CHOOSE!
I read the message and grip the phone.
"What does he say?"
"He demands an exchange. He has my father, and I must choose between him or Vivianne."
"That man has no soul." Urakov follows his outburst with a string of curse words in Russian, then stamps his feet. "We can't let him have the anthrax, the girl, or your father."
"I know my brother. He'll know if we've tampered with the painting. I'm afraid we have little choice."
"There are always choices." Urakov levels his gaze at me. "It's your job to make good use of them."
And that is the truth.
"What will you do?"
"My goals haven't changed."
"Are we going to have an issue over this painting, my friend?"
"I know what you're capable of." Urakov steps closer. "And there is no honor in what this man has done or intends to do. Tell me how I might help."
The tension drains from my shoulders. Urakov will help—at least for now.
"First, I need to secure the chalet." I have to ensure that the cave isn't compromised. "Then, we need to make sure the painting is safe."
"You want to store it here?" Urakov arches a brow, glancing at the open door.
I don't blame him. Keeping a painting safe in a home that's recently been the site of a kidnapping might not make much sense, but I don't trust anyplace else.
"Have your men bring the painting inside. I have a vault, and you can leave them to guard it while I deal with Nicholas."
"I'll do one better than that." Urakov pulls out his cell phone.
While Urakov speaks to his contact, I debate where to storeDr. Gachet. Nicholas demands an exchange, but I have no intention of handing over the painting.
I won't take it to the cave.
Urakov and his men don't need to know about the cave's existence, but I have several other vaults on the premises. Nicholas knows about the cave, but we've changed the security system since his arrest a decade ago. Vivianne found her way in only because I left the door unsecured.
Dr. Gachetwon't be left alone. Urakov will see to that. He's gathering reinforcements. Between the three of us, Nicholas was always the savviest with technology. I have the artistic touch, but Nicholas can ferret himself into and out of any vault. And Catherine, sweet Catherine, she was a beguiling angel.
Going up against my brother will take everything I have.
THREE
Vivianne: Bait
Other than thelow drone of a generator, silence presses in. My last memory is the foul stench of whatever saturated that cloth.
Drugged and kidnapped, I wake to darkness.
I blink, but the blackness remains, as does the scratchiness of cloth over my face.
Still hooded.
My toes drum against the floor beneath my feet—concrete, from the sound of it. Whoever took me hasn't bothered to remove my shoes or strip me. The tight embrace of my gown still hugs my skin.
