Jane shook her head. “I was just wondering if you were almost finished.”
“Tomorrow. I might have finished tonight if you hadn't decided on dragging me out this afternoon.”
“You didn't object.”
“And I wouldn't again. Keeping you alive is more important than identifying this poor dead girl.”
“What are you calling her?”
“Lucy.” Her hands moved over the skull, carefully measuring the space between the eyes. “The Chicago police think she may be a child that's been missing for over fifteen years. Her parents must be going through hell.”
“Like you.”
Eve didn't deny it. “At least I can give other parents back their children. I suppose that's a form of closure.”
“Bull. Very noble but it doesn't keep you from hurting.”
“No.” Eve smiled faintly. “May I ask why you're so interested in my work tonight?”
“I'm always interested. It's kind of creepy but it's part of you.”
“The creepy part.”
“You said it.” Jane grinned. “I wouldn't dare. So Lucy is winging her way back to Chicago tomorrow?”
“Probably.” Eve lifted her brows. “Is it important that she be finished quickly?”
“Maybe. I've been sitting here and thinking. . . .” Her gaze focused musingly on the skull. “How does she . . . feel?”
“Touching her face?” She was silent, thinking about it. “Not creepy. I've done it so long that it's difficult to describe.”
“Pity?”
“Yes, and anger and sadness.” She gently touched Lucy's cheek. “And a deep, deep urgency to bring her home. Home has always been so important to me. There are so many lost ones out there.”
“I've heard you say that before. Do you really think that her soul is somewhere wandering around and that she cares about being brought home?”
“I don't know. Maybe. But I do know I care.” Eve smoothed the clay at Lucy's forehead. “Now go to bed and let me work or I'll never get her finished.”
“Okay.” Jane stood up. “I was just curious.”
“Jane.”
Jane glanced back over her shoulder.
“Why now?” Eve asked. “You've never been this curious about my work before.”
Jane turned back to face her. “I've never been brought this close to the possibility of my own death before. It's bound to make you wonder what's out there for us.”
“Right now, the only thing out there for you is a long and happy life.”
“Don't worry. I'm not being gloomy and pessimistic. I don't know why all this came tumbling out of left field. I was sitting here watching you and thinking about something completely different when it occurred to me . . .” She paused. “Cira is one of those lost ones. Nobody seems to know what happened to her. She probably died in that eruption.”
“Two thousand years ago, Jane.”
“Does time make a difference? Lost is lost.”
“No, I guess not. It's just that it takes away the personal, familiar factor.”
“No, I don't agree.” She reached up and touched her own cheekbone and traced the line to her temple. “I'm taking this very personally. She had my face.”
“And it bothers you that she's one of the lost ones?”
“I don't know. Maybe she wasn't lost at all. Maybe she wasn't killed. Maybe she lived to be a hundred with her great-great-grandchildren all around her.”
“It's possible.”
“Yeah, but I've been asking myself, what if you're right and lost souls have a passion to come home? What if these dreams I've been having have been her way of telling me that she needs to be found and brought to a final resting place?”
“Is that what you think? I have to point out that it's a totally unrealistic conclusion.”
“Because it's your duty.” She was silent a moment. “I'm not sure what's real anymore and I don't believe you are either. It makes as much sense as thinking I'm picking up psychic vibrations.” She grimaced. “But it would help if I had a little guidance. Perhaps you should ask Bonnie what's happening to me.”
“Is that a joke?”
“Not an unkind one. She rules your world and that's fine with me. Just thought we'd put her to work.” She moved down the hall. “Forget it. We'll work everything out for ourselves. But try to finish Lucy tonight.”
She booted up her laptop as soon as she reached her bedroom, and went immediately to the
She tensed, drew a deep breath, and accessed the porn site. She'd glanced through it earlier but she had to be sure. . . . After five minutes she had to get out of it. Horrible. It seemed impossible that anyone could relish this kind of obscenity. Forget it. Go on to the next site. They were all forming a picture of Aldo that was growing clearer by the minute.
She finished the last site on Trevor's list at 3:42 A.M. and leaned back and tried to suppress her growing excitement. Would it work?
Chancy at best. Success would depend on many factors, including the elusive power of luck.
Well, they were due for some good luck, dammit.
She reached for her telephone and began to dial.
The sun was shining through the windows and bathing Eve and Joe in clear light as they sat at the breakfast table. Warm. Loving. Serene. So different from Aldo's dark world that Jane had been delving into last night.
Jane stood looking at them for an instant, hesitating. Stop it. You've made up your mind. Now go for it.
“Good morning.” She strode toward them. “I didn't hear you come in last night, Joe.” She went to the refrigerator and took out the orange juice. “Were you late?”
“Yes.” He took a sip of his coffee. “But you should have heard me. I saw the light under your door.”
“I was busy.” She poured her juice. “How's Lucy coming, Eve?”
“Finished.” Eve smiled faintly. “As you ordered, little madam.”
“You know I wouldn't—” She broke off as she met Eve's knowing gaze. “Busted?”
“Busted. What are you up to?”
“I had to make sure your decks were cleared.” She lifted her glass to her lips. “I'm going to need you.” She turned to Joe. “And you, too.”
“I'm honored not to be left out,” he said dryly. “Are you going to let us into your confidence or are we supposed to guess?”
“I would have talked to you before but I had to be sure. . . .” She moistened her lips. “I was confused. There were too many lost pieces and I had to fill in the blanks. Otherwise you'd blow me out of the water. I couldn't let that happen.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“We can't sit here and wait for Aldo to come after me. I thought maybe I could find a way to draw him out in the open. But after talking to him, I realize it's going to take something pretty strong to make him lose his cool. He'll just sit and wait and I can't take that. We have to go after him.”
“We
“And it's driving you crazy. That's not the way you like to operate,” Jane said. “You want to go after him, too.”
“It's safer this way.”
