“I tried, but he was out of the office. So I talked to the head of the department. He couldn’t find the official paperwork on the results, but he finally tracked down some of the transcripts from the work in progress. Shall I tell you what they were?”
“Don’t bother.”
“I was in Atlanta and you took the call that day. When I came home, you told me that Bonnie had been found.”
“Yes, I did.”
“You deliberately lied to me.”
“Yes.”
The agony was exploding inside her. “How could you do that?” she whispered.
“How could I not do it?” Joe’s voice was harsh with pain. “I’d watched you suffer for twelve years. I’d seen you search for Bonnie in every one of those faces you re-created. It was a wound that never healed, that would never heal until you found Bonnie. Sarah Patrick searched all through that National Forest, and we’d almost given up hope when they found the skeleton. The chances of another skeleton being found there were practically nil at that point. So I prayed every night that skeleton would be Bonnie’s.” He threw the report on the desk with barely controlled violence. “And then it didn’t happen, goddammit. It was going to go on and on. But it didn’t have to. All I had to do was tell one lie, and you’d be at peace.”
“A terrible lie. You . . . cheated me.”
“You want me to say I’m sorry? I’m not sorry. Yes, I am. I’m sorry you found out and it’s hurting you. But I’d do it again if I thought I had a chance of keeping it from you.” His words came fast, hard, and full of passion. “I
love
you. You’ve been the center of my life for over twelve years. I’d do anything to take you away from the hell you’ve been going through all that time. I’d lie. I’d kill. Anything to keep the pain away.”
“Well, you didn’t do it.”
“No, I didn’t do it.”
Eve raised a shaking hand to her lips as she thought of something else. “Jesus, I received an official notification two weeks later, verifying the telephone call. You did that, too?”
“I bribed someone in the lab to do it for me. I knew you’d expect it.”
“You were very . . . thorough.”
“It was important to me. Maybe the most important action I’d taken in my life.” Joe was silent a moment, his face pale, strained. “So now what?”
“I don’t know. I trusted you, and you betrayed me in the most terrible way possible. I can’t even think.” Eve moved heavily toward the bedroom. “I’m going to bed. All I want to do is sleep.”
“You won’t sleep. You just want to get away from me.”
“I can’t look at you right now.”
“You
love
me, Eve.”
She did love him. She doubted if that could ever go away, and that was part of the pain she was feeling. “But could I ever trust you again? You don’t lie to people you love.”
“The hell you don’t.”
She shook her head and closed the bedroom door. She leaned back against it. Jesus, she felt empty. It was as if everything had been drained out of her, leaving nothing but an aching hole. Was Joe feeling this emptiness? No, he’d be full of sorrow for her, and anger and desperation at the situation. She knew him so well, his mind, his character, his body . . .
But not well enough. She’d never have guessed he’d do this.
She moved over to the bed and lay down, staring into the darkness.
“I made you some coffee.” Jane handed Joe the mug and sat on the porch step beside him.
“Thanks.” He set the coffee down on the step.
“Do you think we have a chance of getting Eve to eat something?”
He shook his head.
She didn’t look at him. “I eavesdropped, you know. I had to know why she was hurting.”
“Me.”
“Yeah. You shouldn’t have done it, Joe.”
He didn’t answer.
“Unless you were sure you wouldn’t get caught.”
He looked at her.
“I was sitting out by the lake with Toby, thinking that maybe I would have done the same thing if I hadn’t been scared of her finding out. She’s been really happy since we brought Bonnie home. I mean . . . that other little girl. So is it better for her to be happy or to be sad?” She shook her head. “I don’t know. . . .”
He should have known that Jane wouldn’t see everything in black or white. She had been in and out of foster homes since she was a baby and had seen too much in her short life. “Let me clarify. It was a wrong thing to do for a right reason.”
“You told her you’d do it again.”
“I probably would.” His lips twisted. “And that wasn’t a lie.”
“Well, be smarter about it next time.”
“There may not be a next time. I may not get the chance to be close enough to her to—” He rubbed his aching temple. “And I thought I was being smart, or at least careful. I bribed the supervisor who ran the test very well to lose that result sheet.”
“But he sent it to Eve. Did you make him mad?”
Joe shook his head. “And he didn’t even try to hit me up for more money.”
“What would you have done if he had?”
“Scared the hell out of him. Capel was money-hungry, but not stupid.” He sat up straighter. “I shouldn’t be talking like this to you. The welfare people would whisk you away from us in a heartbeat if they could hear me.”
“I wouldn’t go.” She leaned against his shoulder. “Screw them all.”
“And that comment would be another mark against me.” He put his arm around her. “I want to make sure of something, Jane. Don’t ever take my side against Eve. I’m wrong and she’s right. Do you understand?”
“Sure.”
“Then hadn’t you better go in and talk to Eve?”
She shook her head. “She won’t want me. Not when it’s about Bonnie. She’s never been sure how I . . . She’d worry about not hurting my feelings, and she’s hurting enough herself right now.”
He closed his eyes. “God, you’ve got that right.” He had felt her pain as if it were his own. It
was
his own.
She took his hand. “So maybe I’ll just stay out here with you for awhile. Okay?”
His hand tightened around Jane’s. “Okay.”
Eve was still awake when Joe came into the bedroom a few hours later.
He knelt beside the bed. “Don’t stiffen up. I won’t stay long. I won’t even touch you.” He was silent a moment. “I just want you to remember a couple things while you’re thinking what a bastard I am.”
“You’re not a bastard.”
“I want you to remember what we have together. I want you to remember what we are to each other.” He paused. “And sometime it’s going to occur to you that I lied because I wanted Bonnie out of our lives. It’s not true. If I’d thought you could heal and live a halfway normal life, I’d have kept searching for her till the day we died. But it’s still an open wound for you.” Eve could see his hand clench in the half darkness. “And it
hurts
me. I wish I’d known her. I wish she’d been our daughter. Then maybe you’d forgive me for doing this. Because I would have done the same thing if Bonnie had been mine. Do you believe me?”
“I believe . . . you believe it.”
Joe bent and rested his forehead on the bed only an inch from her hand, but not touching her. “I guess that’s all I can ask right now. The ball’s in your court, Eve.” He got to his feet and moved toward the door. “I’ll see you in the morning. Try to sleep.”
Not likely. Every word he’d spoken had been like little knives, tearing her apart.
He
was tearing her apart. She was so full of anger and a bitter sense of betrayal, and yet she had wanted desperately to reach out and comfort him. It seemed impossible that those conflicting emotions could exist side by side.
How could she stand this?
Jesus, she wished she could cry.
Jane knocked, then opened the door. “Hi, do you want me to fix some breakfast?” Her gaze went to the suitcase on the bed. “Uh-oh.”
“It’s after eight. You’ve missed the school bus.”
“Joe said it was okay if I stayed home today. He told me to take care of you.” She came into the room. “Where are you going?”
“I’m glad you didn’t go.” Eve put a smock and pair of jeans into the suitcase. “I thought we’d go and spend a week or two with my mother. Why don’t you go pack a bag?”
“Can I take Toby?”
“Of course. Mom loves that silly mutt.” She threw tennis shoes and socks into the bag. “We’ll do all kinds of neat things. Maybe go to the zoo to see the new pandas. What do you think about that?”
Jane didn’t answer; Eve glanced at her inquiringly.
Jane moistened her lips. “I know what Joe did. I listened last night. He feels real bad about it, Eve.”
“I know.” Eve went to the bathroom and brought back her toothbrush and an armful of toiletries. “I know he does, Jane.”
“Are you going to come back?”
“I don’t know right now. I can’t seem to think. I have to put some space and time between us. It was a . . . terrible thing he did, Jane.” She closed the suitcase. “I know you love Joe, but I can’t look at him every day without—” She swallowed hard. “Why don’t you go get packed?”
Jane slowly shook her head. “I’m going to stay here.”
“What?”
She crossed the room and put her arms around Eve. “You said you needed to think. I’d only get in the way. If I were you, I’d want to just hide my head under a blanket and not see anyone or anything.” She stepped back. “And besides, Joe needs me. He needs me a lot.”
“And you think I don’t?”
“Not now. Maybe later.” Jane smiled. “It doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you or don’t love you. You know that?”
“I know that.”
“Good.” Jane turned away. “I’ll fix you some breakfast before you leave. Bacon and eggs?”
“Fine.” Eve’s gaze followed Jane as she left the room. Jesus, the girl’s instincts were on target. Eve had felt guilty for wanting to run away and isolate herself from Joe and everything that reminded her of him. She had responsibilities, and Jane was one of them. But it seemed Jane had made her mind up, and Eve wasn’t included in that decision.
She was on her way to the closet to get another armful of clothes when the phone rang.
“Ms. Duncan, I’m sorry to trouble you,” Melton said when she picked up the phone. “But I felt bound to try one more time, since the task is so extremely urgent. I wonder if you’d reconsider your decision . . .”
“You won’t change your mind?” Joe asked. “I don’t like the idea of you traipsing off somewhere without my knowing more—” He stopped as he saw Eve’s expression. “Okay, it’s none of my business.” He frowned. “The hell it’s not. You’ll always be my business.”
Eve ignored the last remark. “Take care of Jane. I’ve told her I’ll call her every three days and touch base.” She picked up her suitcase. “I’ve called Mom and asked her to take Jane whenever you’re working.”
“Very efficient.”
“I’m trying to be.” She met his eyes. “It’s not easy right now, and concentrating on this job will help.”
“You won’t phone me?”
“Probably not. That would defeat the purpose.” She moved toward the door. “Good-bye, Joe.”
He watched her get into the car and drive down the road.
He felt hollow and lonely . . . and scared.
“Shit.” He turned, got out his phone, and dialed. “She’s gone,” he said when Logan picked up. “What did you find out about Melton?”
“Nothing really bad. Politically savvy. Elected to the Senate two years ago from Louisiana and done a fairly good job. He has friends in high places and may be up for the presidential nomination in a few years.”
“Why would he be connected with a hush-hush job like this reconstruction?”
“Search me.” Logan paused. “If you’re that concerned, you could follow her.”
“I told you what happened. Unless I have a damn good reason, she’s not going to want me on the same continent. Maybe not even then.”
“Well, I can’t give you a good reason yet. I’ll keep checking. Maybe you should just give her some time to herself. That would be the smart move.”
“I’m not feeling very smart right now. And I don’t want advice. Do you think I would have called you if I hadn’t known you knew every politician in Washington?”
“No, you’ve never forgiven me for that year I lived with Eve. You should know that’s water under the bridge. We’re just friends now.” Logan paused. “Which appears to be more than I can say for your relationship at the moment.”
“If you’re friends, then find a way to protect her. God knows I can’t do it right now.”
“She may not need protection.”
“I don’t like what was done to that grave. And Capel hasn’t shown up for work for the last four days.”
“I don’t see a connection with Eve’s trip.”
“I don’t, either. I just don’t like it. And I don’t like not being able to make sure there’s no connection.” Joe paused. “Get Galen to go to Baton Rouge, will you?”
“The U.S. government doesn’t exactly approve of Galen.”
“Tough.”
“And Galen is freelance. He takes jobs where he pleases.”
“You’re friends. Use it.”
“An order?”
“Please,” Joe said through gritted teeth. “Send Galen.”
“That’s better. I’ll ask him and call you back.”
Joe went back to the window, but Eve was already out of sight. Soon she’d be on that plane for Baton Rouge, traveling far away from him at jet speed.
She couldn’t be any farther away from him than she’d been a few minutes ago in this very room. She couldn’t wait to get away from him. The wall she’d put between them had been almost tangible, and her expression . . .
Forget the hurt. He couldn’t expect anything else. He should even have anticipated Eve would take this reconstruction job. Whenever she was in pain or lonely, she always submerged herself in her work.
And that’s what he should do. He’d take that tire print down to the precinct and then go see what he could find out about Capel.
Maybe if he kept himself busy enough, he might be able to block out the memory of Eve’s face before she’d walked out the door.
Maybe.
Chapter 3
A big, portly man in a dark blue suit hurried up to Eve as soon as she got off the plane. “Welcome to Baton Rouge, Ms. Duncan. I’m Paul Tanzer with the mayor’s office. Senator Melton thought you’d be more comfortable with a fellow southerner. He asked me to meet you and make sure you were comfortable. Did you have a good flight?”
“Fine.” It was a lie. It had been a lousy flight. The air had been smooth, but she’d felt hollow and alone and completely depressed every mile of the way. “I thought Senator Melton was going to be here.”
“He’ll be here tomorrow. He has to attend a fund-raiser dinner tonight in New York.” Tanzer was guiding her toward his Cadillac in a parking space. “But I’m going to get you settled. Don’t you worry, little lady.”
Eve gritted her teeth at that patronizing last sentence. “I’m not worried. I just want to get to work. That’s what I consider settled.”
“Very admirable.” Tanzer helped her into the car. “But I know you’ll want to see a little of Baton Rouge while you’re here. Actually, you’re very lucky the senator picked me to take care of you. I know everything that’s going on in this city. Is this your first visit?”
“Yes. I’m not much of a traveler.”
“Then by all means we must see that you get a taste of Baton Rouge.”
Tanzer wasn’t listening to her. “What hotel did you book me into?”
“Senator Melton decided it would be better if you didn’t stay at a hotel. We’ve rented a wonderful plantation house about an hour outside the city. It’s close to the church where you’ll be working. It will be much more pleasant for you to just stroll over the bridge, and I’m sure you’ll like your quarters. The house is very old and elegant. Of course, many things are old here in Baton Rouge. It has a real atmosphere of—”
“Wait.” She tried to slow him down. “I’m going to be working at a church?”
“Well, it used to be one. It’s been shut down for the last ten years. It was built in the 1800s and is pretty decrepit. Our city government can’t decide whether to tear it down or pour money into restoring it, and welcomed Senator Melton’s offer to rent it for awhile. Is there a problem?”
“I don’t care. If I’m on site, then maybe I could start this afternoon.”
“That’s not possible. We’ll have to wait for Senator Melton.” Tanzer beamed. “But I’ll tell him how eager you are to start. He’ll be very impressed with your initiative.”
“I don’t have any desire to impress Senator Melton.” Eve tried to hold onto her patience. After all, the man was just doing his job. “And if you’ll give me his number, I’ll tell him myself.”
“Certainly.” Tanzer wrote a number on one of his cards and handed it to her. “But it may be difficult to get in touch with him. He’s a very busy man. Now, let me point out a few of our local sights to you . . .”
Tanzer never ran out of either sights or conversation for the next hour. Eve was deeply grateful when he finally nodded at a white-columned house up ahead. “Here we are. I told you it was pleasant. Rather like Tara from
Gone with the Wind
. Very picturesque, and the bayou winding in front of it is quite lovely. It will be like being in Venice, and our weather isn’t bad at all this time of year.”
That’s what Joe had said. Eve quickly blocked the thought. Stop thinking about Joe. Easy to say. Joe was such an integral part of her life that everything reminded her of him.
Tanzer helped her out of the car. “Most of the house is closed, but you have quite a charming apartment. Four bedrooms and a lovely marble bath. There’s even a very well-stocked library. I’ve seen that there are several romance novels there for you.” He knocked on the door. “Marie Letaux is the cook and housekeeper. She’s Cajun, and has a real flair for the local cuisine. She comes highly recommended. We were very lucky to get her.” The door was opened by a small, dark-haired woman in her late thirties. “Good afternoon, Marie. This is Ms. Eve Duncan. I’ve just been telling her what a marvelous housekeeper you are and how well you’re going to take care of her.”
Marie Letaux gave him a cool glance. “I’m Madame Letaux. And she takes care of herself. I take care of the house and cooking.”
For the first time in two days Eve felt a smile tug at her lips as she saw Tanzer blink. “Absolutely right, Madame Letaux,” she said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The housekeeper looked at her appraisingly and then slowly nodded her head. “You may call me Marie.”
“Thank you.”
Tanzer forced a smile and turned to Eve. “I’ll just carry your suitcase up to your room. Isn’t this place as great as I told you?”
She glanced around the foyer. A gleaming oak floor led to a staircase that might have come straight from the house in the novel to which Tanzer had compared it. Fine wood everywhere and delicately painted murals on the walls. “It’s very nice.”
The bedroom was even nicer, with its fourteen-foot ceiling and huge four-poster bed. Eve threw her handbag on the satin-covered bed and went out on the wrought-iron balcony facing the bayou.
The view was lovely. The winding waters of the bayou snaked past the house, and cypress and willow trees formed a green veil over the banks. An arched footbridge crossed the murky waters leading to what appeared to be a mossy island. Near the bend of the bayou was a dark looming structure that she—
“Didn’t I say it was picturesque?” Tanzer said, behind her. “Now, how about going out to dinner at a nice seafood restaurant I know, and then I’ll take you for a tour of the city.”
Lord, he was persistent. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m tired and I just want to take a shower and rest. Thank you for the offer.”
He nodded. “You see? You couldn’t have worked anyway. It’s just as well that Senator Melton was delayed in New York.”
“I’m seldom too tired to work.” Eve turned back to the bayou. “Is that the church?”
“Yes.” Tanzer nodded at the ornate entrance of the huge crumbling structure a few hundred yards away. “See, it’s only a short distance.”
“It looks completely deserted.”
“Perhaps it is. I wouldn’t know.”
“Is that where the skull is now?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t told. It’s where you’ll be working.”
“Is there someone I should contact?”
“Senator Melton will know.”
It was like trying to draw blood from a turnip, and Eve had had enough. She held out her hand. “I won’t keep you any longer. Thank you for everything.”
“Oh.” Tanzer shook her hand. “You’re sure you’ll be all right?”
“I’ll be fine. Thank you.”
“Well, you only have to call my office if you change your mind. I’m at your disposal.”
“I’ll remember.” She waited until he’d left the bedroom before crossing to the phone on the desk to dial the number on the card.
“I brought your towels.” Marie stood in the doorway.
“Thank you. I’ll be with you to help in a moment.”
“Why? This is my job.” She crossed the room and disappeared into the bathroom.
Melton was not at the hotel, and Eve had to leave a voice mail. Great. Just great. She didn’t need to spin her wheels this evening. She needed to work until she was so exhausted she could sleep tonight.
“Do you need help unpacking?” Marie had come back into the room.
“No, thanks. I didn’t bring much.” Eve smiled. “And I don’t want to impose on you. That isn’t your job.”
“Unless I choose.” Marie smiled back at her. “There’s nothing shameful about being a servant. It’s hard, honorable work. I just don’t like being patronized by a
trou du cul
.” She turned to leave. “Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes.”
What was a
trou du cul
? She had an idea, but she’d have to see if she could find it in a French-English dictionary in that library Tanzer had mentioned.
She went back onto the balcony and looked at the main entrance of the church. There might be someone there. Maybe she’d take a walk over there after dinner. . . .
But that dinner was going to be ready in thirty minutes and she should take a quick shower. She’d have to hurry. If she was late, she wouldn’t be surprised if Marie threw the meal into the bayou.
And what was a
trou du cul
? . . .
“This is delicious.” Eve ate the last bite of food on her plate. “What is it?”
“Spezzatino di Manzo coi Fagioli,”
Marie said.
“And that is?”
Marie grinned. “Beef stew.”
“Is it a Cajun recipe?”
“No, Italian. I don’t only specialize in Cajun food.” She made a face. “I know Tanzer probably pigeonholed me in a neat little corner of his mind, but I’m not as predictable as he’d like.”
“It’s not like any beef stew I’ve ever eaten. What’s in it?”
“Everything. But I can’t tell you. It’s my mother’s recipe and it’s a big secret. If I told you, then I’d have to kill you.”
The woman’s humor no longer surprised Eve. She had found Marie’s conversation interesting and her knowledge well rounded. Marie was unusual, to say the least. “Heaven forbid. Your mother taught you to cook?”
“Partly. I went to the cuisine school in New Orleans after I left the university. I was going to be this magnificent, temperamental chef who would dazzle all the world with my delicious concoctions.”
“Well, you dazzled me. You changed your mind?”
Marie shrugged. “Life changed it. I got pregnant and I had to make adjustments. You can’t take chances when you have to care for a baby.”
“You have a child?”
“A boy. Well, a man. Pierre’s at Tulane University in New Orleans himself now. He’s very smart and kind. He’s going to be a wonderful physician, but it takes a lot of money.” She looked at Eve. “You have children?”
“I have an adopted daughter, Jane. She’s only twelve, but she’s pretty wonderful, too.”
“Then you understand how I feel about Pierre,” Marie said soberly. “I would do anything for him. He’s my whole world.”
“Yes, I do understand.”
“Good.” The housekeeper drew a deep breath. “More wine?”
Eve shook her head. “I need to keep a clear head. I thought I’d walk over to the church and see if I can find something to do.”
“What work do you do?”
“I’m a forensic sculptor.” That was seldom explanation enough. “I reconstruct faces from skulls.”
“I saw something on the television about that.” Marie made a face. “Very creepy.”
“It all depends how you look at it. You get used to it.” Eve got to her feet. “Thank you for a great meal, Marie.”
“Who are you going to . . .” She searched for the word. “Reconstruct?”
“I try not to know. I might be influenced. Will I see you when I get back?”
Marie shook her head. “I’ll wash up and go home.”
“Where do you live?”
“I have my own house in the city. The key to the front door is on the table in the foyer. I’ll lock the back door. I’ll be back at seven in the morning to fix your breakfast.”
“I’ll see you then.” But Eve hoped she’d be up and working by that time. “Good-bye, Marie.”
Marie smiled and turned away.
Nice woman, Eve thought as she left the house. Thank God, she would have someone around that she liked and understood in this strange place. She was already feeling more at home here.
A few minutes later she was walking across the bridge spanning the bayou. This ancient church was a strange choice for a work site, she thought. Or maybe not. It was certainly private enough, and Melton had stressed confidentiality.
The brass knocker on the huge double doors made a resounding noise.
No answer.
She knocked again.
Silence, dammit.
Well, it had been a long shot anyway. She knocked one more time, waited for a few minutes, and then turned away and started back toward the bridge. It was clear she’d have to be patient and wait until tomorrow.
But Eve didn’t want to be patient. She wanted to get to work. Why couldn’t Melton have been here as he’d prom—
What was that?
She stopped, her gaze flying back to the main entrance of the church.
Had someone come to the door and called her?
The door was still shut.
Yet she would swear someone had called her. The impression had been so vivid . . .
Well, it hadn’t happened. It was probably a case of so badly wanting that door to open.
It was still early, but she’d go to bed and try to sleep. When she woke, she’d grab some breakfast and try the church again.
She stopped before going back into the house to glance back at the church.
The door was still shut.
Déjà vu.
She had a sudden memory of last week, when she’d had that sense of . . . something . . . up on Bonnie’s hill.
Not Bonnie. It wasn’t Bonnie. That had all been a lie.
But maybe that feeling she’d had on the hill had not been a lie. Maybe the bastard who’d later desecrated the grave had been there.
But this feeling was . . . different. She would swear she’d heard someone call.
Nonsense. It was because her nerves were stretched taut and she was an emotional wreck. The only thing she’d heard calling her was the work she’d been hoping to do tonight. Everything would be better after a good night’s sleep.
Eve woke three hours later and barely managed to get her head over to the side of the bed before she threw up.
“Oh, God.”
Sick. So sick.
She staggered down the hall toward the bathroom, but threw up twice before she reached it.
Her stomach wouldn’t stop wrenching. Pain. Nausea.
She dropped to the floor beside the toilet.
She threw up again and again and again.
The stew . . .
Her ribs hurt. She couldn’t breathe.
Food poisoning . . .
She was going to die.
Bonnie.
She threw up again.
Nobody was here. Empty house. No one to help her.
Get to the phone.
She was too weak to walk. She crawled back down the hall to the bedroom. It was a million miles away and she had to stop to heave several times.
Her ribs . . .
The phone . . . 911. No dial tone.
She tried the operator. “Help . . . me. Please, help . . .”
The phone dropped from her hand. She was going to pass out.