Killer Dreams Read Online Free Page B

“You actually believe she’d try to shoot you?”
    “Hell, yes.” Sanborne looked back down at the report. “If she can’t get me any other way. I’ve been expecting her to make a move since Senator Tipton refused to listen to her. She’s a desperate woman.”
    “So what are you going to do?” Gerald added quickly, “I didn’t come on board to become involved in anything violent. I just agreed to bring her to you if she agreed to a meeting with me.”
    “Why, Gerald, it’s Sophie Dunston who’s becoming violent,” Sanborne said silkily. “But what can you expect when you consider her unstable background. One should feel sorry for the poor woman. She has such burdens to bear that she must often feel suicidal.”
    Gerald gazed at him warily. “Suicidal?”
    “I’m sure that her coworkers would testify that she was under a strain. Her poor son, you know.”
    “What are you saying?”
    “I’m saying that it’s time to rid myself of that bitch. I’ve been biding my time because it would be too suspicious since she’s been so vocal among the FBI and political circles. And I thought I might be able to get some information I needed from her.” He tapped the report. “But this is making me uneasy. I may have to adjust my plans. The crazy woman might get lucky if those idiot security guards aren’t more efficient. I didn’t get this far marketing the project to have Sophie Dunston try to blow me out of the water.”
    Gerald raised his brows. “I can see how it would be a serious inconvenience.”
    Sanborne’s eyes narrowed. “Sarcasm, Gerald?”
    “No, of course not,” Gerald said quickly. “I just don’t know how—”
    “Of course you don’t. You’re out of your depth here. You’re hoping to skim the profit off our deal and keep your hands from getting dirty,” Sanborne said. “But I’d bet you wouldn’t mind looking the other way while Caprio got his hands dirty.”
    Caprio. Gerald had only met the man once since he’d started to work for Sanborne, but the mention was enough to cause him to instinctively stiffen warily. He imagined that ripple of uneasiness was the reaction most people felt for Caprio. “Perhaps.”
    “Caprio doesn’t mind a little dirt. He enjoys it.” Sanborne added, “And you’re already dirty. You embezzled over five hundred thousand dollars from your company and your ass would be in jail by now if I hadn’t given you the money to replace it.”
    “I would have found the money.”
    “In your Christmas stocking?”
    “I have contacts.” He moistened his lips. “I wasn’t afraid of being caught. I came to you because you offered me a deal I couldn’t refuse.”
    “The deal is still on the table. I might even sweeten it if you prove your value to me by delivering Sophie Dunston in the next week. In the meantime I’ll make a few moves of my own.” He reached for the telephone and dialed. “Lawrence, things are heating up. We may have to move fast.” He paused. “Tell Caprio I need to see him.”
     
    Chains cutting into his shoulders.
    Had to move. Had to get free.
    Oh, God.
    Blood!
    Royd jerked upright in bed, his eyes flying open. His heart was pounding and he was coated with sweat.
    He shook his head to clear it and swung his feet to the floor. Just another bitchin’ nightmare. Block it out. It wouldn’t bring Todd back and it only filled him with anger and frustration.
    He stood up, grabbed his canteen, and left his tent. He dumped the water on his face and took a deep breath. It was almost morning and time to go after Fredericks. If the rebels hadn’t decided to make an example of him and already blown his head off.
    He hoped to God they hadn’t. From what he’d heard from Soldono, his contact with the CIA, Fredericks was a pretty decent guy for a CEO. Which didn’t mean shit in this world. Power was the name of the game and nice guys did finish last if they didn’t have the muscle to protect themselves. Fredericks did have the muscle, and