Palik’s words echoed in his mind as Caleb pressed DISCONNECT. Palik knew him too damn well, he thought impatiently. They had been working together for a number of years and he could almost read Caleb’s thoughts. He was restless, and he couldn’t make a move on Bohdan yet. Even if he was able to locate him in Rome, it wouldn’t be the most efficient way to rid the world of the son of a bitch. He had to arrange to have Gamba Mandia, head of the Congo opposition party, alerted to what he was doing so that the country wouldn’t slip into chaos.

Don’t get too restless.

Too late for that, he thought recklessly. Why not rent a helicopter, check out MacDuff’s Run, and make certain that everything was the way he wanted it to be? He could be back by tomorrow and he’d feel better about MacDuff’s preparations. For all he knew, one of Bohdan’s men could already be there on the property. Wasn’t it his duty to be certain that wasn’t true?

Bullshit. He was making excuses.

But he’d be careful and not even go near Jane.

He’d just know she was there, near him, and safe…

That would be enough.

*  *  *

MacDuff’s Run
3:40 P.M.

Eve was wearing her blue chambray work shirt and her hair was tied back away from her face when she appeared on the Skype screen. “Jane?” She frowned. “Is everything all right?”

“Everything is fine,” Jane said. “I just haven’t talked to you since you arrived back at the lake cottage, and I thought I’d check in. Is Michael back in school?”

“For the time being.” She shook her head. “But he’s going to New Orleans with Cara next week. She has a concert and she’s going to let Michael help backstage. He’s over the moon. So much for giving him a normal American lifestyle after all the time he’s spent in Scotland and London.”

“It won’t hurt him a bit. You know he adores Cara. I was always the practical sister. Cara wasn’t only a star, she had her own magic.” Jane chuckled. “And besides, you look like you’re going to need time to yourself anyway. I recognize that blue work shirt. How far are you behind on the reconstructions?”