Eve - Iris Johansen [126]
“And it’s east. There’s a chance of cell-tower access. We might be able to zero in on him. But we don’t have much time. He’ll know those shots are a giveaway.”
Which meant Black didn’t care, that he thought he could afford to let Gallo and Eve know where he was. A trap?
But he didn’t know Joe and Catherine were there and tracking him. That could be an advantage.
If there was such a thing in this ugly game.
* * *
“EAST.” EVE’S HEAD LIFTED, her gaze flying to the trees. “Those shots came from the east, John.”
He nodded and jumped to his feet. “Black.” He grabbed his rifle. “Will you stay here?” He answered his question. “No, of course not. Then stay close, dammit.”
He took off at a dead run.
* * *
“WE HAVE TO HURRY ALONG NOW,” Black told Cara as he jerked her after him up a low hill by the ropes binding her wrists. “Those shots were not only unsatisfying, they were dangerous. But what is life without a challenge? Gallo and Eve will be hot on our trail, so I think that I should make them play the game on my terms. I always have to control the play. Queen didn’t realize that, did he? I was right to shoot him, wasn’t I?”
Cara was sobbing. “Dead. Ugly.”
“Yes, death is ugly. But the art of killing is beautiful. It’s power and excitement and everything that life is about.” He pulled her the rest of the way to the top of the rise to stand beside him. “And that’s what you’re going to give me, Cara. Not that shallow little jolt of pleasure I felt with Queen.” He pointed to the high hills bordering the north tip of the lake. “Do you know what’s behind those hills? A little town, houses, stores, a church. I couldn’t touch you there. You’d be safe. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Oh, yes, I can see you would. You’re not at all grateful for the kind way I’ve treated you.” He untied her wrists. “Go on, run. The path is clear to the hill, then you’ll have to scramble through the brush on your own. Try to get to all the people who will save you from me. They’ll even take you to your mother.”
She didn’t move, frozen. “You’re letting me go?”
“Yes.” He squatted in front of her, his eyes holding her own. “But I’ll be coming after you. If you stop, if you hide, I’ll find you and I’ll cut you to pieces like I did your grandmother. You remember that, don’t you?”
He could see the pulse jumping with terror in her throat.
“Yes,” she whispered. “She screamed, but nobody could hear her…”
“But everyone will be able to hear you if I catch you.” He leaned closer. “Run, little deer…”
She gasped and whirled and flew down the path.
Black stood up and watched her run, stumble, fall, and jump to her feet to run again.
He smiled.
The prey had been put to flight.
Now to bring in the other prey to complete the hunt.
He dialed Gallo.
“You sound short of breath. I suppose you heard the sounds of Queen’s demise. Are you hurrying toward me in hopes of saving little Cara?”
“You didn’t kill her?”
“Not yet. That was only Queen, though Cara was a little upset with all the blood. She started sobbing again. You’d think shock would kick in and stop that nonsense. It was annoying me. So I sent her packing.”
Silence. “What are you talking about?”
“I told her that she’d only be safe if she reached the town behind that high hill at the end of the lake.”
“There’s no town there, you bastard.”
“I know, but I had to give her incentive to keep her running. I couldn’t have her collapsing and spoiling the hunt.” He paused. “Just as I’m giving you incentive to join the hunt. If I track her down, Cara will die. Unless you find her in time. Or unless you kill me. Though I’m betting I’ll take you and Eve Duncan out, then be free to finish Cara Clark. Would you like to give me odds?”
“No, you don’t have a chance. I’m going to kill you, Black.”
“You might if you were the same man you were when you came close to killing me all those years ago. You had a divine insanity that gave you power. You knew what you were and what you had