“But that’s a good thing,” she said quietly. “We want to bring him out, don’t we? It will be easier for us.”
“To use you as bait?” Joe shook his head. “Forget it. I want you out of Maldara. I’m going to send you to London and pull strings to surround you with every man from the Yard that I can beg or steal.”
“I notice you say you’re going to send me, not take me. Because you told me this had to be finished, didn’t you? There’s no way you’re going to let Varak get away now that you know he’s alive. You’ll stay here and do what I should be doing while I’m palling around with all your buddies from Scotland Yard.”
“It’s the reasonable thing to do. You don’t have to be here, Eve.”
“No? I don’t see it that way. I brought you here, Joe.” She looked back at the reconstruction. “And he brought me. Jill thinks she’s responsible for involving everyone in this nightmare, but it was Varak. Because he’s alive, we’re all swirling around him, drowning in what he is and what he’s done. I won’t go away and take a chance on letting him pull anyone else into that whirlpool.” She smiled with an effort. “But you’ve convinced me how important I am, so I’ll stay here at Robaku, where Novak and you can protect me.” She paused. “Unless we can think of a way to use me with more efficiency.”
“Eve.”
“No, it’s not done. I’m not done. I can’t stir up any hornet’s nest right now because if Varak doesn’t go after me, he’ll go on the run. We can’t afford to have him do that, Joe. So I’ll stay here and work on Mila, be a thorn in both Varak’s and Zahra’s asses, and we’ll try to think of a better way to build a rat trap to catch them.” She drew a deep breath and had to stop. This had been too painful. She always hated conflict with Joe when she knew it was pain and worry driving him. She had to get away from him and recover. She got to her feet. “And now I’ll go get dressed. You’re right, nudity lacks a certain dignity when I’ll probably have to argue about this with Jill and Novak, too.”
A muscle jerked in Joe’s cheek. “Not Novak.”
“We’ll see.” She headed for the bathroom. “I’ve been getting a different viewpoint about him lately. Jill trusts him.”
“Eve,” Joe said. “Don’t do this.”
She stopped at the door of the bathroom. “I know you’re unhappy about it. But I can’t do anything else.” She opened the door, and added simply, “Because whenever I close my eyes, I see that schoolroom, Joe.”
Chapter
13
Jill was waiting when Eve came out of the bathroom forty-five minutes later. She was staring at the reconstruction and looked up as Eve crossed the room toward her. “You really think it’s the brother?”
“I do. I’m surprised you didn’t think of it before I did. You’re the storyteller. It’s definitely a macabre twist on the story of Varak.”
“It probably would have come to me eventually. I was just upset and a bit scattered at the time. But it does make sense.”
“Now we have to find proof that Varak murdered his brother or try to discover when and where he disappeared. Hopefully, it will be about the time that helicopter exploded in the mountains.”
“Quinn and Novak are already working on it. Dobran took a flight somewhere the day after he accepted that statue. It would be logical if it was to Johannesburg to examine and accept the body of Oscar Varak and prepare it for the DNA implant,” Jill said. “Why do you think I’m here? Quinn came storming down to the village and told Novak that he had to put a trace on Varak’s brother and determine if this is really him.” She nodded at the reconstruction. “He wants all the puzzle pieces we have to be in place before anyone discovers that the skull is gone from that U.N. headquarters.” She grimaced. “I got the impression he was trying desperately to stave off having you tossed in jail. I told him I wouldn’t allow that to happen.”
“If I remember correctly, you didn’t give me the same promise,” Eve said dryly. “You just said you’d be in the cell next to mine.”
“Well, I didn’t think that would go over well with him. He’s still very tentative with me. Instead, I decided I’d come here and let Novak deal with him and see if you need any help.”
“Only with information. What’s been happening? It seems as if I slept for a long time.”
“Not for a normal person.” She shrugged. “I managed to get a reporter friend, Matt Kimbro, to go and squeeze information out of the local Cairo police. The police did collect all the security videos in the château, but they hadn’t gotten around to viewing them yet. They’re still in the evidence room.”
Eve stiffened. “But they will view them. It’s only a matter of time. And they’ll find out it was Joe in that gallery.”
“Maybe.” She paused. “I told Kimbro it was important to me that I get hold of those gallery tapes. The evidence room might not be a problem for him if his contact is on duty. It’s like the rest of the police department in Cairo. Bad and good. It’s not that unusual for things to go missing…if the price is right. He said he’d let me know.”
“A very good friend,” Eve said. “To risk getting arrested.”
“Yes. But he’s smart, and I told him if it gets down to taking any serious chances, he’s to call me, and I’ll get him help. I’ll go myself if necessary. Together, we’ll be able to do it.”
“And get yourself arrested, too?”
“We have to get those security tapes. It could hurt Quinn and you.”
“Then let Novak go help your friend Kimbro.”
“I will if it’s more efficient. But Kimbro trusts me, and he was more likely to be accommodating if I was in the background. He’s my friend, and he owes me, not Novak.” She smiled. “And Kimbro might not need help. I told you, he’s smart.” She changed the subject. “Now, what other information do you need? Oh, Gideon has already gone to the presidential palace in Jokan to see what information he can gather about Zahra Kiyani. That’s all I know right now. Sorry, more later.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. It’s fairly substantial.” She was rifling through her cabinet and pulling out the reconstruction she’d begun on Mila. She carefully put the Varak reconstruction in the cabinet in its place. “And certainly more productive than what I’ll be doing.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“Believe it,” Eve said curtly. “Sitting here and working is the only way I’ll be able to keep Joe from going ballistic. He wanted me to fly back to London to cozy up with Scotland Yard.”
“He told us.” She hesitated. “Not a bad idea, Eve.”
“You should have thought of that when you brought me here,” she said curtly. “There’s no way I can go back and forget everything I’ve seen and learned in Robaku.” She glanced at her. “And you knew that would happen, so don’t let me hear that again from you.”
“Just a comment,” Jill said. “Maybe because I wish I could take it all back.”
“I know you do.” She began to put in the depth markers. “Too late.” She added, “So make amends and work with me to find that son of a bitch who killed these kids.”
“You know I will.” She turned away. “I’ll go down to the village and get you something to eat. You’ve lit a fire under Quinn, and I doubt if he’ll be here anytime soon. Maybe by the time I come back, I’ll be able to give you another report. Anything else I can do?”
“Not unless you’ve taken up forensic sculpting.” Eve waved her hand. “Out with you. Let me get into Mila.”
“On my way.” Jill headed for the door. “I guess I’m used to staying close and watching out for you. No need of that now. Quinn and Novak have arranged a virtual army to guard you.”
I don’t doubt that, Eve thought. The knowledge tended to smother her. But she shouldn’t complain, it was all part of the surveillance which she’d told Joe she’d accept.
And she wasn’t complaining; it was just difficult.
Mila. This little girl deserved her attention. Think of Mila.
* * *
/>
“Fruit. And a salad creation that Leta made for you from Hajif’s garden. The dressing is spicy but good,” Jill said as she came back into the museum two hours later. She set the tray down on Eve’s worktable. “No protein. But I’ll work on that for your supper.” She glanced at Mila as she went to the cooler to get Eve a water. “How’s it coming?”
“Fine.” She pushed back and started to eat the salad. “You’re right, this dressing is good. What’s Joe doing? I take it not making salad. Did he find out anything from Scotland Yard?”
“Only the brother’s background. After Oscar went back to Johannesburg, he was into everything from petty thievery to gunrunning. No connection with his big brother during that time. It’s pretty clear he wanted the break to be permanent. For the last seven years, he was involved with piracy in the Indian Ocean. He was first mate on a schooner that raided corporate ships and held executives for ransom. At least two of the prisoners were executed during those years. Oscar definitely was not a pleasant man. He learned a lot from big brother.”
“But he was an amateur compared to Varak,” Eve said. “And the last lesson he learned evidently was a horror story. Was he definitely back in Johannesburg at the time Dobran flew down for a visit?”
“Novak is checking that out.” She shook her head. “It seems Quinn and Novak are working in tandem. Pretty scary, huh?”
“Intimidating. But it probably won’t—”
Jill’s phone was ringing. “Hold that thought.” She glanced at the ID. “Cairo. It’s Kimbro.” She answered. “What’s the word, Kimbro? Can you get the tapes?”
He sighed. “I’m afraid not. It’s impossible.” Then he chuckled. “Because I’ve already got them. You persist in underestimating me, Jill. They’re tucked in my camera bag right now. Piece of cake.”
Jill breathed a sigh of relief. “No trouble?”
“Just a return of favors. I slipped in and slipped out of that evidence room with my customary grace and style, leaving a hefty bribe behind. Which you will return to me with interest.”
“Why should I? You owed me.” She added teasingly, “And it was a piece of cake.”
“So that I won’t consider you in my debt now. I know you, Jill.” He paused. “But to make sure, I’ll accept another bribe. I want to know why you were ready to let me run that risk to get these tapes. You’re usually boringly protective.” He added, “And I want in on the story.”
Jill’s smile faded. “No, you don’t. Not this story. Not now, Kimbro.”
“It must be one hell of a scoop,” he said softly. “If not now, when?”
“Soon. Don’t push me, Kimbro. I won’t shut you out. I promised you that you’d get the story of a lifetime. Just don’t go probing into anything concerning Asarti. Okay?”
He sighed. “Okay. I guess you want these tapes right away? Where can I drop them off?”
“Where are you now?”
“Having breakfast at a sidewalk café about six blocks from the police station.”
“Cocky.”
“Why not? I told you it was a piece of cake. No problem at all. Really simple. You’d have been proud of me.”
“Yeah.” But she was beginning to be distinctly uneasy. “But sometimes things can be too simple. We’ve both gotten in hot water when we least expected it. Look around you, is there anyone there in the restaurant who looks familiar?”
“Not really. You’re too suspicious.” Silence. “Maybe that guy in the gray suit with no tie who’s reading the newspaper. But I can’t be sure.”
“Then pretend you are sure and do me a favor. Get up and walk out of that restaurant. Don’t look as if you’re in a hurry. Stroll, don’t run. Take a taxi and go back to your apartment and lock the door. I’ll send someone to meet you and pick up those tapes.”
Silence. “What is this, Jill?”
“Just do it, okay? I’m not sure if it’s necessary. But it will make me feel better. Don’t play games. Be careful. Call me when you get to your apartment.” She hesitated. “And I think perhaps it might be a good idea if you go with the person who comes to get the tapes. I’ll let you know when you call me.”
Silence. “You’re nervous about me. This must be nasty.”
“Very nasty. I told you that in the beginning.”
“You’re going to feel very foolish about this if you’re wrong. I’ll rub it in, you know.”
“I can take it. Are you leaving the restaurant?”
“I just threw some cash down on the table. I’m strolling, not running. There’s a taxi down the street. You’ll owe me for cab fare, too.”
“Fine. Has the man in the gray suit moved?”
“No, he’s still reading his newspaper. Looks like you’re wrong.”
“Good. Thanks, Kimbro. Call me as soon as you get to your apartment.”
“You can bet I will. I didn’t finish my breakfast. I’ll use it as a guilt trip to make you tell me why you wanted these tapes. See you, Jill.” He cut the connection.
“What’s happening?” Eve asked.
“Maybe nothing.” Jill was dialing Novak. “But Kimbro managed to get hold of those tapes, and I’d really like Novak to have them picked up right away.”
“And your friend, Kimbro, too?”
“It might be a good idea to have Novak’s men look over the situation and see if it’s a good idea.” She was biting her lower lip. “I don’t have a good reason. I guess I’m allergic to having everything go just as it should. It’s not been happening much since I came to Maldara. It makes me nervous.” Novak picked up, and she said quickly, “We’ve got the security tapes. Kimbro is on his way to his apartment now.” She rattled off the address. “Send someone to pick them up right away.” She paused. “And make certain whoever you send knows what he’s doing. Okay?”
“Why?”
“Because Kimbro is my friend, and I’m not taking chances. Don’t argue with me, Novak. I’ve got what we needed. Now you do your part.”
He was silent. “Orders? I’ll send Nassem.” He hung up the phone.
“Mission accomplished?” Eve asked as she watched Jill slip her phone in her pocket. “You were pretty sharp. You don’t usually speak to Novak like that.”
“He’ll survive. I wanted him to get off the phone and do what I needed.” She shrugged. “I know it was overkill, and he’ll make me pay for it later. It seemed the thing to do at the time.” She looked at the food on the tray in front of Eve. “You’ve scarcely touched your salad. Can I get you anything else?”
“No, I’ll finish this. I’ve been a little busy listening to you.” She made a face. “Stop hovering over me. I know you want to go back down to the village and make sure Novak is doing what you want him to do. Go!”
Jill smiled. “As you command.” She headed for the door. “It’s ridiculous, you know. I’m overreacting.”
“Or it might be instinct,” Eve said soberly as she gazed back at her Mila reconstruction. “I believe in instinct. I hope that you are overreacting. Let me know when Novak’s agent actually has those security tapes in his hands.”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
“I’d better be,” she said wryly. “It appears that I’m the only one who is out of the loop.”
Five minutes later, Jill had reached the hut where Joe and Novak had set up shop. Joe was no longer there, but Novak appeared to be just as busy as when she’d left. She hesitated at the door.
“Stop dithering,” Novak said without looking up from his computer. “Yes, I did contact Nassem, and he’ll be at Kimbro’s apartment in thirty minutes. Satisfied?”
“Yes, you did the best you could.” She came into the hut. Hajif had only managed to produce the one small bench where Novak was sitting for the makeshift office, but there were colorful blankets placed around the hut against the walls. Jill dropped down on one of the blankets and leaned back against the wall. “And it might not even be necessary. He was pretty sure he wasn’t followed.”
“But he�
�s your friend.” Novak’s voice was without expression. “And with you, that means commitment and, therefore, possible inconvenience for me. I’m beginning to become accustomed to it.”
“Poor you.” She grinned. “Where’s Quinn?”
“He received a call from his son. He wanted privacy.”
“And probably to ensure that he not reveal a softer side to you,” she said. “That’s reserved for Eve and company.” She took out her phone. “What other calls do you want me to make now that we’ve nailed down the security tapes?”
“You can call Gideon and see if he’s made any contacts in Zahra Kiyani’s august household yet.”
“Busywork?”
“Maybe. You seem to be a little edgy. But useful busywork. Gideon sometimes gets carried away and goes in depth with any project. He needs structure.”
“He’s brilliant. You’re lucky to have him.”
“But I don’t have him, that’s my point. No one has him. He might go off in any direction if it pleases him. But he might be less likely to stray from the path if you’re around.”
“I’m not his guardian.” She added slyly, “If that’s what you want, then I should have gone with him.”
“That’s not what I want,” he said flatly. “And you know it. Stay away from Zahra. Just check on Gideon. If nothing else, it will keep your mind off Kimbro.”
“Busywork,” she repeated. But she still dialed Gideon’s number. No answer. She tried it again. In the middle of the ring, she got another call.
Kimbro.
She quickly pressed accept. “Are you in your apartment?”
“Locking the door now. Happy?”
“Moderately. Herb Nassem, a CIA operative, will be picking up the security tapes in about twenty minutes. Don’t give them to anyone else.”
“Can I ply him with liquor and see if I can talk him into telling me why those tapes are so important?”
“No, he has no idea. You weren’t followed?”
“No. Not even that guy in the restaurant. He never stirred from that table when I got in the cab.” He paused. “All kidding aside, you’re not getting into anything over your head? I’m here for you if you are. Iron Man is my middle name. You don’t need to get involved with these CIA guys. They can be trouble.”
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