“Jane’s never late for school."
"She was late yest—" He met Jane’s warning gaze and backed toward the door. "Ask her." He bolted out of the house.
Fay crossed her arms over her chest. "So I’m asking you.”
“I was late."
"Why?"
"I had something to do.”
“What?"
Jane was silent.
"Have you been stealing food?”
“Not much."
"You know I have a tough time stretching the food budget for the three of you.”
“I won’t eat tomorrow."
"You don’t eat enough now. It’s Chang and Raoul who are always hungry. Which brings me to ask why you stole food, when half the time I can’t get you to eat my dinners."
Jane didn’t answer.
"When I was in the fourth grade there was a bully who made me give him my lunch every day.
I’d understand if you—‘
"No one made me do it."
Fay smiled faintly. "And if they tried, you’d punch them in the nose."
Jane nodded.
"If you have a problem, it might help if you talk to me.”
“I don’t have a problem."
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"And you wouldn’t tell me if you did. Why do I even try?" Fay wearily brushed a strand of hair back from her forehead. "Go on. You’ll be late." Jane hesitated. It would be harder to get food now. Could she trust Fay? "May I keep the apple?"
"If you tell me why.”
“Someone needs it.”
“Who?"
"He can’t go home right now. His father’s there.”
“Who?"
"Could I bring him here?"
"A child? Jane, you know I can’t accept any more children. But if he’s having trouble at home, we can call Family Services and see if they can intercede with his parents."
She should have known Fay wouldn’t understand. "They won’t help. They’ll go see them and then they’ll leave and make a report. It would make it worse for him."
"Who is this? Tell me."
Jane started for the door.
"Jane, I want to help you. Trust me. You’re going to get into trouble.”
“I’ll be okay. I won’t be late for school again."
"That’s not what I mean." Fay was looking helplessly at her. "I want to be your friend. Why can’t I get through to you? Why do you keep everything bottled up inside?"
"Could I have the apple?"
“I shouldn’t let you— Oh, go ahead, take it. But I don’t want you punching Chang again."
"Okay." Jane opened the door and ran down the steps. That she had made Fay unhappy made her feel bad. For a moment she had thought Fay would understand and help her, but she should have known better. You couldn’t count on anyone to help you. You had to do it yourself.
At least Fay had not made her give up the apple the way some grownups would have. But there would be no more food for Mike from Fay’s refrigerator. She would have to find it somewhere else.
Her forehead creased in a frown as she began to consider how she would do it.
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SIX
Dom made Eve wait over forty-eight hours before he called again.
"Did you like my gift?" he asked.
"I hated it. You knew I would."
"But how could you hate your own flesh and blood? Oops, slip of the tongue. No flesh, no blood, just bone."
"Who is she?"
"I told you, it’s your Bonnie."
"No, you know who I mean. Who is this Jane?"
"Well, she may be your Bonnie too. Have you thought about the possibility of—”
“What’s her last name?"
"She’s not as pretty but she has the same red hair. Unfortunately, she’s had a rougher time this go-around than when she was your Bonnie. Four foster homes." He clucked regretfully. "So sad."
"Where is she?"
"You’d recognize the place."
She felt a sudden chill. A grave? "Is she alive?”
“Of course."
"Do you have her?"
"No, so far I’ve only been observing her. I find her very interesting. You will too, Eve."
"Tell me her last name. Dammit, I know you want me to know.”
“But you have to earn it. It’s part of the game. Don’t try to bring the police into it or I’ll be very unhappy. I’m sure your maternal instincts will lead you to little Jane. Find her, Eve. Before I become impatient." He hung up.
She punched the end button.
"No luck?" Joe asked.
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She stood up. "We’re going to Atlanta.”
“What the hell?"
"He said I’d recognize the place where she can be found. I know Atlanta better than any other place. Do you have contacts with child welfare?"
He shook his head.
"Do you know anyone else who can help us? He said she’d been in four foster homes. There have to be records."
"We can try Mark Grunard. I don’t know anyone who’s better at digging out information, and he has contacts everywhere."
"Will you call him?"
"Look, Atlanta PD will help now. They have no choice, not after the Devon ID.”
“He doesn’t want me to bring in the police. He wants me to find her. It’s like some kind of game to him."
"Will you stay here and let me go and look for her?"
"I told you, that’s not what he wants. He wants me to search for her. It has to be me."
"Then don’t give the bastard what he wants."
"And have him send me her head in a box?" she asked unevenly. "I can’t risk that. I have to find her and find her quick."
"Okay, but I’m going with you." He reached for the phone. "Go pack a toothbrush and a change of clothes. I’ll call Mark and tell him what we need so he can get started on it."
"Set up a meeting with him. Dom’s got to see me making the effort to find her. He’ll be watching me."
"That’s no problem. I told you I’d promised Mark you’d see him as soon as possible. I’ll have him meet us at my apartment in the city."
Joe’s apartment was in a luxury high-rise across the street from Piedmont Park. He drove down into the secured gated parking garage and they took the elevator to the seventh floor.
"It’s about time, Joe. I’ve been waiting almost an hour." Mark Grunard grinned at them. "Don’t you realize I’m an important man in this town?" He extended his hand to Eve. "I’m glad to see you again, Ms. Duncan. Though I’m sorry it’s in these circumstances."
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"So am I." She shook his hand. He appeared almost the same as she remembered him—tall, fit, with a charming smile. Perhaps in his early fifties, he showed the years with a few more laugh lines around his blue eyes. "But I’m glad you’ve agreed to help us."
"I’d be an idiot otherwise. This is big stuff. It’s not often I get a chance at an exclusive that could net me an Emmy."
"What about your fellow reporters?" Joe asked. "Are we going to be safe here?”
“I think so. I laid a false trail to Daytona Beach in the newscast last night. Just don’t be stupid."
He frowned. "I contacted Barbara Eisley about our problem. She’s head of Child and Family Services. It’s not going to be easy. She says all files are private."
Red tape, Eve thought with frustration. A child could be murdered while they dithered about blasted rules. "Can’t you persuade her?"
"Barbara Eisley’s a tough nut. She’d make a great drill sergeant. Can you get a court order?"
Joe shook his head. "We can’t go through the system. Eve’s afraid Dom will move on the little girl if we do."
"Barbara Eisley has got to help," Eve said.
"I said it’s not going to be easy, I didn’t say impossible," Grunard said. "We just have to use a little persuasion."
"Could I see Ms. Eisley?"
Grunard nodded. "I thought you’d feel like that. We’re taking her to dinner tonight." He held up his hand as Joe opened his mouth to protest. "I know, Eve can’t go where she’ll be recognized. I have a friend who owns an Italian restaurant on the Chattahoochee just outside the city. He’ll give us good pasta and complete privacy. Okay?"