Ill check and make sure, but possibly early next week.
I could stay there until Im needed?
As long as you like.
She gazed out the window at the horde of re-porters across the street. They looked hungry, but she knew theyd never get enough. Some of them were probably kind, but after Bonnie had disappeared she could remember an occasional reporter saying some-thing deliberately hurtful so they could catch the pain in her expression. She couldnt go through that again.
Youll do it? Logan asked.
She slowly nodded.
Good. And you wont mind if Im there too? Youre not the only one who needs to escape. Its a big plantation house and I promise I wont get in your way.
I dont mind. Peace. Sunlight. Work. She wouldnt mind anything if it meant getting away from all this uproar. Once I begin working, I probably wont know youre around.
Oh, I think you will. You have to surface some-time and well be fairly isolated. He moved toward the door. Ill be pretty hard to miss.
Ten minutes. The head nurse frowned as she stared over Eves head at the crowd of reporters being held back by hospital security. We cant tolerate this dis-ruption. Weve had enough trouble keeping the media away from Mr. Quinn. Hes a sick man.
I wont disturb him. I just want to see him.
Ill run interference with the reporters, Logan said. Take as long as you need.
Thanks, Logan.
And do you suppose since were going to go to a desert island together you might call me John?
Its not a desert island, its a tropical island, and I dont think I could get used to another name now.
Ten minutes, the head nurse repeated. Room 402.
Joe was sitting up in bed and she stopped inside the door just to look at him.
I didnt expect You lookhellip; wonderful. How long have you been sitting up?
He scowled. Youd know if youd bothered to call.
I did call. Every day. There was some foul-up. They wouldnt let me talk to you.
A flicker of undefinable expression crossed his face. You called?
Of course I called. Do you think Id lie to you?
No. He smiled. Then I suppose Ill have to permit you to come over here and give me a hug. Gently, of course. They just let me off my back yesterday and Im not going to make waves. These nurses are tough.
Ive noticed. Ive got only ten minutes. She walked over to the bed and hugged him. But that should be long enough, since youre being so surly. She sniffed. And you stink of antiseptic.
Always complaining. I give my lifes blood for you, and do I get any appreciation?
No. She sat down on the bed. You were stupid and Id have never forgiven you if youd died, Joe.
I know. Thats why I didnt.
She took his hand. It felt warm and strong andhellip; Joe. Thank you, God. I sent Mom a copy of the tape from the wire and told her to play it for you. I hope she got through that army of nurses. Logan had to promise the Justice Department the moon to get a copy of it.
She got through. You seem to be the only one having trouble getting through to me. He laced his hand through hers. And that tape nearly gave me a heart attack. Why the hell did Logan let you do it?
He couldnt stop me.
His lips tightened. I would have stopped you.
Bullshit.
Did you have to go rushing in? Couldnt you have waited?
She killed Gary. She whispered, And I thought she might still kill you.
So Im to blame.
You bet you are. So stop yelling at me. I couldnt wait for you to rise from the dead and help me. I had to do it myself.
With Logans help. He scowled. But not enough help, damn him.
Lisa held out an opportunity, but it was for me, not him. Logan helped big-time. He set up the sce-nario to reel in Timwick. He had your friend at the newspaper contact Timwick and show him the list, and then arrange for Logan to see him. Do you know how dangerous that could have been? What if Timwick hadnt been as desperate and frightened as we hoped?
Have they caught Timwick yet?
No, he seems to have dropped off the face of the earth.
No one can disappear without leaving traces. His brow was creased in thought. He has to be caught. Hes an
