Read Online Eight Days to Live by Iris Johansen - Free Book Online Page B

to find out all he could. And why would he have been willing to introduce me to his fine friends when he knew I’d possibly have to blow them away? He might have acquired enough information to be ready to step away from them and go into retirement.”
    “So that he could make me pay through the nose.”
    “It’s all supposition, of course.” Jock paused. “I don’t know if Weismann is a good bet for you. I do know he’s clever and self-serving.He was probably keeping an eye on me to see when I was going to make my move.” He was silent a moment. “Clever enough to dangle something out there to tempt you. What was it, Venable?”
    For a moment MacDuff thought Venable wasn’t going to answer.
    “He said that he knew why Jane MacGuire was targeted.” He paused. “And who sent Millet that article and hired him for a possible future kill.”
    “Then pay it,” MacDuff said harshly. “If he’s lying, then take the hit. You owe it to her. You screwed up.”
    “I’ll consider it. If she agrees to cooperate. If you agree to cooperate.”
    “A deal?” MacDuff asked. “Forget it. You’re not going to use me. You’re not going to use Jock. And you’re sure as hell not going to use Jane.”
    “Why don’t you take that up with her? Weismann sent me a bit of information to prove his good faith. He said to tell Jane MacGuire that the order had gone out for a total on her.”
    “Total?” MacDuff repeated. “What the hell does that mean?”
    “Total extermination,” Jock said slowly. “Family, friends, coworkers. Wipe every trace of the target from the face of the earth.”
    MacDuff glanced at him. “You’re familiar with the term?”
    “Yes, the Sang Noir wasn’t shy about talking about total extermination while I was with them. They were very proud of the concept. But it was a punishment levied only against special enemies. I heard they’d actually only used it once.”
    “Who?”
    “Juan Parillo, a police chief in Nardez, Venezuela. It’s a small city outside Caracas. He supposedly tortured and killed one of the Sang Noir group three years ago. They wanted to make an example of him.”
    “And what did that mean?”
    “They killed Parillo, his wife, his brother, and his three children. Then they systematically went down the list and murdered two of his officers and their families. They even took out his next-door neighbors because they were reputed to be his best friends.”
    “Wiped from the face of the earth,” MacDuff repeated. “Everyone close to him . . .”
    “I told you the Sang Noir was ugly,” Venable said. “And crazy as hell.”
    “Celine Denarve,” Jock said. “She was Jane’s friend and coworker. A double reason for them to kill her if Jane had been targeted for a total.” He suddenly straightened. “But that wouldn’t be good enough for them. It would only be a token.” He looked at MacDuff. “Celine Denarve has a sister. She was supposed to meet with Jane today.”
    “NO, YVETTE’S NOT HERE YET,” Jane said when MacDuff phoned her. “She called me at nine and said she was on the road.” She paused. “Why do you ask?”
    “She was driving from Lyon?”
    “Yes, I told her I’d meet her if she decided to take the train instead. She’s really too upset to be driving. I’ve been a little worried. She said she’d be here by eleven.”
    “Do you have a number to call her back?”
    “Yes.” She frowned. “What’s happening, MacDuff?”
    “I hope nothing is happening. Call her back and make sure she’s okay. Get back to me.” He hung up.
    Jane pressed the disconnect. She’d been a little worried, but now she was afraid. MacDuff didn’t cry wolf unless the wolf wasleaping in for the kill. She quickly checked Yvette’s number and dialed.
    Nothing.
    She tried again.
    Voice mail. Yvette’s voice, cheerful, casual. So different than the shock and near hysteria that had shaded her voice when Jane had talked to her.
    She hung up and called MacDuff back. “I