She flinched. “I disagree. Every life is exceptional.”
He nodded. “I’m speaking from Jelak’s point of view.”
“It’s a hideous point of view.” She looked down into her drink. “So he was stirred into moving when we went after Kistle?”
“You killed his host, and that was a major inconvenience. He’d have to do his own basic feed killing, and that would keep him from concentrating on reaching his ultimate goal.”
“The goblet,” Joe reminded him.
“The goblet was part of the cult ritual. The man standing before the table was the one who took the gift of life. The other men at the table represented the stages that the candidate would have to go through before he reached his goal. The goblet was to be used only for specific purposes. A truly exceptional kill or perhaps a warning. It was never used on one considered unworthy.”
“The goblet in my refrigerator,” Eve murmured.
“A warning,” Caleb said. “And so was the death of Nancy Jo Norris. He considered you very special and wanted to make sure you made the connection. But he must have found Nancy Jo’s blood superior because he left her the goblet.”
“And the prostitute in the park?”
“Not worthy of full ritual.”
“This Donari gave you chapter and verse about his cult, didn’t he?” Jane asked.
“With a good deal of persuasion. Yes, he was very helpful.”
“You said he was Jelak’s teacher. What did he teach him?”
“Burglary, lock picking, the art of choosing a host, how to slit a throat in two seconds. Any number of other skills.”
“All very good skills for his chosen career.” Jane was studying Caleb’s face. “And where is Donari now?”
“He’s no longer with us.” He met her gaze. “Neither are any other members of the cult. After Donari died, they took off from Fiero in quite a hurry. It took me years to track them all down.”
“You said there were a dozen in the cult,” Eve said.
“Yes.” He lifted his drink to his lips. “And they stood by and let Jelak experiment with Maria Givano. I thought it time that we said good-bye to that particular cult.”
He’s a powerhouse.
Eve remembered Jane’s words as she gazed at Caleb. Power and deadliness and relentless energy.
“Then the goblet was omitted because Jelak didn’t consider Heather Carmello worthy,” Joe said.
“More than probably. You can be sure if the victim had been our lovely Jane that we would have found a goblet.”
“Be quiet,” Joe said. “That wasn’t necessary, Caleb.”
“No, but it bothers you more than it does Jane.” He lifted his glass to Jane. “Which I admit might have been my intention. Well, have I told you all you want to know, Quinn?”
“Maybe. Except about yourself.”
His brows rose. “I thought I’d been very frank.”
“Perhaps too frank. You’re not stupid, and yet you as much as admitted to multiple homicide.”
“You’d have to prove it. And as you say, I’m not stupid enough to let you do that. I just wanted to give you —”
Jane’s cell phone rang, and she glanced at the ID. “I’m sorry, I have to answer this. It’s Patty Avery.” She pushed her chair back. “I’ll take it in the bar.”
Joe watched her cross the restaurant before he turned back to Caleb. “What did you want to give me?”
“The knowledge that I’m totally committed to getting Jelak.” Caleb leaned forward, his dark eyes glittering and intense. “What do you say, Quinn,” he said softly. “Let’s go hunting.”
Damn, he was persuasive, Eve thought. She couldn’t keep her gaze from his face. At that moment, his intensity was almost hypnotic.
Evidently not to Joe. He leaned back and shook his head. “I plan on going hunting. But you’re not invited.”
“Yes I am. Or you wouldn’t have brought me here tonight. You said you wanted information. I gave it to you. Now let me help you find him.”
“So that you can kill him. We don’t want the same thing, Caleb.”
“Actually, we do. I’ve done my research on you, Quinn. Ex-SEAL, former FBI agent. That’s an odd balancing act. Violence and law. With which are you most comfortable?”
“None of your business.”
Caleb smiled. “Never mind. I think I know.”
“How?” Joe asked sarcastically. “Do you feel it? Like you do Jelak.”
“No, I can’t do that with everyone. I’m just a student of human nature.” He looked up and watched Jane coming back across the restaurant. “But it doesn’t take an expert to know that your Jane is a little upset.”
