end that has to be tied up or it will bug you for
Not you, Joe.
Did I say I intended to go after him? Im only a wounded crock of a man. Why are you worried? Timwick fell apart. Hes no threat.
You corner a rat and you get bitten.
Then why did you set up that meeting with Lisa Chadbourne and Timwick? You pushed her to the limit. There was no telling what her reaction was going to be. Someone should have been there to back you up.
It wouldnt have been logical for Logan to be at the meeting.
Screw logic.
You know Im right. Lisa Chadbourne would have known Logan would never agree to my giving up that skull for Bonnie. In order to ring true, I had to pretend Id taken the skull and run.
He was silent a moment. And did it ring true? Just how close did you come to going along with her?
You know the answer to that.
Tell me. How close?
Close.
Why not all the way?
She shrugged. Maybe I didnt trust her. Maybe I doubted she could do it. Maybe I was too angry about what shed done to you and Gary.
And maybe its the first step.
What?
Nothing. He squeezed her hand. But no more of this shit until Im up and strong enough to keep you in line. Logans doing a lousy job.
Hes smart enough not to try. She paused. And actually hes being very kind. Hes going to take me away to some island he owns in the South Pacific until all this media frenzy is over.
Oh?
She didnt like the sound of that. Its a good idea. I can work there. You know how impossible it would be for me here. Its almost worse than Its really a good idea, Joe.
He was silent.
Joe?
I think youre right. You need the rest and you need to get away. I think you should go with him.
You do?
He grinned. Dont look so stunned. You told me yourself what a good idea it is. Im just agreeing.
Good, she said uncertainly.
Is Logan here with you?
She nodded. Were leaving for Tahiti as soon as I say good-bye to Mom.
When you leave, will you tell him to come in and see me for a minute?
Why?
Why do you think? Im going to tell him to take good care of you or Ill toss him into a volcano. Does Tahiti have volcanoes?
She chuckled, relieved. His island is actually south of Tahiti.
Whatever. His hand tightened on hers. Now, shut up. I figure I have five minutes left and I want to spend it looking at you, not listening to you gush about Tahiti.
I dont gush.
But she didnt want to talk either. She just wanted to sit there and feel the peace and well-being she al-ways felt when she was with Joe. In a world where everything was turned upside down, he really hadnt changed. He was alive and strong and would get stronger every day.
It was good to know that when she came back, everything would be exactly the same.
You wanted to see me? Logan asked warily.
Joe gestured to the chair next to the bed. Sit down.
Why do I feel as if Ive been summoned to the principals office?
Guilt?
Logan shook his head. Dont play that game with me, Quinn. Im not buying it.
You accused me of deceiving Eve and youre doing it yourself. She thinks youre being kind to her.
I will be kind.
Youd better be. She needs it now. He added de-liberately, And if she so much as calls and tells me shes broken a fingernail on that island, Ill be there.
