Hunting Eve (24 page)

“At Doane’s house.”

“Could he be following you?”

“Yes, but I’m fairly sure he’s not.”

“Okay, putting aside that bit of news … What in the hell was Blick doing back in Goldfork? It looks like he tried to destroy the house with that gas explosion.”

This was a bit awkward. “Actually, that was sort of my handiwork.”

Venable muttered a curse. “I suppose I should have known.”

“Why should you have known? It was purely in self-defense.” She paused. “Is there anything left of the house?”

“Yeah. Most of it is fine. Just a couple rooms upstairs were damaged. Evidence teams are there now. They really want to talk to you.”

“Later.” Kendra drove in silence for a moment. It would probably have been better for her if the place had burned to the ground. She had an idea what his next question was going to be. She wasn’t surprised when it came.

“So what did you find in that staircase, Kendra?”

“The staircase?”

“I received pictures. A panel on the landing was destroyed. More of your handiwork?”

“Yes.”

“So what did you find?”

She braced herself. She hated this. “Nothing. We were still fishing around in there when Blick showed up. I was just going to suggest that your people give it a closer look. Doane went to a lot of trouble to make that secret compartment.”

A long moment of silence. “We searched and came up with zilch. Are you positive you didn’t find the disk?”

“No disk.”

“Or anything else?”

Damn, she hated to lie. “I’m positive.”

Another pause. He didn’t believe her.

Tit for Tat. She wasn’t sure she believed anything he’d told her about that disk either.

She looked down at the tattered notebook on the console beside her. Not yet, Venable.

“Okay,” he finally said.

“Have the forensics guys pulled anything else from Doane’s car?”

“Not a lot. That was gold dust in the trunk, but it wasn’t especially pure.”

“Unprocessed?”

“It was processed, but not in the way that it usually is these days. They found traces of cyanide in it.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“It’s actually not uncommon. Cyanide is one of the chemicals used to extract impurities from the gold. But the thing is that the gold dust we found in Doane’s car wasn’t processed like most gold is today.”

“What do you mean?”

“Most gold undergoes a type of electrolysis to further separate it from other minerals. That wasn’t done in this case. It’s almost as if…”

“What?”

“That the gold dust we found may have been processed over a hundred years ago.”

Kendra let that sink in for a moment. What in the hell was going on here? “Interesting.”

“Yeah. I’m not sure what it means, but I thought you’d like to know.”

“I do. Thanks.”

“Always willing to cooperate. Cooperation is very important, Kendra.” The words couldn’t have been more laden with sarcasm.

Sorry, Venable.

“So what’s your next move?” Venable asked. “Or am I allowed to ask?”

She hesitated while she decided whether or not to tell him. What the hell. “We’re going down to the southern part of the state, in the coverage area of the radio stations on Doane’s car stereo.”

“We’ve been looking at that part of the state ourselves. It’s a pretty big coverage area.”

“I know.”

“And did you say ‘we’?”

“Margaret is still with me.”

“Good God.” Venable chuckled. “It sounds like you’re a team. Shades of Thelma and Louise. How did that happen?”

“Long story. And we are
not
a team. Thelma and Louise? I find nothing laudatory in being compared to two idiotic women who drove off into the Grand Canyon. I’ll be in touch, Venable.”

Kendra cut the connection.

“Thelma and Louise?” Margaret asked drowsily. “Grand Canyon?”

Kendra glanced over and saw Margaret’s eyes were open. “I thought you were sound asleep. How much did you hear?”

“From the beginning. Only from your side, but it was enough to put most of the conversation together. I was sound asleep, but I seem to have a built-in alarm for things I need to hear. Thelma and Louise?”

“It’s an old movie. I’m not sure you were even born then, but it’s kind of a classic.”

“I like classics but more in the Frank Capra vein. That was a happier age. Anyone who drives a car into the Grand Canyon strikes of craziness or despair. Not my cup of tea.”

“I can see that. Not mine either. Which is why Venable’s comparison annoyed me.”

“One reason,” Margaret said quietly. “The main reason is that you’re still having trouble with my coming with you. You’ll get used to me, Kendra.” She smiled. “You might even be glad I came. I know that you like to work by yourself and be totally independent, but that can also be lonely.”

“I’m used to being lonely. I was blind until I was twenty.” She paused. “That sounded as if I was sorry for the way I grew up. I didn’t mean it like that. I had my mother, who was completely supportive and wonderful. I had a best friend, Olivia, and a few other friends who managed to tolerate my rather abrasive personality. The loneliness was my fault. There were times when I drew into myself and lived there.” She chuckled. “Because I was damn good company.”

“Really?” Margaret murmured demurely. “I haven’t noticed.”

“Ouch.” Kendra glanced at her in surprise. “That was a sharp little jab. Not what I was expecting from Miss Sunshine and Light.”

“Expect it. I’m only human. I believe in being cheerful and looking for the sun. But I also believe in being honest, and you left yourself wide open.” She straightened on the seat. “You can be abrasive, but I like it. It’s … stimulating.”

“I’m so glad I meet with your approval,” Kendra said dryly. “And I hope I’ve put your worries about my loneliness to rest.” She tilted her head. “What about you? Did I detect a hint of empathy? You appear to be something of a loner yourself.”

She shook her head. “No, I like people. I like to be with them and interact and feel their energy flow to me. The human race is a wonderful thing. Are you asking me if I need them?”

“Well, you seem to be leaning toward the animal kingdom.”

“I like animals, too. And they can be very restful in comparison to people. They have simpler motivations. Food, shelter, procreation are central. But they also have emotional responses and often a sense of humor.” She smiled. “It took me a while to be able to read those responses. After I ran away from home when I was eight, I lived off the land for three years. I was almost totally without human contact. That’s when I learned the most about them.”

“You ran away from home?”

“I didn’t have a wonderful, supportive mother like you. She died when I was born. My father … was not kind. I decided it was time to go away and cheat him of the welfare check he was getting for me.” She smiled cheerfully. “The only other attractive option was to persuade the Doberman down the street to tear his throat out.”

“I … see.”

“No, you don’t. You’re a little shocked that I’d say something like that much less think it. You’re getting a glimpse of my dark side, which pops out now and then.”

“I’m not shocked. I’m sorry that you were abused as a child. I hate it when children or animals are being hurt. That Doberman idea didn’t sound all that bad to me.”

“It was just a passing thought. I wouldn’t really get a helpless dog into trouble like that. I just couldn’t think of a way to do it myself.”

“Three years living off the land is a long time.”

“I enjoyed it. I was almost sorry when I decided I wanted to learn things that I couldn’t in the woods. But then I found this wonderful couple, Bill and Laura Skanner, who lived on a farm in the next county, didn’t believe that the law was always right, and thought that kids shouldn’t be caught in the middle. They liked me, and I liked them, and I stayed with them for two years.”

“And your father?”

“I don’t know.” She met Kendra’s eyes. “I never looked back.”

The words were clear and bold and yet held a hint of poignancy, Kendra thought. Or perhaps she was reading something that wasn’t there into them. Maybe that was Margaret’s philosophy of life.

“And what happened to the couple that you lived with during those years?”

“Bill and Laura had a few problems, but we straightened them out, and now they’re living happily ever after.”

“Do you see them?”

“Sometimes. But they’re better off without me. I’m not cut out for happily ever after.” She took out her cell phone and glanced at it. “I got another call from Jane while I was asleep.” She didn’t listen to the voice mail as she gazed at Kendra. “I’m not going to ignore another call just because it’s hard for me to deal with. I only did it because I was hoping that maybe no one would tell her about Goldfork since she was in the hospital and couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Well, evidently Venable wasn’t in a protective mood when he heard about the blowup there. He wanted answers, and he went to Jane to see if she could get them for him.” Kendra frowned. “And he didn’t believe me when I told him we hadn’t found anything. So we’ll probably have him on our trail right away.”

“But you told him where we were going anyway.”

“That was about Eve. I didn’t have a right to keep anything about the search from him. The journal … I don’t know. That may be another story and not one Venable was entirely honest about.” She glanced down at the journal. “And I think we should get this out of our hands and into a safe place as soon as we reach Mineral County. It may not only be Blick who wants to get hold of it.”

“Okay.” Margaret took the journal. “But I want to read it cover to cover before we get there. It’s pretty rambling, but there may be something that will strike a note. Maybe not immediately but when I look back on it.”

“I should do that.”

“Because you have such a fantastic memory and can put everything together and come out with dazzling answers?” Margaret asked. “And I’m just a kid who you don’t trust to remember how to tie the laces on her own tennis shoes?”

“Yes.”

“Then pull over and let me drive. We’ll take turns at the wheel while the other one sleeps. Not that you’ll sleep right now. You can do the first read of the journal.” She smiled. “I don’t mind your being the dazzling one. Though I should tell you that I probably have a better memory than you do. You were trained by your blindness. I was trained by having to remember obscure trails and animals and having to put all of the signs together during very distracting circumstances. Often when I was on the run. Ever been chased by a bull moose?”

“No.” Kendra pulled over to the side of the road. “I’ve never had that privilege. I’m not looking forward to it in the future.” She smiled faintly. “And you almost had me convinced how superior you might be until I remembered what you said about my not thinking you could remember to tie the laces on your tennis shoes.” She came around the car and opened the passenger door for Margaret to get out of the car. “You’re not even wearing tennis shoes even though it’s cold as hell here in Colorado right now. You’re still wearing those stupid leather thongs.”

“Oops.” Margaret gazed ruefully down at her feet. “I meant to change. I just didn’t seem to have the time. Things were happening.”

“I’m sure they were.” Explosions and bullets flying and Margaret keeping calm and steady through it all. “But you have time now. Get those tennis shoes out of your suitcase and put them on before you start driving.”

“Good idea.” She reached into the backseat. “Thanks for reminding me.”

No resentment. Someone else might have been a little annoyed to be told what to do, Kendra thought. Yet there was no lack of self-respect or independence in Margaret’s attitude. She was beginning to realize that the girl was unique in a multitude of ways and possessed an inner strength that was fairly incredible.

Then why the hell did Kendra still feel the need to protect and guide her?

“There.” Margaret double-tied the second New Balance shoe and jumped out of the car. “That feels better.” She grinned knowingly at Kendra. “And it will make you feel better, won’t it?”

Kendra didn’t answer directly. “It’s much more sensible. I can’t see how you could stand traipsing around in this weather with feet that were practically bare.”

“I just close it out.” Margaret ran around the car and slipped into the driver’s seat. “And keep moving. That’s the trick. You just keep moving.” She looked out the windshield at the snow-covered mountains in the distance. “But it would be harder up there. I hope Eve isn’t…” She shook her head. “Wishful thinking doesn’t do any good. Jane says Eve is strong. She’ll do what she has to do.” She started the car. “And so will we. Right, Kendra?”

Kendra’s gaze followed hers to the mountains, then she glanced down at the journal on her lap. We. The inference of togetherness was both clear and deliberate. Margaret wanted a commitment. What the hell. Why not give it to her? It could be an uneasy partnership, but she was beginning to believe that Margaret would never fail her when the chips were down. “Right, Margaret. That’s the only thing we can do.”

She opened the journal and began to read.

Gwinnett Hospital

“MINERAL COUNTY.” JANE
repeated with frustration, her hand tightening on the phone. “Where in Mineral County, Venable?”

“Kendra said she’d be in touch.”

“Great. She didn’t answer my calls. Neither did Margaret.”

“They still consider you on the disabled list. They didn’t want to worry you. Kendra didn’t like it one bit that I called you and told you about Goldfork.” He paused. “But I think that more happened there than she told me about. If you do get in touch with her, you might ask a few questions.”

“Count on it. And I’ll probably ask them in person. I should be discharged sometime before noon today. It would be sooner, but it’s hard to get hold of doctors early in the day. Caleb has been trying to get them here to check me, but it’s been like pulling teeth.”

“Wait a minute. Quinn will kill me if I caused you to break out of there.”

“I’m not breaking out. I’m getting a clean bill of health from my doctors. I’ve just got an okay from one of them. As soon as Caleb manages to get the other two specialists here, it will be all over. They’ll all talk and argue, then decide to let me out of here.”