Iris Johansen - Blind Alley

She felt heat touch her cheeks that had nothing to do with the sunlight. Jesus, he was good. He was playing on her emotions like a master musician, moving her, stirring her, making her believe every word. Put a stop to it. “You didn't answer me. You consider me expendable.”

He didn't answer immediately. “I'd deeply regret anything happening to you.”

That was what she needed. The answer furnished a cool splash of reality to temper her physical response to him. “Not enough to give up your agenda and dive in and help Joe.”

“It will help Quinn to work with me. No one can help him more. I know Aldo inside out. Sometimes I think I can read the bastard's mind. I've almost caught him twice. I would have gotten him the other night if I hadn't had to worry about your blasted dog.” He paused. “I have to leave now. These woods are crawling with Quinn's police buddies. I took a big chance coming back here.”

“Wait. You said I could ask two questions.”

“You've already asked more than two.”

“Not really. They were all related.”

He chuckled. “You're quibbling. I should have known. Okay, ask your question.”

“The ashes. Joe said the lab couldn't identify where they originated. You know, don't you?”

“Yes. But I believe I should keep that as an ace in the hole.”

She made a rude sound. “You seem to be stalling on all fronts. Maybe you're bluffing. Maybe you don't have anything to barter.”

He was silent. “Vesuvius. Satisfied?”

Her heart leaped. “Then Aldo's from Italy?”

“The ashes are from Vesuvius,” he repeated.

“The lab said they could be from either Montserrat or Indonesia.”

“Aldo mixed the ashes from the three volcanoes to throw off the investigators but the majority of the shards are from Vesuvius. Call me after you've talked to Quinn.”

“He said that sometimes scientists could tell in which hole particular ashes originated. Do you know that location?”

No answer.

He was gone.

She waited a few moments and then rose to her feet. She could feel the excitement surge through her as she started back toward the cottage. She had to talk to Eve and then call Joe. It was clear why Trevor had chosen to go through her to get to Joe. He'd known she'd try to convince him. He was right. For the first time in days she felt as if things were going to happen, that she could reach out and do something, accomplish something. All she had to do was bring Trevor into the picture and it would start a chain reaction.

Vesuvius . . .

Vesuvius?” Joe repeated. “It could be another con. Dangling a carrot to make us think he knows more than he does.”

“Suppose we assume he's telling the truth and have Interpol explore the possibility that Aldo's career began in Italy,” Eve said. “It couldn't hurt.”

“The hell it couldn't. It would waste time we don't have. That bastard is running around killing women and we can't lay a finger on him.”

“No clues in the Richmond murder either?”

“Ashes.”

“Then it is him,” Eve whispered. “Maybe Trevor is wrong. Maybe he's forgotten about Jane.”

“And maybe he's right. The captain is already making noise about cutting down the security around Jane since the threat to her seems to be lessening.”

“You can't have it both ways.”

“I know that, dammit.” He was silent a moment. “Tell Jane to pick up on the extension.”

Eve motioned to Jane, who was sitting on the couch across the room. She nodded and picked up the receiver. “I don't think Trevor's lying, Joe. I wouldn't have told you about his offer if I hadn't believed him.”

“He's proved he's an expert at deception.”

“I thought it was worth a shot. Now stop growling at me and tell me what you're going to do.”

“I don't make deals with crooks.”

“That's what I told him. He said he thought you might make an exception to get Aldo. Naturally, he expected me to try to persuade you.” She paused. “I was going to do it. I decided that I had to leave it up to you.”

“How generous.”

“But, if it means anything, I think Trevor could be the key to getting Aldo. And I think you believe that too.”

Joe was silent a moment. “And what would you do if I said no deal? If Trevor called you, would you go running?”

“I wouldn't run. I'd think about it.”

“And then you'd go.”

She didn't answer for a moment. “Aldo hurt Toby, Joe. He hurt him. And it was my fault.”

“God in heaven.”

“I'm sorry if it makes you angry, but I'm not going to lie to you again.”

“It does make me angry. I'm mad and frustrated and I want to kick someone.”

“What are you going to do, Joe?” Eve asked quietly.

“I'll let you know when I do.” He hung up.

Jane made a face as she replaced the receiver. “What do you think the chances are that he'll deal with Trevor?”

Eve hung up. “How do I know? It's his decision, but you did everything you could to influence it.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean? You heard me. I left it entirely up to him.”

“Supposedly. But you put the threat of danger to you very cleverly into the mix. You pushed all the right buttons.” She met her gaze. “You handled him with the skill of Henry Kissinger. I was surprised.”

“I'd never ‘handle' Joe.” Jane was genuinely upset. “I'd think you'd know that, Eve.”

“Maybe not intentionally. But when I was studying your face while you were talking to him, it was almost like watching a stranger.” She shrugged wearily. “Or maybe it's my imagination. You said all the right things. Perhaps I'm seeing things that aren't there.” She got to her feet. “I'm going to bed. If Joe calls back, I'll let you know what he decides.”

“Thanks.” Jane was still gazing at her with a troubled expression. “I'd never do that to Joe. I hate being finessed myself. I was just being honest.”

“Then forget I said anything. I'm so tired and stressed right now I'm probably seeing little green monkeys.” Eve started toward her bedroom. “Good night, Jane.”

I t was like watching someone else.”

Jane shivered as she went out on the porch after Eve disappeared into her room. Her conversation with Joe, the words she'd chosen had been spoken totally without conscious thought. It was as if she'd been on automatic.

Yet she'd known at the time that they were exactly the right words to lead him down the path she wanted him to follow. It was as if she'd been doing it all her life. It had seemed perfectly natural and she hadn't even realized she was doing it until Eve had confronted her with it. Her first instinct had been rejection and denial, but now she wasn't so sure she hadn't tried to manipulate Joe. And what kind of person did that make her?

Toby whined and pawed at her leg.

She bent down and patted his head. “It's okay, boy.”

He sensed she was disturbed and was trying to comfort her. She needed comforting. She hated lies and deceptions and she'd been dealing in both of them lately.

Jesus, and they'd come so easily. . . .

Then accept that she was imperfect and capable of manipulation and be on the alert. She was the one in control of her actions and she must be careful never to hurt Joe or Eve. It was scary to know that she'd not even realized what she was doing.

Forget it. It wouldn't happen again.

But damn Aldo for placing her in this position where she'd had to admit to herself that she was capable of trying to twist even these people she loved into the way she wanted them to go.

Annapolis, Maryland

The bar was crowded but that was good for him. It lessened the chances of anyone remembering one man sitting by himself at the bar. He'd made sure his facial disguise and clothes were nondescript but the key was always to blend into the crowd.