* * *
TWO PATROL CARS AND SLINDAK’S gray Honda were parked in the lot of the convenience store when Joe arrived.
Slindak strolled over to the car as Joe opened the door. “Pretty much a waste of time. The store manager said someone used the outside phone booth to make a call, but he was busy and only got a quick glimpse of him.”
“Model of his car?”
“He was parked down the street, and the manager didn’t notice the model. You’re sure it was Zeus?”
“I’m sure. Did you dust the phone booth for fingerprints?”
“We’ve taped off the booth, and the forensic team will be here soon.” He glanced at Eve. “Hello, Ms. Duncan. You don’t look too well. Could I have someone see you home?”
“I’m fine.” She got out of the car. “It’s … been a difficult night.”
“I can imagine,” Slindak said dryly. “I’m sorry, but you brought it on yourself.”
“I know that.” She watched another patrol car pull into the parking lot. “Forensics?”
“Yes, and I had them roust a sketch artist we use occasionally out of his bed. Kim isn’t going to be pleased.”
“Artist?” Eve nodded. “I’ve heard that you can sometimes get an accurate facsimile from a description.”
“Sometimes. In this case it’s important that we try to do it right away since the manager said he only got a fleeting glimpse. Memory tends to fade quickly, and we need him fresh.”
“May I go and watch him?”
Slindak shrugged. “Why not?”
“And I sketch a little myself. Could I have a pad and see what I can do?”
“I’ll ask Kim Chen.” He gestured to the small, spare man of Asian descent who had gotten out of the patrol car. “As long as you don’t get in his way, I don’t think he’d object.”
“Thank you. I’ll ask him myself.”
Joe and Slindak watched her walk over to the artist.
“I thought she was close to fainting when you pulled in,” Slindak said. “She bounced back pretty quickly. Is she always like that?”
“When she has a purpose. I’m glad she found one right now.” He was watching the play of intense emotion across Eve’s face as she spoke to Kim Chen. “And I’ll be interested to see what she does with that sketch. I saw a sketch she’d done of her daughter in her house. It was remarkable.”
“It’s not the same thing.”
Joe knew that, but Eve had a talent that he’d never seen in a police artist. “Her sketch came alive. It was as if Bonnie’s personality was leaping from the page. Let’s see if she can do the same thing with a description.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
As Eve and Kim entered the convenience store, Joe turned toward the phone booth. Three techs were already brushing it down for prints. “I have a note that may have Zeus’s prints on it that you may be able to match. He left a calling card on my windshield at the cottage.” He reached into his car and retrieved the note from the glove box. “Or maybe not. He guessed we were tracing the call and setting him up. He may have worn gloves.”
Slindak carefully took the note and handed it to one of the forensic crew. “That close, huh? She must have really pissed him off.”
An understatement. He was trying not to remember the bastard’s words. He nodded curtly and started to cross the lot. “Let’s go down the block where he left his car and see if we have any witnesses.”
* * *
EVE WAS COMING OUT of the front entrance when Joe and Slindak came back to the convenience store over an hour later.
“Finished?”
She nodded as she came toward them. “I did the best I could. It was hard. The skill isn’t really in the sketching. It’s the questions that you have to ask the witness. Kim Chen is very good at what he does. And you have to be ready to change every feature as the witness changes their mind. That evidently happens a lot. It’s definitely a work in progress all the way through.”
“But she did very well for a beginner,” Kim Chen said as he came out of the store. He smiled at Eve. “But you should have changed the eyes.”
“Why? The manager said he didn’t see the eyes from the front, so it’s purely a matter of opinion what they looked like. I just went with instinct.”
“But I told you that you’re supposed to go with generic features in that case. You have a greater chance of coming close to a resemblance.”
She shook her head. “It just felt right.”
“‘Felt’?” Kim Chen frowned. “You don’t rely on feelings. You’re not creating, you’re duplicating.”
“You’re probably right. Detective Slindak is lucky he has your sketch to use.”
“It was nice meeting you, Ms. Duncan.” Kim handed the pad to Slindak. “Here’s the best I could do. Not bad. The manager remembered more than he thought.”
“Thanks, Kim. Sorry I had to get you out here in the middle of the night.”
“So am I.” Chen grimaced. “But it’s better than trying to pry a description out of someone after they’ve had a day or two to let it blur.” He waved and strolled toward the patrol car.
Slindak glanced at the sketch. “He’s not a handsome specimen and looks pretty ordinary.” He handed the sketch to Joe. “What do you think? Those cheekbones a little Slavic?”
“Maybe.” Joe studied the sketch. High, broad cheekbones, a wide, full mouth. Dark curly hair, cut close to the head. Ordinary-shaped dark eyes and brows. “Let me see your sketch, Eve.”
“You heard Kim. I injected too much into the eyes in the sketch.” She handed him her pad. “I did okay with the rest, though. I came pretty close.”
Joe gave a low whistle. “I can see what Kim meant.”
The dark eyes looking up at him almost jumped off the sketch. They were large, close-set, and seemed to glitter with ferocity. The brows above them were straight slashes as dark as the eyes they framed.
Slindak was glancing over his shoulder. “Nothing ordinary about that face.”
“He’s not ordinary,” Eve said. “He’s a monster. I don’t care if you tell me monsters seldom look like what they are. I think the soul must reveal itself in some way. This felt right to me.” She turned to Joe. “Use it or not. I don’t care. But I think that I have an idea now what he looks like. I may need it.”
“We’ll use it,” Slindak said. “We’ll use both of them. It may be the only thing useful to come out of this. Joe and I found two witnesses who saw Zeus, but not close enough for a description other than he appeared big and muscular. Neither of them agreed with the other about the car. One said it was a brown Ford, the other a dark blue Honda.”
“Maybe you should get Kim back to draw the car for them,” Eve said dryly.
“Maybe I should. But I don’t think it would do much good.” He turned and walked over to the forensic crew, who had just finished with the phone booth.
“Are you ready to leave?” Joe asked Eve. “I don’t think there’s much more we can learn here.”
She nodded wearily and got into the car. “I guess you’re right. I just wanted to do something that would get us closer. Something concrete.”
“The sketch will help.”
“If that store manager gave us the right information.” Her lips firmed. “But I have to think positive, don’t I? I can’t think we’re just going down a blind alley, or I’ll go crazy.”
“I’m taking you back to my hotel, okay? No Rainbow Inn.”
“No Rainbow Inn.” She leaned her head back against the rest. “Take me home, Joe.”
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “No way.”
“Take me home.” She looked at him. “You heard him. He’s coming after me. He has to be able to find me.”
“So you’re making it easy for him.”
“No, I’m sure that you’ll make it a challenge,” she said. “You’re not going to let me be there alone.”
“And you’re not arguing with me about it?”
&n
bsp; “I tried that, and it didn’t work.” She smiled with an effort. “You just keep on coming.”
“You’re damn right I do.” He paused. “That second newspaper article McVey wrote will be coming out in a few hours from now. It’s going to cause Zeus to blow sky-high again.”
“Then maybe he’ll make his move sooner. Or he’ll get so angry, he’ll make a mistake. Either way, it won’t be bad for us. Nothing will be bad as long as he doesn’t get discouraged and disappear. I figure we can hold him here if he knows I’m there in that house, and all he has to do is worry about how to get to me.”
“We probably can,” Joe said. “But I’m not going to be your only protection, Eve. That’s bullshit after we saw how close he came. I’d like to surround you with an army, but I’ll limit it to pulling in one of Slindak’s men to watch the house.” He held up his hand as she started to speak. “Don’t worry; Zeus will be expecting it. One man will be a challenge, not a deterrent. I just want the extra insurance.”
“You may be right.” She was silent, thinking about it. Then she slowly nodded. “If you promise he won’t interfere. I don’t want him in the way.”
“It would take a lot to discourage Zeus. Having you within his sights will be like putting a steak just outside the cage of a hungry wolf. It will only be a question of time before he finds a way to break out and get it.”
“You’re calling me a piece of meat? Not at all flattering, Joe.”
“I’m not in the mood to be flattering. The only thing I can see good about this is that I’ll be with you in that house.”
She was silent a moment. “That’s the only good thing I can see good about it, too, Joe. You help keep away the darkness.”
Forever. Let me hold the darkness at bay for you. Let me help you find the dawn.
Don’t say it. Keep it on an even keel.
“I’m glad we’re in agreement on something at last. It’s about time. But I’ve decided that it’s your house that’s dark. I think that we’ll paint a couple rooms while I’m staying there.”
She stared at him in bewilderment. “What?”
“It will make the time pass. I thought the living room could use brightening. What color do you think?”
She said blankly, “I have no idea.”
“Maybe a gold-beige?” he suggested. “Think about it while I stop at my hotel and pick up a bag. It shouldn’t take long…”
Two Days Later
“WHAT IS THIS STUFF?” Eve asked as she tentatively tasted the salad. “Exotic. You know I’m just a simple Southern woman with down-home tastes, Joe. Are you trying to educate my palate?”
“It’s not ‘stuff.’” Joe sat down across from her. “I got the recipe from an Indian woman in Bombay. And you’re about as simple as an Einstein equation. Try it. You’ll like it.”
She took another bite. “It’s good. Where did you learn to cook?”
“When I was in the service. I was young, with a tremendous hunger, and food was only part of it. I was all over the world tasting and experiencing everything. The good things I wanted to take home with me.”
“And the bad things?”
He shrugged. “I learned from them, too, then tried to let them go.”
“Not easy.”
“No, but that’s life.” He smiled. “I’m glad you let me loose in your kitchen. Cooking relaxes me.”
“And it bores me. I had to put wholesome meals on the table for Bonnie, but I assure you that they lacked inspiration. And definitely nothing exotic.” She finished the last bite. “I doubt that I would have picked up any exotic recipes even if I’d gone to India. Which I most certainly didn’t. I’ve never been out of Georgia.”
“You’ve missed a lot. I’d like to show you some of the parts of the world I’ve visited. It would be great seeing them through your eyes.”
“I don’t feel as if I’ve missed much. I had everything I wanted or needed here. It would have been nice to take Bonnie to those places when I could afford it, but it wasn’t important to me.” Her face clouded. “But maybe it would have been important to Bonnie. She enjoyed every minute, every new experience.”
He quickly changed the subject. “I’m glad you like the salad. The main course is much more ordinary.” He got to his feet. “Steak and mushrooms. I’ll let you take the dishes into the kitchen while I serve it up. Get to work.”
“Right.” She picked up the salad plates and followed him into the kitchen. She put the dishes in the sink and stood watching him as he served up the steak and mushrooms on a plate. She said quietly, “Thank you, Joe.”
“Wait until you’re sure I’m not going to give you indigestion before you thank me.”
“No, thank you for making these days bearable for me. I would have gone crazy without you,” she added with frustration, “Where is he? I thought that he’d contact me long before this. Not one word after that second news interview came out.”
“He’s biding his time. He’s probably enjoying the hell out of thinking about you on pins and needles, waiting for him to strike.”
“But you don’t think he’s given up and gone away?” she asked anxiously.
“No.” He looked up and met her eyes. “I think that he’s close, waiting for his chance.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
“Do you know how sick that sounds?”
She nodded, then asked immediately, “And that policeman outside hasn’t seen anything?”
He shook his head. “Bramwell says that there’s been no suspicious activity since he took over the duty day before yesterday.” He handed her a plate. “Now go sit down and try my steak. I made it medium well-done. Okay?”
“Fine.” She didn’t move. “I meant it, Joe. You kept me so busy painting that damn room that I had no time to think.”
“Oh, you were thinking. I just tried to keep everything troubling on the edge of your consciousness.” He headed for the dining room. “Now let’s finish dinner, and we’ll have coffee on the front porch. I made Turkish coffee with a few interesting spices.”
“Coffee with spices?” she repeated warily. “I’m not so sure about that. Coffee should be black, strong, and hot, and not subject to all your fancy exotic tinkering.”
“I realize that I’m taking a chance in fooling with your holy of holies.” He smiled as he glanced over his shoulder. “But trust me one more time. Try it, you’ll like it.”
* * *
“HERE YOU GO.” HE HANDED Eve the small demitasse cup and sat down in the cane chair next to her. “I guarantee it’s black and strong and a small enough quantity that you won’t have to sample much. I heard the phone ring when I was in the kitchen. I gather it wasn’t Zeus.”
She shook her head. “My mother. She wants to know when she can come home. Evidently, she’s bored. I thought it might be McVey again.”
“He called you this morning, didn’t he?”
She nodded. “He won’t give up. He wants to come here and become part of the action.” She made a face. “When and if there is any action. I told him that he can’t do it.”
“I’m sure he didn’t like that.”
“He’s being very persistent. I said we’d give him an exclusive as soon as the story broke.”
“That’s more than he deserves.”
“You’re still angry with him.”
“He took you to that house on the lake and let you stake yourself out for that nutcase.”
“It was my call.”
“And he grabbed at the chance to help you to do it. No trying to talk you out of it. Just set up a house in an isolated area and let the bad times roll. Anything to get his story.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Yes, I’m still angry.”
“Then I’ll try to keep you away from him. He was scared of you, but he’s so ambitious that he’ll keep pushing.” She took a sip of the coffee. “I don’t want him to—” She gasped. “Good Lord, what are you doing to me? It’s nasty.” She made a face as she thrust the cup
and saucer at him. “It’s like cinnamon-flavored tar.”
“Maybe it’s an acquired taste.”
“If you ever give me anything but the real thing when I ask for coffee, I’ll murder you.”
He chuckled. “I knew it was taking a chance.”
“You knew I’d hate it. It’s some kind of sick joke.”
“You malign me. Would I do that to you?”
“I’m beginning to think that you have a wicked sense of humor. You just haven’t let me see it before.”
“I had to wait to show that side of my personality. You weren’t ready for it.” He got to his feet. “I’ll take your cup inside.” He stood from a moment, looking out into the darkness of the quiet street, the well-kept yards, the lamplight streaming out of the windows. “So peaceful. It’s a nice neighborhood. Bramwell said that it was a hell of a lot easier watching your house than the usual neighborhoods he’s been accustomed to monitoring.” He moved toward the door. “Stay here. I’ll get you a real cup of coffee.”
“Don’t bother.” She got to her feet. “All that painting has worn me out. I think I’ll shower, then go to bed.” She moved toward the door. “I’ll do better without coffee.”
“You’re sure?” He held the door open for her. “My duty is to please.”
“Tell that to McVey.”
“There’s always an exception to prove a rule.” He turned on the light in the living room and watched her walk up the steps. She did look tired, but it had been a fair day. He had worked her at painting, making sure the physical exertion would be enough to block out the mental torment that was always with her. He checked his watch. It was near ten in the evening. He’d check in with Slindak and go to bed himself.
He hoped he could sleep. Eve wasn’t the only one who was on edge from all this waiting.
Where are you, bastard?
* * *
THE PHONE RANG IN THE middle of the night.
He reached over to the pick up the receiver of the phone on the end table beside the couch on which he was sleeping.
Eve was already on the line.
And so was Zeus.
“You have such a pretty house there, bitch. Does it make you feel safe to be with the FBI man? Are you sleeping with him?”
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