No, there would never be enough. “It’s as close as you can come?”
She nodded. “I did the best I could. I think it may be a good best.”
“So do I.” Catherine cleared her throat. “Will you print it out? I’d also like you to send it to my cell phone.”
“Done.”
She didn’t speak for a moment. “You know I can’t thank you enough. I owe you. Ask me anything, and I’ll do it.”
“Find Luke,” Eve said. “Bring him home alive and well.”
“I will,” she said fiercely. “But that’s for me. I have to pay you back. Name it.”
“I’ll think about it.” Eve slipped from her stool. “But in the meantime, you can make me a cup of coffee.” She flexed her neck and back. “I’m stiff as a board.”
“I’ll do it.” Kelly was already halfway across the room. “Catherine?”
“Yes.” Catherine wrinkled her nose. “You persist in taking away my jobs.”
“Pushy.” Kelly smiled over her shoulder. “Daddy used to say I was—” She broke off as she went behind the bar of the kitchenette. “He was right.”
“Nothing wrong with a little assertiveness, Catherine,” Eve said. “I believe both you and I are prone to be a little forceful.”
“True.” Catherine sat down at the bar. “But I understand there should be a balance.”
“Have you ever found it?”
Catherine smiled. “No.” Her smile faded. “I mean it. I’ll find a way to give you whatever you want. But in the meantime, I know you want me out of here, and I’ll oblige as soon as I can get my things together. I know a lot about the art of disappearing. In a few hours, you’ll find it hard to remember I was here.”
“I’ll remember.” She took the cup of coffee Kelly set before her. “You’re hard to forget. So is Luke.” She smiled at Kelly. “And so is our young friend. Have you found anything in that report to give you any insight into where Rakovac might have hidden Luke?”
“No, not yet.”
“Then what are you planning to do?”
“As I told you, I have friends in Moscow. I’ll do my own surveillance, and I may twist some arms.” Her lips tightened. “I’ll do anything I have to do. I just hope there’s something in that report that will give me a start. It contains years of surveillance reports I’ll have to comb through.”
“Let me do it,” Kelly offered.
“No,” Catherine said emphatically. “After I finish this coffee, we’re going to have a discussion about where you’re going to go until you can make other arrangements.”
“I’m either going with you, or it’s none of your business where I go,” Kelly said quietly. “You can discuss all you please. I won’t impose on Eve, and I won’t—”
Catherine’s cell phone rang.
She stiffened. “Rakovac.”
She punched the button. “What do you want?”
“You’re being rude. You know I don’t tolerate that, Catherine. I wonder why you’re suddenly so brave.”
She should back down. It wasn’t safe for Luke. “You just called me. What else could you have to say?”
“A good deal. I’ve decided it’s time to bring our relationship to a close. I can’t tell how I’ll regret having to do that, but circumstances are crowding me.”
She didn’t like where this conversation was going. “What circumstances?”
“A change of lifestyle. I’m afraid you have no part in it.” He paused. “Neither does your obsession for your son.”
Her heart was starting to pound. “Then let him go.”
“I can’t do that. You’ll have to come and get him.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been busy since I last called you. I paid a visit to your Luke’s grave and had him dug up so that I could give you a little challenge.”
“You’re lying.”
“Why won’t you believe me? He was five years old when I shot him.” He paused. “Is your friend Eve Duncan there with you?”
“Yes.”
“Good, because the challenge is for her, too. She’s being such a help to you. I’m going to let her do the final rites.”
Catherine was beginning to feel sick with panic. Nightmare on top of nightmare. “She has nothing to do with this. It’s only a job to her.”
“But I’ve been investigating her background, and I believe she can’t be a part of something without becoming personally involved. She annoyed me by deciding to interfere in our private affairs.”
“It’s over. I’m leaving here.”
“With your precious age progression to speed you on. It’s bogus, Catherine. What a pity. All her work for nothing.” His voice lowered. “But I have more work for her to do. Providing that she chooses to set your mind at rest. I have a skull for her to work on. Ask me to whom it belongs.”
“Why? You’ll tell me, and it will be a lie.”
“Will it? Come and find out. Come play hide-and-seek. It’s a splendid game, the final game. Find out if I’m lying about your son. You’ll get a prize if you do.”
“What kind of prize?”
“A quick death…maybe. As for your interfering friend, Duncan, I may let the people she cares about live.”
“Not Eve?”
“I’m trying to be honest with you. I want her dead. Her lover, Quinn, and daughter, Jane, are negotiable.” He added maliciously, “One way or another, you’ll know your son is going to be in his grave by the end of the month. I make you that promise. Now all you have to do is find out if he’s there already, or if I have to kill him to keep that promise.”
“He’s not dead. You wouldn’t do it.”
“You’re gambling. Come and find out for yourself. I’ll give you a series of clues that will lead you to your son. The first is in the photo I’ve just sent you. I have a passion for photos, they keep the memories fresh. Access it when you hang up.”
“Wait. Don’t—”
He had already hung up. Her hands were shaking as she quickly accessed the photo in her phone.
It was the photo of the skeleton of a child lying on a pile of earth beneath a twisted tree. The bones were stained with dirt, and a hole gaped in the center of the skull.
She made a whimpering noise deep in her throat. She closed her eyes a moment as the waves of pain hit her.
“May I see it?” Eve took her phone and gazed at the photo for a long time.
“Eve?”
Eve drew a shaking breath. “Damn him. It could be a fake, but it appears to be authentic.”
Catherine’s eyes flicked open. “How old?”
“Hard to tell.”
“Five?”
“Possibly.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s a fake. He’s just doing it to hurt me.”
“Well, he succeeded, didn’t he?” Eve’s face was drained of color as she stood up and moved jerkily toward the door. “I’ll be right back. I need some air.”
Catherine stared after her in bewilderment.
“It’s the photo,” Kelly said quietly. “The skeleton. She’s thinking about her daughter. It’s hurting her.”
Of course, Catherine realized. She had been too deep in her own pain to think of Eve’s. But Kelly had read those signs.
“I’m on the outside,” Kelly said, as if reading her thoughts. “Sometimes it helps. Should we go after her?”
“No.” Catherine’s gaze shifted back to the photo. It couldn’t be Luke. Oh God, don’t let it be Luke. “She wouldn’t thank us. She’ll be back when she’s ready.”
Chapter
8
Eve walked quickly, feverishly, down the path toward the lake.
Those bones, those poor pitiful bones.
A child tossed carelessly into the earth naked and alone.
She would not cry. Too late. She could feel dampness on her cheeks.
Stupid. Lord, how many skeletons had she seen in her career? Why had this one struck such an agonizing resonance? She should be
harder, more calloused.
“That’s never going to happen, Mama.”
Bonnie.
Eve looked ahead on the path and saw Bonnie leaning against a pine tree forty feet away. The sunlight was tangling in her red curls, and she was smiling.
“Someday it might,” Eve said. “I can’t go on bleeding inside every time I see a skeleton. It’s not professional.” She wiped her eyes. “And I’m very professional. Bonnie.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Stop smiling. No, don’t.” She stopped on the path. “I need to see you smile. Why are you here?”
“Because I wanted to be here. Because you wanted me. Isn’t that a good reason?”
She drew a shaky breath. “It’s a wonderful reason. But I think that you have another agenda.”
“Agenda.” Bonnie chuckled. “Now that’s a very professional word. Yes, I have an agenda.” Her smile disappeared, and she said gently, “My agenda is to help soften the pain. That photo rocked you and sent you reeling back to what you felt when I was taken. It hurts me when you feel like that, Mama. I want it to go away.”
“Rakovac doesn’t want it to go away. Those bones…such a small child.” She whispered. “Like you, baby, such a little girl.”
“But it’s over, Mama.” She paused. “For me. I keep telling you that. I know it’s not for you. And maybe not for Luke. Don’t think about me. Don’t let that picture make you sad. Or if it does, not for me.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course it made me sad.” She swallowed. “But now I’m getting angry.”
“Good. That’s much healthier.”
“And you’re being very wise and superior. I’m not sure I like it.”
“You like it. You like everything about me.”
“You’re very confident, young lady.”
“I have a right to be. My spirit status allows a few privileges. Now go in and talk to Catherine. You’re feeling a little better, but she’s still hurting. She’s been hurting for such a long time.”
“I know. That doesn’t mean I can solve her problems.” She turned and headed for the cottage. “Or that I’ve even decided to try.”
“That’s true,” Bonnie said. “I’m sure that it will at least take you until you reach the front porch to think it all out and come to a decision.”
“Brat.” Wonderful, beloved brat.
“Be careful, Mama…”
She didn’t have to look behind her to know that Bonnie was no longer there.
No sadness. Bonnie didn’t want it. Not for her.
But the sadness was still there, and the anger.
Oh yes, the anger.
“Are you okay?” Catherine asked, as Eve came in the door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset—”
“I’m fine,” Eve interrupted. “I just had to get away and do some thinking.” She went over to the sink and got a glass of water. “And I was upset. I’m still upset.”
“I told you, the photo has to be a fake. He’ll do anything to hurt me.”
“Or to lure you to come into his web and find out for yourself if it was a fake,” Eve said. “I’d say that was the principal reason for that photo. Shock value, then to draw you to him. He even said as much.”
“But he also threatened you, Eve.” She shook her head. “I never meant that to happen. I wanted your help. I didn’t want to lead him to you.”
“I realize it wasn’t deliberate.” She smiled crookedly. “Although we both know that you would have probably run the risk even if you’d known that he’d be on our doorstep. That’s the way obsession works. Take it from someone who knows.”
Catherine hesitated. “Yes, but I would have protected you. I wouldn’t have let him hurt you. I won’t let him hurt you now.”
“It’s not up to you. Not any longer.” She took Catherine’s phone again and gazed down at the pitifully macabre skeleton in the photo. “I hate this. I don’t care if it’s your Luke or some other helpless child. I hate it. I hate the brutality of the act and the use of this child’s murder to help Rakovac get what he wants. These monsters think they can kill and kill and kill again. Not this time.” Her lips tightened. “I’m not going to let it happen.” She glanced at Catherine. “We’re not going to let it happen. I don’t want to hear any more bullshit about you protecting me. Whatever happens, Joe and I will take care of ourselves and Jane.”
“You’re shutting me out,” Kelly said. “Don’t do that. Let me help.”
“Kelly, I don’t even know what I’m going to do yet,” Catherine said.
“She knows.” Kelly nodded at Eve. “Don’t you, Eve?”
Eve nodded. “I know I’m going to talk to Joe. That comes first. I know we’re going to examine this photo that Rakovac says contains the first clue in his damn game. We’re going to find it and try to figure a way to push him to the next step without getting killed.” She met Catherine’s eyes. “And then you’re going to find a way for us to get into Russia without Rakovac’s being aware that we’re there.”
Catherine went still. “You’re actually going with me?”
“Hell, yes. I’m going to find out if that child is Luke. If he’s not, I’m going to find out who he is and who killed him.” She tapped the photo. “This wasn’t only a gauntlet tossed down for you, Catherine. Rakovac has obviously studied me, too. He knew seeing that skeleton would hurt me and make me think of Bonnie. He says he wants me to do a reconstruction and find out if that poor kid is Luke?” Her jaw set. “Well, I’m going to do it and find a way to make it boomerang and send him straight to hell.”
Catherine stared at her in surprise. Then she started to laugh. “I didn’t think that you’d react like this. Where’s all your cool, professional reasoning?”
“He shouldn’t have sent that photo. I’m going to call Joe. You start thinking of contacts in Russia that can help us.” She turned to Kelly, and ordered, “You finish Cindy.”
“I want to—”
“I don’t care what you want,” Eve said. “We have enough to worry about, saving one child. You’re not much more than a child yourself. We’re not going to have you put in danger or getting in our way while we’re doing it.”
Kelly gazed at her for a moment, then turned and sat down at the worktable. “You’re wrong. But I’ll do what you wish. I’ll finish Cindy.”
“Thank you.” Eve whirled and went out on the porch again to make her call to Joe.
“Am I going to be able to talk you out of it?” Joe asked tersely.
Eve braced herself. “No. It has to be done.”
“And, of course, you have to be the one to do it.”
“I have to help. He can’t be allowed to go on. If you could have seen that photo—”
“I don’t doubt that it was enough to send you into a tailspin.” Joe was silent a moment and gave a low curse. “I knew it. I could see it coming.”
“I need you to protect Jane. You don’t have to be involved.”
“Of course I’ll see that she’s protected. And you know damn well that I’m going to be involved,” he added. “And I’m curious to know why Rakovac has suddenly decided that his persecution of Catherine has to come to an end. He’s obviously enjoying it. After all these years, it would have to take something monumental to cause him to stop. What does Venable say about it?”
“Catherine hasn’t told him about Rakovac’s latest call, but Venable’s attitude has been…vaguely noncommittal regarding what’s been going on between Rakovac and the CIA.”
“Other than that they might have to take Rakovac out. That’s a pretty radical action. I believe we’ll have to probe a little into Venable’s reasons. The situation may be even more volatile than he’s telling you.”
“That wouldn’t surprise me. He appears to be alternating between trying to keep Catherine from interfering and a genuine concern about the boy.”
“He probably is concerned. As much as he permits himself to be. I’ve worked with him before, and he’s not a bad guy. Just all CIA.??
?
“He’d have to be to let Luke be held by that bastard all these years just to keep international relations on an even keel. I can’t understand him.”
“No, you wouldn’t be able to fathom that kind of thinking,” Joe said. “But evidently Catherine understands, even if she doesn’t condone.” He added, “I’m going to call Jane and tell her what’s happening. The last we heard from her, she was in London. Right?”
“Yes. But warning isn’t enough, Joe.”
“No, I’ll also call on Venable and get him to assign her protection. And, remember, Jane has friends in Scotland who will look out for her if they’re put on the alert.”
Yes, she did, Eve thought. And some of those friends were more lethal than Rakovac could ever hope to be. John MacDuff, Jock Gavin, and Caleb were formidable. “Then by all means give them a call. I want her surrounded.” She paused. “And she’s so damn stubborn.”
“Just like the company she keeps,” he said dryly. “You’re sure that I can’t talk you out of this? If you want the kid out, I’ll go in and get him by myself.”
“And run the risk of getting him killed. Rakovac wants Catherine, and if we can tease him with an occasional glimpse, we might be able to strike a balance that will let us grab Luke without sacrificing Catherine.”
“And is she agreeing to stake herself out?”
“We haven’t discussed it. It’s my take on the best way of handling him. But Catherine wouldn’t blink about doing anything that had a chance of working. She’s desperate. I’m hanging up now. I’ve got to go back in and see what we can do about finding a place for Kelly to go.”
“At least you’re not planning on taking her with you,” Joe said. “That would not be smart.”
“Actually, it might be very smart, but not in the least humane. She’s fourteen. Call me after you’ve talked to Jane.” She hung up.
She felt immensely relieved. Joe would make sure that Jane was safe, and that was the most important thing. He’d be on Venable, probing, demanding and digging until everything was out in the open.
“Eve?”
She turned to see Catherine standing in the doorway. “Joe is taking care of making sure that my adopted daughter, Jane, is safe.”