Hair shirt? she whispered.
I dont believe in them. You do what you can and then you go on.
His touch was disturbing. His words, the way he thoughthellip; He was disturbing. She turned her head and gazed out the window. Or you learn to live with your hair shirt.
That option is unacceptable, he said harshly. Choosing a career like yours was probably the worst possible thing you could have done. Why didnt someone stop you? Why didnt Quinn keep you on that island until you healed, until the memory dimmed a little?
She looked at him in wonder. He was so wrong. Why couldnt he understand? Because he knew it was the only way Id survive.
Is this surviving? Youre a workaholic, you have no personal life, youre the most driven woman Ive ever met. You need
Back off, Logan.
Why the hell should He drew a deep breath. Okay, Ill drop it. Its none of my business, right?
Right.
Then, dammit, why does it feel like my business?
Youre used to running things.
Yeah, thats it. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. My organizational instincts. When I see waste, I dive in and try to get rid of it. He stabbed savagely at the numbers on the keypad. And, Christ, am I seeing a wasteland in you.
My life isnt a waste. Far from it. Who are you phoning?
Gil.
Now? Why?
Its past time I heard from him. He pressed the send button. And I need a distraction at the mo-ment. Big- time.
So did she, she thought, relieved. The past few minutes had been too intense and upsetting, and her present life was already in such chaos.
Whats happening? Logan said into the phone. Why the hell havent you contacted me, Gil? Yes, I am surly, dammit.
He listened. Dont be stupid. It could be a trap. Marens already killed one man.
Eve stiffened.
Dont do it. He listened again. Yes, shes here. No, I wont let you talk to her. Talk to me.
Eve held out a hand.
He muttered a curse and handed her the phone. Hes an idiot.
I heard that, Gil said. Johns a little testy, isnt he? Thats why I wanted to talk to you. I really dont need to be yelled at in my present state.
What state is that?
Im walking a tight line. Maren is one cool customer.
You spoke to him about the deal?
He denied everything and pretended he didnt know what I was talking about.
Thats a logical reaction. I didnt think it would work.
But I think it did work. I could see I was hitting the bulls-eye. Maren didnt call the hospital security guards. Thats a good sign. I told him to think about it and meet me at a designated place on the Potomac near the C and O canal. Tonight at eleven.
He wont come. Hell talk to Lisa Chadbourne and theyll set a trap for you.
Maybe.
No maybe. Her hand clenched on the tele-phone. You and Logan told me she probably per-suaded him to kill for her. Do you think hes going to believe shed betray him?
Hes a very smart man. Its not easy to fool him. Its hard for me to believe hed let her talk him into killing Chadbourne in the first place. I think I can make him see that he has to cut his losses and get out before hes history.
Dont meet him, Gil.
I have to meet him. If I wrap up Maren, weve got Lisa Chadbourne. Ill let you know how it goes. Gil hung up.
She handed the phone back to Logan. Hes going to do it.
Hes an idiot, Logan said between his teeth.
You said he was a professional and knew what he was doing.
I never said his judgment was infallible. The meeting tonight is a mistake.
She thought it was a mistake too. Unless Lisa Chadbournes hold on Maren had weakened, there was no way hed betray her. And she would never allow that hold to be broken.
