but I had to come to terms with reality.'
What Sandra had done was come to terms with her view of reality, and it was obviously bringing her happiness. Well, more power to her. Eve ignored the tiny flicker of envy and said, The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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'I’m not avoiding reality. I’m just trying to find my daughter and put her to rest.'
Sandra sighed. 'Okay, do what you have to do. Call me if I can help.”
“You know I will.' Sandra was frowning, so Eve reached over and affectionately squeezed her arm. 'It’s not going to be that bad. The reconstruction will take only a few days, and then I’ll know.'
Sandra grimaced. 'A few days can sometimes seem like a century.'
Eve Duncan.
Dom studied her photograph in the newspaper. Curly red-brown hair framed a face that was more fascinating than pretty. Hazel eyes gazed at the world from behind round gold-rimmed glasses. He remembered seeing this picture in the paper last year and thinking how she had changed from that desperate woman at the Fraser trial. The older Eve Duncan looked stronger, more confident. A woman whose determination could move mountains and topple governments. And now she was turning that determination in his direction. Of course, she didn’t know it was his direction. She wanted only to find her child — which made her just as vulnerable as she had been all those years before.
He had actually considered her as a kill back then but had dismissed the idea almost immediately because of the notoriety of the Fraser trial. She had been too visible and there were enough satisfying, less risky kills.
But the satisfaction was waning.
He could correct that problem now, he thought with relief. Eve Duncan was strong enough to challenge and purge him. He would tread carefully with her, inject each moment with every possible drop of emotion, build slowly so the final explosion would be strong enough to clear away all the deadness and debris inside him.
He had a strong belief in fate and was beginning to think Eve Duncan had been put at this place and time just for him. It was lucky he had ignored temptation when she first passed through his life. Then she would have been only an ordinary kill, no more important than any other.
Now she could be his salvation.
THREE
'Nice.' Sandra’s gaze traveled over the cottage and then down to the boat dock. 'I like this, Joe.'
'Then why didn’t you come here all the times I invited you?' Joe started unloading luggage from the trunk.
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'You know I’m city born and bred.' Sandra drew a deep breath. 'But I could tolerate this. Eve should have told me about that beautiful view of the lake.'
'I did,' Eve said. 'You wouldn’t have any of it.'
'Well, it is pretty isolated. Aren’t there any other houses on the lake?”
“No, Joe bought the lake and surrounding acreage and won’t sell any of it.' Sandra grinned at Joe. 'How unfriendly of you.'
'I like privacy when I’m up here.' He closed the trunk. 'I get enough of people when I’m in the city. I kept the title in the name of my trust and no one knows I own this place. Not even the department.' He smiled at Eve. 'Except a few chosen friends.'
'Well, at least, the cottage looks nice and friendly,' Sandra said. Eve had always liked the A-frame. It was small and cozy and had plenty of windows that welcomed the sun and the outdoors. 'Come on in and see the inside.'
'I have to get back to the city. Ron worries when I don’t show up for dinner.”
“You could call him.'
Sandra shook her head. 'Hey, I’m not stupid. I don’t want him getting used to eating alone. I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll talk then.' She gave Eve a long hug. 'Welcome home, baby. I’ve missed you.' She stepped back and looked at Joe. 'Do you need a lift back to town?'
'I have a Jeep up here. I’ll use that. Thanks, Sandra.'
'No problem.' Sandra got back in the driver’s seat and started the car. 'See you soon.'
Eve watched the car disappear down the gravel road, then helped Joe carry the luggage up the porch steps.
'You know, I don’t get it.' He shook his head. 'You two haven’t seen each other for over a year, and she goes off to dinner with her boyfriend and it’s okay with you?'
'You don’t have to get it. We understand each other.' No one who had not been there during her hellish childhood would be able to empathize. The scars were still there and they would never go away, but she and Sandra had built on them and forged a bond they could live with.
'Mom has never had a stable relationship before. She has a right to protect it. She’s really hooked, isn’t she?'
'Yep.' He unlocked the door. 'But she doesn’t appear to mind.”
“No.' Eve paused. 'It will seem strange not to have Diane here.”
