“You look like a safecracker.”

“Only when necessary to my profession.” His finger continued to move on the indentation. “It’s an S.” He opened his eyes. “And a dot following the e.”

“You’re certain?”

“Stop questioning me.” He was gazing in concentration down at the clay. “You just don’t want to admit I found the treasure. Only this time it may be the grand prize.” He pointed to the WA. “She tried to make it easy for us. WA. The state of Washington.” His index finger once more caressed the misshapen curve. “Se. What large city would be a likely target in Washington?”

“Seattle,” Catherine said tensely. “The second city is Seattle.”

“And that’s where Doane is taking her.” He got a tissue from the bathroom and carefully wrapped the piece of clay. “So why don’t you get on the phone to Venable. Tell him to put everyone on alert for a possible landing in that area of the plane with the registration number we gave him.”

“I will.” She gazed in bewilderment at the tissue-wrapped clay. “What are you doing with that clay? Do you think we’ll need it again? I thought you were sure that you were right about the destination.”

“It’s exceptionally rare that I’m wrong.” He put the tissue in his jacket pocket. “But it’s obvious that it took a great effort on Eve’s part to get that message to us. She might like to have it for a souvenir.”

“I doubt it.” Her gaze narrowed on his face. “And I’m wondering if perhaps you might be the one who wants a souvenir.” She held up her hand as he opened his lips to speak. “You’re right, what am I thinking? Forget I said that. Not you. Not Lee Zander.” She took out her phone and started dialing Venable. “That would speak of a trace of sentimentality, and that would be totally absurd.”

He smiled and nodded slowly. “Totally.”

Muncie, Indiana

HARRIET WEBER’S APARTMENT building was only a two-story brick structure, and her apartment, 1B, was on the first floor.

And Jane noticed there was a Jeep Cherokee parked directly in front of the entrance that was packed with dozens of boxes, clothes, and even a small TV.

Not a good sign, Jane thought, stiffening. If that was Harriet’s car, then she was trying to escape to keep Jane or anyone else from asking any more awkward questions. Perhaps it wasn’t Harriet’s vehicle.

But that question was soon settled. As Jane hurried down the hall, a door opened, and Harriet came out carrying a suitcase.

She stopped short as she saw Jane. Her expression became suddenly wary. “What are you doing here? I told you that I was through talking to you. I don’t care what you do.”

“But I care what you do,” Jane said grimly. “I’m not satisfied with your answers. I want to ask a few more questions.” She glanced at the suitcases. “For instance, where are you going?”

“None of your business. I’m upset, and I felt the need of a few days off work to recover.” Her eyes filled with tears. “It wasn’t easy reliving those horrible years. I would think you’d be more sympathetic.”

Crocodile tears, Jane thought, intended to make Jane feel guilt. So clever.

Not this time, Harriet.

“I’m finding it hard to believe that you didn’t see either your ex-husband or Kevin after the divorce,” Jane said coldly. “From what you said, it was clear that you had great love for your son. How could you resist remaining in contact with him?”

“I have a conscience.”

“You’ll forgive me if I doubt that. Letting that monster have free rein to attack and kill children hardly gives credence to your code of conduct.”

“Think what you like.” She tried to step past her, but Jane moved sideways to intercept. “Get out of my way. Venable has nothing with which to charge me. You’re interfering with a private citizen.”

“I told you, I don’t care about Venable. I want to know what you know about the movements of your ex-husband during the past years.” She took a step closer to her. “And you will tell me. You bet I’m interfering with you,” she said fiercely. “If you’d have interfered with what Doane and your son were doing, you could have saved lives. You could have prevented Doane from kidnapping Eve. Now tell me what you know.”

Harriet’s cheeks were suddenly flushed with rage. “If you don’t get out of my way, I’ll make you sorry you were ever born,” she said harshly. “I know how to defend myself. My boy you call a monster taught me what he learned in the military. I could kill a soft little thing like you without any problem at all.”

“But how could Kevin do that if you left him when he was only fifteen before he went into the Army? Remember, you never saw him again.”

“I’d deny that I said that, and everyone would believe me. People do believe me. I’ve had a good deal of practice.” She tried to push past Jane. “You’re the one they’d think was lying.”

Jane wasn’t moving, and she stretched out her arm to block her.

Harriet finally lost the last vestige of control.

“Bitch!”

The edge of her hand shot out in a karate chop to Jane’s arm blocking her way.

Jane blocked it and grabbed Harriet’s arm and twisted it behind the woman’s back. “Talk to me.”

Harriet’s heel shot back and struck Jane’s knee.

Pain.

Her grip loosened, and Harriet tore away from her. She whirled, and her fist punched into Jane’s abdomen.

Jane’s breath left her, but she recovered and delivered a karate chop to the side of Harriet’s neck.

Harriet staggered back, her eyes glazing over.

Not good enough, Jane thought. If she’d done it the way Joe had taught her, it would have put the woman out.

But it was enough to stop her for a moment. Jane dove forward, brought her down, and straddled her. Harriet struggled with ferocious strength, and Jane had all she could do to fight off several vicious blows to the head and body. “Give up,” she said through her teeth. “Admit that this ‘soft little thing’ was enough to beat anything your Kevin taught you.”

“The hell I will.” Harriet’s fist shot up and connected with Jane’s lip. Then she rolled to the side and jumped to her feet. She snatched up her suitcase and started running down the hall.

Jane was only a few yards behind her as she ran out the front entrance to the Jeep Cherokee parked in front of the building.

“Stay away from me,” Harriet hissed as she jumped into the Jeep. “Or so help me God I’ll kill you.”

“I won’t stay away. I’ll follow you to hell and back.” Jane ran around to the passenger side. “Lock the door, and I’ll break the damn windows.”

“No, you won’t.” Harriet was fumbling in the glove box.

Jane caught a glimpse of metal. A gun.

The glass of the passenger side window shattered.

Jane felt the heat of a bullet whistle past her cheek.

She dodged to the side and fell to her knees.

Another bullet sparked the concrete beside her as Harriet pulled away from the building and raced toward the street.

Close. Both bullets had come very, very close, Jane realized.

And Harriet Weber had not only tried to kill her, but she was getting away!

She jumped to her feet and ran toward her car.

And was almost run over by Caleb and Trevor as they drove into the apartment parking lot.

“For God’s sake.” Trevor screeched to a halt. “You look like you’ve been through a train wreck.” He jumped out and ran over to her. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, but she’s getting away. I have to—” She stopped and drew a deep breath. Get control. The violence and heat of the last minutes were still with her, and she had to think. “It’s too late. She was driving fast, and I won’t be able to catch her.”

“Harriet Weber?” Caleb asked as he got out of the car. His gaze was raking over Jane, taking in the bruises and cuts. “She did that to you?”

“I’m fine.” She ran her hand through her hair. “She wanted to leave, and I didn’t want her to. I came off better than she did until she decided to grab a gun out of the glove box and try to shoot me.”