Iris Johansen - Eve

“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 ASsoon 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 stay 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 REFUSINGto 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.”