16 Taking Eve (14 page)

She met his gaze. “You don’t like bureaucracies. You don’t like rules. You don’t like laws. You do as you like.”

“But not necessarily as you like.”

“That’s true. But I want to help Jane, and that might sway you. You’re stalking Jane, and you can never tell when you might need a diversion to—”

“Stalking?” He smiled faintly. “That’s a strange phrase. It makes me sound like either a creep or an animal. Which one, Margaret?”

“You’re not a creep.”

His smile deepened. “Then what animal, Margaret?”

“I’m not sure. You’re just not … the same as other people.” She shrugged. “Not that it bothers me. Neither am I. We’re all animals, aren’t we? We’ve just evolved to being more civilized. Some of us are just closer to being what we were than others. I could tell you were very close when I first saw you.”

“Interesting. Does that mean I whisper to you like some of your four-footed friends?”

“I don’t know. If you did, I don’t know if I’d want to listen. Sometimes I don’t.” She started to climb the stairs of the plane. “But I wouldn’t be afraid like Jane.”

He stiffened. “She’s not afraid of me, Margaret.”

“She’s afraid of something when she’s with you.” She turned at the top of the steps to look down at him. “Maybe it’s part of the mating ritual. What do you think?”

He stared at her coldly, then suddenly smiled. “I think you’re bold as brass, and I’m beginning to like you. That could be very dangerous for one of us.”

“I just tell the truth.” She straightened. “And here’s another truth. I owe Jane a debt, and I’ll pay it. I won’t let what you’re planning on doing with her get in the way.”

“And you still expect me to take you to San Juan?”

“Why not? You don’t like anything easy. The hunt would be boring.”

“What would you do if I told you to get off my plane?”

“Find another way to San Juan.” She tilted her head. “Oh, and I might have to go to … where is it? Georgia later. Can you get me better documents than I have right now?”

“Why should I?”

“Because I can help find Eve Duncan, and that would make Jane happy. Happy with me, happy with you for putting me into a position to help her find Eve.”

“So I’m to break the law because you think I might find you valuable later?”

“Wouldn’t it be a good enough reason for you?” She was studying him, her gaze narrowed. “And you’d enjoy it. You like taking chances.”

Her eyes were fixed on his face, and he found himself caught and held.

Clear eyes. Shrewd eyes. Wise eyes.

What the hell? he thought recklessly.

“You’re damn right I’d enjoy it.” He took the steps two at a time. “But if I’m taking the risk, I’m running the show. You do what I tell you once we land in San Juan. Deal?”

“Of course.” Her cheerful smile lit her face. “I would never argue with an expert, Caleb.”

“How do you know I am?”

“Stalking,” she murmured. “Dodging and hiding are all a part of going after prey. You’d have to be good at it.” She was heading for the cockpit. “This is exciting. I’m a pretty good sailor, but I’ve never had a chance to learn anything about flying. Will you teach me how to take off?”

“No. You’d probably try to steal the plane.”

“I don’t steal. Sometimes I borrow. That’s all right. I’ll watch and try to learn on my own.”

*   *   *

WHEN JANE WOKE AGAIN, SHE
was being wheeled down a white-tiled corridor.

“It’s okay, Jane.” Joe was beside her. “We’re getting you into ER.”

No darkness, no flames. Not that fascinating face that held and touched and drew her, she realized with relief that held an element of regret.

Just Joe. Safety. Strength. Comrade.

Green walls. White coats, teal coats. It had to be the hospital in San Juan. Her head was clearing, thank heavens. “We made a deal. You’ve delivered me, now get the hell out of here. Go to Eve.”

“Shut up, brat.” His smile belied the roughness of the words. “I’m working on it. I tried to reach Venable on the ambulance plane but couldn’t get through. I’ll call again while they’re working on you in there. I’ve arranged to have a plane waiting, and I’ll leave right after they give me a report. Okay?”

“I guess so.” She reached out and grabbed his hand. “It’s going to be all right, Joe.” She tried to keep the desperation from her voice. “She’s got to be okay. She’s so good, Joe. Why would anyone want to hurt her?”

“Why would anyone want to hurt you?” His eyes were glittering. “It can be a nasty world. We both know that, Jane. We just have to make sure that dirt doesn’t touch her.” He released her hand as the nurse bustled toward her. “And you have to get well before you can help me do that. Do what they tell you, Jane.”

“I will. You know I will.” She called as the ER doors swung shut behind her, “Call Venable now, Joe … Let me know what he says.”

*   *   *

“I’M AT THE LAKE COTTAGE,
Quinn,” Venable said flatly as soon as he picked up the call. “She’s not here.” He paused. “There’s one vehicle in the driveway. There’s mud on the tires as if it had been driven. How many should be here?”

“Only one. I left the jeep at the airport.”

“So she had to have had a ride if she went to the airport as she planned.”

“She was planning on driving herself.” He added, “I contacted the policeman I had watching the place. He took a look around the lake and went inside the house. He said that she was nowhere in the vicinity.”

Venable was silent. “I sent an agent out here last night, too. I had Tad Dukes looking around the grounds. I can’t get in contact with him.”

Joe cursed low and vehemently. “And why did you have a man out there if, according to you, nothing was supposed to be wrong?”

“You were concerned when you called and left a message. It seemed like a good idea.” He continued quickly, “And I sent Agent Pastori out today and he said there was a FedEx notice on the front door that stated that the driver had been there and was unable to make the pickup.”

“The reconstruction. Eve wouldn’t have left without making arrangements for it to be sent out.”

“Even if she was frantic about Jane?”

“She would have made arrangements. She’s a professional. What else did your agent find? What about Ben? He was supposed to be there.”

“No sign of him.”

There was something in his tone that caused Joe to tense. “Are you lying to me, Venable?”

“Why would I do—Okay, I’m not lying. I’m just omitting.”

“Omitting what?”

“We found traces of blood on the grass on the side of the road about a mile from the cottage.”

He felt sick. “Eve?”

“No, I knew that would be your first question, and I had Pastori run a blood test before the police forensic team got there. B-negative. Eve is A-positive, right?”

“Yes. I don’t know what Ben’s blood type is.”

“We’re checking on it.”

“Damn you. You weren’t going to tell me.”

“I’d have told you. Just a delay until you got here. I thought I’d know more by then.” He added testily, “And there wasn’t much use your making wild guesses and my life miserable.”

“What else is there that you didn’t tell me?”

“Fresh tire tracks in the mud. Truck. We’re trying to identify what kind of truck would use them. Traces of fertilizer and hay embedded in the cavities. Any farmers near you?”

“Several. I don’t know any of them personally. Get on it.”

“We already are. Right now, we’re trying to contact Dukes. I don’t like it. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to reach him.” He paused. “How is Jane?”

“Surviving. She could be worse. I’m in San Juan. She’s in the ER right now.” He said. “That’s all? No Eve. No Ben? Just a few drops of blood?”

“That’s all right now. I’ll try to have something more for you by the time you get here. When will that be?”

“A few hours. Jane made me promise that I’d get out of here soon.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“And I may have a photo of her shooter. The hangars had video cameras. I need you to process and identify.”

“Of course.”

“And I don’t want any stalling,” Joe said grimly. “I want to know accurately and fast. No hesitation, no sleight of hand. If I think that you’re keeping anything from me, it’s not going to be pretty, Venable.” He paused. “And when I see you at the cottage, you’re going to tell me what’s going on and what game you’ve been playing with us.”

“No game. I’m not always the bad guy. Did it occur to you that I might only be trying to keep you all alive?”

“It occurred to me. It also occurred to me that you could be manipulating us as you’ve done before. It could go either way.”

“But you’re willing to trust me enough to ask me to help you.”

“I’m not asking, I’m telling you. I’d use the devil himself if I thought I could control him. I can control you, Venable. Whatever the nasty business you’re dealing with, you like Eve, and you wouldn’t hurt her if you didn’t have to do it. I’ll be there to make sure that doesn’t become an option.”

“I do like her, Quinn,” he said quietly. “And I’ll do everything I can to help you get her back. I’m happy as hell you managed to snag that video photo.”

“I didn’t snag it. Seth Caleb took it from the camera, and I took it from him.”

“Caleb.” Venable’s tone was thoughtful. “An interesting man. I remember that he always seemed to be showing up when you least expected him.”

“He hasn’t changed.”

“But this time he’s been helpful?”

“Helpful? No, not intentionally. This time he thinks that he can use me.” He added dryly, “As I’m using you. No one is exempt. I’ll see you at the cottage, Venable.” He hung up.

Blood on the grass.

Not Eve’s blood. He had to take comfort in that fact. It might not even be Ben’s blood.

There was no comfort in that stark scenario Venable had painted.

No Eve. No Ben.

Blood.

His palms were suddenly cold with sweat.

Stop thinking about it. Within a few hours, he’d be at the cottage and making his own assessment. Just sit here until Jane got out of ER, then he could start moving.

Blood on the grass.

*   *   *

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER,
they wheeled Jane out of ER and down the corridor.

Her gaze was searching desperately until it fell on Joe standing against the wall. “Venable?” she whispered. “Eve?”

He shook his head. “She wasn’t at the cottage. Neither was Ben.” Don’t tell her about the blood yet. “Venable and his agent are there.” He looked at the dark-skinned intern with
S. PEREZ
on his name tag who was walking beside the gurney. “Is she okay?”

“No, but she will be.” His white smile flashed. “A few stitches and another pint of blood, and she’s responding beautifully. Give her a few days or so, and she’ll be released.”

“No way,” Jane said flatly. “As soon as I can stand without falling, I’m out of here.”

“Right.” Dr. Perez continued, “As I said, a few days or so.” He turned to Joe. “Now if you’ll leave her for fifteen minutes, we’ll get her settled in her room. You can visit her there.”

“No, he can’t,” she said. “You heard him, I’m on the mend. Now get out of here, Joe.”

“I’m going.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Do what they tell you.”

“Go to hell. You wouldn’t.” She grabbed his arm and held him tight for an instant. “Take care of yourself. Take care of her.”

“I will. I’ll call you and let you know what’s happening.”

“You’d better.” She let him go. “Because you’re not telling me everything now. I can
feel
it.”

“I don’t know everything, Jane.”

Her eyes closed. “Call me.”

He watched them wheel her into a room at the end of the hall before he turned on his heel and headed for the front entrance.

“How is she?” Caleb entered through the glass doors before Joe reached them. “Pretty well, I take it. Or you wouldn’t be leaving her.”

“Another pint of blood. A few stitches. Okay in a few days,” Joe said briefly. “I thought you’d be here sooner.”

“I had a problem to take care of after I landed at the airport. Where’s Jane now?”

“She’s in the room at the end of the corridor.”

Caleb nodded. “I’ll let her rest a few minutes before I go in to see her. I have a habit of overstimulating her.”

“Is that what you call it?”

He smiled. “Stimulation isn’t bad. It makes you know you’re alive.”

“Or gives you a heart attack.”

“You keep remembering what I did to that murderer that first time I met you and Eve.” He smiled. “I just pumped a little extra blood into his heart. He did deserve it, you know.”

“I know. But I dislike the idea of your being able to do that and no one’s being able to prove that it was cold-blooded murder.”

“Never cold-blooded, Quinn.” He opened the glass door and held it open for Joe. “I don’t know the meaning of the term. It wouldn’t work for me. Be sure to let me know as soon as you can about that photo. You’ve contacted Venable about it?”

“Yes.” He went past Caleb. “We had a comprehensive discussion about using people.”

“It’s a common practice, isn’t it? Even Jane isn’t above doing it for the people or animal she loves. Any news about Eve?”

He shook his head. “And it’s going to be hard to stop Jane from following me.” His lips twisted. “You might try your hand at discouraging her if you want to keep her safe.”

“I’m not sure I do. It might be to my advantage to let her put herself in jeopardy. Danger can be a strong bond.”

“Bastard.”

“I didn’t say I’d let her harm herself. That would be stupid. Good-bye, Quinn. I truly hope you find Eve.” His tone was sincere. “Which makes me very torn about my feelings about how the rest of this is going to play out.” He shrugged. “As you know, I’m not very stable. We’ll have to see which way I jump.”

“And if it’s the wrong way, Jane will trip you and barbecue you over hot coals.” Joe’s tone was grim.

Caleb threw back his head and laughed. “And that would be very stimulating, too. I’m sure you’ll attend the festivities.”

“I’m sure I will, too.” He walked toward the street, not looking back at Caleb, his gaze searching for a taxi.