Iris Johansen - Eve

“Black?” Gallo asked curtly. “I could hardly forget you since you tried to kill me the first time I saw you. If you hadn’t been an incompetent, I would have been a dead man.”

“I wasn’t prepared for you.” The mockery was gone, replaced by venom. “It was Queen’s fault that I blundered. He should have told me that you were some kind of freak of nature. I knew I’d gotten my knife in you, but I couldn’t stop you. It was his fault that I ended up with my guts spilling out of me. I’ve never forgiven him for that.” He paused. “Nor you, Gallo. It’s been a constant twisting fire inside me that I couldn’t move on you.”

“You moved on me.”

“The little Bonnie? Yes, I did, didn’t I? And that was very satisfying, but it’s not like being able to get at you face-to-face.”

“Then why didn’t you do it, you son of a bitch?” John asked harshly. “Why not come after me instead of a helpless seven-year-old?”

“One takes pleasure where one can. I was… hesitant about confronting you at the time. No one had ever taken me down before. I was faced with the possibility of my own mortality. I found I had to rebuild my confidence. Now, of course, I realize that you were no real threat. I would have killed you years ago if Queen hadn’t kept me away from you because he was afraid that ledger would get in the wrong hands.”

“Then if I’m no threat, come and get me.”

“But there’s the question of little Cara Clark. It’s not that simple any longer.”

“You’re using her as an excuse as you did Bonnie. Threaten a kid because you don’t have the nerve to go after me. Did Queen tell you that you needed a negotiating tool for the ledger?”

“No, the little girl was my idea. I like to deal with children.”

Eve’s hands closed into fists at her sides at the smug satisfaction in his voice.

“I thought that Cara could possibly be a good bargaining chip. You might have expended all your sentiment on your little girl. Such a tragic loss. But you’d recently reestablished a connection with Bonnie’s mother, who has a reputation for embracing all lost children. Is she there with you, listening?”

“Yes,” Eve said. “Is Cara Clark still alive?”

“Oh, yes. She’s right here on my lap. She’s a little stiff. She won’t cuddle with me. I think that I scare her. What do you think?”

The horror of that little girl being forced that close to Black made her sick. “I think you should let her go.”

“That’s my intention. But not just yet.”

“When?”

“After we get together. Now to business. Gallo, you’ve been talking with Queen and trying to get him to persuade me to let my pretty Cara go.”

“Have I?”

“Yes, and I imagine that you’re trying to get him to set a trap for me. Is that true?”

“You mean Queen didn’t tell you that, too?”

“No, he probably isn’t sure which one he’s going to betray. Right now, you’re top of the list. You must have realized that you couldn’t trust him. Why did you decide to draw him in?”

“Like you, I recognize the end of the game. I want Queen dead. I don’t care whether I do it or you have the pleasure.”

Black chuckled. “But that’s exactly how I feel. We’re so much alike, Gallo.”

“I’d cut my throat if I thought that was true.”

“But Queen tells me that you don’t know what is true or not. Think about it. We’ve both been killers. You under the guise of patriotism and good of the country. While I’m much more frank and totally without self-deception. I enjoy it. Perhaps if you let yourself explore what you really are, then it might surprise you to look into the mirror.” He paused. “Because you might see me.”

“That’s a lie,” Eve said. “There’s no one like you. There couldn’t be. You’re a monster.”

“You’re defending him.” Black chuckled. “He’s lured you back to him, hasn’t he? Would you like me to tell you a few things about him that would make you bolt in panic? You’ve never seen him when he loses control. It would frighten you. I saw him. I watched him do things that would completely destroy any tender feelings you might have for him. Ask me anything.”

“I want to know where Cara Clark is right now and what we can do to get you to release her.”

“Oh, very well. I suppose we should get back to the more boring details. Gallo, you want your chance to get the kid… and me. I want my chance to get you, Queen, and the ledger.”

“If you kill Queen, the ledger won’t be of value to you.”

“Wrong. I can use the contacts in it, and there’s always the North Korean general from whom you stole it. It won’t be as useful as if I had it to hold over Queen, but some sacrifices are necessary. Queen sent a totally inept assassin to kill me in Samoa. I regard that as an end to our relationship.” He paused. “Queen told me you were at a cabin in the woods. Is it totally private acreage? I believe you’ll agree that we can’t have any interference.”

“It’s very private.”

“Then we might as well use that site. I like the idea of wild terrain and deep woods. It fits in with my plans. Naturally, I’ll scout the area to make sure that I have every advantage. When I’ve made a definite decision, I’ll contact you again. Give me the directions to the acreage.”

Gallo quickly gave him the directions.

“And we’re supposed to sit here and wait?” Eve asked.

“No, I don’t imagine Gallo will be sitting and waiting. The cabin would be too easy a target. I’ll let you know when the game will start.” He paused. “But if I see any sign of police or FBI in the area, I won’t wait for the game. I’ll kill the kid immediately and bury her so deep, you’ll never be able to find her.”

“I want to talk to her,” Eve said. “How do we know that you haven’t already killed her?”

“Because I’m not a fool. Come talk to the nice lady, Cara.”

“Hello.” The child’s voice was a wisp of sound. “What should I say? Can you stop him from hurting me?”

“Yes.” She hoped she was telling the truth. “It will just take a little while. Don’t fight him, Cara.”

“He… hurt my mama.”

“I know, baby. But your mama is going to get well. We just have to get you back to her.”

“Her mother survived?” Black was back on the phone. “She must have a great deal of stamina. I was planning on her living long enough to send a message, then fading away. That goes to show you that you can never be certain if you delay the kill. I may have to go back and do it again.”

Eve could hear the child sobbing. “Shut up. She doesn’t have to hear that.”

“But it pleases me. It’s always interesting to see how far I can take it before they break. In this case, she’s no real challenge. Not like her mother. Judy Clark fought me all the way until I pinned her to the table. So don’t tell me not to prod the little darling. I have to stir some life into her.” He hung up.

Eve drew a shaky breath. “And how is he going to do that stirring?”

“It’s better not to think about it. Maybe if he’s eager to get on with the game, he’ll get on the move and forget about her.”

Eve could only hope he was right. The sound of the little girl’s weeping was enough to break her heart.

“He said he’d tell me anything, and I didn’t ask anything about Bonnie. All I could think about was Cara.” She shook her head. “All these years of hunting, and I didn’t ask that question.”

“Because you were concerned about life, not death.”

She nodded. “And I think I know one answer anyway. All the signs are pointing at Black. I can wait for a little while to be certain.”

But not for too long, she thought. All the agony and searching that had torn her life apart was at last coming to an end. Soon she would come face-to-face with the man who had killed her daughter. Soon she would be able to bring Bonnie home. The realization was stunning.