Eve

by Iris Johansen

And after that she was dead and thrown away like his other victims.

  Like Bonnie.

  “We’ve got to get her away from him.”

  “Yes.” He had reached into his pocket to pull out his phone. He looked up a number and dialed.

  “Who are you calling?”

  “St. Louis County Hospital. I want to check on Judy. It would be nice if we could be sure that little girl will still have a mother if we can save her.”

  Eve listened as he talked to the hospital authorities. When he hung up, she asked, “She’s still alive?”

  He nodded. “But they wouldn’t give me any details. Hospitals are careful who they give information to these days. If there’s any chance to live, Judy will grab it. She’s always been a fighter.”

  “And she’ll want to live for her daughter. She made Catherine promise to save her.”

  John nodded. “Completely unfair to your friend, but that’s how the ruthless maternal streak works. You’d understand and empathize.”

  “Absolutely.” She glanced at him. “And it is ruthless. I may be able to think rationally about Queen, but Paul Black is a different matter. I have to find Bonnie, and I have to kill her murderer. There’s no question about it.” She looked back at the lake and suddenly shivered. The water looked cold, the entire forest appeared silent and without warmth or life. Was it because she was thinking of death? Or was it some kind of harbinger of things to come?

  “Are you cold?”

  “A little.” She turned back to the cabin. “The sun is down. It’s time we went back.”

  “You go on.” He leaned back against a tall pine. “I’ll stay here for a while. I’ll watch you until you get inside the cabin.”

  She didn’t argue. She had an uneasy feeling that … it was almost as if she was being watched. But there could be no one watching in this very private sanctuary.

  She glanced back over her shoulder to see John still leaning against the tree beside the lake. His gaze was on her, but there was a remoteness about him that was as chilling as everything surrounding him.

  She was glad to get inside the cabin and slam the door. Imagination. They were getting close to Bonnie’s murderer, and Eve’s nerves were raw and on edge. It was no wonder that she wasn’t thinking with any degree of clarity.

  The remedy was to get her mind working on a real problem and solution.

  Catherine. She still had to call Catherine.

  She reached for her phone and quickly dialed.

  “I’m in Milwaukee. I just got off the plane from St. Louis,” Catherine said, when she picked up the call. “Where are you? Still at the Marriott?”

  “No, we’re at a cabin in the woods about seventy miles from the city.” She paused. “Queen should be on his way to Milwaukee. John told him that he’d give him a ledger he desperately wants if he could get Black to release Cara Clark.”

  “Fat chance. I saw what he did to that kid’s mother and grandmother. He likes what he does. I can’t see him giving up another kill because Queen wants him to do it.”

  “Neither does John. But he’s hoping for a distraction.”

  “And I’m thinking Queen will go for a double cross,” Catherine said. “But we might be able to use that, too.”

  “Listen, Catherine, I know you have a stake in finding Black, too. But you can’t kill him until I can talk to him. I have to be certain he killed Bonnie. I have to know what happened and where I can find her.”

  “It’s going to be hard to remember that when I think about that kid, Cara, watching what Black did to her mother. But I promise I won’t do anything that will hurt you, Eve. How is Queen arriving? Military or commercial?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I’m thinking commercial. He’s crooked, and he tries to keep MI from knowing anything about his less legal moves. I believe I’ll stick around here at the airport and see if I can spot Queen.”

  “And then what?”

  “I’ll play it by ear.” She paused. “I just called the hospital. Judy Clark is out of ICU. They think she’ll make it.”

  “Wonderful. John called and inquired, but they wouldn’t tell him anything.”

  “It’s a murder case. They probably weren’t sure that he wasn’t checking to see if he had to go to the hospital and finish the job. It’s a cynical world.”

  “And you were just as doubtful about him.”

  “Not anymore. Not about this murder. But that doesn’t mean I’m convinced he’s one of the good guys. A good guy doesn’t dope you and lug you to his lair in Utah.” She went on before Eve could answer. “I’ll call you if I find out anything interesting. Have you talked to Joe?”

  “No.”

  “Neither have I lately. He called once, and I ignored it, so that I wouldn’t have to lie to him. But you will hear from him. Joe isn’t going to let you fall off the face of the earth. Particularly since he knows Black is surfacing.”

  “I’m hoping that it will all be over before—”

  “Don’t fool yourself.” Catherine hung up.

  Eve wasn’t about to deceive herself that she had anything but the smallest chance of keeping Joe away from the danger to come. Yet she had to take that chance. Her world was chaos, and she had to keep Joe away from it.

  She went to the window and gazed out. It was nearly dark, and John was a dark shadow against the paler gray shadow of the lake. He was very still. His head lifted, as if he was listening.

  What was he hearing?

  Sounds of the forest?

  Voices?

  Did you hear voices, John Gallo?

  And she must still doubt his sanity if she thought that there was a possibility that he did.

  And what voices?

  The voices of men you’ve killed?

  Bonnie’s voice?

  He was straightening, turning away, coming back to the cabin.

  She whirled away from the window, feeling a bolt of panic, as if caught intruding. She went to the stove and put on the coffeepot.

  But the question stayed with her.

  Bonnie’s voice?

  * * *

  CATHERINE DIALED VENABLE AS soon as she hung up from Eve. “I have to know when Queen is arriving in Milwaukee,” she said curtly. “He’s probably on commercial. Can you get it for me right away?”

  “Your wish is my command,” Venable said sarcastically. “You do know that the St. Louis police have been making inquiries about you? They want to know if you might have turned rogue.”

  “It was Paul Black. But Queen is up to his eyebrows in this shit. I have to get that kid away from Black. Can you get me the info on Queen?”

  “I’ll get it. Anything else?”

  “Equipment. Active-infrared night-vision glasses. Guns. I couldn’t take mine on the plane.” She had another thought. “The latest version of Celltec our people have managed to develop. Deliver it to me at the Milwaukee airport right away.”

  “And how do you know I have contacts in Milwaukee?”

  “You have contacts everywhere.”

  He swore beneath his breath. “You’ll have them.” He hung up.

  And he would deliver as promised. Venable didn’t like the idea of the kid being taken. He wasn’t a bad guy if his duty didn’t get in the way of his sense of right and wrong. Duty always won hands down in that case. She had learned that through bitter experience.

  But he’d come through this time.

  She turned and headed for the bar in the terminal to wait for Venable to call her back.

  * * *

  “HE’S ON DELTA 105 AND SHOULD be arriving at eight fifteen,” Venable said. “Did you get your equipment?”

  “Delivered thirty minutes ago. Very prompt, Venable.”

  “Thank you. I always like to please you. It was hard as hell to get my hands on that Celltec.” He paused. “Be careful, Catherine.”

  “Queen should be no problem.”

  “He can recognize you. You’re very memorable.”

  “I’ll s
tay out of his sight. That’s why you got me the latest version of Celltec. I can tap into any of his calls from halfway across the airport.”

  “See that you do.” He hung up.

  Catherine checked her watch. Thirty minutes before Queen’s flight arrival. Time to position herself and get ready.

  And hope Queen called Paul Black as soon as he reached the terminal. Otherwise it might get very dicey if she had to follow him to another location.

  * * *

  PAUL BLACK WAS REFUSING to answer his phone, dammit.

  The bastard always tries to dominate me, Queen thought. He could imagine Black sitting there smiling as he let the phone ring.

  Queen stopped at the baggage claim and dialed again.

  That time it rang four times, but Black finally answered.

  “I told you I was handling this,” Black said. “I don’t want you whining at me about the kid. We’re getting along just fine, aren’t we, Cara? She understands the rules now.”

  “I’m not going to argue with you about her any longer. There’s so much publicity that you can’t let her live. It would be too awkward. Just be sure that she totally disappears. Where are you?”

  “Just outside Milwaukee.”

  “Gallo and Duncan aren’t at the Marriott any longer.”

  “I didn’t believe they’d stay there for long. But I have you to tell me where they are, don’t I? Why do you think I answered your call?”

  “You didn’t answer the first call,” Queen said sourly.

  “Where are they?”

  “I don’t know. I have to find out. Gallo knows about what happened in St. Louis. He thinks you’re going to try to use the kid.”

  “Because he’s a very smart man. Is Duncan still with him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then that will make it easier. She reportedly has a soft heart where children are concerned.”

  “And a very hard heart where you’re concerned. She’s sure you killed her daughter.”

  “Is she? Then that will be a double reason for her to lose her perspective when we start negotiating.”

  Queen hesitated. “Gallo is pressuring me to become involved. He wants me to persuade you to give up Cara Clark.”

  Black laughed. “Good God. He doesn’t realize what he’s asking, does he? He believes I’ll listen to you?”

  Queen could feel anger flush his cheeks with heat at the sheer arrogance of the words. “He knows I hire you. It would be natural to think that you have respect for my opinion.”

  Black ignored his answer. “And what did you tell him? That you have no influence on me?”

  “No, I thought that we might find a way to trap him. I just arrived at the Milwaukee airport, and I hoped we could work together to get the ledger.” He paused. “You do remember that the ledger is the primary goal in this exercise, Black. Everything else is of minor importance.”

  “He’ll give me the ledger to keep me from killing the little girl.”

  And Gallo would have no more trust in Black’s restraint than Queen did. They both knew his word was without value. “You make the first contact, then let’s discuss it. I can find a way to lead Gallo and Duncan to you. Then we need to get the job done quickly.”

  Black was silent. “I’ll consider it.” He added, “I’m not sure that I want to get out quickly. I promised myself some fine hunting. Cara would be disappointed.”

  Queen stifled his impatience. Black had to be handled carefully or Queen would never get his hands on the ledger. “Just get me the ledger, and you can do all the hunting you want to do. But you’ll have more time to play with the kid if we take care of Gallo and Duncan first. And I can help you with them. You can see that, can’t you?”

  “If you don’t get in my way.”

  “It will be your rules. Just make the contact. I’ll be standing by.”

  “I’ll let you know.” Black hung up.

  Queen felt a surge of fierce satisfaction as he shoved his phone in his pocket. He had made progress. Once Black thought about it, he would probably agree to let Queen become part of his plans. Black was clearly more interested in the processing of his precious kills than anything else. Once involved, Queen could make the move to assume control.

  He picked up his carry-on and moved toward the entrance to pick up his rental car.

  * * *

  “THERE’S SOME CANNED BEEF stew in the cupboard,” John said as he opened the door. “We might as well eat something.”

  “I’m not—” But she was hungry, she realized. They hadn’t eaten all day. They had even missed the breakfast John had ordered that morning at the hotel. “Why not? You heat it, and I’ll wash some bowls to serve it.”

  He nodded and headed for the cabinets. “That sounds like a plan.”

  It was strange yet oddly comfortable working with John to prepare the simple meal. The momentary uneasiness she’d experienced earlier was gradually disappearing. But the curiosity remained, and she yielded to it when they were almost finished eating.

  “I was watching you before you came back to the cabin.” She didn’t look at him as she spooned up the last of the stew in her bowl. “You looked as if you were listening to something. Were you communing with nature?”

  “Nothing so spiritual. My uncle taught me to identify the sounds of the forest. He said someday it could keep me alive. I was concentrating and seeing how much I remembered.” He was studying her expression. “You looked a little spooked when I came into the cabin. What did you think I was doing?” He nodded slowly. “You’re not sure of me. What was your first thought?”

  She hesitated and then said honestly, “Voices.”

  His brows rose. “Schizophrenia?”

  “You said you had delusions in the hospital.”

  “But not lately. I like to believe I’m on the up path.”

  “Yet you told me the first time you called me that you had moments of instability.”

  “And I do.” He smiled faintly. “Did I really appear to be listening to voices? Who did you suppose was whispering in my ear? An angel or the devil? No, I’ve never heard either entity singing to me in this forest.”

  “Nor anywhere else?”

  His eyes narrowed on her face. “Why are you being so persistent?”

  Say it. Don’t back down. “I was wondering if … Bonnie.”

  “You thought that I was imagining I heard Bonnie’s voice? A voice from the dead?” He shook his head. “I’m not that crazy, Eve.”

  “Crazy? I know someone who would argue that with you.” She tried to smile. “My friend, Megan, hears voices from the dead, and she’s one of the sanest people I know.”

  “You believe her?”

  “Sometimes it’s difficult not to believe her. Though I was more skeptical than you in the beginning.” She picked up her coffee cup. “But now I believe that there are many things out there that defy understanding or reality itself. You experienced one in that prison when Bonnie came to you.”

  “What are you getting at?”

  “You told me that you’d dreamed of Bonnie even after she was killed. How many times?”

  He stiffened. “Not often.”

  “Did the dreams come when you were in the depths of despair? When you desperately needed someone, something?”

  He was silent, then slowly nodded. “Yes.”

  “And what kind of dreams, John? Was she so real that you felt as if you could reach out and touch her? After they were over, did you feel a sense of peace?”

  “God, yes,” he said hoarsely. “Bonnie was— Why are you asking me these questions?”

  “Why do you think?” She met his gaze. “How do you think I survived after she died?”

  “You dreamed of Bonnie?”

  “I dreamed, I hallucinated, I had fantasies. I told myself I was doing all of those things in the beginning. I didn’t care. I had my daughter again. Then, gradually, I began to believe her when she told me that she was not a dream.” She smiled as she lifted her cup t
o her lips. “So if that’s crazy, then you’re not alone in your moments of madness, John.”

  He didn’t speak for a moment. “This wasn’t easy for you. It leaves you a little vulnerable. Why did you tell me?”

  “The same reason that I told you all about Bonnie from the day of her birth. I felt perhaps I owed it to you.” She shook her head. “And to let you know that if you begin to think that visits from Bonnie are a sign of craziness, then at least you’re not alone in that particular madness. We share it.”

  “And another experience that draws us together. As I said, if you’re trying to distance yourself from me, then it’s going to be more difficult.”

  “I’ll worry about that later.” She gave him a level glance. “I’m very confused about how I feel about you, John. There are times when I’m suspicious as hell and wonder if you’re the best con man on the planet. There are other times when I believe you’re as crazy as Joe and Catherine told me and could be a Mr. Hyde waiting to strike. But I have to rely on my instincts where Bonnie is concerned. I believe you loved her.”

  He inclined his head. “And so you’re willing to take a chance on me.”

  “Yes, because I believe she must love you, too.”

  His head jerked back as if she’d struck him. “I wasn’t expecting that. I don’t deserve her to feel anything for me. I wasn’t there for her.”

  “Maybe it doesn’t matter to her.”

  “It has to matter.” His voice was suddenly rough. “It matters to me.” He pushed back his chair and strode over to the front door and threw it open. He stood framed in the doorway, his legs parted, the moonlight glinting on his dark hair, gazing out into the darkness. “I’ve had enough talk about Bonnie, and voices, and things that go bump in the night. All I want to think about is getting Paul Black and killing the son of a bitch. Why doesn’t he call?”

  Eve could see the barely contained violence in every muscle of his body. Yes, it did matter, and the guilt and blame he felt must be a constant thorn. She stood up and started to stack the dishes. “You can’t want it any more than I do. But I guess I’m more accustomed to things that go bump in the night than you are.” She carried the dishes over to the sink. “I’ve gotten to expect it.”

  He glanced back over his shoulder. “Yet you were always the complete realist as a young girl.”