Theodotus waited until the waiter left the room and Airiana had taken her first few sips of hot tea before he began again. "This threat is very real, Airi. We know it can be done, because you did it."
"Did you actually get the defense system working even once?" Airiana asked. "Because if you did, perhaps these people have your work."
"In computer-generated models only. In theory it would function, but no matter how often I tried to test it in the field, I couldn't get it to work. It was very frustrating."
"And you used computer-generated patterns of weather?" She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to see the entire problem in her head. It should have been easy enough.
He nodded. "But there were always more variables we couldn't factor in until it was too late. The chaos theory at work."
"You think this person--this terrorist--has the ability to do what you couldn't? You're arguably one of the greatest minds alive today. Who has that ability?"
Theodotus looked pleased. Her compliment had been deliberately offhand as if she was simply stating a fact--which she was. There was no overlooking the fact that he had an amazing brain. Who could have completed his work? And how had they gotten the platform to begin with?
I believe there's a collective universal pool of ideas and that often it seems creative minds draw the same idea at the same time from that pool. In order to complete the weather weapon, and Theodotus failed because he couldn't do it with computer-generated patterns, whoever sent the threat would have to be an air element. How many can there be in the world? She forced herself not to look at Maxim.
If the threat is real.
What do you mean? That he's making it all up to get me to go with him? Damon Wilder made an appointment to see me and he's never even acknowledged me before. My guess is the United States received the same threat.
That still doesn't mean it's real. Solovyov believed he had the weapon wrapped up, but he couldn't make it work. My guess is it was the same for Wilder. What makes you think this terrorist can make it work?
We have to go on the premise that he can.
If he could, why would he need you?
"I have tried myself to think who would have the brilliance for such a thing, only a handful to be sure," Theodotus said, without a shred of modesty.
I was told the microchip containing Theodotus's work was destroyed.
But they had the rudiments already, didn't they? Wanda tortured your mother and extracted the information of your early beginnings from her. They had that much to go on.
Airiana tried not to wince when he reminded her of Wanda, a trusted neighbor, torturing her mother for information. Who?
I think Stavros Gratsos began the research and tried to get the more advanced work from Theodotus's wife. When that failed and he died when his yacht went down, his brother, Evan, inherited everything. If it's at all possible, he's far worse than Stavros. Imagine his shock when he discovered the ideas for such a weapon. He tried for the microchip, and when that failed, he went after you. That's why Wanda was in his employ, he found her through her connection to Stavros. She's the kind of person men like Evan and Stavros want to keep around them.
"Theodotus, is it possible the reason you were tipped off that I was in jeopardy is because whoever the terrorist is really can't use the weapon at all? That he believed he could kidnap me and force me to get it working?"
She kept her eyes on his face, watching him, waiting to see if he would lie to her. Of course he believed no one else had gotten the weather weapon to actually work. It wouldn't occur to him that another person could be smarter than him and figure out whatever element was missing--unless it was his own flesh and blood. He would glory in the fact that he'd created Airiana and ultimately had a hand in everything she accomplished.
"You may be right, Airi. That would make sense, wouldn't it? Or it is possible you are the threat to him, the only threat, and he wants you dead."
If he'd wanted you dead, that would have been his order, Maxim pointed out.
Clearly.
Airiana sipped at her tea, settling back in her chair, trying to look more relaxed. "I don't think he could figure it out, Theodotus, not if you couldn't." She yawned deliberately. "This tea is wonderful. I feel as if I can think again. I was so exhausted and freezing cold." She wanted to imply that earlier, when she'd argued with him, she hadn't been at her best. She wanted him relaxed, his guard down just enough that they could get the upper hand.
"Good. Good."
We're going to have to make our move soon, Maxim. He's going to call those men in as soon as he has me leave this room.
I'm figuring our best course of action.
I can bring in a hurricane at sea, she offered with a small inner smile.
I don't want to go down with the ship. We'll do it the old-fashioned way.
Kill everyone? She was beginning to feel a little bloodthirsty herself. How did people like Theodotus get away with everything? He felt superior and entitled. To make matters worse, he was treated as if he was both superior and entitled. Once in a great while, humanity crept in, but it was gone just as fast, because he considered his needs to be so much more important than anyone else's.
You're a woman after my own heart.
She ducked her head and took another drink of tea. She had no idea love could come so fast. She didn't know if it was the circums
tances or the connection from her palm to his, but he owned her heart. She rarely felt even a tingle of arousal for men she met, yet just looking at Maxim could make erotic images play through her mind.
She accepted him the way he was. He wasn't the man to settle down in peace on a farm with her and four children who were scarred for life. He would need to roam, and she needed roots. Still, he was as bound to her as the air surrounding them was.
She felt a little smug about that. Theodotus had no idea, and perhaps Maxim didn't know to what extent they were attached, but she did. She had complete faith that he would always be on her side.
"Perhaps you did save my life," she conceded, lulling Theodotus further.
"A trusted friend tipped me off that you were targeted for kidnapping and he sent Maxim to me."
Airiana put her teacup down carefully. That had been her first real mistake. She'd drawn attention to Maxim, and they weren't ready to make their move. She couldn't allow Theodotus to call the armed men into the den. Maxim wouldn't endanger her, not in such close quarters.
On the other hand, Theodotus should never have mentioned his "trusted friend"--obviously Gavriil--the friend who had saved his life, the one he was betraying by conspiring to kill Maxim. She wasn't looking at Maxim, but she felt that rush of anger he kept hidden deep where no one else could ever see. It was more than anger, a rage against men like Solovyov who so easily could dispose of others when they were in his way.
Airiana stood up and stretched, keeping Theodotus looking at her. "Do you have any ideas at all who our enemy could be? It would be helpful if we knew him." She wandered around the room, casually picking up items and putting them back down, making her way toward the bar where Theodotus had broken his glass.
What are you doing?
There was a warning in Maxim's tone she ignored. Someone had to save him. She knew he would never fight them with her near, and she wasn't about to let Theodotus kill him. She was certain they would do so immediately. What would be the point of keeping him alive? He was far too dangerous.