Eve - Iris Johansen [125]
“John Gallo is there,” Catherine said quietly. “She’s not alone, Joe.”
“No, she’s with a man who will bring Black down on her without a second thought. Hell, Gallo may be worse than Black for all we know. Why couldn’t we convince her of that?”
There would be no sense in arguing with Joe right now. He wouldn’t be able to think logically until he had Eve safe. And Catherine wasn’t sure she wanted to argue. There were moments she was as scared as he was at Eve’s situation.
She shoved her phone in her pocket and moved forward through the brush. “South, Joe.”
* * *
“I’VE GOT IT,” QUEEN SAID jubilantly as he strode into the camp. He pulled the ledger out of his pocket and waved it. “No trouble at all. He forked it over without batting an eye. Gallo was meek as a church mouse.”
“I’m glad you were pleased. I know he gave you a bad time on occasion. It’s always good to get your own back, isn’t it?” He glanced at Cara sitting a few yards away. “Aren’t we happy Mr. Queen got what he wanted?”
Cara was staring at Queen, her eyes wide. “But you said he was—”
“Soon.” Black turned back to Queen. “I’m trying to teach our little friend the connection between cause and effect. But she’s a bit confused. I believe I’m going to have to demonstrate.”
Queen’s smile faded. “Well, I’ll leave you to your … lesson. Now that I’ve got the ledger, I’ve no need to stay here any longer. I’d just be in your way.”
“That’s correct. It’s true I don’t need you any longer.”
“And the remainder of your fee will be deposited in your usual Grand Cayman account. I’ll be in touch when I need you again.”
Black smiled. “I believe you’re taking me for granted. I really don’t appreciate your doing that. I’ve decided I’ll do a little freelancing on my own.”
Queen stiffened. “As long as you don’t get yourself in a situation that I’ll have to pull you out of. I can’t allow you to be arrested.”
“Because I know too much?” He spoke to Cara again. “You see, knowing a great deal can be either a good thing or bad depending on the point of view. You can see that Colonel Queen is breaking into a sweat because he thinks it’s a bad thing.” He glanced back at Queen. “We’re confusing her again. She has so little time that I hate to have that sweet head in a whirl.”
“We’ll talk later,” Queen said curtly. “I’ll call you.”
“But that would defeat the purpose. I think it has to be settled now.” He pulled a pistol from his jacket. “For the good of Cara.”
Queen’s eyes widened in panic. “What are you doing? We have a deal. You’d be lost without my help. The police would pick you up in a heartbeat.” He was backing away, his hand inching toward his shoulder holster beneath his jacket. “I’ll double the fee for your next job for me. Put the gun away.”
“I wish I could. I don’t like guns. They lack the personal touch. But in this case…” He shot Queen in the stomach. “I’ll make do.”
Queen screamed and clutched his belly.
Black aimed and shot him in both knees.
Queen fell to the ground, groaning with pain.
Black moved leisurely to stand over him. He fired into Queen’s chest. “You see, even though the pain is there, it’s still only a remote pleasure for me.” He added, “So I might as well just end it.”
He shot Queen in the head.
He turned to Cara. “Dead man. Just as I told you.”
Cara was staring in horror at the remains of Queen’s skull, which had been almost entirely blown away. She started to cry.
“I’m getting very tired of all that weeping.” He reached down and plucked the ledger from Queen’s jacket and stuffed it in his own. “I think it’s time we started the hunt.”
* * *
“FIVE!”
Joe stood frozen, listening for more shots.
“East,” Catherine said tensely. “A little toward the north, but definitely the east.”
And there weren’t any more shots.
Joe whirled and started at a run toward the eastern quadrant of the property.
“You think it’s Black?” Catherine was right behind him.
“Good chance. I’d bet that Queen is no longer with us.” He hoped desperately he was right, that none of those bullets