On the Hunt

“Perhaps that’s not exactly all you need to know,” he said. “There are a few more items that might be important for me to bring to your attention. You mentioned Taylor specifically as a concern.” He added grimly, “As well you might. I was so busy trying to keep you and Mack alive that night on the cliffs, I let Taylor and his pet thug Donovan slip away from me. I almost had him and then the son of a bitch was gone.”

“No wonder you’re so angry with me,” Kira whispered. “I not only got in your way but kept you from getting Taylor, too, after all your years of hunting him down. But I’ll make it up to you. I have every intention of going after Taylor as soon as I get the clearance from the doctor. I’ll make certain that I capture him and turn him over to the authorities. He won’t get away again.”

“No second thoughts?” Harlan asked.

“He tried to kill my dog,” she said coldly. “He would have butchered Mack if he’d had his way. Mack wouldn’t have stood a chance. I’ll let the authorities deal with him. If I have my way, they’ll lock Taylor in a bulletproof prison and throw away the key.”

“How very ruthless of you,” Harlan said mockingly. “No more tough cop on the beat?”

“Mack saves lives. That’s tough enough. He deserves having me to protect him and guard his interests.” She grimaced. “Which I didn’t do this time. I made mistakes. That will never happen again.”

Harlan was silent for a moment, staring at her. “Really? You may not have a choice,” he said. “It appears that you may be a prime target. Taylor is a bit irate with you, I understand.”

She stiffened as she slowly got to her feet. “What are you saying?”

“Exactly what you think. It seems that as soon as Taylor escaped Colorado, he started to track you down. It didn’t take him long to find out I’d brought you here. He began to write you cozy little notes in care of the manor telling you all the things he’s going to do to you when he gets the chance. Very ugly notes.”

Kira could imagine how ugly. “It doesn’t surprise me. He gave me a verbal preview of what he’d like to do to me before I jumped him to get the rifle.” She stared him in the eye. “I want to see those notes.”

“You will. I’m not hiding anything from you from now on. It will be your choice. But you should sit down and have a little nourishment before you make that decision. You’re just out of bed and it won’t hurt to take it easy for a while. Will you go into the study and relax while I call the cook and order your dinner? You’re not going anywhere until we’ve had a discussion. There are things you need to know, and I don’t want a repeat of Colorado in any shape or form. I don’t believe you do, either.”

“There won’t be a repeat.” She was nibbling at her lower lip. “I made a mistake, and I don’t usually do that. I had no idea he’d zero in on Mack instead of me. No one has ever done that. You made no mistakes, and I regret that I wasn’t able to bring Taylor to the authorities as I promised. But it happened and I won’t let it happen again. Just let me go back to Summer Island and I’ll bring Taylor in as I promised.”

“No way on earth,” Harlan said as he shook his head. “Not until after dinner and we’ve come to an agreement. I wasn’t pleased about having to bring you here and having to explain not only to the governor but also to my old friend John Logan why you were almost a dead woman before I could yank you out of there. John happens to trust me, and Belson told him I’d take care of you.”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” she said curtly. “I always take care of myself. I even told Sarah that you were to have nothing to do with my tracking Taylor.”

“Too bad. You also told Belson and left that message for me, but once I’d made the decision to use you, I had to go through with it. Even you must have heard that Taylor killed my brother. He has to belong to me. There’s no question about it.” His lips twisted savagely for an instant before he regained total composure. “So there’s no way I’ll let you go after him without me.”

“Use me?” Kira repeated through set teeth. “No one uses me, Harlan. I thought I’d made that clear.”

“Really?” Harlan echoed. “What about Taylor? I believe he has every intention of using you. And I might be the only one who can stop him. Because I’m the only one who wants him bad enough to make sure I’ll do anything to get my hands on him.” He gestured toward the library door. “I’m going to order your dinner, and it should be here in the next thirty minutes. I’ll leave your notes from Taylor here in the office for you to read if you choose. But I wouldn’t advise it. It won’t be pleasant and might even upset your stomach and ruin your dinner. Just know that whatever he threatens, I won’t let it happen. If you stand by me and help me take him down, I promise he won’t touch you or yours.”

“What are you saying?” Kira’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. “I told you I take care of myself.”

“Taylor has access to some formidable resources.”

“So do I, when the occasion demands it. But Mack and I are usually all it takes.”

“And I told you that I find that unacceptable.” He gave a slightly mocking sigh. “It seems I’ve became accustomed to taking care of you during the last few days. After reading the very poisonous notes he sent, it appears he regards you almost as an adopted member of my family now. That means you’re an automatic target in his eyes.” He paused. “And I take care of my own, Kira.”

She shook her head incredulously. “Ridiculous.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps. However, I won’t have Taylor getting in my way in any shape or form. That includes any future plans he has for you.” Harlan opened the library door for her and gestured for her to enter. “Just rest, have dinner, and later you can read all Taylor’s notes in my desk. Then we’ll discuss any plans we might have for any future action.”

“You’re not listening. I have no plans that involve you.”

“I believe you will after you read those notes. You might be stubborn, but you’re also very clever, as I found out following you through those mountains. You’ll do what’s best for you and the people you care about.”

The library door shut behind him.

Kira hesitated and then slowly entered the library and headed for the desk across the room. She needed at least a few minutes to recover her strength while she could be alone and brace herself for whatever she had to do next. That encounter with Harlan hadn’t been easy despite her assertions. She was feeling infinitely weary after dealing with Harlan and his niece today, but she knew she should probably sit and read the notes in the desk. Harlan’s attitude had been a little forceful as well as intimidating, and she had to realize she wasn’t quite sure what he had meant by it. He had never tried to intimidate her before, when they were at odds hunting for Taylor. They had only been foes going after a common enemy. He’d annoyed her, but he hadn’t tried to frighten her. This might be different. What was the reason he’d changed tactics? Did he think Taylor’s letters would frighten her?

Oh, what the hell. She knew what monsters could be like. Face Taylor and get it over with. She sat down at the desk, opened the middle drawer, and pulled out the collection of notes.

She picked up the first one and slowly opened it.

The first sentence caught her eye and caused her to stiffen.