then. And I’ve noticed you’ve been trying to close me out. It made me angry at the time. But I got over it. It only whetted my appetite.'
'Kevin must have been a nasty little bastard. What happened to your parents?”
“What do you think happened.'
'You killed them.'
'It was inevitable. My father saw Satan in me from the time I was a small child. He’d make me stand and hold a black candle in each hand and then he’d beat me until I fell to my knees. When the beating was over, he’d rub salt into the wounds. Maybe he was right about seeing evil in me. Do you think we’re born with the seeds of evil?'
'I think you were.'
'But you also think I’m insane. My father was insane and they called him a saint. The line is so thin, isn’t it?'
'Did Ezekiel and Jacob think he was insane?'
'No, they were as frightened and fooled by him as all the rest. But I tried to make them see. I took them with me when I ran away. I was lonely then and needed people.'
'And you brought them here to Phoenix.'
'We were going to California. I’d talked the Harding kids into going with us. But then Ezekiel and Jacob got scared. They packed up one night and ran back to my father. I went into a rage.'
'And killed the Hardings.'
'It was beyond anything. The ultimate experience of my life. And I knew what I was and what I was meant to do. I went back to that tent on the hill and I butchered all of them.'
'Your mother too?'
'She stood by and watched him punish me. Is cruelty less painful because it’s passive?'
'And your brothers?'
'They made their choice when they went back to him. I had to start over.” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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“Where are the bodies?'
'You won’t find them. I scattered their parts over half of Arizona and New Mexico and enjoyed every moment of it.'
'And sowed that campground with salt.'
“A melodramatic piece of symbolism, but I was only a boy at the time.”
“Like leaving a candle with your victims? You’re not a boy now.”
“It’s difficult to erase the teachings of childhood. Or perhaps part of my satisfaction is showing my father that I use his precious candles in my own way.'
'Your father is dead.'
'He was sure he was going to heaven, so he must be looking down on me. Or do you think his soul was chopped up with his body? I’ve often wondered.' He paused. 'Do you believe Bonnie’s soul was destroyed?'
She bit hard on her lower lip. 'No.'
'Well, you’ll know soon. I haven’t decided what candle I’ll use for you. It’s a terrible decision.
White for Jane, of course, but your color must reflect—'
She hung up. He was in a mood for confidences, and perhaps she should have held on, but she couldn’t take any more. He was dragging her down into the darkness that surrounded him. It was worse because it followed the wonderful dream of Bonnie. At this moment the evil seemed to be overpowering and she was helpless to fight it. It kept coming and coming…
You should learn something from that. Live every moment. Don’t put off anything until tomorrow.
Bonnie’s words.
Live every moment…
Eve heard Joe come into the house two hours later. She left her bedroom and waited for him at the top of the stairs.
He stilled when he saw her. 'Okay?'
'No, Dom called. Nothing is ever okay when he talks to me.”
“What did he say?'
'Poison. Ugliness. I’ll tell you later.' She held out a hand. 'Come to bed.' He slowly climbed the The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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steps until he stood before her. 'I’m being forgiven for not being sorry Logan bowed out?'
'It was never a question of forgiveness.'
He took her hand. 'You’ve discovered you can’t live without me in your bed?”
