Taking Eve

by Iris Johansen

  Eve nodded slowly. Jane knew that Eve believed Bonnie came to her and had never argued or tried to dissuade her. But she had never accepted Bonnie as anything but a comforting dream that gave Eve happiness. “It’s not that she has any ill feelings toward you, baby.”

  “Are you trying to keep me from getting my feelings hurt?” Bonnie was smiling again. “You love her, and that makes me love her. I understand Jane. Someday we’ll come together.” Her smile ebbed, then faded. “Though I wish it was going to be different.”

  Eve stiffened. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not sure. The darkness…”

  “Listen to me; nothing is going to hurt Jane,” she said fiercely. “We have to keep that from happening. She’s already been hurt because of that bastard. She’s not going to be hurt again.”

  “Sometimes you can’t stop it from happening.”

  Panic surged through her. “Don’t say that. If I try hard enough, I can do anything. Why do you think I’m working on Kevin’s reconstruction? I’ll stall Doane until I can either get away or Joe can find me. And I told him he had to keep Jane safe.”

  “Who is going to tell Jane? Do you think she’s not going to try to find you? She loves you. I think she loves you as much as I do, Mama.”

  “Then I just have to work faster, harder.”

  Bonnie made a face. “Not too much faster. It’s good that I was able to get to you after that last whiff of gas, but I don’t know how dangerous an overdose would be.”

  “Some stakes are worth a little risk.”

  “You’re willing to risk too much,” Bonnie said soberly. “You’ve been that way since I was taken from you. I have to fight to keep you from coming to me too soon. Thank God, you have Joe and Jane as anchors.”

  Beloved anchors, Eve thought, but at moments like this when Bonnie was close, and she was reminded of what she had lost, it was difficult to remember that there was a balance that must be maintained. Bonnie had been her whole life before she had lost her. She swallowed to ease her tight throat. “It’s hard sometimes, baby.”

  “For me, too,” Bonnie said softly. “But we can do it, we can wait. They need you, Mama. And you need them.”

  “I’m aware of all that.” She smiled with an effort. “Stop lecturing me, young lady. Just because you’ve passed into the great beyond doesn’t guarantee that you know everything.”

  “I wish it did.” Bonnie shook her head. “I’m learning, but it’s not fast enough. There should be some way to get to you when I need to do it.” She repeated soberly. “It scared me.”

  “Particularly since you want me to cut down on inhaling that gas. By all means, apply yourself.”

  “I will, but I can’t be sure—” She suddenly stiffened. “The gas is wearing off. You’re beginning to come up through the layers. I’ll lose you soon.”

  “No.”

  “I can’t help it. I can feel the darkness sweeping me away from you. He’s pushing, smothering, me. Such hate … I can feel the terrible hate and anger Kevin has for me. He wants to be what he was when he was alive. He wants to feel the power again. Over me … over you. He doesn’t want me near you. And he’s so strong…”

  Eve could feel it, too. Bonnie was fading away, in and out of focus. “Bonnie!”

  “Hush, I have to tell you … Doane is—it’s hard not to believe him. But you mustn’t do it. It’s what he does. It was his part of that horror. No matter what he tells you, it’s either a lie or twisted so out of shape that it becomes what he wants it to be.”

  “What horror?”

  “No time. You’ll find out. And don’t take too much of that gas.”

  “I heard you the first time.” She could feel Bonnie ebbing away from her, and she was trying desperately to hold on to her. “And I told you that I only wanted to be sure that it was working. It’s not as if I like the stuff. It makes me sick to my stomach.”

  “That’s not the gas, Mama.”

  “Of course it’s the gas. What else?”

  “It’s him, he knows what you’re doing, and he’s trying to stop you.” She was fading away in the distance. “It’s Kevin…”

  * * *

  SHE WAS GONE.

  And Eve was once again fully awake.

  She drew a shaky breath and slowly opened her eyes.

  No Bonnie.

  Of course there was no red-haired little girl to lighten this darkness.

  Eve felt the familiar sadness and regret and yearning that always came when Bonnie left her. She wanted her back, to see her, to feel the bittersweet joy.

  But Bonnie had tried and given her what she could, and Eve was warmer and more hopeful for her attempt.

  She got to her feet and started to carefully unfold the bed and rumple the covers.

  No sound.

  Make sure that Doane was not aware of—

  Sick.

  She dropped down on the bed and drew her knees up as waves of nausea hit her. She bit down hard on her lower lip.

  It’s Kevin.

  If it was Doane’s son, then he was attacking at full force and speed. Lord, she was sick.

  Things do go bump in the night.

  Hold it off. Think of something else.

  She took several slow, deep breaths.

  That was better …

  No, it wasn’t. The nausea was back.

  Don’t throw up. Fight it.

  Whether it was the gas or some spirit from beyond the grave, it could be fought.

  It was more violent than the other bouts she’d experienced, which she’d attributed to the gas. Punishment?

  Or maybe it wasn’t Kevin but his father who was sensing her actions and was influencing her in some psychological—

  Stop analyzing. Use your will and your mind and just get over this.

  It took over an hour before the sickness was gone. Even then, it subsided like a surly dragon backing into his cave.

  And Eve felt wrung out and weak … and triumphant.

  Get thee behind me, Satan. Or Kevin, or whoever you are.

  She turned over in bed. Go to sleep or at least rest. She wouldn’t have much time before Doane was rousing and unlocking the door. He was growing more impatient with every hour. Sometime today, she’d try to find a way to get into that desk and see what was inside. She had to gauge Doane’s strength, and only knowledge of the enemy would permit her to do that.

  His part in the horror, Bonnie had said.

  What horror, Bonnie?

  CHAPTER

  11

  Lake Cottage

  “GO TO BED, JANE,” JOE SAID as he came out on the porch. “I’ll wake you as soon as I hear something.”

  She straightened on the porch swing. “I’m okay. I’ve been dozing. I had to call Devon and check on Toby, but afterward, I kind of drifted off. You haven’t heard anything from your old buddies in the FBI?” She grimaced. “Don’t they know that—” She stopped and wearily shook her head. “I know you’re doing your best. But you’ve been making calls and sending e-mails for hours. Something should be breaking.”

  “My thought exactly,” he said grimly. “But there are no records on Doane or Relling or whatever his name is. At least none that anyone can access. He doesn’t exist in the FBI database.”

  “Is that possible? Cover-up?”

  “That’s my guess. But whoever did it had to be high up on the chain.”

  “No wonder Venable felt safe giving you the names. He knew it probably wasn’t going to do you any good.” Her lips tightened. “I’m tired of being patient with Venable and waiting for him to talk.” She got to her feet. “Where is he?”

  “Not on the property. I’ve already checked. And he’s not answering his phone.”

  “So he dangled a promise to help, then took off?”

  “He doesn’t give his word easily. I think he’ll keep it in his own time.” He muttered a curse. “But I’m not going to let him have that time.”

  “And how are we going to locate him?” />
  “I’ve already started. He may be CIA, but we have a history together, and I can track him.” He paused. “But I want to explore one other avenue first. I went back to Blick’s records and started digging for a connection with someone, anyone, during the years he was in the service.”

  “Why that period?”

  “I was looking for a reason for the CIA to be involved. CIA operates outside the country. Blick was stationed outside the country during most of his Army years. First, in Germany, then in Turkey. It was more likely that Venable would have made contact with Blick and Doane at one of those places.”

  “Logical. Did you find out anything more about Blick?”

  “I’m waiting for a call from Army records. I pulled every string I had with the FBI to get them to put a rush on it. I should be hearing anytime.”

  “And you were going to send me off to bed so that I wouldn’t have to gnaw my nails waiting to hear.” She smiled without mirth. “You’re trying to protect me again. Don’t do it. The only one you should worry about is Eve.”

  “No, I should protect you, too. I promised Eve when she called.” He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Not that I wouldn’t anyway. But it would help if I had a little help when I’m not around. Where the hell is Caleb? Why didn’t he come back to the cottage with you?”

  She shrugged. “How do I know? We’re not joined at the hip. I told you that I dropped him off at the airport on my way here.” She gazed at him curiously. “And why do you care? He’s definitely not your favorite person.”

  “No, he’s not. But I’ve never met a more lethal individual. He’s self-serving and damn volatile, but he comes in handy at times.” He met her eyes. “And he has a reason to keep you alive.”

  “I have a reason to keep myself alive. I have to get Eve away from Doane. And I don’t need Caleb or anyone else standing guard over me when they could be concentrating on doing that, too.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “And that goes for you, Joe. Now, I’m going inside to make us a cup of coffee while you focus on Venable. It’s driving me crazy just sitting here and—” She stiffened. “Headlights.” Her gaze was fastened on the car coming down the lake road. “Venable?”

  “Maybe.”

  But as the car drew up before the cottage, the porch lights fell on the windshield, and she recognized the driver. “Not Venable. It’s Caleb.” She started down the steps. “Speak of the devil.”

  “That’s too close a comparison,” Joe said dryly. “But for once I’m glad to see him. That may not happen again.”

  “Then be polite to him. We owe him. I’ve been using him as a pilot since London. He didn’t have to—” She stopped on the bottom step, her eyes widening as she saw who was in the passenger seat next to Caleb. “What the hell? Margaret?”

  “None other,” Caleb said as he got out of the driver’s seat. “If I can wake her up. She’s been sleeping since she got into the car at the airport. She curled up like a kitten, and it was lights out.” He shook his head. “Very rude, Margaret.”

  “I was tired.” Margaret’s hand covered a yawn. “I had to work really hard to find a safe way to get here. If you’d let me come with you, it would have been much better, Caleb.”

  “I promised Jane that I wouldn’t encourage you. Isn’t that right, Jane?”

  “It doesn’t look to me as if you kept that promise,” Jane said grimly as she watched Margaret get out of the car. The girl’s hair was tousled and her shirt and jeans rumpled, but as she came awake, her smile was just as sunny as Jane remembered. “Is that why you had me drop you off at the airport, Caleb?”

  Caleb nodded. “Margaret called me from San Juan and told me she thought she had a lift to get her here and asked me to pick her up.” He shrugged. “What could I do? I couldn’t let her wander around a strange city alone.”

  “Evidently, she manages to wander around the world by herself just fine,” she said. “Look how she got to Summer Island.”

  “That’s different. You wouldn’t have wanted to accept the responsibility.”

  He was right. The reason she had insisted he not take Margaret was so that Margaret wouldn’t become involved. Now that the girl had overridden all the obstacles Jane had tried to put in her path, she couldn’t just toss her out. But it didn’t make Jane any less exasperated with her. “Why, Margaret? I told you that I didn’t need you.”

  “But you don’t know that.” Margaret reached in the backseat and brought out her duffel. “I can be very useful. By the way, I called Devon from the airport after I landed, and she said Toby was on his feet and very spry.”

  “I know. I called her a few hours ago. Stop changing the subject.”

  “I was just reminding you that I’m a proven commodity in the useful department. I thought it couldn’t hurt.” Margaret smiled back over her shoulder. “And Caleb tried to do what you wanted. Don’t be angry with him.”

  “Are you trying to protect him? Don’t waste the effort. He doesn’t need it.”

  “Sure he does. We all need a little help now and then.” She made a face at Caleb. “But I could have used a little more to get me out of San Juan. If Mark Trevor hadn’t put me in touch with Gadsden Canine Rescue, it would have taken me a lot longer to get here.”

  Jane stiffened. “Trevor. You know Mark Trevor?”

  “Well, not really know him,” Margaret said. “I met him in the waiting room at the hospital. He was very curious about me when I told him I was there to visit you. He already knew a lot about what had happened on the island. He said he knew quite a few people around the Caribbean, and if I needed help, to give him a call.” She beamed at them. “So I did.”

  “You didn’t tell me that Trevor was involved in getting you out of San Juan,” Caleb said softly. “Why not?”

  “You didn’t ask me. No, that’s not quite true. Trevor said that it would be better if I didn’t mention him to you. He didn’t care about Jane’s knowing, but he said you were a bit touchy where he’s concerned. Are you?”

  “You could say that.” He glanced at Jane. “It didn’t matter to him that you didn’t want her here. He wanted to remind you that he was still in your life.”

  Margaret nodded. “I thought that might be it.” She looked beyond Jane to Joe, who was still standing on the top step. “Hi, Detective Quinn. I didn’t mean to ignore you, but it’s a little tense. I really think I can help find Eve Duncan. Is it all right if I stay a little while and find out what’s happening? I won’t get in the way.”

  Joe gazed at her a moment, and said, “Why not? You’re here, and there’s not much we can do unless we turn you over to be deported.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to do that. You helped save Jane’s dog, and Eve and I love Toby. We can work out the legalities later.”

  Her smile widened to brilliance. “Thank you. I’ll see that you don’t get in trouble because of me.” She turned to Jane. “See, everything is going to work out. Detective Quinn knows that my being here is a good thing.”

  “I didn’t say that,” Joe said dryly.

  “But you’re very smart, and you sense things. Of course you realize that I’ll be able to help.” She started up the steps. “Would you mind if I took a shower and washed the dog smell off? I don’t mind it, but you all might. I was with six rescue dogs on that flight to Atlanta, and I had to be practically on top of Bruno, a German shepherd, who has nerve problems. That’s why the rescue group let me come along with them. Bruno was terrified of flying and they usually had to dope him. But he’d grown almost immune over the last couple years of use. I promised that I’d keep him calm and happy.” She added, “And that I’d work with him when I was finished here and make sure that he’d be okay with flying without meds.”

  “You can do that?” Joe’s eyes were narrowed. “Jane told me some fairly amazing things about you. I found it … interesting.”

  “I can do it.” She met his gaze. “And Jane doesn’t really know anything about me. What she does know, she’s not sure she
believes. I knew I was going to have a tough time convincing her to let me do payback.” She tilted her head, gazing at him. “But you’re thinking that I might be useful to you. I think you’ve already decided on a way.”

  “Possibly.”

  “Joe,” Jane said. “She’s not much more than a kid.”

  “Let me think about it.” Joe turned away. “Why don’t you make that coffee while I decide whether I’m going to take her up on her offer.”

  “You do have something in mind,” Jane said. “What?”

  But Joe had already gone into the house.

  “Am I invited for coffee?” Caleb asked. “Or am I to be punished for dumping Margaret on your doorstep?”

  “You’re invited.” Jane grimaced. “She would have found some way to get out here from the airport even if she had to hitchhike.”

  “You’re right,” Margaret said. “But hitchhiking can be dangerous. I preferred to tap Caleb.” She chuckled. “Though he can be sort of risky, too. But not to me.”

  “Don’t count on that,” Caleb said softly. “I don’t like the idea of your juggling and pitting Trevor against me to get what you want.” He held up his hand as she started to speak. “And you went after Quinn to get around Jane’s objections. You’re very wily, Margaret. All that sunny charm may cover something darker.”

  She shook her head. “I’m a survivor,” she said simply. “I’ve had to be, Caleb. And I’m not some Pollyanna phony. I try to stay away from darkness. It’s always out there, but the only way I can get through it is to let in a little light now and then. Nothing wrong with that.”

  “Sounds pretty saccharine to me.” He shrugged. “However, no one can say I’m full of sweetness and light.”

  “You can say that again,” Jane said. “Now stop being cynical and give her a break.” She opened the door. “The bathroom is down the hall and to your left, Margaret. When you’ve washed the travel and dog smell off, come out, and we’ll talk.” She met her gaze. “But no matter what Joe says, I don’t know if I’m going to let you—”

  “I know. I know. But you respect Joe Quinn. That’s half the battle.” She was walking quickly down the hall. “And I have to have information if I’m going to help at all. He’s a detective and razor-sharp. If he thinks I’ll be useful, he’ll share. You might ration info to keep me safe.”