Blind Alley - Iris Johansen [104]
“We'll do our best.”
“That's not good enough.” She stood up. “You were right to treat me like an idiot schoolgirl. I should have been able to fool him, turn him in another direction. But I didn't. I was so scared that I couldn't think fast enough. I'm not waiting around for him to come after Eve.”
“Eve won't be down in the tunnel with us and she'll have protection here at the villa.”
She whirled on him. “And what if he kills me? Do you guarantee that he won't get past her security and slice her to ribbons? He's not going to hurt Eve. He's not even going to get close to her,” she said fiercely. “Do you have any idea how much I care about her?”
“I think I do,” he said gently.
“Then you should know that I'll never let that piece of filth within a mile of her. So if you want Aldo, you'd better make me a promise. No matter what happens, you're going to keep Eve and Joe from being hurt. I don't care if Aldo gets away. I don't care if you think I'm in danger. Nothing happens to them.”
“That's a difficult promise to make but I'll do my best.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.” His smile was twisted. “And I guess I should feel fortunate you don't care enough about me to demand the same promise about my safety.”
“You can take care of yourself. You weren't pulled into this like Eve and Joe. Besides, it's all about Aldo with you.”
“Of course. What else? It's all about Aldo.”
What's wrong with her?” Bartlett asked as he met Trevor at the French doors. “She looked like she'd run into Godzilla.”
“Close. She got a phone call from Aldo.”
Bartlett's eyes widened. “Indeed.”
Trevor nodded jerkily. “And he scared the hell out of her.”
“That doesn't really compute,” Bartlett said. “Jane doesn't scare easily.”
“She does when it concerns Eve and Joe Quinn. Evidently Aldo's threats were specific and very ugly.”
“I see.” Bartlett nodded gravely. “Yes, that would tip her over the edge. She's very wary of most people but Eve and Joe are her entire world.”
“She made me promise to keep them safe. How the hell am I going to do that in a situation like this?”
“I'm sure you'll find a way. Ever since we met, you've been juggling ideas and possibilities and twisting events to suit yourself. It's automatic with you.” He smiled. “I find it quite exhausting to watch since my mind doesn't have that capability. But whatever you decide I'm going to have a part in it. I notice that I've been left out in the cold in all this planning that's going on. It hurts my feelings.” He added quietly, “I won't get in your way but I'm tired of hovering on the edge. I have to help.”
“I told you that you were to stay here and protect Eve.”
“Quinn's arranged security for her that's much more qualified than I am.”
“According to Jane, she can't have too much.”
“I'm going with you.”
“Bartlett, I don't need you to—” He stopped and shrugged. “Come ahead. Why shouldn't I risk your neck, too? I'm putting everyone else on the chopping block.”
“Dear me, you are having guilty twinges, aren't you? May I point out that I'm a grown man with free choice? And you told me that it was Jane who concocted the plan to use herself as bait.”
“But I gave her the rope to stake herself out for him.” He turned on his heel. “Oh, what the hell. Why should a bastard like me give a damn? Do what you like.”
The red velvet cloth lay on the rocky floor waiting in the darkness.
Waiting for her.
The beam of Aldo's flashlight played over the gleaming marble bases, the photography lights and battery, and then beyond them to the tunnels leading off the vomitorium. He was tempted to go and explore but there was no telling what traps the bitch had laid for him. It was bad enough she'd managed to find this tunnel of which he had no prior knowledge. It had come as a complete surprise to him when he'd seen them carry the coffin down an unexpected turn. He'd followed them to the ladder leading to the Via Spagnola before he'd doubled back. It was only after he'd phoned Jane MacGuire later that day that he'd