She felt as if he’d stabbed her. “He didn’t kill her. I know he didn’t kill her. We didn’t find the body.”
“But you’re not quite sure, are you? As I said, I wasn’t entirely certain of my destiny back then, but I knew Henry and the blood always fascinated me. You probably know that by now.”
“Yes,” she said hoarsely.
“Pretty Bonnie. I didn’t realize then that children were almost useless to win the game.”
“You’re just saying it to hurt me.”
“I do want to hurt you. I wanted the ritual to be quick and triumphant, but Joe Quinn changed all that. I’m very angry, Eve.”
“It didn’t happen. Not to Bonnie.”
“You’ll know soon. You’ll feel her, join with her. Gift to Gift.”
“Stop saying that.”
“I’ve upset you? But then you shouldn’t have been ugly to me. I’ll always win, Eve.”
“Why are you calling me?”
“I needed you. He shot me. He took my blood. I was afraid I’d lost too much. But now I feel strong again.”
“Did you kill Nicole Spelling?”
“But of course. But she was almost useless. Like a child.” He paused. “Like Bonnie. I’ll see you soon, Eve.”
He hung up.
Her hands clenched the edge of the table until the knuckles turned white.
She felt dizzy with pain.
Bonnie.
The ugliness of the picture Jelak had drawn was beyond belief. A child being fed on by that monster.
Her baby.
Oh, God, the tears were running down her cheeks.
It was a lie. He’d only wanted to hurt her. It had to be a lie.
“Eve?” Caleb was standing in the doorway. “You didn’t answer my knock. I saw the squad car was still here, and I was worried that you—What the hell is wrong?” He was across the room in four strides. “You look sick.”
“I feel sick.” She wiped her damp cheeks with the back of her hands. “Jelak.”
“What about him?” He took his handkerchief and gently wiped her eyes. “Other than that the bastard might have killed two other people. Though that’s enough.”
“There’s no might about it. He killed the gas-station attendant. He killed Nicole Spelling.” She drew a shaky breath. “Though she was useless to him. Like a child.” Her voice broke. “Like Bonnie.”
He stiffened. “You’ve seen him? Talked to him?”
“He called me.” Lord, she had to pull herself together. “He wanted to hurt me.”
“I should have expected it.” He took her hand and led her toward the couch. “Sit down. I’ll get you a glass of water.”
She wasn’t about to argue. She dropped down on the couch. “Why should you have expected it?”
“He would be furious at Joe Quinn for what happened. He’d want to strike out and hurt him. He knows he can hurt him by hurting you.” He handed her a glass of water. “And it appears he succeeded.”
“Bonnie.” She took a swallow of water. “He told me she was one of the—” She couldn’t say it. She couldn’t even think it. “It wasn’t true. I knew when he was saying it that it was flimsy—but he—it could be true. I don’t know.”
“And that’s what he’s counting on.” He knelt in front of her and was carefully wiping her face with a cool, wet cloth. “You don’t know. What you don’t know can twist and cut and hurt you.”
“You don’t have to do this.” She reached up and took the cloth from him. “You’re being very kind, but I’m okay now. I’m sorry I was being so childish.”
“I’m not.” He sat back on his heels. “I’m sorry he hurt you before I managed to kill the bastard.” His eyes met her own. “And in the most painful way possible. You’re trying to block it out, but it will come back when you least expect it. When you’re working, before you go to sleep . . . I don’t think we should let him have that victory. Do you?”
She tried to smile. “No, I won’t let him do that to me. It will take a little while, but I’ll—”
“I don’t want it to take a little while. It would worry me. I don’t like to be worried.” He took both her hands. “Listen, Eve, it didn’t happen. Jelak never knew your Bonnie. He never touched her. You know that. In your heart, you’re absolutely certain.”
As she met his eyes, she felt a tremendous surge of relief. Of course she knew that. She just hadn’t been able to see beyond that load of agony that had been heaped upon her. It was so clear now. “He never touched her.”
“And if he ever tells you that again, you’ll realize immediately that it’s a lie.” He smiled. “He can’t hurt you. Not with Bonnie.”
She nodded, then suddenly stiffened. “Are you doing something that—I’m not Patty’s grandfather.”
