The Killing Game (28 page)

Even Jane was feeling bad vibes, Eve realized. “Soon. Want to go wait in the car?”

Jane shook her head and moved closer. “I'll wait for you.”

“We might as well all go,” Spiro said. “There's nothing we can do right now. We'll hop back to Phoenix and I'll get a team to come here and go over the site.”

“After two decades and a fire?”

“No one searched for graves in the area.”

“You don't think Reverend Baldridge just moved on, do you?”

“I have to investigate every possibility. The old man seems to have been pretty unpleasant.”

“Yes.” Joe's gaze wandered around the campground. “Fanatics usually cause a lot of misery.”

“Well, if Kevin Baldridge is Dom, he's created more than his share of misery.” Spiro started down the hill. “Like father, like son.”

“Maybe it isn't Kevin. Maybe it's one of the other brothers.” Eve followed Spiro.

“But where was Kevin when the services were going on?” Spiro said. “It smacks of rebellion against the old man.” He glanced over his shoulder. “What are you doing, Quinn?”

Joe was kneeling, digging into the soft soil with a hand. “Just checking something.” He lifted a palmful of dirt to his mouth and touched his tongue to it. “Salt.”

Eve stopped in her tracks. “What?”

“Like you, I was wondering why nothing had grown back.” Joe brushed his palm clean as he stood up. “Someone plowed the area with salt either before or after the fire. He didn't want anything to live in this place again.”

IT WAS EARLY
evening when they arrived back in Phoenix. Spiro left them at the airport and Joe, Eve, and Jane arrived at Logan's house after nine o'clock.

To Eve's surprise, Logan himself was sitting on the couch, playing cards with Sarah, when they walked into the living room.

“It's about time.” He threw down his cards and stood up. “Why the hell didn't you tell me you were leaving town?”

“I'm glad you're back,” Sarah said. “He's been here for hours driving Monty and me bats. He wouldn't leave and then he wanted me to amuse him.”

Logan scowled at her. “You cheated.”

“I'm just a better poker player than you are. What do you think rescue teams do between searches?” She rose to her feet. “You deal with him, Eve. Monty and I are tired of watching him brood.”

“I don't brood.”

Sarah didn't argue. “Come on, Jane. You look as tired as I feel. Rough trip?”

“It was creepy there.” Jane stooped to pat Monty. “Come on, boy. Let's go to bed.”

The retriever stretched and then followed Sarah and Jane from the room.

Logan's gaze followed Sarah. “She's still holding a grudge.”

“She played cards with you,” Joe said.

“Because she wanted to beat my ass.” He turned to Eve and went on the attack. “Didn't it occur to you that I'd be worried when Booker told me you'd left the house?”

“I was in a hurry. Spiro had a lead. I honestly didn't think of it.” She supposed she should have called Logan, she thought wearily. “I'm sorry, Logan.”

“Leave her alone.” Joe was behind her, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. “She has enough problems without trying to pacify you.”

“Be quiet, Joe. He's been trying to help me. I shouldn't have made him worry.”

“I don't mind worrying if I can get my teeth into a problem. I can't stand being shut out of—” Logan stopped, staring at Eve and then at Joe standing behind her. “It's over, isn't it? He's done it.”

“What?”

“He's won. He's finally got what he wants. God, it couldn't be more clear.” He smiled without mirth. “I should have known that I was fighting a lost cause. I could fight Quinn, but I can't fight you, Eve. From the time he came to the island, you wanted to follow him home.”

“Because of Bonnie.”

“Maybe.” Logan looked at them for a long while. “You take care of her, Quinn.”

“You don't have to tell me that.”

“Yes, I do. Because I'm warning, not stating. If I can help, call me, Eve.”

“She won't need your help,” Joe said.

“You can never tell.”

She couldn't stand it. She wouldn't let him leave like this. “Joe, I want to talk to Logan alone.”

Joe didn't move.

“Joe.”

“Okay.” He left the room.

“Why do I feel that he's lurking in the hall?” Logan asked.

“Because he probably is.” She tried to smile. “You should take it as a compliment.”

“Should I?”

“He realizes how much you mean to me. How much you'll always mean to me.”

“But evidently not enough.”

“What's enough? It hurts me when you hurt. It makes me happy when you're happy. If you ever need me, I'll be there for you. Isn't that enough?”

“It's a lot. Not as satisfying as what I wanted, but I'll take it.” He paused. “Just for my own curiosity, how did Quinn do it?”

“I don't know,” she said frankly. “I didn't want it. It makes me uneasy. It's like being caught in some kind of whirlpool. It just happened.”

“Nothing ‘just happens' with Quinn. He's a major force. I've always known he was waiting in the wings for you.”

“I didn't.”

“I know. I hoped I'd have you wrapped up before he decided to make a move. I didn't manage to pull it off.” He looked at her for several moments and then gave her a quick kiss. “But it was a good year, wasn't it?”

Tears stung her eyes. “The best.”

“Not the best, or we wouldn't have reached this point, but pretty damn good.” He took her arm and walked with her into the foyer, where Joe was waiting by the stairs. “Hello, Quinn. What a surprise.”

“Not.” Joe moved closer to Eve.

“You don't have to act as if I'm going to kidnap her. That's not my style.” His lips tightened. “Though I'd like to break your neck.”

Joe shook his head. “But you won't do it. That's the difference between us. You're tough, but you never reached the point of no return with Eve. I wonder if you ever have with anyone.”

Logan took a step forward and said softly, “I'm tempted to prove you wrong.”

“Logan,” Eve said.

She didn't think he'd listen to her. Then he turned away from Joe and opened the door. “Good-bye, Eve. I'll be around. Don't close me out entirely. Okay?”

“That couldn't happen.” They had become too close. She kissed his cheek. “Not ever.”

“Remember you said that.” The door shut behind him.

Joe gave a low whistle. “I don't like the sound of that. Am I going to have to be friends with him?”

“You don't have to do anything. But he's my friend, dammit. He always will be.”

“I was afraid that was what you meant. I'll have to consider the way to—” He stopped. “You're upset. I'll shut up and leave you alone.”

“That would be a first.”

“You
are
upset.” He scowled. “And I'm jealous as hell.”

She used the word he'd once used with her. “Adjust.”

He smiled. “I will.”

“I've made you no promises, Joe. I still don't think we—”

“Time for me to leave,” he interrupted. “You're starting to be introspective, and that could be dangerous. I'm going to the precinct and see about the picture.” He paused. “I may not be back tonight. I think you could use some time alone.”

She felt a mixture of relief and disappointment. “You don't have to stay away. If I don't want you in my bed, I can always say no.”

“I'm trying to display my sensitive side.” He leaned forward and kissed her hard and quick. “Sleep well. I'll see you in the morning.”

She doubted she'd sleep well, she thought as she climbed the stairs. All the way back from Dillard she hadn't been able to forget the sight of that scorched, ruined hilltop. What had made Dom so bitter that he had ravaged the site? He had ripped and killed the earth as he had the bodies of his victims.

And then she'd faced Logan and hurt him. For the second time.

But she had never thought her feelings for Joe would shift and change. If she was smart, she'd close herself away from him, focus solely on her work. She'd never been this unsure and emotional when she was focused on her job. She had purpose and satisfaction knowing she was helping the lost ones.

Yes, that was the smart thing. Think only of work. Close Joe out . . .

“
IT WON
'
T WORK,
Mama.” Bonnie was sitting in the chair beside her bed. “Joe won't let you do that. Besides, it's too late.”

“I can do whatever I wish.” Eve propped her head higher on the pillow. “He's interfering with my life.”

“So am I, but you don't shut me out.”

“You can't shut off your dreams.”

Bonnie chuckled. “You always have an answer. The reason you don't shut me out is because you love me.”

“Oh, yes,” she whispered.

“And that's why you can't shut Joe out.”

“That's different.”

“You're darn right. Joe's alive.”

“I'd hurt him.”

“You're just depressed because of Logan. You shouldn't be. It was bound to happen. Remember I once told you that sometimes love started out one way and then became something else? You don't have to lose Logan and you won't lose Joe.”

“Bull. Loss can happen anytime. I lost you.”

“Silly. Then why am I here talking to you?”

“Because I'm nutty as a fruitcake. Another reason I should walk away from Joe.”

“I'm not going to argue with you. You're smart, you'll do the right thing.” Bonnie leaned back in the chair. “I just want to sit here and enjoy being with you. It's been a long time.”

“Then why didn't you come sooner?”

“I couldn't get close to you. It was hard this time. So much darkness
. . .
Nothing but darkness around him, Mama.”

“He's a terrible man.” She moistened her lips. “Was he the one, Bonnie?”

“I can't see through the darkness. Maybe I don't want to see.”

“I want to see. I have to see.”

Bonnie nodded. “To protect Jane. I like Jane.”

“So do I. But also because of you, baby.”

“I know. But you're leaning more toward the living now. That's the way it should be.”

Eve was silent a moment. “He tried to tell me Jane was you reincarnated. Wasn't that stupid?”

“I think it is. How could I be reincarnated when I'm here talking to you?” She smiled. “And you know she's nothing like me.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You wouldn't want her to be like me, Mama. We all have our very own souls. That's what makes every one of us so special and wonderful.”

“Dom isn't wonderful.”

“No. He's twisted and ugly.” Bonnie frowned. “I'm frightened for you. He keeps coming nearer and nearer . . .”

“Let him come. I'm waiting for him.”

“Shh, don't get upset. We won't think any more about Dom tonight. Will you tell me about Monty? I love dogs.”

“I know. I was going to get you a puppy for Christmas the year that you—”

“And you've been regretting ever since that you didn't get me one sooner. Stop it. I was happy. But you should learn something from that. Live every moment. Don't put off anything until tomorrow.”

“Stop preaching at me, dammit.”

Bonnie giggled. “Sorry. Then tell me about Monty.”

“I don't really know much about him. He belongs to Sarah and he's a rescue and cadaver dog. Jane loves him and trails after him every chance she . . .”

MARK GRUNARD WAS
waiting in the lobby of Charlie Cather's hotel when Joe walked in. “Ah, back from the mountains?”

“What are you doing here?”

“Cather's promised to have a drink with me. He should be down soon. Any luck in Dillard?”

“No school records there, so we're checking a nearby town. It turns out the father was a traveling evangelist.”

“Damn, I was hoping there would be school photos to compare with Mrs. Harding's snapshot.”

“So were we.” Joe sat down. “Spiro's not pleased you're sticking so close to Cather.”

“Tough. I didn't get anything from him, so I had to zero in on Cather. He's a hell of an easier mark.”

“He's tougher than you'd think.”

“But he doesn't have Spiro's experience and just may let something slip.” He added shrewdly, “Has he told you anything about the photograph? Is that why you're here?”

Why was he there? He'd gone to the precinct earlier about the picture and was told the duplicates weren't ready. That stone wall again. The Phoenix police were mad as hell at Spiro for not telling them who tipped him off about Debby Jordan's grave. So they were paying him back. A little tit for tat.

Even if Joe could persuade Charlie to describe the photo, he doubted it would help. Face it, he was really there because he'd needed to distance himself from Eve. His impulse had been to move quickly, push hard instead of waiting patiently. It would have been a stupid move. She had been close to Logan, and Joe should be grateful she hadn't been more upset. But he wasn't grateful, and he was tired as hell of waiting patiently. He'd come too close to her to take a step back.

“No one's told me anything,” Joe answered Mark. “Have you seen Charlie since he picked up the photo?”

“Yesterday evening at the precinct.” He paused. “Something's bothering him. He's trying to hide it, but he's not good enough.”

“Maybe Spiro raked him over the coals for talking to you.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “But I didn't notice it until he came back from the Hardings' with that picture. I'm glad you're here. We'll gang up on the kid and try to find out what's making him so uneasy.” He got to his feet. “Here he comes.”

Cather was smiling as he walked toward them from the elevators. “I wasn't expecting you, Joe. Spiro said you just got back from Dillard. What is this? A conspiracy?”

Screw ganging up on Cather. If Charlie dropped something, he'd pick it up. But he wouldn't pressure him. Joe rose to his feet. “Yep, and you're the target.”

Cather's smile faded. “I can't talk about the photo until I get clearance from Spiro. No way am I stepping on his toes again.”