relationship. He never moved too fast or too far for her. Considering his dominant nature, The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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it must have been very difficult for him, and she valued him all the more for it.
At least, this time she had won a partial victory. With Logan, that was a major accomplishment.
She’d worry later about convincing him to leave. For now she had work to do. But first, she needed to call Mom and check on her. She crossed to the foyer table and dialed her mother’s digital number. Sandra answered on the third ring.
'Everything okay?' Eve asked.
'Yes and no. Your killer hasn’t shown up, but Ron was ready to strangle Mike himself. I don’t think anyone ever made him take a bath before. He was ready to hit the streets again.'
'Damn.'
'Don’t worry. They worked it out. Ron likes a challenge. He bribed him. He told him he’d bring home dinner from McDonald’s each day he took a bath.' Her mother chuckled. 'He jumped at it. I think I’m insulted.'
'All kids like McDonald’s.'
'Don’t try to spare my feelings. We both know I’m a lousy cook. How are you?”
“Fine. I’ll try to call you every other night. If there’s any problem, even a suspicion of one, you call me.'
'I will.' Sandra paused. 'Joe has no idea where you are or what you’re doing.”
“I thought it best.'
'He’s wound tight as a wire, Eve. I’ve never seen him that way before.”
“Don’t tell him anything.'
'He’s our friend. I’d feel better if he were with you. Why can’t I—'
'No, Mom.'
“Okay.' She sighed. 'But he’s going to nag the hell out of me.”
“You’re tough. You can take it.'
'He’s tougher. But he likes me, so he won’t run over me. Are you going to tell me where you are?'
'Phoenix.'
'And I’m not to tell Joe.”
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“Please.'
'It’s a mistake.'
'I’ve got to go, Mom. Take care.”
“You take care.'
Eve slowly hung up. Joe was doing what he did best, hunting. What would his next move—
'Want a sandwich?' Jane stood behind her. 'It’s turkey. I made two.”
“Thanks.' She wasn’t hungry, but the overture was the first Jane had made since she’d agreed to come to Phoenix. 'I’d like that.' She followed her down the hall toward the kitchen. 'I guess we’re on our own as far as food is concerned. I’m afraid I’m not much of a cook.'
'You’ve got to be better than your mother.' She hopped up on a stool at the breakfast bar.
'You might change your mind. I haven’t had much experience.”
“I can help. I did most of the cooking in one foster home I was in.”
“Was that at the Carbonis? Mrs. Eisley said you had a rough time with them.”
“I did okay.' Jane finished her sandwich. 'You want me to help clean up?”
“There’s not much to do. I can handle it.' She had an idea. 'Logan says there’s a good library. I don’t know if there’s anything that you might want to read, but—'
'Books?' Her face lit up. 'There are books here?'
'So Logan says.'
Jane quickly covered the flicker of excitement. 'I might take a look at them. There’s probably nothing else to do.' She got down from the stool, took her plate to the sink, and turned on the water. 'Logan likes you. Do you sleep with him?' Eve blinked. For God’s sake, the kid was only ten. Ten but no child, Eve reminded herself. She’d probably been through more in her short life than a woman of thirty. 'That’s none of your business.'
Jane shrugged. 'He’s doing a lot for us. I just wondered if you have to pay him.' Sex for pay.
Another aspect of life on the streets. Day-to-day contact with prostitutes had been a part of Eve’s childhood, and, of course, Jane had been exposed to the same life. 'No, Logan’s my friend. Friends don’t ask to be paid. He’s a good guy.' She added with a smile. 'And he’s not a crook.'
