Eve - Iris Johansen [58]
“Not much. As far as anyone knew, he never worked with a partner and was never in the service.”
“That’s a start. Elimination can be valuable, too. Bye.” Catherine hung up.
“Am I to be told what Catherine found out?” Joe asked quietly.
“Zero. Nate Queen, with Army Intelligence, thought he might be able to find John Gallo. He just told Catherine he was mistaken. She thinks someone got to him. She’s going after him.”
His lips tightened. “Maybe she needs help.”
“Believe me, she can handle him.”
“You’re probably right. It appears half the Intelligence community owes Catherine a favor, and the other half is wary of her.” He got into bed. “And she’s collecting all of their debts in your cause, Eve.”
“I told her she didn’t owe me anything. Catherine doesn’t listen to anything she doesn’t want to hear.”
“Single-minded? Is that the pot calling the kettle black?”
Catherine and she were alike in so many ways and also had a multitude of differences. “Whatever. This time, I’ll take what she’s offering.”
“Naturally.” He had not pulled her close. He was lying on his own side of the bed. “That goes without saying.” He was gazing into the darkness. “She’s offering you Bonnie.”
* * *
CATHERINE CALLED HER BACK AT TEN the next morning. “Still no luck with Queen. He’s not taking my calls. I did find out that he wasn’t at headquarters. He was out in the field.”
“Where?”
“I couldn’t find out. He’s supposed to be back this afternoon and I’m going to fly up to INSCOM and ask him.”
Eve chuckled. “And Joe was wondering if you were going to need his help with Queen.”
“I might call him if I can’t get the bastard to talk. Joe and I could play good cop–bad cop. We’d be a good team. Is he at the precinct today?”
“Yes, it’s a wonder he keeps a job the way I constantly pull him away from it.”
“I didn’t notice any pulling. Are you working?”
“Not yet. My adopted daughter, Jane, just called me from London, and we talked for a while.”
“But I bet not about Gallo.”
“No. Why would I worry her? She’d want to jump on a plane and come here. This is my problem.” She added, “But I’ll be working soon. I’m expecting a skull from Austin, Texas, today. A little boy they found buried in the woods near the freeway.”
“I’m glad you have something to keep you occupied. Otherwise, you’d be a basket case. I’ll try to give you a heads-up as soon as I corner Queen.” She hung up.
Eve pressed the disconnect. Nice of Catherine to be concerned about Eve’s mental health, but she would be a nervous wreck whether or not she was working. It was all a matter of degree.
It was after ten. The FedEx truck should be bringing the skull from Texas. She got a cup of coffee and went out on the porch to wait for it. It was a sunny day and the lake was reflecting the incredible blue of the sky. It would be good to sit here and enjoy until she had to start work.
Her cell phone rang.
Catherine again?
She checked the caller ID.
She stiffened.
It was not Catherine.
CHAPTER
10
A NUMBER SHE DIDN’T RECOGNIZE.
Unknown number.
Why get so tense? It could be a marketing or sales firm.
She punched the button. “Eve Duncan.”
“You sound very curt and businesslike. But then you always were a no-nonsense woman … in some areas.”
The breath left her body. She closed her eyes, struggling for control.
John Gallo.
“I can almost feel your shock.” His voice was mocking. “But I don’t understand. The moment you decided to stir up the pot, you must have known that I’d have to contact you. I couldn’t just let you fade into the great beyond. Though God knows I did try.”
“John?” she whispered. She tried to pull herself together. “You’re damn right I’m shocked. I didn’t even know you were still alive until yesterday.”
“Really? Then it was all due to Catherine Ling that I have this excuse for our rapprochement? I thought you’d stumbled across something that led you toward me and were just using her. I must thank her when we meet. And here I was so annoyed with her.”
“She’s my friend. She knows how much I want to find my daughter’s killer.”
“Our daughter,