As soon as they got into the car, she said, Drive.
Where?
I dont care. She leaned back in the seat. As long as its nowhere you can put me on a boat to Timbuktu.
Im not going to change my mind.
And Im not going to try to argue with you when youve probably been planning this all the way from Washington. Just drive.
He drove. He didnt speak for the next thirty min-utes. May I go back now?
No. His body was still rigid with tension. How the hell could she break through to him? Shock? She could tell him about Lisa Chadbournes call. Defi-nitely not. That would only reinforce his determina-tion. Give him some more time.
Lisa stared down at the phone.
Pick it up. Make the call. Youve waited too long already.
No deal, Eve Duncan had said.
All right, accept it.
It had to go on.
Do what you have to do.
Lisa picked up the phone.
It was over an hour later and the rays of the sun were casting long shadows when Logan pulled off the highway into a dirt lay-by. Im not going any far-ther. Get it over with.
Will you listen to me? Eve asked.
Im listening.
And stubbornly determined not to hear. Or maybe not stubborn, she thought wearily. Maybe he was afraid to hear.
It was odd to think of confident and decisive Logan as being afraid. Remember what you told me? Do the best you can and then go on? Youre full of hot air, Logan.
So I dont practice what I preach.
Youre not responsible for Gils death. He was a grown man and he made his own decision. You even tried to talk him out of it.
Weve already gone over this.
And youre not responsible for me. Id have to yield you that right, and I wont do that. Im the only one who guides my life. So dont give me that bullshit about putting me on a boat and sending me to Outer Mongolia.
Timbuktu.
Wherever. Im not going anywhere. Ive gone through too much. Ive too much invested in my life to throw it away. Do you understand?
He didnt look at her. I understand.
Then I guess we can go back to the motel.
He started the car. But it doesnt make any dif-ference. I warn you, Ill find a way to get you on that boat.
She shook her head. I get seasick. I remember when we came back on the ferry from Cumberland Island, I was sick as a dog.
Im surprised you noticed.
I didnt understand it either. I felt as if my life had ended and it didnt seem fair that my body was punishing me too.
But Quinn took care of you.
Yes, Joe always takes care of me.
Have you heard from him?
Last night. Hes found a letter thats almost cer-tain to contain Chadbournes saliva, but hes having trouble getting the sample from Millicent Babcock. He was going to follow her and her husband to the country club and try to swipe a drink glass.
Your stalwart policeman is going to steal?
Talking was helping him. The muscles on Logans forearms were a little less rigid.
Thats not like stealing. She decided not to con-fide the fact that Joe had gotten the letter through du-bious means.
Did you ever read Les Miseacute;rables ?
Yes, and I can see Joe stealing bread to feed a hungry child.
He smiled lopsidedly. Your hero.
My friend, she corrected him.
His smile disappeared. Sorry, I dont have the right to criticize Quinn. Ive failed pretty miserably in the friend sweepstakes.
Stop beating yourself up. Your thinking is blurred. When did you last sleep?
He shrugged.
Youll feel better after you have a good nights sleep.
Will I?
She hesitated and then said bluntly. Probably not. But youll be able to think clearer.
He smiled faintly. Have I ever mentioned how much I like that brutal honesty of yours?
It wouldnt do any good to give you a sugar-coated pill. Youd only laugh at me. Youve been through pain before. You know theres no quick fix. You just have to ride with it.
Yes, thats the only way to handle it. He paused. But I wouldnt laugh at you, Eve. No way. He took his hand from the wheel and covered her hand that lay on the seat between them. Thankhellip; you.
For what? She tried to smile lightly. Saving myself a trip to Timbuktu?
No, thats still on the agenda if I can work it in. He squeezed her hand and then slowly released it. I believe I envy Quinn.
Why?
Many things. His lips tightened grimly. But its much more desirable for a man to be protector and comforter than the other way around. Crying on your shoulder like this displays a certain lack of strength.
You didnt cry on my shoulder.And no one could ever say Logan lacked strength. You yelled at me and threw my clothes around.
Same thing. Sorry, I lost control. It wont happen again.
She hoped it wouldnt happen again. Her re-sponse to his pain had startled her. It had been an al-most maternal reaction. She had taken him in her arms and had wanted to rock him until the agony dis-appeared. She had wanted to comfort and heal, to hold and caress. His vulnerability had broken through barriers that his strength would never have breached. No problem. Just hang my clothes back up and well call it even.
She looked out the window. The need was over. Shut him out. He was coming too close.
She could feel his gaze on her, but she didnt look at him. She kept her eyes on the sun setting behind the trees.
He didnt speak again until he pulled into the parking space near her motel room. I have to talk to Kessler. When do you expect him back from the lab?
She checked her wristwatch. Seven forty-five. He might be in his room now. I was supposed to go to his room at eight and we were going to order dinner to be delivered. She made a face. Bubba Blues Barbecue. Gary said he could imagine the place probably had a rattlesnake in a glass case, saw-dust on the floor, and a country singer yodelingOh, shit. Her eyes filled with tears. She had been so busy comforting Logan that Gils death had not hit home until that moment. Would she ever listen to a country song again without remembering Gil Price?
Yeah. Logans eyes were glittering. I told him hed love this place. That all they had on the radio was country music like He abruptly opened the door and got out of the car. I have to go to my room and shower and change clothes. He reached in the backseat and pulled out the case. Ill take custody of Ben for a while. Ill meet you in Kesslers room in twenty minutes.
She nodded numbly as she moved toward her door. Gil Price, humor and gentleness and a zestful love of life. All that gone. Death. Creeping close, striking down Gil. Who was next? Logan could have died with Gil.
The other side of a coin.
She went into the room and shook her head as she saw the clothes scattered on the bed. Shed clean up this mess and try to
Screw it.
She was scared and worried and chillingly aware of the shadows drawing near. She hadnt talked to Mom since last night and she needed to make contact. She reached for the telephone in her bag.
No answer.
What the hell?
She dialed the number again.
No answer.
The other side of a coin.
Your position isnt as strong as you think.
Mom.
Her hand was trembling as she dialed Logans room number. I cant reach Mom. Shes not an-swering her phone.