A good-faith effort of two million dollars, Eve thought dryly. Evidently Natalie had decided not to indicate that she knew the value in hopes that Eve did not. “No, I wouldn’t take that chance. And the coins couldn’t be more authentic. Have them checked if you don’t believe me.”
“I’m sure I will, that would be the intelligent thing to do,” Natalie said. “I just wanted you to know that I’m leaning toward the deal. But I have to make arrangements. As I said, my father is very fond of Cara. I’d have to have a reason to take her away from here.”
“Then find a reason,” Eve said. “I’m having trouble keeping MacDuff in line. If I don’t close this deal soon, he may back out. Right now, he’s talking about a fifty-fifty split.”
“No.” Natalie voice was sharp. “I want it all. If you can’t handle MacDuff, leave him to me.”
“That’s easy to say. He doesn’t care anything about Cara. Why should he give up a fortune to save her? You have to make arrangements to let me take Cara right away.”
“I’ll work on it,” Natalie said curtly. “I’ll phone you when I set it up.” She hung up.
Eve turned to Joe. “She’s hungry. I can hear it in her voice. And she’s so eager that she called me too soon. She wants that chest so much that she forgot to play it cool.”
“That’s good.” Joe took her in his arms. “That will make her move faster. And maybe make more mistakes.”
Or perhaps be more reckless … and ruthless. Her arms slid around him, and she held him closer. “It’s beginning, Joe,” she whispered. “She’s coming closer. It’s starting…”
* * *
It was starting.
Eve stared into the darkness of the tent two hours later, remembering those words. Why couldn’t she shake this tension and uneasiness? Almost a foreboding. It wasn’t as if things were going wrong. That phone call from Natalie had indicated weakness, not strength. She had taken the bait, and now all they had to do was to find a way to snap the trap.
And hope Cara was not caught in those lethal jaws.
She stiffened at the thought. Her heart was pounding, and she felt suddenly suffocated. She had to get out of here.
She carefully moved Joe’s arm from around her and slipped from beneath the covers. Then she grabbed a sweater to slip over her nightshirt and almost ran from the tent.
She drew a few deep breaths of the cool night air before she walked down toward the bank of the lake. That was better. The lake, with its eternal mists, was soothing in itself. She dropped to the ground once she reached the bank, and even the chill of the grass on her bare legs felt good. She linked her arms around her knees and gazed out at the water.
Had Cira sat here on this bank all those centuries ago, waiting for her Marcus to come to her after playing in the mist? Somehow, she thought that she might have, and it gave Eve a feeling of continuity with that woman from Herculaneum who was dominating all their lives right now.
No offense, Cira. I’d much rather you dominate my every thought than Natalie Castino.
She touched her stomach.
And I think the baby gets far more upset when I’m having to deal with her. You don’t cause me sleepless nights.
* * *
“You’re right, Mama. You shouldn’t be having sleepless nights. We’re both a little worried about that.”
Bonnie!
She turned in shock to look where Bonnie was sitting beneath the oak tree a few yards away. Bonnie, still seven years old as she had been the day she had been taken and killed all those long years ago. Still dressed in her jeans and Bugs Bunny T-shirt, the moonlight casting a shimmer on her curly red hair. Still with that beloved smile that had been Eve’s salvation when somehow she’d been permitted to come back on occasion and visit her. “It’s been a long time. I was getting scared that it might be forever.”
“Never forever. Not for us.” Her smile widened. “And I thought that you should have a little break from me. A lot of changes are happening to you. Good changes.”
“Did you have anything do with that?”
“Who me?” She laughed. “I can suggest, but I don’t have much clout. I guess it was just your turn. You’ve been doing good for people for a long time, and you needed something fresh and good in your own life.”
“The baby.”
“And Cara. That was why Jenny was sent to you. To prepare you for Cara.”
“Well, I’ve not been doing so good for Cara,” Eve said jerkily.
“Better than anyone else could do, and you’ll just keep trying until you bring her home.”
“Yes I will.” She paused. “I love the baby. I love Cara. But I still miss you. I’ll always miss you. No one can replace you. So don’t think you’re doing what’s best for me by walking away. You have to stick around.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Bonnie chuckled. “Maybe not quite so much. You’re going to be busy, and so will I. But that’s good, too. Purpose is always good.”
“Is that why you came tonight? You wanted to tell me that you were going to ration your time with me? I don’t like that.”
“No, that’s not why I came. And ration isn’t the way I’d put it. I’ll always be there for you, Mama. So stop frowning.”
Eve made a face. “I know. I know. Who’s the kid in this relationship? But I haven’t had your experience in the great beyond. I don’t have patience.”
“You won’t miss me as much as you think.” She paused before she said softly, “You’re going to experience something extraordinary with him. He’ll be a constant challenge.”
Eve went still. “He?”
“That’s why I’m here tonight. You wanted to know, and he’s not capable yet of making it clear to you. So he told me to come instead.”
“He?” She repeated again. “Are you saying what I think you are?”
“Your child is a boy,” Bonnie said quietly. “And he thinks his name is Michael, but he’s leaving that up to you.”
“A boy…” She couldn’t quite take it in. “You’re sure?”
“Well, he’s sure,” Bonnie said. “And he was most insistent on giving you what you wanted to know. So I believe you can trust him.”
“A boy.” She moistened her lips. “I have to get used to it. I had you, then Jane. It will be … different.”
“He would be different regardless. I told you, he’s extraordinary.”
“So are you. So is Jane.”
“No, not like him.” Bonnie leaned back against the tree. “You’ll see soon, once he gets a little older.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“He’ll make sure you know. How do you think that he was able to bring me into this? It’s not at all usual, Mama.”
She frowned. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that he’s very strong, very loving, very protective even at this age. He has a … force. Extraordinary.”
She shouldn’t have been surprised. She had felt that strength. But she was surprised and bewildered and just a little intimidated. “You keep using that word. I’m not sure exactly what that will mean to me.”
“Why, you’ll match him. You’re extraordinary, too. And, everything he is, will be for you, Mama.” She smiled. “I like that. Now tell me his name.”
“He’s already told you. Michael. It’s a perfectly good name, and there must be some reason why he thinks it belongs to him.” She touched her stomach. “It’s okay with me. Michael…”
Was there a stirring, perhaps a warmth, or was that pure imagination?
“I don’t know either,” Bonnie said. “Maybe Michael will tell you once you’re down the road a little farther. By that time I’ll be out of it for a while.” Her smile faded. “Unless something happens to bring me back. He’s worried, Mama.”
“What about?” Eve was instantly alarmed. “The doctor said he was doing fine.”
“I don’t know. He’s just worried. He wants you to be careful.”
“Of course I’ll be careful. I have to
make sure nothing happens to him.”
“I’ve scared you,” Bonnie said. “I didn’t want to do that. But that was the other reason why I came tonight. I had to make certain that you knew he was worried. He can’t get to you yet.” She wrinkled her nose. “Though heaven knows he’s trying.”
“Point taken. I’m worried about him, too. And Cara. And Jane. And Joe. You’re on my list, too. Though that may be a little silly considering your circumstance.”
“Silly. But very loving. I’m doing fine where I am, Mama.”
“Good.” She looked at her, seeing all the brightness and the love and the laughter that had been with her in life and was still there now. It brought to Eve both a feeling of thanksgiving and infinite hope. “Then if you’ve done your duty, could we just sit here and look out at the lake and be together?”
“I’d like that.” Bonnie suddenly giggled. “If Michael has no complaints. I told you how protective he was.”
“Then it’s time that he realizes that there are some areas where he can’t interfere. We have to start this relationship as we mean to continue.”
“I told you that you could match him.” She looked out at the mist-laden lake. “You think a lot about this lake, don’t you?”
“Not as much as Jane does, but, yes, as soon as Jane told me about her dream of Cira and her child, I couldn’t help but identify. Her child, Marcus, died.” She looked at Bonnie. “My child died. I wondered if perhaps Cira might have been given a special dispensation as I was.”
“I don’t know, Mama. I know that Cira was a very special person. I know she’s still special. I know this place is special. I was glad you came here. It seemed a good place for you to get to know Michael.”
“We won’t be here that long. Once we get Cara back, we’ll be going back to Atlanta. I have to work to do.” She smiled. “And a child to be born.”
“It will be time enough. As I said, it’s a special place.”
Eve looked out into the mist. “Magic?”
“Maybe. There’s magic all around us if we look hard enough. If we want it badly enough.”
“The only magic I want is a healthy child and the safety of the people I love.”
“And that may be the most complicated magic of all,” Bonnie said. “That’s what Cira wanted, but she had to compromise.”
“Shh. Don’t say that. Not when I don’t know what’s ahead of me,” Eve said. “We’re going to think positive, young lady. No compromises. Just magic.”
Bonnie smiled and nodded. “Just magic, Mama…”
* * *
The sky was lightening to pearl gray when Eve left the lake and went back to her tent. Bonnie had stayed with her a long time as if she sensed how bewildered and on edge Eve was tonight. There had been no talk of Natalie Castino or the danger that was threatening. They had just been together, and there had been only love and mists and the knowledge that love never really faded or vanished.
Just like the mists, she thought, as she quietly went into the tent. The mists that no one knew how to pierce or vanquish, that had continued on through the centuries from the time of Cira to this small group who were trying so desperately to find their way to what lay beyond.
Joe was still asleep, one arm thrown behind his head, his cheek buried in the pillow.
She shrugged out of her sweater and tossed it aside. Then she slid into bed and pulled his arm down and around her. He stirred and half opened his eyes. “Eve?”
“Shh. Go back to sleep. It’s not even dawn yet.”
“Okay.” His eyes started to close, then flicked open. “No, something’s … wrong. Your legs feel cold. Is everything okay?”
She should have known Joe would realize any type of discrepancy connected to her. “I went outside for a while, but I’m back now.”
“But everything’s okay?”
“Fine. Everything’s wonderful, Joe,” she whispered as she cuddled closer. “We have a son.” Her lips pressed against his warm, naked shoulder. “And his name is Michael…”
CHAPTER
8
“Where’s Cara, Natalie?” Kaskov frowned as he came into the living room from his study. “I sent for her thirty minutes ago.”
“I told her I’d let her know when to come,” Natalie said. “I need to talk to you, Daddy.”
“Can’t it wait?” he asked impatiently.
He was brushing her aside again because of Cara. Natalie tried to smother her anger. It just showed how right she was to escalate the move to get rid of the threat. “I won’t be long. I know how much you enjoy our little girl.” She put her hand on his arm. “I just wanted to talk to you when Cara wasn’t around. I didn’t want to bring up that horror she went through again when she seems to be healing so nicely.” She paused. “Do you remember I told you that I thought there was a woman involved in the group that was holding Cara for ransom? Well, I received a phone call today from that woman.” She shuddered. “It was terrible. She was so angry. She threatened me. She said she was Alfredo Salazar’s lover, and she knew that I had killed him to save Cara. She said that the money I had paid for Cara wasn’t enough, and I had to be punished. That both Cara and I were going to die because of what I’d done to Salazar.” She let her voice quiver. “Daddy, I can’t let Cara—”
“Wait a minute,” Kaskov interrupted. “What woman?”
“Her name is Eve Duncan, and she’s some kind of artsy sculptor or something.” Tears were brimming in her eyes. “I wouldn’t be afraid of her except she might be able to persuade Salazar’s cartel to go after Cara again and kill her this time.”
“That won’t happen,” Kaskov said grimly. “She gets near either one of you, and she’s dead.”
“I knew you’d say that.” She slid her arms around him. “And it may be just a horrible bluff, but I had to tell you about it. I have to know more about her in case it’s not a bluff.” She looked up at him and allowed the tears to fall. “Would it be all right if I use that man, Peter Jadlow, that you hire to investigate everybody, to run a check on Duncan? Just to put my mind at rest?”
“Do you have to ask? I’ll call Jadlow right away.”
“No, you’ve done so much already for Cara and me. I’ll call him and get the report. I just wanted your permission.” Her voice was shaking. “I didn’t want to bother you, Daddy. You’re so busy, and you have that trip to Beijing in a few days.”
“I’ll tell Ivan Sabak to double your guards while I’m gone.”
“That will be a great comfort.” She kissed his cheek. “This nightmare keeps going on and on, doesn’t it? But maybe this is just some hysterical woman who wants to frighten me and doesn’t have the power to do anything.”
“I don’t care how much power she thinks she has. I don’t like the fact that she feels free to threaten you. You’re my daughter, and it’s an insult to me that she believes I’m unable to take care of you.” His voice was harsh. “When I come back from Beijing, I’ll take care of this business once and for all.”
“Whatever you decide, Daddy.” She smiled as she backed away from him. “Just letting me have Jadlow so that I’ll know what we’re up against will make me feel better. You always told me that knowledge was power. If he comes up with anything troubling, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
She had what she wanted. Time to move away from demands and requests and give him something he wanted. Even though what he wanted was a festering sore these days. She picked up her phone and started dialing. “Now, I’ll call our Cara and get her to run up here right away. Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll get you a drink while you’re waiting?” She spoke into the phone, “Cara, your grandfather wants you. Come at once.” She hung up and went over to the bar across the room. “Isn’t it nice, that you can snap your fingers, and Cara will be here playing for you? I’m so glad that I could give that to you. It makes me feel that I’m paying back some of the wonderful things you’ve done for me.”
“Does it?” His gaze was narrowed on her across th
e room. “Sometimes I’ve felt that you resented it.”
She must have slipped up somewhere, revealed too much. Think fast. “Not resented it,” she said gently. “It’s just that listening to Cara playing reminds me of Jenny and how much you loved listening to her playing the piano when I brought the girls to you before.” She turned and started back across the room to him. “And that brings back the thought that my Jenny is dead, and that breaks my heart.” She gave him his drink. “I’m sure that you can understand. You understand everything about me.”
“Yes.” He lifted his drink to his lips. “I thought I did. But I’m still learning. I look at Cara, and sometimes I see you in her. Sometimes my mother, sometimes I see myself.”
“As long as you’re pleased with her. After all, she’s my gift to you. Enjoy her.”
“Oh, I do.” He lifted his glass to her. “I couldn’t be more pleased with my gift.” He sat up eagerly, his head tilting. “I hear her in the foyer.” He called, “I’m in the mood for the Vivaldi tonight, Cara. Come in and get started.”
He was through with her, Natalie realized bitterly. But at least she’d managed to slide past that sticky spot. She forced a smile as she faded into the background as Cara came into the room. “Yes, by all means, entertain him, Cara. He’s been very kind to me tonight.” She could see Cara’s shoulders stiffen and the wariness in her expression. Good. She wanted her to be afraid. How would she react if she knew that Natalie had been talking to her father about Cara’s precious Eve Duncan?
Not yet. Eve was a weapon she could hold over Cara, and so far it had worked very well. Just a hint made Cara surprisingly meek and cooperative at the very threat of harm to Duncan. If she knew the threat was growing and about to become reality, it might boomerang.
Cara was still looking at her, her eyes wide and wary.
The child knew how she felt about her, Natalie realized suddenly. The girl had annoyed her so much that, many times, Natalie had not even tried to hide her feelings. Oh, well, she still had the control over her, and it would be a relief not to have to pretend except in the presence of her father. “Come along, Cara.” She moved toward the door. “Do what your grandfather asks while I get you a glass of lemonade to drink during your breaks.”