Hunting Eve

“Forestry friends? Is there anyone you don’t know, Trevor?”

“I’ve lived a full life. People are part of a full life. I like most of them. Those I don’t like I find a way to ignore or get rid of.” He looked up and smiled. “And then there are those I love and store away in a very special place.” He didn’t wait for her to answer but gazed down at his computer. “There’s a brilliant guy, Joseph Hansen, who spends more of his time in the forest than he does in bed with his wife. Not popular with her, but very popular with the university where he teaches. Let’s see if he’s seen anything like these areas you’ve drawn…”

Rio Grande Forest

Colorado

FIRE. BURNING ORANGE, blue.

The crackle of wood in the forest stillness.

Forest …

Eve stiffened, her gaze flying from the center of the burning campfire to encircle the small clearing.

Tackled.

Pain. No breath. Death.

No, not death, darkness. She’d been knocked unconscious.

By Doane. Where was Doane?

She struggled to a sitting position.

Difficult. Her hands were tied.

Doane, again, dammit.

Where was …

“Hello, Eve.”

He was behind her. No, she could see Doane coming toward the fire from the corner of her eye.

She went rigid and lost her breath.

Not Doane!

Powerful muscular frame and athletic stride. Dressed all in black, from jeans to wool jacket. White hair, closely barbered, dark eyes in a face that was lean and chiseled. Age … sixties? It was hard to determine. The way he moved spoke of a much younger man.

“You came around sooner than I expected.” He crossed to the other side of the fire and dropped down on the ground. “I only wanted you out long enough to tie your wrists and make a fire, but it appears I just made it.”

“Who are you?”

“Not whom you expected? But you knew I was there in the trees watching you, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“But I didn’t make any sound. I’ve been at this a long time, and I don’t make mistakes like that.”

“You didn’t make one this time either. I just knew you were there.”

“Instinct. It’s a wonderful thing. It’s probably what’s kept you alive and free with Doane after you. I saw by your tracks that you made some mistakes, but instinct can erase a lot of errors.”

“Who are you? And how do you know about Doane?”

He smiled. “Think. Who do you think I am?”

“I don’t like guessing games.” She stared at him. Cool. Confident. His expression indicated only mockery and curiosity. “And I don’t like to be tied like this.” She reached up and touched her neck. “Karate. You pressed on my carotid artery to make me black out. I don’t like that either.”

“I understood you could be a formidable opponent. I chose to put you out and avoid permanent damage.”

“Are you another of Doane’s accomplices?”

“Another Blick? How insulting.”

Her glance left his and went to the fire. “If you’re not one of Doane’s men, then you should put out the fire. The smoke could bring Doane ru

He smiled. “But I don’t care, Eve.”

And then she knew who he was.

CHAPTER

8

EVE’S EYES WIDENED as she went rigid with shock.

“Ah, you’ve put it all together.” He picked up a stick and reached over and stirred the fire. “You should have done it sooner. After all, your situation doesn’t have that many possible options.”

“You weren’t one that I expected. But now I recognize the voice.” She moistened her lips, her gaze on his face. “You’re Lee Zander.”

“Yes.”

“You told Doane that you weren’t going to step into his trap.”

“And I’m not. I’m going to let him step into mine. I decided that it would be boring waiting for him to close in and make his play. Better to have it over quickly.”

“So you came after him.”

Zander smiled. “And found an intriguing situation in play. How did you get free of him?”

“You’re not really interested.” She looked down at the ropes around her wrists. “And you weren’t worried about any harm I could do you. You just staked me out like a goat for a tiger.”

He chuckled. “You do yourself an injustice. You bear no resemblance to a goat, Eve. And Doane is no tiger. He’s more reptilian in nature.”

No, it was Zander who resembled the tiger, Eve thought, gazing at him. A rare white tiger, lean, powerful, and deadly. Though he appeared relaxed, almost indolent, she was acutely aware that laziness could change in a heartbeat. “Whatever. You’re using me to trap Doane.”

“He was using you to try to draw me into a trap. I thought that it was fitting that I steal the bait and set a trap of my own. It pleased my sense of whimsy.”

“You’ll forgive me if I don’t see any whimsy in the situation,” Eve said curtly. “I only see two vicious bastards fighting over a piece of meat. Why don’t you set me loose and just go after each other?” She nodded at the blaze. “You’ve built that fire, and that will bring Doane ru

“I’m not sure.” He tilted his head. “It seemed a good idea at the time. I’ll have to consider the possibilities. As I’ve been sitting here looking at you, I’ve been wondering if I could have had other motivations.” He lifted his shoulder in a half shrug. “Though that’s a hard admission for me to make. I have a habit of making up my mind and going straight for the target. I never second-guess myself.”

“Well, good for you,” she said sarcastically. “It must be wonderful to think you’re always perfect.”

“Perfect? I don’t believe anyone could use that word referring to me.” He paused, thinking about it. “Except I come very close in executing my profession.”

“Murder,” she said harshly. “Like Doane.”

“We discussed this over the phone when Doane tried to dangle you as bait. I’m nothing like Doane or his son. I do not kill children, and both Doane and his Kevin were amateurs compared to me.”

“Murder,” she repeated.

He nodded. “But I’m more like the assassins of the Renaissance, and they’re like stockyard butchers.”

“It’s taking life. When you get down to the basics, that’s all that’s important.” She paused. “Are you going to kill me?”

“You’re not the target.”

“But I’ll be a witness unless you let me leave before Doane gets here.” Her lips twisted. “A Renaissance assassin wouldn’t leave a witness, would he? It wouldn’t be clever or efficient.”

“You’re making fun of me?” His eyes narrowed on her face. “You’re not afraid of me at all, are you?”

“Why should I be afraid? You’ll either kill me, or you won’t. If I can get away from you or take you out, then I’ll do it. But there’s no reason to let a two-bit killer intimidate me.”

“Most people are afraid when faced by death,” he said thoughtfully. “It’s interesting that you aren’t. I had that same impression when I spoke to you on the phone. Why aren’t you?”

“I told you.” She stared him in the eye. “Let me go. I’ll disappear. I won’t be a witness. I don’t care if Doane dies. I was thinking about doing it myself.”

“Were you?” His brows rose. “Yet your profession is based on compassion. Just thinking about it?”

She didn’t answer. “Let me go.”

“But then you might creep up behind me and attack,” his voice was faintly mocking. “There’s always that possibility. You appear to have such fierce instincts.”

“You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you? All I want to do is go home and live my life. I don’t care anything about you. You’re nothing to me.” She held up her bound wrists. “I just want out of these ropes so that I have a chance when Doane gets here. I won’t let him or Kevin kill me. If you won’t let me go, just untie me so that I can fight him. I may save you the trouble of killing him.”

“No trouble. I don’t regard disposing of him as a chore. But I’m surprised you mentioned Kevin. We both know I killed him over five years ago.”