Iris Johansen - Eve

Catherine nodded. “And keep cool, Joe. I know you’re mad as hell. But Eve won’t thank us if we kill Gallo when she thinks she can get information out of him.”

“Ask me if I care.” He was moving up the mountain. “I’ll be careful because I want to keep Eve alive, but there’s no way I’ll stay cool. Gallo is going down.”

THE BUZZER WENT OFF ON THE security pad on the nightstand in Gallo’s bedroom.

South slope.

He reached over and activated the video camera. No picture.

His phone rang.

“I’ve got it, Hanks,” he said when he picked up. “Any other alarms?”

“Not yet. Two cameras on the south slope have been disabled. They missed this one. We should have a visual when the courtyard C2 picks them up. They’re pretty good, and I figure that they’ll get C1 and take it out. But C2 is impossible to detect unless you know where to look. Shall I get a team to head up the slope and intercept?”

He thought about it. It could be that Queen had gotten impatient and was trying for a strike. But there was another possibility. “No, let them reach the courtyard. I’ll make a decision then.” He hung up and quickly dressed.

The buzzer sounded again. C2 camera.

He pressed the video. Two figures, dark clothes, moving swiftly. He zeroed in on them.

A woman, dark hair pulled back, slightly exotic features.

A man, tall, brown hair, dark eyes. He’d seen photos of that face. Joe Quinn.

The woman must be Catherine Ling.

Hanks phoned. “They’re right on top of you. What do we do? Take them out?”

Dammit, I’m backed in a corner, Gallo thought. He couldn’t risk Joe Quinn getting killed, and he couldn’t even guarantee to control the situation once Quinn erupted on the scene.

“No, don’t touch them. I’ll call you back.”

He had known that it might come to this when he had taken Eve, but he’d considered it worth it. What the hell. It might have been necessary anyway. The circle was closing.

He had to move fast. Quinn and Catherine Ling had gotten around most of the alarms with incredible speed and accuracy. They’d be in the house in no time.

He snatched the backpack he always kept ready from the closet and moved down the hall toward the guest room.

Eve sat up as he threw open the door. Her eyes were wide in her pale face. “What is it?”

“It’s your Joe Quinn being superhero,” he said. “I’d heard he was smart. I didn’t realize he’d be able to move this fast.”

“What do you mean? Where is he?”

“Pounding on the gates.” He was crossing the room toward the bed. “I’ll either have to kill him or bow out. I’m going to let him have the castle.”

Her hands clenched on the cover. “I’m not going with you.”

“I’m not asking you to come. I think we’ve said what had to be said.” He reached in his pocket and handed her a key. “Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Queen may get desperate and aggressive once they realize I’ve gone. You may need ammunition.”

She gazed at the key in her palm. “I don’t understand.”

“Blackmail.” He turned and moved toward the door. “He’ll understand even if you don’t. If you don’t need to use the leverage, save it for me. Believe me, I can use it.” He reached in his pocket, pulled out her phone, and handed it to her. “Your property. You might try to intercept your Joe Quinn. I’ll try to call Hanks off, but if they come together, there might be damage.”

He moved quickly down the hall and down the stairs.

“John!” Eve had followed him and was standing at the top of the stairs. She was wearing one of Judy’s sweatshirts, her red-brown hair was rumpled, her expression intense. She looked almost as young as she’d been when he’d first met her. “Dammit, I’m not going to let you go without telling me about Paul Black. Where is he? Talk to me.”

“Sorry. No more time. You’ll have to be satisfied.” He opened the door to the basement and ran down the stairs.

She called after him. “How can you say that? I’m not satisfied.” He went around the corner of the landing, and she was lost to view.

Check to see how close Quinn was to gaining entrance.

John punched the video button on the panel by the exit door that accessed the passage to the outside. He couldn’t see Joe Quinn, but Catherine Ling was almost directly beneath the camera. She was working quickly to disable the house alarm. The expression on that beautiful, exotic face was intent, totally focused.

Suddenly she stopped and looked up.

He inhaled sharply.

She knew he was watching her.

What the hell? He knew she couldn’t see that camera, but she still knew. Incredible instincts. Catherine Ling was remarkable. He’d be interested to explore those instincts.

Not now. No time.

He keyed in the exit code for the door, and it swung open. The next moment, he was closing and locking it behind him.

He pulled out his phone as he moved down the ramp that led to the outside passage.

“I THINK THEY KNOW WE’RE HERE.” Catherine turned as Joe came around the side of the house. She clipped the final wire on the alarm. “We should get the hell out of this courtyard.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She shook her head. “No. But I’d lay odds I’m right.”

“You go. Take the mountain road back down to the car. I’m going in.”

“The alarms are off.” Catherine moved toward the French doors across the veranda. “Divide and conquer. You take the kitchen door. Be careful.”

“I’m not going to barge in with guns blazing,” Joe said sarcastically. “And I’m not leaving here without Eve.” He added curtly, “But I don’t need you. Get out of here.”

Catherine was bent over the locks on the French doors. “Shut up, Joe. I’m busy. I’ll see you inside.”

Joe didn’t argue. He shrugged and hurried around the side of the house toward the kitchen door.

Catherine didn’t like this.

It was too quiet.

Queen’s map and plans had said there were no courtyard guards, but she had still expected it to be harder. Queen had been too wary of Gallo and Intelligence’s own chance of infiltrating the compound. If it was this easy, why hadn’t they tried their luck before?

The French doors swung open.

Darkness.

She drew her gun and threw herself into the room and to the side.

She waited.

Nothing.

But she could hear someone in the hall.

“Joe?” Eve’s voice. “Joe, it’s okay. He’s not here.”

Catherine rose to her feet. “Eve!”

Eve threw the door open. “John didn’t mention you, Catherine. Are you okay? Where’s Joe?”

“Here.” Joe was standing in the doorway, a gun in his hand. “Where’s Gallo?”

“I don’t know. Gone. He knew you were coming.” She moved across the room toward him. “How did you find out where I was?”

“Queen.” His gaze was narrowed, moving around the hall. “Gone? You’re certain?”

“He told me that he was leaving. He gave me back my phone and said to try to intercept you. I tried, but I guess you had your phone off. He didn’t want you hurt.”

“I bet he didn’t,” Joe said bitterly. “And did he hurt you, Eve?”

She shook her head. “No, I was a little scared and uneasy at the beginning, but I’m-”

Joe had pulled her close and kissed her hard. “Thank God.”

“He didn’t mean to hurt me, Joe.”

“The hell he didn’t.” Joe let her go. “He’s nuts. Ask Queen.”

“John’s not crazy.” She made a face. “Though he might deny that himself. Emotionally disturbed on some subjects? Yes. But he’s not insane.”