Hes not dead yet.

If Joe died, would he be with Bonnie?

Stop crying, Logan said hoarsely. He pulled her into his arms. Shh, its going to be all right. He was rocking her. Let me help.

He was helping. Comfort and warmth were flowing from him, surrounding her. He couldnt heal the wound, but he was touching her, keeping away the loneliness. For the moment that was enough.

TWENTY ONE

Sandra was frowning when she came back to the car two hours later.

Eve tensed. Joe?

Not good. They dont know if hell make it. Sandra got into the backseat. Theyve operated and taken him to intensive care.

I want to see him.

No chance. Only close family members are allowed.

Its not fair. Hed want me there. I need to She drew a deep breath. It wasnt what she needed but what Joe needed that mattered. Is Diane there?

She got here just as they were wheeling him out of the operating room. Sandra made a face. She was cold as ice to me. Youd think Id shot him.

Its not you. Shes really angry with me. Youre my mother. She probably blames you for bringing me into the world.

I guess so. But I thought she liked me. I had coffee with her only a few weeks ago. I thought she liked both of us.

Shes just upset. Itll be different when Joe gets better. If he got better. If he didnt die. When will they know?

Perhaps tomorrow. Sandra hesitated. But I cant go back in there, Eve. A policeman came into the ICU right before I left. He was checking on Joe.

Of course. Joe was a cop, and cops took care of their own. The hospital would soon be crawling with officers.

Logan was already starting the car. Then weve got to get out of here. Pronto.

And where are we going? Sandra asked.

I told Margaret and Pilton to meet us at that Hardees near Emory where we met Quinn. Logan drove out of the parking lot. Shell take you to Sanibel and then arrange to get you out of the country.

No, Sandra said.

Eve stiffened. Its the only safe thing, Mom. Youve got to do it.

I dont have to do anything. Her lips thinned. And who says its the safest thing? You? Logan? Nei-ther of you has done such a good job of keeping your-self safe, and Joes lying in that hospital. Why should I believe youd do any better at seeing that I dont get killed?

Panic iced through Eve. Mom, please. You have to do as I say.

Bullshit. Sandra looked her in the eye. Ive done everything you and Margaret told me to do. Youve all treated me as if I were some half-wit child. Its finished, Eve.

I want to keep you safe.

I intend to be safe. She turned to Logan. Drive me to the Peachtree Arms Apartments. Its right off Piedmont.

Eve recognized the address. Youre going to Rons place?

You bet I am. Its what Ive wanted to do all along.

Do you really think hell take you in and hide you?

Ill find out, wont I? Or maybe well discuss it and decide I should turn myself in as a material witness to Joes shooting. Ill ask them to put me in jail for protective custody. Whatever I do, it will be my decision. She looked back at Logan. Drive or let me out of the car.

Logan hesitated and then pressed on the accel-erator. This may be a mistake, Sandra.

If it is, it wont be my first. Hell, Ive made every one in the book at one time or another. She said to Eve, I wont be able to go to the hospital, but Ill call them several times a day and let you know how Joes doing.

Mom, dont take this chance. I could never for-give myself if anything happened to you.

Dont you dare say that. Youre my daughter, not my mother. You take care of yourself, Ill take care of myself. No guilt, dammit. I wont be another Bonnie.

Eves eyes widened.

Oh, shit, dont look at me like that. Sandra leaned forward and squeezed Eves shoulder. Just let me go, Eve. Let her go.

Were not talking about Bonnie.

Oh, yes, shes here every minute of every day. Shes behind your every word and gesture.

Thats not true.

Sandra shook her head. You dont have to forget her to let her go, baby. Just let a little light come into your life. God, its dark where you are.

Imfine. Everything will be okay once this is all over.

Will it?

Mom, I cant take this right now.

Ill be quiet. I know youre hurting. But dont try to run my life, Eve. Its taken me too long to learn how to do it myself.

Piedmont is right ahead, Logan said.

The Arms is around the corner.

What if Rons not home? Eve asked.

I have a key. Sandra smiled. Ive had it since our third date. That I never told you says something about the way you intimidated me, doesnt it?

I never tried to

I know. Logan had stopped before the apart-ment building and Sandra got out of the car and grabbed her suitcase. Ill check every three hours with the hospital. If you dont hear from me, youll know his condition hasnt changed.

Be careful. I hate your taking a chance like this.

And Im relieved that Im doing something on my own. Ive felt like some kind of pawn, moved back and forth by you and Logan and even this Fiske person. Its time I took control.

Stunned, Eve watched her mother walk into the apartment building.

Phoenix rising from the flames? Logan mur-mured.

Shes doing the wrong thing. Im scared to death.

Maybe not. Ron could be a good guy wholl do everything he can to protect her.

Against Lisa Chadbourne? Against Timwick?

Well, Fiske is out of the picture. Our first lady will have to hire another hit man and that may take a little time. Particularly if she doesnt find out right away that Quinn put him down.

Not enough

You cant do anything about it, Logan said. Your mother has made her choice, Eve. You cant protect her if she wont accept your protection.

She doesnt understand. Gary and Joe She doesnt understand what can happen.

I believe she understands very well. She saw Joe taken away in that ambulance. Shes not stupid.

I didnt say she was stupid.

Then why do you treat her as if she were?

I just want to protect her. I dont want to lose her.

Like you lost Bonnie?

Shut up, Logan.

Ill shut up. Sandra already said it all. He got on the I-85 entrance ramp. But Id think about what she said. Shes a smart lady. I had no idea how smart.

Where are we going?

To meet Margaret and tell her to get out of town. I dont suppose I could persuade you to go with her?

Anger was suddenly replacing fear. And will you go? How about you boarding that boat for Timbuktu, Logan? Why dont you forget about Gil? The words were tumbling out, exploding with fury that was building every second. Why dont you forget about Ben Chadbourne? Just run away and say screw the world.

He pursed his lips in a soundless whistle. You dont have to bite my head off. It was just a sugges-tion. I didnt think youd

It was a lousy suggestion. I wont leave Joe and Mom. Im tired of running and hiding and being afraid. Im tired of people I care about getting hurt and Im tired of feeling helpless. I swore a long time ago Id never be a victim again, and its happening. Shes making it happen. Her voice was shaking with intensity. I wont tolerate it any longer. Do you hear me? Ill never let her

I hear you, Logan said. I get the picture loud and clear, but Im fuzzy about how the hell were going to stop her.

So was Eve. Then she remembered her mothers last words to her, the words that had struck a deep chord and triggered her rage.

Its time I took control.

Lisa Chadbourne had been the one in control, the one on the attack. She had killed Gary. She might have killed Joe.

But her mother was alive. Eve was alive, so was Logan. And they were going to stay alive.

No more deaths, she had prayed.

She wasnt praying now.

She was taking control.

Margaret got out of the van, leaving Pilton in the passenger seat. Hows Quinn?