"So do I. We, at least, have that in common."
"He really thinks I’m your daughter? He’s got to be crazy.”
“I believe he just wants me to consider you my daughter." She was silent a moment. "Was Bonnie much like me?"
Eve shook her head. "No. She was younger, softer, dreamier. You’re more like what I was when I was growing up."
"I’m nothing like you."
"Have it your way.”
“I will."
"But I believe you’ll be safe as long as you stay with me. He wants us together. Will you come with me, Jane?"
Jane turned her back on Eve.
Don’t push. Let her think. She’s smart.
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Eve turned out the light. "Let me know in the morning." No answer.
What would she do if Jane refused to go with her? The question scared her to death.
She would face that possibility when it confronted her. You bury your head.
And she wouldn’t think about Joe or his unfair words. They stung too much.
Joe…
"What do you mean? Softer?”
“What?"
"Your daughter."
"I loved her very much. I wanted everything to be sweet and sunny for her. I’ve been thinking lately that maybe if I’d shown her— Never mind."
"You’re saying you were stupid. Like I was about not talking to Fay.”
“I guess that’s what I’m saying."
Another silence. "I don’t think you’re stupid very often.”
“Once is enough."
"Yeah."
Christ, she was saying all the wrong things. Jane was feeling guilty enough. "Fay’s death had nothing to do with you, Jane. If there’s someone besides Dom who was responsible, it’s me. Let me try to make sure you don’t get hurt too."
Minutes passed.
Go to sleep. She’s not going to answer. "I’ll go with you," Jane said.
Eve breathed a profound sigh of relief. "Good."
"Not because I like you. I don’t feel anything for you. I wouldn’t care if he killed you. But I hate him. I hate what he did to Fay. I hate what he wants to do to me. I wish someone would slit his throat."
"I understand."
Yes, she understood the hatred and helplessness Jane was feeling as if the emotions were her own.
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As if Jane were her own.
She instantly rejected the idea. It was what Dom wanted, the growing closeness and empathy, and she would not let him have it. Keep Jane at a distance. It should be easy. Jane was tough and wanted nothing to do with Eve.
She hadn’t been very tough with Mike. When she had smiled at him, she had reminded Eve a little of Bonnie. The same luminous, loving quality…
Crazy.
Bonnie and Jane were nothing alike. Thank God.
So stop thinking of either of them. Think instead of how to keep Jane safe in Phoenix.
And stop letting Dom call all the shots. It was time to go on the hunt. Her phone rang again.
What the hell?
"Phoenix?" Mark’s tone was thoughtful. "It is a long way from Atlanta. You might have a better chance of hiding the kid there." Standing outside McDonald’s, Mark looked at Jane, who was inside, seated at a booth eating breakfast.
"Bull," Eve told him. "There’s no place that’s a long way from anywhere these days. You guys in the media have made sure of that."
"Technology has a little something to do with it." Mark took a drink of his coffee. "Going to Phoenix is a big risk, isn’t it?"
"It’s a bigger risk staying here.”
“What about protection for the kid?”
“I have an idea what I can do.”
“But you won’t tell me?" She shook her head.
"And that means you don’t want me to go with you to Phoenix." She shook her head. "No one knows you’re involved in my taking Jane. You’ve helped me enough."
"For a reason. I want the story, Eve. You owe it to me."
"I’ll call you when I’m getting close."
"And I’m to trust you?"
"I won’t turn my back on you."
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He studied her. "I don’t think you will." He shrugged. "Okay, I’ll go back to work. I might run into something that’ll help you. You’ll let me know where you are?"
"I’ll let you know."
"How are you going to get there?"
"I hope you’ll let me borrow your car. I’ll drive it to Birmingham and leave it at the airport."
“And how will you get on a plane without being recognized? You have to have an ID to go to the bathroom these days."
"I’ll manage."
"I could drive you to Phoenix.”
“You’ve done enough."
"Just thought I’d give it a shot." He glanced at Jane again. "She’s not going to give you any trouble?"
"I didn’t say that. She’s wary of everyone, and that includes me. She hasn’t said more than two sentences since we got up this morning. But at least I can reason with her." She held out her hand. "Thanks for everything, Mark."
He shook it and then dropped his car keys into her palm. "Remember, you owe me. I’m letting you off the hook right now, but I want that story."
"You’ll get it." She started for the booth where Jane was sitting. "Eve."
She looked back over her shoulder.
Mark’s gaze narrowed on her face. "You’re too damn confident this morning." She made a face.
"I wish I were."
"You’re in better shape than you were last night.”
“Things always look brighter in the morning."
"Not necessarily. I think you have an ace in the hole you’re not telling me about." She waved.
"Good-bye, Mark. I’ll be in touch."
He was wrong. She wasn’t at all confident; she was scared and confused. What Mark had seen as confidence was only the faint glimmer of hope.
But she’d take it.
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was waiting at the parking lot at the Birmingham airport.
"You’re an idiot." Logan drew Eve close and kissed her hard. "And Joe’s a criminal idiot to allow you to get into a mess like this."
"Joe had nothing to do with it." She felt a deep sense of comfort as she stepped back and stared at him. He looked strong and familiar. "He doesn’t know anything about it."
"You made sure of that to protect that SOB."
"Let’s not talk about Joe." She gestured for Jane to get out of the car. "Did you bring the ID?"
He handed her a leather pouch. "Cash, phony birth certificates, two credit cards, and a driver’s license."
"Is he a crook?" Jane asked.
Logan glanced at her. "It depends on who you ask.”
“On the streets they sell phony IDs to anyone who wants one.”
“I don’t sell, I buy. And you should be glad I was able to buy these at such short notice."
"This is John Logan, Jane. He’s not a crook, he’s a well-respected businessman.”
“And he’s the one you said would help us?"
"We couldn’t board a flight without phony IDs."
"I’ve arranged a place for you to stay—it’s on the outskirts of Phoenix. Two of my company’s top security people will be there to keep an eye on you." He took Eve’s elbow. "Come on, let’s go."
"We say good-bye here." She hung back. "I don’t want to be seen with you, Logan."
"You’re not going to say good-bye to me until we reach Phoenix. I have a private jet waiting.
That way you won’t have to chance being recognized.”
“No." She dug in her heels. "I know I agreed to let you help me when you called last night, but I don’t want you to do anything more."
"Too late." He smiled. "I can handle the heat. Just watch me.”
“I don’t want to watch you. I don’t want to be responsible for anyone else getting involved in this mess."
His smile faded. "Listen to me. I’m not backing away when you’re in trouble. You should have The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02