Текст книги "Taking Eve "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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“And Margaret Douglas usually works?” Caleb’s gaze was narrowed on Devon’s face. “But you’re still scared and shaky.”

She shrugged. “I like to be in control. Control doesn’t seem to be a factor when Margaret is involved. I can’t be sure if she’s even in control of what’s going on. She told me once it was just nature. I’d be happier if there was—”

“We have about four hours.” Margaret was standing in the doorway. “You’ll have to flush out Toby’s entire system and replace the blood.”

Devon frowned. “Flush out the system?”

“It’s poison,” Margaret said soberly. “Slow-acting but it’s had time to take hold and is probably attacking some of his organs. Get rid of it.”

“Poison?” Jane repeated. “No way. He had toxicology tests in London.”

“And I gave him a couple when I brought him in,” Devon said.

“He’s not had any stomach issues,” Jane said. “And I’m supercareful of what he eats.”

“Poison,” Margaret said again. “By injection in the ruff of his neck. You can probably find evidence if you look for it, Devon. But I wouldn’t take the time. We don’t have much left. I called Jeff, your assistant, and told him to get back out of bed and get here fast. Flush Toby out and give him a general antidote and antibiotic.”

“You’re sure it’s poison?” Devon asked.

“Toby’s sure. He remembers.” Her lips tightened grimly. “Whoever did it leaned down, petted him, then gave him the injection.”

“That’s crazy,” Jane said. “I’d know if—” She stopped. Arguing wasn’t going to do any good. “Even if she’s right, this seems like a radical treatment, Devon.”

“Not as radical as it sounds.”

“Is it dangerous?”

“Everything is dangerous in Toby’s state.” She put her cup down and headed for the exam room. “But doing nothing is the most dangerous of all.”

“Could it be poison?”

“A very sophisticated one, nothing simple. Or we would have been able to detect it.”

“It’s poison,” Margaret said again. “Get that ugly stuff out of him, Devon.” She turned to Jane. “You go with her. If he starts to slip, Toby will want to come back to you.”

“I’m not even sure I’m going to let—” She met Margaret’s gaze, and the memory of the sight of her with Toby in her arms surged back to her. So much love, so much caring, and that same glow of caring was staring out of the blue eyes gazing steadily into her own. “Is he going to—” She didn’t want to hear the answer. She turned on her heel and started after Devon. “He’s going to live, dammit. And I’m going to believe that somehow you know what you’re talking about. If you’re a phony, and this hurts Toby, I’m going to come after you.” She glanced at Devon as she passed her. “Now tell me what to do to help him. She said we only have four hours.”

CHAPTER

3

Lake Cottage

SOMEONE HAD FOLLOWED HIM, Doane realized, as he gazed down at the tracks.

The man had stood in the shadows and watched Doane as he’d disposed of the car. Then he had slipped away.

Did the fool think he hadn’t been aware of him? Kevin had taught him the art of hide-and-seek in the most dangerous game.

This one probably was one of Venable’s men.

So what did he do? What action to take. Ignore or pursue?

The answer came to him immediately.

Why, do what Kevin would do, of course.

He moved silently through the woods.

Summer Island

THREE HOURS LATER, JANE CAME out of the exam room and sank down on the leather couch.

“How is it going?” Caleb asked as he handed her a cup of coffee. “Anything I can do?”

She shook her head. “Nothing anyone can do right now that’s not being done. This process could last for the next six or eight hours.” She rubbed her eyes. “They kicked me out. They said he might need me later, when he rouses, but not now.”

“Then I’m sure you’ll be there for him. You’ve gone to extraordinary lengths so far.” He studied her. “And they may have kicked you out, but they can’t stop you thinking about him.”

“How could I not think about him?”

“By talking, not brooding.” He sat down in the chair across from her. “Talk to me, Jane. You care a great deal for Toby, don’t you?”

“Yes.” She took a drink of coffee. “You probably don’t understand. Some people love animals, some people tolerate them, and some people don’t know why we go to so much trouble for them.”

“And you think I’m trailing in the rear.” He grimaced. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“Well?”

He was silent for a long moment. “I’ve never had a pet I loved. Affection isn’t … easy for me. Passion, on the other hand, is no problem at all. I admire animals, I find them interesting, but I guess I may be too close to being an animal myself to accept a relationship like that.” He smiled. “I still have moments of savagery if you’ll recall.”

She did recall. Their history together had been filled with isolated incidents that had sometimes frightened her. She had a sudden memory of his throwing the body of a man who had been attacking them down at her feet. His eyes had been as wild as the primitive action itself. She considered herself civilized, but those moments of fear of him had not lasted long. Was that due to his cleverness and magnetism, which made those moments fade so quickly? Or was it that he was a constant puzzle that her curiosity was trying to force her to solve?

His lips turned up at the corners as he read her expression. “Oh, yes, you remember. We’re nothing alike, but, then, we don’t have to be. It tends to make our relationship more interesting.” His gaze went to the examination room. “And my heart may not be as soft as yours, but I don’t like the helpless being targeted. Your Toby was no threat to anyone. Why would anyone want to poison your dog?”

“I still can’t believe anyone would.” She paused. “But Devon Brady did take a look at the skin beneath the hair on his neck while they were setting up the IV. There was a tiny place that could have been from a shot.” She frowned. “And I was trying to think how it could even have happened. Toby is always with me when I’m home at the apartment. When I have to be gone for a day, I check him into Nedra Carlisle’s Dog Day Care. He likes being with other dogs. They have slides and pools and trainers to play with the dogs.”

His brows rose. “Day care?”

She gave him a cool glance. “Don’t go there.”

“I’m not. It’s just a new concept for me. When was the last time he was at this day care?”

“A week ago.”

“And Toby became ill?”

“Five days ago.”

“Slow-acting poison. It could have been given at this day care.”

“Nedra and her people are totally trustworthy, or I wouldn’t have sent Toby there.”

“But what about the other owners who bring their dogs there? What do you know about them?”

Nothing. But it hadn’t seemed necessary that she know anything except about the people who ran the place. She supposed it would have been easy for one of the clients to go up to Toby and pet him … and then administer the poison. Easy and totally evil.

“Why?” she whispered.

“Revenge? Have you antagonized anyone lately who might want to get back at you?”

She shook her head. “I’m an artist. And you know I keep pretty much to myself.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t stop trouble from swirling around you, does it?” He was silent, thinking. “How long has it been since you’ve seen Eve and Joe?”

“Several months.” She frowned. “You’re suggesting someone poisoned Toby because they want to hurt Eve or Joe?” She shook her head. “That’s really reaching.”

“Probably. I’m just trying to put together a logical scenario.”

“It doesn’t have to be logical. It could be some sicko.”

“Who used a very sophisticated poison and waited until you put the dog in that fancy day care to do it. Which means that he knew your schedule.”

“Then why not target me and not my Toby?”

“I don’t know. Let me think about it.” He smiled. “It will give me something to do while you’re busy saving your Toby.”

“I’m not saving him. Devon Brady is saving him, that dog-whisperer person is saving him. I’m just standing by in case I’m needed.” She rubbed her temple. “I wish I could be the one to be able to help him. I feel helpless.”

“Have you called Eve yet?”

“No, I don’t want to call until I have something positive to tell her.”

“So she’ll think that the fact that you ran the risk of involving me will have been worth it.”

“No.” She shrugged. “Partly.”

He was looking around the office. “This research facility is quite a setup. How long have you known about it?”

“Over a year. Sarah told Eve and me when they were setting it up. She invited me to bring Toby down here and let him be studied with the rest of the dogs. They wanted to look at the increased possibility of the accelerated healing gift being transmitted genetically. After all, Toby is Monty’s son.”

“But you didn’t go.”

“I’m a hardheaded realist. It was a little over the top. I wasn’t quite sure I believed any of it, even coming from Sarah.” She grimaced. “But I guess I did. Here I am.” She glanced at him. “And so are you,” she said jerkily. “I guess I should thank you. I haven’t been very gracious.”

“Because you know how self-serving I am and that I wouldn’t do anything that I didn’t believe would reward me amply.” He reached in her briefcase and took out her computer. “In your case, I’m hoping for extravagantly. You know that I’ve been trying to inveigle my way into your bed since the moment I saw you.” He handed her the computer. “Send an e-mail to that day-care place and ask if someone other than the staff had anything to do with Toby on the day you left him. Do they have security cameras?”

“Of course.”

“Why did I ask? See if they’ll check the cameras and send you a photo of anyone suspicious.”

“I don’t want to do this now.”

“I know, but it will keep you busy. I’d do it myself, but it’s better if you send it.” He got up and headed for the front entrance. “Besides, I want to make a couple calls and have a friend do a little checking on a few other things for me.”

Why not, she thought as she flipped open the computer. He was right. It would keep her occupied. But when she finished sending the e-mail, she was going back into that examination room to Toby whether they wanted her or not.

It might be a total waste of time. Caleb’s theory was all guesswork anyway.

But it was keen, analytical guesswork and far better than she could do in her present state.

Send the e-mail. Try to keep her mind off Toby, lying in there fighting for his life.

And what she wanted to do to the son of a bitch who had put him there.

Lake Cottage

DARKNESS. SMOTHERING … No breath. No breath.

Eve jerked upright in bed, her breath coming in swift, harsh pants.

Just another nightmare.

And no Joe to hold her and make the fear go away.

Joe …

She shook her head as much in impatience as to clear it of the remnants of that stupid nightmare. Was she a child to have to have someone to cling to and pat her on the back and tell her everything was all right? It was probably the storm and the edginess that seemed to be assaulting Joe that had caused that nightmare to return.

Forget it. Think of something else. Something that had nothing to do with that smothering feeling of—

Jane.

Love flowed over Eve, and the nightmare receded. She relaxed, then she stiffened again.

No call yet from Jane.

Eve turned over in bed after glancing at the clock. Stop worrying. It probably only meant that they were working hard to save Toby and hadn’t had time to call. It was easy to tell herself that she should stop worrying, she thought ruefully. Not so easy to comply. She couldn’t bear the idea of Jane’s being hurt if she lost Toby.

Strange how tough, wary Jane had always been vulnerable to dogs when she’d been so guarded with people. Perhaps not so strange when you realized that she had spent most of her life in foster homes and on the street. Eve would never have met her if Jane hadn’t been targeted by a man Eve thought had also killed her Bonnie. Jane had been ten years old then and smart, independent, and defiant. In the fight to keep her alive, somehow they had come together.

And it had been a golden retriever, Monty, Toby’s father, who had caused the breakthrough that Eve thanked God for every day of her life. Monty, Sarah Logan’s search-and-rescue dog, had been ill, and Jane had been working slavishly to get him well. The memory of that last night flowed back to Eve as if it was yesterday.

*   *   *

“EVE.”

She was surprised to see Jane, small, straight, a child of ten with all the presence of a grown woman, standing in the doorway of the study. “Hi. How’s Monty?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Okay, I guess. I’m hungry. You want me to make you a sandwich, too?”

Something was wrong. She was too indifferent. Why had she left Monty’s side? “Sure. I’d like that.”

“You don’t have to come with me. I’ll bring it here for you.” She disappeared down the hall.

Was she worried about Monty? Was she scared? It was always difficult to know what Jane was feeling. But she was reaching out, and it was important that Eve be there for her.

She dropped down on the couch and rubbed her eyes and kept them closed for a moment. Too many things to think about.

“You asleep?”

Jane stood before her, holding a tray.

“No, just resting my eyes. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Jane set the tray on the coffee table. “I brought my sandwich, too, but I guess you don’t feel like company.”

It was Jane who never admitted the need for companionship. “I was just thinking I was a little lonely. Sit down.”

Jane curled up at the far end of the couch.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Eve asked.

“Yeah, sure.” She picked up her sandwich and nibbled at it. “You’re lonely a lot, aren’t you?”

“It happens.”

“But you’ve got your mother and Joe and Mr. Logan.”

“That’s true.” She took a bite of her sandwich. “Are you lonely sometimes, Jane?”

She lifted her chin. “No, of course not.”

“I just wondered. Sometimes loneliness creeps up on you.”

“Not me.”

Try another road. “I’m surprised you’re not with Monty. I’m sure he needs you.”

A silence. “He doesn’t need me. Sarah said I was helping, but she’s the only one he needs. He barely knows I’m there.”

Ah, there was the pain. “I’m sure he does.”

Jane shook her head. “He’s Sarah’s dog. He belongs to her.” She didn’t look at Eve. “I wanted him to belong to me. I thought if I loved him enough, he’d love me more than Sarah.” She added defiantly, “I wanted to take him away from Sarah.”

“I see.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me how bad that is?”

“No.”

“It … was bad. I like Sarah. But I love Monty. I wanted him to belong to me.” Her hands balled into fists. “I wanted something to belong to me.”

“He does belong to you. He just belongs to Sarah more. It’s natural. He’s a search-and-rescue dog. She was first in his life.”

“Like Bonnie was first in yours?”

Shock rippled through her. “I thought we were talking about Monty. How did we get to Bonnie?”

“She belonged to you. That’s why you’re helping me, isn’t it? It’s because the man who wants to kill me could be the one who killed Bonnie. It’s for Bonnie, not me.”

“Bonnie’s dead, Jane.”

“But she still belongs to you. She’s still first.” She took a bite of her sandwich. “Not that I care. Why should I care? It’s nothing to me. I just thought it was funny.”

My God, her eyes were glistening with tears. “Jane.”

“I don’t care. I really don’t care.”

“Well, I do.” She slid across the couch and pulled Jane into her arms. “I’m helping you because you’re a very special person, and that’s the only reason.”

Jane’s body was ramrod straight in her arms. “And you like me?”

“Yes.” She had forgotten how small and dear a child’s body felt. She wanted to keep her there forever. “I like you very much.”

“I … like you too.” Jane slowly relaxed against her. “It’s okay, I know I can’t be first. But maybe we can be friends. You don’t belong to anyone like Monty does. I’d like to—” Jane stopped awkwardly.

“Maybe we can,” Eve said. Jane was breaking her heart. So defensive. So resistant. And yet so in need. “I don’t see why not, do you?”

“No.” Jane lay still against her for a moment, then pushed her away. “Okay, that’s settled.” She jumped up and hurried to the door. “I’m going to get Monty some food. And then I’m going to bed.” The moment of softness was clearly over. Now Jane was eager to escape a situation that made her uneasy.

Well, wasn’t Eve equally uneasy? The past few moments had been as awkward for her as for Jane. She hadn’t believed she was ready to love anyone after Bonnie had been taken, but suddenly it was here in this child who was as complicated and wary as Eve herself. They were quite a pair, she thought ruefully. “I thought you said Monty didn’t need you.”

“Well, he needs to eat. Sarah would have to leave him to get food, and that would make him sad.” She added before leaving the room, “He can’t help it if he doesn’t love me best.”

Adjustments, compromises, and acceptance. Jane’s life had never been anything else, and she was afraid to ask for anything more. But there had been a breakthrough tonight and Jane was beginning to admit that she did need someone and Eve had been chosen to fill the void.

Thank God.

But Jane wasn’t the only one to make compromises, Eve thought with sudden amusement. She was playing second fiddle to a golden retriever.

That was okay, too. They had a long way to go, but the promise of something beautiful and precious was beckoning for both of them …

*   *   *

SARAH HAD GIVEN JANE ONE of Monty’s first pups, and she had called him Toby. By that time, Eve and Joe had adopted Jane. What had started out awkward and tentative had become a bond that couldn’t be broken. Zany Toby had become part of the family though not the watchdog Joe wanted for the property. He was far too loving.

She could use a watchdog right now, Eve thought dryly. Or just a friendly body to cuddle and ward off the chill she was feeling. Those memories of the past had been warm and sweet, but they were in stark contrast to the storm raging outside.

She put her arm under her head as she stared out at the rain. Think of Jane and the life they’d made together.

Close out the storm.

Close out the nightmare.

Call me, Jane.

*   *   *

“I’M STAYING,” JANE SAID belligerently to Devon as she went back into the examination room an hour later. “I won’t get in your way, but I’m not leaving him again.”

“It’s okay.” Devon was checking the IV. “I didn’t think I’d be able to keep you out for long. I was just at a point where I wasn’t sure which way it was going to go.” She smiled at Jane over her shoulder. “Now I do. He’s going to make it.”

Jane’s knees felt suddenly weak. “He’s going to live?”

“He’s getting stronger with every IV.” She stroked Toby’s head. “Aren’t you, boy? Margaret was right. We just had to get it all out of you.”

“Poison? What kind?”

She shook her head. “I’ll have to send a blood sample to the lab in San Juan. It will be a few days before I hear. I’ll be lucky if it’s that soon since the usual toxicology tests came out negative. Thank God we had Margaret.”

Jane came over to the table and gazed down at Toby. He was going to live. Sweet, loving, crazy Toby. “Thank God,” she said hoarsely. “Where is Margaret? Did you kick her out, too?”

“No, she took Monty out that back door as soon as she realized that Toby was going to make it. I sent my assistant back to his bed, too. The big push is over now. Margaret said that she’d be back as soon as she dropped Monty off at the main house.”

“I want to thank her.”

“You’ll get your chance. She wants to see you.” She looked at Toby. “She’s very upset about what happened to Toby.”

“So am I.” She moved toward the rear door Devon had indicated. “Where’s this main house?”

“About a mile down the road.” She smiled. “But there are security people there, too. Tell them to call me when they stop you.”

“I will.” She opened the door and went out into the courtyard that led to a dirt path. She had just started down the lanternlit path to the main house when she saw Margaret coming toward her. “I was going to see you.” She stopped in the center of the path. “I wanted to thank you.”

“You should have gotten him here sooner. He almost died, you know.” She stared her in the eye. “And what did you do to make someone want to hurt him?”

“I have no idea.” Jane was a little shocked by the sudden attack. Margaret had been so gentle and full of warmth since the moment she had appeared at the hospital. “I’m trying to find out who did it. I don’t know that either.”

“Then you have to find out,” Margaret said soberly. “It could happen again. Cowards usually prey on the helpless when they’re too scared to go after a person they want to hurt. Animals are often targeted.”

“I’m not exactly threatening,” Jane said dryly. “So that kills that theory.”

Margaret studied her. “Not obviously threatening. But I think you could be intimidating if you had cause. You were very protective of Toby.” She paused. “And the man you’re with could make someone afraid. Maybe it was because of him.”

“I agree that Seth Caleb is in a class by himself in that department. But he only came on the scene after Toby got sick.”

“Really? There could still be—” She shrugged. “He makes me … uneasy.”

“Why?”

She hesitated. “Maybe it’s the blood thing.”

Jane’s eyes widened. “What?”

“There’s something about blood whenever I look at him. I see it. I feel it. It’s strong.”

Jane felt stunned. She hadn’t expected that answer. She certainly hadn’t dreamed Margaret would be able to sense that strangeness about Caleb. Blood … Most people were aware of his strength and magnetism but made no connection to anything more bizarre. He managed to keep it hidden … unless he chose to unleash it. “Listen, you’re supposed to be some kind of dog whisperer or something. Are you saying that you can read people, too?”

“For Pete’s sake, no.” She made a face. “I have enough trouble without that to worry about. But sometimes I get impressions. It’s usually when a person is closer to—when their instincts are like—”

“A bit closer to the wild?” Jane supplied.

“Yeah, I guess,” she said. “Anyway, Caleb is radiating something that worries me. I think I’d better go and talk to him.”

“No,” Jane said sharply. The idea of Margaret’s confronting Caleb about anything personal was both amusing and chilling. “Stay away from him. This isn’t your business, Margaret.”

“Yes, it is.” She added simply, “Because after tonight, Toby is my friend, and no one hurts my friends.” She started down the path. “And I don’t like that blood. I’ve never felt that kind of—”

“He didn’t hurt Toby.”

“I’ll find out.” She smiled back over her shoulder. “Just as soon as I ask Caleb a few questions, then—”

“Wait.” She was so damn stubborn, Jane thought in exasperation. “I can tell you about the blood you’re sensing if that’s what’s worrying you. You don’t have to ask him. That’s not a good idea.”

Margaret stopped and turned to face her. “You think he’ll hurt me?”

“I didn’t say that. It might be awkward.”

“But you’re not sure Caleb won’t hurt me.” She was staring curiously at her. “You’re not entirely sure of anything about him, are you?”

“I know he wouldn’t hurt Toby.”

Margaret just looked at her.

“Look, he’s a little like you.” Margaret was still staring skeptically at her, and Jane knew she’d have to try to elaborate. “He has a kind of talent. He can control the flow of blood in people around him.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. He can just do it. It’s a gift passed down through his family. I could ask the same of you.”

She shook her head. “No one in my family was able to do what I do. I don’t think they ever tried.” She thought about it. “Flow of blood … that could be bad or good.”

“Yes.”

“But you’ve seen the bad.”

Shrewd Margaret. So young, so shrewd.

“I’ve never seen him hurt anyone that didn’t deserve it.”

“Perhaps he didn’t let you see it. You said he inherited the talent from his family. Families teach their young. What do you know about them?”

“Nothing.” Caleb never talked about his home or his relations. “He lives in Scotland most of the year. He has a place in Italy. Haven’t I told you enough?”

“No, you’re skirting around trying to not tell me something. I think I should talk to him.”

“He doesn’t like to discuss—” She drew a deep breath. Just tell her and put that curiosity to rest. “He comes from a very ancient family originating in a village in Italy. Back in medieval times, they were known as the Ridondo family, and there were all kinds of stories in their village about their supposed dark powers. Not pleasant stories.”

Margaret started to chuckle. “Vampires?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Caleb is not a vampire.”

“Though that could be where the vampire legends originated.” Margaret was looking intrigued. “How cool.”

“Not cool at all.”

“Yes, it is. I wonder how that blood thing works.”

“Don’t ask him,” Jane said dryly. “He might show you.”

“But you just said he was no danger.”

“Is that what I said? I believe I said he was no danger to Toby.”

Her face was lit with eagerness. “You know, I’ve always been curious about vampire bats. I’ve never been able to merge with them. They’re too single-minded.”

“Merge? Is that what you do?”

“Sort of,” Margaret said vaguely. “It’s difficult to explain.”

“Like Seth Caleb. I’m asking you to take my word for it that he had nothing to do with hurting Toby and not start questioning him.”

She was silent a moment. “I’ll take your word. And I won’t question him … anytime soon.” She added brusquely, “But if he has nothing to do with it, then all this has to be about you.” Her tone was no longer amused or speculative. “Find out who did it and keep him from doing it to Toby or some other dog.” She put up her hand as Jane opened her lips to speak. “I can’t talk any more now. I have to get back to Toby.” She started back up the path toward the hospital. “I just had to tell you what you have to do. You say you’re grateful to me. Prove it. Keep Toby safe from that ugly man.”

“Was he ugly? How do you know?” Her brows rose quizzically. “Did Toby tell you?”

“No, Toby thinks all humans are beautiful. But he doesn’t know about ugly souls.” She stopped at the door and looked back at Jane. “You’ll do this for me?”

“No,” she said quietly. “I’ll do it for me and for Toby.”

“Good.” Margaret’s face lit with a luminous smile. “That’s how it should be.” The harsh bulb above her surrounded her with a glow that should have been stark and unflattering but somehow wasn’t. She looked soft and young and appealing, as if even that unkind glare couldn’t alter that essential effect. “Why don’t you come in and stay with Toby and me? He’s still under sedation, but I think he’d like to have you with him.”

“Think? You don’t know?”

“Of course not. He’s out cold.” Margaret giggled, and suddenly she looked more like sixteen than twenty. “You’re making fun of me.” She opened the door and stepped aside for Jane to enter. “Because I make you a little uncomfortable, and you don’t know how to treat me. You half believe I helped Toby, but you’re not quite sure. Devon was like that for a long time.”

Close. Except how could Jane be uncomfortable with the kid in leather sandals and jeans who could accept being the butt of jokes and suspicion and giggle about it? “How do you want me to treat you?”

“As a friend.” Margaret’s voice was wistful. “That would be nice. The other trainers and techs like me, but they think I’m kind of strange.”

“You are strange.” Jane smiled. “But I know a lot of strange people, and it doesn’t get in the way. We could work through it if you don’t mind me asking you questions. I’m very curious.”

“Sure.” She grinned. “I don’t have to answer all of them. I probably won’t. Everyone deserves their privacy.” She added impishly, “Even Seth Caleb.” She turned to Devon as she came into the room. “You go rest and get a cup of coffee. Jane and I will watch over Toby. I’ll call you if I see him doing anything that worries me. You know you can trust me.”

“I’ll take you up on that.” Devon wearily rubbed the back of her neck. “Thirty minutes. No more.” She headed for the door to the waiting room. “And yes, I can trust you.”

“See?” Margaret murmured as the door closed behind Devon. “No one knows more than Devon how strange I am, but she still thinks I’m okay.” She went over to Toby and stroked his head. “And this one agrees with her.”

Jane was beginning to see that Margaret was a strange and somehow wonderful mixture of strength and vulnerability. She was beginning to wonder what experiences had created that unique blend. “I can see that he does.” She smiled and tapped her own breast with her index finger. “This one agrees with her, too.”

Lake Cottage

Atlanta, Georgia

A BANGING ON THE DOOR.

Eve was abruptly jarred from sleep.

What the hell?

She sat upright in bed and looked at the clock.

Don’t open the door.

Joe’s words came back to her even as she swung her feet to the floor.

But what if it was the policeman who had been cruising the area?

The banging increased in volume.

One way to find out. She checked her phone and retrieved the telephone number for the policeman Joe had hired. Ron Hughes. She dialed quickly.

He answered on the first ring. “Hughes. Is everything okay, Ms. Duncan?”

“You tell me. Is it you that’s been banging on my door?”

“Hell, no. I’m about six miles from your place making the circle from the highway. I’ll be right there. Don’t answer the door.” He hung up.

And she had no intention of opening that door. But she wasn’t going to cower in this bedroom, either. There was desperation, maybe even violence, in the force with which those blows were being struck against the front door. If it was desperation, it could be that someone had had an accident in this torrential rain and needed help. If it was violence, she wanted that violence to have a face she recognized. The person on the porch might very well take off when he saw the patrol car coming down the road. For good or ill, she had to know who it was out there.

No problem. The two picture windows on either side of the door had drapes that she could pull a little aside so that she could see who was standing in front of the door. She thrust her feet into slippers, shrugged on her robe, grabbed her gun from the bedside table, and left the bedroom. The next moment, she had reached the front door.

The banging continued.