If he knew it was illegal, why did he take part in it?
Maybe he didnt realize at first what the project was aiming for. Maybe they sold it to him as purely defensive research. In any event, he got upset enough to resign from the project. He went right to the top-the founder of Viratek. Walked into Archibald Blacks office and threatened to go public if the project wasnt terminated. Four days later he had an accident. Anger flashed in Victors eyes. It wasnt directed at her, but the fury in that gaze was frightening all the same.
What happened to him? she asked.
His wrecked car was found at the side of the road. Jerry was still inside. Dead, of course. Suddenly, the anger was gone, replaced by overwhelming weariness. He sank onto the bed. I thought the accident investigation would blow everything into the open. It was a farce. The local cops did their best, but then some federal transportation expert showed up on the scene and took over. He said Jerry mustve fallen asleep at the wheel. Case closed. Thats when I realized just how deep this went. I didnt know who to go to, so I called the FBI in San Francisco. Told them I had evidence.
You mean the film? asked Cathy.
Victor nodded. Just before he was killed, Jerry told me about some duplicate papers hed stashed away in his garden shed. After theaccident, I went over to his house. Found the place ransacked. But they never bothered to search the shed. Thats how I got hold of the evidence, a single file and a roll of film. I arranged a meeting with one of the San Francisco agents, a guy named Sam Polowski. Id already talked to him a few times on the phone. He offered to meet me in Garberville. We wanted to keep it private, so we agreed to a spot just outside of town. I drove down, fully expecting him to show. Well, someone showed up, all right. Someone who ran me off the road. He paused and looked straight at her. Thats the night you found me.
The night my whole life changed, she thought.
You have to believe me, he said.
She studied him, her instincts battling against logic. The story was just barely plausible, halfway between truth and fantasy. But the man looked solid as stone.
Wearily she nodded. I do believe you, Victor. Maybe Im crazy. Or just gullible. But I do.
The bed shifted as he sat down beside her. They didnt touch, yet she could almost feel the warmth radiating between them.
Thats all that matters to me right now, he said. That you know, in your heart, Im telling the truth.
In my heart? She shook her head and laughed. My hearts always been a lousy judge of character. No, Im guessing. Im going by the fact you kept me alive. By the fact theres another Cathy Weaver whos now dead
Remembering the face of that other woman, the face in the newspaper, she suddenly began to shake. It all added up to the terrible truth. The gun blasts into her apartment, the other dead Cathy. And Sarah, poor Sarah.
She was gulping in shaky breaths, hovering on the verge of tears.
She let him take her in his arms, let him pull her down on the bed beside him. He murmured into her hair, gentle words of comfort and reassurance. He turned off the lamp. In darkness they held each other, two frightened souls joined against a terrifying world. She felt safe there, tucked away against his chest. This was a place where no one could hurt her. It was a strangers arms, but from the smell of his shirt to the beat of his heart, it all seemed somehow familiar. She never wanted to leave that spot, ever.
She trembled as his lips brushed her forehead. He was stroking her face now, her neck, warming her with his touch. When his hand slipped beneath her blouse, she didnt protest. Somehow it seemed so natural, that that hand would come to lie at her breast. It wasnt the touch of a marauder, it was simply a gentle reminder that she was in safekeeping.
And yet, she found herself responding
Her nipple tingled and grew taut beneath his cupping hand. The tingling spread, a warmth that crept to her face and flushed her cheeks. She reached for his shirt and began to unbutton it. In the darkness she was slow and clumsy. By the time she finally slid her hand under the fabric, they were both breathing hard and fast with anticipation.
She brushed through the coarse mat of hair, stroking her way across that broad chest. He took in a sharp breath as her fingers skimmed a delicate circle around his nipple.
If playing with fire had been her intention, then she had just struck the match.
His mouth was suddenly on hers, seeking, devouring. The force of his kiss pressed her onto her back, trapping her head against the pillows. For a dizzy eternity she was swimming in sensations, the scent of male heat, the unyielding grip of his hands imprisoning her face. Only when he at last drew away did they both come up for air.
He stared down at her, as though hovering on the edge of temptation.
This is crazy, he whispered.
Yes. Yes, it is-
I never meant to do this-
Neither did I.
Its just that youre scared. Were both scared. And we dont know what the hell were doing.
No. She closed her eyes, felt the unexpected bite of tears. We dont. But I am scared. And I just want to be held. Please, Victor. Hold me, thats all. Just hold me.
He pulled her close, murmuring her name. This time the embrace was gentle, without the fever of desire. His shirt was still unbuttoned, his chest bared. And thats where she lay her head, against that curling nest of hair. Yes, he was right, so wise. They were crazy to be making love when they both knew it was fear, nothing else, that had driven their desire. And now the fever had broken.
A sense of peace fell over her. She curled up against him. Exhaustion robbed them both of speech. Her muscles gradually fell limp as sleep tugged her into its shadow. Even if she tried to, she could not move her arms or legs. Instead she was drifting free, like a wraith in the darkness, floating somewhere in a warm and inky sea.
Vaguely she was aware of light sliding past her eyelids.
The warmth encircling her body seemed to melt away. No, she wanted it back, wanted him back! An instant later she felt him shaking her.
Cathy. Come on, wake up!
Through drowsy eyes she peered at him. Victor?
Somethings going on outside.
She tumbled out of bed and followed him to the window. Through a slit in the curtains she spotted what had alarmed him: a patrol car, its radio crackling faintly, parked by the motel registration door. At once she snapped wide awake, her mind going over the exits from their room. There was only one.
Out, now! he ordered. Before were trapped.
He eased open the door. They scrambled out onto the walkway. The frigid night air was like a slap in the face. She was already shivering, more from fear than from the cold. Running at a crouch, they moved along the walkway, away from the stairs, and ducked past the ice machine.
Below, they heard the lobby door open and the voice of the motel manager: Yeah, thatll be right upstairs. Gee, he sure seemed like a nice-enough guy
Tires screeched as another patrol car pulled up, lights flashing.
Victor gave her a push. Go!
They slipped into a breezeway and scurried through, to the other side of the building. No stairways there! They climbed over the walkway railing and dropped into the parking lot.
Faintly they heard a banging, then the command: Open up! This is the police.
At once they were sprinting instinctively for the shadows. No one spotted them, no one gave chase. Still they kept running, until theyd left the Kon-Tiki Motel blocks and blocks behind them, until they were so tired they were stumbling.
At last Cathy slowed to a halt and leaned back against a doorway, her breath coming out in clouds of cold mist. How did they find you? she said between gasps.
It couldnt have been the call Suddenly he groaned. My credit card! I had to use it to pay the bill.
It couldnt have been the call Suddenly he groaned. My credit card! I had to use it to pay the bill.
Where now? Should we try another motel?
He shook his head. Im down to my last forty bucks. I cant risk a credit card again.
And I left my purse at the apartment. IIm not sure I want to-
Were not going back for it. Theyll be watching the place.
They. Meaning the killers.
So were broke, she said weakly.
He didnt answer. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his whole body a study in frustration. You have friends you can go to?
I think so. Uh, no. Shes out of town till Friday. And what would I tell her? How would I explain you?
You cant. And we cant handle any questions right now.
That leaves out most of my friends, she thought. Nowhere to go, no one to turn to. Unless
No, shed promised herself never to sink that low, never to beg for that particular source of help.
Victor glanced up the street. Theres a bus stop over there. He reached in his pocket and took out a handful of money. Here, he said. Take it and get out of the city. Go visit some friends on your own.
What about you?
Ill be okay.
Broke? With everyone after you? She shook her head.
Ill only make things more dangerous for you. He pressed the money into her hand.
She stared down at the wad of bills, thinking: This is all he has. And hes giving it to me. I cant, she said.
You have to.
But-
Dont argue with me. The look in his eyes left no alternative.
Reluctantly she closed her fingers around the money.
Ill wait till you get on the bus. It should take you right past the station.
Victor?
He silenced her with a single look. Placing both hands on her shoulders, he stood her before him. Youll be fine, he said. Then he pressed a kiss to her forehead. For a moment his lips lingered, and the warmth of his breath in her hair left her trembling. I wouldnt leave you if I thought otherwise.
The roar of a bus down the block made them both turn.
Theres your limousine, he whispered. Go. He gave her a nudge. Take care of yourself, Cathy.
She started toward the bus stop. Three steps, four. She slowed and came to a halt. Turning, she saw that he had already edged away into the shadows.
Get on it! he called.
She looked at the bus. I wont do it, she thought.