Enemy Mine by Lindsay McKenna

her antsy. As Coulter guided the helicopter to the south, through a narrow pass and into a much more verdant-looking valley, Kathy took a deep, ragged breath. Could she survive? Oh, how had she gotten herself into this mess? Why hadn’t she done more thorough research?
    The answer was obvious: Garcia would never reveal this information to the world. No, his tactics, like his drug dealing, were kept secret from the press and public.
    Gulping a couple of times, Kathy tried to steady her screaming nerves. Would she make it? Or was she going to die ignominiously here, without being able to kidnap Garcia’s child? It would be a shameful death, certainly not what she’d expected. Somehow, some way, she must prevail….
     
    K ATHY SWALLOWED HER SHOCK when a tall, beautiful and stylish South American woman met her on the landing pad near the well-hidden villa complex. Mac Coulter was at her side, his fingers cupping her elbow and guiding her toward the woman.
    “Welcome, Señorita Lincoln. I am Therese Osoro, your hostess. Welcome to the Pink Orchid Villa, which is owned by Patrón Garcia and his wife, Paloma.” The woman stepped forward, her black eyes shining with genuine warmth, her hand extended.
    Replying in Spanish, Kathy gripped the woman’s hand, which was surprisingly strong. Mac had warned her not to divulge any of their cockpit conversation to Garcia’s personal secretary.
    Therese released her hand. “Well! There is much to do, Señorita Lincoln. Señor Coulter, thank you for bringing her to us. Patrón Garcia has a flight that he needs undertaken immediately. My assistant in the office, Sarita, has the mission briefing for you.”
    Mac bit back his immediate reaction. He wanted to stay nearby as Katherine Lincoln went through the tests. Hiding his expression, because he knew Therese was more than just a loyal worker to Garcia, he said, “Of course. I’ll go up to the office and get the info.” He turned to Katherine, whose own expression was unreadable. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Lincoln.”
    “Likewise,” Kathy said. She kept her voice purposefully cool.
    “Come with me. You must be hungry. Some tea, perhaps? Let us go to my office and I’ll fill you in on some information, Señorita Lincoln.”
    Yeah, right. Information, hell. Therese was going to set her up for the tests. When Coulter turned and sauntered toward the first large green stucco villa, she panicked inside. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Mac Coulter represented stability, a friend in an enemy land.Her heart pounding with fear, Kathy wrestled with the panic deep inside her.
    Without a word, she followed the assistant down a concrete walk to a smaller building that was attached to the first one by an enclosed walkway. If she hadn’t been so scared, she’d have scanned the compound closely. As it was, she saw a few soldiers in military garb here and there, heavily armed, walking the perimeter of the ten-foot-tall stucco wall that surrounded the massive estate. There was nowhere to run. No way to escape. She was committed more than ever now. With her life…
     
    “A RE YOU READY , señorita? ” Therese called. She stood at one end of the huge gymnasium with its spotless, waxed pine floor. The building housed an Olympic-size swimming pool and a full-size basketball court.
    Kathy wore gray sweatpants, tennis shoes and a light gray tank top, perfect attire for the ordeal ahead. Throughout lunch at Therese’s office, the woman had talked about the trials that Kathy had to undertake. In her husky voice, the assistant had asked if Kathy was willing to be tested. She’d assured her that, if she didn’t want to, she would immediately be flown back to Lima and put on a flight home to Canada. Kathy had said in a strained tone that she’d try to pass the tests. Therese seemed relieved and very pleased with her decision, praising her courage.
    As she stood on the thin tumbling pads spread across the gym floor, Kathy waited to see