Shut up, Kenner said. I know what Im doing. The box is more important.
You idiot. Nothings more important. We went to all this trouble and now youre letting them get
Timwick said that if it came to a choice between retrieving what they went after or getting them, we should go for the retrieval.
We can go back for it later. Theyre just trying to divert us.
Do you think that didnt occur to me? I cant take the chance. Its in the middle of the road. It could be damaged or found.
In the middle of the night?
Timwick wants whats in that box.
Fury jolted through Fiske. There was no way they could catch up with Logan now. All because of Timwicks obsession with that damn box.
And Kenner was just like Timwick, so concerned with the small stuff that he couldnt see what was really important. You took one objective at a time and never let yourself be distracted.
Certainly not by a fucking box.
Two men in white uniforms streamed out of Barrett House as soon as Logan stopped the limo. Gil was transferred to a stretcher and whisked inside.
Eve got out of the car. Her knees were so weak, she had to lean against the fender.
You okay? Logan asked.
She nodded.
Ill tell Margaret to get you a cup of coffee, he said over his shoulder as he headed toward the house. I have to make sure Gil is going to be all right.
Dazed, she watched him disappear. Too much had happened in too short a time for her to compre-hend that it was really over. Or even that it had actu-ally happened.
But the crushed side of the limo was mute testimony to that terrifying chase.
And Gil Prices wound was not a figment of her imagination. He could have been killed. They all could have been killed if she hadnt tossed the coffin out of the limo.
Coffee. Margaret was thrusting a mug into her hand. Come into the house and sit down.
In a minute. My legs dont seem to be working right now. She took a sip of the coffee. Hows Gil?
Conscious and flippant as hell. The doctors ready to muzzle him.
The coffee was strong and the caffeine was begin-ning to kick in. How did you get a doctor out here at this time of night?
Money moves mountains. Margaret leaned against the limo. You scared?
Hell, yes. Shouldnt I be? Maybe youre used to people shooting each other, but Im not.
Im scared too. I never thought She drew a shaky breath. I never expected this. I thought I dont know what I thought.
But you still trust Logan enough to keep working for him?
Sure. She straightened. But Im damn well going to ask him for a raise and hazard pay. You ready to go inside now?
Eve nodded.
Hazard pay. Logans generosity was making sense to her now. This wasnt about dead cats and vicious vandalism. This was about murder. They had tried to murder Gil. They might have killed all of them if the limo had ended up in that ditch.
Better? Logan had come down the stairs. You have more color.
Do I? She took another sip of coffee. Hows Gil?
Flesh wound. Braden says hell be okay. He turned to Margaret. We dont want the police report filed yet. Talk Braden into a delay.
Yeah, sure, and let them accuse me of suppressing She sighed and headed for the stairs. Ill take care of it.
Margaret had reached the top before Logan turned back to Eve. We need to talk.
Id say thats an understatement. She moved toward the kitchen. But, right now, I have an empty cup and I need more coffee.
He followed her and dropped down into a chair at the table. Im sorry you were frightened.
Is that supposed to make me feel all warm and fuzzy? Her hand was shaking as she poured the coffee. It doesnt. Right now Im scared, but when I get over it, Im going to be mad as hell.
I know. I cant expect anything else. He paused. You were pretty amazing tonight. You probably saved Gils life. Where did you learn karate?
Joe. After Bonnie was I told you Id never be a victim again. Joe taught me how to take care of myself.
He smiled. And everyone else too, evidently.
Somebody had to help him. You obviously thought more of that damn coffin than of your friend. My God, youre obsessed. Im surprised you agreed to slow down so I could toss that thing out.
His smile faded. Gils been trained to take care of himself too. He had his job. I had mine.
And I have mine. She stared into his eyes. But I never bargained for anyone shooting at me.
I told you theyd try to stop us.
You didnt tell me theyd try to murder us.
No, I guess I didnt.
You know damn well you didnt. Her voice rose with anger. The whole thing was a disaster. You risked your life on a wild-goose chase and dragged me along with you. You almost got me killed, you son of a bitch.
Yes.
And there was no reason for it. I didnt have to be there.
Yes, you did.
What was I supposed to do? Work on the skull in the damn cornfield?
No.
Then, why did
Dr. Bradens leaving. Margaret was at the entryway. I believe things will go smoother if you clap him on the shoulder and see him on his way, John.
Right. Logan stood up. Will you come with me, Eve? Were not finished.
You bet were not. She followed him into the foyer and watched him with the doctor. Smooth as honey. Persuasive as Lucifer. It took only a few min-utes for him to send the man happily on his way.
She stood in the doorway as he escorted the doctor to his car.
Hes good, huh? Margaret murmured.
Too good. Suddenly the rage was gone, re-placed by weariness. What the hell difference did it make? Let him weave all his little webs and plots. None of it concerned her any longer.
Logan waved at the doctor, and then turned back to face her. His gaze narrowed warily. Youre not angry anymore. That could be bad or good.
Or neither. Why should I get upset? Its all water under the bridge. Im going upstairs to pack. Its over and Im out of here.
Its not over.
She stiffened. The hell its not.
Margaret hurriedly said, I think Ill go check on Gil, and left them.
Logans gaze never left Eves face. He repeated, Its not over, Eve.
I agreed to one job and one job only. Even if I werent ready to cut your throat for putting me in the spot you did tonight, that job ended when I tossed that skull out of the limo. If you think Im going to hang around here while you try to retrieve it, youre crazy.
I dont have to try to retrieve it.
Her eyes widened. What the hell do you mean?
Come with me.
What?
You heard me.
He turned and walked away from her.
NINE
The cemetery.
He was already past the wrought iron gate when she caught up with him. He moved purposefully down the row of graves.
She didnt follow. What are you doing?
Retrieving the skull. He stopped before Ran-dolph Barretts grave, lifted the pallet of carnations, and moved it aside. He picked up the shovel that had been hidden beneath it and began to dig. The earth was soft, recently turned, and the task went quickly. Since you called my hand, I have to supply you with a skull.
She stared at him in disbelief. Are you com-pletely crazy? Digging up any old corpse to She inhaled sharply as a sudden thought occurred to her. Good God.
He glanced up at her and answered her unspoken question. Yes, I retrieved the skull from that corn-field two months ago.