“To find someone, you have to have people willing to tell you what you want to know. I have no problem with accomplishing that end. I can make people want to please me.”
“Hypnosis?”
“I guess you could call it that if you wanted to generalize. It’s a little more abstract and complicated.”
“Against their will?”
“Sometimes. Or you could say it wasn’t against their will if they wanted to do it. Isn’t that right?”
“No.”
He laughed. “You’re absolutely correct. By every moral standard it’s wrong. That’s why I had to develop my own code of choices and limitations.”
“But they’re your choices. You could change them to suit yourself. That could be an awesome power in the wrong—” She stopped. “Good God, I’m accepting all this crap as if I believe it.”
“You do believe it. You see things that aren’t clear to other people. That’s why I’m talking to you tonight.”
“There could be another perfectly logical reason why Patty’s grandfather turned into a reformed Scrooge.”
He didn’t answer.
“If you’re telling the truth, is the change permanent?”
“No, I didn’t have enough time. All the selfishness will come back in a day or two. But I think he’ll remember that he cares about her.”
A memory of love was a wonderful thing in itself, Jane thought.
“I didn’t hurt him,” Caleb said. “I chose to help Quinn, and perhaps it helped Patty and her grandfather too.”
“Out of the kindness of your heart,” she said sarcastically.
“No, that’s not what this is all about. It’s about hunting down Jelak. I wanted to make it simpler for Quinn and leave a little thread to make you curious.”
And he had succeeded. Lord, he was clever. “You haven’t convinced me.”
“It will take time. I’ve been through this before. I think it helps that Eve believes in Megan. There’s no one you trust more than Eve.”
“Yes.” She was silent again. “Is that how you convinced those policemen to let you come on the porch?”
He nodded. “They think they’re doing you a service. After all, no one is safer than I am.”
No one was more dangerous if what he said was true.
“I could prove it to you,” he said softly. “I could make you think that I was your best friend, even your lover. It would be difficult because you’re so strong, but I’m very, very good.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then look at me, and I’ll give you a taste. Nothing permanent. I promise.” He smiled. “Aren’t you curious? I dare you, Jane.” He repeated, “Look at me.”
She slowly raised her eyes to meet his own.
Warmth, no, heat, memories of Caleb holding her naked, driving into her body. Desire so intense and sexual that she couldn’t bear it. Her breasts were firming, readying. She was melting toward him, into him.
Then he was looking away from her. “Oh, the temptation. You would be a delight.”
She felt dazed, her body sensitive and still tingling. “You son of a bitch.”
“Yes, I couldn’t resist. Much more interesting than a comfortable, friendly interchange. But it did prove my point.”
She couldn’t deny that when her body was still aching. “They should keep you confined.”
“They’ve tried over the years. But the only way to do it is to keep me drugged. And I become drug-tolerant very quickly.” He smiled. “So it’s up to me. I do have my code. And I don’t fall from grace very often. You were just too much of a temptation, and I actually had a legitimate reason to do it.”
“Rationalization.”
He nodded. “Perhaps. But you weren’t going to let me discuss anything until I dealt with what happened to Patty’s grandfather. I had to be honest with you.”
“You wouldn’t have it so easy next time. I’d be prepared for you.”
“And you’re strong. So let’s forget it and get down to the reason I’m here.”
He hadn’t argued with her but stepped aside. “Why are you here?”
“To get your cooperation.” He turned and looked at her again. “We both know he’s going to go after Eve. That attempt on your friend was only a gesture of rage. He wants Eve, and you’re the ticket he’ll use to get to her.”
“Why does he want Eve so badly?”
“She’s the final one. He thinks her blood will put him over the top into vampire nirvana.”
“Why?”
“She’s extraordinary. She’s extremely strong. She’s old enough and experienced enough to make her blood
