Blind Alley

TWELVE

You're wrong, Jane,” Joe said curtly. “You're playing his game.”

“No, I'd be playing his game if I hid the ring away.” She met his gaze. “And you know it. You just don't want me to take chances. There's an opportunity here. If I was anyone else, you'd admit it.” She held out her hand. “Do you think I want to wear it? It makes me sick to my stomach. But it's the right thing to do.” She tossed the packet of photos down on the coffee table in front of him. “There are enough photos to start a search for the seller. Trevor said that he may have gotten the ring in Italy years ago.”

“We'll see.” His lips twisted. “As far as we know he didn't give any of the other victims jewelry. If he's been carrying it around that long evidently you're considered special.”

She made a face. “If I'm special, it's because I'm not a victim. And I won't be.”

“We hope,” Eve said.

“Think positive.” Jane moved toward her bedroom. “I'm going to bed now. If I stay here, you'll try to argue me out of it and that's not going to happen. It will only be hurtful. Good night, Joe.”

“Running away isn't going to stop me from—” He muttered a curse as her bedroom door closed gently but firmly behind her. “You talk her out of it, Eve. She listens to you.”

“I tried,” Eve said quietly. “She's not listening to anyone now. She thinks she's right and she's sticking to it.”

“She's only a kid, dammit.”

“Really? I believe we had this discussion weeks ago and you were telling me that she's never really been a kid and that was okay.”

“That was before we knew Aldo was on the scene. It's not okay now.”

“Too late.” Eve's faint smile was sad. “We might have had a chance of bringing a little springtime into her life before this happened, but not now. She's changed.”

“She's just gotten more obstinate.”

Eve shook her head. “She's formed. I've been watching it happen. She reminds me of one of my reconstructions. I work and I work and I know somewhere beneath my fingers everything is there but it's not ready to come out. Then all of a sudden, it all comes together.”

Joe was looking at her with a frown and she tried again. “It's like placing a fine piece of pottery in a kiln. When it goes in, it's soft and still malleable. When it comes out, everything has been burned away but what it is and is going to be forever. Aldo did that to her.” Her lips tightened. “May he burn in hell.”

“I'll second that.” Joe looked down at the photos. “He may not be close enough to her to know she's flaunting that thing.”

Eve raised her brows.

“Okay, wishful thinking.” He picked up the photos. “I'll fax these to the department and get busy on trying to backtrack that package from that Mail Boxes Unlimited in Carmel.”

“She's right, isn't she? Much as we hate it, it's an opportunity.”

He nodded as he headed for the fax machine. “Yes, dammit, she's right.”

The lamplight made the pale green vesuvianite flash and sparkle like the cold edge of a knife. Aldo liked knives, Jane thought.

Don't look at it. Don't think about what he did with those knives.

She turned out the light and tucked her hand beneath the covers. It didn't help. She could still see it burning, glittering in her mind's eye.

Then accept it. She'd made the decision and she had to live with it. She took her hand from beneath the covers and let it lie on top of the counterpane. Aldo had handled this ring. He'd touched it and looked at the glowing stone and thought about how it would disturb her. She could almost see him smiling and fondling it.

Well, it's mine now. And I won't let it be anything to me that I don't want it to be. So screw you, Aldo.

She closed her eyes and willed herself to go to sleep. She would not dream of Cira and she would not dream of Aldo. Close them out, rest, and gain strength and determination.

No, don't sleep. Think. Go over everything she knew about Aldo and find a way to bring him down. She was tired of hiding and letting him think he could terrorize her. The situation had to change. She had to make a move.

Sorry, Eve. . . .

The next morning Bartlett, as usual, was standing in front of the cottage. He smiled gently as Jane walked toward him. “Good morning. I hear there was a little disturbance with the mail last night.”

“A little. Where's Trevor?”

“With Matt Singer double-checking security. He should be here soon. You can reach him by cell phone if it's important.”

She shook her head. “I want to talk to him face-to-face.”

“I see. Well, I'll be glad of your company while you're waiting.” His gaze went to her hand and his smile faded. “Trevor is right, you really shouldn't be wearing that.”

“Trevor didn't try to stop me.”

“I know. He said it was up to you. It didn't surprise me. Though I was disappointed.”

“Why?”

“I like him. But I'd like him more if he'd admit that he isn't as hard as he pretends.”

“I don't believe there's much pretense about it.”

“That's because he's extremely good at it.”

“Like the time he was pretending to be from Scotland Yard investigating your wife's death? Evidently he didn't fool you.”

He smiled. “Almost. But I knew he wasn't a policeman when I followed him to Claridge's. Policemen don't usually have the funds for elite accommodations.”

“But smugglers and con men do?”

“Exactly. And after I became acquainted with Trevor I realized my best chance of getting Ellen's killer was with him. He had dedication.” He added gravely, “Dedication is important.”

“So is honesty. How many times has he lied to you?”

“Only the one time. He is honest in his own way.”

She shook her head. “I don't understand that kind of honesty. It's either one way or the other.”

“Black or white? I'm afraid Trevor is definitely in the gray areas. But that's better than being black, isn't it? A man of his capabilities could be a superb villain. It must be a great temptation to him.”

“He told me how much he liked money.”

He nodded. “So he says.”

“You don't believe him?”

“Oh, I believe he likes it. He grew up poor and had to fight his way. But there are easier ways to acquire money when you're as brilliant as Trevor. He doesn't have to walk a tightrope. I think he got a taste of it when he was a kid and over the years it's become an addiction.”

“Is that why he's after Aldo? Not the gold, just the thrill of the chase?”

“No, I think it's a little more personal than that. Did he tell you Pietro Tatligno was a mercenary with him in Colombia?”

Her eyes widened. “No, he just said he was an antiquities scholar.”

“And a very brilliant one, but he sowed a few wild oats before he gave up the military life and went back to school. Evidently he and Trevor became very good friends and it was Trevor who brought him to Guido Manza.”

“You're saying he's after Aldo because of guilt?”

“Trevor would deny it. He says guilt is nonproductive.” He smiled. “He might even tell you he was after Aldo because Aldo double-crossed him.”

“He did say Pietro didn't deserve to die.”

“Ah, maybe he's getting close to admitting the truth.” He shook his head as he looked down at her ring. “It's very pretty, isn't it? It's a terrible thing to use beauty to bring fear.”

“It only brings fear if you let it. It's only a ring.”

“And she's not about to let it,” Trevor said from behind her. “I take it Quinn wasn't able to persuade you to shed it.”

“No.” She turned to watch him come toward her. He looked wired, restless, and she was again aware of that barely contained energy he exuded with every movement. “It's my ring. My choice.”

“True.” He stopped before her. “But since I'm not as ethical as Quinn I might try to manipulate circumstances to make your choice be my choice.”

“Joe's honest but he's not above doing that, too. So maybe you're more alike than you think.”

He grimaced. “Don't tell him that. He wouldn't be flattered. He's a straight arrow and I'm nowhere near straight. I prefer the path untraveled and most of those are as twisted as a snake's back.”

She nodded. “Twisted. That's why I came out to talk to you.”

“I told her that she could call you and you'd come,” Bartlett said.

“Anytime.” He stared her directly in the eye. “Anywhere.”

She felt . . . strange. Breathless. She glanced hurriedly away. “Easy to say. You couldn't have been more than a mile down the road.”

He smiled. “But you still didn't phone me. Because you preferred to quiz my friend, Bartlett, about me?”

“I'm touched.” Bartlett beamed. “Do you know that's the first time you admitted I was your friend? How encouraging.”

Trevor shook his head resignedly. “Do you know he really means it? You can't fight it.” He took her arm. “Come on, I have to get out from under his shadow. All that sweetness and light makes me look bad in comparison.”

“It shouldn't,” Bartlett called after them. “I did my best to make you appear to advantage. It was quite difficult.”

“I don't doubt it.” Trevor glanced down at her as they moved down the path. “Did you laugh in his face?”

“No, I wouldn't hurt his feelings.”

“Perish the thought. Are you going to be in line to be wife number four?”

“I didn't come down here to talk about Bartlett.” She stopped and turned to face him. “And you know it. So why are you trying to keep me from saying what I mean to say?”

“Maybe I'm enjoying myself. From the moment I met you it's all been tension, defensiveness, and suspicion. I like to see you like this.”

“Like what?”

“Sort of soft. I don't give myself credit for any change of demeanor but I've always been one to take advantage of any break I'm given.”

“I'm not soft. I don't pretend to be.”

“Most people have a soft side. You show yours to Eve and Quinn and Toby.” He wrinkled his nose. “And now to Bartlett.”

“That's different.”

“And that's what I'm saying. Refreshing.” He held up his hand as she started to speak. “Okay, I can see you're growing impatient. Fire when ready.”

“You said that Aldo was a computer genius. When you were hobnobbing together in Herculaneum how much did you find out about his surfing habits?”

“Internet surfing?”

“What else?”

“First, we weren't hobnobbing. Second, why the hell do you want to know?”

“I'm not sure. Something keeps nagging at me but it's not clear yet. I'm sure you weren't bosom buddies but you were both computer geeks. You had that in common and you were isolated together in the tunnel. You must have communicated on some level.”

“What are you digging for?”

She shrugged. “Everyone has favorite Internet sites they go to almost every day. I know I do.”

“So do I.” He was frowning. “You want to know what sites are Aldo's favorites?”

“Do you know?”

“Probably. As you said, we had that in common and I admired his expertise. We didn't share information but I did watch him occasionally.”

“Can you remember?”

“It's been a long time.”

“Can you remember?”

He nodded slowly. “That entire period is pretty well carved into my memory. What do you want from me?”

“I want you to make a list of all his preferred sites.”

“I may not remember all of them, Jane.”

“Well, whatever you do remember. Anything.”

“Why?”

“It's a starting place. I don't know where else we can go. I was lying in bed last night and trying to think of any way to get to Aldo before he got to me. But I don't know anything about him. Not really.” She made a helpless gesture with her hand. “There's so little . . . He's nuts. He thinks I'm Cira's reincarnation, and he uses computers. I picked the most concrete thing to work on.”

“And how do you intend to use it once I rack my memory and furnish you with the info you need?”

“I told you. I'm not sure yet.”

He studied her expression. “You may not be sure but you have an idea where you're going with this. I could hold out and force you to share.”

“And I'd resent the force and you'd have the devil of a time getting me to cooperate with you for the foreseeable future.”

“That's true.” He smiled. “I just thought I'd bluff a bit. I don't like being left in the dark but I'll be patient. I know I'll be the first you'll tell when it all comes together.”

“Why?”

“Because you realize I'll help you. I won't argue. I won't try to keep you from sticking your neck out. If you have a chance of getting him, I'll let you run the risks.” He paused. “Even if it means taking you away from Eve and Quinn and that blanket of protection they've wrapped around you.”

She was disappointed, she realized in surprise. Why? It was what she'd expected, what she needed from him. “Good. When can you have the list for me?”

“Tonight. Is that soon enough?”

“It will have to be.” She turned away. “And I'm going to be busy this afternoon anyway.”

He stiffened. “Doing what?”

“I'm going to the mall and then to have a pizza at CiCi's.”

“What the hell? And you think Quinn will allow that?”

“Not without a fight. But he'll let me go in the end. He won't want to miss the opportunity of drawing Aldo. I'll ask Eve to go with me and Joe will have Singer assign someone to follow us.”

“I suppose I don't have to guess why you've decided that you have to go shopping and are ignoring the fact that Domino's delivers?”

“He'll consider a crowded mall safe and a restaurant will give me a chance to display his little gift.” She lifted her hand so that the sunlight caused the stone to blaze with color. “He has to see me. I have to push him. I have to make him angry and uncertain. He's killed twelve women that we know about, and never been caught. That must make him feel confident, even godlike. He probably thinks all he has to do is wait for an opportunity and he'll chalk up number thirteen.” She smiled without mirth. “But we have to make sure thirteen is his unlucky number. Catch him off balance and keep pulling the rug from beneath him until he topples.”

“And you think flashing that ring is going to help?”

“It's a start. If it doesn't shake him, I'll make sure it irritates him.”

“I'm sure you will.” He was silent a moment. “I'd enjoy seeing you in action. I may have to go along and watch.”

She shook her head. “You have work to do. And I don't want him to see me under any obvious surveillance. It's much more effective to seem to have only Eve with me to show him how little he matters.”

“He wouldn't see me.”

“I thought you were going to let me take my own risks.”

He shrugged. “It's not as easy as I thought. I'm working on it.”

“Work harder.” She started toward the cottage. “You stay here.”

She was flushed, radiant, beautiful.

And triumphant.

Aldo tried to suppress the anger that burned through him while he watched her laughing with Eve Duncan as they crossed the parking lot toward the restaurant. Now the bitch was gesturing, every motion causing the ring on her hand to glitter.

It had been the same in the mall. She had been glowing, every feature of her face animated and so alive it had been like a slap in the face to him.

She was taunting him not only with his gift but with her living presence.

She wasn't afraid. The ring had meant nothing to her; the implied threat had brought only laughter.

He could feel the rage break free and tear through him. How dare she? Couldn't she see that her time had come and he was the sword that was going to stab her to her black heart?

Keep calm. She would learn. Every slight would be revenged in time. He'd carve that smile from her face.

Bitch!

But he couldn't tolerate the knowledge that she had been so scornful of him, that she'd dared to treat him as if he were of no importance. He couldn't sit here and let her do that. He had to show her. He had to make her realize with whom she was dealing.

Satisfied?” Eve asked Jane quietly as she drove up the road toward the lake cottage. “You look like a truck ran over you.”

“I feel like it.” Jane leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. “I never imagined being this cheerful would be such a strain. I'm exhausted.”

“So am I,” Eve said dryly. “But I'm tired from glancing discreetly over my shoulder.”

“Very discreetly.” Jane opened her eyes and smiled. “Thank you for that. It wouldn't have done me any good to show how uncaring of Aldo I was if you were looking worried.”

“I know that.” She parked the car in front of the cottage. “And I wasn't about to go through all this stress for nothing.” She turned and looked at Jane. “Was it for nothing? Do you think he was watching?”

Lord, I hope he'd been there, Jane thought wearily. “I don't know. A few times I felt as if . . . Maybe. It was worth a try.”

“Once,” Eve said. “Joe and I went along with you but you'll have a battle if you decide to make this a daily outing.”

Jane nodded as she got out of the car. “Definitely not daily.”

“That's a little noncommittal,” Eve said. “I meant a permanent end to—” She stopped. “Okay, let's be reasonable about this. If you continue, you'll form a pattern of behavior and the last thing you want is to be predictable. That can be fatal.”

Jane smiled. “I agree. We won't be predictable.”

Eve relaxed. “I'm glad you said ‘we.' You're getting a little too independent for Joe and me. It scares us.”

Jane shook her head. “I came to you and asked you to come with me, didn't I? I don't want to be independent if it means closing you out. I was too much alone when I was a kid. It sucks.”

Eve chuckled. “Yes, it does.” She took Jane's arm and climbed the porch steps. “As you put it so delicately. It sucks big-time.” She looked out over the lake. “Pretty sunset. I never get tired of them. They soothe the soul.”

Jane shook her head. “Not for me. I take a lot more soothing than a sunset. But you do the job just fine.”

“Do I?” Eve looked at her uncertainly. “You never showed me you needed soothing.”

“Because you were always there. You didn't have to do anything.” She opened the screen door. “Do you want me to help with dinner?”

Eve shook her head. “I'll make a salad and sandwiches later when Joe comes in.”

“Then I'll get my computer and sit out on the porch and do some homework.” She went down the hall toward her bedroom. “Don't bother to fix me anything. I'm not hungry after that pizza. I didn't taste much of it, but it filled me. . . .”

She'd barely opened the computer when her cell phone rang.

“Whore. Bitch. Prancing and wriggling like the prostitute you are. Are you proud of yourself? Do you really think you proved anything by wearing that ring? It meant nothing to me.”

She froze.

Aldo. His words spewing rage, ugliness, and malice.

Don't fall apart. She should have realized he'd be able to find her cell number. Don't let him see the shock and fear. “It meant nothing to me either. Just a little trinket. Why shouldn't I wear it? I'm sorry you're so disappointed.”

“It's from your mountain, the one that killed you. Doesn't it bring back memories? I hope you choke on them.”

“I've no idea what you mean. And do you believe I'd actually let you keep me penned up in this cottage? I'll go where I please. Do you know I got a compliment on this ring from the waitress at CiCi's? I told her it was given to me by a man who followed me around like a lost puppy. We both laughed about it.”

“Lost puppy?” She could hear the rage vibrating in his voice. “Do you realize how powerful I am? How many women with your foul face I've slaughtered?”

“I don't want to know.” She paused. “Why are you calling me now, Aldo? You've never done it before. I think you lied. I did manage to get under your skin.”

“It meant nothing,” he repeated. “I just decided there was no reason to withhold myself from you. It may be a long time before I take your life. Months. Years. I don't care how long it takes now that I've found you. As long as I watch you, guard you, you'll never get away from me. But I deserve the pleasure of getting closer to you, hearing your voice, listening as you become more and more afraid. It's my right.”

“And it's my right to hang up on you.”

“But you won't do it. You'll keep on talking because you're hoping I'll tell you something that will lead Trevor and Quinn to me. And every word you say gives me a burst of pleasure.”

She felt sick with revulsion. He meant it. She could hear the feverish excitement mixed with the anger in his tone. But he was right, she had to take advantage of the opportunity. “Just who do you think I am?”

“I don't think, I know. You're Cira. I thought I'd buried you in that tunnel but I realized after I killed that woman in Rome that you were too strong not to be able to be born again. I knew I had to search until I found you.”

“You're certifiably nuts. I'm not Cira, I'm Jane MacGuire.”

“With Cira's soul. And you know it. Why else did you attach yourself to a forensic sculptor like Eve Duncan? You knew I'd come to destroy that hideous face and you wanted to make sure that it survived. It won't survive. Do you know how many times I woke up at night and watched my father staring at you? I can't remember him ever touching me with affection but he'd stroke that damn bust like it was a woman he loved. I tried to destroy it when I was ten and he beat me until I couldn't walk for a week.”

“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you? He should have drowned you at birth.”

“He probably thought the same thing. I was just an encumbrance to him after you came into his life. But now I'll get my own back. So enjoy your feeling of triumph. Sit in that cottage surrounded by all those people you've duped to do your will. You'll rot there, bitch.” He hung up.

She couldn't move to turn off her phone. She felt as if she'd been scourged, beaten. Dear God, he was brimming, frothing with hatred. The poison was all-consuming and paralyzing.

Get over it. Aldo wanted her to feel this weak and helpless. Think about what he said and try to find something positive in all that ugliness. She forced herself to turn off the phone and lean back in the swing.

Positive?

My God.

Mail,” Trevor said as he came up the steps an hour later. “Nothing for you but a letter from— What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I'm okay.” She wasn't okay, but she was better. She wasn't surprised that Trevor had noticed how disturbed she was. She felt as if it were written in every line of her expression. That was the reason she hadn't wanted to go inside and face Eve. She added haltingly, “It's not been an easy day.”

“It was your choice to flaunt that blasted ring in Aldo's face.” His gaze was searching her expression. “But I didn't expect this reaction.”

“Neither did I.” She tried to smile. “And I guess I shouldn't complain. Actually, I suppose my little jaunt was a complete success. I was trying to goad him to make a move and I certainly accomplished that aim.”

“What?”

“Aldo called me.” She looked down at the phone still in her hand. “About an hour ago.”

“Holy shit. What did he say?”

“He was angry. He didn't like the fact that his gift didn't seem to bother me. It was . . . ugly.” She moistened her lips. “He was muttering about me having Cira's soul and how he hated— My God, he hates my face. He's on some kind of mission to rid the world of it. You were right, he was killing her in effigy with all those other murders.”

“But he didn't call any of the others to chat,” he said grimly. “And he didn't squander pretty trinkets on them.”

“None of them made him as angry as I did. I've been sitting here trying to think of something constructive that could come out of this but it's hard. One thing, he's going to phone me again. He believes it's his just reward. On the negative side, he said he could wait a long time to kill me, that he was in no hurry. He wants to break me, make me afraid.” Her hands clenched into fists. “Well, I'm in a hurry. I can't take much more of this.”

“We made progress today. He called you.”

“It's not enough. He meant what he said. He'll wait until he's wrung every bit of pleasure from the situation.” Her lips tightened. “He was . . . foul. I've never touched anything that ugly. He . . . made me afraid. I can't let that happen again.”

“We can have Quinn check phone records to try to trace him.”

She nodded. “I thought of that. But I doubt if he'd have called if he hadn't thought it was safe.”

“We'll try anyway.”

“Of course.” She straightened on the swing. “We'll do everything we can. I'll talk to Joe and Eve later tonight.”

“Not now?”

“I don't want them to see me like this—not now.” Talking to Trevor had eased the sick fear that Aldo had engendered, but she had to move away from it, drown the memory of that call for a while. Her glance went to the envelope still in his hand. “You said I had a letter?”

He didn't speak for a moment and then smiled faintly. “Yes, from Harvard. Did you apply there?”

He was letting her slide away from the subject, she realized with relief.

“Yes, I applied for early acceptance.” She took the letter without opening it. “Maybe I've been accepted.” She tossed it down on the porch swing. “That would be nice.”

“Your enthusiasm is astonishing.”

“I'm not sure I want to go to an Ivy League school. But Joe went there and he liked it. Where's my list?”

He reached in his pocket and handed her a slip of paper. “This is all I can remember and he may not go to these sites anymore.”

“And he may.” She glanced over the list. “Two of these are Italian Web sites. One English newspaper . . .”

“He went to Oxford for two years. He liked to keep in touch.”

“And this one in Florence, La Nazione. Is that a newspaper too?”

He nodded. “He grew up there. Most people keep an eye on their hometowns. He also went to another newspaper site in Rome, Corriere della Sera.”

She pointed to another site. “And this one?”

“Archaeology Journal? It's a weekly magazine and practically the professional bible of modern-day archaeology.”

“But he was an actor. It was his father who was the archaeologist. He probably skips this one now.”

“No, there are often articles about Pompeii and Herculaneum. He has a vested interest.”

She'd gone on to another site. “This one's in Rome, too. Another newspaper?”

He smiled. “No, one of Italy's premier porn sites. Very explicit, very kinky. You can bet he's still interested in visiting that one occasionally.”

“What kind of kinky?”

“I was curious, too, when I watched him bring up the site so I checked it out. They specialize in sadomasochism and necrophilia.”

“Raping dead people?” She shivered. “Creepy.”

“And it confirmed my belief that Aldo was not a nice fellow.”

“You said he didn't rape any of the victims after those first women he killed in Rome.”

“That doesn't mean he's not interested in sex. Maybe he didn't consider any of the others worthy. Or these days he may get off on the kill itself.”

She moistened her lips. “Those women he raped. Was it before or after he killed them?”

“After.”

“Sick.”

“No question. Do you need to know anything else?”

“I'll let you know.” Her tone was abstracted as she went over the list. “I may be able to figure out the rest. I can go to a gateway site and get a rough translation.”

“Then I'm dismissed?”

“For now.”

“And am I going to be allowed to know what the hell you're planning on doing with it?”

She glanced up. “Oh, yes. I'm going to need you.”

“I'll take comfort in that.” He turned to leave. “I don't imagine you admit you need many people.”

“No.”

“Can you give me a time estimate?”

She shook her head. “I have to think about it and do some research.”

“And you have to recover a little from Aldo's verbal assault.”

“I'm already recovering.” It was the truth, thank heavens. The distraction had diluted the emotional impact of Aldo's venom. “It was stupid to become upset. After all, his call was actually a victory. And it clarified his attitude and intentions.”

“And I'd judge it also clarified your attitude and reinforced your determination to move at light-speed.”

“It didn't take much reinforcement.”

“No, you're at full throttle.” He lifted his brows. “I can't wait to see where you're going with it.”

“Neither can I,” she said dryly. “I just hope it's not a blind alley.”

“Then there's usually a way to backtrack and find your way out.”

Heat. Night without air.

Run. Falling rocks. Pain.

“I don't want to backtrack.” Her lips tightened. “I need to go straight ahead and run over that bastard if he gets in my way.”

He gave a low whistle. “I'll vote for that.” He started down the steps. “And I'll furnish the bulldozer to do it. Just say the word.”

She didn't answer, her gaze once more on the list.

Trevor shook his head ruefully as he moved down the path toward Bartlett. She was so intent, she'd closed out the call from Aldo and she'd probably already forgotten Trevor. Not good for a man's ego.

What the hell. He couldn't apply any of the usual man-woman rules to his relationship with Jane.

He'd better not.

“She's excited.” Bartlett's gaze was fixed on Jane. “She looks like you gave her a present.”

“In a manner of speaking. Not a box of chocolates or a bouquet. A list of Aldo's Web sites.”

“I see.” Bartlett nodded gravely. “Much more valuable than a box of chocolates and she's not one to appreciate sweetness.”

“Maybe she's not had the opportunity to really sample it.”

Her head was bent over the list and he could see the tenseness, the taut, slim elegance of her body as she reached for her computer. She did everything with a natural grace that was as unconscious as it was a delight to watch. There was youth without the awkwardness of youth. Grace and fire. She burned like a candle in the—

“No, Trevor.”

He glanced at Bartlett. “What?”

Bartlett was shaking his head, his expression troubled. “She's too young.”

“Do you think I don't know that?” He tried to pull his gaze away from her. God, it was hard. “It doesn't hurt to look.”

“It might. She's not a statue and she's not Cira.”

“No?” His lips twisted. “Tell that to Aldo.”

“I'm telling you.” Barlett frowned. “And I shouldn't have to tell you. You could hurt her.”

He smiled recklessly. “She'd deny it. She'd say she was far more likely to hurt me.”

“But you know that's not true. Experience counts, and she's seventeen.”

He turned away. “Why are we even talking about it? I told you I wasn't going to do anything but look.”

“I hope not.”

“Count on it.” He went down the path. “I'll come back and relieve you in an hour. She spent all afternoon taunting Aldo and he's mad as hell. I want to be around if he decides to pounce.”