“Maybe.” Jane’s hand covered hers on the steering wheel. “But it’s one I can understand. It’s a beloved obsession, Eve.”
Eve was touched. “Good heavens, that sounds like a movie.”
Jane chuckled. “And I embarrassed you. Sorry. I must have picked up a few melodramatic flourishes in Paris.”
“You didn’t embarrass me.” Jane could say anything she wanted to Eve. She was just glad to have her here beside her. As a successful artist, Jane’s life was busy these days and, as Eve had said, she whisked in and out of her life, leaving only lingering affection and wonderful memories. Eve wouldn’t have it any other way. The last thing she wanted was to interfere in Jane’s life or hold her back.
And she couldn’t pull her down into the darkness that seemed to be approaching Eve right now. So push away the darkness, try to keep the conversation light. “But tell me about some of the other things you picked up in Paris. Anyone tall, sexy, and interesting?”
TWO
JOE CAME OUT ON THE PORCH as soon as they pulled up in front of the cottage. He was fully dressed in khakis and a white shirt.
Eve tensed. Let it be better. Let Jane make a difference.
“Joe!” Jane jumped out of the Jeep as soon as Eve turned off the engine. She flew up the steps and into his arms. “Dammit, it’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too.” His arms tightened around her. “Though you should have stayed in—”
“I heard all that from Eve,” she interrupted. “So be quiet.” She took a step back. “I hear you were fighting alligators and trying to—” She stiffened as she looked up at his face. “Joe?”
He turned quickly to Eve. “I put fresh coffee on. I’m going to go in and get my phone, then I have to leave.”
“Whatever you say.” Eve slowly got out of the Jeep. Joe was in the shadow, and she couldn’t see his face, but she could see Jane’s expression. She didn’t like what she was seeing. “I hoped you’d stay for a cup of coffee. I stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts.”
“Thanks, but I don’t have time. I have to get to the precinct.” He moved back toward the door. “I just wanted to stay and see Jane before I left. I’ll get my phone and take off.”
Jane took a half step forward after him. “Joe, wait. I want to—”
But he had disappeared into the house.
Jane whirled to face Eve. “I thought you said everything was okay.”
“I didn’t say okay.” She climbed the porch steps. “I said as good as could be expected. Nothing to be alarmed about.” But she was alarmed and had to hide it from Jane. Not an easy task. “And he does have work to do at the precinct. What are you getting bent out of shape about?”
“He was . . . stiff. His face was—And he didn’t look at me.”
“I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it. Look, maybe you need some time alone with him. I’ll go inside and set out the doughnuts. You catch him when he comes out. Okay?”
Jane nodded. “I have to make sure. It’s not like Joe to treat me like that.” She sat down on the porch swing. “I’ll be in right away.”
Eve nodded. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.” She went into the house and straight to the kitchen. Give Jane her chance to talk to Joe with no interference. Maybe she’d be able to make him tell her why he was behaving in a way that was scaring Eve. She couldn’t believe their problems would impact Joe’s relationship with Jane. It had to be something else. But Jane would make sure that everything was straightened out. She wasn’t shy about taking matters and relationships into her own hands.
Lord, she was glad to have her home again.
JANE JUMPED TO HER FEET the minute Joe walked out on the porch. “Okay,” she said. “What the hell is wrong with you, Joe?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Joe looked away from her and out at the lake. “Nothing is wrong with me. Eve and I have had a rough patch for the last few weeks. She probably told you about it on the way from the airport.”
“She told me that the serial killer who she’d thought might have killed Bonnie hadn’t done it. She told me that you’d found a virtual killing ground of children on that island in the swamp that he had murdered.” She paused. “She didn’t tell me that you’d withdrawn from her like this. She downplayed it. But you didn’t even look at her. And not only her. Have I done something lately to make you angry with me?”
“How could you? You’ve been in Paris at your art gallery.”
“Maybe you think I should have been here and supporting Eve. I did try, Joe. She wouldn’t have it.”
“I’m not blaming anyone for anything.” Joe’s smile was forced. “Look, we just have to work through this.” He checked his wristwatch. “And it’s time I got to the precinct and did some work on cleaning up that case. We still haven’t identified all those bodies.”
“And you won’t tell me what’s wrong,” Jane said bluntly. “You’re running away. Don’t bullshit me, Joe. You and Eve practically raised me. I know you.”
“Do you?” He started down the porch steps. “Then you know that I’m a cop and when I have a job to do, I do it. I’ll call you and Eve later and tell you what time I’ll be home.” He could feel Jane’s troubled gaze on him as he got into the driver’s seat. As he started the car, he saw Eve come out of the house and stand beside Jane on the porch. Two strong, intelligent women, the two women he loved most in the world.
And because of their strength and intelligence he had to avoid them like the plague right now. He didn’t need
