So had Jane. Trevor had always done exactly what he wanted once he made up his mind. He had clearly made a decision that their relationship was to have a new start, and she could only hope that he stayed out of her way while she was searching for Eve. “Yes, tomorrow or the next day maybe.”
“And I’m sure he’ll try to be everything that’s sufficient.” His lips twisted. “No, glorious.”
“Glorious? What a description. Trevor would laugh at you.”
“No, that he wouldn’t do,” Caleb said softly. “Not more than once.”
“Caleb, I won’t tolerate any conflict,” she said through clenched teeth. “Not from either of you.”
“I’m sure you won’t have trouble with Trevor. He’ll be everything that’s civilized. Greek-god looks, sophistication, and intelligence. How could you ask for anything more?”
“Don’t be flip, dammit. And I can do without sarcasm.”
Caleb didn’t speak for a moment, then said, “You’re right. I’m having a few problems I didn’t expect. I think it’s because I know you were lovers.”
“What?”
“I know it’s none of my business.” He smiled sardonically. “And it shows how very uncivilized I am that it bothers me. Bothers me? That’s an understatement. I want to—” He broke off. “You don’t want to know what I want to do.”
“No, I don’t.”
His smile changed, warmed, became completely charismatic. “Then we won’t discuss it. But don’t you feel better that you know where you are with me? I wouldn’t be able to hide it even if I tried.” He added, “And I’ll be careful not to antagonize Trevor because I know it would make it difficult for you. We’re just men with the usual priorities, but Trevor will be civilized, and I’ll be as sensitive as I can, and it will all work out. Anything else would be exceptionally stupid.”
“Yes, it would.” And just because Caleb stated that truth wouldn’t necessarily mean that everything would be smooth and easy. She never knew which way he was going to jump. She said deliberately, “And I would never forgive either of you if you did anything that got in my way when I’m looking for Eve.”
“Point taken.” Caleb looked away from her to the road. “A car just came around the bend. Venable?”
“Lord, I hope so.” Her gaze followed his to the light tan Camry. “Yes, that’s the car he was driving.” She started quickly down the steps as she dialed Joe’s number to tell him. Now things would start to move. Now some of the waiting would come to an end. “Thank God.”
CHAPTER
14
Rio Grande Forest, Colorado
“HE’S COMING TO LIFE.” DOANE’S eyes were glowing softly as he gazed at the reconstruction. “I can see him. The shape of his lips … He always had such fine, full lips. How did you do that? I can see the cheekbones and perhaps the basic structure. But how did you get the lips?”
Eve shrugged. “Maybe I used the shape of your lips as a model. Using family resemblance is one way of creating an accurate picture.”
“But not your way.” He smiled. “I researched you for a long time, remember? You won’t even look at photos of possible victims in case it will influence you.” He reached up and touched his lips. “And my mouth is thinner and not nearly as symmetrical.” His gaze shifted back to the reconstruction. “No, it’s something else. He’s coming alive for you.”
“No!”
He ignored the instant rejection. “They always come alive for you, don’t they? You said that in one of your interviews. In the final stages, you rely on pure creativity.”
“That’s natural in a sculptor, which is what I am. What you’re talking about is something different.” She met his gaze. “I’m a sculptor, not Frankenstein.”
“I wish you were,” he said wistfully. “And perhaps you could be, given the opportunity. You may have the potential. Those lips…”
“A coincidence.” She was on edge, and she was tired of his insistence. She didn’t want to think about the last few hours when she had been drawn deep into the work. She had intended to block out all thought, but she had gone mindless, automatic, instead.
And when she had emerged, it was to see that face beginning to form beneath her fingers.
“It frightened you, didn’t it?” Doane said softly. “I told you that he wanted to come back to me. We belong together. We’ve waited so long to punish those bastards.”
“It didn’t frighten me.” She repeated, “Coincidence.” She put her hands on her back and arched it. “And I’ve had enough for right now. I’m going to get some rest.”
His smile disappeared. “I told you that you were going to work until we’re finished. We’re so close. I want it done.”
“Then do it yourself.” She forced herself to glance at the face of the reconstruction. It was not even half-completed yet she felt as if Kevin were there, veiled, ready to slide from beneath the layers of clay. “Have him help you if you think he can. But I warn you that you’re going to have trouble building the nose.”
“I’m not joking. I don’t want to waste any more time. Finish him.”
“After I rest my eyes and sleep for a while.” She got up from the stool. “I’m not afraid of you, Doane. If you want to hurt me or kill me, then do it. I don’t give a damn at the moment. My curiosity is wavering right now, and I’m tired of working on your monster. I’ll deal with him later. I told you, I’m going to rest.”
He frowned, obviously disconcerted. Then he smiled. “Kevin will be disappointed, but he’s waited for a long time. I’m sure he understands. Perhaps next time he’ll be more careful about scaring you.”
“He didn’t scare me. I’m a professional doing my job. Your son is a pitiful remnant I’m trying to put back together. Not anything else, Doane.”
“You protest too much.”
“Whatever.” She turned toward her bedroom. Escape tonight? Or did she need one more dose of the gas as insurance to make it safer? How would she know how much she needed? she thought impatiently. It was all guesswork and depended on how deep Doane slept or how alert he’d be now that he knew that she was definitely an antagonist.
“Wait.”
She didn’t turn around. “I’m not going to work on him any longer, Doane.”
“I’m not going to insist that you do. But I can’t let the time be entirely wasted. Come back here. I have a telephone call I want you to make.”
She turned warily to face him. “Call?”
“I think it’s time you became acquainted with one of the men whom you found so interesting in Kevin’s album. I’m not sure he’ll be equally interested in you, but it will be entertaining to find out.”
“What are you talking about? All I saw in that album were those poor children.”
“That’s right, but as a result of your prying, I told you about Tarther and Zander, didn’t I? Well, it’s almost the same thing.”
“That’s irrational. You’re going to make me talk to that poor child’s father?”
“Oh no, that wouldn’t be at all interesting for me. It’s Zander. You’re going to talk to Zander.”
Her eyes widened. “I have no desire to talk to that murderer. Though killing your son may have been the only decent thing he’s done in his life.” She met his gaze. “Maybe I should talk to him. Perhaps congratulations are in order. But why do you want me to talk to him? If he’s a paid hit man, he’s not going to care that I’m doing this reconstruction. DNA, maybe, but not a reconstruction that could be thrown out in a court of law.”
“I told you that I want everyone connected with Kevin’s death to come together. This seems a good initial opportunity since you’re being uncooperative in other areas.” He was dialing his phone. “Why not humor me? There’s a possibility that you could touch Zander’s heart, and he might come to rescue you. He obviously hates me enough to want to keep me from having anything I want. I’m a loose end, and he detests loose ends.” He chuckled. “Don’t get your hopes up. It’s not likely. You’d be amused, too, if you knew what a coldhearted son of a bitch he is.” His smile faded. “If you could have seen what was left of my beautiful boy in that furnace, even you might be sickened.”