made it only as far as the front gates. As the gates swung open, they saw the blinking lights of patrol cars just turning the corner onto the street. Joe swore under his breath.
"Get out," Eve snapped at him. "What?"
"Get out and hide in the bushes. It’s Jane and me they want.”
“And I’m supposed to leave you?"
"I’ll be in jail. You’re the one who’ll have to keep an eye on Jane." Joe muttered another curse but dove out the door and into the bushes beside the driveway. Eve slid behind the wheel and drove through the gates.
The headlights of the police car almost blinded her as it blocked her path.
"Well, this is a fine mess you’ve gotten us into," Logan said. "And that prison garb isn’t at all becoming."
"You shouldn’t have come here." Eve leaned forward to look at him through the glass. "And it’s my mess, not yours."
"Not correct. Are they treating you okay?"
"As well as they treat any other felon. I’ve been in here only twenty-four hours, and that’s enough to make me never want to even jaywalk. But there is a lot of time for thinking." Her folded hands clenched together in front of her. "I think that may be what Grunard wanted. He The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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wanted to show me that even if he was on the run, he could still reach out and touch me. He wanted me to feel helpless and wonder what was happening to Jane. It worked. I nearly went crazy last night. Did Sarah call you?"
He nodded. "She gave me orders to make myself useful and bail you out.”
“It’s kidnapping, Logan. No one’s going to bail me out."
"It might be possible. Extenuating circumstances. Barbara Eisley isn’t being vindictive, and you’re usually not a very dangerous character." He paused. "But it would be better if you told them where Quinn is. They want to question him about his involvement with you."
"I don’t know where he is."
"And you wouldn’t tell if you did." He stood up. "So I guess I’ll see if I can find any judges in this town or in Atlanta I can influence."
"Logan, where’s Jane?"
"She’s being held in the local Family Services center. She’s being returned to Atlanta as soon as a caseworker comes to pick her up. Spiro told me to tell you that he’s got people watching her."
"That won’t be enough.”
“Grunard is on the run."
"He won’t run far. It’s getting too near the end of his game. If he ran away completely, it would mean he lost. He’ll never admit that." She paused. "If he can’t get to me, he’ll kill Jane. It’s the logical move for him. He wants both of us, but he’ll take Jane because it will hurt me."
"Are you sure he knows it will hurt you?"
"Oh, yes." She smiled without mirth. "The bastard even warned me never to let Dom see us together."
"Nice." His gaze narrowed on her face. "I’m tempted to let you stay in here for a while. At least you’re safe."
"And Jane becomes the target.”
“I can surround her with protection."
"She was surrounded with protection in the welfare house and Dom could have gotten to her there." Her voice vibrated with desperation. "If you can get me out of here, do it, Logan. I don’t know how fast he’ll move."
He shook his head. "I don’t like—"
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"Please."
He muttered a curse and rose abruptly to his feet. "I’ll see what I can do. It may not be today. It could be another twenty-four hours."
She stood up, and the guard moved forward to take her back to her cell. "Hurry."
Another twenty-four hours.
The words replayed in her mind as she walked down the long corridor to her cell. The idea of any delay scared her to death. How long would Grunard wait?
It could be all right. Joe would be watching over Jane. He would take care of her. And Grunard would be watching Joe. He would know that Joe was guarding Jane.
Which meant Grunard would try to take out Joe first.
Sheer terror went through her at the thought.
I’ll try not to take chances if I can help it. I’ve never wanted to live more than I do at this moment.
But she’d sent him to take a terrible chance. She’d made Joe a target. Panic seared through her as the door of her cell clanged shut behind her. She was trapped there, helpless to do anything.
Calm down. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. Panicking would be playing right into Grunard’s hands. He was probably sitting somewhere now, picturing her in her cell, feeding on her fear and frustration.
Don’t give him what he wants. He wants panic. Give him coolness. He wants mindless emotion.
Give him logic.
Twenty-four hours.
Spend that time thinking about Grunard, going over every minute, every conversation of the last weeks. See if she could find a lead to him, a weakness that could be exploited. Pretend he was one of her skulls that had to be measured and then reconstructed. Use her mind, talents, and instinct.
She sat down on the bunk and leaned against the wall.
Stay away from the people I love, Dom. Think of me shivering, brooding in this cell. Enjoy it.
Maybe, just maybe, I’ll have enough time to find a way to win your damn game.
was released on bail at one forty-five the next afternoon. Logan met her outside the jail. "The good news is that I think all the charges will be dropped. Spiro’s been discreetly putting The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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pressure on Eisley." He paused. "But until we get you cleared, you can’t go near Jane. One of the terms of your release is that you’re not seen within fifty city blocks of her. If you violate it, you get tossed right back in the slammer."
"I expected that. She’s all right?"
"She’s okay. I have a man guarding the local facility." He took her arm as they started down the steps. "The caseworker from Atlanta is arriving today to take her back."
"When?"
"Sometime this evening."
"Then they’ll probably leave tomorrow morning." His brows lifted as held open the car door.
"You’re very calm.”
“No, I’m not." She got into the car. "I’m scared shitless."
"Well, you’re different from yesterday." He strode around to the driver’s seat. She took out her phone and dialed Joe’s digital number. God, his voice sounded wonderful.
"I’m out," she said. "Thank God."
"Things are going to be happening. Soon.”
“If you’re out, that goes without saying.”
“I’ll call you." She hung up.
"Quinn?"
She nodded.
He smiled sardonically. "But you had no idea where he is.”
“I still don’t. I know only that he’s watching Jane." He dropped the subject. "Where do you want to go?”
“Back to the house. I have some work to do.”
“Work?"
"Telephone calls and then I need to get on the computer.”
“You’re not planning to hire a hit man to get Grunard, I trust?”
“It’s an appealing idea." She shook her head. "But that’s not what I had in mind.” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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“Am I allowed to help?"
"You bet you are."
Sarah Patrick met Eve as she walked into the foyer. "Welcome home." She glanced at Logan.
"You evidently did something right."
"I didn’t dare do anything else. I’m scared of Monty." He turned to Eve. "You’ll have what you need in a couple of hours. Okay?" She nodded. "Thanks, Logan. I owe you."
"Friends never owe friends." He smiled. "Remember that.”
“Then is it okay if I’m grateful?"
"Same answer." He headed for the front door.
But she did owe him, she thought as she headed to the office. And she’d owe him even more if he came through with the information she needed.
Sarah trailed along with her. "You look a little jumpy. Anything I can do?”