“That sounds like good-bye.”
“Sort of. Not really. It’s kind of confusing.”
“My entire relationship with you has been kind of confusing.” She felt a wrenching sadness. “I thought you’d be able to cross over once this was done. Is that what’s happening?”
“Maybe not yet. I’m not sure, but I think that something special is happening. I’m going to be with Elena for a while, but later…” She shrugged. “Whatever it is, it’s not over.”
“I don’t doubt that something special is going to happen to you. You’re a very special person. Wherever you’re going, I’ll miss you, Jenny.”
“You’re sad. Don’t be sad. I’ll miss you, too. But I’m not sad. I’ll always be close to you.” Her voice was soft, intense, and her expression glowing. “Remember, I feel what you feel. It’s not going to end.”
She shook her head. “Jenny … don’t hold on to me. I want you to be happy. Take that next step.”
“I am happy. Can’t you see?”
Eve could see. Jenny’s expression was serene and certain as Eve had never seen it. “Jenny, I don’t know—”
“Neither do I. But I know everything is changing, and it’s all good.” She was beginning to fade into the darkness. “I have to go. Your Joe is fighting to get closer to you. I think he’s going to bring you back to consciousness by sheer will alone. I’ll leave you now. Thank you again, my dear, Eve…”
*
“Eve!” Joe’s voice was rough and demanding. “Open your eyes. I’m not going to let you go.”
By sheer will alone, Eve thought hazily. Jenny had been right.
“Eve!”
“Okay.” Her lids slowly opened. “I heard you.”
Joe’s face close to her own, pale in the moonlight. Joe’s hand tightly holding hers. “Then pay attention. I think you probably have a concussion. The ambulance is on its way. You’re not going to black out like that again. Do you hear me?”
“I … hear you. You’re one … to talk. All … this is … very familiar. You’re sure you’re okay?”
“Thanks to the miracle of duct tape.”
“Duct tape? Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
“Then be quiet. This isn’t about me. Nothing is supposed to happen to you. Not ever.” He kissed her, hard, fast. “Or don’t be quiet if it keeps you awake.”
She suddenly realized she was lying on the sand, outside the cave. “Margaret…”
“She’s with the kid. She and Nalchek are trying to comfort her. The first thing she asked after she knew she was safe was about Elena.”
“She was … the only … family Cara knew. Elena loved her. She felt terribly guilty that she’d told Walsh where to find her.”
“Maybe she somehow knows that Cara is safe now.”
“I have to go and be with Elena for a while.”
“Oh, yes, she knows.”
“You seem certain.”
“I am.” She looked up at him. “I think it’s over. Thank God.”
“Maybe not quite. There’s still Nalchek to consider.”
“Nalchek?”
He shook his head. “Not now. You probably couldn’t comprehend anything clearly at the moment. That was quite a hit you took.”
She wasn’t going to push it. He was right, she was still bleary. It was a struggle just to keep awake and not go back to the darkness.
But she wouldn’t have to struggle long. She could hear a siren and see the flashing lights of the ambulance somewhere near the strip. “I’ll be fine. A couple aspirins, and they’ll let me go home.”
“Screw it. You were out almost thirty minutes. I’m going to have them go over you from head to toe with a fine-tooth comb. Then, if they don’t find anything wrong, I’ll let you leave the hospital.”
“You’re not doing that because I wouldn’t let them release you? Payback?”
“It’s a thought. No, I’m doing it because you scared me shitless.”