“No, I knew it would all come out sometime. You want to talk about Kevin. He dominates your every thought. You were able to restrain yourself as long as you thought that you might deceive and soothe me as you did those little girls you lured for your son.” She reached up and rubbed her throat. She could still feel the bruising imprint of his fingers. “But, as you said, it made you angry that I wouldn’t be fooled when you knew how good you were at it.”
“I am good. Kevin always told me what a talent I had. It’s not as if I made it harder for the little girls. I actually made them feel safe for a little while longer. I tried to do the same for you.”
“Liar. That’s only your peculiar brand of ego.”
“That’s not true.” His brow wrinkled in a deep frown. “If you had—” He stopped and shrugged. “If you realized that, then you’re not as clever as I thought. You knew you were taking a giant risk to break into that desk.”
“I could see you were near the breaking point. I was tired of pretending that I didn’t know that no matter what I did, you would kill me anyway. You will, won’t you?”
He nodded slowly. “I’m afraid I can’t do anything else.”
“Then why should I complete that reconstruction?”
“Jane MacGuire?”
“That dog won’t hunt. I have to rely on Joe to make sure that Jane is safe. I told him to care for her. I’d trust Joe against your Blick any day.”
“Then to buy time on the chance that someone will come to save you?” His gaze was narrowed on her face. “I hate to rely on that reason. I’ve noticed you don’t have a healthy fear of death. But you do care about Joe Quinn and Jane MacGuire and their love for you. You wouldn’t want them to suffer when they found you dead.” He tilted his head consideringly. “Perhaps in the same state I found Kevin, with your skull detached and burned beyond recognition.”
“No, I wouldn’t want them to find me like that.” It would be a memory neither of them would be able to forget for the rest of their lives.
“I didn’t think you would.” He made a mocking gesture toward Kevin’s reconstruction. “Then by all means continue. He’s waiting.”
Yes, Kevin was waiting.
Eve could feel that silent waiting like the pull of a whirlpool drawing her toward him.
“Do it. I promise that they won’t find you as I did Kevin.” He coaxed softly. “Believe me.”
She didn’t believe him. He would do whatever he chose to punish everyone connected with Kevin’s death no matter how distant.
But, as he said, it would buy time. She wasn’t about to let either Doane or Kevin beat her. She was going to live.
“You’re damn right that’s not going to happen.” She got to her feet and moved across the room. “I’ll finish your damn reconstruction. I admit, I’m curious about Kevin. I’ve never re-created the face of a monster. I want to see if I can do it.”
She slowly settled herself on her stool in front of the skull.
Here we are, together again, Kevin.
But now we’re more on even footing. I know what a cowardly beast you are. I know how you used people, even that slimeball of a father. And you’re so dark and full of fury that you won’t let go even now. I didn’t realize that evil lasted beyond the grave. I hoped with all my heart that it ended when life did.
Though Bonnie had tried to tell her.
Bonnie. Her memory was like a cool mountain breeze, lifting the oppression and darkness.
Fury. Darkness. Nausea.
She gasped, and a shudder went through her. It felt as if she’d been grabbed and squeezed, her lungs compressed until she couldn’t breathe.
So you don’t like me to think about Bonnie, you son of a bitch. Why? Because she gives me strength?
She had a sudden chilling thought. Or is it because our bond gives Bonnie strength?
He likes little girls. Isn’t it nice that he still has one available?
Rage tore through her, burning away all weakness.
No way. You’re nothing, you won’t get near her. Crawl back in your cave, you slug.
“You’ve been naughty,” Doane said maliciously from his chair. “Kevin punished you, didn’t he? He didn’t like it when you tried to hurt me. He’s very protective. Though I’m sure he approves of your knowing how awesome he can be.”
“Protective? You poor fool, the only reason he ever tried to protect you was so that he’d have someone to do his bidding. And if that black heart of his has somehow managed to escape hell, you’re still only a means to an end to him.”
“You lie.” His cheeks flushed. “You’ll see that he cares about me.”
“How? You mean if I live long enough.”
“You’ll live long enough. Kevin would like you to see his enemies destroyed.” He leaned back in his chair. “Work. You’re wasting time.”
That hadn’t been her intention. She’d just been delaying touching the clay until she braced herself. She reached out, and her hands started moving, molding the clay.
Tingling. Shortness of breath. Nausea.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to go on.
Evidently, Kevin didn’t care how difficult he made it for her. Maybe it was only his father who wanted Kevin’s image re-created. It was a good thing that she’d already decided that this couldn’t go on much longer. She had to escape quickly no matter what the risk. The situation was too volatile. It was dangerous not only for her but all the people she loved. Jane, Joe … and Bonnie. Perhaps Bonnie most of all. Could an eternal soul be lost or destroyed?
Block it out. Block him out.
Smooth, carve.
Stop, measure.
Show me the way, Kevin. Innocence or wickedness? Were you like your father and able to fool everyone around you? Or did you look like the monster you are?
CHAPTER
13
Leesburg, Virginia
THE OLD MAN LOOKED MORE frail than he had the last time Venable had seen him, the CIA agent thought as he walked down the path toward the small garden at the rear of the house. He should not have aged this quickly. It had been a steady downhill path since he had been robbed of years and vigor by one tragic blow. Yet there was no question the general was thinner, his shoulders a little more bowed.
And he looked … tired.
He glanced up from the strawberry bed he was weeding and stiffened when he saw Venable coming toward him. He sat back on his heels. “Hello, Venable.” He forced a smile. “I won’t say it’s good to see you. Do we have a problem?”
Venable nodded. “I’m afraid so, General Tarther.”
The general got slowly to his feet. “And it must be a considerable problem if it rates a personal visit.” He grimaced as he moved toward the striped canvas chair a few feet away. “It’s hell to get old. I hate all the aches and pains.” He sat down. “And it’s even worse when I remember how young and strong I was only yesterday. I do a lot of remembering.” He gestured to the other chair. “Sit down, Venable. Don’t stand there hovering like a vulture.”
Venable sat down. “I was being respectful.” He smiled. “As is due a general of your caliber and stature. How are you doing, sir?”
“Health-wise, a few issues. Emotionally, more than a few. I get ambushed more frequently all the time.”
“Ambushed?”
“Memories. Things that have been, things that could have been. I find the older I get, the less likely I am to keep a stiff backbone and deny that against those ambushes I’m completely helpless. Very chastening for a military man.” He smiled at Venable. “I’m even admitting them to you, Venable.”
“You’ve fought your battles, sir. You’ve won a hell of a lot of them. You don’t have to win that battle.”
“That’s good, because I’m not.” He looked away. “Why are you here? What’s the bad news?”