The Killing Game ed-2

by Iris Johansen

  “I’ll take care of it."

  "No offense, ma’am, but it could mean the little girl is—"

  "I’ll take care of it, Herb." Her hand tightened on the doll. "Thank you for your concern."

  "I think you should reconsider—"

  "Go away" She stopped and tempered the sharpness of her tone. "I’m sorry. I’m upset. I need to be alone to think about this. I don’t want you to call anyone, not even Mr. Logan. Do you understand?"

  "I understand."

  But he didn’t say he wouldn’t do it. Why should he? Logan paid his salary. "Not even Mr.

  Logan," she repeated, and then gave him an out. "At least, not until tomorrow. Okay?"

  He shrugged. "I guess so. Juan and I will both patrol the grounds tonight. You don’t have to worry."

  "Thank you."

  Not worry? Dom had been close enough to toss this savaged doll practically on her front The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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  doorstep.

  Booker still didn’t move.

  "Good-bye, Herb." She went into the living room and a moment later heard the front door close behind him.

  She sat down on the couch, took out her digital phone, and laid it on the coffee table in front of her.

  And waited for him to call her.

  It was almost midnight when the phone rang. "Just a reminder," Dom said.

  "What’s wrong? Did you get tired of sending me bones?" There was a surprised silence. "You’re angry.”

  “You bet I am."

  "What an interesting development."

  “Did you expect me to sit shivering in the dark, you son of a bitch?”

  “I didn’t really think about it. As I said, I only meant it to remind you of what was important in your life. I believe you may be forgetting."

  "Important? You?"

  "Yes. Right now there’s no one more important to you than I am.”

  “Screw you." She hung up.

  The phone rang again five minutes later. She ignored it.

  It rang four times more in the next hour. She didn’t answer.

  It was after two in the morning when Joe came home.

  She was still sitting on the couch, holding the doll, when he walked into the living room.

  He took one look at the doll and then at her expression. "Shit. What the hell happened?"

  "Dom tossed it onto the driveway. Herb didn’t tell you?"

  He shook his head. "I was wondering why they were both at the gate when I drove in. Did he call?"

  "Yes."

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  He fell to his knees before her. "Bad?"

  "The bastard’s always bad. It’s what he does." Her voice was shaking. "He thought I wasn’t paying enough attention to him. He wanted to remind me that he was still around."

  He gently stroked her hair back from her face. "You could hardly forget.”

  “That isn’t enough for him. He wants to dominate my life. He wants to be my life."

  She looked down at the doll. "He tossed this ugliness at me so I’d remember Bonnie and Jane and all those other—‘

  "Shh."

  "Don’t shush me. I won’t have it." She jumped to her feet. "You’re treating me like the victim he wants me to be. I won’t be a victim. I won’t let him run my life."

  "Easy." He rose to his feet. "I’m not the enemy here, Eve."

  "I know." She took a step closer and buried her head in his shoulder. "Hold me." He carefully slid his arms around her.

  "No, dammit." She pressed against him. "Hold me." He went still. "Are we talking about what I think we are?”

  “I won’t think of him. I won’t think of death. That’s what he wants me to do. I want to live."

  "And you’re equating sex with life?"

  "Aren’t they the same thing? If not, I don’t know what the hell all the shouting is about."

  "Sex can be a big part of life."

  "I won’t let him do this to me. I’m not going to sit around and wait for him to come knocking on the door or dictate to me. I’ll do what I damn well please."

  "Your declaration of tenderness is amazing."

  "Do you think I don’t know it’s not fair to you? But you want it. You told me you wanted it. Have you changed your mind?"

  "Hell, no." His lips firmed. "But this isn’t what I had in mind.”

  “It’s not what I had in mind either. But I won’t have him—" Christ what was she doing? This was Joe. Where were all her good intentions? Tears were suddenly running down her cheeks. "I’m sorry. Forget it. I don’t know what I was thinking. Hell, I wasn’t thinking. I was only feeling. Try to forgive me. I must have gone a little crazy. He made me so damn—"

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  The digital phone rang.

  "Don’t answer it. It’s him. I hung up on him and he keeps calling back.”

  “Turn off the phone."

  "Then he’d know he’d won.”

  “Are you sure it’s him?"

  "It’s Dom. I upset him. He wasn’t getting what he wanted from me." She picked up the ringing phone and stuffed it in her purse. "He expected more of a payoff from that doll." She handed it to him. "You might as well give it to Spiro, see if he can get anything from it or trace it."

  "I’ll do that." His gaze narrowed on her face. "Are you okay?”

  “Other than going temporarily insane, I’m in great shape," she said jerkily. She turned on her heel. "I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning."

  "Yes."

  The phone had stopped ringing by the time she had showered and gotten into bed. Maybe he’d given up. Thank God he didn’t know the damage he’d almost done.

  No, that she’d almost done. She had to accept responsibility for her own actions. Anger and frustration were only excuses.

  She reached over and turned out the light. "You shouldn’t have done that. I wanted to see you."

  Joe was standing in the doorway, a dark figure silhouetted by the light in the hall. An unmistakably naked figure.

  "No," she whispered.

  "Too late." He came toward her. "I’ve been invited.”

  “I told you I’d made a mistake. I said I was sorry."

  "I’m not. You caught me off guard down there and hurt my ego. But once I had time to sort things out, I realized that opportunity was knocking."

  "I didn’t want to hurt your ego," she said unevenly. "I don’t want to hurt you at all, Joe. That’s why this can’t happen."

  "You want it to happen."

  "No."

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  "Dom may have triggered it, but it must have been on your mind or it wouldn’t have occurred to you."

  "Of course I’ve been thinking about it. You made sure of that. I’m human, dammit."

  "And I mean to make the most of it. It’s been a night of revelations. You actually said you wanted to live. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say that." He lifted the blanket. "Scoot over. I’m coming in."

  His naked thigh touched hers.

  She moved over. "It’s a mistake, Joe." His hand covered her breast. "Never." She couldn’t breathe. "Please."

  His hand was between her thighs. "Do you know I’ve never really kissed you?" She arched upward as his thumb found her. "You’re not kissing me now.”

  “I’ll get around to it. I’ll get around to everyth— My God, you’re ready for me. I thought I’d have to—"

  Her digital phone rang. Joe muttered a curse.

  She whispered, "Turn it off."

  He started to get off the bed and then stopped. "No." He moved back over her. "I promise you won’t hear it soon."

  She cried out as he plunged deep within her. The phone was ringing.

  He moved fast, hard. The phone…

  He lifted her, crushing her to him as he moved deeper, fast
er. Was the phone still ringing?

  She no longer heard anything but the beat of his heart against her ear.

  "Why didn’t you turn off the phone?" she asked drowsily.

  "Why do you think?" He kissed her breast. "I was busy. Maybe I didn’t want to take the time."

  "Tell me."

  "Ego. I wanted to be more important to you than Dom. I wanted to beat him." He kissed her nose. "You hurt my feelings a little."

  "Not enough to stop you."

  "It would have taken a major catastrophe to stop me. Dom doesn’t qualify.” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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  “He qualifies."

  "He didn’t win, did he? Therefore, he’s out of the running." For the time being.

  "Stop thinking about him." He reached over and turned on the light. "I want to look at you."

  She was blushing. "For heaven’s sake, give me a blanket, Joe." He shook his head. "I’ve wanted to see you like this for too long. Let me have my kicks."

  Not when she felt as if she were melting wherever he looked at her. "Turn off the light. Please."

  "Not until—" He saw her expression and turned off the light. "Maybe later?”

  “Maybe."

  "I forgot you’re not all that experienced in this sport." He pulled her closer. "But you liked it?

  You like me?"

  She didn’t speak.

  He was silent a moment. "After ten years I think I deserve the words." Ten years. She felt tears sting her eyes. "If I weren’t afraid you’d be completely impossible, I’d tell you that you were pretty good."

  "Pretty good?"

  "Very good.”

  “More."

  "A stud, a stallion. Brad Pitt and Casanova rolled into one. I don’t know why Diane ever let you go."

  "She was a smart lady. She knew she deserved more than I could give her. It was a mistake from the beginning."

  She raised herself on one elbow to look down at him. "Why did you marry her, Joe?"

  "It will scare you if I tell you.”

  “The hell it will."

  Silence.

  “Why, Joe?"

  "For you. I married her for you.”

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  “What?"

  "You were too isolated. I thought you needed a friend of your own sex.”

  “You’re kidding."

  "I told you it would scare you.”

  “Men don’t get married to provide—”

  “I did," he said simply.

  She stared at him.

  "You were my center. Everything revolved around you. It was a time in my life when I’d almost given up hope of being anything else to you. I thought I’d chosen someone who could give you the companionship you needed. Diane liked the nice things I could give her, and I honestly tried to make a go of our marriage." He shrugged. "It didn’t turn out the way I hoped."

  "That is scary."

  "Obsessions always are." He put his finger on her lower lip. "As you should know, my love."

  She stiffened.

  "Love," he deliberately repeated. "Get used to it.”

  “I don’t have to get used to anything."

  "No, but you might as well. It will be more comfortable for both of us." He paused. "Don’t be afraid to love me, Eve. I’m not a helpless child who can be taken from you. I’m tough and mean enough to survive for another fifty years or so."

  "I’m not afraid."

  "The hell you’re not." He lowered his head, his lips barely touching her own. "But that’s okay.

  You don’t have to say you love me. I can wait."

  "I don’t love you. Not the way you want me to love you."

  "I think you do." His lips moved back and forth in a gossamer caress. "But if you don’t, that’s okay too."

  "It’s not okay. It’s all wrong. I’m damaged. No one should know that better than you. You should have someone who—"

  "You’re damaged? I’m the one who’s been obsessed for the last ten years.” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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  “It’s not the same. I can’t—"

  "Shh." He moved over her again. "Don’t think. Don’t analyze. Let everything fall into place.

  Enjoy…"

  He was gone when she woke.

  Emptiness.

  Loneliness.

  It was stupid. She was acting as if she’d never slept with a man before. Sex, pleasure, departure—it was the way she liked her relationships. No lingering that might interfere with her work.

  "Time to get up." Joe opened the door and came toward the bed. "It’s almost noon. I called Charlie and he’s on his way back from Azora. He has the photograph."

  She sat upright. "Are you sure I’ll be able to see it?”

  “You can ask Spiro yourself. He’s on his way here.”

  “Why?"

  "To pick up the doll."

  Of course. "You called him this morning?"

  “As soon as I got up. I told the security guys to let him in." He went to the closet. "Hit the shower. I’ll get your clothes. What do you want to wear?"

  "Anything. Jeans… a shirt." She ran into the bathroom and got in the shower. Joe could not have been more cool or businesslike. It was as if last night had never happened. Not that she objected. She would have felt awkward if he’d been any other way. Last night had been too—

  she shook her head. She didn’t want to remember how erotic those hours with Joe had been.

  "Come on. You need to eat before Spiro gets here." It was Joe standing outside the glass shower door. "Hurry."

  "I am hurrying."

  She opened the door, and he enveloped her in a huge bath towel and started patting her dry.

  She reached for the towel. "For God’s sake, I can do that." His gaze dropped to her breasts. "I’m enjoying it." Enjoy.

  She felt heat move through her.

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  "I brought that blue plaid shirt. I like you in blue. Is that okay?”

  “I guess so." She should stop him. The lazy movement of his hands beneath the soft towel was incredibly arousing. For some crazy reason the act seemed as intimate as sex. She moistened her lips. "You never told me you liked blue."

  "I never told you a lot of things." He bent his head and kissed the hollow of her shoulder. "But I mean to make up for lost time. Want to go back to bed and hear the story of my life?"

  Yes, she wanted to go back to bed. "If you promise to tell it. I’ve never had much luck in getting you to confide in me."

  He chuckled. "You wouldn’t this time either. We don’t have any time." He stepped back and handed her the towel. "Get dressed. I’ll wait outside for you."

  "Now you tell me to get dressed. Why the hell did you come busting in here and make me—"

  "I wanted to make sure you knew I wasn’t going to let you make me a one-night stand." He smiled. "You’re not going to be able to focus on me for a little while, but I’m going to be around every minute of your day. Don’t forget it."

  She stared at the door as it closed behind him. How was she supposed to focus on anything else but him? He had brought sensuality back into her life.

  She was acting like some nympho. She would not be controlled by either her body or Joe Quinn.

  She could forget everything but what was important. It would just take will and determination.

  She tossed aside the towel and began to dress.

  Joe was sitting in the chair beside the bed when she came out of the bathroom. His gaze searched her face and he slowly nodded. "I was expecting that reaction. No problem." He got to his feet. "Let’s go down and get you some breakfast."

  She had been girded for battle, and it was frustrating to have him sidestep before she could even say a word. "I’m not hungry."

  "Okay, then you can watch me eat." He held out his hand and she realized he was holding h
er digital phone. "But first turn your phone back on. Dom may call and you’ll need to talk to him."

  Her gaze flew to his face.

  "It’s time to face him again," he said quietly. "Yes, I want to protect you, but I can’t protect you from someone I can’t see. We have to bring him out into the open."

  "That’s what I’ve been telling you all along."

  "I was too scared for you to listen. Now I’m too scared not to listen. You’re not going to stop, so The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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  I can’t stop. We have to finish it. Turn on the phone." She took the phone and pressed the on button.

  It was silent.

  Joe smiled. "Now, how’s that for anticlimax? I think we both expected an ominous clash of cymbals." He gently pushed her toward the door. "Come on, let’s get this show on the road."

  Spiro was waiting in the living room when they came downstairs. "Where’s the doll?"

  "I put it in a box and slid it behind some books on a shelf." Joe crossed the room to the built-in bookcases. "I didn’t want Jane to run across it."

  "I can’t see her flinching," Spiro said dryly. "Your Jane let me in when I rang the doorbell and she gave me the third degree. She even called security to make sure I hadn’t leapt over the electric fence."

  "Where is she?"

  "After grudgingly allowing me to sit down, she said she was going to the kitchen to fix you something to eat." He took the box and glanced at the doll. "Ugly. It must have scared you."

  "No. It made me mad."

  "Did he make a follow-up call?”

  “Yes, I hung up on him."

  Spiro looked up. "That might not have been smart."

  "I’m tired of being smart and cautious. What about the photograph? Can I see it?”

  “Not before it’s logged in."

  "Can I get a duplicate?”

  “Not before it’s logged in."

  Eve had very little patience left. "What about this Kevin Baldridge?" Spiro smiled. "According to Charlie, Mrs. Harding remembers Kevin Baldridge and his brothers very well. Kevin was close-mouthed about where they were from, but one of his brothers mentioned Dillard."

  "Where is that?"

  "A small town in northern Arizona.”

  “Small enough to trace Kevin Baldridge?"

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  "Maybe. We have to hope the town folk have long memories.”

  “What about his brothers? Even if Kevin Baldridge has moved on, perhaps they might have gone back home."