The Heart of the Jungle, стр. 64

Wincing, he gently prodded his bruised and swollen eye and flexed the fingers of his left hand. His injuries could have been much worse, so he considered himself fortunate.

"We home?" Brianna asked, yawning and stretching.

"Yes, baby, we're home," he replied, gathering her up from her seat and nuzzling her neck.

She giggled and wrapped her arms around him. "I missed you, Daddy," she said in her sweet little voice.

Tears blurred his vision and his heart swelled with love. He squeezed her gently, pressing his cheek to hers. "I missed you too, my little angel. Daddy missed you so much."

"I'm hungry," she said after a moment, squirming to break free of the fierce grip he had on her.

"We'll get you something to eat soon, love," he promised, standing and working his way toward the exit.

They climbed down from the plane, and Chris looked around the small airport. One of George's security men rushed across the tarmac to greet them. "I'm Charlie," he said, putting his arm around Chris and leading him away toward a waiting car. Once they were settled in the back seat, Charlie passed Chris a pair of shoes and his passport.

"Mr. MacQuery is waiting for you at Snohomish Trust," Charlie said, as he pulled out of the airport and drove toward the center of the city.

They turned right onto First Avenue and continued along the narrow street, passing an odd assortment of antique stores, pubs, and novelty shops. The town looked like something Norman Rockwell would have painted.

Despite all that he had endured, Chris's mood was light. The early morning sun was bright in a blue sky, the charming little town reminded him of happier times, he was safe, Brianna babbled in the seat by his side---life was, for the first time in as long as he could remember, sweet and worth living. Everything really was going to be okay now.

As promised, when they pulled up in front of the brick building that housed Snohomish Trust, George was waiting for them. Chris had never been so glad to see him. He leapt from the car and rushed into the older man's arms, sinking into the warm, familiar embrace. After a moment, he turned and motioned for Brianna. Gingerly, the toddler climbed out of the car and ran to George, who picked her up and swung her in the air, then snuggled her tenderly.

"Papa George, I missed you," she exclaimed as he covered her little face with kisses.

"And I missed you too, young lady," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. After a moment, he shifted her to his hip and turned his attention to Chris. His eyes were troubled as he reached out and gently brushed his fingers over the bruised and swollen eye. "He really did a number on you, little dove. Are you all right?"

Chris swallowed hard, remembering the horrors he had just endured. The worst traumas, he knew, had left no mark on his body, but deep wounds in his soul. He would carry those scars for long years to come. Fighting down the powerful emotions that threatened to reduce him to tears, he nodded. "I'm fine."

"We'll have a doctor come take a look at you as soon as we get this minor bit of business out of the way," George assured him.

"Don't worry about it, George. I don't need a doctor." He turned and surveyed the bank. "Doesn't look like they're open yet."

"The branch manager should be arriving any minute. He's agreed to special dispensation."

"Did you get in touch with Jason?" Chris asked next.

"I did. I assured him I would keep you safe until they locate Brunner. He was worried that I too could be in danger, so I called Charlie in to keep an eye on me. We'll go to the cottage on Whidbey. Nobody knows about it, so we should be safe there until the FBI and the police apprehend Brunner and sort this all out."

"George," Chris asked, anxious to be away, "why do we need to get the diamond now? Why not just leave it and deal with it another time?"

George was silent for a moment. "Several people have already died, Christian. We believe Brunner was operating alone, but we cannot be sure. If he wasn't, if by some stroke of bad luck the authorities are unsuccessful in apprehending him, we need to have it on hand. That way, if necessary, we can hand it over. It's too dangerous for it to be out of our reach. It may be the only thing that can save our lives."

Chris shivered despite the warm morning. "You really think Brunner can evade the police?"

"I just don't know," George admitted, "and that's what scares me. I don't like the idea that he's not under lock and key. As long as he is free, we have to assume you are still in terrible, terrible danger." He looked firmly into Chris's eyes. "Are we agreed, then? Shall we retrieve the Heart of the Jungle?"

Chris nodded resolutely. George knew best. The things he'd said made perfect sense. He knew firsthand how much Brunner coveted that diamond. If he wanted it, for all Chris cared, he could have it. He had Brianna back, and they were both safe and alive. He could finally look toward a bright future. Those were the important things. That was all he wanted. More, in fact, than he ever expected to have just a few days ago.

"This thing has caused me enough grief as it is. As soon as this is all over, I'm throwing it in the river. I wish I never heard of the damn thing," Chris said bitterly. "I hate it."

George's brows knitted. Then, noticing a harried looking man headed their way, he pointed. "This must be our man."

"You George MacQuery?" he asked as he approached.

"You must be Larson," George said affably, grasping the man's hand.

After the handshake, Larson unlocked the doors to the bank and deactivated the alarm. He led them to the vault, examined