The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 99 of 286
"Not yet."
He had a bite left, but he wasn’t eating because he wanted her to stay. "Tell me about the stars again."
"You could find out for yourself if you learn to read. It’s all in that book of legends in the school library. You got to learn to read, Mike, and you can’t learn if you don’t go to school."
"I only skipped once this week. Tell me about that guy on the horse." She should go now. She would have only a few hours sleep before Fay woke her to go to school. Mr. Brett had yelled at her for falling asleep in third period yesterday.
Mike nestled closer.
He was lonely and maybe more scared than he’d said. Oh, well, while she was there she could make sure no creep snuck up on him. "Just a little longer. If you promise me you won’t come here anymore."
"I promise."
She tilted her head back. She liked the stars as much as Mike did. She had never noticed them until she’d gone to stay with the Carbonis. She could remember staring out the window and trying to close out the fear by seeing pictures in the sky. When she’d found the book in the library, it had helped even more. Books and stars. They had helped her; maybe they would help Mike.
Tonight was clear and the stars seemed brighter than usual. Bright and clean and far away from this alley off Luther Street.
"The guy on the horse is Sagittarius, but he’s not really on a horse. He’s half horse, half man.
You see that string of stars? That’s the string of his bow as he draws it back to…"
SEVEN
"I beg your pardon?" Fay Sugarton stared at her three visitors. "Jane?”
“She’s in danger," Eve said, seated on the sofa with Joe and Mark. "Please believe me."
"Why? Because she’s the right age, has red hair, and was in four foster homes before coming here? You admit you practically pulled her name from a hat."
"She matched the profile," Joe said.
"Did you check county records as well as city records?”
“We believe Dom would choose a child from this area."
The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 100 of 286
"Maybe, maybe not. There could be other children in the county who match the profile. You didn’t search in depth." Fay crossed her arms over her breasts. "And you don’t even know if this guy who’s calling you isn’t some sicko practical joker."
"He knew about the two boys at Talladega," Eve said.
"That doesn’t mean he’s after Jane."
"Do you want to take the chance?"
"Of course I don’t." She stared at Eve. "But I don’t intend to let you jerk Jane away from me unless I’m convinced there’s a need for it. She’s been tossed from one home to another since she was two. I’m responsible for her now. I won’t have her torn from another home and frightened out of her wits."
"We’re not the ones who will frighten her."
"Bring me proof; show me how you’ll protect her and I’ll let her go." Eve drew a deep breath.
"Proof may come too late."
"You don’t realize how damaged this child is. I want a chance at earning her trust." She turned to Mark Grunard. "And if you try to put me or any of this on TV, I’ll sue the station."
He held up his hands. "I’m just an observer." He paused. "But I’d listen if I were you. No one is trying to victimize the child but this Dom. We’re trying to save her, Ms. Sugarton."
Fay hesitated and then shook her head. "Bring me proof and I’ll let you take her.”
“You’re putting the child at risk," Eve said.
Fay gave her a shrewd glance. "I don’t imagine you’ll let her become a victim. I’d bet you’ll have a guard on her."
"That may not be enough. She needs to be hidden away.”
“I don’t see you hiding."
"That’s my choice. A child has no choice." Fay grimaced. "You don’t know Jane.”
“She’s a child, dammit."
"A child who’s been abused and neglected most of her life. She doesn’t think much of grownups already, and you want me to tell her someone’s trying to kill her just for the hell of it?"
"What kind of proof do you want?" Joe asked.
"It sounds like you found Jane too easily. I want the welfare people to go through all their The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 101 of 286
records, both city and county, and make sure Jane is the only one who fits the profile. And have that FBI agent, Spiro, come by and talk to me. I trust the FBI." She glanced at Joe. "No offense, but my kids have had problems with the local police and I don’t like you showing up with this TV
man."
Eve looked at Joe. If Dom didn’t want the police involved, he wouldn’t be pleased at seeing the FBI there.
He shrugged. "I don’t like it either, but we have located the little girl. He can’t move on her without our knowing it now."
Eve turned back to Fay. "Then it’s settled. You’ll talk to Robert Spiro. Please listen to him. We’ve told you what a problem we’re having with Family Services."
"I promise to listen. No more than that." She stood up. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have housework to do and then I have to go to the grocery store." She said to Eve, "Sorry, but I have to be sure. Jane’s a tough proposition. This may blow any chance I have of reaching her."
"For God’s sake, help us."
"I’ll do what I can. Right now she’s at Crawford Middle School on Thirteenth street." Fay walked to the chest across the room, rummaged through the top drawer, and handed a photograph to Eve. "That’s her school picture from last year. She gets out at three and walks home. It’s only four blocks. Keep an eye on her, but I don’t want you talking to her." Her lips firmed. "If you scare her, I’ll scalp you."
"Thank you." Eve thrust the photo into her purse. "But you’re making a mistake." Fay shrugged.
"I’ve made a lot of them, but I can only do my best. I’ve had twelve foster children in the past six years and I think most of them are better for being with me." She moved to the door and opened it. "Good-bye. Give me proof and we’ll work something out."
Mark Grunard said as they reached the street, "Tough lady. Evidently she isn’t easily impressed by my fame and sparkling personality."
"I like her." Eve scowled. "Though I’d like to break her neck. Why wouldn’t she listen?"
"She believes she’s doing what’s best for the kid," Joe said. "And she’s not about to take anyone’s word without thinking it over first."
"So what do we do now?" Mark asked.
"You go home and get some sleep. You were up all night," Joe said. "As soon as we get to the car, we’ll call Spiro and ask him to come down and talk to Fay Sugarton." He looked at Eve. "And then I assume this afternoon we watch the school and make sure the kid gets home all right?"
She started toward the car. "That’s the plan."
The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 102 of 286
"I’m tied up here. I can’t come right now," Spiro said.
"It can’t be that important. We need you," Eve told him.
"It’s important enough." He paused. "We found another body on the bank across the falls.
They’re digging up the entire area to see if there are any more."
"God." That made twelve bodies. How many more?
"But I’ll try to break away tonight and drive down. I won’t be able to stay long.”
“When can you get here?" Eve asked.
"I’ll be there before nine, and we’ll go to see the lady together," he said wearily. "Is that all right?"
"It will have to be if you can’t get here before that."
Joe took the phone from her. "We’re not going back to the cottage tonight. Send Charlie down here in case I have to leave Eve for any length of time." He listened. "No, we don’t want Charlie to talk to Fay Sugarton. He has about as much presence and authority as one of her foster kids.