“And no footprints,” Gallo said. The trail had become rock and stone once they left the lower part of the trail. “If we had shale, I could at least tell if it had been disturbed.” He stopped and gazed down one of the twisting passageways between the walls. “I’ll check out this one. You take the next path over there.”
Joe nodded. Taking the openings one by one was the only thing they could do, but it was a waste of time. Dammit, they had no time to do an extensive search.
“No.” Ben was suddenly beside Joe. “Not there. Not this one. Straight ahead.”
“We have to eliminate every possibility, kid,” Gallo said.
“No, straight ahead.” He put his hand on Joe’s arm. “She’s not there.”
Joe looked at him.
“I have to be with you. But not here.” He added urgently, “Tell him. We have to hurry, Joe.”
Joe hesitated, gazing at the boy’s pleading expression. Then he said slowly, “We’ll split up, Gallo, we can cover more area. You search here, and I’ll go straight ahead.” He whirled and started running up the path. He could hear Gallo cursing behind him, but when he glanced behind him, Gallo had disappeared down one of the crevices.
Ben caught up with Joe and passed him.
Follow him. He seems to know where he is going.
And God knows Joe had no idea.
* * *
EVE WAS FROZEN WITH SHOCK. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
Greenery where there had been only rocks, grass so well tended it looked like velvet. A flowering magnolia tree, shiny-leafed shrubs, plum leaf azaleas, small, exquisite pink roses, delicate lantana, and golden sunflowers … She was on the edge of the rose-hued canyon wall on a cliff that was perhaps thirty feet in diameter. It was sheltered by a network of vines on all sides that made it into a secret garden.
Secret Garden. Yes, that was what it reminded her of, that classic children’s tale about a garden of magic beauty that had the power to heal because of the love that gone into bringing it to life.
“What is this, Danner?”
“It’s the place.” He gazed at the garden. “It took me years to make it for her. I had to bring in lots of soil, and the vines to shelter it from the weather. And the flowers had to be hardy and not take much care. I couldn’t bear to come here too often after I gave it to her. She frightened me.”
Her gaze was wandering around the garden and stopped at a twisting path that led upward along the edge of the canyon. “What is that?”
“It’s a path that goes to the top of the canyon. It took me a year to hack it out of the wall.”
“Why?”
“I couldn’t be sure that the demons wouldn’t find her. I had to have a route to take her out of here.”
“An escape hatch?” she asked softly. “Good heavens, you thought of everything.”
“Are you laughing at me?”
“No, there’s nothing funny about this.”
It was sad, tragic.
“No.” His gaze went to the far west corner of the garden, then glanced quickly away. “There she is.”
Bonnie.
It was a raised plot of earth that was surrounded by the same gorgeous blossoms that were everywhere in the garden. A simple carved cross marked the grave.
Eve slowly moved to stand before it.
Here I am, baby.
No special sense of presence. She had not believed Bonnie when she had told her that it would not matter whether she found her body. That she was always with her, that it was memories and love that made the difference. She could almost see Bonnie standing in front of her with an impish I-told-you-so smile.
Okay, so you were right. But I’m glad to be here anyway.
And maybe she would have felt something more special if Danner had not been here.
Danner, who was standing looking at her from a few yards away.
He was getting ready. She could see the tension in the set of his shoulders … and his eyes …
“It’s a beautiful place,” Eve told him quietly. “I’m glad that you gave Bonnie such a wonderful garden. She loved flowers.”
“She was John’s daughter. I had to take care of her after the demon killed her. I had to find a place to hide her so that the demons wouldn’t steal her soul as well as her body.”
“And you brought her here.”
“I thought she’d be safe. I took care of her. I made a beautiful place for her. I kept the demons from finding her.” His expression clouded. “At least, I thought I had. But they started coming at me. I heard that Queen and Jacobs had lied to me and were trying to destroy John. I had to stop them. But even after they were dead, it didn’t stop. There are so many demons.… Everywhere I turned, I saw them there in the shadows, waiting.”
“But not here, not in this place.”
“No, the little girl was safe here.” His lips were twisted. “But she wouldn’t stay. I’d see her in the canyon. Sometimes I’d even see her in the camp or in the city. She’d look at me with those big eyes, and I knew she wanted something from me, but I didn’t know what it was.”
“And you were too afraid of her to stick around and ask.” She was putting together the pieces of the tragic puzzle that had haunted all their lives. “Because you thought she’d want revenge because you’d killed her.”
“She didn’t understand. It wasn’t me. I saved her.”
“I think she understood more than you could believe.” Eve was gazing at the cross. “You should have tried to listen to her.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice was rough. “I tried to hear her, but all I could see were her eyes looking up at me that day at the car. ‘I’m not afraid, Ted,’ she said. Did I tell you that?”
“Yes.”
“And then I let the demon kill her.” His hands clenched at his sides. “But she’s safe here, the demons can’t reach her. But she has to stay. You see that, don’t you?” He took a step closer. “She won’t leave if you’re here with her.”
“Another lovely cross for me, Danner?” Eve asked, her gaze on the grave.
“You love her. You want to be together. Don’t you want to keep her safe?”
“With all my heart.”
He was only a few feet away, and his hand was grasping the hilt of his dagger. “It will be quick. I know how to do it. No pain, Eve. Don’t fight me. I know you want it.”
She did want it. The thought of being with Bonnie was almost irresistibly alluring.
“No, Mama, it’s not your time.”
“Well, that stirred you to action. You always say that it’s not my time, but you promised us that this was the finish. It wouldn’t be a bad ending, baby.”
“Mama.”
Eve was suddenly bombarded with a kaleidoscape of pictures of her life with Joe, her life with Jane, of her work, intense, satisfying, worthwhile. Rich life, sweet life, a life full of love, a life worth living.
“I know. I know. I won’t let it happen.”
* * *
HOW TO DO IT? SHE HAD no weapon.
He was blocking the way that led to the passage that had brought her here.
No choice. She’d have to take the path that led to the top of the canyon. Perhaps she could find a rock or branch up there to use to defend herself.
“Come here,” Danner said. “Don’t make me come to you. Show me that you understand. It will only be a second, and it will be over.”
Get past him, feint to the left, then run for the passage leading to the top of the canyon.
“I’m coming.” She held his gaze as she took a step forward. “You won’t hurt me? You promise?”
He smiled. “I promise. I’m like you. I only want to make her happy.”
And she believed him, she realized with a wrench of pure pain. Through all his torment and fear, he only wanted Bonnie to be safe in body and spirit. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted, too. To bring her home.”
He looked at her in wondering surprise. “But she is home
. Who could ever want a more beautiful home? Don’t you see the flowers? You said she— No!” She had ducked under his left arm, bringing her heel up to kick his left kneecap. His leg buckled, and he staggered.
She heard him cursing as she ran toward the path leading up the cliff.
“You’re not supposed to do this. I don’t want you to fight me. Can’t you see I’m doing what’s best for her?”
“No, all I can see is that you’re the demon trying to rob my daughter of what she wants to happen. You’re wrong, dammit.” She had reached the cliff and was tearing up the path.
He was right behind her.
Faster.
She had to go faster.
The wind was tearing at her hair.
The top of the canyon. How far was it, dammit?
She could hear his steps pounding on the stones.
Faster.
Then she had reached the summit.
Weapon. Find a weapon.
A loose rock?
No, there was a branch underneath a scrawny pine tree that was balanced precariously at the top of the summit.
She could hear Danner’s strained breathing behind her.
She grabbed up the branch and whirled to face him.
“Eve!”
Joe was at the top of the trail, running toward Danner, a gun in his hand. A sandy-haired boy was close behind him. “Get away from him, Eve. You’re in the way of my shot.”
But Danner was turning, drawing his own gun, pointing.
“No!” She threw herself forward to grab his gun.
Too late.
“Joe!” she screamed.
Everything seemed to occur in slow motion.
Joe running toward them.
Danner’s finger squeezing the trigger.
And the boy who had been following Joe was suddenly even with him.
“Get away, Ben,” Joe shouted.
But the boy dove in front of Joe, knocking him to the ground.
A bright blossom of blood appeared on the boy’s white shirt.
Dead?
“Ben!” Danner’s voice was hoarse with agony, his gaze on the boy. “Stupid kid. I never meant— Why did you—”
“But you did,” Eve said fiercely. “You probably killed him, Danner.”
“No. No.” He was staggering backward, dropping the gun, his gaze on the boy. Then he whirled and was running toward the trail.
Let him go.
Eve ran toward Joe. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” Joe was rolling over and lifting the boy off him. “But Ben’s not. Why the hell did he—” He carefully laid the kid on the ground, his gaze on the blood on the boy’s shirt. “Shit.”
“Who is he?” Eve whispered as she fell to her knees beside them. The boy was pale, and that horrible wound …
“Ben Hudson. He told me where to find you.” He was opening the boy’s shirt and examining the wound. “Dammit, I shouldn’t have brought him.”
“Is he going to die?”
“I don’t know.” He took out his handkerchief and folded it. “I don’t have any idea about his internal injuries. All I can do is try to stop the blood.”
“I’ll do it.” She took the handkerchief and pressed it above the wound. “You call 911 for medical help, then go after Danner.”
“I should—”
“No.” She didn’t lift her eyes from the wound. “Stop Danner. It has to end, Joe. He’s like a wounded animal who will keep striking out and killing until he’s put away. He can’t do anything else.”
“No.” The boy had opened his eyes and was staring up at her. “He didn’t mean to—”
“I know,” she said quietly. “But it happened, and it will keep on happening. There’s no telling when he’ll decide that one of us is one of his demons. He’s not sane, Ben. He almost killed me two times before today. And Joe almost died just now.”
“Don’t kill … Ted. He has to know— Fresh start.”
“What?”
The boy’s eyes were closing. “Beginning. He has to know that it can begin…”
He was unconscious.
Joe was rising to his feet. “If I’m going to catch up with Danner, I have to go. You’re sure you want me to leave you?”
No, she desperately wanted to go with him, but she couldn’t leave this young boy who had saved him. She nodded. “Go.”
“Father Barnabas was just behind me. I’ll send him to—”
She stiffened. “The priest? No.”
“He’s okay, Eve. Trust him.” He was running toward the trail. “I’ll explain later.”
She stopped him as he started down the trail. “Bonnie’s death was an accident, Joe. Danner didn’t mean to do it.”
“And what does that mean? How do you feel? What am I supposed to do? Kill him? Have him thrown into prison?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know how I feel. I’m still angry. I’m still cheated. I want revenge for her death. And it’s all mixed up with the horrible feeling that everything went terribly wrong, and anything I do will just make it more terrible.” She met his gaze. “It’s your call, Joe. I won’t tell you to hold your hand when it might put you in danger. I just had to tell you.”
He nodded curtly, then vanished down the path.
She moved the pad on Ben’s chest. The pad was soaked with blood. Was the flow easing? It was hard to tell.
“You … want to go with him.” Ben’s eyes were open again. “You’re afraid for him.”
“Yes, shouldn’t I be? Your friend, Danner, tried to kill him.”
“I … think he’ll be all right.”
“I don’t want to think. I want to know.”
“I can’t tell … you that.”
“Stop talking, it’s not good for you. Worry about yourself, not Joe.”
He was silent a moment. “You think I … may die.”
Yes, she did. He seemed very close. “You’ll be fine. Don’t be afraid. Just hold on.”
“I’m not afraid. I was once. But she showed me that it would only be a new start with nothing to hold me back … and beautiful.”
Her grasp tightened on his hand. “‘She’?”
His gaze was on her face. “She looks like you. Sometimes I can’t see her, only hear her. But when I see her, she looks like you.”
“Does she?” she asked unevenly. “Well, I think she would want you to hold on, just as I do.”
He nodded and closed his eyes. “I just wanted to tell you so that you wouldn’t feel bad. You looked so sad.…”
“Eve!”
Her gaze flew to the trail to see Father Barnabas coming up the path.
“How is he?” The priest was frowning as he came toward her. “Joe passed me on the trail and told me what had happened and asked me to come and help you.” He knelt beside Ben. “He said he’d called 911, and they’ll contact the ranger station.” He put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Help’s on the way, Ben.”
Ben nodded but didn’t answer.
It’s a new start … and beautiful.
But she didn’t want any new starts happening for this boy who had saved Joe’s life. And she’d be damned if she’d let Joe wander off into the great beyond either.
“Hold the compress,” she told the priest as she got to her feet. “I’m going after Joe.” She looked down at Ben. “And you hold on and don’t go anywhere. She may think it’s okay, but I don’t. And I’m sure Bonnie didn’t mean it like that. We all have to stick together around here.” Her glance shifted to the priest. “You take care of him. Don’t you let him die. I want prayers and rosaries and anything else you may think will help.” She turned and strode toward the trail. “Do your job.”
CHAPTER
16
DANNER!
Catherine had only caught a brief glimpse of the man streaking down the twisting path toward the bottom of the canyon, but she’d recognized him. She had not seen that shock of silver hair at the bayou, but he moved with that same lithe alacrit
y that had so surprised her.
She tensed. It would take her five to ten minutes to intercept him, and there was a possibility she might lose him. Call Gallo.
She dialed quickly. “I’ve spotted Danner. He’s alone. Where the hell is Eve?”
“I don’t know. We lost them after he started climbing the west wall of the canyon. Joe and I split up to search.”
Catherine muttered a curse. “That’s not good. I have to find out where he left her.” She didn’t want to think of the question of how he’d left Eve.
Dead. Alive. Wounded.
“Where are you, Gallo?”
“Still on a path on the canyon wall.”
“Then you’re no help. Danner’s headed for the bottom of the canyon.”
“Wait for me. I’ll be there.”
“No time. I’m not letting him leave the canyon without telling me where he left Eve. If she’s unconscious, it could take us days to find her.”
“Wait for me.” The phone crashed in her ear as he hung up.
Screw it. The time was over for waiting and also for working as a team with Gallo. If she could lever herself from that overhanging oak tree down to the next level of the path, she would make up a good deal of the distance. She slipped her phone in her jacket pocket and started down the trail toward the oak tree.
* * *
RUN.
Don’t slip on this damn sandy shale, Danner told himself.
One false step would throw him off the path and into the canyon over a hundred feet below.
But he couldn’t see for the tears running down his cheeks.
He had killed Ben. Why had the boy come after him? He hadn’t wanted to harm him. He had been closer to Ben than he had been to anyone since the time he’d spent with John when he was growing up. He had wanted to protect him and take care of him. To keep all the demons away from him.
Dead. Dead like the little girl. He had killed him as he had Bonnie.
No!
It was the demon, Black, who had killed Bonnie.
He wouldn’t have killed the little girl.
But he had done it. If he could kill Ben, then he could kill Bonnie.
“Stop where you are, Danner.”
A woman had come out of the brush at the side of the trail, a gun in her hand. Long, straight, dark hair, slightly tilted dark eyes, framed in long lashes. He knew that face. Catherine Ling, who had been with John at the bayou.