Stalemate

"It goes with the territory."

He smiled over his shoulder. "Or the history? I told you past history was a strong foe to overcome." He disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door. A moment later she heard the shower.

It was done. She was committed. She'd spurred Montalvo to kick his attack on Diaz into high gear. Not that he'd needed kicking. She'd seen how passionately eager he could be when he wanted something.

How would that eagerness translate in bed?

She felt a ripple of shock at the thought. It had come out of nowhere. She couldn't remember the last time she'd even had a sexual thought about a man other than Joe.

It meant nothing, she assured herself quickly. She was a woman who'd spent the last fifteen minutes in a room with a strong, virile, naked man. She was not a nun and it was natural that instinct would rear its head. It didn't mean that she loved Joe less or that she would ever act on that instinct. It was like watching Brad Pitt in a movie and thinking maybe it wouldn't be so bad to-

Dismiss it. She had gotten what she wanted from Montalvo and it wasn't a quickie in that monster of a bed. Joe would be safe. She might have a chance at finding her Bo

If everything went well for Montalvo and his men tonight. It all rested on him being able to fade into that village and snatch the skull before Diaz knew he was there.

She stood up and started toward the bedroom door.

A big if, she thought worriedly. A terribly big and forbidding if.

9

When Eve reached the hall, she met Galen coming out of Joe's bedroom.

His gaze went beyond her to Montalvo's door. "A late-night rendezvous or an assassination attempt?"

"Neither. And you're not being fu

"You have an idea or you wouldn't be cozying up to Montalvo in the middle of the night."

"Joe wants information. He wants your help when he's able to go after Diaz. Anything else?"

"He wants me to keep you from involving yourself any further with Montalvo while he's incapacitated."

"He's asking a hell of a lot from you."

"No, he's not." He smiled gently. "My friend Eve Duncan was shot and almost killed. Everything Qui

"I'm not going to let him go after Diaz." She met his gaze. "I'm not going to let you go after him either."

"How are you going to stop us?"

"I'm turning Montalvo loose on him. It's his battle. Hell, it's his war. Soldono says that he has no compunction about letting these criminals kill each other."

"But I believe you don't quite think of Montalvo on the same level as Diaz."

"That's because I know him. Diaz is still a mystery. It doesn't change the principle."

"Then I should have no trouble convincing you that you should shy away from Montalvo. Right?"

"Wrong. I'm going to do the reconstruction. He'll be retrieving the skull tonight and I'll do the work with as much speed as I can."

Galen gave a low whistle. "Qui

"No, he's not. Because you're not going to tell him anything. As far as he's concerned, you're doing what he asked you to do." Her lips twisted. "Including keeping me away from Montalvo. I'm only telling you what's happening because I know that you'll find out anyway. I can keep Joe in the dark for a limited time because he's going to be tied to that bed for a while. I just hope it's long enough for Montalvo to persuade the rebels to move against Diaz."

"Don't count on Qui

"Shit."

"Even if he makes it out of bed that doesn't mean he's going to have the strength to stay on his feet. It could be days before he's even mobile."

"And it may be much sooner. I know how determined Joe can be. He's an irresistible force when he's focused on anything."

"Then you'd better work very quickly indeed. I've learned one thing working with Qui

"How comforting."

"I'm not sure I want to comfort you. I'm leaning toward going along with Qui

"Damn you, Galen. You know how dangerous it would be to get that close to Diaz."

"But we wouldn't have to depend on someone we have no idea we can trust. That's also very dangerous."

"You're saying I can't count on you?"

"You can count on my help. I'm not saying how that help will be given."

She took a deep breath to smother her anger and frustration. "Tell me what I can count on. Are you going to tell Joe that I'm doing the reconstruction?"

"No. I think you'll be telling him about that. Unless you're not pla

She hadn't thought about that. Galen was right. "Maybe not right away. I'll try to build in a delay."

"And work with the speed of light. Qui

"You don't believe in pressure, do you?"

"You always work better under pressure, luv."

She shook her head. "But why do you want me to work faster? Which side are you on, Galen?"

"I haven't decided." He gri

"Bull. I know you make commitments."

"But how I execute them is my choice," he said gently. "Now run along and get to bed. I'll stay with Qui

"Neither is trying to get out of a sickbed before he should. You're aiding and abetting him in doing that."

"Touche." He turned to the door. "But I won't shake-" He broke off as Montalvo's door opened.

Montalvo was dressed in khakis and army boots, the ever-present pistol holstered on his hip as he strode quickly toward them. He nodded at Eve. "Is this quick enough for you? We're not on our way but I'm in full throttle at making plans. We should be ready to leave by eight tonight." He went past her and ran down the staircase.

"You certainly lit a fire under him," Galen murmured. "Or should I say a bonfire. You could almost warm your hands at it."

She knew what he meant. Montalvo's excitement and urgency were almost palpable. "He's been waiting for this. He used to be a soldier and he likes a challenge. He's going to love every minute of going after that skull under Diaz's nose."

"Yeah." Galen was still looking after him. "It's kind of addictive."

Good God, Galen actually sounded wistful, she thought in exasperation.

Men.

"He'll be lucky if he comes back with his own head, much less that skull," she said curtly.

"He seems to have a well-trained team. He has a good chance."

"According to Montalvo, Diaz knew he was close to finding her body. Maybe he knows more than Montalvo thinks about where the grave is located. We'll see if he manages to deliver that skull to me tonight." She turned and started back toward her room. She was weaving a little and concentrated on trying to steady herself. She was exhausted and her head was pounding. She needed sleep to heal and she had to heal. She had a strenuous couple of days ahead if Montalvo delivered the skull to her tonight.