Eve - Iris Johansen [49]
“Evidently I could when I was sixteen.” She drew a deep breath. “But that doesn’t matter. That’s not what this is about, is it? John Gallo may have killed Bonnie. I have to find him.”
“We have to find him. Together.” He met her gaze. “Nothing has changed. Or has it?”
“What the hell do you mean?” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “Do you think I wanted him to come back into my life? I thought I was going to be going after Paul Black and now John’s back and there’s some connection. And you’re acting weird as hell and as if you’re blaming me for—”
“I feel weird as hell.” He had taken three steps, and he reached out and grabbed her shoulders. “And I’m not blaming you for anything. I’m just trying to keep control while I sort this out. You didn’t expect this? What do you think about me? Bonnie is still everything to you. What about her father?”
“What about him? He may be a monster, he may be my daughter’s murderer.” She shrugged off his grip and took a step back. “Do you think that I’m thinking about anything but that?”
Joe stared at her for a moment and shook his head. “No, I’m being an ass.” He turned and dropped down on the couch. “She’s the only one who is really important to you. The rest of us are just hovering on the sidelines.” He held up his hand as she opened her lips to protest. “You can’t help it. We both know it’s true. I accept it. Gallo’s appearance on the scene just threw me for a loop. I’ve become accustomed to playing second fiddle to Bonnie. I won’t do it for anyone else.”
“It’s not true.” But it was clear that his reaction had been as volatile as Catherine had predicted. “You’re always front and center. Dammit, I love you, Joe Quinn.”
He didn’t respond directly. “Why does Catherine think that Gallo could be the killer?”
“Insanity. He had very bad treatment from the North Koreans, and she said it might have twisted him.”
“It’s possible. What else?”
“There have been many cases where a father has gone off his rocker and killed members of the family, including children.”
“And?”
“The fact that he was seen here in the city the month of Bonnie’s disappearance and made no attempt to contact me.” She said quickly, “But that isn’t an automatic red flag. His uncle may not have even told him about Bonnie after he escaped. It’s possible he wouldn’t have wanted to upset him if he was already subpar mentally as well as physically. As for not contacting me, seven years had passed, and our relationship was very brief.”
“But productive. Anything else?”
“I’ve been going over anything about John that I knew and might have a bearing. He could be very violent. He told me once that he enjoyed it.”
“So do I on occasion.”
“His background might have contributed to making him unstable. He was abused as a child. Many serial killers have that in common.”
“Are we considering him a serial killer? As far as we know, Bonnie may have been his only victim.”
“I don’t know what he’s become. I’m confused and angry and just trying to make some sense out of this.” She added, “That’s all I know right now. Is the third degree over?”
He nodded. “I had to know everything you know.” He took out his phone. “Because I’m not going to wait for Catherine. I’m calling Venable back myself, then FBI at Langley to see if I can pull some information out of them.”
“Catherine will get back to us soon.”
“No doubt. But I’d rather do it on my own.” He gazed at her as he dialed Venable’s number. “One way or the other, I want this over. And I’m not trusting Catherine to keep me in the loop.”
“What are you talking about? Catherine and you are so much alike that you could almost finish each other’s sentences. You’re two warriors looking for a battle. I’m the one who could be left out in the cold.”
“Not this time. Catherine is your friend and trying to pay a debt. She knows this is going to be difficult for you, and she’ll try to make it easier.”
“By leaving you out?”
He nodded, his lips tightening. “It’s already starting. I can see it coming. But it’s not going to happen. I’m going to find John