Текст книги "The Killing Game "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 17 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

"He's the right age. He's been close to you from the beginning," Spiro said slowly.

So close. "That guard at the welfare house . . ." She shuddered. "I told him to distract him if he ran across him."

Joe turned to Spiro. "He thinks he's safe. Pick him up before he learns what we've done here tonight."

"He may already know." Spiro took out his phone and punched in a number. "He's made some friends in the precinct the past few days."

Eve was thinking of the serial killer profile Spiro had given her in Joe's cottage.

They usually are aware of police procedures and may even associate with the police.

Joe had told her that Grunard hung out at the bar all the Atlanta police detectives frequented.

And a reporter could travel from place to place without suspicion. He had contacts and sources for finding out facts other people couldn't.

Mark had delayed going after Jane at the welfare house until eleven o'clock, giving him plenty of time to kill the security guard and make it to the alley where Mike had been. He would have had no trouble gaining access to Fraser all those years ago.

"No answer at Grunard's hotel." Spiro was punching in another number. "I'll send someone to the hotel."

Grunard. Dom.

He had wanted to stay at the lab last night. He had given Sung his phone number.

Spiro had finished his phone call and was heading for the front door. "I'll start a background check on Grunard. I don't know how much good it will do. There's no telling how many times he's reinvented himself. Go back to the house and stay there."

Grunard.

All the way back to the house, Eve couldn't stop thinking about Grunard and Dom being the same person. It was crazy and yet it made perfect sense. He had been there all the time and she had not felt an ounce of suspicion. My God, she had even felt guilty for not keeping him more informed. And he had warned her not to let Dom see Eve and Jane together in Phoenix.

She felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach. "Jane."

She had left Jane alone.

"How far are we–"

"Shit." Joe pressed the accelerator. "Take it easy. We're only a block from the house."

They tore through the gates and she jumped out of the car and ran into the house.

"Eve." Joe was running after her.

Jane was safe. Jane had two guards to protect her, and Sarah and Monty.

But Dom had gotten to the porch of Joe's cottage at the lake.

She took the stairs two at a time.

She flung open Jane's door.

The bed was rumpled, the covers thrown back.

Jane was not in the bed.

"Let's try Sarah," Joe said behind her.

Sarah sat up groggily when they barged in her room. "What is it?"

"Jane. We can't find–" Eve sat on the bed in relief. "Thank God."

Jane was curled up beside Monty on a blanket on the floor beside Sarah's bed.

"She came in a couple of hours ago," Sarah said. "She said she had a bad dream about Monty and asked if she could stay. It's okay, isn't it?"

Eve nodded, trying to quiet her pounding heart. "It's fine. I was just scared. Sorry I woke you."

"No problem."

Eve and Joe walked out. "God, I was afraid," she said.

"Me too." Joe put his arm around her. "Come on, let's go make some coffee. I could use a caffeine jolt."

SARAH CAME INTO the kitchen almost an hour later. "Okay. What's happening?" She yawned. "I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't because I got to thinking."

"We didn't want to bother you." Joe poured her a cup of coffee.

"Well, you didn't bother Jane and Monty. They're sleeping." She sipped her coffee. "The sleep of the innocent. It's a wonderful thing. Now, why were you scared about Jane?"

Sarah had finished her second cup of coffee by the time they'd filled her in. She leaned back in her chair. "So it's almost over."

"It's not over until he's dead or behind bars," Eve said.

"But you have a face and a name now. If he slips through the FBI's hands, put him on America's Most Wanted or some show like that. Someone's always finding murderers."

"You make it sound very simple," Joe said dryly.

"I have a very simple nature." Sarah smiled. "It comes from living with dogs. Everything's black and white, and you reach your goal by using the most direct path possible. That's why I work rescue instead of being a cop like you, Joe. I couldn't stand–"

The phone rang. Eve picked up the wall extension.

"Get out of there," Spiro said. "Tell Joe to get you and Jane away from there."

"Why? Dom?"

"No, there's no sign of Dom. But the Phoenix PD should be on your doorstep any minute."

"Why? Was I recognized at the wreck site?"

"They got an anonymous tip about where you could be found. Now, guess who would call that in?"

"Grunard."

"Right. He evidently wants to blast you out of your fortress."

"And he's doing it." She tried to think. "But if they put me in jail, he wouldn't be able to–"

"Jane won't be in jail. She'll go right back into Atlanta welfare custody."

If Jane was returned to welfare they'd be back to square one. "How much time do we have?"

"Zilch. Get out of there now."

She hung up. "The Phoenix PD is on their way here. They got a tip about Jane and me." She turned to Sarah. "You and Monty get out of here. Call Logan and tell him what's happened."

Sarah headed for the door. "I'm on my way."

Eve nodded. "I'll go get Jane. Throw some things into a suitcase, Joe."

THEY MADE IT only as far as the front gates. As the gates swung open, they saw the blinking lights of patrol cars just turning the corner onto the street.

Joe swore under his breath.

"Get out," Eve snapped at him.

"What?"

"Get out and hide in the bushes. It's Jane and me they want."

"And I'm supposed to leave you?"

"I'll be in jail. You're the one who'll have to keep an eye on Jane."

Joe muttered another curse but dove out the door and into the bushes beside the driveway. Eve slid behind the wheel and drove through the gates.

The headlights of the police car almost blinded her as it blocked her path.

"WELL, THIS IS a fine mess you've gotten us into," Logan said. "And that prison garb isn't at all becoming."

"You shouldn't have come here." Eve leaned forward to look at him through the glass. "And it's my mess, not yours."

"Not correct. Are they treating you okay?"

"As well as they treat any other felon. I've been in here only twenty-four hours, and that's enough to make me never want to even jaywalk. But there is a lot of time for thinking." Her folded hands clenched together in front of her. "I think that may be what Grunard wanted. He wanted to show me that even if he was on the run, he could still reach out and touch me. He wanted me to feel helpless and wonder what was happening to Jane. It worked. I nearly went crazy last night. Did Sarah call you?"

He nodded. "She gave me orders to make myself useful and bail you out."

"It's kidnapping, Logan. No one's going to bail me out."

"It might be possible. Extenuating circumstances. Barbara Eisley isn't being vindictive, and you're usually not a very dangerous character." He paused. "But it would be better if you told them where Quinn is. They want to question him about his involvement with you."

"I don't know where he is."

"And you wouldn't tell if you did." He stood up. "So I guess I'll see if I can find any judges in this town or in Atlanta I can influence."

"Logan, where's Jane?"

"She's being held in the local Family Services center. She's being returned to Atlanta as soon as a caseworker comes to pick her up. Spiro told me to tell you that he's got people watching her."

"That won't be enough."

"Grunard is on the run."

"He won't run far. It's getting too near the end of his game. If he ran away completely, it would mean he lost. He'll never admit that." She paused. "If he can't get to me, he'll kill Jane. It's the logical move for him. He wants both of us, but he'll take Jane because it will hurt me."

"Are you sure he knows it will hurt you?"

"Oh, yes." She smiled without mirth. "The bastard even warned me never to let Dom see us together."

"Nice." His gaze narrowed on her face. "I'm tempted to let you stay in here for a while. At least you're safe."

"And Jane becomes the target."

"I can surround her with protection."

"She was surrounded with protection in the welfare house and Dom could have gotten to her there." Her voice vibrated with desperation. "If you can get me out of here, do it, Logan. I don't know how fast he'll move."

He shook his head. "I don't like–"

"Please."

He muttered a curse and rose abruptly to his feet. "I'll see what I can do. It may not be today. It could be another twenty-four hours."

She stood up, and the guard moved forward to take her back to her cell. "Hurry."

Another twenty-four hours.

The words replayed in her mind as she walked down the long corridor to her cell. The idea of any delay scared her to death. How long would Grunard wait?

It could be all right. Joe would be watching over Jane. He would take care of her.

And Grunard would be watching Joe. He would know that Joe was guarding Jane. Which meant Grunard would try to take out Joe first.

Sheer terror went through her at the thought.

I won't take chances if I don't have to. I've never wanted to live more than I do at this moment.

But she'd sent him to take a terrible chance. She'd made Joe a target.

Panic seared through her as the door of her cell clanged shut behind her. She was trapped there, helpless to do anything.

Calm down. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. Panicking would be playing right into Grunard's hands. He was probably sitting somewhere now, picturing her in her cell, feeding on her fear and frustration.

Don't give him what he wants. He wants panic. Give him coolness. He wants mindless emotion. Give him logic.

Twenty-four hours.

Spend that time thinking about Grunard, going over every minute, every conversation of the last weeks. See if she could find a lead to him, a weakness that could be exploited. Pretend he was one of her skulls that had to be measured and then reconstructed. Use her mind, talents, and instinct.

She sat down on the bunk and leaned against the wall.

Stay away from the people I love, Dom. Think of me shivering, brooding in this cell. Enjoy it.

Then maybe, just maybe, I'll have enough time to find a way to win your damn game.

SHE WAS RELEASED on bail at one forty-five the next afternoon. Logan met her outside the jail. "The good news is that I think all the charges will be dropped. Spiro's been discreetly putting pressure on Eisley." He paused. "But until we get you cleared, you can't go near Jane. One of the terms of your release is that you're not seen within fifty city blocks of her. If you violate it, you get tossed right back in the slammer."

"I expected that. She's all right?"

"She's okay. I have a man watching the local facility." He took her arm as they started down the steps. "The caseworker from Atlanta is arriving today to take her back."

"When?"

"Sometime this evening."

"Then they'll probably leave tomorrow morning."

His brows lifted as he held open the car door. "You're very calm."

"No, I'm not." She got into the car. "I'm scared shitless."

"Well, you're different from yesterday." He strode around to the driver's seat.

She took out her phone and dialed Joe's digital number. God, his voiced sounded wonderful.

"I'm out," she said.

"Thank God."

"Things are going to be happening. Soon."

"If you're out, that goes without saying."

"I'll call you." She hung up.

"Quinn?"

She nodded.

He smiled sardonically. "But you had no idea where he is."

"I still don't. I know only that he's guarding Jane."

He dropped the subject. "Where do you want to go?"

"Back to the house. I have some work to do."

"Work?"

"Telephone calls and then I need to get on the computer."

"You're not planning to hire a hit man to get Grunard, I trust?"

"It's an appealing idea." She shook her head. "But that's not what I had in mind."

"Am I allowed to help?"

"You bet you are."

SARAH PATRICK MET Eve as she walked into the foyer. "Welcome home." She glanced at Logan. "You evidently did something right."

"I didn't dare do anything else. I'm scared of Monty." He turned to Eve. "You'll have what you need in a couple of hours. Okay?"

She nodded. "Thanks, Logan. I owe you."

"Friends never owe friends." He smiled. "Remember that."

"Then is it okay if I'm grateful?"

"Same answer." He headed for the front door.

But she did owe him, she thought as she headed to the office. And she'd owe him even more if he came through with the information she needed.

Sarah trailed along with her. "You look a little jumpy. Anything I can do?"

"You can check with the welfare office and make sure Jane is all right."

Sarah nodded. "I've been calling a couple of times a day. I tried to go see her, but they wouldn't let me and Monty in the place."

"Too bad. Seeing Monty would have made her feel better."

"That's what I thought. Have you had lunch?"

Eve shook her head. "But I'm not hungry. I've got work to do."

"Really?" Sarah studied her face. "You're excited."

"Logan said I was very calm."

"On the surface. Beneath you're seething like a geyser. Want to talk about it?"

Eve shook her head. "But I think I've found a way to get him."

DONE.

Eve pushed her chair back from the computer and covered her eyes with her shaking hand.

I've got you, Dom. I've got you.

Her phone rang.

"The caseworker from Atlanta, James Parkinson, and Jane just got into a squad car with two officers and are on their way to the airport," Joe said. "I'm following them."

"I didn't think they'd leave tonight."

"I didn't either. Parkinson was in and out of that welfare house in fifteen minutes. I'll call you when we get to the airport."

Eve tried to think. It was logical that the caseworker wanted Jane out of Phoenix now that Eve had been released. But Jane was more vulnerable outside the home and on the road.

A twisted mass of metal at the bottom of the ravine.

That couldn't happen twice. Besides, Joe was watching.

But so was Dom.

James Parkinson.

She called Joe back. "How do you know Parkinson is the social worker?"

"The squad car radioed the pickup back to the precinct, and I heard it on my radio."

"What does Parkinson look like?"

"He's black, heavyset, plump face. He would have had to show ID to both welfare administration and the officers in the squad car."

"IDs are easy to get, and Grunard's had time to plan." But she did feel a little better. "Watch closely, Joe."

"You know I will."

"I GUESS YOU' RE glad to be going home, young lady." Officer Rivera glanced back at Jane over his shoulder.

Jane didn't answer.

"I have a daughter about your age. She's on the softball team."

Jane gazed through the window, closing out Parkinson and the officers. She hadn't said a word since she'd gotten into the squad car. Poor kid, Rivera thought. He looked at Parkinson. "Is she going to be okay?"

Parkinson nodded, his white teeth flashing in his brown face as he smiled. "Just fine."

Jane suddenly stiffened, her gaze flying to Parkinson's face.

"There, honey, don't be scared." Parkinson patted her shoulder.

Jane went rigid and then slumped to one side.

"What's wrong with her?" Rivera said. "Pull over, Ken."

"Oh, no, don't do that," Parkinson said softly.

Then he shot Rivera in the head.

SHIT.

Joe's hands tightened on the steering wheel.

Something was wrong.

The squad car was weaving in and out of the city streets, even backtracking.

What the hell!

The squad car roared over railroad tracks, driving through the signal just as the train approached, leaving Joe stranded on the other side.

He radioed the precinct for backup as he waited for the train to pass. "I don't care who comes. Just get someone, anyone."

He wasn't getting through to them. He closed his eyes. "Okay, if you won't stop the squad car, come after me. This is Joe Quinn."

Joe gunned his car as the caboose rattled past.

It took Joe ten minutes to locate the squad car again.

But he lost it again in the traffic near the stadium.

There it was. Two blocks ahead, turning left.

He lost it again.

It took five minutes to locate the squad car this time.

It was pulled over to the side of a deserted street.

"I HAVE HER, Eve."

Dom.

"You're lying. She's on her way to the airport."

"No, you'll get a call soon. I just wanted you to know that the game is almost over. It's time for me to claim the stakes."

"I don't believe you."

"You believe me. I can hear it in your voice."

"Let me talk to her."

"No, she's not able to talk. I drugged the little angel. Just a little pinprick. A rather boring old trick but effective. It was such a wonderful disguise, but I think she recognized my voice. Besides, I have a distance to take her and I needed her quiet." He paused. "Shall I tell you what I'm going to do to her before I kill her, Eve?"

"No." She closed her eyes. "Don't hurt her."

"Not yet. She's no fun at the moment. She can't feel anything."

Rage seared through her.

"That made you angry, didn't it? I can almost feel the waves of emotion through the phone. It's quite wonderful, but you really shouldn't indulge me this way."

"You don't want her. You want me."

"That's right. I want you to die first, knowing what's in store for her. Come and get her."

"Where are you going?"

"A place you'll remember. Earth to earth. Salt to salt. I thought it fitting. My most satisfying kills were done there. But don't worry, I won't chop you into pieces as I did them. I respect you too much."

"Will she be there?"

"I'm not a fool. You might arrange a trap for me."

"I won't come up to the tent site until I know she's alive. Until I hear her voice."

"You'll hear it. Be there at nine tomorrow night." He hung up.

Christ.

She had thought she was so close, and Dom had still managed to pull the rug right from under her.

Joe called her. "He's got her. I found both officers dead in the squad car and Jane gone."

"I know. Dom called me."

"Shit. I screwed up."

"It's not your fault," she said dully. "He was disguised. Even Jane didn't recognize him right away."

"Is she alive?"

"He says she is. Right now."

"Don't you move a muscle. I'm on my way over there." He hung up.

Joe would come and some of the fear would go away. She didn't have to face this alone.

Yes, she did. From the beginning she'd known that she'd have to face Dom alone. He was planning on having her walk right into his trap and killing her and Jane. He would butcher Joe if he was anywhere around.

Then flip his plan. Catch the hunter before the trap was sprung.

"Sarah! Will you come in here?"

Sarah appeared in the doorway. "What?"

She held up a finger. "One minute." She dialed Spiro's digital number. He answered on the third ring.

"Dom has Jane, and I know where he's headed. I want you to meet me there." She had to stop to steady her voice. "You wanted to use me as bait. Okay, let's find a way to do it."

Chapter EIGHTEEN

The following night

8:45 P.M.

Candles.

Everywhere.

Candelabras with tapers whose flames flickered in the wind. Lanterns. Oil lamps.

Eve parked her car at the bottom of the hill and looked up at the tent site.

Is this my welcome, Dom? Are you up there?

She dialed Spiro's number. "Where are you?"

"We're in a lay-by about two miles down the road to Jamison. We couldn't get any closer without risking him seeing us. That hill has a view for miles."

"I know. Can you see the candles?"

"Yes. Remember, press the radio signal as soon as you determine Dom's there, and we'll come in."

"You don't move until I'm sure Jane's alive and safe. He's supposed to call me."

"Stay locked in the car until you're sure. At least you're safe there. Do you have a weapon?"

"A revolver."

"Did Quinn give it to you?"

"No, I told you I didn't want him to know about this. Sarah had one and lent it to me. It's in my jacket pocket."

"We could have used Quinn."

"And chance having Dom butcher him? He's done too much for me already."

"I should have known that protective streak would raise its head. Don't hesitate to use that gun." He hung up.

She sat in the car, staring up at the candles on the hill.

Five minutes.

Seven minutes.

The phone rang.

"Are you enjoying my candles?" Dom asked.

"I want to talk to Jane."

"Do you doubt me? I told you I wanted you to die first."

"Let me talk to Jane."

"Oh, very well."

"Eve, don't you do what he says," Jane yelled into the phone. "He's a slimy creep and I–"

Dom took the phone away. "Is that enough? It's all you'll get. I've been very patient with Jane since she woke, but she's really beginning to annoy me."

"It's enough."

"Then step into my parlor. I'll be there in ten minutes."

She pressed the off button and quickly dialed Sarah. "Ten-minute walk from here."

"That could cover a lot of territory."

"Find her. If he manages to kill me and escapes, you can't let him get back to Jane."

"We'll do our best."

Nine minutes.

Stay in the car. Be safe for just a little longer. Sit and watch the flickering lights on the hill.

SARAH PUT ON her utility belt and Monty tensed.

"That's right, boy. Time to get to work." She let Monty sniff Jane's T-shirt. "Find her." She started down the trail at a trot. She'd already scoped out the lay of the land and come up with the two most logical possibilities.

He wouldn't keep Jane out in the open. So there was the stand of woods near the base of the mountains to the west.

Or there was the brush-covered ravine to the east.

Either was a fast ten-minute walk to the hill.

Which direction?

She'd make the decision when she got closer.

Pray to God she'd make the right one.

Monty was stretched out, almost running.

Child . . .

TEN MINUTES.

Eve opened the door and got out of the car. The air was knife sharp, cutting her to the bone. It was a moonless night, icy cold with a promise of snow.

She started up the hill.

Candles.

Flames.

Are you there yet, Dom?

She reached the top.

No one.

Just the candles and the flames and the flickering shadows on the desolate earth. It wasn't as brightly lit as she'd thought from down below. There was a patch of deep shadow at the far corner of the site.

She moved farther into the circle of light.

Was he watching her, or was it her imagination?

She whirled around.

No one.

Or was there?

Something in those shadows . . .

She hesitated and then moved away from the light toward the patch of darkness.

"Dom? You wanted me here. Come and get me."

No sound.

DECISION TIME.

Sarah paused to catch her breath.

The woods or the ravine?

Monty had already made a decision. He was tearing across the ground toward the woods. He stopped, sniffed, and took off again.

He'd caught Jane's scent.

THE SUBSTANCE IN the shadow was no standing figure, Eve realized. Something on the ground . . .

She drew closer.

She still couldn't make it out.

A few steps closer.

It was taking on a vague shape.

She was almost on top of it.

A body?

Oh, God.

Jane?

She screamed.

The man's body was tied spread-eagled to four pegs, and his eyes were wide open. His features were contorted in a silent howl of agony.

Mark Grunard.

"That's how I staked out my father."

She whirled to see Spiro behind her.

He smiled. "A little welcome present. It was going to be the little girl, but I knew you wouldn't come unless you thought you had a chance of saving her."

"You," she whispered. "Dom?"

"Of course it was me."

A man who stares at monsters.

But he was the monster himself. "God, what a fool I am. No trap. No FBI agents swarming in at the last minute to save me."

"Unfortunately not." He stepped closer and was almost lost in the shadows. "Don't put your hands in your pockets. I have a knife in my hand and I can reach you in a heartbeat, but I don't want it to end that soon. It's been a superb game, and I want to savor the win."

"You haven't won yet."

"That's what I admire about you. You never give up. But you should be more generous. I was very clever with every move. I deserve to win."

"You were clever. You set Grunard up perfectly. You even gave me the characteristics of the serial killer so I'd be able to associate them with Grunard later. It never occurred to me that they might also apply to you. You associate with the police as Grunard did, but even more, you're an FBI profiler. You could move from place to place. You liked to be in the field, you said. That means you were contacted by your digital phone and no one actually knew where you were at a given time. You could say you were in Talladega when you were in Atlanta."

"I do regard the digital phone as one of the most helpful inventions. And it was a real challenge to become an FBI agent. Background checks that had to be foolproof, psychological tests that had to show me as completely normal. I prepared for almost two years before I applied. Setting up the personal interviews with people from my supposed past was the most difficult. It took finesse, bribery, and a psychological sleight of hand that would fill you with admiration."

"No, it wouldn't."

"But it was all worth it. Who else would be in a better position to hide and change evidence? I had to keep an eye on where and when any of my kills surfaced so I could erase the records."

"But the VICAP report uncovered the Harding kills."

"Before I was able to sidetrack the search. Very annoying."

"But you led me here to find Debby Jordan."

"I'm a fatalist. I saw that everything was leading back to my roots. I wanted you here to help me start again, to revive that splendid surge of power." He smiled. "It did do that. When I killed Grunard, it was almost like the old days. But he wasn't you. It will be much better with you."

"Did you always plan to kill Grunard?"

"After I examined the situation and all the possibilities, I realized that his death would accomplish two ends, create a red herring and make our game more complicated. How could I resist? He would become Dom and disappear." He shook his head. "But that complication may cause me to have to move on and reinvent myself. Grunard's background is pretty solid. There may be questions." He shrugged. "Oh, well, I'll have plenty of warning and I've already set up an identity in Montana. It may be good for me. Being Robert Spiro made everything too easy for me. The kill, the cover-up . . . It may have been part of my problem."

"You'll move on and you'll kill again." Her voice was shaking. "Over and over."

"Of course, that's what I do."

"How many?"

"I really don't remember. I was drunk with the pleasure during those first years. I went out every night. Later everything blurred. More than thirty years . . . a thousand? I don't know. Maybe more."

"My God."

"But don't feel bad. You won't be like the others. I'll remember you."

"You have me. Let Jane go."

"You know I won't do that. She knows my face and the little bitch would try to find a way to hurt me. She's like you."

"But you were wrong about her being like Bonnie."

"But I set up an interesting scenario, didn't I? It pulled you in. The bones and then sweet little Jane."

"Whose bones were they?"

He was silent.

"Tell me. Were they Bonnie's bones?"

"I could let you go to the grave not knowing."

"Yes."

"But then you wouldn't realize how clever I've been. How wonderfully I'd set you up."

"They weren't Bonnie's bones."

He shook his head. "Doreen Parker's."

"Then everything you told me about your conversation with Fraser was a lie."

"Not entirely. I did talk to him. It was remarkably easy, since I was an FBI agent. He was a copycat and he was claiming some of my kills. We had a nice chat, and I told him to back off. Since he had the good sense to admire me enormously, he agreed."

"You knew about the ice cream. Did you find that out from the police records?"

"No, I told you, we had a nice chat. He told me a lot about Bonnie. Did you want to know how he did it?"

She clenched her fists as waves of pain washed over her. "No."

"Coward." His gaze narrowed on her face. "But you want to know where he buried her, don't you? You've always wanted to find her."

"I want to bring her home."

"It's too late. You're going to die without finding her. That hurts terribly, doesn't it? Your Bonnie is buried all alone in Chattahoochee National Park, and you're going to be buried here, hundreds of miles away from her. It cuts to the quick, doesn't it?"

"Yes."

"I can feel your pain."

"And you love it, you bastard."

"I have to squeeze as much as I can out of the moment. It's going to be over too soon." He paused. "You haven't asked me what color candle I'm going to give you."

"I don't care."

"It will be black. Black was the color of my candles, and I've decided to share it with you. I've never done that before. You should be honored. The candles are lying beside Grunard's head. Pick them up, Eve. Light them."

She didn't move.

"Pick them up or I promise you I'll make it very hard for Jane before I give her candle to her."

Eve hesitated and then walked over to Grunard.

How the man must have suffered. His expression . . .

"Pick them up and come back toward me."

He was standing in the shadow. There would be no chance if he stayed in the dark.

She picked up the black candles.

"Now come toward me."

She slowly started toward him.

One step.

Two.

Three.

"Hurry. I find I'm very eager for–"

She hurled the candles at his face.

"Eve!"

She took off running.

Out of the shadow into the candlelit center of the tent site.

"Stop running. The game's over, Eve."

She glanced over her shoulder. He was running after her.

Fast.

Closing on her.

Come on.

Faster.

Out of the darkness.

Into the light.

The single shot splintered the night.

Spiro jerked, stumbled, and collapsed to his knees.