He smiled faintly. Have I ever mentioned how much I like that brutal honesty of yours?
It wouldnt do any good to give you a sugar-coated pill. Youd only laugh at me. Youve been through pain before. You know theres no quick fix. You just have to ride with it.
Yes, thats the only way to handle it. He paused. But I wouldnt laugh at you, Eve. No way. He took his hand from the wheel and covered her hand that lay on the seat between them. Thankhellip; you.
For what? She tried to smile lightly. Saving myself a trip to Timbuktu?
No, thats still on the agenda if I can work it in. He squeezed her hand and then slowly released it. I believe I envy Quinn.
Why?
Many things. His lips tightened grimly. But its much more desirable for a man to be protector and comforter than the other way around. Crying on your shoulder like this displays a certain lack of strength.
You didnt cry on my shoulder.And no one could ever say Logan lacked strength. You yelled at me and threw my clothes around.
Same thing. Sorry, I lost control. It wont happen again.
She hoped it wouldnt happen again. Her re-sponse to his pain had startled her. It had been an al-most maternal reaction. She had taken him in her arms and had wanted to rock him until the agony dis-appeared. She had wanted to comfort and heal, to hold and caress. His vulnerability had broken through barriers that his strength would never have breached. No problem. Just hang my clothes back up and well call it even.
She looked out the window. The need was over. Shut him out. He was coming too close.
She could feel his gaze on her, but she didnt look at him. She kept her eyes on the sun setting behind the trees.
He didnt speak again until he pulled into the parking space near her motel room. I have to talk to Kessler. When do you expect him back from the lab?
She checked her wristwatch. Seven forty-five. He might be in his room now. I was supposed to go to his room at eight and we were going to order dinner to be delivered. She made a face. Bubba Blues Barbecue. Gary said he could imagine the place probably had a rattlesnake in a glass case, saw-dust on the floor, and a country singer yodelingOh, shit. Her eyes filled with tears. She had been so busy comforting Logan that Gils death had not hit home until that moment. Would she ever listen to a country song again without remembering Gil Price?
Yeah. Logans eyes were glittering. I told him hed love this place. That all they had on the radio was country music like He abruptly opened the door and got out of the car. I have to go to my room and shower and change clothes. He reached in the backseat and pulled out the case. Ill take custody of Ben for a while. Ill meet you in Kesslers room in twenty minutes.
She nodded numbly as she moved toward her door. Gil Price, humor and gentleness and a zestful love of life. All that gone. Death. Creeping close, striking down Gil. Who was next? Logan could have died with Gil.
The other side of a coin.
She went into the room and shook her head as she saw the clothes scattered on the bed. Shed clean up this mess and try to
Screw it.
She was scared and worried and chillingly aware of the shadows drawing near. She hadnt talked to Mom since last night and she needed to make contact. She reached for the telephone in her bag.
No answer.
What the hell?
She dialed the number again.
No answer.
The other side of a coin.
Your position isnt as strong as you think.
Mom.
Her hand was trembling as she dialed Logans room number. I cant reach Mom. Shes not an-swering her phone.
Dont panic. It may be
Dont tell me not to panic. I cant reach her.
It may be nothing. Let me call Pilton and check.
Whats the chance of that hap
Im going to call Pilton, he interrupted. Ill get back to you. He hung up the phone.
Nothing was wrong.
Fiske hadnt found her.
Nothing was wrong.
The phone rang.
She jumped to answer it.
Shes fine, Logan said. I talked to her. She and Margaret were just sitting down to dinner. The bat-tery on her phone was down.
