Page 107 of Tightrope

He sounded pleased. Maybe a little too pleased.

“What?” Matthias asked.

“A small R and D firm that specializes in communications technology sounds like an ideal cover for one of my independent contractors.”

“It’s not a cover,” Matthias said. “It’s going to be a real business. At least, I’m going to try to make it into a real business. The headquarters will be here in Burning Cove.”

“Even better,” Luther said. “The best covers are always grounded in reality.”

Matthias stopped trying to fight off the cold sensation. “I have to make a phone call.”

Luther gestured toward the telephone on his desk. “Help yourself.”

Chapter 58

Amalie could not breathe. Panic roiled her senses. She fought it with the only thing she had that was stronger than fear—rage.

She reached out and seized the necklace with one hand. She started to turn, intending to pick up the phone on the front desk.

There was movement behind her. The tip of the knife against her throat stopped her.

“Put the necklace on, Princess. You’re going to fly for me.”

The threat was followed by a shrill titter of a giggle.

“You’re the one who was watching that night,” Amalie said.

“Yes, I was watching. I saw you murder my partner.Put on the necklace.”

She slipped the necklace over her head.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“You can call me Eugene. Are the keys in your car?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” Eugene said. He grabbed the wire necklace from behind and yanked it tight against her throat. He shifted the point of the bladeto the back of her neck. “We’re going to walk outside and get into your car. You’re going to drive. You will live just as long as you do what I tell you. Understand, bitch?”

The necklace was very tight around her throat, just as it had been the night Harding had forced her to climb the trapeze ladder. She knew then that the black glass beads were strung with wire. If she tried to run, the necklace would become a garrote.

“I understand,” she said.

The phone rang, shattering the oppressive silence.

“Forget it,” Eugene ordered.

“If I don’t answer it, my aunt will wake up and come downstairs to see what’s wrong.”

Eugene hesitated. Clearly he had not anticipated the problem.

“Answer it,” he said. “Make it quick. If you give whoever is on the other line so much as a hint of what’s going on here, you’re dead. Got that?”

“Yes.”

Amalie picked up the phone.

“Hidden Beach Inn,” she said.