She quickly shied away from the thought of him. When she remembered Joe in that hospital, she couldnt focus on anything else.
You know we should leave this vicinity.
No, Joe may need me.
Youre not being reasonable. You cant even go to
I dont care. She couldnt leave Joe, not when she didnt know whether he was going to live or die. Just find us a place to stop for a while. I need to think.
Ive already been thinking. I believe we should contact Peter Brown, the reporter on that Atlanta newspaper.
Maybe. She rubbed her aching temple. But hes Joes friend. We really need Joe to
Joe again. They needed Joe. She needed Joe.
The memories came flooding back. Joe stopping by her lab to nag her for working too hard. Joe joking with her, talking quietly and
Just relax, Logan said. We dont have to de-cide anything this minute. Ill drive for a while and see if I can find somewhere unobtrusive to park.
Logan stopped at a McDonalds ten miles south of Gainesville and bought burgers and Cokes to go. He pulled off the highway and drove on a bumpy dirt road for another five miles, then stopped several yards from a large pond.
This should be private enough. Logan turned off the engine. Though theres probably a farm-house over that next hill. Its not easy finding a spot of wilderness in this day and age.
How far are we from the hospital?
Driving fast, forty minutes. He got out of the car, grabbed Bens case, and came around and opened her door. Come on, lets walk down by that pond. I think we both need some exercise.
Anything to release a little of this tension. She picked up her handbag and joined him.
The pond was muddy and the bank slippery. It must have rained recently. The sun was starting to go down, casting glittering bars of light on the waters surface.
After thirty minutes Logan asked, Better?
No. Yes. She stopped beside a tree and leaned her cheek against the trunk. I dont know, Logan.
I want to help you. Dammit, tell me how to help you.
Make Gary rise from the dead. Tell me Joes going to get well.
She shook her head.
Quinns not the only one who can help you. Let me try.
She sank down on the ground. Ill be okay, Logan. I just have to think. I know theres a way to end it, but it has to come clear and Im not thinking clearly.
Are you hungry?
No.
You should be. You havent eaten in nearly twenty-four hours.
Bubba Blues Barbecue. Gary had ordered food deliveredhellip;
You stay here. He set Bens case down beside her. Ill go bring the food to you.
She watched him stride up the slope. Get a grip, she thought in disgust. She was behaving like a wimp and he was worried about her. The cold calculation of Garys name on that list had thrown her into a tail-spin, and it was taking her a little time to rec
Her phone was ringing.
Mom?
She dug frantically in her purse for the phone.
Eve?
Lisa Chadbourne.
Eve started to shake. Damn you. Damn you to hell.
You gave me no choice. I tried to give you a way out.
And then you killed Gary.
Fiske killed No, I wont deny it. I told him I wanted it done.
And did you tell him to kill Joe too?
No, that wasnt in the immediate plan.
But she wasnt denying it might be on her agenda. Hes dying.
And I assume the dead man who was found with him was Fiske?
He tried to kill Joe.
