“Forget it.”

He leaned back, obviously frustrated. “Suit yourself. But it’s only a matter of time before we find the transmitter, and then it’ll be too late. You won’t have anything to bargain with.”

“Are you as bored as I am?” Jack said looking at Alicia.

She nodded.

“Then, let’s speed this up.”

He grabbed a box of photos and started tossing them into the flames.

Alicia watched them blaze and turn to ash. And then there were no more.

“All right,” Jack said. “That does it for this box. Any more?”

Thomas shook his head. “No.”

“There’d better not be,” Jack said, jabbing a finger at his face. “Because if I ever find out you held something back—”

“That’s all. I swear.”

Alicia jumped as she felt Jack take hold of her upper arm, but she let him guide her away from the fire.

“Good. Then, we’re done with you.”

“That’s it?” she heard Thomas saying as they walked up the slope away from the river. “You drag me out here and squeeze me for information, and that’s it? What do I get?”

“You get to warm your hands,” Jack said without looking back.

“Doesn’t matter that they’re burned,” he called. “You can burn all the paper you want, but it means nothing.” His voice rose to a shout as they moved farther away. “Ever hear of the Internet, Alicia? We’re on it. In lots of private places. And you know what? We’re stars, Alicia. How do you like that? We’re stars!”

Alicia pressed her hand to her mouth to keep from crying out.

Beside her she heard Jack say, “Excuse me. I think I forgot something. Be right back.”

Fighting the nausea bubbling just below her sternum, Alicia kept walking, breathing deeply. She didn’t turn around to see what he’d forgotten. She hoped it was nothing tangible…

15.

15.

Yoshio watched Jack-san and the Clayton woman walk up to Eighth Avenue and turn downtown. He would have given much to have been able to overhear their conversation with the brother.

He followed them, slipping from shadow to shadow.

Perhaps I’m being overcautious, he thought.

Dressed as he was, he doubted Jack-san would recognize him even in full daylight. He had considered disguising himself as a sidewalk Santa. That might have worked in the more crowded streets, but would have made him more noticeable elsewhere. Reluctantly, he had settled on this alternative.

Still, he would take no chances. Watching the brother’s house had been a long shot, but had paid off handsomely, and he wasn’t going to squander this opportunity.

Now… if he could just keep up with them until they reached the place where one or both were staying. He was prepared to follow them anywhere, and with this disguise, even a subway trip would not deter him.

Only walking posed a problem…

Because these high heels were killing him.

16.

16.