Not likely. But possible.

He glanced back at the glowing windows of the house he’d just left as he backed out of the driveway. It appeared warm and cozy and safe. It would be okay, he told himself. Newell was there, and he would be on guard.

His cell phone rang as he drove toward the subdivision entrance.

Kendra.

“You persisted in telling us how busy you are, Kendra,” he said when he picked up the call. “But you seem to have plenty of time to harass us.”

“What a treasure is gratitude,” Kendra said sarcastically. “And you don’t know anything about harassment. It’s an art form. I’ll have to teach you someday.”

“I am grateful,” Joe said quietly. “And Eve is even more grateful than I am. But she wants to keep you out of this. Things are a bit dicey.”

“You mean like Pierce’s ending up smashed into a telephone pole?”

“You saw the news story.”

“Why else would I be calling you? It’s all over the news channels. Look, I know how Eve feels, and I’ve been trying to respect it. On the surface, Pierce’s getting killed could actually seem to make it safer for Beth and Eve. If you tell me that’s true, then I’ll reconsider my plans.”

“What plans?” he asked warily.

She ignored the question. “Is the fact that Pierce bought it going to make Drogan less of a danger to you?”

She wasn’t going to give up until she had the answer. What the hell. Talk to her. That uneasiness was still with him, and he wanted to surround Eve and Beth with every barrier he could find. Kendra could be one hell of a valuable barrier. “No, someone else has entered into the mix.”

“Nelda Avery. Rick Avery. Which one?” Kendra asked. “I was wondering whether they’d come out of their golden shells and take over the action. Pierce seems to have been a royal screwup.”

“I think Nelda Avery is tired of hiding in the shadows and paying hush money. She wants a new deck and is determined to get it. But the stakes are very high for her as well as her son.” He paused. “She committed the murder that started all this business rolling.”

Kendra gave a low whistle. “Yeah, that would give her a giant stake. Should I know anything else before I get there?”

“You’re coming here?”

“I’m on my way. I just got on the San Diego Freeway. Where am I going?”

He chuckled. “Yes, that would be a good thing to know. Valencia. You know that Eve’s not going to be pleased with either one of us.”

“She’ll get over it. Are you going to the site of Pierce’s smashup?”

“I just left the house. I thought I’d see if I could find out anything from examining the wreckage.”

“I’d have a better chance. But I can go to the impound lot later and take a look if you don’t see anything.”

“Which you don’t think I will?” he asked dryly, with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. Kendra was moving with her usual full head of steam. “I’ll try to prove you wrong. How soon will you be here?”

“About an hour, maybe less. Keep me informed.”

“Why, Kendra? Why are you being so determined about this?”

“As I told Eve, I hate leaving anything unfinished. It bothered me that I had to leave without having everything wrapped up.”

“And?”

“Stop pushing me, Quinn. Why should there be anything else?” She was silent a moment. “Except that I like Eve. I’ve never had that many friends. When I was blind, I was always defensive and working hard at overcoming my handicap. Then, after I gained my sight, I’d get impatient when others who’d had their vision all their lives couldn’t see what was right before them. I wanted to shake them. Not exactly an attitude that endears people to you.”

“No, and Eve certainly wasn’t enamored of you in the beginning.”

“But we worked our way through it. I felt close to her. And, when I found out about her daughter, Bonnie, I kept thinking about it. I wanted to help her to find something or someone to replace her.”

“Not possible, Kendra.”

“Oh, I know that, and she’d hate it if she knew I felt … but I thought that if I could give her Beth, it might help a little.”

“Give her Beth. Good God.”

“Too arrogant? Okay, you’re right. Besides, I didn’t get the chance. But now maybe I can do something to help her keep her.” She paused. “If it’s worthwhile. How does she feel about Beth? Was she a disappointment?”

“Eve had no preconceived ideas of what her sister would be or what she wanted from the relationship. But, no, Beth wasn’t a disappointment. I’m not exactly sure what Eve feels for Beth, but she wouldn’t want to give her up.”

“Good, then it’s settled. I’ll see you soon.” She hung up.

Joe was smiling as he pressed the disconnect. That last remark had been typical Kendra, full of confidence and decision. It was her previous words that had surprised him. She had always shown him only her toughness and keen intelligence. Evidently, Eve had managed to reach down and touch another side of her. But, then, Eve was able to touch most people just by being Eve.

His smile faded as he thought about how much Eve had touched and changed him through the years. God, he loved her.

And everything might be settled in Kendra’s eyes, but there was a darkness looming. He just hoped he could keep it from enveloping Eve as well as Beth.

His foot instinctively pressed the accelerator at the thought. Check out that accident scene, then get back to the house.

Keep Eve safe. Keep Eve close to him.

*   *   *

“YOU’VE BEEN VERY QUIET since Joe left.” Eve dropped into the lawn chair beside Beth and handed her a cup of tea. “It’s going to be okay, Beth.”

“You keep saying that.” Beth smiled. “You treat me the way Billy does, as if I’m a little girl. By the way, where is he?”

“Making his rounds. He took Joe’s order about watching out for us seriously.”

“He takes everything seriously.” She lifted the tea to her lips. “He’s a good man, Eve. He doesn’t deserve all that’s happened to him.”

“He’s not complaining. Stop having all these guilt feelings. Though I know everything seems confusing, and it was a shock to realize that Pierce is dead.”

“It is a shock.” Beth looked down into the amber depths of her cup. “But then I seem to be dizzy with shocks. Every time I turn around, something else happens.” She made a face. “But it’s not as if I cared anything about Pierce. If what everyone tells me is true, he was a monster to me. I can’t be sorry he’s dead.”

“Which is an entirely healthy response.”

Beth smiled. “From a woman who everyone was sure was loony as a hoot owl.”

“Are hoot owls loony? I wonder where that saying came from. At any rate, no one will say that about you for long. We’ll make sure they don’t.”

“I can almost believe you.”

She looked her in the eye. “No almost. Believe me, Beth.”

She nodded. “I do believe you, Eve. It’s just that it’s—”

Eve’s cell phone rang. “That must be Joe. I wouldn’t have thought he’d have been able to make it to the accident scene by—” She frowned. “It’s not Joe. No ID.” She accessed the call. “Eve Duncan.”

“Rick Avery, Ms. Duncan.”

She stiffened, stunned. “What?”

“I know this must be a surprise to you, but I’ve been told you’re with my daughter. I need to talk to her.”

“Go to hell. You’re the last person she needs to talk to.”

“You have a right to be angry. You’ve been told lies, and you only want to help my daughter. I’ve heard you’re a fine woman, but you don’t understand. Let me help you to understand.”

“Your daughter? Where have you been for Beth all these years?”

Beth suddenly sat up straight in her chair, her eyes wide. “Rick?” she whispered. “He wants to speak to me, Eve?”

“Yes. Don’t talk to him, Beth.” But she could see she was talking to the wind. Of course she was going to talk to her father. “I’m pressing the speaker. I need to hear what he says.”

“I don’t care.” Beth snatched the phone from her. “Rick? It’s been so long. I’ve missed you.”