'I don’t have to do anything.'
'All right, you don’t have to do anything. You can run away and maybe Dom won’t find you. You can get yourself picked up by welfare and let the police protect you.' She paused. 'But you told me you don’t trust the police.'
Jane glared at her.
'Or you can go with me and work with me to keep yourself safe.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere with you.' She was silent a moment. 'You’re going to Phoenix, aren’t you? You’re going to do what he wants.'
'I don’t think I have any choice, do you? He has to be caught, Jane.”
“Yes.' She lay as stiff as a stick in the bed. 'He killed Fay. She never did anything to him and he killed her. I hate him. I hate the son of a bitch.'
'So do I. We, at least, have that in common.'
'He really thinks I’m your daughter? He’s got to be crazy.”
“I believe he just wants me to consider you my daughter.' She was silent a moment. 'Was Bonnie much like me?'
Eve shook her head. 'No. She was younger, softer, dreamier. You’re more like what I was when I was growing up.'
'I’m nothing like you.'
'Have it your way.”
“I will.'
'But I believe you’ll be safe as long as you stay with me. He wants us together. Will you come with me, Jane?'
Jane turned her back on Eve.
Don’t push. Let her think. She’s smart.
The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 144 of 286
Eve turned out the light. 'Let me know in the morning.' No answer.
What would she do if Jane refused to go with her? The question scared her to death.
She would face that possibility when it confronted her. You bury your head.
And she wouldn’t think about Joe or his unfair words. They stung too much.
Joe…
'What do you mean? Softer?”
“What?'
'Your daughter.'
'I loved her very much. I wanted everything to be sweet and sunny for her. I’ve been thinking lately that maybe if I’d shown her— Never mind.'
'You’re saying you were stupid. Like I was about not talking to Fay.”
“I guess that’s what I’m saying.'
Another silence. 'I don’t think you’re stupid very often.”
“Once is enough.'
'Yeah.'
Christ, she was saying all the wrong things. Jane was feeling guilty enough. 'Fay’s death had nothing to do with you, Jane. If there’s someone besides Dom who was responsible, it’s me. Let me try to make sure you don’t get hurt too.'
Minutes passed.
Go to sleep. She’s not going to answer. 'I’ll go with you,' Jane said.
Eve breathed a profound sigh of relief. 'Good.'
'Not because I like you. I don’t feel anything for you. I wouldn’t care if he killed you. But I hate him. I hate what he did to Fay. I hate what he wants to do to me. I wish someone would slit his throat.'
'I understand.'
Yes, she understood the hatred and helplessness Jane was feeling as if the emotions were her own.
The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 145 of 286
As if Jane were her own.
She instantly rejected the idea. It was what Dom wanted, the growing closeness and empathy, and she would not let him have it. Keep Jane at a distance. It should be easy. Jane was tough and wanted nothing to do with
