Ghostwalker 09 - Ruthless Game

disrespect her abilities. Your mother is extraordinary.”
    The boy tightened his fingers as if understanding every word. Did people talk baby talk to infants, or hold real conversations? Kane was the kind of man who could never manage to summon baby talk. The boy had to learn from the earliest age possible that his life wasn’t normal and never would be. “We’l do our best to give you a childhood, Sebastian,” he promised. “But you’l have to know things kids shouldn’t have to know. I think truth is best, don’t you?”
    He shifted the scope to find Fargo. Fargo was observing Carlson, not Rose. He held something smal in his palm. He was transmitting to Whitney behind Carlson’s back, no doubt about it. Carlson was a sacrificial pawn, caught between Whitney and whatever the doctor had promised to Fargo.
    Fargo might not like Whitney and even understood on some level that he was just as likely to double-cross Fargo as Carlson, but the man just couldn’t resist whatever carrot Whitney dangled in front of him.
    “There’s a huge amount of speculation about whether or not Whitney has his own psychic ability, Sebastian,” Kane mused aloud, “and I’m coming down heavily on the side for it. I think he reads people, whether they have gifts and what their weaknesses are. It’s why he stays in business. He’s a master at manipulation. Never forget that, and never trust anything he says or does.”
    He rubbed his chin on the butt of the rifle, frowning. “And that leads us to the main question. Why was he in league with Diego Jimenez? What do you think, son? Something stinks about this entire thing.” He winked at the child. “And it’s not your diapers.”
    Thank God it wasn’t the diapers. Diaper changing ranked right up there with—wel —okay he’d pul any other duty gladly. Fortunately, Rose didn’t seem to mind and actual y, surprisingly, the boy didn’t reek like Kane thought he would.
    He kept his attention centered on Carlson, the real threat to Rose. Fargo would back his play if it came to it, grabbing her, but he wouldn’t initiate violating orders. Carlson pushed his luck again, inching another foot forward.
    Rose’s head went up alertly. She pushed herself out of the chair. Carlson froze as she slowly and careful y looked around as if spooked.
    “Your mommy is so smart,” he whispered to the baby. “That’s my woman. Scare the crap out of the bastard.” He cleared his throat. “Don’t use that word, son. Especial y never in your mother’s presence. She’d probably stick a knife in my gut.” He cleared his throat again. “Don’t ever repeat our conversations to her either. I’m fairly certain she wouldn’t be happy with anything I’m saying to you.”
    Rose stepped out of the safety box and he switched from praise to cursing. Don’t you even fucking think about taking him out, Rose. You take one more step, and I’m coming out. You ignore me on this and see what happens.
    Already he was shifting his weight, ready to go if she defied him.
    Sheesh. You never let me have any fun. I was just messing with him.
    He breathed away the tight coiling snake in his bel y. She was about as predictable as the wind. Well, stop. You’re giving me a heart attack.
    She didn’t make the mistake of disobeying him. She had to have read his intent, but she took her sweet time getting back into the pocket where it She didn’t make the mistake of disobeying him. She had to have read his intent, but she took her sweet time getting back into the pocket where it would be difficult for either man to make a grab for her without exposing himself for a good thirteen feet of sheer open territory. Rose took one last, suspicious look around, stepped inside the house, and closed and locked the door.
    Kane didn’t move, watching the two men outside. It took Carlson several minutes before he dared to move, slowly easing this body over sand and dirt as he made his way back to Fargo. Kane let out his breath. If Fargo was real y going to make his way into the town, he would do it after he reported to Whitney, and the report was always given at a specific time. Kane spent a great deal of time watching, and it was apparent that Whitney’s schedule was tight. He had two hours before Fargo would take off, giving Carlson the opportunity to make a try for Rose—and he was damn sure the man would make his try.
    Carlson and Fargo both crouched low, appeared to argue, and then headed toward their camp. Kane