And that action had not been aimed at Judy Clark. She was almost certain that Eve was the target. Eve would do anything that she had to do to save a child.

And so would Catherine. Give her the chance, and she’d cut the bastard’s throat. She felt a surge of sheer savagery at the thought.

Keep cool. She would sit and drink her coffee and wait for news on Judy Clark. If she lived, then Catherine would show her Black’s photo and get an ID.

And plan what she would do to the son of a bitch who could perpetrate a hideous act like this.

*   *   *

“WAKE UP.”

Eve opened her eyes to see Gallo’s face above her. He smelled of soap, and his hair was wet as if he’d just stepped out of a shower.

He smiled. “I just called room service for breakfast. I thought you’d want to shower and brush your teeth before they get here.”

“I do.” She glanced at her watch. Seven thirty. She wasn’t surprised she’d slept so late. She had talked about Bonnie far into the night. And even after the words had ceased to flow, she hadn’t been able to sleep. She had lain beside Gallo in the darkness, answering an occasional question, suddenly remembering something she had forgotten to tell him. It had been a strange and supremely intimate night. By releasing all those memories of Bonnie, she had created a cocoon of togetherness for which she had not bargained. She had always clung to those memories, shutting everyone else out. Now they no longer belonged only to her.

She sat up and swung her feet to the floor. “Maybe I wasn’t followed. It could be your trap is a dud, John.”

“I admit that I expected the situation to move a little faster.” He met her gaze. “But I’m glad it didn’t. Thank you, Eve.”

She pulled her gaze away. That overpowering intimacy again, the feeling of being part of him. “It doesn’t mean anything more than that I felt you shouldn’t be cheated of something I treasure.” She moistened her lips. “I have a tendency to be selfish about Bonnie. While she was alive, she was everything to me. After she was gone, I still couldn’t let her go.”

“That’s pretty clear. You’ve been searching for her killer since the day she was taken.”

“No, I mean I couldn’t talk about her, not even about the good times. I held the memories close as if I was afraid of losing those, too.” She looked away from him. “I guess it was time I stopped being afraid and realized that sharing only makes them richer. So maybe I have something to thank you for, too, John.”

“You’ve not talked to Quinn about Bonnie?”

“Of course.” How could she explain? “But he didn’t know her, couldn’t love her. He only knew her as a cause of sorrow and danger to me. And I couldn’t tell him all the things that might have brought him closer to her.” She smiled as she got to her feet and headed for the bathroom. “But maybe I can now.”

He chuckled. “So a night in bed with me is going to bring you closer to Quinn?”

“Yes.”

His smile faded. “I hope it does if that’s what you want. I want you to have everything you want, Eve. But you have to know that there’s no going back after last night.” He held up his hand as she opened her lips. “Don’t say it. I’d like to think that I could replace Quinn, but I wouldn’t even try. You have someone who can give you stability, and that’s something I know nothing about. I’d never take that away from you.” He grimaced. “But he can’t take away the closeness we have together, either. And neither can we, Eve. We’re joined in a way that’s … remarkable. You know it, and so do I.” He turned away. “I don’t know what it means or how we’re going to resolve the situation. But it had to be said.”

And she would probably not have faced the finality of that realization at this time, she thought as she closed the bathroom door behind her. She was having enough difficulty sorting out her emotions where Gallo was concerned. Passion? No, both of them were keeping the passion that had been the core of their former relationship at bay. It was memory, and Bonnie that had formed the new bond.

And, great heavens, what a strong bond it was proving to be.

*   *   *

“YOUR PHONE HAS BEEN RINGING,” John said, as she came out of the bathroom thirty minutes later. “Four times. Someone is very persistent.”

She moved over to the nightstand where she had left her phone on vibrate. She frowned as she looked at the ID.

“Quinn?”

“No.” Joe had called her only the one time yesterday, and when she hadn’t answered, had not called again. “It’s Catherine Ling.”

“I caught sight of her for a moment at the compound, and I’ve read her dossier. She’s … unusual.”

“Unique,” Eve said absently. She hadn’t intended to answer Catherine, either. It had been possible Catherine might feel obligated to act for Joe.

The cell began to ring again.

“She’s not taking no for an answer.”

And Catherine would not be so urgent unless there was good reason.

Eve answered. “Hello, Catherine.”

“It’s about time,” Catherine said. “I told you that I was on your side no matter if I thought you were being led down the garden path.”

“Why are you calling?”

“Because I thought you needed to be warned that some heavy stuff was coming your way.” She paused. “Are you with Gallo?”

“Yes.”

“Has he been with you since before nine last evening?”

“Yes.”

“Then it couldn’t have been him. Put your phone on speaker. He should probably hear this.”

Eve flipped the SPEAKER button. “Go ahead.”

“I’m at St. Louis County Hospital. Judy Clark just came out of surgery.”

Gallo stiffened. “What the hell?”

“Stab wound to the abdomen. She’s in ICU now. She may make it, but they’re still not sure, and I couldn’t wait to try to get an ID from her. Black isn’t going to wait for long to get in touch with you.”

“My God,” Eve whispered. “Black?”

“That’s my guess. I can’t confirm.” She added bluntly, “I thought there was a possibility it might be you, Gallo.”

“She’s my friend,” he said through his teeth.

“Is she? I don’t know if you’re capable of having friends. You haven’t shown any sign of thinking about anyone but yourself. At any rate, your friends seem to end up—” She stopped. “That’s not important right now. I’m just pissed because I’m feeling helpless.”

“Catherine, how did you find out about Judy?” Eve asked.

“I found them when I was tracking you down and went to her mother’s house in St. Louis.” Catherine’s words were now coming tersely. “Her mother’s throat was cut. Judy Clark was pinned to the table with a butcher knife. I think he left her alive on purpose. He wanted her to send a message. He took her little girl.”

“Cara?” John said.

“Cara Clark, six years old. I told the police, and they searched the neighborhood. They always search the neighborhoods first. As if they’re going to find the kid wandering around when I told them that he— They did the same thing when my Luke disappeared.”

“No sign of her?” John asked.

“I told you. Judy said he took her. Or maybe I didn’t.” She added wearily, “She was still conscious, and she made me promise … I’m not behaving very professionally, am I? When I was checking her bedroom, it brought back too many memories. Those bastards always target the kids.” She drew a deep breath. “And this time he’s doing something else. This son of a bitch is targeting you, Eve. He wants to have a weapon, and he can’t be sure that Gallo would respond to a threat, but anyone who has researched you would know that you would be vulnerable. He may be trying to get at Gallo through you.”

“You’re wrong,” John said. “If it’s Black, he’d know that he could strike at me that way.”

“I don’t know what’s between the two of you, and I don’t care. All I care about is that little girl and Eve. You’ve got something he wants. Give it to him. But we have to get that little girl away from him first. Eve, tell me where you are. I’m coming to join you.”