Blind Alley - Iris Johansen [35]
“Why?”
“He's brilliant. He was something of a phenomenon. One of the finest minds his teachers had ever run across. Mathematics, chemistry, literature. You name it, he aced it. His test scores went off the charts. Genius territory.”
“Hence the card counting.”
“That's his most well-known profession. You know about his years as a mercenary and there were several years after that when we have no info on him. Then he started to do the casino circuit and he's also been known to do a little smuggling and deal in ancient artifacts. He was picked up in Singapore once for trying to remove a valuable Tang Dynasty vase from the country. He talked his way out of it but not before they booked him on suspicion. We seem to have a lot of suspicion and no convictions connected with Trevor. He's either been treading very cautiously or he's as smart as they say.”
“Smart. There was nothing cautious about the way he conned his way into my home. We have to look for a connection between Trevor and Aldo. Did Aldo's sketch bring any response?”
“Not yet. Too bad you couldn't get fingerprints.”
“No chance. He even wiped them off the dog collar. What about the volcanic ashes?”
“They've narrowed them down to Krakatoa in Indonesia, Vesuvius, or Montserrat.”
“Sweet. That's not what I call narrowing. Talk about opposite ends of the earth.”
“They're working on trying to refine the tests. According to the lab it shouldn't be this difficult. Every volcano has its own signature tephra.”
“Tephra?”
“Unconsolidated fine-grained pyroclastic material.”
“Ash.”
“Yeah, I'm beginning to sound like the lab guys, aren't I? God help me. Anyway, the glass-shard particles have their own signature. The volcano from which they're taken can usually be pinpointed. In fact, it's possible for scientists to tell from which hole in the volcano the tephra was taken.”
“Then what's the problem?”
“Mixed signals. They're puzzled.”
“Great.”
“I'm pushing them. They'll get there.” She paused. “I know this must seem to be taking forever, Joe. I'd hate every minute of delay if I were in your shoes. I just want you to know that everyone in the department is with you and working at top speed.”
“I know that. Thanks, Christy.”
After he hung up he went to the window and looked out at Jane sitting by the lake. Toby was lying at her feet. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the lake was clear and placid. The scene should have been peaceful.
It wasn't.
“She's waiting.” Eve had come to stand beside him at the window. Her gaze was on Jane. “She's been spending hours down there by the lake for the last two days. She says she's just enjoying the sunshine. But she's waiting for him.”
He nodded. He'd also noticed the slight tension of Jane's body, the almost visible air of expectancy. “Aldo?”
“Or Trevor.” Eve shrugged. “Or both. Since she won't admit she's waiting for anyone, we're not about to find out. I don't know how she thinks they're going to get near her.” She added grimly, “If they do, I'll personally strangle every one of those men on stakeout.”
“You'd have to stand in line,” Joe said. He looked away from Jane. “Christy called with some info on Trevor. I'll fill you in.”
“Good.” But Eve's gaze remained on Jane. “I know how she feels,” she whispered. “I'm waiting for them too.”
Charlotte, North Carolina
She wasn't perfect, but she'd have to do.
Aldo cruised slowly behind her as she walked down the street watching the sway of hips in her short skirt and fur-trimmed jacket. He knew her hotel room was five blocks away because he'd watched her take two of her tricks there this evening. He'd waited until she was far enough from it to make it reasonable for them to drive rather than walk. Once in the car it was always much easier for him.
He accelerated, pulled over to the curb beside her, and rolled down the window. “Cold night, isn't