“What are you doing here? I thought you were staying on the island to take care of Toby. Devon said that was probably why you jumped out of the plane at the last minute yesterday.”
Margaret shook her head. “It wasn’t necessary. I knew Devon was going to turn around and go right back to the island after she delivered you to San Juan. Toby was out of danger, and Devon would be there in case of an emergency. I just decided to hop a ride with Caleb.” She reached out for the glass of water on the bedside table and held the straw for Jane. “It was more convenient for me.”
“Caleb is never just a convenience,” Jane said flatly after she took a sip. “And he didn’t mention that he’d brought you when he visited me last night.”
“He said that he’d let me tell you.” She suddenly chuckled. “I don’t think he wanted to share the spotlight. Caleb likes to have your full attention when he’s with you. It has something to do with the stalking.”
“What?”
“Never mind. It’s not important anyway. Caleb and I understand each other.”
“Then that’s something I’ve never been able to say about Caleb,” Jane said dryly. She certainly hadn’t understood what he’d done … and hadn’t done to her in that moment of weakness. She hadn’t understood what she felt either. Gratitude for giving her a pain-free night? Or resentment that he’d disturbed and made her so aware of both his power and presence? “And why was it more convenient for you to come with him?”
She shrugged. “No papers. I knew he wouldn’t care.”
“Why don’t you have papers?”
She grinned. “See, that illustrates my point. Caleb never asked that question.”
“Well, I’m asking. Are you some kind of criminal?”
“It depends on who you ask.” She tilted her head consideringly. “But my opinion is the only one that matters, so no, I’m not a criminal.”
“Margaret, you’re dodging.”
She beamed. “You noticed. I do it well, don’t I?”
“No, you’re lousy at it.”
“Not true. I wouldn’t have been able to persuade Caleb into bringing me to you if I wasn’t good.” Her smile faded. “I’m not going to tell you why I have no papers, Jane. It’s … complicated and kind of a mess. I won’t involve anyone else in it. Maybe someday.”
“For heaven’s sake, you’re only a kid. It can’t be too much of a mess.”
“No?” A shadow flitted across her face, but it vanished in an instant. “Don’t be too sure. I’m talented beyond my years.” She shook her head, and said gently, “Drop it, Jane. I get along fine without stamps and visas.”
“Until someone throws you into jail.”
“That only happened once, and I managed to get out after a week.” She changed the subject. “I called Devon this morning and checked on Toby. He was well enough to put with the other dogs, and Monty won’t leave him. He’s doing fine. I knew he would.” She leaned back in the chair. “Has Joe Quinn called you with any more information about Eve Duncan?”
“Only that he and Venable were going to spend the night searching the woods near the lake, then visit the farms in the area and ask questions.” She leaned back against the pillows. Why couldn’t she get over this damnable weakness? She’d thought she’d be much stronger after a night’s rest. “Still no word on Ben Hudson.”
“But the search is centering on the lake cottage.” Margaret’s tone was thoughtful. “That’s where we should start.”
“We?” Jane shook her head. “I told you that you don’t owe me anything. You’re out of this, Margaret.”
“I don’t intend to intrude. I’ll just sort of … help a little.” She got to her feet. “And I can tell that it’s better if I leave you right now. We’re going to argue, and you’ll get upset. I’ll get back to you as soon as I have something to tell you.” She squeezed Jane’s hand and smiled. “Stop worrying. It’s going to be okay. I know that you’re going to go to your Joe as soon as you can bust out of here. I’m just going ahead to prepare the way for you.”
“You’re going to Atlanta? No, Margaret, I’m not taking you away from your work and Summer Island to do anything that—”
“Shh.” Margaret was heading for the door. “It’s not only for you. I’m very angry at that bastard who poisoned Toby. I’m betting it’s the same person who shot you. It would make sense. I hate people who victimize the helpless.”
“I’m not helpless.”
“No you’re not, but Toby was. For all I know, your Eve is helpless, too.”
Jane shook her head.
“Good, then when we find her, she’ll be able to help.”
Margaret was so positive and upbeat that Jane felt an upsurge of hope. She hadn’t realized until this moment how much she needed that hope. “Eve would not only help, she’d take over.” Then she got back to the subject. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m turning this over to—”
“Just going to prepare the way,” Margaret repeated as she paused at the door. “I’ll be in touch, Jane. You work on getting well.”
Before Jane could speak, Margaret had glided out of the room. She gazed after her in helpless frustration. Yes, “helpless” was the word. She wanted to jump out of bed and go after her. It wasn’t enough that Margaret was going to put herself in danger out of some mistaken sense of obligation to Jane. The girl obviously had baggage that could toss her into a volcano of trouble even if Eve’s situation hadn’t been front and center.
“You’re frowning.” Caleb was standing in the doorway. “Don’t tell me. Margaret?”
“That was an easy enough guess. You must have seen her in the hall.”
He nodded. “And she looked a lot happier than you do. But then, not much seems to bother her.”
She had a sudden memory of that brief, shadowed expression. “I’m not so sure. Why didn’t you tell me you’d brought her from the island?”
“I wasn’t certain that you’d approve.”
She raised her brows.
“Okay, I had to do a little juggling and hunting for her. She needed better credentials. I didn’t want to make you an accessory.”
“But you didn’t mind doing it yourself.”
“She made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“I see.”
He smiled. “No, you don’t. She’s not my type. Much too sunny. She offered to make herself useful to me.”
“Stalking.”
“What?”
“Just something that Margaret said about you.”
“I can imagine.”
“She also said that you didn’t tell me she was here because you wanted to be the center of attention.”
“Possibly.”
His hand on her cheek. His tongue outlining her lip.
He was smiling, but she was relieved that he was obviously not going to pursue the details of that nocturnal visit. She moistened her lips. “She’s talking about going to the lake cottage. I think she’s going to ask you to take her.”
“Do you want me to do it?”
“No, I want her to go back to the island.”
“She won’t do it. She’s on a mission. But I can delay her if I refuse to take her.”
“Then do it. Maybe I’ll be out of here by that time.”
“Of course I did manage to get her a very authentic-looking passport and driver’s license last night after I arrived here.”
“Why?”
“She wanted it, and it seemed a good idea at the time. She might not need me. She might decide to hitch a ride on a cruise ship to Miami. There’s always that possibility. Then you’d lose track of her and what she’s doing. Do you really want that?”
“No, I just want to find Eve without having to worry about anyone else,” she said wearily.
“Then I’ll see what I can do about stalling her.” He smiled. “Now rest. I talked to Dr. Perez and he said you’re doing well and he thinks that he can release you day after tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “He can release me when I can get out of this bed and get dressed.”
“Whatever.” He tucked the sheet around her. “Whenever you call me, I’m at your disposal. Any news from Quinn today?”
“No, I’m going to call him by noon if he doesn’t call me.” She shivered. “They were searching the woods. I suppose it’s good news he hasn’t called me.”