Blind Alley - Iris Johansen [89]
“I should have known,” Trevor murmured.
“Yes, you should,” Eve said as she glanced around the marble foyer. “Nice. How many bedrooms?”
“Four. Two bathrooms. Parlor, study, and library. The kitchen is pretty modern and that's a plus for houses this old.”
“How old is it?” Jane asked.
“It was built around 1850. Sontag owns it and I got him to lend it to me when I found out that it's exactly what I needed.”
“You twisted his arm?”
“I didn't have to. He'd caved by that time and was doing everything I told him to do. Until the other night when he got his midnight visitor.”
“It's okay,” Joe said as he came down the stairs. “Eve and I will take the bedroom at the end of the hall. You take the middle bedroom, Jane. Trevor can be on the other side and we'll sandwich you.”
“A sandwich,” Trevor said. “Interesting idea, Jane. But considering how prickly you are, not very appetizing.”
“Shut up,” Joe said coldly. “That's not acceptable, Trevor.”
“I know. It just slipped out.” He started down the hall. “To make amends I'll brew a pot of coffee and fix something to eat while you all get unpacked and cleaned up.”
“Sontag appears to be very cooperative,” Jane said as Eve and Joe headed for their bedroom. “He's not upset any longer?”
“He's upset. He'd like nothing better than to take off with his tail between his legs. It's all a question of control. Try to get a little rest. You had a long flight.” He disappeared through the arched door at the end of the corridor.
She didn't want to go to her room and rest. She wasn't tired. She was excited and on edge and the different sights and sounds and smells of Italy had almost overwhelmed her. She hesitated and then reluctantly headed for her bedroom.
“Want to come with me?” Trevor had come back and was standing in the doorway. He smiled. “I thought you wouldn't be able to tamely shuffle off to rest. Come on. Help me.”
She turned toward him eagerly and then caught herself. “Don't be patronizing. It doesn't take two to make a pot of coffee.”
“Patronizing, hell. I'm lonely.” He took a step toward her, his hand outstretched. He coaxed, “Come with me.”
“Come with me. Trust me.”
No, she wouldn't let her mind play tricks on her just because they were in Herculaneum. The relationship between them was nothing like the one shared by Cira and Antonio. Hell, they had no relationship, only a common goal.
But it would do no harm to go with him right now. She was feeling unsettled and, yes, a little lonely, too. She took a step forward, then another, and took his hand.
Her eyes widened. Tingling. Disturbing. Sensual. She started to pull away.
His grasp instantly closed around hers, warm, strong, safe, and suddenly that sensual disturbance vanished. “See? It didn't hurt a bit. Do you want to make the coffee or do the sandwiches?” He chuckled as he led her toward the kitchen. “Sorry. Those ‘sandwiches' keep appearing out of nowhere, don't they?”
Three guards at the rear of the house. Two at the front. It would be difficult to get to Jane MacGuire while she was inside the villa.
Aldo watched the lights go on at the house on Via Spagnola. So cozy. They were probably gathered around the dinner table, drinking wine and chatting about Cira and the reconstruction.
Did Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn know the serpent they were hugging to their bosoms? That Jane MacGuire and Cira were one? Probably not. No doubt she had worked her magic and made them believe what she wanted them to believe. She wanted to live forever and this reconstruction could ensure that at least her face would be immortal.
It wasn't going to happen. He couldn't tolerate it. And the longer he stayed here in this city, the more convinced he was that he'd been brought here for a reason. His fear and uncertainty were gradually fading. He'd be shown the way through that army of guards surrounding her.
Or she'd be led to him like a lamb to the slaughter.
It's beautiful,” Eve said, gazing out the kitchen window at the winding streets