Chasing the Night - Iris Johansen [1]
“Dammit.” He stepped back, and his hands dropped away from her. “I knew it was a long shot, but I thought I’d give it a try. You’ve been working yourself to exhaustion for the last few months.” He wheeled and went back to the couch. “Go ahead. Break your heart trying to put that kid back together again. Why should I care?”
“I don’t know, Joe.” She smiled. “But I thank God you do.” She looked down at the bone splinters that might belong to the nasal cavity…or might not. “And Cindy will forgive you for trying to push her off on Josephson.”
“I’m relieved,” he said dryly. “But I’ll take my chances on being in her bad graces. After all, she’s been dead ten years. At the moment, you’re the only one I care about. I don’t want—”
Eve’s cell phone rang.
She glanced at the ID.
She tensed.
“Who is it?” Joe asked.
“Venable.”
He frowned. “Not good.”
That was Eve’s reaction. They had dealt with Venable and the CIA on several occasions, and it usually ended with her being pulled away from her work and into deep trouble. Not this time.
She punched the button on her cell. “What do you want, Venable?”
“Why are you on the defensive?” Venable asked. “Maybe I only want to check in and see if you’re okay. You were in a hospital in Damascus recovering from a gunshot wound the last time I saw you.”
“That was six months ago, and I’m sure that you know I’m fully recovered. You make it your business to know everything.”
“I’m not the NSA. I’m only interested in specific subjects…and people. I feel a certain attachment for you and Joe.”
“What do you want, Venable?”
He hesitated. “A favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“Nothing that’s dangerous or out of your realm of expertise. I’d like you to do a computer age progression.”
“No.”
“It wouldn’t take you that long, and I’d appreciate it.”
“I’m swamped, and even if I weren’t, you know I won’t work for the CIA. Get one of your own experts to do the job. You have qualified people. Some of them are far more experienced than I am with computer age progression. I don’t even know why you’re bothering to ask me.”
“Because I have to ask you, dammit,” he said sourly. “It has to be you.”
“Why?”
“Because like everything else in my life, it’s a question of bargaining and balancing. I need you to do this, Eve.”
“Then you’re going to be disappointed. I just started a new reconstruction, and I won’t drop it for one of your twisted little jobs. I’m not going to help you identify someone so that you can track him down. I’m never sure whether the prey you’re stalking is a saint or a slimeball. Or if he’s a saint, that you’re not using him in ways that I’d never go along with. You’re capable of manipulating anyone to shape a deal.”
“Yes, I am,” he said wearily. “And some of those deals keep you and your friends from being blown to kingdom come by the bad guys. Someone has to stand guard, and I do a damn good job of it. Dirty sometimes, but effective.”
She supposed he did, but she didn’t want to be involved in that morass even on a purely scientific level. “Let your own agents do it, Venable.”
“What can I offer you to do the job?”
“Nothing that I can’t refuse,” she said softly but emphatically. “Take no for an answer. It’s all you’re going to get from me.”
“I’ll try, but I may have to come back. You’re a prime bargaining chip in this one, Eve.”
“Listen, you’re beginning to annoy me. I’m not a chip, and I’m not a chess piece for you to manipulate.”
“We can all be manipulated. It depends on the determination factor.” He paused. “You’d be safer if I’m the one who does it. I’m trying to avoid throwing you to the wolf.”
“Are you threatening me?”
She put up her hand as she saw Joe straighten at her words.
“I wouldn’t be that stupid. I’m just trying to keep you from making a mistake. I’ve always liked you.”
He probably believed he was telling the truth, but it wouldn’t keep him from using her. She was tired of arguing with him. “I’m hanging up now, Venable.”
“Change your mind, Eve.”
She pressed the disconnect button.
“The bastard threatened you?” Joe was frowning, his tone grim. “I believe I need