The Killing Game

SEVEN

"I beg your pardon?" Fay Sugarton stared at her three visitors. "Jane?”

“She’s in danger," Eve said, seated on the sofa with Joe and Mark. "Please believe me."

"Why? Because she’s the right age, has red hair, and was in four foster homes before coming here? You admit you practically pulled her name from a hat."

"She matched the profile," Joe said.

"Did you check county records as well as city records?”

“We believe Dom would choose a child from this area."

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"Maybe, maybe not. There could be other children in the county who match the profile. You didn’t search in depth." Fay crossed her arms over her breasts. "And you don’t even know if this guy who’s calling you isn’t some sicko practical joker."

"He knew about the two boys at Talladega," Eve said.

"That doesn’t mean he’s after Jane."

"Do you want to take the chance?"

"Of course I don’t." She stared at Eve. "But I don’t intend to let you jerk Jane away from me unless I’m convinced there’s a need for it. She’s been tossed from one home to another since she was two. I’m responsible for her now. I won’t have her torn from another home and frightened out of her wits."

"We’re not the ones who will frighten her."

"Bring me proof; show me how you’ll protect her and I’ll let her go." Eve drew a deep breath.

"Proof may come too late."

"You don’t realize how damaged this child is. I want a chance at earning her trust." She turned to Mark Grunard. "And if you try to put me or any of this on TV, I’ll sue the station."

He held up his hands. "I’m just an observer." He paused. "But I’d listen if I were you. No one is trying to victimize the child but this Dom. We’re trying to save her, Ms. Sugarton."

Fay hesitated and then shook her head. "Bring me proof and I’ll let you take her.”

“You’re putting the child at risk," Eve said.

Fay gave her a shrewd glance. "I don’t imagine you’ll let her become a victim. I’d bet you’ll have a guard on her."

"That may not be enough. She needs to be hidden away.”

“I don’t see you hiding."

"That’s my choice. A child has no choice." Fay grimaced. "You don’t know Jane.”

“She’s a child, dammit."

"A child who’s been abused and neglected most of her life. She doesn’t think much of grownups already, and you want me to tell her someone’s trying to kill her just for the hell of it?"

"What kind of proof do you want?" Joe asked.

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records, both city and county, and make sure Jane is the only one who fits the profile. And have that FBI agent, Spiro, come by and talk to me. I trust the FBI." She glanced at Joe. "No offense, but my kids have had problems with the local police and I don’t like you showing up with this TV

man."

Eve looked at Joe. If Dom didn’t want the police involved, he wouldn’t be pleased at seeing the FBI there.

He shrugged. "I don’t like it either, but we have located the little girl. He can’t move on her without our knowing it now."

Eve turned back to Fay. "Then it’s settled. You’ll talk to Robert Spiro. Please listen to him. We’ve told you what a problem we’re having with Family Services."

"I promise to listen. No more than that." She stood up. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have housework to do and then I have to go to the grocery store." She said to Eve, "Sorry, but I have to be sure. Jane’s a tough proposition. This may blow any chance I have of reaching her."

"For God’s sake, help us."

"I’ll do what I can. Right now she’s at Crawford Middle School on Thirteenth street." Fay walked to the chest across the room, rummaged through the top drawer, and handed a photograph to Eve. "That’s her school picture from last year. She gets out at three and walks home. It’s only four blocks. Keep an eye on her, but I don’t want you talking to her." Her lips firmed. "If you scare her, I’ll scalp you."

"Thank you." Eve thrust the photo into her purse. "But you’re making a mistake." Fay shrugged.

"I’ve made a lot of them, but I can only do my best. I’ve had twelve foster children in the past six years and I think most of them are better for being with me." She moved to the door and opened it. "Good-bye. Give me proof and we’ll work something out."

Mark Grunard said as they reached the street, "Tough lady. Evidently she isn’t easily impressed by my fame and sparkling personality."

"I like her." Eve scowled. "Though I’d like to break her neck. Why wouldn’t she listen?"

"She believes she’s doing what’s best for the kid," Joe said. "And she’s not about to take anyone’s word without thinking it over first."

"So what do we do now?" Mark asked.

"You go home and get some sleep. You were up all night," Joe said. "As soon as we get to the car, we’ll call Spiro and ask him to come down and talk to Fay Sugarton." He looked at Eve. "And then I assume this afternoon we watch the school and make sure the kid gets home all right?"

She started toward the car. "That’s the plan."

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"I’m tied up here. I can’t come right now," Spiro said.

"It can’t be that important. We need you," Eve told him.

"It’s important enough." He paused. "We found another body on the bank across the falls.

They’re digging up the entire area to see if there are any more."

"God." That made twelve bodies. How many more?

"But I’ll try to break away tonight and drive down. I won’t be able to stay long.”

“When can you get here?" Eve asked.

"I’ll be there before nine, and we’ll go to see the lady together," he said wearily. "Is that all right?"

"It will have to be if you can’t get here before that."

Joe took the phone from her. "We’re not going back to the cottage tonight. Send Charlie down here in case I have to leave Eve for any length of time." He listened. "No, we don’t want Charlie to talk to Fay Sugarton. He has about as much presence and authority as one of her foster kids.

We need you to impress her. What about Spaulding from CASKU? Okay, if he’s gone back to Quantico, you get down here yourself. I don’t care if it sounds like an order. It is an order." He hung up. "You didn’t handle him very diplomatically," Eve said. "He’s trying to help us.”

“As long as it means catching Dom."

"It’s his job to catch killers."

"Not quite. He’s a profiler. He’s supposed to analyze and report, not join in the chase." His lips tightened. "But now he wants that bastard almost as much as we do."

"We should be grateful for that."

"I’m grateful." Joe scowled. "Sometimes. When he doesn’t put Bureau business in front of protecting—"

"Shut up, Joe."

He made a face. "Okay, Spiro’s only doing his job. I suppose I’m a little uptight." He wasn’t the only one. Eve’s nerves were strung taut.

He started the car. "Come on, I’ll buy you a hamburger at the Varsity and then we’ll go on to the school."

"My God, I’d forgotten how fast kids can move when they get out of school." Joe chuckled.

"They’re like a herd of buffalo heading for water. Did you go to this school?"

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"No, it wasn’t here when I was growing up." Her gaze searched the crowd of children. "I don’t see any redheads. Where is she?"

"You have a photograph." He paused. "I’ve been wondering why you haven’t looked at it since you got it."

"I didn’t think of it."

"Sure?"

She glanced at him. "Of course I’m sure. Stop reading significance into a simple oversight."

"There’s nothing simple about you. It’s rime to look at the photograph, Eve.”

“I was going to do that." She pulled the picture out of her purse. It’s only a little girl. She has nothing to do with Bonnie.

Relief rushed through her. "Not very pretty, is she?" The child in the photo was not smiling and had short red hair curling around a thin, triangular face. The only attractive feature she could claim were large hazel eyes, and even they were glaring out of the photograph. "She obviously didn’t want her picture taken."

"Then she must have character. I never wanted my picture taken either." Joe’s gaze shifted to her face. "You’re relieved. You were afraid she’d look like Bonnie."

"It seems Dom has a bad eye. She and Bonnie are nothing alike. Hell, maybe he’s lying about everything. Maybe he never saw Bonnie."

"If he was around here then, he would have seen at least a photo of her. The media plastered her face all over."

Because she was pretty and sweet and loved life so much, she touched everyone who saw her, Eve thought. Not like Jane MacGuire, who was prone to strike out. "That Dom thinks I’d identify with her only proves how crazy he is. You didn’t need to worry, Joe."

"That’s nice. Maybe." He straightened in the driver’s seat. "There she is. She just came out of the front entrance."

Jane MacGuire was small for ten, dressed in jeans, T-shirt, and tennis shoes. She wore a green book bag on her back and strode straight ahead without looking to either side.

No dawdling. No stopping to talk with friends as Bonnie had done. Bonnie had so many friends…

She wasn’t being fair. Bonnie had always been surrounded by love and trust. Jane MacGuire had a right to be wary. But, God, she was glad the child was nothing like Bonnie. "She’s reached The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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the street. Start the car."

The creep had a different car. Bigger. Newer. Gray instead of blue.

Or it could be another creep, Jane thought. The world was full of them. She broke into a trot and darted around the corner.

She waited.

The gray car coasted slowly around the corner. She tensed. Was it following her?

A man and woman? Maybe they’re not creeps.

Or maybe they were. Better not take any chances. She climbed over the chain-link fence, ran across the yard, then scrambled over the far fence.

Out the gate that led to the alley.

She glanced over her shoulder. No car.

Keep running.

Her heart was beating too hard.

Stop it. Don’t ever let the creeps scare you. That’s what they wanted. Scare you. Hurt you.

Don’t let them do it.

It was going to be okay.

Two more blocks and she’d be at Fay’s house. Maybe she’d tell Fay about the creeps. She was like the teachers at school. As long as she understood the danger, she’d do what she could to help. It was only when she didn’t understand that she—

She ran out of the alley into the street. The house was right ahead. Half a block. She looked back over her shoulder, and her heart leaped into her throat. Gray car. Turning the corner.

She hadn’t lost them.

She flew down the street toward Fay’s house.

Fay would keep her safe. She would call the cops and maybe they would care enough to come.

If they didn’t, at least she wouldn’t be alone. Fay would be there. She ran up the steps, threw open the door, and slammed it closed behind her. Safe. She was safe.

Maybe she was stupid to be scared. Maybe she wouldn’t tell Fay. That would be really stupid.

She’d tell her. "Fay!" No answer.

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The house was silent.

Fay must be in the kitchen. She always made sure she was home when Jane and the boys returned from school.

Yes, Fay was in the kitchen. Jane was sure she heard the loose board near the sink creak.

But why hadn’t she answered?

She slowly started across the living room toward the kitchen. "Fay?"

"Fay Sugarton isn’t going to like this." Joe parked in front of the house. "She doesn’t want us talking to the kid."

"Too bad. Dammit, we scared her. I’m not going to let her have nightmares about this." Eve opened the car door. "Fine tail you are. I told you not to let her know we were following."

“She’s sharp." Joe got out of the car. "It’s almost as if she was expecting it." Eve glanced at him.

"You think she knows she’s being watched?”

“It seems we’re going to have the opportunity to ask her." Joe climbed the steps and rang the doorbell. "If we can get Fay Sugarton to let us in the front door."

"She has no choice. She cares about the girl. It’s not as if we’re going to tell Jane about— Why isn’t she answering the door?"

Joe rang the bell again. "She said she was going to the grocery store. Maybe she’s not home and the kid’s too scared to answer."

"She’s had hours to get home from the store." She tried the door. "It’s locked.”

“The kid." He thought about it. "Then again, maybe not. What the hell." He put his shoulder against the door and broke through it. "Illegal is better than— Shit!" He crumpled to the floor as a baseball bat struck his kneecaps.

Jane whirled on Eve and struck her in the rib cage with the bat. Pain seared through Eve. She was barely able to dodge as the girl swung the bat at her head. "Creep." Tears were running down her face. "Fucking creep." She swung the bat again. "I’ll kill you, you dirty—"

Joe dove from his knees and brought Jane down. "Don’t hurt her," Eve gasped.

"Don’t hurt her? I may have to have a knee replacement." He straddled the struggling child.

"And she tried to knock your brains out."

"She’s scared. We broke into the house. She thought—" Blood. The little girl was covered in blood. Her cheeks, lips, hands… "Oh, my God, she’s hurt, Joe. He hurt her." She fell to her knees beside the girl and brushed the hair away from her cheek.

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Jane sank her teeth into Eve’s hand.

Joe pried her teeth apart and jerked Eve’s hand away. "Careful." He cupped Jane’s jaw and held it shut while he stared down into her eyes. "We’re not going to hurt you, dammit. We’re here to help. Now, where’s Ms. Sugarton?"

Jane glared up at him.

"Police. Detective Quinn." He reached into his pocket and showed her his badge. He repeated,

"We’re here to help."

The child relaxed a little.

"Where are you hurt?" Eve asked.

Jane was still glaring at Joe. "Get off me.”

“Get off her, Joe."

"This could be a mistake." Joe stood up and grabbed the bat. Jane slowly sat up. "Lousy cop.

Why weren’t you here before?" Tears were running down her cheeks again. "Never here when anyone needs you. Lousy cop. Lousy cop…"

"I’m here now. Where are you hurt?"

"Not hurt. She’s hurt."

Eve stiffened. "Ms. Sugarton?"

"Fay." Jane looked toward the kitchen. "Fay.”

“Jesus." Eve jumped to her feet and ran toward the kitchen.

Blood.

And more blood. On the Formica table.

On the overturned kitchen chair.

On the tile floor where Fay Sugarton lay slumped, eyes staring at them across the room, throat gaping where it had been slashed.

"Don’t move." Joe was standing beside her. "There could be tracks. We don’t want to disturb them.”

“She’s dead," Eve said dully.

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"Yes." He turned her around and gave her a push toward the living room. "Go back and take care of the kid while I call this in. See if she saw anyone." She couldn’t tear her gaze from those staring dead eyes. "Dom," she whispered.

"It has to be Dom."

"Go."

She nodded and moved slowly from the kitchen.

Jane was sitting huddled against a wall, her knees drawn up to her chest. "She’s dead, isn’t she?"

"Yes." She dropped down on the floor beside her. "Did you see anyone?”

“I tried to help her. She was bleeding. I tried to stop the bleeding… but I couldn’t.

I couldn’t stop it. My health teacher said if we ever have an accident, we should always stop the bleeding first. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stop it."

Eve wanted to reach out and draw Jane close, but she could almost see the wall the child had built around her. "It wasn’t your fault. I’m sure she was already dead."

"Maybe not. Maybe I could have helped her if I’d been smarter. I didn’t pay much attention to what my teacher said. I didn’t think— I didn’t know—" Eve couldn’t stand it. She reached out and tentatively touched the child’s shoulder.

Jane jerked away. "Who are you?" she said fiercely. "Are you a cop too? Why weren’t you here?

Why did you let this happen?"

"I’m not police, but I have to know what happened. Did you see—" To hell with it. The child was in no shape to answer questions. "What do you say we go on the porch and wait for the police to get here?"

At first she didn’t think the girl would agree, but then Jane rose to her feet and strode out of the house. She sat down on the top porch step.

Eve sat down beside her. "My name is Eve Duncan. The detective inside is Joe Quinn."

The girl stared straight ahead. "You’re Jane MacGuire?" The girl didn’t answer.

"If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. I know you must have cared very much for Ms. Sugarton."

"I didn’t care anything about her. I just lived with her."

"I don’t think that’s true, but we won’t talk about it now. We won’t talk at all. I just thought it would make you feel better if we weren’t strangers."

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"Talking doesn’t mean anything. You’re still a stranger."

And the child was going to make sure she stayed that way, Eve thought. The tears were gone, but her back was straight and rigid and the wall of distrust was higher than ever. Who could blame her? Any other child would have been in hysterics. It might have been a healthier reaction than withdrawal. "I don’t feel much like talking either. We’ll just sit here and wait.

Okay?"

Jane didn’t look at her. "Okay."

The child was still covered with blood, Eve realized suddenly. She should do something about it.

Not now. Neither of them was in any shape to do anything but sit there. She leaned her head against the newel post next to her. She couldn’t get the memory of dead eyes out of her mind.

Fay Sugarton had been a good woman, trying to do her best. She didn’t deserve—

"I lied." Jane was still looking straight ahead. "I think… I liked her."

“So did I."

Jane fell silent again.

Eisley pulled up at the curb at the same time as the first police squad car.

The officers poured into the house, but Barbara Eisley stopped before Jane. Her expression was amazingly gentle as she spoke to the child. "Do you remember me, Jane? I’m Mrs. Eisley."

Jane stared at her without expression. "I remember you.”

“You can’t stay here any longer."

"I know."

"I’ve come to take you away. Where are Chang and Raoul?”

“School. Basketball practice."

"I’ll send someone for them." She held out her hand. "Come with me. We’ll get you cleaned up and then we’ll talk."

"I don’t want to talk." Jane stood and walked to the car at the curb. "Where are you taking her?" Eve asked.

"The Child and Family Services holding facility.”

“How safe is it?"

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"It has security and she’ll be surrounded by other children.”

“I think you should let us take—"

"Bullshit." Barbara Eisley whirled on her, her tone as hard now as it had been gentle before.

"She’s my responsibility and none of you are going to touch her. I should never have become involved in this mess. The newspapers and politicians are going to come down on me like a ton of bricks."

"We have to keep her safe. Ms. Sugarton wasn’t the target. She probably just got in the way."

"And you weren’t able to help her, were you?" Barbara Eisley’s eyes bored into her. "Fay Sugarton was a decent woman, an extraordinary woman who helped dozens of kids. She shouldn’t have died. She might be alive now if I hadn’t given you that—"

"And Jane might be dead."

"I should have kept out of it and that’s what I’m doing from now on. Stay clear of me and stay away from Jane MacGuire." She turned on her heel and walked to the car.

Eve watched helplessly as it pulled away from the curb. Jane was sitting up straight in the passenger seat, but she looked terribly small and fragile.

"It was the only thing to do."

She turned to see Joe standing in the doorway. "I was hoping we could get her away before anyone showed up from Family Services."

He shook his head. "I called Eisley."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"Child and Family Services always has to be involved in cases like this. They serve to protect the children from the media and police interrogation. They’ll take the heat off Jane."

"We could have protected her."

"Would she have let us? We’re strangers to her. At the welfare facility she’ll be surrounded by kids and staff. She’ll be much safer, and we can still keep an eye on her."

Eve was still uneasy. "I wish you hadn’t…"

"She may be a material witness to a murder case, Eve. Did she talk to you?"

Eve shook her head.

"Then I’ll have to see her later tonight."

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"Can’t you leave her—" Of course he couldn’t leave Jane alone. She might have seen something. "Barbara Eisley may not let you talk to her. She’s not pleased with us."

"Sometimes it helps to have a badge." He pulled her to her feet. "Come on. I’ll drive you home.

Forensics will be here any minute. I’ll have to come back, but you don’t need to be here."

"I’ll wait for you."

"No, you won’t. I may be here hours and the media will be right behind the forensics team." He nudged her down the steps. "I called Charlie. He’s at the lobby of my apartment building now and will keep an eye on you until I get there." He opened the car door for her. "As soon as you’re inside the apartment, call Spiro and Mark and tell them what happened."

She nodded. "And maybe I’ll call Barbara Eisley and see if I can talk her into seeing me again."

"Give it a rest, Eve. Let her cool off."

She shook her head. She couldn’t forget her last glance of Jane MacGuire, sitting ramrod straight, afraid she’d break if she lowered her defenses. Dom could break her and butcher her.

How close had Jane come to Dom in the kitchen?

Panic rose inside Eve at the thought. Smother it. The immediate danger to Jane was over.

The hell it was. "I’m calling Barbara Eisley as soon as I get to the apartment."

"No," Barbara Eisley said coldly. "Don’t make me repeat myself again, Ms. Duncan. Jane stays in our custody. Come near her and I’ll have you tossed in jail.”

“You don’t understand. Dom killed Fay Sugarton in broad daylight. He managed to get inside her house and then he cut her throat right in her own kitchen. What’s to stop him from doing the same thing to Jane at the welfare house?”

“The fact that every day we deal with abusive parents and mothers on crack and heroin who want their children back. We know what we’re doing. The location of the holding facility is confidential. And even if he found out where it is, no one’s going to get past our security."

"You’ve never had to deal with—”

“Good-bye, Ms. Duncan."

"Wait. How is she?"

"Not good. But she’ll get better. I’ll send her to the therapist tomorrow morning." She hung up.

Eve remembered those therapists. Sitting there probing with their questions and then trying to hide their resentment when they couldn’t get through to her. Jane would chew them up and spit them out just as Eve had when she was a child.

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"No luck?"

She turned to Charlie, who was sitting across the room. "No luck. I’ll try again tomorrow morning."

"You’re persistent."

"Persistence is the only weapon I have with Eisley. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t."

Dear God, she hoped it worked this time. "Have you heard anything from the agent Spiro sent to Phoenix?"

"Not much, only that their PD is cooperating. I wish Spiro had let me go." He smiled. "Not that I’m not enjoying the company. It’s just that I joined the FBI for more challenging work than guard duty. Although the subject does have me running all over Georgia to keep her under surveillance.”

“Sorry. Coffee? I’m afraid there’s no food in the refrigerator.”

“I saw a Thai restaurant around the corner that delivers." Charlie pulled out his phone. "What do you want?"

She wasn’t hungry, but she supposed she should eat something. "Anything with noodles, I guess. And get something to put in the refrigerator for Joe. He never stops to eat."

"Okay."

She picked up her purse and headed for the bedroom. "I need to call Spiro.”

“No, you don’t. I already did that after Joe phoned me. He swore like a trooper and said he’s on his way."

She closed the bedroom door and leaned back against it.

She should call Mark, but she needed a little time to recover. She still felt sick about Fay Sugarton. Barbara Eisley couldn’t be blamed for being angry.

She went to the window and looked down at the park across the street. It was dark now and the street lamps cast pools of light on the trees. The night shadows seemed threatening.

Are you down there, Dom? Are you watching, you bastard? Her digital phone rang.

Joe? Spiro?

Her phone rang again.

She pulled it out of her purse. "Hello.”

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“How are you getting along with little Janie?”

“You son of a bitch."

"I was sorry I couldn’t stay around to see your meeting, but the timing was a little tight. I didn’t even get a chance to see the kid at close quarters."

"So you killed Fay Sugarton instead."

"You make me sound like a blunderer. There was no instead about it. I had no intention of killing the child yet. Fay Sugarton was the target."

"For God’s sake, why?"

"You and Jane couldn’t bond while Sugarton was around. So she had to be taken out of the way. How do you like our little girl?"

"I don’t. She tried to brain me with a baseball bat."

"That wouldn’t deter you. You probably admire her spirit. I don’t think I could have chosen better."

"You made a lousy choice. She’s nothing like Bonnie.”

“She’ll begin to grow on you."

"She won’t have the chance. It won’t work. She’s not with me.”

“I know. We’ll have to take care of that, won’t we? It’s not what I had in mind at all. Go get her from welfare, Eve."

"It’s impossible."

"She has to be with you. You’ll have to find a way to make that happen.”

“You’re not listening. They’ll toss me in jail if I even go near her." A silence. "Perhaps I’m not making myself clear. Either get her out of that welfare house or I’ll go in after her. I’ll give you twenty-four hours."

Panic soared through her. "I don’t even know where she is.”

“Find out. Think about it. You have contacts. There’s always a way. I’d find a way."

"There’s security. You’d never get near her. They’d catch you."

“I’d get near her. All it would take is one careless moment, one bored or disgruntled employee."

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"I don’t care anything about that child. I could never feel the slightest affection for—"

"Yes, you could. You just have to get to know her. You’ve spent years trying to protect and find children you never knew. Now I’ve given you one of your own. The potential is mind-boggling."

"I’m calling the police as soon as I hang up."

"And seal Jane’s fate? It would, you know. I’d never stop trying. If I can’t find a way to do it right now, I’ll wait. A week, a month, a year. It’s amazing how the passing of time makes everything easier for me. People forget, people lower their guard… and you wouldn’t be close enough to her to stop me. Twenty-four hours, Eve." He hung up.

He was crazy, Eve thought. Eisley had said no one could get into that welfare facility.

But Eve herself had doubted it.

All it would take is one careless moment, one bored or disgruntled employee. Wasn’t that what Eve had been afraid of all along? Wasn’t that why she had been urging Eisley to let her take Jane?

Her throat tightened as fear raced through her. He would do it. Christ, he would find a way to kill Jane if she didn’t get her out of the facility.

She only had twenty-four hours.

Joe. She had to call Joe.

She was halfway through his number when she hung up. What was she doing? Was she really going to ask him to compromise his job by kidnapping a child from under the nose of welfare?

But she needed him.

So what? Stop being a selfish bitch and do what has to be done yourself. How? She didn’t even know where Jane was.

You have contacts. There’s always a way. I’d find a way. She started punching a phone number.

Mark Grunard answered on the second ring. He wasn’t pleased. "Nice of you to let me know about Fay Sugarton. I got to her house along with half the newsmen in the city."

"I meant to call you. Things happened.”

“That wasn’t our agreement."

"It won’t happen again."

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“I need your help. Dom called again."

Silence. "And?"

"Welfare is keeping the kid at their holding facility. He wants her with me. He gave me twenty-four hours to get her."

"What happens if you don’t?"

"What do you think happens? She’s dead, dammit.”

“It would be difficult to get to her at—”

“He’ll do it. I can’t take a chance.”

“What does Joe say?"

"Nothing. I’m not telling him. Joe’s out of it." He gave a low whistle. "He’s not going to like that."

"He’s done enough for me. I won’t have him crucified for helping me."

“But since you’re calling me, I take it you’re willing to sacrifice my humble self?”

“You have less to lose and more to gain."

"What kind of help do you want from me?”

“I need to know where she is. Do you have any idea?”

“Maybe."

"What do you mean, maybe?"

"Look, the location of that facility is a bigger secret than Level 5 of the CDC.”

“But you know where it is?"

"Well, I followed Eisley once when she took a kid there during a big court case." Then Dom could have followed Eisley too.

"It’s a big old house on Delaney Street that used to be a convalescent home. The location could have changed though. That was over two years ago."

"We’ll try it. Eisley said there’s a guard."

"A security guard who patrols the ground. I suppose you want me to distract him."

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"Yes."

"And then? Once you’ve got her where are you going to take her?”

“I don’t know. I’ll find a place. Will you help me?”

“You’re putting my ass on the line."

"I’ll make it worth your while."

"Yes, you will." His tone hardened. "Because I’m going to be with you every step of the way."

"I can’t do—‘" She drew a deep breath. "Okay, we’ll work something out. Come and get me. I’ll meet you across the street at the park."

"Not before midnight."

"Mark, it’s only five-thirty now. I want to get her out of there.”

“Okay, eleven. But if you want to go any earlier, you’ll have to go by yourself. It’s bad enough we have to run the risk of the security guard. I want everyone in that house asleep before I go near it."

Five and a half hours. How could she wait that long? She was already a nervous wreck. Okay, chill out. Dom had given her twenty-four hours. "All right. I’ll eat dinner and then tell Charlie I’m going to bed. The kitchen door leads to a laundry room that opens to the hall. I can slip out and meet you at the park at eleven."

"Right."

She hung up. Done. Mark Grunard had been tougher than she had thought. Not that she could blame him. She was asking a great deal and not many people would give without wanting something in return.

Except Joe.

Don’t think about Joe. She couldn’t have him with her.

"Come on out," Charlie called from outside the bedroom door. "Food’s here." She braced herself. Just get through dinner and hope she could slip out before Joe came home.