Perhaps. She had found Debby Jordan.
Dom had no objection to hope. He had wanted to drag the search out a little longer, let the tension build and the relationship with Jane MacGuire grow, but he could deal with optimism.
The fall was always greater when you’d climbed to the top. Perhaps it was even better that she’d found the woman so soon. Things were going to move fast from now on, and he’d be walking a tightrope. Excitement seared through him at the thought.
But pitting himself against Eve Duncan was more exhilarating still. She was evolving, toughening, changing just as he had changed. It was interesting to observe and know that he was responsible.
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So hope was fine.
But there was something else going on with her…
Watch her. Body language almost always told the story. If he studied her, it would come to him.
He had begun to know her very well.
It would come to him.
Sarah and Jane met Eve and Joe in the driveway.
Monty ran toward Eve, wagging his tail, when she opened the car door. She gently patted his head. "He looks better."
"He is. Thank God." Sarah gestured and Monty ran back to her. "Nice lunch?”
“Very nice. Fajitas and chili," Joe answered. "I think Eve enjoyed it much more than your Monty would have. I was tempted to bring him a doggy bag, but Eve convinced me it wouldn’t be wise."
"I would have murdered you. Monty gets gas.”
“Have you been running all this time?"
"No, Jane and I had a picnic." She smiled at the little girl. "Jane said she couldn’t remember the last time she had a picnic lunch."
Jane shrugged. "No big deal. Just a lot of ants and dirt in the sandwiches." Sarah shook her head. "You’re tough."
“Well, I guess Monty liked the picnic.”
“Because you fed your roast beef to him."
"You told him to take it, and he needed it. He hasn’t eaten much lately." Jane headed for the front door. "Come on, Monty. I’ll give you some water."
Monty didn’t move.
Sarah made another hand gesture and Monty bounded after Jane into the house. "Thanks for keeping her company," Eve said.
"I enjoy her." Sarah was frowning slightly. "I wish I could— It’s not easy for her.”
“What?"
"I can’t share Monty. She wants him to belong to her, and that can’t happen. It’s not safe for The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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him to have a divided allegiance." She made a face. "Besides, we’ve been close too long. It kind of shuts everyone else out."
"She understands about compromises. She’s made the adjustment.”
“Compromises suck."
"I’ll second that," Joe murmured. He headed for the front door. "I’m going to call Charlie Cather and then go down to the precinct. I’ll see you tonight."
"Why are you calling Charlie? I thought you said he wouldn’t let us go with him.”
“Another try won’t hurt."
Sarah’s gaze followed Joe. "You were gone a long time. I was wondering whether Monty and I should come after you."
Eve smiled. "I don’t need protection from Joe.”
“No?"
"Time got away from us." She tilted her head. "You don’t like Joe?”
“I didn’t say that. I do like him. He was nice to Monty. I like most people who are nice to Monty.
I just think he’s a powerhouse and you have to be careful not to be run over by people like him.
I’ve had a few experiences with powerhouses myself."
"For God’s sake, we only had lunch. I won’t be run over."
Sarah gave her a shrewd look. "Unless you want it to happen." She held up a hand as she strode toward the door. "It’s none of my business. I think I’ll go and see how Jane and Monty are doing."
Eve slowly followed her into the house. She could hear the sound of Jane’s and Sarah’s laughter in the kitchen. Joe must be in the office making his call.
Joe…
Unless you want it to happen.
Of course she didn’t want it to happen. She wanted everything to go back to the way it was. It was too dangerous to let herself be swayed by the—
The house phone rang.
"There’s a Mr. Grunard at the front gate," Herb Booker said when she picked up the receiver.
"He said you’re expecting him."
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"Let him in, Herb." She felt a ripple of relief as she replaced the phone. The arrival of Mark Grunard brought her mind back to what was important.
She opened the front door as Mark Grunard arrived.
"Well, this is more welcome than I’ve come to expect from you." Mark got out of the car. "I anticipated having to storm the gates."
She smiled. "I’ve never meant to close you out. I just didn’t have anything important to share with you."
"I’m a journalist. I can make a story out of a trip to the grocery store.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of," she said dryly. "Come in and I’ll fill you in on what’s been happening. Off the record."
"Of course." He followed her into the living room. "Where’s Quinn?"
“In the office, I think. He’s going to the precinct later."
"Yeah, I heard how he finagled that job as liaison. Smart. And very convenient for me."
She turned to face him. "I want to cooperate with you, Mark. But I won’t let you put Joe on the spot."
"Quinn can take care of himself."
He wasn’t going to listen. Now that he was in the center of things, he was going to push until he got what he wanted. "I’ve been feeling a little guilty about you, Mark. I don’t like the idea of breaking my word to anyone. But the minute you start making Joe’s job awkward for him is the minute you’ll be out of the loop." Grunard smiled. "Now, why would I make Quinn’s job difficult? We’re all after the same thing. I’ll go down to the precinct after I check into a hotel, but I won’t get in Quinn’s way." He was glancing around the room. "Nice place. Quinn told me Logan had set you up."
She gave him a blank stare. "I don’t know what you mean." He chuckled. "He also said you’d deny it."
"Logan has nothing to do with this. Leave him out—"
"I brought you a glass of milk, Eve." Jane was standing in the doorway. "Mrs. Carboni used to say that milk settled her stomach after she ate spicy food."
"I don’t like being compared to Mrs. Carboni." She smiled as she took the milk. "But thanks anyway."
"No offense." Jane smiled back at her. "I used to sneak jalapeño juice in everything she ate. It’s The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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pretty hard to tell in spaghetti sauce. Sometimes the milk didn’t help and she’d be up all night throwing up."
Eve laughed. "Good."
"This milk’s safe. I wouldn’t do that to you."
"My, my," Mark murmured. "I believe our little chickadee has mellowed."
Jane gave him a cool glance.
"Or maybe not." Mark smiled. "How are you, Jane?”
“I’m no chickadee." She left the room.
"Ouch." Mark wrinkled his nose. "It seems you’re the only one she’s tolerating these days."
"I’d have snubbed you too if you’d been that patronizing toward me. She’s been holding up better than anyone could expect. She’s been wonderful."
"Okay, okay." He held up his hands in surrender. "I see the two of you are presenting a united front. I think I’d better go find Quinn, get him to fill me in on what’s been going on. It’s safer.
Where’s the office?"
"Second door on your left," she said curtly.
He glanced back at her from the door. "Dom’s done it, hasn’t he? The kid’s gotten to you."
"Don’t be stupid. We’re just used to each other, that’s all. We live together." He shook his head.
"Then Dom had better never see you with her. He might make the same mistake I did."