Iris Johansen - Blind Alley

“But I got by with bruises.” Eve filled Jane's water glass and handed it to her. “You had cuts, a strained shoulder, and loss of blood from that leg wound. Incidentally, the doctor said that you'd aggravated that shoulder injury by tossing those rocks around to get me out.”

“It didn't hurt.” She amended as she saw Eve's skeptical expression, “Much.” She took a sip of water and set it down. “When can you get me sprung?”

“This afternoon. And Joe made reservations on the midnight flight tonight. We're going home.”

“Good. You're sure you're feeling okay?”

“Jane, I'm fine. Joe is fine. That's the third time you asked that today. Now stop fretting. It's not like you.”

“I've never been responsible for nearly getting both of you killed before.” She reached for her hand. “I'm sorry. I'd never have forgiven myself if you'd really been hurt.”

“It was our choice. We'd do it again.” She smiled as she squeezed her hand. “We couldn't get along without you. Like I told you, family is everything.”

“Not when I almost got you—” She stopped as Eve's hand covered her lips.

“Hush,” she said. “It wasn't easy for you to crawl through that tunnel in the dark to get to me. Why did you do it?”

“You needed me.”

“I rest my case.” She stood up. “Now I don't want to hear any more about it. Okay?”

She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “Okay. But you can't stop me from thinking.” She drew a deep breath. “Where's Trevor? I haven't heard anything from him since he and Bartlett dug us out of the passage.”

“I saw him this morning before I came to the hospital. He picked up Giulia to return her to the museum.”

“But you didn't finish her.”

“Yes, I did. Last night. I worked all night to complete her. It wasn't that difficult. I'd done all the basic measurements. I only had to do a final.”

Jane smiled as she shook her head. “Only you would decide to do a reconstruction after you were dug out of a cave-in.”

“It was important to me.” Her hand tightened around Jane's. “I wanted this nightmare over. I had to have it over.”

“I understand. Me, too. After I call Sam Drake and give him his scoop, I'll be glad to put an end to all of this. What did she look like? Was she pretty?”

Eve looked away. “Not really pretty. She had a strong, interesting face.”

“And Trevor took her back already?” She paused. “He hasn't been by to see me. Not that I really expected him.”

“I imagine he's trying to stay out of Joe's way.”

“He thinks Joe will arrest him? He saved your life. He probably saved mine, too.”

“It would probably be more comfortable for Joe if he just disappeared. Then he wouldn't have to make a decision.”

“He won't stay around for long. He's got what he wanted.” She added, “But it wouldn't have hurt him to say good-bye.”

“Sometimes it does,” Bartlett said from the doorway. “Take me. I'm feeling very sad to say good-bye to you, Jane.” He came forward and took her hand. “But good friends never say permanent farewells, do they?”

“Are you going back home to London?” Eve asked.

“I'm considering it.” He smiled. “Or I may tag along with Trevor for a while. Life is never boring with him.”

“Where is he going?” Jane asked.

“I have no idea. You'll have to ask him.” He turned to Eve. “Good-bye. Thank you for all your kindness.”

Eve gave him a quick hug. “Take care. Call me if you need anything.” She brushed a kiss on Jane's forehead. “I'll pick you up at two this afternoon.”

“I'll be ready. 'Bye.” Jane watched her leave the room before turning back to Bartlett. “I'm not going to have the chance to ask Trevor anything, am I?”

“You might. Although it would be wiser for him to fade into the sunset.”

“Where is he?”

“He said he was returning that skeleton to the museum in Naples. Then he's taking the six o'clock flight from Naples to Rome. After that, I've no idea.”

“Why are you telling me that, if you believe it's wiser for him not to see me?”

He shrugged. “It's been brought to my attention lately that life is very short and wisdom may not be all that it's cracked up to be. When I was digging through that rubble with Trevor and the rescue crew, trying to get all of you out of that tunnel, I was thinking how sweet life could be and what a shame it was to miss a minute of it.” He turned away and headed for the door. “And that's why I'm probably going with Trevor and not back to my accounting job. I'll stay in touch, Jane.”

She lay there after he left, staring at the soothing seascape on the wall across the room. Everything in this room was bright and soothing, meant to help heal and make everything right. So different from the oppressive darkness of that tunnel. That nightmare time seemed remote and far away.

Can't breathe.

Hot. Smoky.

Night without air.

Would that dream of Cira fade away too?

It would no doubt be better if it did. She had spent far too much time researching and racking her brains to find some logical reason for a totally illogical experience. She should chalk those dreams of Cira up to one of life's mysteries and move on with reality. Yes, that was sensible.

And Mark Trevor should be dismissed with the same logic and practicality. He had been an interesting experience and she had learned something about herself from meeting him. Yet in six months the chances were that she would be on her way to completely forgetting him. She'd be starting her life and not looking back.

It was finished.

Naples was bathed in twilight, bustling, busy, old, yet trying to come to terms with its age and concentrate on the future.

Different from Herculaneum, Trevor thought as he looked out the plate-glass window at the airport. Herculaneum lived in the past and was content to stay that way. Why not? Cira's city possessed a glorious past that fit her—

“You're very rude.”

He stiffened and slowly turned to see Jane standing behind him. “This is a surprise.” She was dressed in khakis and a loose white shirt. Her cheek was bruised, she was pale, and her expression was grim.

And, God, she looked beautiful.

“It's a surprise to me, too.” She took a step toward him. “Because I'm angry that you could be so rude and stupid. You could have come to the hospital to say good-bye. I shouldn't waste my time on you.”

“I agree. You shouldn't be here. How's the wound in your leg?”

“Sore. I'll survive. Bartlett must have told you that I'm going to be fine. Where is he? Did he decide to go with you?”

He nodded. “He's in the coffee shop.”

“And where are you going?”

“Switzerland, first.”

“But you won't stay there. You'll be going after Precebio's gold.”

He smiled. “It's Cira's gold. Perhaps eventually. It's a little too hot around here for me right now.”

“I don't believe Joe's going to turn the law loose on you.”

“I imagine Scotland Yard will have its own agenda. They don't like tampering with their Web site or interfering with their caseload.” He shrugged. “At any rate, I'm always one to avoid trouble.”

“Liar.”

He chuckled. “Well, unless there's a fifty-fifty chance I can talk or buy my way out of it.”

She nodded. “Bartlett said that you're addicted to walking a tightrope. That's stupid, too. You should grow up.”

“I'll work on it.”

“No, you'll just continue taking the same chances year after year until you get yourself killed. That's why I'm surprised I even took the time to come here.”

“Why did you?”

“You saved my life. You saved Eve and Joe.”