“And that’s how you knew I grew up in Hong Kong?”

“Yes. And that you’d have been the first to try to find Eve if you’d known what had happened to her. No one told you, did they? Venable kept you in the dark.”

Sharp. Very sharp.

She studied Zander. Ice-cold. Completely in control. Dangerous.

And challenging.

“And Venable heard about it from me,” she said grimly. “I just found out when I got back to Miami yesterday morning.”

“And you were angry, and you wanted to kill him.”

“Yes, but I didn’t. Because he thinks he was right, and he can help me find Eve.” She looked him in the eye. “And he told me where you were even though he didn’t know that I might blow your cozy little relationship.”

He chuckled. “You make us sound like lovers. I assure you that I’m not of the gay persuasion, and there’s nothing cozy about anything between Venable and me. We’re both very wary of what the other might do.” He gestured to a chair. “Won’t you sit down? I’m finding your visit very entertaining. I’ve been extremely bored lately.”

“I’ve not been bored,” she said bluntly as she sat down in the chair. “I’ve been scared and sick and angry. I wanted to kill Doane. I wanted to strangle Venable.” She looked up at him. “And I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do to you, but it wasn’t going to be pretty. I was told you had a chance to help Eve when she was free in those mountains, and you didn’t do it. Why?”

“Doane was my target. Eve would have been in the way.”

“They told me that Eve’s your daughter. That had no impact on your decision?”

He shook his head. “Does that put me beyond the pale in your eyes?”

“No, my father was an American soldier who deserted my mother before I was born. My mother was a whore, who was hooked on drugs and let me fend for myself on the streets. I don’t have any faith in family or obligation. But some people do. I hoped that you might be one of them. Because that would mean Eve has a better chance of surviving.”

He nodded mockingly. “My regrets.”

“Not accepted. Because even if you don’t give a damn that Eve is your daughter, if you talked to her for any time at all, you know what kind of person she is. She deserves to live.” She met his eyes. “And you seem to be in the best position to keep her alive. That’s why I’m here.”

“Really? Interesting.” He sat down opposite her. “And what is your purpose, Agent Ling? Do you intend to try to intimidate me into doing as you wish?”

“Catherine. I’m not CIA right now, I’m Eve’s friend,” she said. “And if you can’t act like a father, you should try to be her friend, too.” She added, “And stop being sarcastic. You can’t be intimidated. I don’t even know if you’d care if you lived or died.” She tilted her head. “I’m curious. Would you?”

“Sometimes. It depends on the moment. How about you?”

“Most of my moments are pretty damn good now. I have my son back.”

His brows rose. “If you’re not here to force me to your will, why did you come here, Catherine?”

“Venable said that you might be able to locate Doane by hacking security and traffic cameras and that he might still be in the area. I wanted to be on the spot if that happened.” She paused. “And Doane wants you dead, and that gives me another reason to be here.”

“And why is that?”

“I’m going to be your bodyguard.”

She heard Stang give a strangled gasp across the room.

Zander’s eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”

“I’m going to take care of you,” she said simply. “I can’t let Doane kill you. You told Venable that Doane said he wanted to kill Eve in front of you. To keep Eve alive, I have to keep you alive.”

“Did it occur to you that I might be able to take care of myself?”

“Yes, but I can’t take the risk.” Her jaw set with determination. “I won’t let Eve die because I left her fate up to a man I’m not sure gives a damn. So suck it up, Zander. You’re stuck with me.”

He gazed at her for a long moment, and she had no idea what he was thinking. “The hell I am,” he said softly. “Do you realize how easily I could dispose of you?”

“I realize you’re an expert. But it wouldn’t be easy, Zander.”

He didn’t speak for another minute. “No, I don’t think it would.” He leaned back in the chair. “Tell me, do you wear a knife in a holster on your calf?”

“What?” she asked in surprise. “Sometimes.”

“Now?”

“Yes, I didn’t know what to expect. Why?”

“Just something Eve told me about you. I was trying to fasten a knife on her calf and she said that she wasn’t like you and that you’d be more prepared.”

“You gave her a knife?”

“It seemed to be the thing to do at the time. Of course, then I sent her off to face her fate with Doane. So don’t think I was being particularly generous to her.”

“I won’t.” She paused. “But maybe you were, considering what a cold bastard you seem to be.” She got to her feet. “May I go to the bathroom and freshen up? I just flew in from Atlanta and came straight here.”

“By all means.” He nodded at a door leading off the sitting room. “Make yourself at home.”

“Oh, I intend to do that.” She headed for the door he’d indicated. “And you might call housekeeping and get me a cot. Of course, I can always sleep on that sofa.”

“You really meant it.” He was gazing at her quizzically. “You’re moving in.”

“It’s the most practical thing to do. I have to be near you.” She tensed, waiting for the response.

“You’re being absurd, you know. And you could be very annoying. You have that potential.”

“Yes, I do. But I’m competent, reasonably intelligent, and I’m possibly the most stubborn person you’ve ever met. So unless you intend to drop me off that balcony over there, you’re not going to get rid of me.”

“Tempting,” he murmured.

“I’m sure it is.” She paused at the door. “So make up your mind.”

He gazed at her without expression. “I object to destroying lovely pieces of art unless necessary. I’ll keep you around until you annoy me too much.” He added as he got to his feet, “But if I find that you’re neither helpful nor as competent as you claim, that time will come sooner rather than later.” He glanced at Stang. “Confrontation over, Stang. We’ll keep her around.” He turned and strolled back out on the balcony.

Catherine’s gaze followed him. “Why do I feel like a stray puppy tossed over to you to watch, Stang?”

“You should be grateful,” Stang said dryly. “And take into account that he meant what he said. You took a chance.”

She had been aware of that threat the entire time she had been with Zander. “Life is full of chances. You just have to turn them into opportunities.” She opened the bathroom door. “I’ll be out in a few minutes, and you can show me the process of what you’re doing to monitor those cameras. Do you know you’re looking for a Toyota 4-Runner with a dented left fender?”

“Yes.”

“But you didn’t hear it from Venable.”

He shook his head. “Zander never trusts one source, particularly if it’s government connected.”

“Very intelligent.” She added, “And, after we go over the cameras, then I want you to go over the security measures in place here.”

“Security?” He looked at her in amazement. “You really meant what you said about protecting Zander?”

“I don’t usually say things I don’t mean.” She cast a glance at the door to the balcony. “He knew I meant it. That’s why he was so pissed at me. That’s the moment when it was touch-and-go.”

“You’re underestimating Zander. You may not have even reached that point yet,” Stang said. “And I’m not looking forward to the time that you do. You seem sincere about wanting to help Eve Duncan.”

“And are you sincere, Stang?”

“Oh, yes. And, like you, I’ve run a few risks because I wanted Zander to be more involved.” He turned at a knock on the door and moved to answer it. “That must be your tea. I’m sure that you can spare time to drink it before you go about saving Zander…”