Darkness.
Is she hurt? Logan was getting out of his car when Joe carried Eve out of the motel.
No, get the car door for me.
Logan opened the passenger door of Joes car. What happened to her? Fiske?
Me. He put her in the seat and closed the door. She wouldnt leave Kessler.
Logans gaze flew to the open door. What
Dead.
Fiske?
Not there. Joe went around the car and got into the drivers seat. Get in your car and get out of here. She told you not to come back.
But it appears Fiske didnt want to bargain after all.
He wanted to shake her. It wasnt pretty. He reached into the glove compartment and took out a paper towel. Blood. He began to wipe the stains from Eves hands. Lots of blood.
Shit. Logans gaze was fastened on Eves pale face. What did you do to her?
I knocked her out. Joe started the car. Kneeling there in Kesslers blood was bad for her. Fiske might as well have been standing over her with another butcher knife.
A knife?
I told you it wasnt pretty.
Shes not going to be pleased that you man-handled her.
I did what I had to do. Do you have a gun?
Yes.
But you didnt tell Eve. Joe smiled sardonically. You knew how shed react. You served me up for bar-becue but you protected your ass. Well, keep that gun handy and stay close behind me. If you get hijacked, I might stop and help you. He backed up the car. If youre lucky.
Blood.
Knives.
Pinned.
Oh, God, hed crucified Gary.
She opened her mouth to scream.
Wake up. She was being shaken. Wake up, Eve.
Her lids flew open.
Joe. Joe in the drivers seat next to her. Darkness all around her.
A dream. It had all been a dream.
A dreamhellip;
He shook his head.
Garyhellip; Tears began to pour down her cheeks. Dead?
Joe nodded.
She huddled in the seat, trying to get away from the nightmare. But it came at her. Blood. Gary. Joes hand on her hair. Darkness.
You hit me, she said dully.
I had to do it, he said quietly.
You thought I couldnt stand it.
Maybe. But I knew I couldnt stand it.
She wants the skull. The other side of a coinhellip; She didnt even try to bargain. She said she had to move forward. She wanted to show me she had the power to reach out and kill someone close to me.
That seems to be the picture.
Gary wasnt even really involved, she said numbly. He was out of it. Fort Lauderdale We shouldnt have let him go alone.
We thought it was safe. We had no idea Fiske knew we were in Bainbridge.
She wants the skull, Eve.
Wheres Logan? she asked.
A few miles behind us.
He still has the skull?
Joe nodded.
Give her the skull.
She said to tell you it wont be the last.
Fear jolted through her. My mother.
Were on our way to her right now.
She warned me Gary wouldnt be the only one. How far away are we?
Another three hours.
Go faster.
Easy.
Dont tell me that. She knows I care about my mother. Its only logical that shed choose Mom as an-other target.
Or that shed make sure youd think that and draw you to her. It isnt a fact that they know where your mother is.
We didnt realize that Fiske found out about Bainbridge. Her nails dug into her palms as her hands clenched into fists. But he did. He did.
Yes.
And he could be on his way to Lanier now. He could be ahead of us.
But not necessarily to kill your mother. Its more likely that hed want to get there ahead and set a trap. After all, the skull is the objective.
She took out her phone. Im going to warn them.
Fine. Good idea. But dont panic them into run-ning. They could be safer where they are until we get there. Just tell Pilton to be on the alert.
They could be safer?
Who the hell knew if anything she did would make them safer with Fiske out there?
Her hand was shaking as she dialed the number.
Fiske got back in the car hed parked in the driveway of the deserted cottage. Daylight was breaking in the east and filtering through the mist-shrouded tops of the pine trees.
He figured he had at least an hours lead. He had scouted the Duncan cottage and it was clear the Duncan woman had been busy on the phone. Lights were burning and he had watched Pilton go back into the cottage and shut the door after reconnoitering the perimeter. They were waiting for him.
Well, wasnt that what he had wanted? A challenge.
He dialed Lisa Chadbourne. She warned them.
But theyre still there?
I think theyre waiting for her. Pilton came out fifteen minutes ago and threw some bags into the van, but no ones come out since.
Dont let them leave. She paused. And dont touch them. Not until you get me that skull.
The mother would be a good goad. Better than Kessler. He paused and then insinuated a goad him-self. Though I handled Kessler exceptionally well. Do you want the details?
A silence. I told you the results I needed. I dont need the details.
Squeamish. I kept Kessler alive long enough for him to call her. It wasnt easy with knives in
I said I dont need to know. Now remember that Eve Duncan can only be pushed so far. Dont foul this up, Fiske.
Youre beginning to sound like Timwick.
Another silence. Sorry. Ill leave it in your hands. I know you wont fail me. She hung up the phone.
That damn skull again, tying his hands, keeping him from doing his job.
He leaned forward and opened the glove box. He had plenty of time to update his list. With one bold, satisfying stroke, he crossed out Gary Kesslers name.
8:35 A.M.
Eve jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped at her mothers cottage.
Hold it. Joe was beside her, pushing her to one side. I go in first.
He had gone in first at the motel and found Gary. No. Mom!
No answer.
Then Sandra called out, Its okay, Eve. Pilton wont let me come out, but everythings fine.
Relief almost made Eve ill. Were coming in.
Logan had pulled in behind Joes car. Its okay?
Apparently. Joe was scanning the surrounding woods. Maybe. Go in and make sure theyre ready to go. Ill stay out here.
Logan followed Eve toward the porch.
Wait. Joe asked, Wheres the skull, Logan?
Front passenger seat. Keep an eye on it.
Ill do that. Joes gaze never left the woods. Hurry and get everyone into the cars.
He was out there.
Christ, he could almost smell him, Joe thought.
Smell the blood. Smell the hunger.
His nerves were screaming Fiskes presence. It was as if hed been catapulted back into his past of targets and sanctioned killings. Fiske would under-stand that world. He was out there now, primed, ready. To do what?
Throw a stick of dynamite into the cottage?
Launch a sniper attack as they came out on the porch?
If that were true, Joe would be the first target. The sentry was always the first put down.
But Fiske was acting at a disadvantage. His orders would not have been solely assassination.
The skull.
Joe smiled grimly. So lets end it now. Lets make the hunter the hunted.