Eve - Iris Johansen [106]
“No, I mean I couldn’t talk about her, not even about the good times. I held the memories close as if I was afraid of losing those, too.” She looked away from him. “I guess it was time I stopped being afraid and realized that sharing only makes them richer. So maybe I have something to thank you for, too, John.”
“You’ve not talked to Quinn about Bonnie?”
“Of course.” How could she explain? “But he didn’t know her, couldn’t love her. He only knew her as a cause of sorrow and danger to me. And I couldn’t tell him all the things that might have brought him closer to her.” She smiled as she got to her feet and headed for the bathroom. “But maybe I can now.”
He chuckled. “So a night in bed with me is going to bring you closer to Quinn?”
“Yes.”
His smile faded. “I hope it does if that’s what you want. I want you to have everything you want, Eve. But you have to know that there’s no going back after last night.” He held up his hand as she opened her lips. “Don’t say it. I’d like to think that I could replace Quinn, but I wouldn’t even try. You have someone who can give you stability, and that’s something I know nothing about. I’d never take that away from you.” He grimaced. “But he can’t take away the closeness we have together, either. And neither can we, Eve. We’re joined in a way that’s … remarkable. You know it, and so do I.” He turned away. “I don’t know what it means or how we’re going to resolve the situation. But it had to be said.”
And she would probably not have faced the finality of that realization at this time, she thought as she closed the bathroom door behind her. She was having enough difficulty sorting out her emotions where Gallo was concerned. Passion? No, both of them were keeping the passion that had been the core of their former relationship at bay. It was memory, and Bonnie that had formed the new bond.
And, great heavens, what a strong bond it was proving to be.
* * *
“YOUR PHONE HAS BEEN RINGING,” John said, as she came out of the bathroom thirty minutes later. “Four times. Someone is very persistent.”
She moved over to the nightstand where she had left her phone on vibrate. She frowned as she looked at the ID.
“Quinn?”
“No.” Joe had called her only the one time yesterday, and when she hadn’t answered, had not called again. “It’s Catherine Ling.”
“I caught sight of her for a moment at the compound, and I’ve read her dossier. She’s … unusual.”
“Unique,” Eve said absently. She hadn’t intended to answer Catherine, either. It had been possible Catherine might feel obligated to act for Joe.
The cell began to ring again.
“She’s not taking no for an answer.”
And Catherine would not be so urgent unless there was good reason.
Eve answered. “Hello, Catherine.”
“It’s about time,” Catherine said. “I told you that I was on your side no matter if I thought you were being led down the garden path.”
“Why are you calling?”
“Because I thought you needed to be warned that some heavy stuff was coming your way.” She paused. “Are you with Gallo?”
“Yes.”
“Has he been with you since before nine last evening?”
“Yes.”
“Then it couldn’t have been him. Put your phone on speaker. He should probably hear this.”
Eve flipped the SPEAKER button. “Go ahead.”
“I’m at St. Louis County Hospital. Judy Clark just came out of surgery.”
Gallo stiffened. “What the hell?”
“Stab wound to the abdomen. She’s in ICU now. She may make it, but they’re still not sure, and I couldn’t wait to try to get an ID from her. Black isn’t going to wait for long to get in touch with you.”
“My God,” Eve whispered. “Black?”
“That’s my guess. I can’t confirm.” She added bluntly, “I thought there was a possibility it might be you, Gallo.”
“She’s my friend,” he said through his teeth.
“Is she? I don’t know if you’re capable of having friends. You haven’t shown any sign of thinking about anyone but yourself. At any rate, your friends seem to end up—” She stopped. “That’s not important right now. I’m just pissed because I’m feeling helpless.”
“Catherine, how did you find out about Judy?” Eve asked.
“I found them when I was