Blind Alley

NINETEEN

One more minute,” Aldo said. “I hope you said your good-byes to her.”

Fear surged through her. He had to be bluffing, but the threat was terrifying her. She had to force him to come into the light. She stepped toward the coffin.

“Don't move.”

She took another step.

“Don't take another step. I don't have to wait. I can make it happen now.”

One more minute.

I can make it happen now.

What could Aldo do that—?

And then the realization hit home.

Oh, God.

“Eve! Joe!” she screamed. “Get out of—”

The earth bellowed and shook as the tunnel exploded around her!

She fell to the ground.

Flying rocks.

Blood on her cheek.

Darkness.

The explosion had shaken three of the torches from the wall.

Dear God, and the wall and boulder behind which Joe and Eve were hidden were no longer there. It was a pile of rubble and stone.

Get up.

He'd be coming.

He was already coming. She saw his shadow move in the opening of the offshoot tunnel where he was standing.

The guns.

One underneath the cloth. One in the coffin.

Dear God. Both the coffin and the cloth were buried under rocks and rubble. She'd never be able to get to either gun in time.

She heard his footsteps. “We're alone now, Cira. I set the dynamite too close to the opening for them to survive.”

She was on her feet and running back toward the main tunnel.

Pain.

In her cheek. The back of her neck. Her shoulder.

Forget it. Get to the main tunnel. Get to the ladder to the villa.

Joe. Eve.

Don't think of them. It hurt too much.

Trevor. Trevor had been in that tunnel with them. . . .

Death.

Stop crying. Run faster. Get out of here so that you can kill the bastard.

“Not so brave now.” Aldo's voice was mocking. “Run, little rabbit.”

She should be near the passage where Trevor had crawled into the auxiliary tunnel and left her. The main tunnel leading to the villa was four turns beyond it.

Yes, there was the opening. Go faster. Only a little more distance and she'd be past it and—

Rumbling.

Falling rock.

The ground shook beneath her feet.

Another explosion!

“That should take care of the main entrance,” he said mockingly. “Did you think I'd let you get back to your fine villa? I always knew there was a chance you'd try to trap me. But I'm too clever for you.”

He was still far behind her. He was showing his contempt by walking slowly, strolling, she realized in a fury.

The passage. She fell to her knees and dove into the tunnel Trevor had taken. Aldo had said he'd set the charge close to the ledge near the vomitorium. Let this passage not be totally collapsed, she prayed. Let her be able to—

She could straighten, stand up. She could run!

“But how are you going to get out of here?” Aldo's voice was mocking as he crawled after her. “The other end has to be blocked by stone . . . and bodies. Are you going to crawl over them?”

“And how are you going to get out?” she called back to him. “That explosion closed your way out too. Trevor said it was like a maze down here. You'll get lost and die.”

“There are other ways out. I won't get lost. I know everything about these tunnels I need to know.”

“You lie. It would have taken you weeks to learn them.”

“Is that what Trevor told you?” He was closer behind her. Moving faster. “Wrong. You'll see why in—”

She stumbled over something . . . soft.

A body!

Blood. Throat cut.

The intake of her breath was almost a sob.

“Oh, you found him,” Aldo said. “Actually, I thought I'd have to point him out to you. I hid him behind that boulder. Someone must have moved him. Perhaps I'd better get on with this a little more quickly.”

She forced herself to move beyond that grisly body. “Who is it?”

“Quinn, of course.”

She forced herself to think, remember. Relief soared through her. “It's not Joe. Joe is thinner, tougher looking. So is Trevor.”

Aldo chuckled. “You're right. Just a little joke.”

“Sadistic bastard.”

“I'm entitled to my enjoyment of the situation. I've waited a long time for this.”

“Who is it?”

“Sontag. I looked up the real estate records in my computer and found the deed to the villa under Sontag's name. If Sontag owned the villa, then he must have known about the tunnels. My father told me he was a crook and there's no question he'd use those tunnels for his own ends. But when I realized you were going to use the vomitorium for that foul photo shoot I knew what a monumental task it would be to familiarize myself with this tunnel. I knew I had to go to the source.

He sounded closer. Find a weapon, any weapon.

He started again. “I paid him a visit and persuaded him to come down here with me and stroll around a bit. He was very cooperative. He even pointed out the secret passage and ledge he'd shown Trevor. After I got copies of the maps from him, I decided that he'd outlived his usefulness.”

“So you killed him.”

“I couldn't risk him running to Trevor. He had Sontag very intimidated.”

Another turn in the tunnel. She must be getting close to the end. She might run into a blockage at any moment. “You would have killed him anyway.”

“That's true. I admit it was a release. I've been very frustrated lately. Now that's at an end.”

“Even if you kill me, the coffin is buried under all that rubble. You won't be able to destroy that skeleton.”

“I'm in no hurry. It will take time for anyone to get past those rocks blocking the entrance. I'll have my chance. I hear you breathing. Hard. Very hard. You told me you were strong. How strong are you now, Cira?”

“Strong enough.” The rock was looser here. Shards were lying on the ground. She must be coming closer to the site of the explosion.

She'd be trapped. Find a weapon.

Get out of his sight.

She put on speed and dashed around the next turn. Her gaze searched wildly.

There!

She picked up an eight-inch shard and thrust it in the waistband of her trousers. Was it sharp enough?

Run.

Hot. Smoky.

Night without air.

“You're almost at the end,” Aldo said. “I have my knife in my hand. It's a surgeon's knife. Beautiful. Sharp. Efficient. One last face to remove. Do you know how much it hurts?”

“It won't be the last. You talk as if you have a mission but you're only a murderer. You like it too much.”

“It's true, it's my pleasure as well as duty to remove your face from the universe.”

“You see? But killing me won't do you any good. The skeleton in that coffin isn't Cira. Her name is Giulia.”

Silence. “You lie.”

“It was all a con.”

“Bitch,” he snarled. “You're lying. It's my time. My destiny.”

“You're a loser. Trevor got her skeleton from a museum in Naples. You can check it yourself.”

The walls were closing in on her.

No air.

Antonio . . .

The rubble was getting heavier, deeper here.

He was right behind her.

Jesus, she could see a wall of rock ahead!

Don't wait until she came to the blockage. Give herself time to maneuver.

“You're a fool. It was so easy to deceive you. You haven't won any—” She cried out as she stumbled and fell to the ground.

She heard his grunt of triumph. “Who's the fool?” His hand grasped her shoulder and jerked her over. “Even if I believed you, I'm still too—”

She drove the rock shard up into his chest with all her strength.

He screamed!

She rolled sideways and struggled to push him away from her. Lord, he was heavy, a deadweight.

But he wasn't dead. He was moving, the knife in his hand gleaming in the dim light of the flashlight she'd dropped on the ground.

She scooted away, searching wildly for another shard, anything she could use as a weapon.

“I won't die,” he whispered. “I can't die. It's not . . . meant. You're the one who has to die.”

“The hell I will.”

That rock—it was lying within reach. She crawled toward it.

Pain.

His knife had entered her calf.

Ignore it.

Her hand closed on the rock and she rolled over.

Hit him. Hit him. Hit him.

But he was close, almost on top of her again. The first blow she aimed at his forehead barely touched him.

His knife was raised.

She struck his arm with the rock. Weak blow. It deflected the thrust but he still held the weapon. Try again.

“You're fading,” he muttered. “Where's your power now?” He raised the knife again. “Burn in hell, Cira. I'm the one who has the—”

A shot.

He jerked as the bullet struck him between the eyes. He fell on top of her.

Bullet? she wondered dazedly. She could feel the cold metal of Aldo's knife pressed against her breast. She half expected him to move, attack her again.

Then he was gone, pulled roughly off her body, and thrown aside. “Are you hurt?”

Trevor. It was Trevor, she realized numbly.

“Answer me. Are you hurt?” His shirt was torn half off his body. His face was covered with dirt.

“You're alive.”

“I won't be for long, if you're not all right. Quinn will strangle me. What hurts? Answer me.”

She tried to think. “Shoulder. The rocks.”

He shone the light on her shoulder. “Bruising. It doesn't look like anything is broken. Anywhere else?”

“Right leg. Aldo . . .” She shook her head to clear it. “Where did you come from?”

“I burrowed my way through that cave-in up ahead. I was working my way through it when I heard your voice.” He was tearing her khaki trousers. “It nearly drove me nuts. I could hear you, but I couldn't get to you. I didn't think I'd be in time.” He examined the wound. “He missed the artery. Not too much bleeding. It will need stitches.” He made a pressure bandage with his shirt. “But maybe I'm safe from Eve's wrath.”

“Eve?” She forgot to breathe. “Eve's alive?”

He nodded. “We couldn't get to her but she said she wasn't hurt.”

“Joe?”

“Minor cuts, I think. I didn't take time to check.”

“Why not?”

“The vomitorium entrance was blocked by the explosion. I had to try to go the long way round to get to you. Joe was digging Eve out of the rubble so I told him I'd go for you.”

“Aldo said— You shouldn't be alive. None of you should be alive. Aldo said that he set the explosives close to the ledge by the vomitorium.”

“He did, but we weren't there when they went off. I got to Eve and Joe in time to get them out of the immediate area. Dammit, I checked that ledge earlier this evening and so did Joe. He must have stuffed some plastique in a crevice and camouflaged it. It's so dark back there that without instruments we—”

“I don't care about the plastique. Then Eve and Joe got out safely?”

“Not exactly.” He finished the bandage and sat back on his heels. “We got out of ground zero, but not in time to avoid the blast. Eve was ahead of us and got caught in a rock slide.”

“Then she must be hurt. We have to get to her.”

“You're not going anywhere. Joe is digging her out.”

“We have to go and help.”

“She's okay. I'm going to get to the main tunnel and get men and—”

“Aldo blew the Via Spagnola entrance, too.”

“Bartlett is probably trying to get a rescue team in operation. If he can't get through the blockage, I'll have to make my way through that maze of tunnels to find the way out.”

“That's what Aldo was planning. He said he knew the way. Sontag told him.” She shuddered. “Sontag's dead. His throat . . .”

“I know. I saw his body and it scared the hell out of me. I knew if Aldo had gotten to Sontag that he would have told him everything he knew. And since I found Sontag in this passage of the tunnel, Joe and Eve were clear targets. I didn't know what he had in mind, but I knew I had to pull them out quick.” He got to his feet. “Stay here and try not to move. You don't want to start that bleeding again.” He was heading back down the tunnel. “I'll get help to you as soon as I can.”

His voice faded as he went around the turn of the tunnel.

Stay here?

She looked at Aldo's body only a few feet away and felt a shiver of revulsion.

Eve and Joe.

Her flashlight suddenly went out and she was in darkness.

That settled it.

She started to cautiously crawl toward the blockage Trevor had broken through. If he'd been able to wriggle through that cave-in to get to her, then she could get to Eve and Joe.

She heard Joe tossing rocks aside and talking to Eve before she'd gone fifty yards past the blockage.

She called, “Joe, my flashlight's out. Keep talking.”

He was silent. “Jane? Thank God.”

“Trevor said Eve was trapped but okay. Is she still—”

“Fine.” It was Eve's voice. “Are you hurt?”

“Not much.” Relief flooded through Jane. Eve sounded as fine as she claimed.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, I didn't get buried in a cave-in.”

“Aldo?”

“Aldo's dead.” She could see the light of Joe's flashlight now. “Trevor's gone for help.”

“Why didn't you go with him?”

“I wasn't invited. And if I had been, I'd have refused. How could I leave you down here?” She sat down beside him, picked up a rock, and threw it to one side. “Joe, how much farther do we have to go to get her out?”

“Not far.” He smiled at her. “Less than when I was doing it alone.”

She nodded as she picked up another rock and hurled it aside. “You bet it is. Being alone sucks. Two is always better.”

How's Jane?” Joe asked as Eve came out of the emergency room.

“Not pleased.” She grimaced. “They've sewed up her calf and it's a minor wound but they're going to keep her overnight for observation. She was most indignant they didn't keep me here instead.”

“It wouldn't be a bad idea.”

“Yes, it would. I'm fine. Just a few bruises.”

“Then let's get you back to the villa to bed.” He started down the hallway. “You need a little rest and—”

“No.”

“No?” He looked at her. “You're going to stay with Jane?”

She shook her head. “She doesn't need me and there's something I have to do.” She punched the button for the elevator. “And there's something you have to do, too.”

This is a lousy idea, Eve.” Joe set Giulia's skull on the pedestal. “You should be in bed resting, not working.”

“I have to get it done.” She turned the light on over the reconstruction. “Did you have any trouble with the local police about taking it out of the coffin?”

“I didn't ask them. I just dug my way through the rubble on top of the coffin and took it. It's mass confusion down there. There are so many rescue workers, archaeologists, and police getting in each other's way that all I had to do was look like I knew what I was doing. There's no way that could happen at home. Jesus, I'll be glad to get back to Atlanta.”

“So will I.” She shivered as she gazed at the reconstruction. There was something macabre about seeing Jane's face on this ancient skeleton. Snap out of it. Jane was alive and this was Eve's own work. “I'm sick to death of this mess. While I was pinned under those rocks all I could think about were Jane and that murderer. I nearly went crazy.” Her lips tightened. “There's no telling what damage dealing with that bastard has done to her. If she was like most girls she'd be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life.”

“She's not like most girls. She'll be fine.”

“I hope so. But it went on for too long. It hurt her and I can't stand that. I want her back home living a normal life.”

“A few more days won't matter.”

“It will matter to me.” She took the glass eyes out of the reconstruction. “I want out of here and this is the last thing I have to do to cut our ties. I have to give Giulia her true face and hand her over to Trevor to take back to the museum.” She carefully began to erase the features she'd created. The depth was accurate and she mustn't change that as she did the final sculpting. “So leave me alone and let me get to it. It's going to be a long night.”

“I'll hang out and keep you company.”

She shook her head. “If you want to help, phone and make our airline reservations out of here for tomorrow night. And then talk to the Italian authorities and make sure that they're not going to put any barriers up to keep us here.”

“They already took our statements. And I pulled a few strings to get them to leave it at that for the moment.”

“Be sure. I have to have an end to it.” She added wearily, “Dear God, and my Jane has to have an end to it.”

He nodded. “I'm on my way.”

Smooth.

Work fast. Don't think. Let Giulia's face tell the story.

More curve to the upper lip.

Smooth.

More definition beneath the cheekbone.

Smooth.

Her hands were moving quickly, deftly over Giulia's face.

Keep your mind empty.

Should the nose be shorter? It seemed right.

We're almost there. Just a little more over the brow.

No, that was wrong.

“Help me, Giulia. You've been lost for too long.”

Smooth.

Her fingertips were hot, though the clay was cool.

Smooth.

Tell me. They said you were a worker but that's not enough. You need a face so we'll be able to know you.

Smooth.

That's it, help me.

A little more.

Done!

She drew a deep breath and took a step back. “It's the best I can do, Giulia. I hope I got it— Oh, my God.” She closed her eyes, and whispered, “Dear God in heaven.”

I want out of here, Eve.” Jane scowled. “The emergency room should have checked me out and let me go last night. There's nothing wrong with me. You're the one the tunnel fell on.”

“But I got by with bruises.” Eve filled Jane's water glass and handed it to her. “You had cuts, a strained shoulder, and loss of blood from that leg wound. Incidentally, the doctor said that you'd aggravated that shoulder injury by tossing those rocks around to get me out.”

“It didn't hurt.” She amended as she saw Eve's skeptical expression, “Much.” She took a sip of water and set it down. “When can you get me sprung?”

“This afternoon. And Joe made reservations on the midnight flight tonight. We're going home.”

“Good. You're sure you're feeling okay?”

“Jane, I'm fine. Joe is fine. That's the third time you asked that today. Now stop fretting. It's not like you.”

“I've never been responsible for nearly getting both of you killed before.” She reached for her hand. “I'm sorry. I'd never have forgiven myself if you'd really been hurt.”

“It was our choice. We'd do it again.” She smiled as she squeezed her hand. “We couldn't get along without you. Like I told you, family is everything.”

“Not when I almost got you—” She stopped as Eve's hand covered her lips.

“Hush,” she said. “It wasn't easy for you to crawl through that tunnel in the dark to get to me. Why did you do it?”

“You needed me.”

“I rest my case.” She stood up. “Now I don't want to hear any more about it. Okay?”

She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “Okay. But you can't stop me from thinking.” She drew a deep breath. “Where's Trevor? I haven't heard anything from him since he and Bartlett dug us out of the passage.”

“I saw him this morning before I came to the hospital. He picked up Giulia to return her to the museum.”

“But you didn't finish her.”

“Yes, I did. Last night. I worked all night to complete her. It wasn't that difficult. I'd done all the basic measurements. I only had to do a final.”

Jane smiled as she shook her head. “Only you would decide to do a reconstruction after you were dug out of a cave-in.”

“It was important to me.” Her hand tightened around Jane's. “I wanted this nightmare over. I had to have it over.”

“I understand. Me, too. After I call Sam Drake and give him his scoop, I'll be glad to put an end to all of this. What did she look like? Was she pretty?”

Eve looked away. “Not really pretty. She had a strong, interesting face.”

“And Trevor took her back already?” She paused. “He hasn't been by to see me. Not that I really expected him.”

“I imagine he's trying to stay out of Joe's way.”

“He thinks Joe will arrest him? He saved your life. He probably saved mine, too.”

“It would probably be more comfortable for Joe if he just disappeared. Then he wouldn't have to make a decision.”

“He won't stay around for long. He's got what he wanted.” She added, “But it wouldn't have hurt him to say good-bye.”

“Sometimes it does,” Bartlett said from the doorway. “Take me. I'm feeling very sad to say good-bye to you, Jane.” He came forward and took her hand. “But good friends never say permanent farewells, do they?”

“Are you going back home to London?” Eve asked.

“I'm considering it.” He smiled. “Or I may tag along with Trevor for a while. Life is never boring with him.”

“Where is he going?” Jane asked.

“I have no idea. You'll have to ask him.” He turned to Eve. “Good-bye. Thank you for all your kindness.”

Eve gave him a quick hug. “Take care. Call me if you need anything.” She brushed a kiss on Jane's forehead. “I'll pick you up at two this afternoon.”

“I'll be ready. 'Bye.” Jane watched her leave the room before turning back to Bartlett. “I'm not going to have the chance to ask Trevor anything, am I?”

“You might. Although it would be wiser for him to fade into the sunset.”

“Where is he?”

“He said he was returning that skeleton to the museum in Naples. Then he's taking the six o'clock flight from Naples to Rome. After that, I've no idea.”

“Why are you telling me that, if you believe it's wiser for him not to see me?”

He shrugged. “It's been brought to my attention lately that life is very short and wisdom may not be all that it's cracked up to be. When I was digging through that rubble with Trevor and the rescue crew, trying to get all of you out of that tunnel, I was thinking how sweet life could be and what a shame it was to miss a minute of it.” He turned away and headed for the door. “And that's why I'm probably going with Trevor and not back to my accounting job. I'll stay in touch, Jane.”

She lay there after he left, staring at the soothing seascape on the wall across the room. Everything in this room was bright and soothing, meant to help heal and make everything right. So different from the oppressive darkness of that tunnel. That nightmare time seemed remote and far away.

Can't breathe.

Hot. Smoky.

Night without air.

Would that dream of Cira fade away too?

It would no doubt be better if it did. She had spent far too much time researching and racking her brains to find some logical reason for a totally illogical experience. She should chalk those dreams of Cira up to one of life's mysteries and move on with reality. Yes, that was sensible.

And Mark Trevor should be dismissed with the same logic and practicality. He had been an interesting experience and she had learned something about herself from meeting him. Yet in six months the chances were that she would be on her way to completely forgetting him. She'd be starting her life and not looking back.

It was finished.

Naples was bathed in twilight, bustling, busy, old, yet trying to come to terms with its age and concentrate on the future.

Different from Herculaneum, Trevor thought as he looked out the plate-glass window at the airport. Herculaneum lived in the past and was content to stay that way. Why not? Cira's city possessed a glorious past that fit her—

“You're very rude.”

He stiffened and slowly turned to see Jane standing behind him. “This is a surprise.” She was dressed in khakis and a loose white shirt. Her cheek was bruised, she was pale, and her expression was grim.

And, God, she looked beautiful.

“It's a surprise to me, too.” She took a step toward him. “Because I'm angry that you could be so rude and stupid. You could have come to the hospital to say good-bye. I shouldn't waste my time on you.”

“I agree. You shouldn't be here. How's the wound in your leg?”

“Sore. I'll survive. Bartlett must have told you that I'm going to be fine. Where is he? Did he decide to go with you?”

He nodded. “He's in the coffee shop.”

“And where are you going?”

“Switzerland, first.”

“But you won't stay there. You'll be going after Precebio's gold.”

He smiled. “It's Cira's gold. Perhaps eventually. It's a little too hot around here for me right now.”

“I don't believe Joe's going to turn the law loose on you.”

“I imagine Scotland Yard will have its own agenda. They don't like tampering with their Web site or interfering with their caseload.” He shrugged. “At any rate, I'm always one to avoid trouble.”

“Liar.”

He chuckled. “Well, unless there's a fifty-fifty chance I can talk or buy my way out of it.”

She nodded. “Bartlett said that you're addicted to walking a tightrope. That's stupid, too. You should grow up.”

“I'll work on it.”

“No, you'll just continue taking the same chances year after year until you get yourself killed. That's why I'm surprised I even took the time to come here.”

“Why did you?”

“You saved my life. You saved Eve and Joe.”

“I also helped put all of you at risk.” His gaze searched her expression. “No, that's not the reason.”

“No, it's not.” She took another step closer. “I came because it's not finished. I was lying in that hospital bed telling myself that I was going to forget those dreams of Cira and put you completely out of my mind. I was going to put a period to the whole episode.”

“Very smart.”

“Only it's not finished and I'm not going to look back and have it gnaw at me for the rest of my life. That's not my nature. There's no one more of a realist than I am and I hate the idea that I can't figure out this connection with Cira. So shall I tell you what I'm going to do?”

“I can hardly wait.”

“Don't be sarcastic. You do want to know.”

“Sarcasm can be the first line of defense. Hell, yes, I want to know everything about you. I always have.” I always will. Don't say those words. Keep your distance. It will only be for a little while longer.

“Good. Then you'll be glad to know I'm going back to school and then on to Harvard. After that I'm going to find out what happened to Cira. I may wait until I graduate from college or I may not. I'll decide later.”

“You're coming back here?”

“Wherever I have to go to find the answers. I don't give a damn about your gold, but I have to read those scrolls. I told you, it's not finished. I have to find out if Cira died in that eruption. If she didn't, I have to know what happened to her. And I have to know how I knew about her, why I had those dreams. It's important to me.”

“You saw that excavation. It could take years to find an answer.”

“I've got years. I'm only seventeen.” She looked him directly in the eye. “No matter what you think, that's a plus. I'm going to go home and live every minute of every day. I'm going to grow and learn and experience. I'm going to see if I can find a man who makes you look boring in comparison. It shouldn't be so difficult. And, God knows, I don't want to have to deal with you and your antiquated sense of what's proper and not proper. I can't understand how a man who admits to being a criminal and a scoundrel could be so idiotic. Someday you're going to regret turning away from me.”

“I already do.”

“Well, it's too late. You had your chance.” She turned and started away. Then she whirled back to face him. “But you may get another one if I decide you're worth it and I don't find anyone better. So you'd better work on clearing Cira out of your head. I don't like the competition. She's dead and I'm alive, and by the time I'm through with making myself into the person I want to be there won't be any comparison.”

She didn't wait for an answer. Trevor watched her stride across the lobby. Her head was high, her shoulders straight, her carriage indomitable.

“I thought she might come to say good-bye.” Bartlett was standing beside him, his gaze on Jane. “Or perhaps au revoir. Which was it?”

Au revoir. Until we meet again.

“I'm not sure.” She'd almost disappeared from view but he could still see the strength and determination that radiated from her every movement. He suddenly felt a surge of exhilaration. “I think it was au revoir.” He started to laugh. “And, if it was, God help me.”