Blind Alley - Iris Johansen [114]
“So will I.” She shivered as she gazed at the reconstruction. There was something macabre about seeing Jane's face on this ancient skeleton. Snap out of it. Jane was alive and this was Eve's own work. “I'm sick to death of this mess. While I was pinned under those rocks all I could think about were Jane and that murderer. I nearly went crazy.” Her lips tightened. “There's no telling what damage dealing with that bastard has done to her. If she was like most girls she'd be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life.”
“She's not like most girls. She'll be fine.”
“I hope so. But it went on for too long. It hurt her and I can't stand that. I want her back home living a normal life.”
“A few more days won't matter.”
“It will matter to me.” She took the glass eyes out of the reconstruction. “I want out of here and this is the last thing I have to do to cut our ties. I have to give Giulia her true face and hand her over to Trevor to take back to the museum.” She carefully began to erase the features she'd created. The depth was accurate and she mustn't change that as she did the final sculpting. “So leave me alone and let me get to it. It's going to be a long night.”
“I'll hang out and keep you company.”
She shook her head. “If you want to help, phone and make our airline reservations out of here for tomorrow night. And then talk to the Italian authorities and make sure that they're not going to put any barriers up to keep us here.”
“They already took our statements. And I pulled a few strings to get them to leave it at that for the moment.”
“Be sure. I have to have an end to it.” She added wearily, “Dear God, and my Jane has to have an end to it.”
He nodded. “I'm on my way.”
Smooth.
Work fast. Don't think. Let Giulia's face tell the story.
More curve to the upper lip.
Smooth.
More definition beneath the cheekbone.
Smooth.
Her hands were moving quickly, deftly over Giulia's face.
Keep your mind empty.
Should the nose be shorter? It seemed right.
We're almost there. Just a little more over the brow.
No, that was wrong.
“Help me, Giulia. You've been lost for too long.”
Smooth.
Her fingertips were hot, though the clay was cool.
Smooth.
Tell me. They said you were a worker but that's not enough. You need a face so we'll be able to know you.
Smooth.
That's it, help me.
A little more.
Done!
She drew a deep breath and took a step back. “It's the best I can do, Giulia. I hope I got it— Oh, my God.” She closed her eyes, and whispered, “Dear God in heaven.”
I want out of here, Eve.” Jane scowled. “The emergency room should have checked me out and let me go last night. There's nothing wrong with me. You're the one the tunnel fell on.”
“But I got by with bruises.” Eve filled Jane's water glass and handed it to her. “You had cuts, a strained shoulder, and loss of blood from that leg wound. Incidentally, the doctor said that you'd aggravated that shoulder injury by tossing those rocks around to get me out.”
“It didn't hurt.” She amended as she saw Eve's skeptical expression, “Much.” She took a sip of water and set it down. “When can you get me sprung?”
“This afternoon. And Joe made reservations on the midnight flight tonight. We're going home.”
“Good. You're sure you're feeling okay?”
“Jane, I'm fine. Joe is fine. That's the third time you asked that today. Now stop fretting. It's not like you.”
“I've never been responsible for nearly getting both of you killed before.” She reached for her hand. “I'm sorry. I'd never have forgiven myself if you'd really been hurt.”
“It was our choice. We'd do it again.” She smiled as she squeezed her hand. “We couldn't get along without you. Like I told you, family is everything.”
“Not when I almost got you—” She stopped as Eve's hand covered her lips.
“Hush,” she said. “It wasn't easy for you to crawl through that tunnel in the dark to get to me. Why did you do it?”
“You needed me.”
“I rest my case.” She stood up. “Now I don't want to hear any more about it. Okay?”
She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “Okay. But you