and a stable relationship to jump into bed with a man she hasn’t seen in years.”
“She was willing to do it when she was sixteen. Maybe she still has a yen for him.” He shrugged. “At any rate, we should explore it. I doubt if Gallo feels the same way, but if there’s a chance, we’ll grab it.”
“There’s another possibility.” He paused. “Paul Black.”
Queen shook his head. “I don’t think Black has surfaced yet. He had me e-mail him some information about Gallo’s employees, and I sent him current info about Eve Duncan as well, including the fact that she’s on her way to Milwaukee.”
“Why pull Black into it?”
“Why not? The hunted pursuing the hunter. Better he go after Gallo than me. I knew I shouldn’t have tried to hand Black over to Gallo. It boomeranged, and it could have been fatal. But I handled it damn well.”
“So you say,” Jacobs said. “But you’ve been prone to impulsive behavior of late. You didn’t have to burn down Gallo’s place. It will make him difficult to negotiate with if that becomes necessary.”
Bastard. Jacobs hadn’t had to deal with Gallo all these years. He hadn’t realized what bullshit Queen had had to take from him. “It won’t be necessary. I’ll find him, and I’ll find the ledger. The woman may be the answer.” He turned and moved toward the door. “She’s going to find Gallo a little too hot to handle.”
THE NOTE WAS PROPPED UP on the coffeemaker on the counter.
Joe had expected it. He had tried to phone home twice before he’d gotten into his car and driven home. He tore open the envelope and pulled out the sheet of paper.
His hand clenched the paper, then he crushed it into a ball and hurled it onto the counter.
Control the anger… and the fear. He had known this could be coming. It had been building for the last few years, and he had been able to fight it off.
He would still fight it off.
But he had to find Eve first.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Eve.
Voice mail.
He called Catherine.
She answered immediately. “Trouble?”
“Why would you think that?”
“Eve was too quiet.”
“She’s gone to John Gallo. He’s convinced her he can take her to Black.”
“Then we have to find Gallo. I suppose she’s not answering her phone?”
“Voice mail.”
Catherine was silent. “Okay, so I track down Judy Clark while you go after Hanks?”
“Can you? How is your son?”
“Luke is fine. I’ve hired a live-in tutor for him. Sam O’Neill used to work for the CIA, but he retired a few years ago. He was a teacher before he joined the Company, and he decided to go back to it. I figured they’d be a good match. Sam’s a nice guy but tough, and they get along. Luke wouldn’t know what to do with a cozy, maternal housekeeper.” She added, “Luke doesn’t need me. After being on his own all these years, he’s totally independent. He reads and studies, and sometimes we even have discussions. It’s a start.” She paused. “I wish he did need me. But that will come.” She added brusquely, “I’ll call Venable and see what we can pull up on Hanks and Judy Clark.”
“And I’ll go to the airport and check to see if Eve left her car there. It’s not here.” He added, “Thanks, Catherine. I need to move fast.”
“Do you think I’m doing it for you? It’s Eve. Every time I look at my son, I remember that I wouldn’t have him with me if it wasn’t for her. And you do need to move fast. Gallo has her blinded. Hell, maybe she’s right about him, but he scares me. He’s unpredictable. Queen could be right about him having a split personality, and there’s no one more convincing than someone who believes that he’s telling the truth. Let me know if she’s taken a flight.” She hung up.
Split personality. Possible answer. Eve was not easily fooled. She had great instincts about people and would not be easily dazzled.
But Gallo had dazzled her when she was sixteen.
Don’t think about it. Think about the Eve you know now.
The Eve who could be walking into Gallo’s trap.
CHAPTER 15
EVE’S CELL PHONE RANG AS SOON as she walked off the jetway in Milwaukee.
“Go to the Avis rental pickup,” John Gallo said. “A tan Toyota Camry has been rented for you. I’ll see you soon.” He hung up.
Short and to the point, Eve thought as she moved down the aisle. Evidently, he was taking no chances on their conversation being bugged. Not that she could blame him. His home had been burned to the ground a little more than twenty-four hours ago. But where was she supposed to go after she went to the Avis lot?
And when she got into the Camry, there was no note on the seat to help her. What was she supposed to do. Just sit and wait for-
The GPS.
She activated it. An address was on the bottom of the GPS. Marriott Hotel. Downtown, Milwaukee.
She drove out of the lot.
Marriott Hotel.
It had been to a Marriott that she had gone with John when her mother had been in trouble. Some sort of puckish whimsy?
But John had never had that kind of humor. He had always had a reason for every action.
She glanced at the rearview mirror.
Was she being followed?
“EVE DUNCAN JUST PULLED UP in front of the Marriott, Colonel,” Brandell said. “She’s going up to the front desk and registering. Shall I follow?”
“Not yet. Any sign of Gallo?”
“No.”
“Then park and go inside. Find out what room she’s been given.”
