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Joe turned at John Gallo’s voice to see him coming toward them. “How much quicker?”
“Maybe only a few minutes.” Gallo added grimly, “But a few minutes can be enough.” He turned. “I’m heading back and taking the trail up to that cliff. Come if you like.”
Joe hesitated for only an instant. Gallo was an expert woodsman and tracker, and it didn’t matter how Joe felt about him personally. He was right, a few minutes could be enough to make a difference. He strode quickly after him. Ben and Father Barnabas were only steps behind.
Gallo glanced back at them as he moved swiftly through the trees. “This isn’t your job, Father. You shouldn’t be here. And who’s the kid?”
“Ben. He’s a friend of your uncle’s.”
“You’re John Gallo.” Ben was gazing at Gallo. “Ted told me about you.”
Gallo was frowning. “What?”
“Ben came along to protect Da
“He shouldn’t trust any of us,” Gallo said, his lips tightening. “And I don’t know if he’s going to get the chance to help him. We have to worry about Eve.” He turned back and increased his pace to a trot.
Joe caught up with him. “Where’s this trail? Time is—”
“There.” Gallo was now on the trail curving toward the cliff and ru
“Just before they started up the hill again.”
“Well, I saw them a moment or so before that,” he said jerkily. “And he had his hands on her throat.”
Shit.
“Get rid of the priest and the kid, Qui
“Maybe not.” His head was lifted, his gaze on the trail on the summit where Eve and Da
“It only means I may have to fight my way through them,” Gallo said hoarsely. “I promised myself that Eve has to come first. I’ll keep that promise.”
He meant it, Joe realized. Good. At least, he didn’t have to worry about Gallo’s turning traitor at the last minute. It was one small light in a nightmare scenario.
“At least get rid of the kid,” Gallo said. “He makes me … He shouldn’t be here.”
But he was invited, Joe wanted to tell him. He may belong here more than any of us. But that would require explanations, and he wasn’t about to make them. He increased his speed and passed Gallo as they reached the hill. “It’s too late. Deal with it.”
* * *
I’M COMING, BONNIE. I’LL BE THERE with you soon. Do you feel me? Do you hear me?
But there was no answer. If Da
The higher they’d climbed, the pine trees had become thi
“We’re almost at the top of this canyon,” she called to Da
“Be quiet.” His voice was rough. “I don’t lie. You said that before. You said there was no demon. But it was a demon who killed the little girl.”
He was referring to Bo
“We’re almost at the top of this canyon, and there’s nothing but rock. I don’t—” She stopped on the trail, her heart leaping to her throat, her gaze on the huge dark crack between two canyons to the left of the trail.
“Bo
“You’ve found me, Mama. I kept telling you that it didn’t matter, but you wouldn’t believe me.”
“It mattered to me.”
“And I guess that’s why you finally found me.”
“Where are you? I don’t see you.”
“You will. Not right now. He’s suffering so much that I can’t get near you.”
“Damn him.”
“No. Don’t be angry. Can’t you see? I know everything now. The two planes have come together, and I remember what happened. There mustn’t be anger.”
“I don’t see. He took you away from me. I am angry. I won’t let—”
“She’s here, isn’t she?” Da
She could no longer sense Bo
“Get out of my way.” Da
After the darkness, the daylight almost blinded Eve.
She stopped, stu
* * *
“SHIT, WHERE’S HE TAKING HER?” Joe said between set teeth, as his gaze flew down the path and the dark crevices on either side. “This part of the canyon looks like a rabbit warren. It will be a nightmare trying to follow him into any of those crevices.”
“And no footprints,” Gallo said. The trail had become rock and stone once they left the lower part of the trail. “If we had shale, I could at least tell if it had been disturbed.” He stopped and gazed down one of the twisting passageways between the walls. “I’ll check out this one. You take the next path over there.”
Joe nodded. Taking the openings one by one was the only thing they could do, but it was a waste of time. Dammit, they had no time to do an extensive search.
“No.” Ben was suddenly beside Joe. “Not there. Not this one. Straight ahead.”
“We have to eliminate every possibility, kid,” Gallo said.
“No, straight ahead.” He put his hand on Joe’s arm. “She’s not there.”
Joe looked at him.
“I have to be with you. But not here.” He added urgently, “Tell him. We have to hurry, Joe.”
Joe hesitated, gazing at the boy’s pleading expression. Then he said slowly, “We’ll split up, Gallo, we can cover more area. You search here, and I’ll go straight ahead.” He whirled and started ru
Ben caught up with Joe and passed him.
Follow him. He seems to know where he is going.
And God knows Joe had no idea.
* * *
EVE WAS FROZEN WITH SHOCK. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
Greenery where there had been only rocks, grass so well tended it looked like velvet. A flowering magnolia tree, shiny-leafed shrubs, plum leaf azaleas, small, exquisite pink roses, delicate lantana, and golden sunflowers … She was on the edge of the rose-hued canyon wall on a cliff that was perhaps thirty feet in diameter. It was sheltered by a network of vines on all sides that made it into a secret garden.
Secret Garden. Yes, that was what it reminded her of, that classic children’s tale about a garden of magic beauty that had the power to heal because of the love that gone into bringing it to life.