Iris Johansen - Stalemate

Montalvo would learn Diaz wasn't to be stopped.

The next evening Galen met Eve in the hall when she was going upstairs to shower and have dinner before she came back down to work.

"You've emerged from your cave at last," he said. "Miguel hasn't let anyone in to see you all day."

"I didn't tell him to do that. But I'm grateful that I wasn't interrupted. It's essential that I concentrate to get all the measurements exactly right."

"Have you seen Quinn today?"

"No." She looked away from him. "We agreed to disagree and I don't feel welcome to just drop in. I checked with Miguel and he said he had a good night."

Galen gave a low whistle. "I thought that Quinn had been prodded to move at top speed."

"Is he?"

"He was on his feet this morning and again this afternoon. Before dinner he sat in the chair by his window quizzing me on the details of Diaz's setup."

"And you told him?"

"He'd find out with or without me. I'd rather he have accurate information."

So would Eve, but the news that Joe was beginning to move at his customary top speed was filling her with panic. "How long do I have?"

"With any other man I'd say maybe four days. With Quinn…" He shrugged. "Like I said, he's motivated. How's the reconstruction coming?"

"Not fast enough, evidently. I'll have to put in longer hours."

"It sounds to me as if you're overdoing it now. How much sleep did you get last night?"

"I don't know. Four, maybe five hours. Enough."

"You said you had to be absolutely accurate. You have to have a clear head for-"

"I have a clear head, dammit. What do you expect me to do? Get a solid eight hours of sleep when Joe could-" She stopped and drew a deep breath. "I'll sleep when Nalia's finished." She started up the stairs. "Now let me get cleaned up and eat. I need to get back and start working."

Christ, Joe on his feet. Joe gaining more strength by the hour. Lord, it was ironic that ordinarily she would have been overjoyed at his progress. Not now. She had to worry about him pushing himself too hard and having a relapse. On the other hand she was in a panic that he'd be able to take action before she was finished with the reconstruction.

He wouldn't be able to do the latter if she kept working at lightning speed, she assured herself. She'd allow herself the minimum rest and give Montalvo his evidence before Joe got his chance at Diaz.

"I wanted to see you, Eve." Soldono rose from the bench opposite her room. "And Miguel wouldn't let me into the library."

"Miguel must have been very persuasive. Evidently there must have been a queue outside the door."

"If you can call a gun persuasive."

She stared at him in disbelief. "He pulled a gun on you?"

"No. He only glanced down at that gun he has in his holster and said he was ordered to use any means to keep you from being disturbed."

"He was bluffing."

"I've seen him in action. I wasn't going to call his bluff." He continued on, "I just wanted to tell you that I think I've found a source to get you away from the compound when you say the word." He made a face. "I just wish I'd been able to tap that source when Montalvo was holding Gonzales. It might have prevented all this mess."

"I don't deal in might-have-beens, Soldono. It didn't happen and I'm walking another path now." She opened her bedroom door. "And as long as Montalvo keeps his word about keeping my family safe, I'll finish the reconstruction and hand it to him wrapped up in pink ribbons. So far Venable seems to be doing a good job."

"Venable?"

"You didn't know Venable made a deal with Montalvo to protect Jane and my mom?"

"He's my boss and he often doesn't share every aspect of his cases with me. I'm just a peon." He shook his head admiringly. "That crafty bastard. Montalvo had every base covered, didn't he?" He turned away. "If you change your mind, let me know. Try to give me a little notice. It may take a bit of doing."

"I can't see that giving notice will be an option if I have to leave in a hurry." She shut the door behind her.

Don't think about Joe.

Don't try to second-guess the decision she'd made because Soldono had found a way out.

Just focus, move quickly, and get the reconstruction done.

Ten minutes later she was out of the shower and dressing hurriedly.

Call Jane and talk to her before she went down?

No, she'd called Jane and her mother this morning before she'd started work. Everything was fine and they'd only worry if she acted too anxious. She'd eat something and then get back to work.

Miguel was on guard in front of the library when she reached it. "Good evening." His smile was sunny. "I have a steak waiting to go under the broiler. How do you like it?"

"Medium well-done." She opened the door. "And you seem to have done a little roasting of my friends today as well."

"No threats. Just implications. I didn't have to do that with Galen. He understood."

"I'm sure he did."

"And I let them talk to you after you came out of the library." He turned away. "Please don't get too involved with your work before I have a chance to bring you your steak."

She smiled faintly as she watched him hurry away. Miguel was a strange and fascinating individual and she was growing to like him more every day. She closed the door and turned on the lamp. Darkness had fallen since she'd left the room a short time ago. She moved over to stand before the dais. She'd draped the reconstruction with the black drop cloth as she always did when she left the library. She reached up to take it off the skull. Montalvo had not mentioned the practice after that first time but it only took her a second and if it held his pain at bay then it was worth-

Teeth sinking into the cloth.

Brown triangular head lunging at her.

She jumped back and dropped the cloth.

The snake turned and launched itself at her.

It missed her by an inch.

The snake launched again.

Kill it. Kill it. Kill it.

She ran across the room, grabbed the brass lamp, and hurled it at the snake.

The shade hit the snake but it kept gliding toward her.

She darted toward the door.

It was thrown open before she reached it.

Montalvo took one quick look at the serpent and shoved her aside. "Jesus."

The snake sprang toward Montalvo.

He shot it in the head.

"My God." He was breathing hard as he stared down at the snake. "Damn close."

"He kept coming. He just kept coming." She was shaking uncontrollably. "He was under the drop cloth with the reconstruction. He sprang at-"

"Did he bite you?"

"I don't think so. I didn't feel-"

"Don't think. Tell me." He grabbed her arms and looked closely at each of them. "I don't see any marks."

"He bit into the cloth. I… dropped it." She shook her head dazedly. "But he didn't stop. I've never… He kept coming at me."

"They can be very aggressive."

"Ugly. I… don't like snakes."

"It's over. Stop shaking."

"Soon. I can't seem to-"

"God." He pulled her into his arms and held her. "It's okay. Don't fight me. I didn't want to do this. It could interfere." He rocked her back and forth. "But I can't stand you-"

His body was warm and strong and she clung instinctively to that strength. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I wasn't expecting that to-it frightened me."

"It should have frightened you." He stroked her hair with rough gentleness. "Shh, it's going to be fine. Nothing's going to hurt you. I won't let it."

She didn't move for a few moments. It was good to stay here and share his strength. She'd move soon. She'd just give herself a short time to get over the shock of those dark frantic minutes.

"What happened here?" Miguel was standing in the doorway and staring at the remains of the snake on the floor. "Another emergency? I'm beginning to think you'll do anything to avoid eating one of my meals."