'No, she’s not able to talk. I drugged the little angel. Just a little pinprick. A rather boring old trick but effective. It was such a wonderful disguise, but I think she recognized my voice.
Besides, I have a distance to take her and I needed her quiet.' He paused. 'Shall I tell you what I’m going to do to her before I kill her, Eve?'
'No.' She closed her eyes. 'Don’t hurt her.'
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'Not yet. She’s no fun at the moment. She can’t feel anything.' Rage seared through her.
'That made you angry, didn’t it? I can almost feel the waves of emotion through the phone. It’s quite wonderful, but you really shouldn’t indulge me this way.'
'You don’t want her. You want me.'
“That’s right. I want you to die first, knowing what’s in store for her. Come and get her.'
'Where are you going?'
'A place you’ll remember. Earth to earth. Salt to salt. I thought it fitting. My most satisfying kills were done there. But don’t worry, I won’t chop you into pieces as I did them. I respect you too much.'
'Will she be there?'
'I’m not a fool. You might arrange a trap for me.'
'I won’t come up to the tent site until I know she’s alive. Until I hear her voice.”
“You’ll hear it. Be there at nine tomorrow night.' He hung up. Christ. She had thought she was so close, and Dom had still managed to pull the rug right from under her.
Joe called her. 'He’s got her. I found both officers dead in the squad car and Jane gone.'
'I know. Dom called me.”
“Shit. I screwed up.'
'It’s not your fault,' she said dully. 'He was disguised. Even Jane didn’t recognize him right away.'
'Is she alive?'
'He says she is. Right now.'
'Don’t you move a muscle. I’m on my way over there.' He hung up. Joe would come and some of the fear would go away. She didn’t have to face this alone.
Yes, she did. From the beginning she’d known that she’d have to face Dom alone. He was planning on having her walk right into his trap and killing her and Jane. He would butcher Joe if he was anywhere around.
Then flip his plan. Catch the hunter before the trap was sprung. 'Sarah! Will you come in here?'
Sarah appeared in the doorway. 'What?'
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She held up a finger. 'One minute.' She dialed Spire’s digital number. He answered on the third ring.
'Dom has Jane, and I know where he’s headed. I want you to meet me there.' She had to stop to steady her voice. 'You wanted to use me as bait. Okay, let’s find a way to do it.'
EIGHTEEN
8:45 P.M.
Candles.
Everywhere.
Candelabras with tapers whose flames flickered in the wind. Lanterns. Oil lamps. Eve parked her car at the bottom of the hill and looked up at the tent site. Is this my welcome, Dom? Are you up there?
She dialed Spiro’s number. 'Where are you?'
'We’re in a lay-by about two miles down the road to Jamison. We couldn’t get any closer without risking him seeing us. That hill has a view for miles.'
'I know. Can you see the candles?'
'Yes. Remember, press the radio signal as soon as you determine Dom’s there, and we’ll come in.'
'You don’t move until I’m sure Jane’s alive and safe. He’s supposed to call me.”
“Stay locked in the car until you’re sure. At least you’re safe there. Do you have a weapon?'
'A revolver.'
'Did Quinn give it to you?'
'No, I told you I didn’t want him to know about this. Sarah had one and lent it to me. It’s in my jacket pocket.'
