Chapter Thirty-one


Jade Kenyon shifted uneasily in the shadows as her eyes scanned the busy street in front of her. Once, the streets of Mumbai would have been silent at this hour of the night. But Western civilization and its love of the nighttime hours had overtaken the city. Now, people teamed along the sidewalks, moving both singly and in groups. The streets, too, were filled, as cars wove and darted, trying to make headway through the chronic gridlock and scores of seemingly fearless pedestrians who darted across their path. It was a lunatic's dance and as accustomed as Jade was to the craziness of travel in the Far East, she still marveled that people made it to their destinations in one piece.

She kept a close watch on the dark opening directly across the street from her. Jade had been standing in the shadows on this busy thoroughfare for more than half an hour now, keeping a wary eye on the scheduled meeting place. So far, no one had shown any sign of interest in the dark entrance to the alley. Jade scanned faces once more. It was now ten minutes past the scheduled meeting time and there was still no sign of Jessie Bannon or her companions. Jade shifted uneasily once more. What the hell was she doing here, anyway? She'd always made it a policy not to get involved in anything that didn't further her own interests. And this business . . . Even if she could make some money off the deal, the risk was still higher than she usually was willing to take. But this is Race's daughter, a soft voice in her head whispered. Why should that make a difference? she questioned back fiercely. Bannon had made his choice . . . particularly if what Jessie had said was true and he and Estella had another kid on the way. What the hell was she doing here?

Suddenly, a familiar face caught her attention. Across the street, a young woman drifted to a stop about three feet from the entrance to the alley. She was obviously Indian, her warm brown skin, black hair and dark eyes allowing her to blend in with the bustling crowds. If she hadn't stopped so close to their meeting location, Jade might not even have noticed her in the teaming throng. She stared at the young woman for a long time, committing her image firmly to memory. She was of medium height and had a slender build. Her lips were a little too full and eyes set just a fraction too wide for her to be called really beautiful, but considering the circumstances, that was probably a good thing. She didn't have that arresting beauty that would have caused her passing to be marked by everyone who saw her. Her hair was long, falling well below her waist, and she had it pulled back and braided into one long, heavy plait that fell down the middle of her back.

The one thing that marked her as being a bit different was her dress. No Indian garb here. From head to foot, she was dressed in supple black leather. Snug pants seemed glued to the lower portion of her body. They disappeared at mid-calf, tucked into the tops of a pair of comfortable-looking black boots. She wore a long-sleeved bomber jacket that ended at her waist and through the open front Jade could just see a snug black shirt of some kind. Jade's eyes narrowed slightly. She'd seen that kind of garb before . . . mercenaries routinely wore this sort of stuff . . . and so did spooks. Jade's eyes raked the girl carefully, and it didn't take long to spot the carefully concealed bulge that marked the shoulder holster that she wore. Hadji Singh appeared to have found himself a formidable mate.

Leisurely, the girl shoved off from the wall she'd been leaning against and drifted along the sidewalk toward the shop and its adjacent alley. Jade's eyes scanned the crowd swiftly, searching for Jessie and her father's old friend, Paul Descarte. There was no sign of them, and when Jade looked back for the other girl, she too was gone. Jade couldn't wait any longer . . . she either moved to join the girl now, or she turned and walked away. But before that thought was even fully formed, she had made her decision. Checking to be certain that her face veil was in place, Jade moved out of the shadows and shuffled up the street away from the alley. After about a hundred yards, she made a tottering move out into the street. Horns blared, and the screeching of brakes marked several drivers' efforts to avoid hitting her. The invective that was flung in her direction as she bowed her head and scurried across the road made her grin behind the veil. Retracing her steps on the opposite side of the street, she quickly came even with the alleyway once more. Lagging slightly, Jade waited for a crowd of people to shove their way past. Then, with one final swift glance around her, she darted to one side and disappeared into the opening.

Jade hesitated about five steps into the alley, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the sudden change in light levels. The pitch-blackness gradually resolved itself into dark black shapes in the slightly lighter surroundings. Slowly, Jade moved forward three more steps, her eyes searching the shadows for the people she had come here to meet. Then she froze as something that felt suspiciously like a gun barrel pressed firmly against her spine in the small of her back.

"It is rather late for you to be out of your house without your husband or son, grandmother," a voice purred softly. "If you will tell me your name, I will see you are returned to the . . . appropriate . . . place."

Jade laughed silently. Yes, a truly formidable lady. "Ah, but I believe I am where I belong, Excellency," she replied in a soft whisper. Stepping away from the gun barrel, Jade turned and bowed respectfully. "Sultana Singh."

"Ms. Kenyon," the young woman replied, sounding unfazed by Jade's immediate identification. "An interesting disguise, but not an overly inconspicuous one."

"Yes, but Arabs aren't that unusual in Mumbai, and when you're out in the open it hides so many sins. Of course, I might say the same. Your outfit isn't exactly inconspicuous either. So where's our mutual friend?"

"We must join her. I am here to take you to her, and I would suggest that we make haste."

"Lead the way."

In the darkness, Jade could just make out the fluttered gesture. "You will have difficulty with our path dressed in that."

"Not a problem." Swiftly, Jade stripped off the veils and the encompassing black garment and dropped them amid the other refuse in the alley. "Let's go."

Kefira spun and moved more deeply into the alley with Jade close on her heels. Several yards further up she stopped once more. "Up," she breathed softly and then followed her own command.

Jade muttered a soft oath and felt blindly along the wall in front of her. "I'll be damned," she breathed as her hands discovered carefully crafted handholds dug into the masonry. Cautiously, Jade began to climb. Kefira was waiting for her on the roof.

"Follow me," she commanded and set off at a rapid pace across the roof. For the next ten minutes, Jade was led on a harrowing path of running leaps and frantic sprints across open expanses of rooftops. The only thing that made the trip one step beneath totally suicidal was the now-brilliant light from the rising moon. Finally, Kefira stopped and let Jade join her. Then, she said in a soft, breathy whisper, "This is the last one, however, it is a difficult jump. Wait here and watch. I will signal when you are to make the crossing." Jade saw her check the gun she carried, ensuring it was securely anchored, and then she broke into a hard run. She crossed the last six feet of rooftop and launched herself across the gap. Jade watched in disbelief as the young woman disappeared into the blackness while still suspended in mid-air. Jade waited breathlessly. Finally, she heard a high, piping whistle and began to breathe once more.

Calling herself every kind of fool she could think of, Jade backed up a few more feet and then broke into a run before she had the chance to think better of what she was about to do. She hit the edge of the roof and launched herself across the gap with as much strength as she could muster from her seriously tired legs.

She almost didn't make it. She seemed to hang motionless in midair for an eternity. Then she landed hard on her feet on the edge of the adjacent rooftop. She stumbled as she hit and teetered precariously, fighting to tilt her balance forward away from the long drop to the street. Hands suddenly grabbed her, yanking her quickly away from the edge. She sank to her knees, her exhausted legs trembling and no longer capable of supporting her weight. She felt dimly grateful to still be alive.

"Are you all right?" a soft, familiar voice questioned, as a dim shape crouched down beside her.

"What the hell are you playing at?" Jade panted. "You're more of a lunatic than your old man."

"Thank you," Jessica Bannon replied and the laughter in her voice was clear. "Can you move? I want to get undercover before we have any long discussions."

"I can move," Jade replied. She wasn't about to let these children get the better of her. As she rose unsteadily to her feet, a strong hand on her elbow caused her to turn her head and breathe softly, "Paul?"

"As ever," he replied in her ear. "Can you climb? We're going to be heading back to the ground."

"I'll manage."

A short time later, the four of them slipped into a dingy building not far from where they had descended from the roof. Standing in the darkness, Jade noted the stench of the place and wondered what she might be standing in. Then light flared, and she looked around in interest. The place appeared to be an abandoned dwelling of some sort. That it hadn't been in use for quite some time was evident by the amount of dirt and total lack of furnishings. Animals, however, had obviously used it because there were signs of rats everywhere.

"Lovely place you have here," Jade commented dryly, turning to Jessie.

"It'll do for the short term," the redhead replied. "I don't intend to hang around here long."

Jade looked at Jessie closely. She had changed in the four years or so since she'd last seen her. There was no trace of the young, 14-year-old girl evident in the hardened young woman who stood facing her now. Dressed in garments identical to her companion, Jessie looked every inch as deadly as Jade knew her father to be. The situation these two were facing was bad, but looking at them standing side-by-side in front of her, Jade wasn't sure she'd want to take odds against them. "So what's the plan?" she asked Jessie evenly.

Jess shrugged. "We need to get into Bangalore. I doubt that going in the 'front door' is a good idea, so we're going to have to find another way."

"Going in at all is a bad idea," Paul Descarte said strongly.

"We do not have a choice," Kefira replied quietly. "Hadji and Jon are already there and they need our help."

"I understand how you feel, Excellency," Jade said gently, "but with Hadji lost, probably the single worst thing you can do right now is put yourself in jeopardy, as well. God forbid that he should be killed, but if he is, the country will need a leader."

Kefira's eyes flashed and she opened her mouth to reply, but Jessie jumped in before she had the chance. "Whether it's a good idea or not, we're going to do it. We're not asking you to come along. I wouldn't have brought Jean-Paul if you hadn't insisted. And as long as you can see to it that my weapons are delivered, you've fulfilled what I've asked of you and I'll willingly pay whatever you ask. We'll arrange for the fund transfer before Kefira and I leave."

"Where do you want me to deliver them?"

A quick look flashed between the two young women before Jessie replied, "I'm not entirely sure yet. I know it's a lot to ask, Jade, but I'd like it if you could wait here in Mumbai until I can radio you a delivery location."

"How are you planning for me to get them to you once you know where? I'm assuming you won't be in Mumbai by that time."

"No. We're going on in. We'll take what we can carry easily and still keep them disguised. Once we've located a safe drop point, I'm going to ask you to airdrop them to us."

"It will mean I've got to have a plane," Jade warned, stomping on Descarte's foot to keep him quiet.

"I'll pay."

Jade's eyes narrowed. "Where are you getting the money, Jessie? Do you have any idea how much we're talking here?"

"It doesn't matter," Jessie answered evenly. "I've got an open line of credit. You name your price . . . I can pay it."

"Geezus," Descarte muttered.

"There's only one place you can be getting that kind of money," Jade said softly, staring hard at the two young women. Jessie returned the look without flinching. "You said you weren't on speaking terms with him."

"We're talking about his sons . . . the only family he has left. You think he's going to begrudge me the money?"

"You don't even know what kind of a mess you're walking into!" Descarte burst out, no longer able to keep silent. "Damn it, you don't even know if you can get in. The place is shut up tighter than mom and dad's closet on the night before Christmas. They aren't allowing planes to land, they've closed the border crossings, and rumor says that the Janissaries have been reactivated to patrol any possible way in or out. And even if you can get in, you have no idea what you're liable to be facing. This is crazy!"

Jessie glanced at her companion. "Still think you can get us in?"

"Yes," Kefira said flatly. "No one that Birla could assign to patrol the borders knows the high mountain passes the way I do. I grew up roaming those mountains and know every rock and stream." She smiled grimly. "They will not prevent us from getting in."

Jessie turned back to Descarte and shrugged. "There you go . . ."

"You still don't know what you'll be faced with once you get there!"

"One step at a time. First we get in, then we worry about what we find there."

"Damn it, you can't . . ." Descarte began, but Kefira cut him off.

"There is merit to gathering as much information as we can before we start off, Jessie."

"You have something in mind?"

Kefira nodded. "There is a man here in Mumbai . . . one that I know personally and that my father trusted above all others. He is a merchant . . . a shipper. If there is any sort of word available about the situation in Bangalore, he will know of it."

Jessie frowned. "You sure you want to trust the knowledge that you're here to someone who has connections to Bangalore?"

"This man I trust. He was never a friend to Vikram or his father, and the connections between his family and mine go back several generations. He would never betray me."

"All right," Jessie replied. She looked at her watch swiftly. "Can we get to him tonight? I'd really like to be out of here by dawn. The fewer crowds we're in, the less likely we are to be spotted."

"I do not know where Mr. Lakshmanan lives, but perhaps, if we can get into his place of business, we can find an address."

"How far away?"

"Some distance. His business is located on the west side of the city."

Listening to the two of them discuss things, Jade got the distinct impression that both she and Paul had just been shut out. Glancing over, she saw him starting to open his mouth to protest and she caught his eye. Shaking her head, she gestured toward a corner of the room and drew him to one side.

"Don't bother. You aren't going to change their minds."

"But . . ."

"All you'll do, Paul, is end up being dumped. If you really want to help, follow her lead and do what she asks so you can be there to cover her back. You don't know Jessie Bannon. I do. She's got all of her father's skill and nerve and a full measure of her mother's drive and stubbornness. When she sets her mind on something, no one . . . not even Race . . . can stop her." Then Jade qualified it a bit. "I take that back. I bet there's one person who can talk her out of things, but he's not here."

"Well then, let's get him! This is suicide."

A sardonic smile touched Jade's lips. "He's the one she's going into hell for . . ."

"Oh, that's just great," Paul said in disgust.

"We're leaving," Jessie announced as the two young women came up to join Jade and Paul. "You can wait here . . ."

"No," Jade cut in smoothly. "Where you go, we go. Until we have firm plans on what we're doing next, we shouldn't split up. And if your Mr. Whateverhisnamewas knows anything about the situation in Bangalore and I'm to drop weapons to you there, I'm going to need to know what he knows. I'd only make one request . . ."

"What's that?"

"Can we make the trip on the ground rather than across rooftops? As much as I hate to admit it, I think I'm getting too old for running long jumps that have such dire consequences if you miss your mark."

Jessie lips twitched for a second and then she laughed softly. "Fair enough. Rooftops are Jon's forte anyway. Let's go. I don't want to waste any more time."


~ ~ ~ ~ ~


"You aren't going to be able to bypass this," Paul said softly. "It's state-of-the-art."

The four of them stood in the darkness while Paul and Jessie examined the combination lock and alarm system on the back door of Zail Lakshmanan's import/export business. Nearby, Kefira and Jade kept a wary eye out for any sign of movement.

Jessie snorted softly. "State-of-the-art is what they call what's for sale. It doesn't even come close to what I'm used to. Move." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small tool. Grabbing the access module case carefully, she inserted the tool in a small gap at the base of the unit and pulled at it gently as she probed. After a few seconds, the cover popped off, revealing the internal circuitry. Delving into a small leather bag that she had slung over her shoulder, Jessie pulled out a cell phone, a small black box, and two pieces of cable. She attached one end of each cable to the two bundles of wire that led into the keypad and attached the other end to the small black box. Looking upward, she stepped to one side to get out from under the cover above the door and swiftly dialed the cell phone. She waited for a moment as Paul and Jade watched her with interest. They both saw her stiffen just slightly. Then she whispered into the phone, "Activate priority secure status. Encryption on highest. Voice verify only. Access Bannon, Jessica." She listened briefly. Then she continued. "Access decode modules and standby for input. Decode input, determine shutdown string and transmit back to source." She plugged the black box into a small jack on the side of the phone and pressed a button on the side of it. A barely audible series of beeps came from the phone, and then the security device on the door flashed on. Numbers flickered rapidly across its display and after a long moment the access module beeped softly and the beacon light went from red to green. Jessie reached out and tugged on the handle and the door swung open silently.

"Oh, I want one of those!" Jade whispered fervently as Paul just stared in amazement.

Gesturing to her companions to stand still, Jessie spoke softly into the cell phone again. "Analyze security and shut down internal alarm systems. Once system is disarmed, hold for further instructions." After a moment Jessie waved her companions through the door as she detached the cables from the access module, snapped the cover back into place, and closed the door behind her. Flipping on a flashlight, she shone it around the interior of the building, obviously hunting for something. With a soft grunt of satisfaction, she followed the beam of her flashlight to a phone sitting on a nearby desk. She picked up the instrument, disconnected the phone cable, and plugged it into the black box on the side of the cell phone. "Interface with the system, IRIS. Then bring up the lights, internal rooms only. I don't want to warn anyone out on the street that there's someone in the building." Then she looked at Kefira. "Lead the way."

Kefira set off at a rapid pace with the other three close on her heels. Jade increased her pace to come level with Jessie and said, "I've got a new deal for . . ."

"No," Jessie said firmly, cutting her off.

"You don't even know what I was going to say," Jade objected.

"Oh yes, I do, and I'll do without the weapons in Bangalore before I give you one of the decoder units. They're a Quest Enterprises prototype and you know the way Dr. Quest is about those. Furthermore, it wouldn't do you any good anyway. The unit only works with IRIS and I can guarantee you that Dr. Quest won't give you access to her."

"That's the second time you've mentioned Iris. Who the hell is she and how did she do that?" Paul demanded. "Those systems are supposed to be unbreakable."

"Nothing is unbreakable. This one is just a bit harder than most."

"Let me guess. Benton designed this one," Jade said dryly.

"No, Jon and Hadji did." Then Jessie took off at a trot, leaving Jade and Paul staring after her.

"Oh, now that's just downright scary," Jade said. "Even I can't break this system and believe me, I've tried. I didn't realize those two had gotten that good."

"Who the hell is Iris?" Paul repeated doggedly.

Jade turned a mocking look on her companion. "Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Paulie?" Then she laughed and patted his shoulder companionably. "Don't feel bad. I haven't met anyone yet that hasn't been a bit overwhelmed by the Quest kids. And IRIS isn't a who . . . she's a what . . . it's Benton Quest's integrated computer system. Custom designed and more powerful than all the Pentagon's research computers put together, I suspect. And those kids have grown up with that kind of technology. It's as natural to them as breathing." Jade shook her head at his look. "I keep telling you not to underestimate them. If I thought that Jonny Quest and Hadji Singh were dead, I'd find a way to stop her going into Bangalore, one way or the other. But I don't believe it. Benton's sons haven't met their match yet and I doubt they'll find it here. And as long as they're alive, you won't keep these two from trying to join them."

Jessie and Kefira suddenly reappeared around a corner and came striding toward them again. "We're going to wait here," Jessie said. "The residence is too far without a vehicle and I'm getting jumpy."

The smile faded from Jade's face. "Jumpy how?"

Jessie shrugged irritably. "I don't know. Itchy . . . like maybe we're being watched . . . or that something of importance has happened that we don't about. I can't put my finger on it, but I don't like it. I think we're better off staying under cover for now."

Kefira and Jade nodded, but Paul hesitated. At Jessie's look of irritation, he held up his hand placatingly. "I'm not going to disagree with you, Jessica, but I do have a suggestion."

"What?"

"You have an incredible advantage in your ability to get into a place this well guarded without being detected. You lose that advantage if people arrive here to find you inside and their system compromised. Do we know when we can expect people to begin arriving here?" he asked Kefira.

"Mr. Lakshmanan's employees generally start early. I would expect people to begin arriving here shortly after dawn," Kefira replied.

"Then I would suggest that about an hour before dawn, we reset the entire system, eliminate any record of our entry from the security computer if we can, and wait outside for your contact to arrive. That way, we can make our entrance through the front door and no one will be the wiser. The intervening time will give us the chance to keep an eye on the street for any sign of unfriendlies as well as give us some downtime. You may be good, Jessica, but you are not superwoman. I suspect you've been going full steam since you first contacted me. You need some rest."

Jess stood looking at the older man. Finally, her shoulders slumped slightly and she nodded wearily. "You're right. I'm beat. And I'll catch hell if word gets out that there is a way to circumvent this security system." She glanced at Kefira. "Can you cope with first watch?"

"I am fine. I was able to sleep on the flight here."

"You should both rest . . ." Paul began, but Jessie sardonic look stopped him.

"Your idea may be a good one, but I still don't fully trust you. And Jade . . ." A touch of humor entered the look she shot at the dark-haired vixen. " . . . I've known her too long and heard way too many stories to ever fully trust her. Just do me a favor, Jade. If you ever cared for my father in any way at all, control your sticky fingers and leave everything here the way we found it, okay?" Jade was grateful that Jessie was already turning away, because she wasn't entirely certain what her face might be showing. It wasn't often that anyone managed to hit quite that close to home.