Eve - Iris Johansen [118]
“That’s a lie,” Eve said. “There’s no one like you. There couldn’t be. You’re a monster.”
“You’re defending him.” Black chuckled. “He’s lured you back to him, hasn’t he? Would you like me to tell you a few things about him that would make you bolt in panic? You’ve never seen him when he loses control. It would frighten you. I saw him. I watched him do things that would completely destroy any tender feelings you might have for him. Ask me anything.”
“I want to know where Cara Clark is right now and what we can do to get you to release her.”
“Oh, very well. I suppose we should get back to the more boring details. Gallo, you want your chance to get the kid … and me. I want my chance to get you, Queen, and the ledger.”
“If you kill Queen, the ledger won’t be of value to you.”
“Wrong. I can use the contacts in it, and there’s always the North Korean general from whom you stole it. It won’t be as useful as if I had it to hold over Queen, but some sacrifices are necessary. Queen sent a totally inept assassin to kill me in Samoa. I regard that as an end to our relationship.” He paused. “Queen told me you were at a cabin in the woods. Is it totally private acreage? I believe you’ll agree that we can’t have any interference.”
“It’s very private.”
“Then we might as well use that site. I like the idea of wild terrain and deep woods. It fits in with my plans. Naturally, I’ll scout the area to make sure that I have every advantage. When I’ve made a definite decision, I’ll contact you again. Give me the directions to the acreage.”
Gallo quickly gave him the directions.
“And we’re supposed to sit here and wait?” Eve asked.
“No, I don’t imagine Gallo will be sitting and waiting. The cabin would be too easy a target. I’ll let you know when the game will start.” He paused. “But if I see any sign of police or FBI in the area, I won’t wait for the game. I’ll kill the kid immediately and bury her so deep, you’ll never be able to find her.”
“I want to talk to her,” Eve said. “How do we know that you haven’t already killed her?”
“Because I’m not a fool. Come talk to the nice lady, Cara.”
“Hello.” The child’s voice was a wisp of sound. “What should I say? Can you stop him from hurting me?”
“Yes.” She hoped she was telling the truth. “It will just take a little while. Don’t fight him, Cara.”
“He … hurt my mama.”
“I know, baby. But your mama is going to get well. We just have to get you back to her.”
“Her mother survived?” Black was back on the phone. “She must have a great deal of stamina. I was planning on her living long enough to send a message, then fading away. That goes to show you that you can never be certain if you delay the kill. I may have to go back and do it again.”
Eve could hear the child sobbing. “Shut up. She doesn’t have to hear that.”
“But it pleases me. It’s always interesting to see how far I can take it before they break. In this case, she’s no real challenge. Not like her mother. Judy Clark fought me all the way until I pinned her to the table. So don’t tell me not to prod the little darling. I have to stir some life into her.” He hung up.
Eve drew a shaky breath. “And how is he going to do that stirring?”
“It’s better not to think about it. Maybe if he’s eager to get on with the game, he’ll get on the move and forget about her.”
Eve could only hope he was right. The sound of the little girl’s weeping was enough to break her heart.
“He said he’d tell me anything, and I didn’t ask anything about Bonnie. All I could think about was Cara.” She shook her head. “All these years of hunting, and I didn’t ask that question.”
“Because you were concerned about life, not death.”
She nodded. “And I think I know one answer anyway. All the