Iris Johansen - Eight Days To Live

“Jane.” Caleb’s hand was on her shoulder.

She stepped away from him. “Don’t touch me. I’m trying to keep from breaking apart.”

“I know.” His hand dropped away from her. “And I know you’ll be okay once you get over the shock. Just take a few minutes, then we’ll start planning what we’re going to do.”

How had he known that those were the words she needed? Not sympathy, just acceptance and understanding, and a plan to make things right. “She stepped in front of Lina to keep them from killing her. I won’t believe Eve’s dead. I’d know .”

“I don’t believe it either. They might have wanted to do a revenge killing earlier in the game, but now she’d be more valuable to them alive. If she was wounded, it was accidental and they took her with them because they’re hoping to use her.”

“Or convince me she’s still alive.”

“You said you’d know,” Caleb said quietly. “I have faith in your instincts. You have to have faith in them, too.”

Her faith was ebbing and flowing from minute to minute through this crippling terror. But she had to get a grip on herself. She tried to smile. “Maybe I need an attitude adjustment.”

“Anytime. Anything you want.” He said quietly. “Now?”

Her eyes widened in shock. “No! I wasn’t serious. I don’t want anesthesia. I want a solution.” And he had known that and had given her that emotional jolt to counteract the one she was experiencing. “Everything I’ve ever felt for Eve has been honest. I wouldn’t exchange even the pain for anything counterfeit.”

He nodded. “Then let’s start preparing.” He turned to Gillem. “Have you found us a place to stay?”

Gillem nodded. “A house on the outskirts of town that we use to hold political prisoners for the Israelis is available. The prisoners whose existence the government denies any knowledge of.”

“Then let’s go and set up shop.” He turned to Jane. “Unless you’d rather go back to Scotland?”

She shook her head. “Why? Millet wouldn’t keep Eve anywhere near MacDuff’s Run. She’s probably out of the country by now. We’ll stay here until we have an idea where Millet has her hidden.” She was able to think again, thank God. Maybe that cold numbness was wearing away. She climbed into the rear seat of Gillem’s car.

Jock had finished his call and was coming toward them. “I’ve never seen MacDuff this angry,” he said as he got into the passenger seat. “He’s feeling guilty and outraged and maybe even a little helpless. He doesn’t like any of those feelings. I wouldn’t want to be Millet when he catches up with him.”

“He’ll have to stand in line,” Jane said. “When you got through to Venable, did he promise to send someone to examine that bottle?”

“Right away. He didn’t think there would be any problem. There are a good many historical artifact experts in the area. It’s the Mideast, after all.” He paused. “You’re not thinking of putting it on the back burner?”

“No, I want to speed it up. I may need a negotiating tool.” She leaned back in the seat as Gillem started the car. “One that won’t involve me being tied to a slab with that mosaic of Judas staring down at me.”

“You think that’s what Millet and Roland will demand?” Caleb asked.

“Don’t you? That’s what this has always been about. Millet wants a sacrifice, and I’m the Offering of choice.” Her lips twisted. “My time is almost up. April 1 is right around the corner.”

“That’s what Millet wants, but Roland may be tempted by the Judas coins.”

She nodded. “That’s what I’m hoping. But I’ve got to have proof I have something to trade.” She paused. “And it’s Millet who has Eve, and I don’t have much faith that he’ll be willing to give up Eve for the coins. He wants his blood Offering.”

Caleb smiled. “Then we’ll have to find a way to make sure he has all the blood he’s craving.”

That smile was cold and deadly, but it didn’t bring the usual chill. Not when it concerned Millet. Not when Millet had Eve. “Not until I have Eve safe. Then you can do anything you want to the bastard.”

“Ah, isn’t it strange that my savagery doesn’t seem nearly as wicked when it concerns the people you care about?” He didn’t wait for her to answer but turned to Jock. “Did you call Venable back after you talked to MacDuff?”

“Yes, he said that he’d tap every source he knew to see if he could get a lead on where Millet took her.” He added, “He has motivation. Joe Quinn is working with him, and he knows Joe will murder him if he doesn’t come up with something.”

She had to call Joe, Jane thought. But not right now. He wouldn’t want talk to her until he got over the shock and started moving on trying to find Eve. Maybe not even then. Eve was everything to Joe, and in situations like this, he would be blind to anything but her. “When did it happen, Jock?”

“Over an hour ago.”

Over an hour ago. While she had been running across that Field of Blood, they had shot Eve, taken Eve. “That’s not long. We probably won’t hear from Millet for a little while.”

“No, he’ll want to have her safely stashed in a secure place before he calls you,” Jock said. “The Sang Noir has their main headquarters in Rome.”

“I wish I could believe it would be Rome. Venable and Joe are right there.”

“But you don’t think he’s heading for Rome,” Caleb said. “Do you?”

Guilt .

A mosaic face staring down in torment .

Jane slowly shook her head. “No, he won’t take her to Rome.”

THE SMALL STUCCO HOUSE where Gillem took them was on the outskirts of Tel Aviv and was set back among the cedar trees away from the main road.

“It has two bedrooms, a bath, a kitchenette, and a living room,” Gillem said as he pulled up in front of the house. “The freezer is always stocked. So you should have food. Is there anything else I should do?”

“No, I’ll call you if we need you. Just bring that expert here as quick as you can,” Caleb said, as they got out of the car. “Thanks. You did your job, Gillem.”

Gillem gave him a sour smile. “Of course, I did my job. I always do my job.” He waited until they had unlocked the door before he drove off.

“His change of attitude may be effective, but not particularly pleasant,” Jane said.

“Some people can’t accept pleasant. I have to work with what I have,” Caleb said as he turned on the lights. “He’s become very cynical over the years. I had to settle for reviving an almost extinct sense of duty.”

The room they had entered was basic in every detail. Navy blue couch and matching easy chair, a metal stand and small TV, an oak table, a kitchenette on one side of the room.

“I’ll take your bags into the bedroom,” Jock said as he took her backpack and duffel. “And then I think I’ll call and see if I can talk to Lina. She may need someone. She’s probably blaming herself for Eve’s being shot.”

“That’s nonsense,” Jane said curtly. “It was all Millet. Being Eve, she had no choice but to try to save Lina from the bastard. It would be as natural as breathing to her. Lina just had the bad luck to be in Millet’s way.”

Jock smiled faintly. “I know that. But if you don’t mind, I’ll let Lina know that’s how you feel.”

Jane nodded. “I’ll tell her myself later. I just have to deal with one thing at a time right now.”

“I can see that.” He disappeared into the bedroom.

“I should have thought of Lina,” Jane said wearily. “She’s another victim in this nightmare. We’ve taken away her home and almost her life. I’ll have to try to make it up to her.”