“I want to go with him."
"I thought you would. Sorry. It’s not a good idea for him to be seen with a kidnapper. But I got him to promise to let you look at the photo as soon as it’s logged in as evidence."
"A photograph."
"It might not be Dom.”
“And it might be."
Tomorrow she might be able to see his face.
Joe set his cup down on the table. "I’m going to take a shower and get a little sleep." He stood up. "And then I’m taking you out to lunch."
"What?"
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Charlie. Unless you have another body you want to dig up." He headed for the door. "Be ready at noon."
Bossy bastard. "Maybe I don’t want to go out to lunch. And maybe you shouldn’t be seen with a kidnapper."
"Then stand me up. I’ll take Monty. He’d probably appreciate me more anyway. Though Sarah won’t be pleased with me for giving him spicy Mexican." He left the room.
It was the second time in twelve hours she’d come second to that dog, she thought in amusement. It was enough to give a woman a complex.
But, at least, Joe’s attitude had been light. She didn’t need to deal with weightier personal matters just then. Not that she’d have a choice if Joe decided to— She wasn’t going to worry about it. Joe was right. She’d go crazy if she didn’t keep busy.
"Could I have some coffee?" Sarah stood in the doorway with Monty beside her.
The woman looked as tired and shaky as the dog.
"Sure." Eve jumped to her feet. "Sit down. Would you like something to eat? You haven’t had a bite since Monty found Debby Jordan."
"Is it her?" Sarah sat down at the table and Monty lay down at her feet. "Positive identification?"
Eve nodded.
"Thank God." She reached down and patted Monty on the head. "It’s over, boy. No more."
"Eggs?"
"Just cereal. Please."
Eve put the cereal, a bowl, and milk before her. "Has Monty eaten?”
“A little last night. He’s getting better." Sarah poured milk on the cereal. "Is it going to help? Are they going to find him?"
"There’s one lead that looks promising." She told her about the photograph. "It’s a lot more than we knew before."
"Yes." Sarah was silent. "I’ve been thinking about going back to my cabin tomorrow. The search is over. There’s no reason for Dom to target Monty now."
He must have been in a frenzy.
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"Dom doesn’t have to have a reason. You found her body quicker than he wanted. Stay here."
"We can take care of ourselves. We were just caught without warning." Sarah rubbed Monty’s ears. "And we like our own space."
"Please. Stay here. Just for a few more days. There’s a chance that we may get a break soon."
She paused. "And Jane will be worried about Monty. You know that.”
“I know." Sarah shrugged. "Okay, a couple of days. But Monty will get well sooner at home."
And Monty’s well-being was obviously the key to Sarah’s existence. "Thanks." Sarah finished the cereal and stood up. "I’m taking Monty for a run around the grounds. He needs the exercise." She made a face. "And so do I. Neither of us can stand being cooped up."
That seemed to be the consensus of opinion. Keep moving. Stop thinking of Dom. Mark time.
"I’m going out to lunch with Joe. Will you and Monty keep an eye on Jane for me?"
"Sure. But she’s more likely to be the one keeping an eye on Monty and me." Sarah grinned.
"She’s a nice kid. I’m going to miss her." Her smile faded. "It seems impossible that monster wants to kill her."
"But he does."
"Yeah, I know." She moved toward the door with Monty at her heels. "I learned a lot about monsters when I was at Oklahoma City."
"I don’t know how you handled it."
"Yes, you do. You handle it one day at a time. One minute at a time. And try to find something in between to balance the craziness."
"You go take your dog for a run."
Sarah smiled faintly. "Or you go out to lunch with Joe. Whatever works."
Eve nodded. "Whatever works."
FOURTEEN
Logan called Eve on her digital phone when she and Joe were on their way to lunch.
"You found Debby Jordan."
"Yes."
"You could have called and told me and not let me read about it in the newspapers."
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"I told you, I wanted you out of it." She’d wanted all of them out of it, but that didn’t seem to be happening, she thought ruefully.
"Is Quinn still staying at the house?"
She stiffened. "Yes."
"Herb told me he was there. I didn’t call you because I hoped you’d send him on his way, but I seem to be the one left out of the circle."
"I’m getting rid of Joe as soon as possible." She glanced at Joe. "But he’s making that very difficult."
"Tell me about it. I should have known he’d find out about the house. Is he with you now?"
"Yes."
"Dammit, let me come and help you.”
“No, Logan."
There was a silence. "You’re closing me away from you. I can feel it.”
“I have to do it."
Another silence. "That could mean a lot of things, couldn’t it?”
“It means exactly what I said."
He muttered a curse and hung up. She pressed the off button. "He’s pissed?" Joe asked. "Yes."
"Good."
"Shut up." Tears stung her eyes. Maybe it would be better if Logan was angry with her. Perhaps she hadn’t called him because she wanted him to be the one who walked away. Logan had pride and she had not wanted to hurt that pride.
You’re closing me away from you.
It had struck a truthful note. My God, had she been pulling away from Logan, distancing herself.
When had it started? Joe had come back into her life and turned everything upside down.
"Logan’s done everything he could to make things easier for me, and yet he didn’t interfere.
Not like some people I know."
"That’s his mistake. He always took the slow, civilized approach where you were concerned."
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"The intelligent approach."
Joe just smiled.
She wanted to slap him.
"Sorry. Actually, I’m feeling fairly mellow toward Logan, and I shouldn’t fault him. For years I made the same mistake. There’s only one difference between us." His tone was suddenly no longer light. "He doesn’t want you enough. You’re not his center. He wouldn’t do anything to get you. That’s why he’ll lose." He swung the wheel and the car coasted through the entrance gates of a pleasant little park. "And that’s why I’ll win." He parked at the side of the road. "Now, stop thinking and relax. We’re here."
She looked at him in bewilderment. "Where?"
"Lunch." He nodded at a food cart parked by the playground a few yards ahead. "Galindo’s.
Herb says they make the best fajitas in Phoenix." He pulled a pair of sunglasses from the glove compartment and reached for a black straw hat from the backseat. "Put these on. You’ll look like Madonna incognito."
"You’ve got to be crazy."
"Just hungry. I thought it would be nice to sit on one of those park benches, eat, and people-watch." He got out of the car. "It’s too nice a day to be cooped up inside." It was a nice day, and she didn’t want to quarrel with him. She wanted to relax
and try not to think of Logan or Dom. Tomorrow would be soon enough. Tomorrow they might have the photograph.
Eve and Joe were sitting on a park bench, eating Mexican food, as if they hadn’t a care in the world. She was smiling as she leaned toward Quinn and wiped a corner of his mouth.
Her entire attitude was subtly different today, Dom thought. Hope?