"Not for your daughter's death. Perhaps they'll find another reason to arrest him."

"But you have your doubts."

"Gardeaux protects his men because it would endanger him to do anything else. A good portion of the money he distributes goes to police officials and judges."

She gazed at him, incredulous. "You're saying he can commit murder and no one will care."

"You care," he said quietly. "I care. But what we're talking about is billions of dollars. Gardeaux can lift his hand and a judge will suddenly have a home on the Riviera and the money to retire and live like a king. Even if you found someone who's willing to bring Maritz to trial, Gardeaux would see that the jury was fixed."

"I can't believe that's true."

"Then don't believe it, but it is true."

It was the indifference in his tone that convinced her. He was stating a fact, not trying to persuade her. "Then you're telling me to forget about Maritz?"

"I'm not a fool. You'll never forget. I'm asking you to leave it in my hands. I'll make sure that Maritz is brought down with Gardeaux."

"Brought down?"

Tanek smiled.

"You're going to kill him," she whispered.

"At the earliest opportunity. Does it shock you?"

"No." It would have before Medas, she realized. Not now. "Why?"

"That doesn't matter."

"You seem to know everything about me, but I'm not to know anything about you?"

"That's the picture. What should concern you is that I've been committed for over a year and I'll devote myself to that goal with the same passion you would."

"You couldn't." There was not that much hatred or passion left in the world.

"You say that because you have tunnel vision right now. Once you're able to see other points of view, you may-"

"Where is he?"

"Maritz? I have no idea. Hiding under Gardeaux's wing."

"Then where's Gardeaux?"

"No," Tanek said firmly. "Gardeaux and Maritz are a package deal, and you don't touch that package. You go blundering into Gardeaux's playground and you'll end up dead."

"Then show me how not to blunder."

"The way to avoid blunders is to stay away from them both. Look, Maritz was a Seal. He knows more ways to kill than you can count. And Gardeaux has men murdered just for stepping on his toes."

"But you think you can get them."

"I will get them."

"You haven't done it yet. Why has it taken you so long?"

She had struck a nerve. His lips tightened. "Because I want to live, dammit. I won't kill Gardeaux and then be killed myself. That's no victory. I have to find a way to bring him down that won't-"

"Then you won't go after him with the same passion." She met his eyes and said simply, "I don't care if I die after I kill him. I just want him dead."

"Christ."

"So show me, use me. I'll do it for you."

"The hell you will." He stood up and headed for the door. "Stay out of this."

"Why are you angry? We both want the same thing."

"Dammit, listen to me. Gardeaux wants you dead." He opened the door. "I don't stake out goats to attract the tiger."

"Wait."

"Why? I think we've said it all."

"How did you find out so much about me?"

"I had a dossier drawn up. I had to know why Gardeaux might want you dead."

"But you didn't find out." She gestured in frustration. "How could you? There is no reason. None of this makes sense."

"There's a reason. We just don't know what it is yet. I'm still working on it. May I go now?"

"No, you still haven't told me why you insisted on coming to my room that night."

His expression didn't change, but she was aware of a sudden underlying tension. "What does it matter?"

"Everything matters. I want to know."

"I was given information that you might be involved."

"Involved in what?"

"The information wasn't clear. I decided it wasn't valid in your case."

"But it was?"

"Yes, goddammit. Are you satisfied now? I made the wrong decision and I left you to Maritz."

She studied him. "You're blaming yourself. That's why you've gone to all this trouble and brought me here."

He smiled without mirth. "Isn't it comforting to know you have someone to blame besides Maritz?"

It would be comforting. She wished with all her being she could lay the fault at his feet. "I don't blame you. It wasn't your fault."

She saw the surprise in his expression. "That's very generous."

"I'm not being generous. You didn't know. You weren't there when Maritz came."

"But I could have been."

"Yes, you could have been. If you want to feel guilty, then go ahead." She added fiercely, "I want you to feel guilty. Maybe then you'll help me find Maritz."

"Forget it."

"I won't forget it. I'm going to-"

He had already left the room.

Her heart was beating hard and she could feel the blood pounding in her veins. He had broken through the icy shell of composure that had protected her, but that didn't matter.

He knew Maritz. He could point the path to him. She would find a way to make sure he did just that.

She reached for the elastic exercise bands on the nightstand and slipped the stirrup over her left foot. She was getting stronger every day. She even used the bands when she couldn't sleep at night.

Sleep was no longer welcome now that the dreams had started to come.

Joel smiled slyly when he saw Nicholas's expression. "You seem a tad upset. Was I exaggerating?"

"No," he said shortly.

"As I said, I don't like that control."

"What?" He recalled the coolness with which Nell had greeted him. But that composure hadn't lasted after she had gone on the attack. He had been aware only of that single-minded determination and unrelenting will.

Then you won't go after him with the same passion.

Oh, yes, she had passion, the same blind passion that had driven Joan of Arc to the stake.

Joel shook his head. "I said that I don't like that-"

"I heard you. I don't think we need to worry about that. How long before she gets out of here?"

"Another two weeks."

"Delay it."

"Why?"

"She's not ready." And he wasn't ready. There was no question she wouldn't give up and he would have to find a way to deter her. "Can't you discover a complication?"

"No, I won't lie to a patient. She's already been here almost two months." His smile held a faint shade of malice. "What's wrong, Nicholas? After all, you told me she was no powerhouse, just a nice, gentle woman."

Nicholas wasn't sure what Nell Calder had become, but she had changed enough to make him uneasy as hell. "Knock it off, Joel. I need help here."

"Not by compromising my professional ethics."

"Then don't lie to her. She's still got broken bones. Tell her you want her to stay here until they're fully healed. It's not as if you need the bed."

Joel thought about it. "I suppose I could do that."

"Has she met Tania?" Nicholas asked.

"Not yet."

"Throw them together as soon as possible."

"Another woman's influence?"

"Another survivor's influence." He turned and motioned to Phil. "Keep a close eye on her."

Phil looked hurt. "I'm taking good care of Nell, Nick."

"I know you are." Nicholas smiled. "Just make sure she doesn't slip away without anyone knowing about it. Okay?"

Phil nodded. "I like her. I told her I majored in computer science in college and she's real interested. She's been asking me all kinds of questions about computers."

An interest in computers would guarantee Phil's affection. "What kind of questions?"

Phil shrugged. "Just questions."

Maybe her interest was without any hidden purpose. Or maybe she had instinctively zeroed in on a way to gain Phil's friendship. He wouldn't have thought such machinations were possible for the woman he had met on Medas, but Nell was now an unknown quantity. "Just keep close watch on her."

"You know I will." Phil went back into Nell's room.

"Nice guy," Joel said. "And a good nurse."

"You sound surprised. I told you that you'd like him." He shifted back to the original subject. "You'll bring in Tania?"

"Why not? She's been wanting to meet Nell." He paused. "You're worried about what she'll do when I release her and she's no longer under protection. She knows someone tried to murder her. Surely she won't be rash."

"Rash? Yes, I think you might use that word. Although suicidal is probably more accurate."

"You know who tried to kill her," Joel said slowly. His eyes widened. "You told her?"

"Domino effect. I had to give her something. Besides, she deserved to know."

Joel shook his head. "Big mistake."

"Maybe. I've made a few." He started toward the elevators. "But now the only important thing is damage control."