“And the others?”
“One had just won a gardening award a week before.”
“So he does look at the newspapers.”
“Possibly. But he can't be sure of finding his victims by reading the newspapers and, if they were a source, he'd have to limit himself to certain areas because of the sheer magnitude of the task. I'd say he has some other way of targeting.”
“Another theory?” She was chilled. “You found her, dammit.”
“But the chances were against it. I was really having my colleague Bartlett doing routine checks to see what he could come up with.”
“And you came up with Jane.” Joe took the photo from Eve. “And it's too damn clear. Why didn't you notify me if you thought she was in danger?”
“The e-mail,” he reminded him.
“Damn the e-mail. You should have been specific.”
“I didn't even know he was in your area until the Millbruk murder and that was two months after this photo was taken. And if he'd seen this photo, it wasn't likely that he'd waste time and effort on any other target. He'd have come straight to her.”
“Why?”
“Look at her.” Trevor's gaze went to the photo. “She's so vibrant she almost jumps out of the picture. When you compare her to the other victims, they're like counterfeits compared to the real thing.”
“All the more reason why you should have let us know.”
“There might have been no threat to her.”
“You bastard, we should have been told.”
“I assure you we've been keeping an eye on her. The moment I saw this photo, I sent Bartlett here to watch her. But I'm sure I would have felt the same way if I were in your shoes.”
“You don't know how we would have felt,” Eve said fiercely. “You cold son of a bitch. I don't care if you catch your killer. I want to keep Jane safe.”
“So do I.” He met her gaze. “There's nothing I want more. Believe me.”
She did believe him. There could be no doubting either his sincerity or the intensity of his feeling. It didn't lessen her anger.
“And do you mean you've been spying on us without—”
“I think your policemen are afraid of Toby, Joe.” Jane was laughing as she came into the room. “He growled when they came too close behind me and they stopped so short they almost got whiplash. You'd think they'd realize Toby is—” She stopped as her glance went from Eve to Trevor. She gave a low whistle. “Do I sense a rift in Anglo- American relations?”
Trevor smiled. “Not on my part. I'm solidly in your camp. You're Jane MacGuire, aren't you? I'm Mark Trevor.”
Jane was silent, staring at him. “Hello. You're not what I expected.”
“You're everything I expected.” He crossed the room and took her hand. “And more.”
Jane was gazing at him in fascination and Eve could understand why. She had felt the same response to that smile and charisma when she'd first seen him. But that was before she'd realized how cool and ruthless he could be. In the space of minutes he'd changed from an ally into an adversary. She had an impulse to run across the room and jerk Jane away from him. “Mr. Trevor was just leaving.”
Trevor didn't look away from Jane. “Yes, I'm afraid I've put myself in their bad books. I blew it.” He smiled ruefully. “I was skimming along famously and then I got worried they weren't taking proper care of you and I opened my mouth and let all my hard work go up in smoke.”
“What hard work?”
“They'll explain.”
“I want you to explain.” She gazed directly into his eyes. “You've been trying to catch that murderer. What have you been doing and how does it affect me?”
He chuckled. “I should have known you'd be like this. You're a delight.”
“And you're bullshitting me.”
“I'm not, you know.” His smile faded. “You want the truth? You're a target and I've known for some time that there was the possibility that you might be under the gun. I watched and waited. And Ms. Duncan and Quinn quite rightly are outraged that I didn't immediately surround you with all the protection you deserve.”
“Yes, we are,” Eve said. “Because I can think of only one reason why you'd wait. If you had her watched, then you may have wanted to set her up as bait.”
“The possibility occurred to me.” He looked back at Jane. “But I would never have let anything happen to you. No one's going to hurt you. I promise.”
“Which means zilch,” Jane said. “I'm responsible for what happens to me. Not you or Eve or Joe. I take care of myself. I don't care if you played some kind of game to trap that creep. As long as you didn't hurt anyone I care about.” She took a step back. “But I think you'd better leave now. You've upset Eve.”
His brows lifted. “And that's a sin, I take it.”
“Yes, it is.” She gestured to the door. “Good-bye, Mr. Trevor. If you can catch that creep, good luck to you. But don't come back unless you have a darned good reason.”
“And don't upset Eve.”
“You've got it.” She turned to Joe. “It's suppertime. Do you want me to warm up those leftovers from the steaks you grilled last night?”
“I appear to be dismissed.” Trevor smiled and headed for the door. “I'll be in touch, Quinn.”
Joe nodded curtly. “Like she said, you better have a good reason.”
“The very best. I won't darken your door until I do,” Trevor said. “May I commandeer one of your policemen to take me to town?”
Joe nodded again. “He'll drop you at a hotel.” He paused. “Or the airport.”
Trevor gave a mock shiver. “The welcome mat has definitely been yanked. I can only hope that I can reinstate myself in your good graces.”
“You were never in them,” Eve said. “We don't know you and now we don't trust you.”
He paused at the door. “You can trust me,” he said quietly. “If you searched the world over, you wouldn't find anyone who wants to keep Jane safe more than I do.” He reached in his pocket, pulled out a card, and placed it on the table by the door. “That's for you, Jane. My cell number. If you need anything, call me. I'll be there for you.” The door closed behind him.
“Whew.” Jane went to the window and watched him as he moved toward the police car. “He's definitely not stuffy or slow moving, is he?”
“No.” Eve's gaze narrowed on her face. “What do you think of him?”
She glanced at Eve. “Why?”
“When you first met him, you couldn't take your eyes off him. He's very good-looking, isn't he?”
“Is he?” She frowned. “I suppose he is. I didn't really notice.”
“That's hard to believe. It was pretty clear you were fascinated.”
“He reminded me of someone.”
“Who?”
“I don't remember. Someone . . .” She saw Eve's expression and she smiled. “You're worried. You think I developed a crush on him in the few minutes he was here? I don't have crushes, Eve. You know that.”
Relief surged through her. She smiled. “There's always a first time. I'd be glad to see you have a crush or two. I keep hoping and waiting for a breakthrough.” She shook her head. “But pick a rock star or a football player. Not him, Jane.”
“Definitely not him.” Joe headed for the door. “I think I'll escort him into town myself. Don't bother to heat up the steaks. I'll pick up Chinese on the way back.”
Jane giggled as the door closed behind him. “He reminds me of the sheriff in a spaghetti western. Only he'd be running the outlaw out of town, not escorting him to the hotel.” She moved over to the door and picked up Trevor's business card on the table. “He really upset both of you. You'd think he was attacking me instead of only doing his job.”
