Страница 75 из 82
A bolt of sheer rage shot through Eve. Dont you even think about it.
I dont want to think about it, Lisa said wearily. The idea sickens me, but I will have it done, Eve. Just as I had Kessler killed. Just as Ill have everyone you care about killed. You have to give me the skull and that DNA report.
Go to hell.
Listen to me, Eve. Think about it. Is it worth it?
Youre saying if I give you the skull that Joe will live?
Yes.
Liar. Joe wouldnt be safe. My God, you even killed Scott Maren, and he was supposed to be your friend.
Silence. That wasnt my decision. I didnt know about it until it had been done. Timwick is in a panic and striking out. Ill see that Qui
I dont believe you.
Then, what do you want, Eve? What can I give you?
I want you brought down. She closed her eyes and said the words shed never thought shed say to anyone. I want you dead.
Im afraid thats not one of your choices.
Thats all Ill ever want.
Thats not true. Lisa paused. I was afraid that Fiske would fail, so Ive been sitting here won-dering what I could offer you. And then it came to me. So simple. I know what you want even more than you want me crushed down.
There isnt anything.
Oh, but there is, Eve.
Eve was still staring down at the phone when Logan came back.
He stopped a few feet away, his gaze narrowed on her face. Was it your mother? Hows Qui
She shook her head. It was Lisa Chadbourne.
He stiffened. And?
She wants the skull.
So whats new? Is that enough to send you into shock?
Yes. She put the phone back into her handbag. Its enough.
Did she threaten you?
She threatened Joe and Mom.
Sweet.
But Im not sure she can guarantee their safety even if I make the deal. She said Timwick is in a panic and she lost control of him when he killed Maren. She might lose control of him again.
And she might never have lost control and given the order herself.
Maybe. I dont know. I cant think right now.
If I make the dealhellip;
The phrasing abruptly hit home to him. My God, youre actually thinking about it. What the hell did she say to you?
She didnt answer.
He fell to his knees beside her. Tell me.
She shook her head. My heads messed up. Maybe later.
Maybe?
She changed the subject. I want you to call the hospital.
To check on Qui
No, I want you to call the nurses station. I want you to tell her that you intend to kill Joe.
What?
I want you to be obscene and ugly and explicit. I want you to tell her how youre going to pretend youre hospital perso
He slowly nodded. Theyll report the anony-mous call to the cops hanging around the hospital and theyll be on the lookout.
Id do it myself, but a man is usually perceived as more lethal.
Perception can be faulty as hell. Ill call right away. He frowned. What are you doing?
She was on her knees, reaching for Bens case on the ground beside her. I just want to hold Bens skull case.
Why?
Im not going to run away with it. I just want to have it in my hands.
He didnt like that any more than he liked the way Eve was acting. Maybe we should think about leaving here. We need to find somewhere to sleep.
Okay, well go back to Gainesville later tonight. She looked away from him and down at the case on her lap. Make the call.
Sandra called Eve at eleven that night. Joes vital signs have stabilized. Hes still critical but its looking better.
Hope surged through Eve. When will they know for sure?
I dont know. Tomorrow morning, maybe. How are you?
Okay.
You dont sound okay.
Im fine, Mom. Are you with Ron?
Yes, hes right here. He says hes not going to move two feet from me until this is over. He thinks you should come in and talk to the police. So do I. Youve got to get this mess straightened out.
It sounded so easy, she thought tiredly. Deposit everything in the arms of the police and let them take care of it. Call me back when you find out more about Joe. Take care of yourself, Mom.
Qui
She nodded. But not out of the woods. She opened the car door. Im going to walk down to the pond. You dont have to go with me.
In other words, my companys not wanted. He glanced at Bens case in her hand. But evi-dently our skeletal friend is. You havent set it down all evening. Are you going to tell me why youre toting that thing around?
She wasnt sure herself. Maybe she thought it would give her the answer. God, she needed an an-swer. I just want it with me.
Weird.
Yes, havent you heard? I dont have all my marbles.
Crap. Youre one of the sanest people I know.
But look at the company you keep. She moved down the moonlit slope. The leather of the case was smooth beneath her touch.
Help me, Ben. Im lost and I need someone to find me.
Eve had been sitting underneath that tree for over two hours.
And she was hugging that leather case like it was a baby.
He couldnt stand it any longer. Logan got out of the car and stalked down the slope.
Im sick of being patient and understanding. You tell me whats happening. Do you hear me? I want to know what the hell Lisa Chadbourne told you.
She didnt speak for a moment, and then she whispered, Bo
What?
She offered me Bo
How could she do that?
She said that shed have the cases reopened, that shed send an army of police and military to question and search. She said shed been thinking about it. The search couldnt be obviously for Bo
My God.
She said that theyd spend years if they had to. She promised to bring Bo
And all you have to do is give her the skull and the DNA report? Its a trick. Shed never follow through.
Just the skull. She said I could leave the country and keep the DNA report until she delivers Bo
A pretty weak hold.
She closed her eyes. Bo
She wouldnt keep her word.
Maybe she would.
I wont let you do it.
Her eyes flicked open and she said fiercely, Listen to me, Logan. If I decide to do this, neither you nor anyone else is going to stop me. Ill run right over you. If anyone can find Bo
Yes, he said harshly. And so does she. Dont let her use you like this.
She shook her head. You dont understand.
He did understand and he ached for her. Lisa Chadbourne had used the one lure that was irre-sistible to Eve. When do you have to let her know?
Shes going to call me at seven in the morning.
It would be a terrible mistake.
She said Joe and Mom would be safe, that all the killing would be over. Shell even try to get Timwick to stop looking for you.
Fat chance. Youd be crazy to believe her.
I believe she doesnt want any more killing. I dont know if she can stop it, but I think she wants it over.
When she calls, let me talk to her.
She shook her head.
I thought we were in this together.
Together? Youve already said youd try to keep me from doing it.
Because I know its a mistake.
Its a mistake to leave Bo
Eve, the stakes are too high to let
Shut up, Logan. Her voice was tight. Just leave me alone to think. Youre not going to convince me. I already know every argument against it.
But every cell in her mind and body was telling her to do it, Logan thought. He wanted to strangle Lisa Chadbourne.