riley who called Andreas and had him send the police that night." He paused. "But I find it interesting that you're lying to keep me from knowing about Melissa Riley. I was planning on looking her up in the near future, but I believe I'll have to put her near the top of my list."

"And distract your attention from my humble self?"

"There's time for all of you. Have you killed Cassie Andreas yet?"

"What?"

"You have the Wind Dancer. There's no reason to keep her alive. She must be a burden." He laughed. "My God, you haven't done it. That soft streak is going to be the death of you. It's difficult to be patient. Think about it. Dream about it. I will." He hung up.

Travis swore softly as he punched the end button.

"Problems?" Galen was standing in the doorway.

"It's about time you got back."

"Deschamps?"

Travis nodded. "You struck a nerve when you invaded his territory. Evidently, he's feeling the need to communicate."

"Anything interesting?"

"Just threats." Against him, against Melissa. "Damn, I wish we could have traced the call."

"Who knew he would decide to call you?"

"He may call again."

" If I start trying to get a tech crew together, we'll blow the cover."

Travis knew that. It was just damn frustrating that he couldn't take advantage of the lead. "He has contacts. He had my number and he knew the statue wasn't in the museum. He also knew Melissa was the one who blew the whistle. Can you find out who he's using?"

"I can try." His gaze shifted to Melissa, who was sitting on the beach. "Are you going to tell her?"

Travis hesitated and then shook his head. "Nothing to tell." Nothing but ugliness and blood and a homicidal maniac focusing on her. She had enough on her plate and didn't need another shock. "Maybe if you can get me something concrete."

Galen turned to go back into the cottage. "And maybe not. I can see protectiveness raising its gnarled, interfering head. If she does find out, you can bet she's going to give it a lethal karate chop."

Chapter Twenty

"Good news. We've identified the man who was found dead in the basement of the museum, sir" Danley said. "He was Pierre Cardeau. Born in Marseilles, a petty thief, but he's been known to take jobs in a variety of more violent areas. Excellent with guns." He paused. "And he was in Nice at the time of the attempt on your daughter at Vasaro."

"So he could have been in on it," Andreas said. "But on which team? Travis or the bastard who tried to kidnap her?"

"Are you still so sure that they weren't in it together?"

Andreas wasn't sure of anything. "All I know is that I want Travis caught."

"We're doing everything we can. This is a real break. Cardeau had a brother, and we picked him up this morning. They worked together occasionally. If he knows anything, I promise you we'll know it too."

"How long?"

Danley smiled. "Oh, very soon, Mr. President. I guarantee it."

Andreas wasn't going to question either Danley's certainty or his methods. It was the first break they'd had since Cassie had been taken, and he'd take anything he could get, any way he could get it. " Let me know as soon as you hear."

"Good morning." Galen looked up from the stove when Melissa walked into the kitchen the next morning. "Sit down. I'll have breakfast ready in just a minute."

"I didn't hear you come in." She sat down at the table. "Where's Travis? Isn't he up yet?"

"He rushed off the minute I got here. Cannes, I believe." He set a glass of orange juice down before her. "The Karlstadt business. He said he'll be back as soon as he can make it, but it could be a couple of days."

"Did you find Danielle Claron?"

"Not yet. But her father promised to have her call me if she surfaces."

"He doesn't know where she is?"

"He says he doesn't. Of course, he may cons ider everyone a threat to his daughter." He smiled. "Though who could be less intimidating than me?"

"Attila the Hun."

"Careful, I'll leave the seasoning out of your scrambled eggs. And what's life without the spices?" He set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her. "How's the little girl?"

"No more nightmares."

"Travis said you'd pulled the plug on them. Congratulations."

"I got lucky. It could have gone either way." She began to eat. "So you're here on guard duty in Travis's place?"

"I just needed a little vacation by the sea. After all, I'm the one who's been doing all the work. How are the eggs?"

"Fine." She sat back, her gaze narrowed on his face. "Will you tell me if Monsieur Dumair or Danielle Claron calls you?"

He stared at her thoughtfully. "What would you do if I said no?"

"Become very frustrated and start thinking of ways to find out for myself."

"I thought so." He nodded. "I'll tell you. Though Travis will not be pleased with me. Now, what do you want for lunch? My abundant talents are at your disposal. Ask me for anything."

She smiled. "You've already given me what I want."

Cannes

2:50 P.M.

The roof of the hotel.

Possibly the open window above the bakery.

Or the souvenir shop on the corner.

Any of the three or maybe none of them.

Travis stepped farther back in the shadows. He had already checked out the street earlier in the day, but he would have to check again before the meeting with Karlstadt that evening. To be unprepared was often fatal.

Was that movement in the alley beside the bakery?

6:05 P.M.

Galen and Melissa were sitting down to supper when his phone rang.

Melissa stiffened.

Galen smiled. "It could be anyone. An important person like me has to remain in touch."

"Answer it."

He nodded as he flipped open his phone. "Galen." He listened, his smile fading. "Right. I'll tell Travis. Of course I'm interested. I said, I'll tell Travis. Could I have a number to call you back?" He pressed the end button. "She hung up."

Her heart jumped. "She?"

"Danielle Claron."

"Are you sure? How did she sound?"

"Scared. Very scared. And no, I can't be sure about anything. But she had my number and she knew I'd talked to her parents."

"What did she say?"

"That she needed money, a lot of money. And a safe place to hide. She wouldn't promise anything until we came to terms. She wants to meet with Travis tonight."

"Where?"

"At the old church at the north edge of the village. She said they'd built a new one in the center of town and this one is deserted now. She'll be there after midnight."

"Then we have to go and meet her."

He shook his head. "Travis will go. It's with him she wants to bargain."

"But Travis isn't here, dammit."

"I'll phone him later." He glanced at his watch. "He's supposed to be meeting with Karlstadt in a couple of hours and the situation may be very delicate at the moment."

Even after his "delicate" situation was resolved, Travis would never let her go with him to the church, Melissa thought with frustration. And there was always Cassie to think about. "You stay with Cassie. I'll meet with Danielle Claron. There's a chance she'll feel less threatened with another woman, isn't there?"

He shook his head. "She specified Travis. Besides, she has to be targeted by Deschamps. It will be dangerous to be anywhere near her."