She had a thought. “Come here. I’ll try to get permission to do the repairs here in Joe’s room. I want to keep an eye on him, and it might make him a little more complacent if I’m with him, and he feels part of the process.” She added ruefully, “Complacent? That term doesn’t apply to Joe in any sense of the word. Oh, well, I’ll have to do what I can.”
“And that appears to be pretty impressive.” He paused at the elevator. “I’ll give the hospital administration a call and rattle off your credentials so that they won’t give you trouble about bringing a skull onto the floor. Sometimes they can be a little touchy about things like that.”
“I can do that myself.”
“You’re shutting me out again.” He punched the button. “I’m law enforcement. Use me.”
She shrugged. “I’m accustomed to doing everything for myself. No offense.”
“None taken.” He got on the elevator. “And I’ll let you tag along with me when I take the skull to a few reporters with whom I’ve had good luck. You might be an asset.”
“Thank you. I can’t tell you how I appreciate your cooperation,” she said with gentle sarcasm.
“Now you know how I’ve been feeling.”
Before she could answer, the elevator doors closed.
She wrinkled her nose as she turned away. It was clear she hadn’t handled Nalchek with any great degree of diplomacy and had managed to annoy him.
Too bad. She respected and admired him but she couldn’t please everyone, and the main issue was to get Walsh before he could kill again. But he was right, it was time to use him.
But not right now. She wearily rubbed the back of her neck. She would call and arrange for her supplies to be sent to the hospital. Then she would beg a bed for the next few hours and sleep before she started to work.
But first she would go back to Joe and fill him in on the current plan and try to make it as palatable as possible for him. It would not be easy. As she had told Nalchek, Joe did not forgive and forget. He would have planned to go after Walsh even if he had not been shot. Now he would be totally relentless.
And that’s what she must be until she managed to stop Walsh. She might have only a few days before Joe was on the hunt again, and he was hurt and vulnerable. Yes, she would use Nalchek and anyone else to find Walsh before Joe had to face him again.
He’s dead, you bitch. And you’ll be dead, too. You can’t stop me.
The hell I can’t. Watch me.
*
“Quite a setup.” Nalchek was standing in the doorway of Joe’s room, his gaze on Eve, who was standing at a makeshift stand across the room, working on Jenny’s reconstruction. “Is she much worse for wear? She doesn’t look it. That sketch you drew looks just like her.”
“Not much damage.” She shook her head at Joe. “He took better care of her than he did himself.”
“I wasn’t about to let it be destroyed,” Joe said as he glanced at Nalchek. “I suppose I owe you thanks for the way you responded to Eve’s call. You got those police helicopters out to us with amazing speed, considering that they were out of your jurisdiction. I know how difficult it can be bridging the red tape when it’s not your own guys.”
Nalchek shrugged. “I’ve made it a point since I became sheriff to establish friendly relationships with other police departments both statewide and in close neighboring states. You can never tell when you’re going to need a favor.”
“You must have done a good job. I was impressed.”
“But they didn’t snag Walsh.”
“No, but we’ll get him. That bastard isn’t going to take anything from us ever again.”
“Sounds good.” Nalchek smiled at Eve. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on both her and the reconstruction.”
Oh, shit. He couldn’t have said anything that would have made Joe feel his helplessness more. Eve could see the immediate tension that tautened Joe’s body. She said quickly, “Not your job.” She picked up the towel on the worktable and wiped her hands. “But it is your job to take Jenny for her first viewing.” She nodded at the box on the chair. “Pack her up, and we’ll be on our way.”
“Okay.” He moved across the room and carefully took the reconstruction and placed it in the box. “If you still want to go with me.”