Behind her, she heard Tom sniff. "Sorry, we didn't bring any umbrellas with us tonight."

"Like you'd hold one over me while I did my work, anyway," Annja said. "I don't think you would."

"You're right, but only because I think you're far too dangerous to let out of my sight."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Annja asked. She had to keep him talking. It might just take his mind off her a little bit and give her the opening she'd need when the time came.

"I saw how you were with Dave back at the hotel. He wasn't a timid guy and yet you handled him like he was easy prey. Broke his wrist even."

"He had that coming, believe me. The way he acted last night at his place, I was lucky he didn't try to rape me while we were waiting for you to show up and shoot us with your dart gun."

"Yeah, I always wondered about that. I never could figure out what he saw in my sister, aside from a convenient lay, I suppose."

"Is that why you killed him? Because he disrespected her?"

"You were closer to the mark before. More money for us. I don't want my sister wanting for anything in life. But she does make some stupid decisions. That's why I've got to call the shots."

"Even if she doesn't happen to agree with them?"

"Even if," Tom said. "You know that old saying that some people don't know what's best for them? My sister fits that bill perfectly."

Annja shook her head. The rain was increasing. She could hear the drops smacking into the ground as they pa.s.sed through the pine trees again, heading back toward the cave opening.

Jenny was already waiting for Annja. "Where have you been?"

"These bags are heavy," Annja said. "It's not exactly the easiest thing in the world to pull your share of the work."

"My share? You volunteered!"

"You didn't put up a fight," Annja said. She winked at Jenny and nodded once. Jenny nodded back. Message received.

"Get the bag and stop your yapping, you two," Tom said. He looked at Sheila. "You okay?"

Sheila frowned. "Why on earth wouldn't I be?"

"I was just checking," Tom said. "Relax, okay?"

Sheila shook her head. "I'm fine and you don't need to keep checking on me. I can handle my end of this without your constant supervision."

"Fine, fine." Tom glared at Annja. "You got that bag yet?"

Annja heaved the sack over her shoulder. "Yeah, let's go."

They turned toward the truck and walked down the trail. Annja cleared her throat. She could feel the adrenaline starting to course through her. She'd have to time this just right, hopefully catching Tom before he could fire off a round from the gun and alert Sheila to the possibility of the attack. Annja just hoped that Jenny could do her part; otherwise, Annja would be walking back into a potential ambush.

"Your sister sounds pretty mad at you," she said.

"She always gets that way when I have to decide on something."

"Really?"

"Like we were talking about before. She resents the fact that I make all the decisions in the family."

"No other siblings?"

"Nah. Our parents died when we were young and from then on it's always been just the two of us. I took care of her. Sheltered her and looked after her. Even when I was in the service, I made sure she was always fine. Friends of mine would watch over her."

"So, in other words, she's never had the chance to make her own decisions about anything," Annja said.

"You see it one way. I see it another."

"I see her feeling incredibly suffocated," Annja said. "No wonder she's so p.i.s.sed off at you."

"She'll get over it," Tom said. "She always does."

"What if you're wrong?"

"Wrong about her getting over it? Not likely. You don't know my sister very well."

Annja shifted the bag on her shoulder. "Well, maybe I don't know Sheila all that well, but I know how women think. And here's the thing, Tom. You just killed the only man she might have ever loved."

"Like I told her, there are other fish in the sea."

"Yeah, yeah, I know that line. But what you're missing here is the fact that David was probably the first guy she's ever made up her own mind about. All through her life she's had you watching over her."

Tom was quiet and Annja kept going. "How many boyfriends has she had?"

"I don't know."

"Probably not many," Annja said. "And probably because you scared them all away, didn't you?"

"Not necessarily. A lot of the ones who came nosing around were losers who didn't mean to do anything, except get in her pants."

"So what business is it of yours what she chooses to do and with whom? We all need to make our own mistakes," Annja said.

"Not my sister. She doesn't need to make mistakes. I've made enough of them for both of us."

Annja smirked. "I'm sure you have. But that doesn't mean there hasn't been an incredible reservoir of resentment building up within Sheila's heart. She probably hasn't voiced it to you yet, but then there's what happened tonight. And your actions back at the hotel might just cause the dam to break, releasing all of that pent-up emotion. Anger. Hatred, even."

"My sister doesn't hate me."

They'd reached the truck and Annja set the package down on top of the others. She looked at Tom. "Look, you don't have to listen to me. That's cool. But if I were you, I'd watch my back really carefully these next few days. Sheila's a volcano about to explode, and if you're in the path of her destruction you're toast, pal."

Tom frowned. "Are you finished a.n.a.lyzing my life?"

Annja shrugged. "Like I said, take it or leave it. Makes no difference to me. I'll be dead."

Tom smiled. "That you will."