Eve smothered a smile. That rude demand was so typically Kendra. “I’m doing my best. There have been a few obstacles in the path.” She quickly filled Kendra in on everything that had taken place since she had left, and ended with, “But as Beth says, we’ll work our way through it.”

“It doesn’t sound as if you’re doing very well.”

After putting their scant progress into words, Eve could only agree with her. Every time they took a step forward, they were stopped in their tracks. “We have Gelber’s disc. That may lead us somewhere.” She changed the subject. “How is Justin?”

“Good. Breakthrough. I’m working with his parents on the follow-up.”

“Fantastic.”

“Yes, it is.” She added, “Yes, I am.”

Eve chuckled. “No doubt about it.”

“And since I’m so fantastic, it would be very clever of you to try to persuade me to come and help wrap this up for you.”

Eve’s smile faded. “Clever isn’t right. Four murders in the past couple days. You never bargained for that when you agreed to help us. Beth was just a missing person.”

“Who turned out to be a victim of attempted homicide. I’m having problems turning my back on her.”

“You shouldn’t. Beth’s my problem. Concentrate on Justin, Kendra.”

“I am. He doesn’t need me right now. You’d be a good fill-in.”

Eve couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re impossible.”

“I have that reputation.” After a moment, she added, “I don’t like it that Drogan got so close to you. One bad break, and you might have been one of those victims.”

“I don’t need you to guard me. I’m not alone, Kendra.”

“Shit happens.”

“Not with Joe around.”

“If you told Joe I’d offered to come, he wouldn’t turn me away. He wouldn’t worry about how right or moral it was to throw me into the mix if it would deflect attention from you.”

“He’d worry.” But she couldn’t argue that Joe would do exactly as Kendra was guessing. “No, Kendra.”

“Okay. Just tell him that I called,” she said. “And say hello to Beth for me. I’d like to meet her sometime. I’m curious about the chemistry between you.”

“You’re curious, period. You remind me a little of Beth in that way. She has a voracious appetite for learning everything, seeing everything.”

“Understandable. I was the same way after I gained my sight. I was no Sleeping Beauty, but I had my own garden of thorns to fight my way through. Just watch that she doesn’t tear herself to pieces trying to do too much, too soon.”

“That’s the least of my worries right now. The next move is just keeping her safe from Drogan. Thanks for calling. Bye, Kendra.” She hung up.

Too much, too soon.

She could see Beth racing through experiences as she had those downhill slopes, and crashing or burning.

But as she had said, preventing that was low on her priorities at the moment. Forget it. Kendra’s call had made her even more uneasy, and she had to put it behind her.

She swung her feet to the floor as she called Joe’s cell number. “Where are you?”

“Newell’s room, working on the disc. I thought I’d let you sleep.”

“I just woke up.” She paused. “Kendra called and woke me. She didn’t like the idea that Drogan was so close. She offered to come if we needed her. I told her we didn’t need her.”

Joe didn’t answer.

“We can’t put her in the line of fire, Joe.”

“Do you hear me arguing?”

“No.” But Kendra’s prediction about his response had been uncannily accurate. She changed the subject. “Anything more on the news about Gelber’s murder?”

“Yes, Helmer was found dead in his car on Mulholland Drive with his wrists cut.”

Eve inhaled sharply. “Another death.”

“A dagger was found on the seat beside him, and you can bet it will be the one used on Gelber.”

“So the police are going to close the case?”

“Not yet. But it’s heading that way. Everything has been handed to them on a silver platter.”

Clever. So clever. She didn’t want to dwell right now on the timing and efficiency involved in Gelber’s murder.

“Has Newell managed to do anything with Gelber’s disc?”

“It’s gradually coming together. At least some of the pieces.”

She jumped to her feet. At last, something positive in this dark scenario. “I’ll shower and be right there.”

*   *   *

IT WAS ABOUT TIME, Stella thought with annoyance, as she heard the knock on the door. She had been there for hours with nothing to do but look at Pierce and stare at that dumb TV set.

She jumped to her feet and moved toward the door. “I called you over three hours ago. I don’t like being kept waiting.” She threw open the door. “I did your dirty work for you, didn’t I? I deserve a little consideration.”

“Be quiet.” Nelda Avery came into the room and slammed the door. “You deserve what I choose to give you. And what are you doing opening that door to anyone who knocks, dressed in that slut’s outfit? Didn’t it occur to you that you’d attract attention and be remembered?”

“That’s not supposed to matter. You promised to get rid of the body. Did you take care of the check-in records?”

“No, do you think I’d handle that myself? It will disappear from the computer banks by noon, and the credit-card check-in will be gone as soon as opportunity presents itself. Drogan arranged to have one of his cohorts pretend to be a motel cleaner and remove Pierce in one of the laundry baskets.”

“It sounds risky.”

“It’s efficient. I don’t take chances.”

“Don’t you? Then why contact me to get rid of Pierce? Why not Drogan?”

“Drogan has his hands full right now. I’ve been keeping him very busy. I couldn’t wait. Everything I’ve worked for is beginning to fall apart. Pierce was bungling the entire situation. I had to make sure that no one was left to talk.” Her lips twisted. “According to my reports on you, I thought you might be willing and able to take care of Pierce.” She moved across the room to stand before Harry Pierce. “He looks … distressed.”

“What did you expect?” Stella raised her brows. “That’s what happens when you die like he did. Did you expect him to be happy?”

“I wasn’t complaining, merely commenting. Pierce gave me a good many headaches over the years and a positive migraine lately.” She glanced coldly at Stella. “And I don’t give a damn if it was a painful death. I just had to make sure you’d done what I told you to do. Every report I had on you indicated that you were something of a wild card. I’m pleasantly surprised. It appears that you’re more intelligent than anyone gave you credit.”

“It was probably a man who gave you your report,” Stella said. “You should fire him. Men always think with their dicks and can’t see beyond tits and asses.” She smiled. “But you know that, don’t you, Nelda? You’ve used men all your life. We’re a lot alike.”

“I didn’t give you permission to call me Nelda.” Her tone was icy. “And we’re nothing alike. All you have to do is look in the mirror to realize how wrong you are.”

“Of course, I’m young, and you’re old.” She gazed at her critically. “Though you look pretty good, considering. You must have had work done. It doesn’t surprise me. You know that sex is a weapon.”

“That just shows you how different we are,” Nelda said with contempt. “You start off with sex, but you learn other ways of control.”

“Maybe when you lose the edge. Sex is easier.”

Nelda looked away from her. “Did you establish an alibi?”

“Of course, there’s a young male nurse I’ve been sleeping with for the past two weeks. He’ll do anything I ask him to do.”

“Until you drop him.”

Stella shook her head. “That would be dangerous. I figured that I’d let you take care of him when I’m ready to get rid of him. I know you’ll be willing to tie up that little loose end for me. You wouldn’t want to risk me becoming a suspect.”

“No one is going to suspect you. Not if you did everything I told you to do.”