Deadly Contact. Don Pendleton

voice faded and Dukas thought her friend was going to put the phone down.

      “Listen to me, Tira. I’m going to come and get you. Just tell me where—”

      “No! I can’t do that. I’m sure they can hear. They’ll know. I can’t tell you where I am.”

      “The police—”

      “Uh-uh. I can’t trust anyone except you. Because you’re my friend. Erika, are you still my friend?”

      “After what we’ve been through? Hey, I ate your cooking, remember? Just tell me where you want to meet,” Dukas said, hoping to calm her friend’s fear.

      “One hour. At JR’s.”

      “I’ll be there.”

      The line went dead.

      ERIKA LOCKED THE CAR AND hurried to the closest elevator in the garage. She waited impatiently until the doors opened and she was able to step inside, punching the button for the Lower Level Food Court. She was reminded how many times she had made this very trip to meet her friend. Whenever they were able to arrange a get-together it was at Union Station, where they would indulge themselves at Johnny Rockets Diner. Ignoring all the diet rules, they indulged in burgers, fries and shakes, enjoying a brief respite from the cares of their daily routines, sharing news, gossip and girl talk.

      But this visit had no fun time on its agenda. As the elevator slowed, Dukas was full of doubt and concern. She stepped out and headed for the diner, scanning the food court for her friend, and wondered just what it was her friend had gotten herself into. She patted the inside pocket of her jacket, just to confirm her cell phone was still there.

      She spotted Tira Malivik through the main window of the diner, sitting in their usual booth. They made eye contact and waved in recognition. Avoiding the press of people milling around the area, Dukas reached the door and pushed her way through. Immediately the familiar odors of food and coffee assailed her senses. There was a hum of voices and background music.

      A vivacious, dark-haired young woman with striking good looks, Tira Malivik had undergone a dramatic change. As Dukas slid into the booth across from her she noticed the dark shadows beneath Malivik’s eyes, the haggard expression on her face. Her usually shining hair was limp and tangled, and it looked as if she had been sleeping in her clothes. When she reached across to grasp Erika’s hands, Malivik was shaking.

      “What’s wrong? And don’t even suggest it’s nothing,” Dukas said.

      “I wish I could lie about it.”

      Before they could continue a smiling waitress came over. They ordered two large black coffees. As soon as the waitress left, Dukas turned back to her friend.

      “Tell me, and don’t leave anything out.”

      Dukas listened without interruption, except for when the coffee arrived, and by the time Malivik had finished, the Stony Man translator knew what she had to do.

      “Your uncle Lec? Where is he now? And what about this package he sent you?”

      “He asked me to get it somewhere safe. Out of the reach of the people looking for him.”

      “And did you?”

      Malivik nodded, a ghost of a smile briefly edging her pale lips.

      “Did he tell you what was in this package?”

      “Not directly. He just said it contained information these people do not want exposed. If it is, a number of important individuals are going to go to jail, or worse.”

      “Where are these people?” Dukas asked.

      “Some in Bosnia. Others here in the States.”

      “So you have no idea what the information actually is?”

      “Not until I read an e-mail he managed to send me just before he dropped out of sight. I haven”t had time to check it out yet.”

      “First thing, we get you out of here. Somewhere you’ll be safe until I can arrange protection. And not the police, or anyone we’re not sure of,” Dukas said.

      “Can you do that?”

      “Yes. The people I work for can do it. And you’ll be more than safe with them. I promise.”

      Malivik clutched her coffee mug in both hands, drinking the hot liquid in quick gulps. She stared at Dukas. She was agitated.

      “This is wrong. I shouldn’t drag you into this. I’m sorry. Maybe I should go and you forget this meeting. These people are really scary, Erika.”

      “You should meet some of the people I work with,” Dukas said, smiling. She took out her phone. “I’m going to help. Now I need to make a call. Look, you want more coffee? Something to eat?”

      “No, but I need to go to the ladies’ room.”

      “You go while I do this,” Dukas said. “Hey, I know your e-mail address. Do I need a password?”

      “I don’t have my laptop with me.”

      “My people can access your site if they have the details. We need to read that message.”

      “Password is JRockets.”

      “Very subtle.” Dukas laughed.

      “I’m really sorry, Erika. I feel so bad doing this to you,” Malivik said.

      “Hey, I said no problem. Now go and let me call.”

      As she punched in the number that would connect her with Stony Man Farm, Dukas watched her friend cross the diner and push through the door to the ladies’ room. She was concerned about the way she was acting. It was as if she wanted to get up and run. Her attention was diverted as her call was answered and she eventually found herself speaking to Barbara Price and explaining the situation.

      “You listen to me,” Price said. “You did right. I’ll set something up and get right back to you. I’ll pass the e-mail details on. Take Tira to your place. As soon as you arrive call me, and we’ll liaise. Hey, take it easy. Get your friend settled and wait for us.”

      “Thanks. I owe you,” Dukas said.

      “Oh, yes, and big-time too,” Price said lightly.

      Dukas drained her coffee mug. As she placed it on the table she thought Malivik had been gone too long.

      She stood up and pushed her way through the crowded diner. She hadn’t realized just how much it had filled up since her arrival. She wedged her way through until the reached the ladies’ room and pushed open the door. Malivik wasn’t there. She checked the cubicles twice. There was only one way in and one way out. As she walked back into the diner a chill coursed through her.

      She checked out the restaurant, pushing back the panic edging its way to the surface. Back at the booth she met the waitress holding the check. Dukas paid it and turned to leave. She saw Malivik’s purse still on the booth seat. She picked it up and weaved through the crowd. Outside she stood helpless, not sure which way to go. She wandered around for twenty minutes, searching, hoping her friend had just left the diner to get some air. She called Malivik on her cell phone, but the phone was switched off.

      She gave up and went back to her car, deciding to check at her own place first to see if Malivik showed up there.

      The weather had become worse, the falling rain bitterly cold as the temperature dropped.

      “MISS DUKAS?”

      She glanced up at the speaker. He was just behind her, to one side, a stocky man in a dark suit, his tie awkwardly knotted. He held out a black badge holder and flipped it open as soon as she gave him her attention, holding it where she could see it, rain speckling the metal shield. He had materialized from the shadows behind her as she bent to lock her car.

      There was something in the too swift way he identified