Iris Johansen - Blind Alley

“Minor cuts, I think. I didn't take time to check.”

“Why not?”

“The vomitorium entrance was blocked by the explosion. I had to try to go the long way round to get to you. Joe was digging Eve out of the rubble so I told him I'd go for you.”

“Aldo said— You shouldn't be alive. None of you should be alive. Aldo said that he set the explosives close to the ledge by the vomitorium.”

“He did, but we weren't there when they went off. I got to Eve and Joe in time to get them out of the immediate area. Dammit, I checked that ledge earlier this evening and so did Joe. He must have stuffed some plastique in a crevice and camouflaged it. It's so dark back there that without instruments we—”

“I don't care about the plastique. Then Eve and Joe got out safely?”

“Not exactly.” He finished the bandage and sat back on his heels. “We got out of ground zero, but not in time to avoid the blast. Eve was ahead of us and got caught in a rock slide.”

“Then she must be hurt. We have to get to her.”

“You're not going anywhere. Joe is digging her out.”

“We have to go and help.”

“She's okay. I'm going to get to the main tunnel and get men and—”

“Aldo blew the Via Spagnola entrance, too.”

“Bartlett is probably trying to get a rescue team in operation. If he can't get through the blockage, I'll have to make my way through that maze of tunnels to find the way out.”

“That's what Aldo was planning. He said he knew the way. Sontag told him.” She shuddered. “Sontag's dead. His throat . . .”

“I know. I saw his body and it scared the hell out of me. I knew if Aldo had gotten to Sontag that he would have told him everything he knew. And since I found Sontag in this passage of the tunnel, Joe and Eve were clear targets. I didn't know what he had in mind, but I knew I had to pull them out quick.” He got to his feet. “Stay here and try not to move. You don't want to start that bleeding again.” He was heading back down the tunnel. “I'll get help to you as soon as I can.”

His voice faded as he went around the turn of the tunnel.

Stay here?

She looked at Aldo's body only a few feet away and felt a shiver of revulsion.

Eve and Joe.

Her flashlight suddenly went out and she was in darkness.

That settled it.

She started to cautiously crawl toward the blockage Trevor had broken through. If he'd been able to wriggle through that cave-in to get to her, then she could get to Eve and Joe.

She heard Joe tossing rocks aside and talking to Eve before she'd gone fifty yards past the blockage.

She called, “Joe, my flashlight's out. Keep talking.”

He was silent. “Jane? Thank God.”

“Trevor said Eve was trapped but okay. Is she still—”

“Fine.” It was Eve's voice. “Are you hurt?”

“Not much.” Relief flooded through Jane. Eve sounded as fine as she claimed.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, I didn't get buried in a cave-in.”

“Aldo?”

“Aldo's dead.” She could see the light of Joe's flashlight now. “Trevor's gone for help.”

“Why didn't you go with him?”

“I wasn't invited. And if I had been, I'd have refused. How could I leave you down here?” She sat down beside him, picked up a rock, and threw it to one side. “Joe, how much farther do we have to go to get her out?”

“Not far.” He smiled at her. “Less than when I was doing it alone.”

She nodded as she picked up another rock and hurled it aside. “You bet it is. Being alone sucks. Two is always better.”

How's Jane?” Joe asked as Eve came out of the emergency room.

“Not pleased.” She grimaced. “They've sewed up her calf and it's a minor wound but they're going to keep her overnight for observation. She was most indignant they didn't keep me here instead.”

“It wouldn't be a bad idea.”

“Yes, it would. I'm fine. Just a few bruises.”

“Then let's get you back to the villa to bed.” He started down the hallway. “You need a little rest and—”

“No.”

“No?” He looked at her. “You're going to stay with Jane?”

She shook her head. “She doesn't need me and there's something I have to do.” She punched the button for the elevator. “And there's something you have to do, too.”

This is a lousy idea, Eve.” Joe set Giulia's skull on the pedestal. “You should be in bed resting, not working.”

“I have to get it done.” She turned the light on over the reconstruction. “Did you have any trouble with the local police about taking it out of the coffin?”

“I didn't ask them. I just dug my way through the rubble on top of the coffin and took it. It's mass confusion down there. There are so many rescue workers, archaeologists, and police getting in each other's way that all I had to do was look like I knew what I was doing. There's no way that could happen at home. Jesus, I'll be glad to get back to Atlanta.”

“So will I.” She shivered as she gazed at the reconstruction. There was something macabre about seeing Jane's face on this ancient skeleton. Snap out of it. Jane was alive and this was Eve's own work. “I'm sick to death of this mess. While I was pinned under those rocks all I could think about were Jane and that murderer. I nearly went crazy.” Her lips tightened. “There's no telling what damage dealing with that bastard has done to her. If she was like most girls she'd be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life.”

“She's not like most girls. She'll be fine.”

“I hope so. But it went on for too long. It hurt her and I can't stand that. I want her back home living a normal life.”

“A few more days won't matter.”

“It will matter to me.” She took the glass eyes out of the reconstruction. “I want out of here and this is the last thing I have to do to cut our ties. I have to give Giulia her true face and hand her over to Trevor to take back to the museum.” She carefully began to erase the features she'd created. The depth was accurate and she mustn't change that as she did the final sculpting. “So leave me alone and let me get to it. It's going to be a long night.”

“I'll hang out and keep you company.”

She shook her head. “If you want to help, phone and make our airline reservations out of here for tomorrow night. And then talk to the Italian authorities and make sure that they're not going to put any barriers up to keep us here.”

“They already took our statements. And I pulled a few strings to get them to leave it at that for the moment.”

“Be sure. I have to have an end to it.” She added wearily, “Dear God, and my Jane has to have an end to it.”

He nodded. “I'm on my way.”

Smooth.

Work fast. Don't think. Let Giulia's face tell the story.

More curve to the upper lip.

Smooth.

More definition beneath the cheekbone.

Smooth.

Her hands were moving quickly, deftly over Giulia's face.

Keep your mind empty.

Should the nose be shorter? It seemed right.

We're almost there. Just a little more over the brow.

No, that was wrong.

“Help me, Giulia. You've been lost for too long.”

Smooth.

Her fingertips were hot, though the clay was cool.

Smooth.

Tell me. They said you were a worker but that's not enough. You need a face so we'll be able to know you.

Smooth.

That's it, help me.

A little more.

Done!

She drew a deep breath and took a step back. “It's the best I can do, Giulia. I hope I got it— Oh, my God.” She closed her eyes, and whispered, “Dear God in heaven.”

Iwant out of here, Eve.” Jane scowled. “The emergency room should have checked me out and let me go last night. There's nothing wrong with me. You're the one the tunnel fell on.”