“Oh, shit. Now what am I supposed to say to that?”
“Nothing.” She started toward the trees. “Now I know that you may have your own agenda, but you won’t hurt Eve.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “And if I hear from Eve, I’ll call you and tell you.” She smiled. “I won’t leave you out in the cold, Nalchek. I know how painful that can be.”
“Not painful, just annoying.”
She turned and moved ahead of him. “Whatever…”
TAHOE
“Three miles ahead,” Joe said as he turned the curve. “If he’s going to contact us, it should be soon.”
“Yes.” Eve glanced out the window at the glittering waters below. Beautiful, she thought. Incredibly beautiful and remote from the ugliness of Walsh. She had thought all during the drive up here to the mountains that this entire countryside was filled with glamour and breathless beauty. Yet she knew that Walsh saw only the trap he was setting for them. “Do you suppose he’s watching us?”
“Probably. He’d have a good view from anywhere along those cliffs.” He didn’t look at her. “Opt out. Let me go it alone.”
She didn’t answer.
“Eve.”
“I’m the one who should be saying that. I knew that was what you had in mind when you insisted on stopping at that army surplus store on the way.”
“Walsh is a professional, and he’s bringing us to fairly wild country. I need to be prepared.”
“See, it’s all about you. Look, I’m the one Walsh wants. I’m willing to take a chance to get that reconstruction, but that chance doesn’t include you, Joe.”
“Then we won’t take a chance.” He smiled recklessly. “I’ll make certain that it’s a sure thing.” He suddenly pulled around a curve and far over to the inside of the mountain. “And we’d better start now.” He cut the engine. “Get out. This car is too much of a target.”
Eve was already out of the car. “You’re right.” She moved over to the brush and pine trees bordering the road. “But I’m interested to know how you intend to—”
Her phone rang. “Walsh.”
“Why did you stop?” Walsh asked mockingly when she picked up. “And I thought you were so eager to see me.”
“You can’t have it all your own way, Walsh,” she said. “We’re not going to blindly follow your orders as if you’re some kind of Pied Piper.”
He chuckled. “Funny that you made that comparison. You do know that the Pied Piper was paid to lead those creatures from the village to drown in the river. Don’t you think that this magnificent lake is so much more impressive?”
“Joe and I have no intention of being your victims, Walsh.”
“But you may have no choice, Eve. You’ve proved to be far too persistent, and you’ve attracted the attention of my employer. I was intending to dispose of you anyway, but now I have a direct order.”
“From whom? If you’re so certain that you’ll be able to get rid of us, you shouldn’t mind satisfying my curiosity.”
“I’m not that arrogant. Nor that stupid. There’s a possibility that you might slip away this time. Not a great possibility, but it does exist.”
“Then tell me where I can find the reconstruction.”
“You’re almost there. Go another mile or two and look down the cliff. I’ve even been considerate enough to put a few Coleman lanterns to light your way.”
“And make certain that we can be seen if we make the attempt.”
“There is no if. You want it too much. You’ll think that you can find a way. Tell me, is it really the idea of bringing that poor child home, or is it that you’re more arrogant than even I’ve ever dreamed of being.”
“Or is it that Jenny wants you dead and in hell and has picked me to send you there.”
There was silence, and when he finally spoke, his voice was harsh. “The dead don’t have power. I have the power just as I did when I killed the bitch. Now go find her skull before I blow it into a thousand pieces.” He hung up.