Bonnie - Iris Johansen [83]
Catherine agreed with him, but at least they had another possibility if they lost Danner in these woods.
No, they wouldn’t lose him. That wasn’t an option. She moved toward the trail. “We’ll check his movements every few hours and compare it to the destination on the map in the apps. Maybe it will give us some indication.”
“You know he could cut back to the road and hijack a car?”
“But that would be hard with Eve in tow. And he evidently intends to keep her with him.”
“Thank God.”
She glanced back at him. “That sounded pretty profound. You’re losing your faith in Danner’s innocence?”
“I didn’t say that.” He was silent, then said, “I want to believe he’s still the man who was my friend as a boy. I just can’t afford to let anyone else be hurt because I want it to be true. I wasn’t lying to Quinn.” He met her gaze. “Every act I do from now on will be based on the idea that my uncle wants to kill Eve. If I have to do it, I’ll take him out.”
And it was tearing him apart, Catherine could see. But there was no doubt in her mind that he meant every word he said. He was tough and hard-edged and he’d smother any hint of softness now that he’d made his decision.
But that didn’t mean that decision would necessarily have to become reality.
She glanced away from him. “You never can tell, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
He must have caught something in her tone. His gaze was suddenly narrowed on her face. “And that means?”
“Nothing.”
“I think it does.” His lips were suddenly indented with the faintest smile. “My God, Catherine, I believe you’re planning on offering me a bizarre gift … of sorts. Incredible.”
“I’m not planning anything. Sometimes, things happen.”
“And that happening might include your taking out my uncle so that I don’t have to do it. You’d do that for me?”
“It has nothing to do with you,” she said crisply. “All of this is about Eve and for Eve. It’s probably in the cards for Danner to be eliminated, so that Eve can live. I’d be more efficient in doing that since I don’t have any emotional baggage. Why should you do something that could scar you for the rest of your life? It would be easier for me. Do you know how many kills I have?”
“I imagine the number is formidable.”
“It can be an ugly world, and I’m an agent. I do what my job calls for me to do. Do I like it? No, but I believe it’s worthwhile.”
“And do you believe I’m worthwhile, Catherine?”
“The truth? Worthwhile to me? I’m not sure. But I want you to live, so that I can find out. And I don’t want you to make stupid mistakes and get yourself killed because you hesitate when you should move.”
“I won’t hesitate. That’s over, Catherine. I’ll handle this. Back off.”
She shrugged. “We’ll see how it plays out.” She turned away. “But don’t flatter yourself that I’d do it for you. It would be for Eve … and for me.”
He chuckled. “And that flatters me enormously. I can do without your making this huge sacrifice to keep me from undergoing all this mental and emotional suffering. I like the idea much more of your selfishly trying to keep me balanced in case you can make use of me.”
She had thought he’d feel that way. It was much better that she kept the situation on that level. She could be as honest as she could with him as long as it did not make her vulnerable.
Or show him that she was already vulnerable.
“Then we understand each other.”
“Yes.” He was suddenly turning her to face him. “Sometimes, I understand you, Catherine.” His fingers gently traced the line of her cheekbone. “It’s not easy. You’re as complicated as Chinese cybercode. But when we keep it basic, I get a glimmer…” He was touching her lips with his forefinger. “And it makes me want to go deeper.”
She should break away. This wasn’t the time or the place. Neither of them wanted this to happen. The emotion had whirled into being like a tornado touching down out of a still sky.
She didn’t break away.
His fingers were warm, smooth,