Mind Game

by Iris Johansen

  The bitch would do as she threatened, he thought savagely. He struggled to smother the anger and the bloodlust. Later.

  Now he would work and give the cobra what she wanted and decide later how to make it bite her in the heart.

  He put his rifle down and punched in a number on his cell phone. “Jacob, I need you here in Scotland. Bring your equipment.”

  CHAPTER

  10

  “They’re coming back early.” Lisa was frowning as she watched MacDuff and Jock walk out of the heavy mist. “It’s not even sundown. Yesterday they didn’t show up until almost nine. Do you think that something went wrong with the lights?”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me. Something always appears to go wrong with the lights.” Jane looked up from her canvas with a mischievous grin. “Admit it, you’re not really worried about the lights. You’re frantically doing math and ingredient adjustments in your head to make certain your dinner won’t take a hit because you thought you had more time.”

  “It would have helped if they’d called and let me know.” She grimaced. “Dear God, did that come from me? Only three days and I sound like the nagging wife in a sitcom. It’s good that I’m almost well.”

  Not so good, Jane thought. It was true that Lisa had made tremendous strides in the last three days, but she wasn’t as well as she claimed. She was just impatient and had conquered every challenge she had set herself. She knew that Caleb had kept his word and called Lisa every evening, but when she got off the phone, she was always restless and brooding. For heaven’s sake, she was only nineteen. What could she expect? But she wasn’t about to argue with her right now. Tackle it later, when she knew what problems MacDuff was facing.

  “Well, neither of them appear to be too depressed.” Jane put her brush down and watched them come around the bank. “Maybe it’s just a little glitch.”

  Lisa brightened. “And maybe it’s something that I can turn into a new job opportunity. What do you think?”

  “I think that you’re optimistic. You hit MacDuff with that yesterday.”

  “But today, something changed.” She gave Jane a sly glance. “Maybe Cira told him she’d chosen me to be his primary gofer out in the mist. You said yourself that your Eve told you that—”

  “And you only believe what you want to believe. You’re very cynical for a youngster.”

  “But you told me you were a realist, too.” She was cocking her head and looking at Jane’s canvas. “But that’s not true. That picture of your little brother is like a love song. Very soppy. No kid looks like that.”

  Jane’s lips twitched. “No?”

  “No, some of them are cute. But they don’t—”

  “I yield to your vast expertise on the subject,” she said, interrupting Lisa. “You’re right: I’m merely a sister who sees qualities in him because I’m besotted.”

  “You’re making fun of me,” Lisa said. “Okay, my mother used to tell me I saw things in Seth that weren’t there, either. She was wrong. It doesn’t matter. It’s going to be a wonderful portrait anyway.”

  “Thank you. Then you won’t mind if I continue to see him from the heart and not the mind?”

  She shook her head. “It’s kind of … nice.” She turned to Jock, who was now only several yards away. “Is something wrong? You said the transformers were going in well.”

  “They are, but MacDuff got a call while we were in the middle of installing them and said we had to get back to camp.” Jock smiled. “I made no objection. I think you promised us some exotic delight of a Calcutta dish tonight, didn’t you?”

  “Which takes time. I might have to put it off until tomorrow.”

  “I think you’ll have time,” MacDuff said as he came up behind Jock and unslung his backpack. “As long as you keep the coffee coming for a while. Or maybe I’ll break out the wine.”

  “Wine?” Jane’s gaze narrowed on his face. “Is this a celebration?” Her eyes widened. “Did you find something in the mist today?”

  He chuckled. “Aye, this is a celebration. And, no, I found nothing but that constant damnable cold and dampness today.” He turned to Lisa. “But don’t the meals you’ve been serving deserve fine wines?”

  “Of course. I was going to suggest it. But wines should breathe, and you’re usually hungry when you come back from the mist,” Lisa said. “And that’s not the celebration, is it?”

  “No.” He looked at his watch. “It’s more of a surprise for Jane. The call I got was from Darren, one of the perimeter guards.”

  “A surprise?” Jane was frowning. She looked at Jock. “What’s this about?”

  Jock held up his hands. “It’s MacDuff’s surprise. Let him tell you. The bastard just saw fit to tell me today.”

  “Well, actually, I was merely an instrument.” MacDuff was grinning. “As you’ll agree, we all are on occasion.” He glanced up the slope toward the road. “But the wielder of that instrument should be getting out of the car now, so I believe you should go to meet and greet, Jane.”

  “What?” Jane’s gaze followed MacDuff’s to the road. She saw nothing and had no idea what MacDuff was—

  Then she heard a car door slam.

  The next moment, she saw the sunlight shining on red-brown hair.

  “Eve?” she whispered.

  “Come help me, Jane,” Eve called as she moved from the road toward the slope. “I have to stay up here to keep an eye on Michael in the car. And I don’t want him being introduced to Gaelkar by rolling down this steep slope.” She laughed. “Though he’d probably love it.”

  “You brought Michael?” Jane was tearing up the slope. “Why? What are you doing—” She reached Eve and enfolded her in a bear hug. “Is something wrong? Where’s Joe? Why didn’t you—”

  “Hush.” Eve was chuckling as she returned the hug. “Give me a chance. Though I know I let myself in for this when I didn’t tell you what I intended to do.”

  “MacDuff said a surprise.” Jane took a step back. “That’s an understatement. Why, Eve?” She had a sudden thought. “It wasn’t because of Lisa? I told you that we have her safe.”

  She shook her head. “Well, I told you that Joe would be disappointed, but these particular plans had nothing to do with Lisa.”

  “Michael?” She had a vague memory of Eve’s saying something about how she’d like to have a painting of Michael at the lake. But she hadn’t thought that Eve had been that serious.

  “Oh, yes. Michael was a huge part of it. I’ll explain everything if you give me a chance.” Eve smiled. “Now stop guessing and help me to get down this slope with both Michael and my dignity intact. I left him in the car until I could flag down some help.”

  Jane followed her toward the black Toyota rental car. “You left him with Joe?”

  “No, Joe had something else to take care of, so we decided I should bring him on my own.” She opened the passenger door. “Michael didn’t mind. Everything is an adventure to him. We’re just his guides on the path.”

  “I’ll take him.” Jane was already unfastening his car seat. “Hi, Michael,” she said softly. “I’ve missed you. I think you’re going to like it here.”

  He was smiling, his tea-colored eyes bright and shining as they looked up at her. He reached out and gently touched her cheek. “Jane.”

  “Right.” She turned her face and kissed his palm. “You’d better remember me. I’ve spent a heck of a lot of time living with that last sketch of you I did.”

  “I always remember.” He touched her hair. “Jane … and mist.”

  Her eyes widened and they flew to Eve. “Mist? That’s weird. Did you—”

  “No,” she said quickly. “But who knows what he might have picked up. I always think of that song ‘Children Will Listen.’ We’re lucky he doesn’t repeat anything obscene … yet.” She grabbed a brown duffel out of the backseat. “Let’s go. I’ll come back later for the rest.”

  “No, you won’t.” Jock was suddenly beside them and taking Michael from Jane. “
Grab that other suitcase and I’ll take the lad. We’ve got to get down there fast or we’ll have Lisa climbing that slope to help you. Jane would not be pleased. She’s been tactfully trying to keep Lisa from doing damage to herself for the last three days.” He held Michael up above his head. “Good day to you,” he said to him. “You’ve grown since I last saw you. I’m Jock.”

  Michael nodded and a brilliant smile lit his face. “Cara’s Jock.”

  An indefinable emotion flickered across Jock’s face. “Aye, something like that. Clever of you to make the connection.” He brought him down and then lifted him on his shoulders. “Hold tight. We’re going fast and hard.”

  Michael was squealing and laughing uncontrollably as he rode Jock’s shoulders while he ran down the steep slope.

  Jane and Eve stood at the top and watched them. So much joy and beauty in this moment, Jane thought. The sun shining on the child’s chestnut hair and Jock, who was as beautiful in his way as Michael.

  “Come on.” Eve took her arm. “Michael’s body clock must be out of kilter, but he should still eat something. He didn’t want to have anything on the plane.” Her gaze was searching the people below. “And that must be Lisa.” She smiled. “Restless, lovely, and she’s coming toward us, looking determined.” She hurried forward down the slope. “Lisa, I’m Eve Duncan.” She extended her hand. “I’m very happy to meet you. I guess Jane has told you that I feel I have a connection with you.”

  “She told me,” Lisa said. Her voice was polite but reserved. “I know she’s happy you’re here. If there’s anything I can do to help you, let me know.”

  Eve’s gaze searched her face. “I certainly will. Did she also tell you how grateful I am to your brother? I consider him my good friend, and I can never pay him back for all he’s done for me.”

  “No.” She was still reserved, but the ice was melting. “You should be grateful. He’s wonderful. I’m glad he could help you.”

  “So am I.” She looked at Michael, whom Jock was still holding. “With all my heart. And I hope we can be friends, too.”

  Lisa nodded. “That might be … nice.” She turned away. “If there’s nothing I can do for you, will you excuse me? I have to start dinner. Is there anything I should make for your son?”

  “I’ll come and look everything over after I say hello to MacDuff. I brought some food with me, but Michael usually likes everything.”

  “Fine.” Lisa moved toward the campfire. “I’ll see you then.”

  “Not easy,” Eve murmured, looking after her. “But then, you told me she wasn’t.”

  “You hit the right note. She adores Caleb.”

  “And she likes you,” Eve said. “It was obvious. It was you she wanted to help, not me.”

  “Well, I like her,” Jane said. “I think you will, too.” She chuckled. “Though she couldn’t believe that Michael could ever be as wonderful in real life as in my painting. I know you’ll hold that against her.”

  “Not at all. She’s ignorant and misguided. Michael will straighten her out.”

  “While I straighten you out.” She took the duffel Eve was carrying. “I’ll take these up to your tent while you chat with MacDuff. I can’t believe you were able to con him into letting you come and surprise me.”

  “Believe it. And more. I’m going to owe MacDuff a great deal before this is over.” Her eyes were suddenly twinkling. “But I think the laird will enjoy being able to tap on that gratitude if he gets the chance. It’s his nature. After all, he’s descended from Highlanders and border bandits.”

  “And Cira.”

  Eve looked out at the mist on the lake and said softly, “Yes, we mustn’t forget Cira.”

  “And we mustn’t forget that you haven’t told me what you’re doing here,” Jane said pointedly.

  “You wouldn’t let me, my dear. But this isn’t the time.” She turned and headed for MacDuff. “Later, Jane…”

  * * *

  “That meal was incredible.” Eve took a sip of her merlot and gazed out at the moonlight glinting on the lake. “Is Lisa always that good?”

  “Often better. And in three days she’s whipped MacDuff’s executive affairs back into shape so that he can at least deal with them in his spare time while he’s on the hunt.” She reached over and tucked the throw higher over Michael, who was curled up asleep on the grass a few feet away. “She’s remarkable, and I don’t believe that we have any idea of the depths of how remarkable. Every time I turn around, she shows me something new. It’s as if she’s been learning and gathering little nuggets all her life and hid all that skill and knowledge beneath that facade of defiance and rebellion.” She shrugged. “And maybe she did. Caleb wanted her to hide her psychic talents while she was growing up; perhaps she closed herself off in other ways.”

  “Possibly. But she’s beginning to open those doors now. Interesting.”

  “Fascinating. I’m enjoying her tremendously … sometimes.” She sipped her wine. “When I don’t have to be on guard that she’ll do something that will hurt her. The salvation for both of us has been that she’s kept herself busy. Now she wants to help MacDuff in the mist. We’ll see if he gives in on it.”

  “Well, maybe we’ll be able to give her something else to do instead.” She smiled. “If she’d be willing to help. She did offer, didn’t she?”

  “Eve.” Jane’s eyes were suddenly narrowed on her face. “What are you up to?”

  “You sound like a mother suspicious of a mischievous child.” Eve’s smile widened. “Don’t worry, I think you’ll like this. Though it may surprise you. It surprised me.”

  Her eyes widened. “Good God, you’re pregnant again.”

  Eve’s jaw dropped and then she threw back her head and laughed uproariously. When she could finally speak, she said, “In my wildest dreams I never thought you’d go in that direction. No, Michael is quite enough for me at present.” She looked at the sleeping child and her face softened with love. “More than enough. I’ve just come to believe that we should try to be more than enough for him. Take all the extra steps to keep him safe and secure.”

  “With you and Joe as parents, there’s no question that Michael will be both,” Jane said. “And you know I’ll be here for him forever.”

  “Yes, I know that’s true.” Eve reached out and covered Jane’s hand with her own. “And I couldn’t be happier to trust him to you if it became necessary. You’re everything he would need.” She shook her head. “But Joe and I have no intention of giving you our son anytime soon. Forget it. Life’s too good with him around.”

  “That goes without saying,” Jane said. “Then what the hell extra steps are you talking about? You’re driving me crazy.”

  “Sorry. It’s just one extra step that’s going to happen here at Gaelkar.” Her smile was gone and her hand tightened on Jane’s. “I asked MacDuff’s permission to arrange for Joe and I to be married here.”

  “What?” Jane stared at her, stunned. “Married?”

  Eve chuckled. “That was my reaction when I made the decision. And Joe’s was even more extreme. He practically went into shock.”

  “You’ve been living together for years and you’ve never seen fit to get married. I just assumed that it was the choice you’d made. I didn’t know if you’d even discussed it.”

  “We discussed it. For years after I lost Bonnie, our relationship was very rocky. I was obsessed, and he couldn’t stand the pain I was going through. We weren’t even sure it would survive while we were trying to find her killer. Then, later, it was so solid and secure that saying words in a registry or chapel didn’t seem necessary.” She added softly, “We knew what we had and that love was the only thing that was important.”

  “But that’s changed now?”

  “No, that’s still the only thing that’s important.” She smiled. “But we’re ready to let the world in to see what they’re missing.” She made a face. “In exchange for making Michael’s life easier by letting bureaucracy take him under its wi
ng.”

  “Easier?”

  “Entrance into medical facilities, schools, anything that requires the system to work. The world runs on the concept of certain rules of behavior and family order. I want everything to go smoothly for him. We adopted you when you were ten, and thank heaven you were healthy and didn’t require hospitalization at any time. But when we entered you in college, it was a nightmare of paperwork.”

  “I remember. I was a street kid who’d lived in dozens of foster homes. There weren’t any good records of who my real parents were.”

  “And Joe and I had to sign medical permission slips for each other because we weren’t married. Bureaucracy, again. Times are changing, but bureaucracy keeps growing.”

  “And you want to eliminate that hurdle for Michael.”

  “All the hurdles. Of course, I’m not going to be able to do that. But maybe I can help get rid of this one.”

  “Maybe you can. How do you feel about it?” She gazed at Eve searchingly. “It’s not only Michael. It’s you and Joe.”

  “How do I feel about it?” She was silent, thinking. “I don’t have any experience with the conventional happy home. I’m illegitimate; Bonnie was born out of wedlock, too. Joe’s parents were married, but it didn’t make for a happy home or family. You came into our lives when you were ten and those years with you couldn’t have been happier, but they weren’t ordinary, either. In the end, I believe the only important things are love and family. Joe and I are fantastically blessed in that department, and I can’t imagine an official document making it any better. But if that document makes it a little easier for Michael to negotiate a few of the pitfalls of this world, then it will make me happy.” She looked at Jane. “Is that enough of an answer?”

  Jane nodded. “Anything that makes you happy is the right answer.” She could feel her eyes sting with tears. “But why here? Why now?”

  “Michael is almost two. You said yourself that he’s changing all the time. He’ll have to face the world sooner than we think. I figured it was time to start putting preparations in motion.” She looked out at the lake. “Why here? I kept thinking about Cira and her son Marcus and the mist. I kept thinking how close I felt to Joe when we were here when I was pregnant with Michael. It’s totally private and there won’t be any question of publicity of any sort. It just seemed the right place.” She smiled. “And you were here. I couldn’t tell how long you’d be tied up with MacDuff’s treasure hunt, so I arranged to come to you.”