Stalemate

becoming more frightening with every spoken word.

She moved over to the dais and took off the drop cloth over the reconstruction. 'You're causing an awful lot of trouble, Nalia. You remind me of one of those women from the court of Camelot who had all the knights fighting over her. Only I'm one of the knights who are trying to bring you-'

Camelot.

Jane had been talking about Camelot at the art show. Camelot and MacDuff's Run.

Jane.

Panic surged through her. Of course she was okay. Montalvo had promised to protect her family.

Screw it. She needed to talk to Jane, to hear her voice. She reached into her pocket for her phone and dialed Jane's number.

No answer. No voice mail. Nothing.

Keep calm. Try again later.

She turned back to the reconstruction. Concentrate. Don't let nerves keep you from thinking logically. There could be a reason why Jane wasn't-

Her cell phone rang.

No ID.

'Hello.'

'I hope Montalvo's paying you well.' It was a man's deep voice, the English slightly accented. 'Funeral expenses can be exorbitant these days.'

'Who is this?'

'But I'll be glad to take care of that for him. You can share the grave with the bones of his wife.'

'Diaz?'

'Yes, Ramon Diaz, you bitch. You're playing on the wrong side. Shall I tell you what I'll do to you if you continue to give Montalvo what he wants?'

'I'm not listening to your threats, Diaz.'

'You'll listen. I'll keep you around for a week or two to amuse my men. Then I'll kill you, slowly. Very slowly.'

'And will you throw me into the swamp as you did Nalia Armandariz? That was pretty stupid. She's come back to haunt you.' She kept her voice cool and steady. 'I'll haunt you. I'll bring her back and there's nothing you can do about it.'

'Oh, but there is something I can do. You lost one daughter. Are you prepared to lose another?'

She went rigid. 'What are you talking about?'

'Such a beautiful girl. Not to my taste. I prefer my partners younger and less independent. But there are many whorehouses that specialize in breaking the spirit of the women I send them.'

'You can't touch Jane. I'll kill you if you lay one hand on her.'

'Ah, that frightened you, didn't it? I can always find a way to reach out and get what I want.'

'You slimeball.'

'You're making me angry. You don't want to do that. Stop what you're doing and go back to your country. Your daughter may survive if you do that right away. Though I don't promise. It's hard to stop when you've set a plan of action in motion.' He hung up.

Eve's heart was beating so hard she couldn't get her breath. Her finger was trembling as she pressed the disconnect.

Bastard. Slimy son of a bitch.

Jane.

She dialed Jane's number again.

No answer. No voice mail.

Oh, God.

She hung up and ran to the door.

Miguel was coming toward her carrying a covered tray. 'I've brought your food. I hope-'

'Get Montalvo,' she said through her teeth. 'I want to see him now.'

Miguel took one look at her expression and set the tray on a chest beside the door. 'At once. Is there anything I can do?'

'Just get Montalvo.'

He turned and moved swiftly down the hall.

She tried Jane again.

Same result.

Let her be safe. Please, let her be safe.

'What's wrong?' Montalvo was hurrying down the hall toward her. 'How can I help?'

'You said you'd protect my family. You promised me.'

'Yes, I promised.' His gaze was searching her face. 'Tell me what's wrong.'

'Oh, nothing. Except Diaz said that he was sending my daughter to one of his pet whorehouses.'

He stiffened. 'He phoned you?'

'Yes. Now tell me that my daughter is safe and that bastard is lying.'

'She's safe. He's lying.'

She stared him in the eye. 'Now prove it. I can't reach her by phone.'

He reached in his pocket and drew out his phone and dialed a number. 'Montalvo. Let me speak to Jane MacGuire.' He handed Eve the phone. 'Proof.'

'Eve?'

It was undoubtedly Jane's voice. Eve sagged back against the wall. 'Thank God. Are you okay, Jane?'

'I'm fine. I'm getting a little stir-crazy. I wish you'd finish up that job and get back here.'

'Where are you?'

'Some safe house in Tucson that Venable set up. It's pretty nice and they supplied me with canvases and paints to keep me occupied.'

'Venable?'

'Didn't you know he was handling it?'

'No.'

Silence. 'Are you okay, Eve?'

'I was worried about you.'

'I'm fine. But next time you take an internationally sensitive job, I want to go along. I'm bored silly.'

'Sorry.' She cleared her throat. 'I'll be through here as soon as possible. I'll call you. Take care, Jane. I love you.'

She hung up the phone and turned to Montalvo. 'The CIA?'

He nodded. 'I made a deal with them.'

'What kind of deal?'

'I promised Venable I wouldn't sell weapons to a certain dictator on his hit list.