“You can check with the welfare office and make sure Jane is all right." Sarah nodded. "I’ve been calling a couple of times a day. I tried to go see her, but they wouldn’t let me and Monty in the place."
"Too bad. Seeing Monty would have made her feel better.”
“That’s what I thought. Have you had lunch?"
Eve shook her head. "But I’m not hungry. I’ve got work to do.”
“Really?" Sarah studied her face. "You’re excited.”
“Logan said I was very calm."
"On the surface. Beneath you’re seething like a geyser. Want to talk about it?" Eve shook her head. "But I think I’ve found a way to get him."
Done.
Eve pushed her chair back from the computer and covered her eyes with her shaking hand.
I’ve got you, Dom. I’ve got you.
Her phone rang.
"The caseworker from Atlanta, James Parkinson, and Jane just got into a squad car with two The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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officers and are on their way to the airport," Joe said. "I’m following them.”
“I didn’t think they’d leave tonight."
"I didn’t either. Parkinson was in and out of that welfare house in fifteen minutes. I’ll call you when we get to the airport."
Eve tried to think. It was logical that the caseworker wanted Jane out of Phoenix now that Eve had been released. But Jane was more vulnerable outside the home and on the road.
A twisted mass of metal at the bottom of the ravine. That couldn’t happen twice. Besides, Joe was watching. But so was Dom.
James Parkinson.
She called Joe back. "How do you know Parkinson is the social worker?”
“The squad car radioed the pickup back to the precinct, and I heard it on my radio."
"What does Parkinson look like?"
"He’s black, heavyset, plump face. He would have had to show ID to both welfare administration and the officers in the squad car."
"IDs are easy to get, and Grunard’s had time to plan." But she did feel a little better. "Watch closely, Joe."
"You know I will."
"I guess you’re glad to be going home, young lady." Officer Rivera looked back at Jane over his shoulder.
Jane didn’t answer.
"I have a daughter about your age. She’s on the Softball team."
Jane gazed through the window, closing out Parkinson and the officers. She hadn’t said a word since she’d gotten into the squad car. Poor kid, Rivera thought. He looked at Parkinson. "Is she going to be okay?"
Parkinson nodded, his white teeth flashing in his brown face as he smiled. "Just fine."
Jane suddenly stiffened, her gaze flying to Parkinson’s face. "There, honey, don’t be scared."
Parkinson patted her shoulder.
Jane went rigid and then slumped to one side.
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"What’s wrong with her?" Rivera said. "Pull over, Ken.”
“Oh, no, don’t do that," Parkinson said softly. Then he shot Rivera in the head.
Shit.
Joe’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. Something was wrong.
The squad car was weaving in and out of the city streets, even backtracking. What the hell!
The squad car roared over railroad tracks, driving through the signal just as the train approached, leaving Joe stranded on the other side.
He radioed the precinct for backup as he waited for the train to pass. "I don’t care who comes.
Just get someone, anyone."
He wasn’t getting through to them. He closed his eyes. "Okay, if you won’t stop the squad car, come after me. This is Joe Quinn."
Joe gunned his car as the caboose rattled past. It took Joe ten minutes to locate the squad car again. But he lost it again in the traffic near the stadium. There it was. Two blocks ahead, turning left. He lost it again.
It took five minutes to locate the squad car this time. It was pulled over to the side of a deserted street.
"I have her, Eve."
Dom.
"You’re lying. She’s on her way to the airport."
"No, you’ll get a call soon. I just wanted you to know that the game is almost over. It’s time for me to claim the stakes."
"I don’t believe you."
"You believe me. I can hear it in your voice.”
“Let me talk to her."
"No, she’s not able to talk. I drugged the little angel. Just a little pinprick. A rather boring old trick but effective. It was such a wonderful disguise, but I think she recognized my voice.
Besides, I have a distance to take her and I needed her quiet." He paused. "Shall I tell you what I’m going to do to her before I kill her, Eve?"
"No." She closed her eyes. "Don’t hurt her."
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"Not yet. She’s no fun at the moment. She can’t feel anything." Rage seared through her.
"That made you angry, didn’t it? I can almost feel the waves of emotion through the phone. It’s quite wonderful, but you really shouldn’t indulge me this way."
"You don’t want her. You want me."
“That’s right. I want you to die first, knowing what’s in store for her. Come and get her."
"Where are you going?"
"A place you’ll remember. Earth to earth. Salt to salt. I thought it fitting. My most satisfying kills were done there. But don’t worry, I won’t chop you into pieces as I did them. I respect you too much."
"Will she be there?"
"I’m not a fool. You might arrange a trap for me."
"I won’t come up to the tent site until I know she’s alive. Until I hear her voice.”
“You’ll hear it. Be there at nine tomorrow night." He hung up. Christ. She had thought she was so close, and Dom had still managed to pull the rug right from under her.
Joe called her. "He’s got her. I found both officers dead in the squad car and Jane gone."
"I know. Dom called me.”
“Shit. I screwed up."
"It’s not your fault," she said dully. "He was disguised. Even Jane didn’t recognize him right away."
"Is she alive?"
"He says she is. Right now."
"Don’t you move a muscle. I’m on my way over there." He hung up. Joe would come and some of the fear would go away. She didn’t have to face this alone.
Yes, she did. From the beginning she’d known that she’d have to face Dom alone. He was planning on having her walk right into his trap and killing her and Jane. He would butcher Joe if he was anywhere around.
Then flip his plan. Catch the hunter before the trap was sprung. "Sarah! Will you come in here?"
Sarah appeared in the doorway. "What?"
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She held up a finger. "One minute." She dialed Spire’s digital number. He answered on the third ring.
"Dom has Jane, and I know where he’s headed. I want you to meet me there." She had to stop to steady her voice. "You wanted to use me as bait. Okay, let’s find a way to do it."
EIGHTEEN
8:45 P.M.
Candles.
Everywhere.
Candelabras with tapers whose flames flickered in the wind. Lanterns. Oil lamps. Eve parked her car at the bottom of the hill and looked up at the tent site. Is this my welcome, Dom? Are you up there?
She dialed Spiro’s number. "Where are you?"
"We’re in a lay-by about two miles down the road to Jamison. We couldn’t get any closer without risking him seeing us. That hill has a view for miles."
"I know. Can you see the candles?"
"Yes. Remember, press the radio signal as soon as you determine Dom’s there, and we’ll come in."
"You don’t move until I’m sure Jane’s alive and safe. He’s supposed to call me.”
“Stay locked in the car until you’re sure. At least you’re safe there. Do you have a weapon?"
"A revolver."
"Did Quinn give it to you?"
"No, I told you I didn’t want him to know about this. Sarah had one and lent it to me. It’s in my jacket pocket."