Im not going to leave you. She glared down at him. And you dont have the strength to sock me this time.
Stayhellip; background. Let Piltonhellip; He slumped sideways, unconscious.
God in heaven. She closed her eyes. Hes bad, Logan.
Hes not dead yet. He rose to his feet, turned, and knelt beside Fiske. Im going back to the cottage and tell Pilton to talk to the medics. When we hear the sirens Ill have Margaret come out here and stay with Quinn and get you out of sight. Thats the best course. Logan was going through Fiskes pockets.
Why are you doing that?
Im removing identification. The harder we make it for the authorities to identify Fiske, the longer well have before Lisa Chadbourne finds out she has to replace him. He pulled out keys dan-gling from a National rental car key chain, and a wallet. He glanced at the drivers license and credit cards. Though hes done a pretty good job himself. Roy Smythehellip; He stuffed the wallet in his back pocket. After we leave, Ill have Margaret and Pilton find his rental car and clean it out before they hit the road.
She couldnt think about damage control just then. Im going with Joe to the hospital.
No, well follow him. He held up a hand to stop her protest. Dont argue. Unless you stay in the background, youll be picked up and shoved in jailif youre not shot on sight. He rose to his feet, adding sarcastically, Either way, you wont be able to hang over Quinns bed and offer tea and sympathy.
He saved your life, you son of a bitch, she said.
Who asked him to save my life? Im tired of the great Quinn dispensing He snatched up the skull case and strode back toward the cottage.
What was wrong with him? He had no right to be angry with Joe. He spoke as if he
The wound was bleeding more heavily.
She pressed harder.
Dont you die, Joe.
Joe was taken to the emergency room at Gwin-nett General Hospital, twenty miles from the lake. Logan, Sandra, and Eve followed the ambulance in Logans car.
Ill go in and check on him. Sandra hopped out of the car. Park in the lot somewhere out of sight. Ill come out when I have some news.
I can do
Shut up, Eve, Sandra said firmly. Ive allowed myself to be pushed and prodded and stashed for days. Joes my friend too, and Im worried about him. Besides, he wouldnt thank me if I let you go in and be recognized. She strode quickly through the glass doors of the emergency room.
That seems to be that. Logan drove away and parked between two trucks that obscured any vision of the interior of the Taurus. I guess we wait.
Eve nodded wearily. But I have to do one more thing. She took out her phone and dialed Joes home phone number. Diane, this is Eve. I have to tell you something. Joe is The words stuck in her throat. Get it over with. Joes been hurt.
My God.
Itshellip; bad. Hes at Gwinnett General. Youd better come.
How bad?
I dont know. Hes been shot. Hes in the emer-gency room.
God damn you. Diane slammed down the phone in Eves ear.
She flinched.
Telling bad news is never pleasant, Logan said quietly.
She sounded as if she hates me. She moistened her lips. And who can blame her? Its my fault. I should never have let Joe
Ive never noticed him asking permission. I doubt if you could have stopped him.
I know him. I saw his face before we went into the cottage. I should have realized that he thought something was wrong.
May I point out that you were a little upset?
No. She leaned her head against the window. Hes dying, Logan.
We dont know that.
I know it. She whispered, Ihellip; love him, you know.
He looked away from her. Do you?
Yes. Hes like the father and brother I never had. I dont know what life would be like without Joe. Funny, I never thought about it before. He was just al-ways there and I thought he always would be.
Hes not dead yet.
If Joe died, would he be with Bonnie?
Stop crying, Logan said hoarsely. He pulled her into his arms. Shh, its going to be all right. He was rocking her. Let me help.
He was helping. Comfort and warmth were flowing from him, surrounding her. He couldnt heal the wound, but he was touching her, keeping away the loneliness. For the moment that was enough.
TWENTY ONE
Sandra was frowning when she came back to the car two hours later.
Eve tensed. Joe?
Not good. They dont know if hell make it. Sandra got into the backseat. Theyve operated and taken him to intensive care.
I want to see him.
No chance. Only close family members are allowed.
Its not fair. Hed want me there. I need to She drew a deep breath. It wasnt what she needed but what Joe needed that mattered. Is Diane there?
She got here just as they were wheeling him out of the operating room. Sandra made a face. She was cold as ice to me. Youd think Id shot him.
Its not you. Shes really angry with me. Youre my mother. She probably blames you for bringing me into the world.
I guess so. But I thought she liked me. I had coffee with her only a few weeks ago. I thought she liked both of us.
Shes just upset. Itll be different when Joe gets better. If he got better. If he didnt die. When will they know?
Perhaps tomorrow. Sandra hesitated. But I cant go back in there, Eve. A policeman came into the ICU right before I left. He was checking on Joe.
Of course. Joe was a cop, and cops took care of their own. The hospital would soon be crawling with officers.
Logan was already starting the car. Then weve got to get out of here. Pronto.
And where are we going? Sandra asked.
I told Margaret and Pilton to meet us at that Hardees near Emory where we met Quinn. Logan drove out of the parking lot. Shell take you to Sanibel and then arrange to get you out of the country.
No, Sandra said.
Eve stiffened. Its the only safe thing, Mom. Youve got to do it.
I dont have to do anything. Her lips thinned. And who says its the safest thing? You? Logan? Nei-ther of you has done such a good job of keeping your-self safe, and Joes lying in that hospital. Why should I believe youd do any better at seeing that I dont get killed?
Panic iced through Eve. Mom, please. You have to do as I say.
Bullshit. Sandra looked her in the eye. Ive done everything you and Margaret told me to do. Youve all treated me as if I were some half-wit child. Its finished, Eve.
I want to keep you safe.
I intend to be safe. She turned to Logan. Drive me to the Peachtree Arms Apartments. Its right off Piedmont.
Eve recognized the address. Youre going to Rons place?
You bet I am. Its what Ive wanted to do all along.
Do you really think hell take you in and hide you?
Ill find out, wont I? Or maybe well discuss it and decide I should turn myself in as a material witness to Joes shooting. Ill ask them to put me in jail for protective custody. Whatever I do, it will be my decision. She looked back at Logan. Drive or let me out of the car.
Logan hesitated and then pressed on the accel-erator. This may be a mistake, Sandra.
If it is, it wont be my first. Hell, Ive made every one in the book at one time or another. She said to Eve, I wont be able to go to the hospital, but Ill call them several times a day and let you know how Joes doing.
Mom, dont take this chance. I could never for-give myself if anything happened to you.