tampered with his brakes, then told me to get back in my car.”
“You were shot. Was Joe shot too?”
“I wish I could tell you. He saw someone behind me and told me to get down. Then he pushed me down and dropped on top of me.” His lips tightened. “The bullet hit my shoulder on my way down. If he hadn’t pushed me, it would probably have been a chest or heart wound. He saved my life.”
“But what happened to Joe?”
“I passed out almost immediately.” He paused. “I thought I heard another shot.”
Eve inhaled sharply.
“I’m sorry. I’m not sure,” Norris said. “Damn, I feel helpless. I’ve got to get out of this hospital.”
Eve felt helpless too. Helpless and scared and panicky. “Thank you.” She turned toward the door. “If you remember anything more, call me.”
“I will.” He added as she reached the door, “It was Jelak, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, I’m sure it was.”
She left the room and let Caleb carve a path for them through the crowd to the elevator. She didn’t speak until the doors of the elevator closed behind them. “It had to be Jelak.”
Caleb nodded. “That goes without saying.”
“He stalked Joe and shot him,” Jane said. “Revenge for the bullet he took from Joe?”
“He was terribly angry with him,” Eve said. “He said Joe was in his way.”
“Not revenge. At least not the major motivation.” The doors opened, and Caleb stepped aside for them to exit. “Which may be a lucky break.”
Eve’s gaze flew to his face. “What?”
“Jelak may want him alive.” He was leading them through the reception to the parking lot. “Norris said he heard a bullet. It didn’t necessarily have to be a fatal bullet.”
“You think he’s still alive?” Eve stopped to look at him as they reached his car. Desperate hope was soaring through her. “Why?”
“Get in the car. Let’s talk this out.”
“Why?” Jane repeated, after they’d settled in the car.
“Jelak was stalking you to lure Eve into a trap. Quinn put all kinds of safeguards around you to keep that from happening.” His lips twisted. “And I was working around those safeguards to pull Jelak into a trap.”
“I noticed.”
“But Jelak decided to go around a different way to get what he wanted.”
“Joe,” Eve whispered.
Caleb nodded. “You’ve been with Quinn a long time. He’s important to you. If you thought his life was in danger, he’d have his bait.”
“Then he wouldn’t kill him,” Eve said quickly. “He wouldn’t be able to get what he wanted if Joe was dead.”
“If you’re right,” Jane said.
“Quinn was taken from the scene. Why? Unless Jelak intended to use him for something.”
“Or make us think he was alive and still use him,” Jane said.
“That’s true. I won’t deny that’s a possibility. We’ll have to see.”
“You expect him to call me,” Eve said.
“Oh, yes. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it.” Caleb started the car. “But since we don’t know when, I’ll take you home to wait in comfort.”
“Comfort? Not likely.”
“Comparatively speaking. May I wait with you?”
Why not? Caleb might be able to help if worse came to worst. “As long as you don’t try to move us all like puppets.”
Caleb shook his head. “The pieces are in place through no manipulation by me. I’ll just try to keep them in play and help you survive.”
“Help Joe survive,” Eve said fiercely. “I’m not going to let Jelak kill him.”
“And that’s what Jelak is counting on.”
She knew that, but it didn’t matter. “He’s not going to die, Caleb.”
“I hear you.” Caleb drove out of the parking lot. “And Jelak will be delighted to hear it too.”
“Be quiet, Caleb,” Jane said curtly. “We know what you’re saying. We know what you want. We’ll work it out.”
“I’m sure you will. That’s why I want to be on-site to watch you.” He looked away from her. “But I’ll try to keep my own counsel while I’m doing it. Mum’s the word.”
