Bonnie

CHAPTER 15

SOMETHING WAS DIFFERENT, EVE thought.

The ground was sandy, and the trees were thinning on either side of them since they’d made that last turn. The sky was still a cold gray, the trail misty, and she could make out very little in the dimness.

But something was different.

“You said we were going to Providence,” Eve said. “When do we get there?”

“We don’t.” Danner didn’t look at her. “It’s Providence National Park, and it’s four miles from here. We don’t have to go through the main part of the park. We just have to border the edge. I found this path years ago, and it saves me time when I just have to check.”

“Check?”

“Hurry.” His pace increased as the ground beneath their feet began to climb. “You said you wanted to be here, didn’t you? I wanted it, too,” he asked roughly. “Well, you’re here.”

And Danner’s voice was jerky and his face pale and taut in the dimness.

She was here.

Eve felt an excitement that was part eagerness and part dread.

Bonnie?

“Look at you,” Danner’s gaze was fixed on her face. “They say I’m crazy, but you know what I’m going to do, and it doesn’t matter to you.”

“It matters. But I can deal with it.” She wanted him to stop talking. The excitement was building, and she had to control it. Why wasn’t it just sick horror? This had to be her daughter’s murderer. He had not said the words, but it had to be true. “I’ve tried to find answers since the day Bonnie disappeared. I’ve been searching for my daughter for a long time.” Her stride unconsciously quickened.

I’m coming, Bonnie. I’m going to bring you home. You’ve always said it didn’t matter to you. But it matters to me.

“You shouldn’t have wasted your time looking for her,” Danner said.

“Waste? It wasn’t wasted.”

“It did you no good. And it didn’t help her. You couldn’t keep them away from her.”

He was talking about his demons again, Eve realized, and she was sick to death of it. And she didn’t have to put up with it now. The end was near. Either he was taking her to Bonnie, or it would all be revealed as a big lie spoken by this madman. “I’ve told you before. I can take care of my little girl. There are no demons who could touch her. They’re all in your mind. I’m sure your doctors have told-” She stopped. They had suddenly come out of the pine trees and were standing on a summit overlooking the canyon. She inhaled sharply. “Dear God. Where are we?”

The sun had not risen, but the dawn sky was shaded with pink and violet, and streams of golden light were falling on the canyon and the trees below. A silver ribbon that must have been a creek wound around the land at the bottom of the canyon. Beautiful. Lord, it was beautiful. It took her breath away. “I… didn’t expect this.”

“It’s the place, the canyon. I searched for a long time before I found it.” Danner had already turned away from the canyon and was starting to climb again. “It’s the only place I could find where the demons couldn’t come. But I think they’re here now, too. I… have a bad feeling.”

It was happening again. She could see the tension beginning to grip him. She’d been aware that it was growing for the last ten minutes. The violence was beginning to fester within him as it had once before. She had been able to deter that violence, but could she do it now? How much time did she have before that tension broke, and he turned on her? She’d have to fight him, and whether she lived or died, the knowledge of what happened to Bonnie could be lost.

Make him talk now. Make him tell her. Be bold. It seemed to work with him. Don’t let him think of her as a victim. “Stop hiding behind those tall tales, Danner. You’re a coward. You couldn’t even say her name. You made up a fantasy about those so-called demons because you didn’t want to face your own guilt.”

He whirled on her. “It’s not true.” His eyes were blazing in his taut face. “They’re here, they’re everywhere. I had to stop them.”

“Stop them from what? Killing my Bonnie? But you couldn’t do that. No demon murdered her. It was you, Danner.”

His hands reached out and clutched her shoulders. “It was a demon. A demon killed the child.”

“Bonnie. And it was you. No one else.”

His hands slid to her throat. “I wouldn’t have done it. Why would I do it? She belonged to John.”

“She belonged to me. I told you that I didn’t want John to have her. So you were angry and decided to punish me by killing my daughter.”

His hands tightened on her throat. “I didn’t kill her. I wanted to save her.”

His grasp was bruising, cutting off her air.

“You’re hurting me. You didn’t want to do this, remember? You wanted to take me to her first. And we’re so close now.”

“Close enough,” he muttered. His eyes were glittering. “I can take you to her later.”

“But then you’d break your promise to me. John always said you’d never break your word. Is he wrong?”

His grip was loosening but not releasing her. “I never lied to John.”

“Except about your mental illness.”

“That wasn’t really a lie. I wasn’t sick. They wouldn’t believe me. They weren’t there. They didn’t see the demons kill those children in the mountains.”

“No one is seeing the demons but you. Why should I believe you?”

“Because it’s true.”

“I don’t know that. You’re afraid of Bonnie, aren’t you? You’re willing to do anything to make her leave you alone. Why would you be afraid if you didn’t think there was a reason for her to come after you?”

“Because she doesn’t understand. She thinks I did it. She doesn’t know.”

“Neither do I.” She held his gaze. “Tell me.”

His eyes were glittering. “It was the demon.”

“And what was the name of the demon? Does he have a name? Is it Ted Danner?”

“No. It’s Black. Paul Black.”

A ripple of shock surged through her. Black, the assassin that Gallo had killed weeks ago, the man who had been hired by Queen and Jacobs to take the blame for killing Bonnie. But Black had told Eve before his death that he had not done that killing.

And she had believed him.

She still believed him.

“You’re lying, Danner.”

He shook his head. “No, he was a monster. I saw him watching the little girl, and I knew what he was. He was standing outside your house on Morningside Drive, and I could see the shadow he was casting against the flames.”

“Flames?”

“No, that’s not right.” He moistened his lips. “That was the house in the village. That other time. No flames. Just the little girl getting off the bus and running up the street toward home. The sun was shining, and she was laughing.”

How many times had Eve stood on the porch and watched Bonnie run toward her, laughing and telling her something that had happened at school? “You saw Black standing there watching my Bonnie? Why were you there?”

“I had to stop him. I knew that he hated John and wanted to hurt him. John had made him look like a fool in front of Queen and Jacobs. They’d hired him to take John out, and he’d failed.”

“How did you know about Queen and Jacobs and how they’d victimized John?”

“When they told me that John was dead, I had to find out what had happened to him. John was smart. John was good. And those bastards used him and threw him away. I went after them. I searched for years until I found out what they were. I was going to take Queen and Jacobs out, but then I heard that John had escaped from that prison. I went to Jacobs and Queen and told them I was going to tell John everything and that I was going to blow the whistle on their drug dealing.”

“Wait. John was told that you were dead when he was in the hospital in Japan.”

“I might as well have been dead. Everyone thought I was crazy. I was having trouble getting off the medication. I didn’t want John to come back and see me like that.” His lips twisted bitterly. “I made a deal with Queen. He promised me that he and Jacobs would make it up to John. They said they’d make him a rich man. He’d have a good life. All I had to do was keep my mouth shut and disappear.”

“And you agreed?”

“They told me what the Koreans had done to him. I knew what John had gone through. I couldn’t help him. He deserved to have a new start.”

After being tortured and starved and cheated of all hope in that darkness in his cell. “Yes, he did. So you made the deal and disappeared.”

“I made the deal.” His lips tightened. “But I told them I’d be watching them, and if I saw any sign that they were trying to hurt John, I’d come back. And I did watch them. They got him well, then started to send him off on missions. I didn’t like that, but they said that they had to allow some time to pass before they could gather a fund together to give to John.”

“They were playing you.”

“And I would have stepped in, but then Black came back to Atlanta. He was one of Jacobs and Queen’s private hit men.”

“And he was angry because John had humiliated him.” She said slowly, “I suppose it could be true.”

“It’s all true.”

But there was more to the story than he had said.

“What else?”

“He killed the little girl to punish John.” But Danner was looking away from her.

“No. That’s not all.” She took a step back, and he let his hands drop from her shoulders. She braced herself. She didn’t want to hear the answer to this question, but she had to ask it. “How… did he kill her?”

“That’s enough.” He pushed her forward up the hill. “It’s time now.”

She jerked away and whirled to face him. “No, it’s not enough. How do you know he killed her? My daughter was taken at the park. Were you there? Did you see him do it?”

“I saw him.”

“You were there?”

He moistened his lips. “I was there.”

“Then you saw Bonnie?”

“I saw her. It was crowded, but I saw you with her on the swings. Then she ran away across the park toward the ice-cream truck.”

Eve could see Bonnie darting in and out of the crowds as she ran to get her ice cream. “And you saw Black there.”

“I told you I did.”

“Where was he?”

“Close,” he whispered. “So close. I knew it was going to be that day. It was so crowded. It would be so easy for him. I had to stop him.”

“But you didn’t stop him, did you?”

“I did. I did. I talked to her. I told her she had to go with me. I told her that there was a bad man who might hurt her or her mother. She believed me. She wasn’t afraid. She looked up at me, and she smiled. She said, ‘It’s all right, Ted. Don’t be scared.’”

“She knew your name?”

“I guess so. I don’t know how. Maybe I told her. I whisked her out to my car, which was parked in the street. I saw Black, but I didn’t know if he’d seen her with me. I had to hide her from him. I told her to jump in the trunk, and I’d let her out when it was safe. She didn’t argue. She did what I told her.” He swallowed. “She did what I told her.”

“He followed you?”

“I wasn’t sure, but I had to get her away. What if he’d seen her? I kept driving. I caught sight of a car that might have been Black’s a dozen times. I got caught in a traffic jam, and I was scared that he’d catch up with me. But then I finally broke free and got off the freeway. I drove out of the city until I came to the lake. Then I jumped out of the car and ran around to let her out.” Tears were running down his cheeks. “But he’d killed her. She was curled up as if she were asleep, but Black had killed her. The demon had taken her away.”

Eve stared at him in shock. “Oh, my God,” she whispered. “It was hot that day. She wouldn’t have lasted any time at all in that trunk.”

“No, he killed her. It wasn’t my fault. I’d never have killed John’s little girl. She was a pretty little girl and so brave… I wouldn’t have done that.”

Eve closed her eyes. “Heat. You thought you were saving her from Black but that trunk must have been hot as an oven. The heat killed her.”

“No! Stop saying that. I told you what happened.” His voice was harsh as he pushed her forward up the trail. “I kept my promise. Now it has to be over. She has to leave me alone. I have to give her what she wants.”

Her eyes opened, but she could barely see through the tears. “She’s here?” After all the years, the uncertainty. “You brought her here?”

“Of course I did. She’s John’s little girl. I had to find a special place for her. But she wouldn’t leave me alone. I tried to tell her that Black had killed her, but she wouldn’t believe me. Wherever I turned, she was beside me. Lately, it got worse. I tried to run away, but she was always there.” His hands clenched. “But I didn’t know what she wanted.”

And Danner couldn’t let himself believe that it had been his fault that Bonnie had died. A horrible accident that had become a guilt that had dominated his life and destroyed whatever sanity he still possessed.

“Listen. I can tell you what she wants.”

He shook his head. “I know now. A little girl needs her mother, and I took her away from you.”

And Danner wasn’t going to be dissuaded. She was so shaken that she didn’t even know if she could make the attempt. She would have to go along with it until she could either say something that would strike the right note or make a break.

Or find a way to kill Danner? He had killed her Bonnie. Accident or not, he had taken the daughter who had made her life worth living. Could she forgive him? She wasn’t sure that was possible.

She would think about that later, when she was able to reason and not just feel. At that moment, she couldn’t think of anything but Bonnie. An eagerness was beginning to spark within her.

He was taking her to Bonnie.

“SHE’S ON THAT CLIFF!” Joe stopped skidding across the sandy ground and shaded his eyes with his hand. “And that’s got to be Danner.”

“Yes, that’s Ted,” Father Barnabas said. “But how do we get to them?”

Good question, Joe thought. The cliff on which Danner and Eve were standing was several hundred feet above the valley floor, and it appeared as if they were going still higher.

Not by standing here wondering, he thought impatiently. “We go south, pick up that trail, and start climbing.”

And hope they were in time.

“There’s another trail that I ran across five minutes ago that would be quicker.”

Joe turned at John Gallo’s voice to see him coming toward them. “How much quicker?”

“Maybe only a few minutes.” Gallo added grimly, “But a few minutes can be enough.” He turned. “I’m heading back and taking the trail up to that cliff. Come if you like.”

Joe hesitated for only an instant. Gallo was an expert woodsman and tracker, and it didn’t matter how Joe felt about him personally. He was right, a few minutes could be enough to make a difference. He strode quickly after him. Ben and Father Barnabas were only steps behind.

Gallo glanced back at them as he moved swiftly through the trees. “This isn’t your job, Father. You shouldn’t be here. And who’s the kid?”

“Ben. He’s a friend of your uncle’s.”

“You’re John Gallo.” Ben was gazing at Gallo. “Ted told me about you.”

Gallo was frowning. “What?”

“Ben came along to protect Danner,” Joe said. “He doesn’t trust me.”

“He shouldn’t trust any of us,” Gallo said, his lips tightening. “And I don’t know if he’s going to get the chance to help him. We have to worry about Eve.” He turned back and increased his pace to a trot.

Joe caught up with him. “Where’s this trail? Time is-”

“There.” Gallo was now on the trail curving toward the cliff and running hard. “And I know all about time. When did you catch sight of my uncle and Eve, Quinn?”

“Just before they started up the hill again.”

“Well, I saw them a moment or so before that,” he said jerkily. “And he had his hands on her throat.”

Shit.

“Get rid of the priest and the kid, Quinn,” Gallo said. “They’re going to get in the way.”

“Maybe not.” His head was lifted, his gaze on the trail on the summit where Eve and Danner had disappeared. God, he prayed not. “I’d think you’d be grateful to have them. They’re both on Danner’s side.”

“It only means I may have to fight my way through them,” Gallo said hoarsely. “I promised myself that Eve has to come first. I’ll keep that promise.”

He meant it, Joe realized. Good. At least, he didn’t have to worry about Gallo’s turning traitor at the last minute. It was one small light in a nightmare scenario.

“At least get rid of the kid,” Gallo said. “He makes me… He shouldn’t be here.”

But he was invited, Joe wanted to tell him. He may belong here more than any of us. But that would require explanations, and he wasn’t about to make them. He increased his speed and passed Gallo as they reached the hill. “It’s too late. Deal with it.”

I’M COMING, BONNIE. I’LL BE THERE with you soon. Do you feel me? Do you hear me?

But there was no answer. If Danner was truly taking her to Bonnie’s final resting place, wouldn’t Eve have sensed her near? Not necessarily. Bonnie had never been predictable.

The higher they’d climbed, the pine trees had become thinner, sparser, then disappeared entirely. They were replaced by huge boulders and canyon walls that jutted in and out like a giant maze. A dozen cracks seamed the rose red of the stone that led off the trail and disappeared into dark crevices.

“We’re almost at the top of this canyon,” she called to Danner. “And it’s all rock. Where’s Bonnie? Have you been lying to me? Has it all been one of your hallucinations?”

“Be quiet.” His voice was rough. “I don’t lie. You said that before. You said there was no demon. But it was a demon who killed the little girl.”

He was referring to Bonnie as the little girl again. Was it because he could not bear to acknowledge her identity now that they were close to her? Eve was beginning to understand his reluctance to acknowledge that it was Bonnie who had appeared to him. If he rejected the thought that he had been to blame for Bonnie’s death, it was natural that he would not want to admit that it was her spirit that was haunting him. The little girl had to be anonymous. He rejected Bonnie’s spirit as he had rejected the thought that he had killed her.

“We’re almost at the top of this canyon, and there’s nothing but rock. I don’t-” She stopped on the trail, her heart leaping to her throat, her gaze on the huge dark crack between two canyons to the left of the trail.

“Bonnie?”

“You’ve found me, Mama. I kept telling you that it didn’t matter, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

“It mattered to me.”

“And I guess that’s why you finally found me.”

“Where are you? I don’t see you.”

“You will. Not right now. He’s suffering so much that I can’t get near you.”

“Damn him.”

“No. Don’t be angry. Can’t you see? I know everything now. The two planes have come together, and I remember what happened. There mustn’t be anger.”

“I don’t see. He took you away from me. I am angry. I won’t let-”

“She’s here, isn’t she?” Danner was staring at Eve, his face pasty white. “But I don’t see her.”

She could no longer sense Bonnie, and the sudden loneliness sparked even more anger. “You’re keeping her away.” She looked at the looming dark crevice. “You bastard. You stuffed her in that black hole? What did you do? Just pile a bunch of rocks on her body?” She was striding into the narrow space between the rock walls. It was dark and so close it was claustrophobic. She could see the shadow of a large boulder blocking the path ahead.

“Get out of my way.” Danner was pushing her aside and going ahead. He rolled aside the boulder and pushed her through the opening out of the darkness. “If she’s here, it must be because she wants you here, too. Can’t you see? I was right. I have to do it.”

After the darkness, the daylight almost blinded Eve.

She stopped, stunned.

“SHIT, WHERE’S HE TAKING HER?” Joe said between set teeth, as his gaze flew down the path and the dark crevices on either side. “This part of the canyon looks like a rabbit warren. It will be a nightmare trying to follow him into any of those crevices.”

“And no footprints,” Gallo said. The trail had become rock and stone once they left the lower part of the trail. “If we had shale, I could at least tell if it had been disturbed.” He stopped and gazed down one of the twisting passageways between the walls. “I’ll check out this one. You take the next path over there.”

Joe nodded. Taking the openings one by one was the only thing they could do, but it was a waste of time. Dammit, they had no time to do an extensive search.

“No.” Ben was suddenly beside Joe. “Not there. Not this one. Straight ahead.”

“We have to eliminate every possibility, kid,” Gallo said.

“No, straight ahead.” He put his hand on Joe’s arm. “She’s not there.”

Joe looked at him.

“I have to be with you. But not here.” He added urgently, “Tell him. We have to hurry, Joe.”

Joe hesitated, gazing at the boy’s pleading expression. Then he said slowly, “We’ll split up, Gallo, we can cover more area. You search here, and I’ll go straight ahead.” He whirled and started running up the path. He could hear Gallo cursing behind him, but when he glanced behind him, Gallo had disappeared down one of the crevices.

Ben caught up with Joe and passed him.

Follow him. He seems to know where he is going.

And God knows Joe had no idea.

EVE WAS FROZEN WITH SHOCK. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

Greenery where there had been only rocks, grass so well tended it looked like velvet. A flowering magnolia tree, shiny-leafed shrubs, plum leaf azaleas, small, exquisite pink roses, delicate lantana, and golden sunflowers… She was on the edge of the rose-hued canyon wall on a cliff that was perhaps thirty feet in diameter. It was sheltered by a network of vines on all sides that made it into a secret garden.

Secret Garden. Yes, that was what it reminded her of, that classic children’s tale about a garden of magic beauty that had the power to heal because of the love that gone into bringing it to life.

“What is this, Danner?”

“It’s the place.” He gazed at the garden. “It took me years to make it for her. I had to bring in lots of soil, and the vines to shelter it from the weather. And the flowers had to be hardy and not take much care. I couldn’t bear to come here too often after I gave it to her. She frightened me.”

Her gaze was wandering around the garden and stopped at a twisting path that led upward along the edge of the canyon. “What is that?”

“It’s a path that goes to the top of the canyon. It took me a year to hack it out of the wall.”

“Why?”

“I couldn’t be sure that the demons wouldn’t find her. I had to have a route to take her out of here.”

“An escape hatch?” she asked softly. “Good heavens, you thought of everything.”

“Are you laughing at me?”

“No, there’s nothing funny about this.”

It was sad, tragic.

“No.” His gaze went to the far west corner of the garden, then glanced quickly away. “There she is.”

Bonnie.

It was a raised plot of earth that was surrounded by the same gorgeous blossoms that were everywhere in the garden. A simple carved cross marked the grave.

Eve slowly moved to stand before it.

Here I am, baby.

No special sense of presence. She had not believed Bonnie when she had told her that it would not matter whether she found her body. That she was always with her, that it was memories and love that made the difference. She could almost see Bonnie standing in front of her with an impish I-told-you-so smile.

Okay, so you were right. But I’m glad to be here anyway.

And maybe she would have felt something more special if Danner had not been here.

Danner, who was standing looking at her from a few yards away.

He was getting ready. She could see the tension in the set of his shoulders… and his eyes…

“It’s a beautiful place,” Eve told him quietly. “I’m glad that you gave Bonnie such a wonderful garden. She loved flowers.”

“She was John’s daughter. I had to take care of her after the demon killed her. I had to find a place to hide her so that the demons wouldn’t steal her soul as well as her body.”

“And you brought her here.”

“I thought she’d be safe. I took care of her. I made a beautiful place for her. I kept the demons from finding her.” His expression clouded. “At least, I thought I had. But they started coming at me. I heard that Queen and Jacobs had lied to me and were trying to destroy John. I had to stop them. But even after they were dead, it didn’t stop. There are so many demons… Everywhere I turned, I saw them there in the shadows, waiting.”

“But not here, not in this place.”

“No, the little girl was safe here.” His lips were twisted. “But she wouldn’t stay. I’d see her in the canyon. Sometimes I’d even see her in the camp or in the city. She’d look at me with those big eyes, and I knew she wanted something from me, but I didn’t know what it was.”

“And you were too afraid of her to stick around and ask.” She was putting together the pieces of the tragic puzzle that had haunted all their lives. “Because you thought she’d want revenge because you’d killed her.”

“She didn’t understand. It wasn’t me. I saved her.”

“I think she understood more than you could believe.” Eve was gazing at the cross. “You should have tried to listen to her.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice was rough. “I tried to hear her, but all I could see were her eyes looking up at me that day at the car. ‘I’m not afraid, Ted,’ she said. Did I tell you that?”

“Yes.”

“And then I let the demon kill her.” His hands clenched at his sides. “But she’s safe here, the demons can’t reach her. But she has to stay. You see that, don’t you?” He took a step closer. “She won’t leave if you’re here with her.”

“Another lovely cross for me, Danner?” Eve asked, her gaze on the grave.

“You love her. You want to be together. Don’t you want to keep her safe?”

“With all my heart.”

He was only a few feet away, and his hand was grasping the hilt of his dagger. “It will be quick. I know how to do it. No pain, Eve. Don’t fight me. I know you want it.”

She did want it. The thought of being with Bonnie was almost irresistibly alluring.

“No, Mama, it’s not your time.”

“Well, that stirred you to action. You always say that it’s not my time, but you promised us that this was the finish. It wouldn’t be a bad ending, baby.”

“Mama.”

Eve was suddenly bombarded with a kaleidoscape of pictures of her life with Joe, her life with Jane, of her work, intense, satisfying, worthwhile. Rich life, sweet life, a life full of love, a life worth living.

“I know. I know. I won’t let it happen.”

HOW TO DO IT? SHE HAD no weapon.

He was blocking the way that led to the passage that had brought her here.

No choice. She’d have to take the path that led to the top of the canyon. Perhaps she could find a rock or branch up there to use to defend herself.

“Come here,” Danner said. “Don’t make me come to you. Show me that you understand. It will only be a second, and it will be over.”

Get past him, feint to the left, then run for the passage leading to the top of the canyon.

“I’m coming.” She held his gaze as she took a step forward. “You won’t hurt me? You promise?”

He smiled. “I promise. I’m like you. I only want to make her happy.”

And she believed him, she realized with a wrench of pure pain. Through all his torment and fear, he only wanted Bonnie to be safe in body and spirit. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted, too. To bring her home.”

He looked at her in wondering surprise. “But she is home. Who could ever want a more beautiful home? Don’t you see the flowers? You said she- No!” She had ducked under his left arm, bringing her heel up to kick his left kneecap. His leg buckled, and he staggered.

She heard him cursing as she ran toward the path leading up the cliff.

“You’re not supposed to do this. I don’t want you to fight me. Can’t you see I’m doing what’s best for her?”

“No, all I can see is that you’re the demon trying to rob my daughter of what she wants to happen. You’re wrong, dammit.” She had reached the cliff and was tearing up the path.

He was right behind her.

Faster.

She had to go faster.

The wind was tearing at her hair.

The top of the canyon. How far was it, dammit?

She could hear his steps pounding on the stones.

Faster.

Then she had reached the summit.

Weapon. Find a weapon.

A loose rock?

No, there was a branch underneath a scrawny pine tree that was balanced precariously at the top of the summit.

She could hear Danner’s strained breathing behind her.

She grabbed up the branch and whirled to face him.

“Eve!”

Joe was at the top of the trail, running toward Danner, a gun in his hand. A sandy-haired boy was close behind him. “Get away from him, Eve. You’re in the way of my shot.”

But Danner was turning, drawing his own gun, pointing.

“No!” She threw herself forward to grab his gun.

Too late.

“Joe!” she screamed.

Everything seemed to occur in slow motion.

Joe running toward them.

Danner’s finger squeezing the trigger.

And the boy who had been following Joe was suddenly even with him.

“Get away, Ben,” Joe shouted.

But the boy dove in front of Joe, knocking him to the ground.

A bright blossom of blood appeared on the boy’s white shirt.

Dead?

“Ben!” Danner’s voice was hoarse with agony, his gaze on the boy. “Stupid kid. I never meant- Why did you-”

“But you did,” Eve said fiercely. “You probably killed him, Danner.”

“No. No.” He was staggering backward, dropping the gun, his gaze on the boy. Then he whirled and was running toward the trail.

Let him go.

Eve ran toward Joe. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.” Joe was rolling over and lifting the boy off him. “But Ben’s not. Why the hell did he-” He carefully laid the kid on the ground, his gaze on the blood on the boy’s shirt. “Shit.”

“Who is he?” Eve whispered as she fell to her knees beside them. The boy was pale, and that horrible wound…

“Ben Hudson. He told me where to find you.” He was opening the boy’s shirt and examining the wound. “Dammit, I shouldn’t have brought him.”

“Is he going to die?”

“I don’t know.” He took out his handkerchief and folded it. “I don’t have any idea about his internal injuries. All I can do is try to stop the blood.”

“I’ll do it.” She took the handkerchief and pressed it above the wound. “You call 911 for medical help, then go after Danner.”

“I should-”

“No.” She didn’t lift her eyes from the wound. “Stop Danner. It has to end, Joe. He’s like a wounded animal who will keep striking out and killing until he’s put away. He can’t do anything else.”

“No.” The boy had opened his eyes and was staring up at her. “He didn’t mean to-”

“I know,” she said quietly. “But it happened, and it will keep on happening. There’s no telling when he’ll decide that one of us is one of his demons. He’s not sane, Ben. He almost killed me two times before today. And Joe almost died just now.”

“Don’t kill… Ted. He has to know- Fresh start.”

“What?”

The boy’s eyes were closing. “Beginning. He has to know that it can begin…”

He was unconscious.

Joe was rising to his feet. “If I’m going to catch up with Danner, I have to go. You’re sure you want me to leave you?”

No, she desperately wanted to go with him, but she couldn’t leave this young boy who had saved him. She nodded. “Go.”

“Father Barnabas was just behind me. I’ll send him to-”

She stiffened. “The priest? No.”

“He’s okay, Eve. Trust him.” He was running toward the trail. “I’ll explain later.”

She stopped him as he started down the trail. “Bonnie’s death was an accident, Joe. Danner didn’t mean to do it.”

“And what does that mean? How do you feel? What am I supposed to do? Kill him? Have him thrown into prison?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know how I feel. I’m still angry. I’m still cheated. I want revenge for her death. And it’s all mixed up with the horrible feeling that everything went terribly wrong, and anything I do will just make it more terrible.” She met his gaze. “It’s your call, Joe. I won’t tell you to hold your hand when it might put you in danger. I just had to tell you.”

He nodded curtly, then vanished down the path.

She moved the pad on Ben’s chest. The pad was soaked with blood. Was the flow easing? It was hard to tell.

“You… want to go with him.” Ben’s eyes were open again. “You’re afraid for him.”

“Yes, shouldn’t I be? Your friend, Danner, tried to kill him.”

“I… think he’ll be all right.”

“I don’t want to think. I want to know.”

“I can’t tell… you that.”

“Stop talking, it’s not good for you. Worry about yourself, not Joe.”

He was silent a moment. “You think I… may die.”

Yes, she did. He seemed very close. “You’ll be fine. Don’t be afraid. Just hold on.”

“I’m not afraid. I was once. But she showed me that it would only be a new start with nothing to hold me back… and beautiful.”

Her grasp tightened on his hand. “‘She’?”

His gaze was on her face. “She looks like you. Sometimes I can’t see her, only hear her. But when I see her, she looks like you.”

“Does she?” she asked unevenly. “Well, I think she would want you to hold on, just as I do.”

He nodded and closed his eyes. “I just wanted to tell you so that you wouldn’t feel bad. You looked so sad…”

“Eve!”

Her gaze flew to the trail to see Father Barnabas coming up the path.

“How is he?” The priest was frowning as he came toward her. “Joe passed me on the trail and told me what had happened and asked me to come and help you.” He knelt beside Ben. “He said he’d called 911, and they’ll contact the ranger station.” He put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Help’s on the way, Ben.”

Ben nodded but didn’t answer.

It’s a new start… and beautiful.

But she didn’t want any new starts happening for this boy who had saved Joe’s life. And she’d be damned if she’d let Joe wander off into the great beyond either.

“Hold the compress,” she told the priest as she got to her feet. “I’m going after Joe.” She looked down at Ben. “And you hold on and don’t go anywhere. She may think it’s okay, but I don’t. And I’m sure Bonnie didn’t mean it like that. We all have to stick together around here.” Her glance shifted to the priest. “You take care of him. Don’t you let him die. I want prayers and rosaries and anything else you may think will help.” She turned and strode toward the trail. “Do your job.”