Eve - Iris Johansen [45]
“Stop coddling me, Catherine. As I said, I haven’t thought about John Gallo since Bonnie was born. It was just a shock having you bring up his name in connection with her death.” She paused. “Even though I knew it had to be a mistake.”
“It’s no mistake.”
“John Gallo was killed while he was in the Army.”
Catherine shook her head. “No, he was still alive at least six months ago.”
“Catherine, I saw the official death notification.”
“And since when does that guarantee anything? I’ve been in the CIA for years, and most of the time nothing ends up what I think it’s going to be. It’s a twisted world, Eve.”
“John Gallo was nineteen, and he wasn’t a CIA agent. He was just a kid right out of basic who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“A very lethal kid. A month after he was in basic training, they tapped him for Ranger training. That’s what he was doing in Asia. He was a natural. He’d not only been trained by his uncle, but he had an aptitude that was remarkable.” She paused. “That was why they sent him to North Korea on a special mission. A hush-hush assignment that was very politically incorrect. He and two other Rangers parachuted into the country to spy on a fledgling nuclear facility. Strictly against the diplomatic policy at the time. The government had promised North Korea that they would not violate their borders in any way. They had orders to bring back photos and any other information they could gather.”
“Where he died.”
“No, where he was betrayed and captured by the North Koreans. The other two Rangers were killed, and he was thrown into prison. He was there for six years before he managed to escape.”
“And the government covered it up?” Eve shook her head dazedly. “No, that didn’t happen. It’s too bizarre. That notification nearly broke his uncle.”
“It’s true nevertheless.”
“It has to be someone else. You’ve got the wrong information. How did you dig this up anyway?”
“I called in favors. I checked every agency and source I had available, then I made Venable check all of his. Someone did a massive cover-up of everything concerning John Gallo. Even though I was able to break through the curtain, I barely managed to skim the tip of the iceberg.” She paused. “But he was out of that North Korean prison before Bonnie was kidnapped. And he was seen in Atlanta about that time.”
“No.” Her voice was shaking. “He didn’t know anything about Bonnie. He would have no reason to hurt her.”
“But would he have had reason to hurt you? That’s what a lot of family killings are all about.”
“He would have had to hate me. He didn’t hate me.”
“How do you know how his mind was twisted in that prison? He was tortured, solitary confinement, starvation. Six years of that kind of treatment could unbalance anyone. He was in a mental hospital in Tokyo for months after he escaped.”
She closed her eyes. “Dear God, you’re scaring me, Catherine.”
“Why? I didn’t go to all this trouble just to hand you a name and go on my way. We can find him. I’ll find him for you, Eve.”
“I don’t want it to be him.” She opened her eyes. “I’ve always thought Bonnie’s killer was some faceless monster. That’s easier to accept than his being someone I know.” She made a helpless gesture. “Know? Someone I went to bed with. Someone who gave me my Bonnie.” She shook her head in wonder. “And then took her away? How can I believe that?”
“I didn’t say it was a sure bet,” Catherine said. “I said that it was a strong possibility.”
“It’s one I can’t cope with.” Her voice was shaking. “I swore I’d always protect Bonnie, and it was terrible when she was taken. It was my duty to make sure she was safe and I failed her. But if it was someone I knew, then it’s even worse. Maybe I could have sensed it, done something to—”
“You’re not thinking straight,” Catherine said. “You didn’t even know he was alive.”
“I still can’t accept that he is.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “You’re right. I’m