Iris Johansen - Eight Days To Live

And love. Whenever she was with Eve, there was always love and the belief that as long as they were together, everything would be all right.

They were silent, enjoying the sound of the surf and the wind. No need to talk. Being with someone you cared about was like being by yourself, with no stress, no need to force the words.

It was minutes later before Jane asked, “How is your reconstruction going?”

“Slowly. Maybe he doesn’t want to be found.”

Jane’s brows rose. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you say that.”

“Just because I want to bring him home is no sign that his parents would welcome him.” She wearily shook her head. “Hell, maybe they’re the reason he ended up in that hole in the ground. Sometimes the parents are responsible either directly or indirectly.”

“But you’ve always told me they’re in the minority.”

“And they are. I suppose I’m just being negative.” She smiled. “By tomorrow, I’ll be back to normal and working my butt off to finish and ship him home.”

“But why are you being this discouraged now?” She gazed at her searchingly. “Is it my fault? I’ve disrupted your life and torn you away from Atlanta.”

“You did no such thing,” Eve said brusquely. “And you know it. It wasn’t your fault that there are crazies out there.” She was silent. “But maybe it has something to do with you. I’m afraid for you. I guess I’m wondering why I’m trying to bring home this poor dead child when I can’t bring you home safe and sound. It’s not a great exchange.” She shrugged. “But we’ll work it out.”

“You’re right, we will.” Her hand tightened on Eve’s. “And you’re not really wondering. You’ve spent years giving solace to hundreds of families of lost children. What you do is damn wonderful.”

Eve gazed out at the horizon. “Wonderful or not, I have to do it. It’s what I am.” She fell silent again. “Now we’ll stop talking about me. We have to go back to the castle soon, but I want you to fill me in on every single detail of what’s been happening to you.”

“I haven’t been keeping anything from you. I tried to be honest with you all the way, Eve.”

“But you were in a hurry, you were in shock, things were happening too fast. Little things get lost when you’re traveling at light speed.” She smiled. “But now you’re slowing down. You can take a deep breath and let yourself remember all those little things. I hate it that I wasn’t there to help you. Maybe if we share, it will make it less painful for both of us.” She urged softly, “Take that breath, Jane.”

“THERE YOU ARE.” Jock was coming down the staircase when Jane and Eve entered the castle. “I was just coming after you. MacDuff said you were watching the sunset at the Run.” He looked at Jane quizzically. “I thought it a bit odd. You haven’t been in the mood for staring at scenery lately.”

But she was still feeling that inner peace and serenity that had surrounded her while she was sitting with Eve on the cliff. “I was in the mood today.”

“I can see that.” His gaze shifted to Eve. “Your influence? Good for you. She looks as if she’s been on vacation.”

“We needed a little downtime. We’re both better now.”

“How is Lina?” Jane asked.

“She couldn’t wait to settle in her room and start to work.” His lips quirked mischievously. “I put her in the Laird’s suite. MacDuff doesn’t use it any longer. It’s too formal for his liking. I wanted her to get a taste of grandeur.”

“Why? She made it plain that she likes to live simply.”

“I couldn’t resist. She informed me very curtly that she didn’t like castles, but she’d put up with it until she finished the translations.”

“I like her,” Eve said. “She has thorns, but you’d always know where you were with her.”

“No doubt about that,” Jane said. “Did you get my books, Jock?”

He nodded. “They’re in your room. Two boxes of Bibles and reference books as requested.”

“Good.” She started for the grand staircase. “I’ll shower and hit the Internet first, then dive into the books.”

“You’re in a great hurry,” Eve said quietly. “You’re safe here. Why the frantic pace?”

She grimaced. “I guess I’m still operating under Millet’s countdown. I can’t believe those bastards are going to let me live past April 1. I feel as if the only way to stop it is to stop them.”

“I wish I could disagree with you,” Eve said soberly. “I’d like to tell you to stay here and let Venable and Joe hunt down Millet and Roland.”

Jane shook her head. “And let those murderers go after everyone I care about? Joe would be a target. Anyone I love will be a target. I can’t hide away.”

Eve nodded. “That’s why I’m not arguing with you. They have to be stopped.” She stopped as she saw the housekeeper coming down the steps. “I was just going to call you, Mrs. Dalbrey. I’m hoping you can persuade Jane to eat something before she starts to work. You know each other, don’t you?”

“Of course, we do.” Nora Dalbrey’s smile lit her plump face. She was dressed in a black skirt, sensible shoes, and a white blouse that should have made her appear serious and practical but somehow didn’t. Her light brown hair was pulled back from her face, but rebellious frizzy ringlets had come loose and hung about her temples. “We met the last time she came to the Run. It’s good to see you again, Ms. MacGuire.”

“You’re looking well. How is your son?”

She made a face. “Sixteen and won’t leave those Nintendo games alone.” Then her face softened. “But my Ian’s a good boy and doesn’t give me any trouble.” She turned to Eve. “I’ll take her a tray with that stew I made for dinner. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t starve herself. I remember the last time she was here, she didn’t eat as well as she should.” She started down the hall. “You have the same room you had before, Ms. MacGuire. I’ll be up there with your dinner quick as the shake of a lamb’s tail.”

“It seems I’m having dinner,” Jane said as she gazed after the housekeeper. “How quick is the shake of a lamb’s tail?”

“Evidently pretty quick,” Eve said. “I’d hurry with that shower if I were you.”

THE LAIRD’S SUITE WAS THREE doors down from the room Jane had been assigned.

Jane hesitated as she went past it, then stopped and knocked on the door.

“Come.”

Jane opened the door. “I just wanted to make sure that you were comfortable.”

Lina looked up from her pad. “I’m not comfortable. This place is splendid, and splendid is cold. But I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I’m not worrying.” She looked around the room. The huge four-poster bed and other massive furniture dominated the room. “It’s just that this room is a little overpowering. I could have Mrs. Dalbrey switch you.”

“No, thank you.” There was the slightest glimmer of humor in her expression. “That would disappoint Jock. I’m sure he’s enjoying thinking of me here.”

“His mother was housekeeper before Mrs. Dalbrey. He lived in the village, but he practically grew up here. He can’t understand anyone not loving it.”

“I know he can’t.” She looked back down at her pad. “But I think he tries. Now, please leave. I have to get back to work.”

“How is it going?”

“Well,” she said absently.

Lina had already closed her out, Jane realized.

“I’m three doors down, and Eve is in the tower room. If you need us, just call.”

Lina nodded impatiently, not looking up.

Jane shook her head as she quietly left the room. Lina might be prickly as Eve said, but she was displaying signs of vulnerability. Lina had been married to a wealthy man, and she had experienced all the splendor connected with it. She had been a frightened child, and that splendor must have seemed like an ice palace. No wonder she wanted nothing to do with it.