Blind Alley

ONE

Calhoun, Georgia

Joe watched the body wrapped in a dark green tarp being carefully lifted from the grave by the forensic team.

“Thanks for coming, Quinn.” Detective Christy Lollack was walking toward him. “I know it's not your case but I needed you. This is a weird one.”

“What's weird about it?”

“Look at her.” She moved toward the stretcher where the corpse had been placed. “The kids who found her nearly threw up.”

He followed her and watched as she drew back the tarp.

There was no face. Only a skull remained. Yet from the neck down the cadaver was only slightly decayed and intact.

“It appears someone didn't want her identified.” He looked down at her hands. “He bungled it. He should have taken the hands. We'll be able to get a fingerprint match right away. DNA will take longer, but that will—”

“Look closer. Her fingertips are burned,” Christy interrupted. “No prints. Trevor warned me there might not be any.”

“Who?”

“Some Scotland Yard inspector. Mark Trevor. He sent an e-mail to the department after he read about the Dorothy Millbruk case in Birmingham and the captain dumped it in my lap. He stated he sent the same e-mail to most of the cities in the Southeast warning them that the perpetrator might be heading into their jurisdictions.”

Millbruk . . . It had been a sensational homicide of a prostitute that had taken place four months ago. Joe mentally went over the details he remembered. “The Millbruk case was no connection. It didn't have the same MO. The woman was burned to death and left in a trash disposal.”

“But she didn't have a face by the time the fire got through with her.”

“No attempt was made to keep the Birmingham police from finding out who she was. They were still able to check prints.” He shook his head. “Not the same killer, Christy.”

“I'm glad you're so sure,” she said sarcastically. “Because I'm not. I don't like this. What if he didn't want us to make a connection? What if he peeled her face off to slow us down so that we wouldn't know he'd moved into the area?”

“Possible.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “What do you want from me, Christy? It's not like you to ask for help.”

“As soon as forensics gets through with her, I want you to take the skull to Eve to find out what that woman looked like. I don't want to wait until I find out who she is.”

It was the answer he'd expected. It wasn't the first time he'd been asked to be an intermediary between the department and Eve. She was probably the best forensic sculptor in the world and the captain wasn't about to ignore a valuable asset. He shook his head. “No way. She's backlogged and working her ass off right now. I'm not loading anything else on her.”

“We need to know, Joe.”

“And I don't want her wearing herself out.”

“For God's sake, do you think I'd ask you to do this if I didn't think it was urgent? I like Eve. I've known her and Jane for almost as long as I've known you. I'm scared. It's necessary, dammit.”

“Because of some nebulous tip from Scotland Yard? What the hell do they have to do with this?”

“Two cases in London. One in Liverpool. One in Brighton. They never caught the killer and they believe he moved from the U.K. to the U.S. three years ago.”

“Then they can wait for ID or Eve to get out from under.”

Christy shook her head. “Come back to my car and I'll pull up Trevor's e-mail.”

“It's not going to change my mind.”

“It might.” She headed for her car.

He hesitated and then followed her. She opened her laptop and accessed the e-mail.

“There it is. Read it and do what you like.” She turned away. “I've got work to finish up here.”

He scanned the letter and report and then flipped to the victim's page.

He stiffened with shock. “Holy shit!”

Lake Cottage

Atlanta, Georgia

She couldn't breathe.

No!

She would not die, she thought fiercely. She hadn't come this far to lie forever in darkness. She was too young. She had too many things to do and see and be.

Another turn and still no light at the end of the tunnel.

Maybe there was no end.

Maybe this was the end.

It was so hot and there was no air.

She could feel a scream of panic rising in her throat.

Don't give in. Panic was for cowards and she'd never been a coward.

But dear God, it was hot. She couldn't bear—

“Jane.” She was being shaken. “For God's sake, wake up, baby. It's only a dream.”

Not a dream.

“Dammit, wake up. You're scaring me.”

Eve. Mustn't scare Eve. Maybe it was a dream if she said so. She forced her lids open and looked up into Eve's worried face.

The worried frown was replaced by relief. “Whew, that must have been a doozy of a nightmare.” Eve's hand stroked Jane's hair back from her face. “Your bedroom door was closed and I still heard you moaning. Okay now?”

“Fine.” She moistened her lips. “Sorry I bothered you.” Her heartbeat was steadying and the darkness was gone. Maybe it wouldn't come back. Even if it did, she had to make sure it didn't disturb Eve. “Go back to bed.”

“I wasn't in bed. I was working.” She turned on the bedside lamp and then grimaced as she looked down at her hands. “And I didn't wipe the clay from my hands before I came in here. You probably have bits of it in your hair.”

“That's okay. I have to wash it in the morning anyway. I want to look good for my driver's license photo.”

“That's tomorrow?”

She sighed resignedly. “I told you yesterday that I'd need you or Joe to take me.”

“I forgot.” She smiled. “Maybe I'm in denial. Getting your first driver's license is sort of a rite of passage. It could be I don't want you to be that independent.”

“Yes, you do.” She met her gaze. “Ever since we've been together you've made sure that I could take care of myself in every way. You've done everything from giving me karate lessons to having Sarah train Toby as a guard dog. So don't tell me that you don't want me to be independent.”

“Well, not independent enough to walk away from Joe and me.”

“I'll never do that.” She sat up in bed and gave her a quick, awkward kiss. Even after all these years, loving gestures were difficult for her. “You'll have to kick me out. I know when I've got it good. So which one of you is going to take me to the Driver's License Bureau?”

“Probably Joe. I have to finish this skull right away.”

“What's the urgency?”

She shrugged. “Search me. Joe brought the skull home from the precinct and asked me to make it top priority. He said it had to do with linking a group of homicides.”

Jane was silent a moment. “A kid?”

Eve shook her head. “A woman.” Her eyes narrowed on Jane's face. “You thought it might be Bonnie?”

Jane always thought it might be Bonnie, Eve's daughter who had been murdered when she was seven and whose body had never been found. The tragedy had been the impetus that had made Eve study to become a forensic sculptor to identify murder victims and bring closure to other grieving parents. The search for Bonnie and her passion for her career still dominated her life. She shook her head. “If you suspected it was Bonnie's skull you were working on, you wouldn't have even heard my stupid caterwauling.” She held up her hand as Eve opened her lips. “I know. I know. You don't love me less than you did Bonnie. It's just different. I've known that all along. From the beginning. She was your child and we're more . . . friends. And that's okay with me.” She settled back in bed. “Now, you go back to work and I'll go back to sleep. Thanks for coming in and waking me. Good night, Eve.”

Eve didn't answer for a moment. “What was your nightmare about?”

Heat. Panic. Darkness. A night without air or hope. No, there had been hope. . . .

“I don't remember. Has Toby come back yet?”

“Not yet. I'm not sure it's a good idea to let him out at night. He's half wolf.”

“That's why I let him roam. Now that he's grown, he has to have more freedom. He has too much golden retriever to be really dangerous to anything but squirrels. Probably not even them. He caught one once and all he wanted to do was play with it.” She yawned. “Sarah said it was okay, but I'll stop him if you say the word.”

“No, I guess not. Sarah should know.” Sarah Logan was Eve's good friend as well as the canine search-and-rescue specialist who had given Toby to Jane. “Just keep an eye on him.”

“I will. I'm responsible for him. You know I won't let you down.”

“You never have.” She stood up. “And we'll have a little celebration when you come home from getting your license.”

Jane smiled slyly. “You going to bake a cake?”

“Don't be ugly. I'm not that bad a cook. It would serve you right if I did.” She grinned as she headed for the door. “I'll have Joe stop at Dairy Queen and pick up an ice cream cake on the way home.”

“Much more sensible.”

Eve glanced at her over her shoulder and her expression became troubled. “Maybe too sensible. I wonder if we've made you a little too responsible, Jane.”

“Don't be silly.” She closed her eyes. “Some people are born responsible. Some people are born to be butterflies. You had nothing to do with it. For Pete's sake, you're not even my mother. Good night, Eve.”

“Well, I guess I've been told,” Eve murmured. Her gaze was caught by a sketch lying on the window seat. It was a picture of Toby sleeping on his bed by the fireplace. “That's very good. You're getting better all the time.”

“Yes, I am. I'm not going to be a Rembrandt but genius isn't what it's cracked up to be. I've always thought being driven by art was for the birds. I want to be in control of any career I choose.” She smiled. “Like you, Eve.”

“I'm not always in control.” She looked from the sketch to Jane. “And I thought you wanted to be a search-and-rescue worker like Sarah.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. I guess I'm waiting for a career to choose me.”

“Well, you have plenty of time to make up your mind. Although your attitude is a little surprising. You usually know exactly what you're going to do.”

“Not always.” She smiled impishly. “Maybe it's my adolescent hormones getting in the way.”

Eve chuckled. “I doubt it. I can't see you letting anything stand in your way.” She opened the door. “Good night, Jane.”

“And don't work much longer. You've been pulling too many late nights in the last couple weeks.”

“Tell that to Joe. He really wants this reconstruction.”

“That's weird. He's always the one who tries to make you get more rest.” Her lips tightened. “Don't worry, I'll tell him. Someone's got to look out for you.”

Eve smiled as she opened the door. “I'm not worrying. Not with you in my corner.”

“Joe's in your corner, too. But he's a guy and they're different. Sometimes things get in the way of their thinking.”

“Very profound observation. You must repeat it to Joe.”

“I will. He can take it and he likes me to be up-front with him.”

“Well, you're certainly that,” Eve murmured as she left the room.

Eve's smile faded as she closed the bedroom door behind her. Jane's remarks had been typical of her; fierce, protective, and far beyond her years. Eve had gone into the room to comfort and Jane had given her comfort instead.

“Something wrong?” Joe was standing in the doorway of their bedroom. “Is Jane okay?”

“A nightmare.” Eve moved down the hall toward her studio. “But she's not talking about it. She probably thinks nightmares are a sign of weakness and heaven forbid she show any weakness.”

“Like someone else I know.” Joe followed her. “Want some coffee? I could use a cup right now.”

She nodded. “Sounds good.” She went back to stand before her pedestal. “Can you go to the Driver's License Bureau with her tomorrow?”

“Sure. I'd planned on it.”

“I forgot.” She grimaced. “You're a better parent than I am, Joe.”

“You've been working your ass off.” He measured coffee into the coffeemaker. “And that's my fault. Besides, Jane never wanted parents when she came to us. She wasn't Orphan Annie. Hell, she may have been only ten, but she was as street-smart as a woman of thirty. We've done the best we could to give her a good home.”

“But I wanted her to—” She stared blindly at the skull. “She's seventeen, Joe. Do you know I've never heard her talk about going out on a date or to the prom or even a football game? She studies, she plays with Toby, and she sketches. It's not enough.”

“She has friends. She stayed the night at Patty's last week.”

“And how often does that happen?”

“I think she's very well balanced considering her background. You're worrying too much.”

“Maybe I should have been worrying before this. It's just that she's always acted so mature that I forget she's just a kid.”

“No, you didn't forget. You just recognize that the two of you are as alike as two peas in a pod. How many proms did you go to when you were a teenager?”

“That's different.”

“Yeah, you had a drug addict for a mother instead of growing up in a dozen foster homes.”

She made a face. “Okay, so we both had it tough when we were kids, but I wanted something better for Jane.”

“But Jane has to want it too. She probably thinks proms are pretty silly. Can you see her in a frilly dress, getting into one of those stretch limos the kids hire these days?”

“She'd be beautiful.”

“She is beautiful,” Joe said. “And she's strong and smart and I'd want her behind me if I was ever in a tight corner. But she's not frilly, Eve.” He poured her a cup of coffee and brought it to her. “So stop trying to force her into the role.”

“As if I could. No one forces Jane to do anything she doesn't want to do.” She sipped the coffee and then grimaced. “You made it strong enough. You really want to keep me awake to finish this skull, don't you?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You're acting out of character. Even Jane noticed it.”

“It's important to the case. Have you named her yet?”

“Of course. She's Ruth. You know I always name them before I work on them. It's more respectful.”

“Just asking.” He moved toward the front door. “I think I hear Toby.”

“And you changed the subject.”

“Yes.” He smiled over his shoulder. “After all these years I need to maintain a little mystery. If I become too predictable, you might get bored with me.”

“No chance.” She looked away from him. “I might have thought I could tell what you'd do next at one time but not anymore.”

“Son of a bitch.”

She looked up to see Joe glaring at her. “Sorry. I shouldn't have said that.”

“No, you damn well shouldn't,” he said roughly. “Even though I know you're thinking it. When are you going to trust me, for God's sake?”

“I trust you.”

“Within limits.”

“Don't yell at me. You set those limits.”

“I lied. I deceived you. But you damn well know I only did it to stop you from hurting.”

“You let me think I buried the bones of my Bonnie instead of another little girl. You did it on purpose.” She met his gaze. “I told you it would take time for me to forgive that. I try. I try every day. But sometimes it comes back to me and I say—I love you, Joe, but I can't pretend all the time. If that's not good enough, it's your call.”

“And you know what that call will be.” He drew a deep, ragged breath. “I'll take what I can get. I won't let you go.” He opened the screen door. “Every month, every year we're together is a bonus. We'll get past this. Where's that damn dog?” He went out on the porch and she heard him whistle. “Toby!”

He was angry and hurt. If she hadn't been so tired, she wouldn't have let those words tumble out. She was usually more careful. When she had decided to stay with Joe, it had been with the intention of making the relationship work. She had known it would be hard, but most worthwhile things weren't easy. Most of the time life was good, they were good together.

“I've got him.” Toby bounded into the room ahead of Joe, panting and full of joy. “He's been on the hunt. That wolf blood is becoming more predominant. I'm not sure Sarah is right about letting him roam.”

“That's what I told Jane.” Joe was clearly ignoring the tension of the past few minutes and she eagerly followed his lead. “She said she'd stop him if we liked.”

He reached down and stroked Toby's head. “We'll keep an eye on him. Maybe a touch of wolf in any creature isn't all that bad. I always feel safer when he's with Jane.” He looked up at Eve. “That's probably why Sarah gave him to Jane. She thought you'd feel easier if Jane had protection.”

“Because Bonnie didn't.” Eve nodded. “God help me, I didn't dream she'd need it. I couldn't imagine anyone hurting my Bonnie. She was so . . . wonderful that—” She stopped and was silent a moment. Even after all these years the pain and anger were ever present. “But you know all about the monsters who kill the innocent. You're a cop. You deal with them every day.” She began to measure the tissue depths again. “Is it another monster who killed this woman, Joe?”

“I think so. There's a chance he may have been killing for a long time. Only not in this area.”

“When are you going to tell me about her?” She looked at him over her shoulder. “And don't tell me it's confidential. I'm not buying it. You know damn well you can trust me.”

“We'll talk about it when you finish.” He gestured to Toby. “Come on, boy, I'll let you in Jane's room before you start howling to get in. That's enough to give anyone nightmares.” He started down the hall and then stopped. “You know, I think she had a nightmare last week. I was up doing paperwork and I heard her . . . panting.” He frowned. “Maybe crying? I don't know. When I peeked in, she was sleeping quietly.”

“If she's having frequent nightmares, maybe she's not as well balanced as you think.”

“Two isn't frequent.”

“And how many could she be having that we know nothing about?”

“All you can do is be there for her if she wants to talk about them. You have nightmares of your own. God knows you don't want to talk about them.”

Yes, she'd had her share of nightmares and dreams of Bonnie. The nightmares were gone, but the healing dreams remained, thank God. “I asked her about her nightmare and she said she didn't remember. I think she did. Maybe she'll talk to you tomorrow.”

“I'm not giving her the third degree. If the subject comes up . . .” He shrugged. “But I don't think it will. She's too absorbed in this driving test.”

She smiled. “She wants to make sure and get a good photo. That's the first sign of vanity I've seen. I was encouraged.”

“Good. But you'd better be contented with a hint of vanity.” He winked. “Because you'll never get frilly.”

I got it!” Jane parked the SUV and jumped out of the car and ran up the steps to the porch where Eve was waiting. “It was a pretty easy test, Eve. They should make it harder. I don't like the idea of being on the road with kids who could pass that level of— Get down, Toby.” She hugged his neck and then pushed him down. “But I got it and the photo isn't too bad, is it, Joe?” She handed the license to Eve. “At least, it's better than my learner's license. I hated looking as idiotic as one of the Three Stooges. It wasn't dignified.”

“Is that why you were so upset? Why didn't you tell us? We could have waited until you had another one taken.”

“You were in a hurry. It didn't matter.”

Eve frowned. “And you could have gotten this license last year on your sixteenth birthday. You never mentioned wanting to do it.”

“You were snowed under all last year. And Joe was in and out of Macon for months on that homicide case. I decided I'd do it on my seventeenth and then we could all enjoy it. Like I said, it didn't matter.” She turned to Joe. “Thanks for taking me. I'll pay you back by fixing dinner for you and Eve.”

“No, you won't.” Joe got out of the passenger seat and got a sack of groceries out of the back. “This is a celebration and you're the guest of honor. I'll grill some steaks.” He climbed the steps. “And she came out with a perfect score on that ‘easy' test, Eve. Cool as a cucumber.”

“I didn't expect anything else.” Eve glanced down at the driver's license. The photo was very good. Jane's brown eyes were shining from that triangular face that was more fascinating than pretty. Eve had always thought she looked a little like Audrey Hepburn with those winged brows and high cheekbones but Joe couldn't see it. He said Jane was an original and if she looked like anyone it was Eve. The same red-brown hair color, the same well-shaped mouth, the strong chin. “It's a great photo, Jane.”

“Yeah, I look like I might have a modicum of intelligence. You finished with Ruth yet?”

“Getting close.”

“That's good.” She looked away from Eve as she bent down and patted Toby. “Then don't worry about stopping to have dinner. I'll bring you a sandwich. We'll celebrate some other time.”

Another delay after Jane had waited a year because it hadn't been “convenient” for Eve and Joe? “No, we won't.” She handed the license back to Jane. “This is an important occasion. Ruth can wait.”

“Really?” Jane glanced up and a brilliant smile illuminated her face. “You sure? It's not as if—it was a pretty easy test.”

“I'm sure. I wouldn't miss it. I'm very proud of you.” Eve turned away. “But I'll have to work until supper is ready. Okay?”

“Okay.” She turned away. “But if you change your mind, I'll understand.” She ran down the steps. “Come on, Toby. Let's go for a run by the lake.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Call me if you need help, Joe.”

“I think I can manage.” Joe opened the screen door. “You and Toby need to get rid of some of that energy. You may not have been nervous, but you're charged. Don't come back until you're more mellow.”

Jane laughed but didn't answer as she streaked down the lake path with Toby at her heels.

“She's happy.” Eve was smiling as she followed Joe into the cottage. “It's good to see her like that.”

“That's not new. It's not as if she stumbles around with a gloomy puss all the time. She's usually pretty happy. She lives every minute to the hilt.”

“I know. But this is different. Do you think we should buy her a car?”

“No, she wouldn't take it. She's already talking about getting a part-time job so that she could earn the money to buy one herself.”

“It will take forever. Can we give her one for her birthday?”

Joe gave her a glance. “What do you think?”

Eve sighed. “That she'd see right through it.”

“Right.” He started unloading the groceries onto the kitchen counter. “So the best we can do is try to find her the best-paying part-time job in the area and find ways to get her transport.” He unwrapped the steaks. “Now you'd better get back to work. How close are you?”

“I might be able to finish up tonight. I'll start the final phase as soon as Jane goes to her room.”

“Good idea.” He picked up the bag of charcoal and carried it out the front door.

No protests about her overworking. No suggestion that she put off the completion of the job until the next day.

A tiny frown creased her forehead as she moved across the living room to her studio area. Ruth's features were blank, waiting for the final smoothing and forming to bring them to life.

Life.

She glanced out the window at Joe lighting the charcoal in the stone barbecue pit at the side of the cottage. So many small acts made up life. So many hours, so many experiences. Jane had gone through one of those experiences today. . . .

But Ruth had been cut off before she'd had a chance to experience more than the beginnings of womanhood. Early twenties, Joe had told her the forensic report was guessing. So young.

“I'm getting close,” she whispered. “Just a little more measuring and we'll go for it. I'll bring you home, Ruth.”

The woman was damn heavy.

His chest was laboring as he carried the tarp-wrapped body up the hill.

She was too heavy. Too voluptuous. He had known it wasn't Cira, but she was similar enough that she had to be eliminated.

He couldn't take any chances.

Not with Cira. Never with Cira.

He grunted as he reached the top of the hill. He dropped the body on the ground and looked down at the sloping bank that dropped into Lake Lanier. The water was deep here and he'd weighted the tarp. She might not be discovered for weeks.

And if she was found earlier, then it was too bad. It changed nothing but the difficulty.

He drew a deep breath and then gave a shove that sent the body rolling down the bank. He watched the tarp disappear beneath the water.

Gone.

He lifted his head and felt the breeze caress his face. A tingling excitement was coursing through his veins and he felt more alive than he had since that first moment when he had realized what he had to do.

He was close to her. He could feel it.

Okay,” Eve murmured as she turned the pedestal to the light. “Here we go, Ruth. Measurements only take us so far. Help me out. I can't do this alone.”

Smooth.

Start on the cheeks.

Work fast.

Don't think.

Or think about Ruth.

Think about bringing her home.

Do the upper lip.

Smooth.

A little less?

No, leave it alone.

Smooth.

Her hands moved swiftly, mindlessly.

Who are you, Ruth?

Tell me. Help me.

The middle area between nose and lip. Shorter?

Yes.

Smooth.

Smooth.

Smooth.

It was three hours later when her hands fell away from the skull and she closed her eyes. “It's the best I can do,” she whispered. “I hope it's enough, Ruth. Sometimes it is.” She opened her eyes and stepped back from the pedestal. “We'll just have to—My God!”

“You haven't finished her,” Joe said from the doorway. He came over to her workbench and took out her eye case. “You know which ones to give her.”

“Damn you, Joe.”

He took out two glass eyes and handed them to her. “Give her eyes.”

She jammed them into the sockets and whirled on him. “What the hell are you doing?” Her voice was shaking. “For Christ's sake, why didn't you tell me?”

“The same reason you never let anyone give you photos of your subjects. It might have influenced you.”

“Of course it would have influenced me. What the devil is happening?” Her gaze flew back to the skull. The likeness was remarkable. The face was fuller, more mature, the eyes a little closer together, but the features were very similar. Shockingly, frighteningly similar. “It's Jane, damn you.”