Quinn - Iris Johansen [35]
“I’m not going into hiding. I can’t afford it, and it makes me angry. I’m going home tomorrow.”
He shrugged. “I tried. I didn’t think I’d succeed.” He nodded at the box he’d brought into the motel room and set on the coffee table. “There are the reports. I suppose you’re going to tackle them again?”
“Yes, I’m going to look at Janey Bristol. Did you receive the dental-record confirmation?”
“Yes, it came in right before I stopped to pick up your mother. I’m afraid I failed in my mission. She wouldn’t come with me.”
“I know. She said if she couldn’t spend the night at home that she’d go to stay with Pastor Nambrey and his wife. They are always inviting her,” she said. “It was definitely Janey Bristol?”
“Yes.”
“Poor little girl.” She shook her head. “Do you know I just felt a rush of relief? I’m like George Bristol. I wanted it to be anyone but Bonnie. He said he was terrible. I guess we’re all ruthless when it comes to protecting our children.” She paused. “If I still have a daughter to protect.” She went on haltingly, “But I was thinking about what you said about that skull being hard to ID unless you knew where to find the dental records. What if you didn’t have any idea who that victim was? She might be lost forever, maybe buried by the county in a nameless grave with her parents never knowing. It breaks my heart to think about it. There are a lot of victims like that, aren’t there, Joe?”
He nodded. “Too many.”
“It breaks my heart,” she repeated. “What if it were—” She drew a deep breath and gestured to the boxes. “Thank you for bringing these.”
“That sounds like a dismissal.”
“You don’t want to go over these records again. Things are moving for you. You have things to do.”
“And you don’t want me to be here.”
She met his gaze. “No, I don’t. I have some thinking to do, and I want to be alone to do it. I don’t want to be soothed or protected. I’ve been leaning on you too much.”
“I haven’t noticed.”
“And I don’t want to look at you and know that you’re wondering how I’ll survive when I find out my Bonnie is dead.” She added jerkily, “You’ve been very kind, but I need a break from you, Joe. Get out of my life for a while.”
He hadn’t realized he was that transparent to her. But Eve was intelligent and more savvy about people than anyone he had run across. Even upset as she had been today, she had managed to pick up on all the signals he had not wanted her to see. Damage control was clearly necessary. “What about throwing me out after dinner? You have to eat, and I’d bet this place doesn’t have room service.”
She smiled faintly. “I’ve been rude as hell, and you still try to take care of me.”
“It’s beginning to be a habit. I like it. I never had a cat or a puppy when I was kid. I was always envious of the kids on TV who had animals. You’re supplying a need.”
Her smile widened. “You’re nuts. I refuse to be a substitute for Lassie.”
“Dinner?”
Her smile faded. “No, I meant it. I need to be alone and think. What happened today may … it could open a door.”
“What door?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I have to think about it.” She added pointedly, “Without you to question me while I’m doing it.”
She was determined. Okay, back off before she tossed him out on a permanent basis. “No problem.” He turned away. “If I hear anything that might interest you, I’ll be in touch. Call me if you need me.”
“Thanks, Joe.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiled at her over his shoulder. “But I’ll stop at that pizza restaurant across the street and ask them to deliver a pizza and a drink to you in about an hour.”
“Joe…”
“I’d do the same for Lassie.”
His smile vanished as he shut the door and strode toward his car. It was going to be hard as hell to give her space. He wanted to hover, build a wall, keep all the ugliness away from her.
And he didn’t like the fact that she was distancing herself from him. She