Stalemate

He took the photo from her and gazed down at it. "You did a brilliant job but you missed one thing. The laugh lines around her eyes. She used to say those tiny creases made her look old. I liked them. They were part of her." He handed the picture back to her. "You couldn't know about that."

No, Nalia, or whatever instinct drove Eve during those reconstructions, hadn't told her about those creases. "I can't add them now. It wouldn't be ethical or professional."

He nodded jerkily. "And there wasn't anything for her to laugh about at the end anyway. Please hurry with your final wrap-up. I've got to get going on making arrangements to do mine."

And his arrangements were for death and mayhem.

"You'll have to make arrangements to send Joe and me back to the States too."

He stiffened. "When?"

"This afternoon or tonight. I'll finish the computer work within a few hours. I want to get Joe back to Atlanta as quickly as possible."

He was silent a moment. "I'd rather you stay until I'm sure Diaz can't get to you. He's very big on revenge."

"He's not the only one."

He inclined his head. "True."

"Send me home. Joe and I will take care of ourselves." She met his gaze. "And I'll be waiting for you to make good on your promise."

"Don't worry, I'll keep it. I'll be coming to Atlanta just as soon as I take care of business here."

After he left the library she went over to the window and stared out at the night sky. It was begi

It's almost over, Joe. We can go home and try to forget what happened here. If that's what you want. I owe it to you.

But perhaps it would be better if she didn't forget. She had learned a few things about herself that she hadn't known before. Jesus, you'd think after all she'd been through that she'd know every facet of her personality. But along came Montalvo and she'd discovered she'd barely scraped the surface.

When I look at you it's like looking in a mirror.

But the image was dark and twisted and not what she wanted from life. She wanted Joe.

Well, with any luck she still had him. And if she could keep him with her when Montalvo came to Atlanta as he'd promised, to help her find Bo

She opened the door of the cabinet beside the French doors and pulled out her duffel with her cameras and equipment. Get the job done and get Joe back to Atlanta where he'd be safe. Worry about the search for Bo

She began to set up the cameras.

"May I come in?" Soldono's hesitant knock was followed by the opening of the library door. "Since Miguel isn't standing guard in the hall, I take it that you've finished?"

"Yes." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I've just finished making the computer comparisons. I've been packing away the cameras." She glanced at him. "And, no, you don't have to sneak me out of here. Montalvo's sending us home."

"Is he?"

She stiffened. "Is that supposed to mean something?"

"He may be sending you home, but I'm not sure about Qui

"Soldono, what the devil are you talking about?"

"I'm trying to tell you. I think Qui

Her heart jumped in her chest. "He couldn't. I saw him yesterday afternoon and he could barely function."

"Well, he must have garnered the strength from somewhere." He was looking at her sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Eve. I checked his room an hour ago and no Qui

"Galen went with him?" She wanted to murder both of them. Why couldn't Joe have waited one more day? But no, he had to go off on his own. Not quite his own, thank heavens. Galen at least was strong and healthy and might strike the balance. "You're sure about this, Soldono?"

"Unless they're both hiding out in Montalvo's armory. I can't quite see that scenario as being realistic."

"Neither can I." No, they'd be going after Diaz to take him out. She had a sudden memory of that castle on the hill. It might be grandiose, but it represented massive power and she was scared to death that power would be leveled at Joe and Galen. "I have to see Montalvo. Do you know where he is?"

"He was out in the courtyard fifteen minutes ago." Soldono had gone over to the dais and was looking at the reconstruction. "She was very beautiful. Is it a good likeness?"

"Very good." She was moving toward the door. "Except for a few little things. No reconstruction is perfect."

"This one must come pretty close. Montalvo should be pleased."

"Yes, but that's not important right now." She strode out of the room and a moment later she was out in the courtyard.

"Eve, are you finished shooting those photos?" Montalvo looked up from talking to Miguel. "I can't wait much longer for-"

"Did you know about Joe?"

"Qui

"Soldono says Joe is gone. He and Galen left sometime last night."

"And I'm supposed to have kept this from you?"

"I find it odd that you'd not know what was going on in the compound. And how would Joe manage to get out of here without you knowing about it?"

Montalvo turned to Miguel. "I also find that strange. Miguel?"

He shrugged. "He and Galen left at three this morning. They went over the west wall. I was very impressed. I wouldn't have thought that a wounded man would be able to make it."

"Damn you," Eve said. "Why didn't you stop him?"

"He was in the way," he said simply. "The Colonel didn't want him here, but he wouldn't send him away. This way he didn't have to do it. Qui

"You should have told me, Miguel," Montalvo said.

"But that would have spoiled everything. An opportunity was presenting itself. Neither of us had to kill him. He has a chance of surviving if he's as good as we've heard." He smiled. "It seemed very sensible."

Eve stared at him in disbelief. Sensible to serve up Joe to Diaz? The total ruthlessness of the boy was incredible.

"It was wrong, Miguel," Montalvo said. "And we'll have to make it right. That may not be easy."

"For God's sake, you're talking to him as if he were a two-year-old who'd used a crayon to scribble on the furniture. He let Joe leave. He'd probably have given him a boost over that wall if he'd needed it."

Miguel nodded. "But he didn't need it. As I said, he was impressive."

"Go get him back," Eve said through her teeth. "He's alone out there."

"He has Galen," Miguel said. "But I'll go if the Colonel wishes it." He checked his watch. "It's been over ten hours. Qui

"You know where he's going," she said. "Diaz."

Miguel nodded. "But if I interfere with the Colonel's plans for Diaz, he won't be pleased."

She swung on Montalvo. "Tell him."

"I will," Montalvo said. "But I'm not going to order him to go retrieve Qui