“Some stakes are worth a little risk.”
“You’re willing to risk too much,” Bonnie said soberly. “You’ve been that way since I was taken from you. I have to fight to keep you from coming to me too soon. Thank God, you have Joe and Jane as anchors.”
Beloved anchors, Eve thought, but at moments like this when Bonnie was close, and she was reminded of what she had lost, it was difficult to remember that there was a balance that must be maintained. Bonnie had been her whole life before she had lost her. She swallowed to ease her tight throat. “It’s hard sometimes, baby.”
“For me, too,” Bonnie said softly. “But we can do it, we can wait. They need you, Mama. And you need them.”
“I’m aware of all that.” She smiled with an effort. “Stop lecturing me, young lady. Just because you’ve passed into the great beyond doesn’t guarantee that you know everything.”
“I wish it did.” Bonnie shook her head. “I’m learning, but it’s not fast enough. There should be some way to get to you when I need to do it.” She repeated soberly. “It scared me.”
“Particularly since you want me to cut down on inhaling that gas. By all means, apply yourself.”
“I will, but I can’t be sure—” She suddenly stiffened. “The gas is wearing off. You’re beginning to come up through the layers. I’ll lose you soon.”
“No.”
“I can’t help it. I can feel the darkness sweeping me away from you. He’s pushing, smothering, me. Such hate … I can feel the terrible hate and anger Kevin has for me. He wants to be what he was when he was alive. He wants to feel the power again. Over me … over you. He doesn’t want me near you. And he’s so strong…”
Eve could feel it, too. Bonnie was fading away, in and out of focus. “Bonnie!”
“Hush, I have to tell you … Doane is—it’s hard not to believe him. But you mustn’t do it. It’s what he does. It was his part of that horror. No matter what he tells you, it’s either a lie or twisted so out of shape that it becomes what he wants it to be.”
“What horror?”
“No time. You’ll find out. And don’t take too much of that gas.”
“I heard you the first time.” She could feel Bonnie ebbing away from her, and she was trying desperately to hold on to her. “And I told you that I only wanted to be sure that it was working. It’s not as if I like the stuff. It makes me sick to my stomach.”
“That’s not the gas, Mama.”
“Of course it’s the gas. What else?”
“It’s him, he knows what you’re doing, and he’s trying to stop you.” She was fading away in the distance. “It’s Kevin…”
* * *
SHE WAS GONE.
And Eve was once again fully awake.
She drew a shaky breath and slowly opened her eyes.
No Bonnie.
Of course there was no red-haired little girl to lighten this darkness.
Eve felt the familiar sadness and regret and yearning that always came when Bonnie left her. She wanted her back, to see her, to feel the bittersweet joy.
But Bonnie had tried and given her what she could, and Eve was warmer and more hopeful for her attempt.
She got to her feet and started to carefully unfold the bed and rumple the covers.
No sound.
Make sure that Doane was not aware of—
Sick.
She dropped down on the bed and drew her knees up as waves of nausea hit her. She bit down hard on her lower lip.
It’s Kevin.
If it was Doane’s son, then he was attacking at full force and speed. Lord, she was sick.
Things do go bump in the night.
Hold it off. Think of something else.
She took several slow, deep breaths.
That was better …
No, it wasn’t. The nausea was back.
Don’t throw up. Fight it.
Whether it was the gas or some spirit from beyond the grave, it could be fought.
It was more violent than the other bouts she’d experienced, which she’d attributed to the gas. Punishment?
Or maybe it wasn’t Kevin but his father who was sensing her actions and was influencing her in some psychological—
Stop analyzing. Use your will and your mind and just get over this.
It took over an hour before the sickness was gone. Even then, it subsided like a surly dragon backing into his cave.
And Eve felt wrung out and weak … and triumphant.
Get thee behind me, Satan. Or Kevin, or whoever you are.
She turned over in bed. Go to sleep or at least rest. She wouldn’t have much time before Doane was rousing and unlocking the door. He was growing more impatient with every hour. Sometime today, she’d try to find a way to get into that desk and see what was inside. She had to gauge Doane’s strength, and only knowledge of the enemy would permit her to do that.
His part in the horror, Bonnie had said.
What horror, Bonnie?
CHAPTER
11
Lake Cottage
“GO TO BED, JANE,” JOE SAID as he came out on the porch. “I’ll wake you as soon as I hear something.”
She straightened on the porch swing. “I’m okay. I’ve been dozing. I had to call Devon and check on Toby, but afterward, I kind of drifted off. You haven’t heard anything from your old buddies in the FBI?” She grimaced. “Don’t they know that—” She stopped and wearily shook her head. “I know you’re doing your best. But you’ve been making calls and sending e-mails for hours. Something should be breaking.”
“My thought exactly,” he said grimly. “But there are no records on Doane or Relling or whatever his name is. At least none that anyone can access. He doesn’t exist in the FBI database.”
“Is that possible? Cover-up?”
“That’s my guess. But whoever did it had to be high up on the chain.”
“No wonder Venable felt safe giving you the names. He knew it probably wasn’t going to do you any good.” Her lips tightened. “I’m tired of being patient with Venable and waiting for him to talk.” She got to her feet. “Where is he?”
“Not on the property. I’ve already checked. And he’s not answering his phone.”
“So he dangled a promise to help, then took off?”
“He doesn’t give his word easily. I think he’ll keep it in his own time.” He muttered a curse. “But I’m not going to let him have that time.”
“And how are we going to locate him?”
“I’ve already started. He may be CIA, but we have a history together, and I can track him.” He paused. “But I want to explore one other avenue first. I went back to Blick’s records and started digging for a connection with someone, anyone, during the years he was in the service.”
“Why that period?”
“I was looking for a reason for the CIA to be involved. CIA operates outside the country. Blick was stationed outside the country during most of his Army years. First, in Germany, then in Turkey. It was more likely that Venable would have made contact with Blick and Doane at one of those places.”
“Logical. Did you find out anything more about Blick?”
“I’m waiting for a call from Army records. I pulled every string I had with the FBI to get them to put a rush on it. I should be hearing anytime.”