“How did it all go wrong? What happened in that forest?”
“I haven’t gotten that far yet. I have a few ideas. I think I’m getting close. It’s all beginning to fit together. I have to make a few more calls.” He tapped the Nalchek column. “And I haven’t developed any valid scenario for him, except for a feeling that he could be involved in something dirty.” He smiled faintly. “Give me another hour or so.”
Eve stared at the yellow pad. “You’ve accomplished an amazing amount as it is.”
“I had to know him. You had to know him. Any questions?”
“Yes, are we sure that these Castino daughters are Jenny and Cara?”
“I’m sure. Má?ez e-mailed me the newspaper stories about their disappearance. Natalie was the typical heartbroken mother who only wanted her children back. Bragging about her Jennifer, who was a brilliant pianist and always entertained her guests. Wishing vengeance on the monsters who had done this foul deed. According to Má?ez, she didn’t mention that the girls were always in the care of servants and seldom saw either of their parents.”
Jenny. Brilliant pianist …
They didn’t take away the music.
And other than her little sister, the music was all Jenny had.
Eve could feel the tears sting her eyes.
“Hey.” Joe reached for his phone. “Stop feeling sorry for her. She was awesome. I had them send me a few pictures.” He handed her his phone.
Jenny at the piano in her white dress. Her expression intent, totally absorbed, lost in her music, almost ecstatic.
Jenny at a tall window looking out at the sunset, dreamy, wondering.
Jenny on the ship with Cara, laughing and full of love.
“I saw this last photo at the apartment. She loved her sister, didn’t she?” She shook her head. “No, she loves her. Present tense. What else is this all about?”
Joe nodded. “That’s what it’s about.”
She looked down at the photos again. “She was awesome. Thank you for showing them to me, Joe.”
“I thought you had to see them. All you’ve seen of her has been death and sorrow. You needed to see what she was, what she could be, what she should be. The complete package.”
“If Walsh hadn’t killed her.”
“No, you believe Bonnie hasn’t changed except to become more of herself now that she’s crossed over. You have to believe the same of Jenny. Walsh has to be punished, but he did nothing to damage what Jenny was or is.”
She cleared her throat. “I know that.”
“Then don’t forget it again.”
“I won’t.” She got to her feet and turned out the light. “But right now, I want to hold you. Is that all right?”
He pulled her into the bed with him. “I believe I could put up with it.”
She was silent for a moment in the darkness, listening to his heartbeat beneath her ear. “You’re an amazing man, Joe Quinn.”
“I keep telling you that.”
“And I’m a lucky woman.”
His lips brushed her temple. “Damn straight. And don’t forget that, either.”
She nestled closer. “I won’t. I promise…”
*
Something was wrong!
Eve’s eyes flew open.
Panic.
Darkness.
Wrong. All wrong.
Eve sat up in bed, her heart racing.
All wrong.
Her first thought was Joe.
No, he was still asleep, his breathing normal.
All wrong.
She swung her legs to the floor.
“Where are you going?” Joe asked drowsily as Eve slipped out of the bed and reached for her shoes. “What am I? A one-night stand?”
“I don’t believe that’s an accurate term since we didn’t have sex.” She stood up, leaned over, and kissed him. “I’m going to the hotel to shower and change. I want to get an early start on locating that bus driver.” He opened his lips, and she put two fingers on them to silence him. “I love you. I’ll keep you informed.” She hurried out of the room before he could protest.
All wrong.
She leaned against the wall of the elevator, trying to overcome the sickness as the car zoomed downward.