“Oh, he cares.” Catherine met Zander’s gaze. “I know that he does.”

“I’m not that certain,” Gallo said. “If I learn anything more about the driftwood, I’ll call you. Take care of yourself.” He hung up.

“I’m touched by your faith in me,” Zander said with a faint smile. “Though not by your ability to read either my emotional capability or my character. Gallo was much closer in his assessment.”

“Gallo doesn’t know anything about you.”

“Neither do you, lovely Catherine.”

“Enough,” she said. She hoped she was telling the truth. He was an enigma, but perhaps he had given her the tiniest glimpse. “Gallo wants some positive action from you.”

“I heard. I really don’t care what Gallo wants. Though I’m sure that you do.”

“It would be positive if you’d let Gallo and Joe join us here.”

He shook his head.

She gazed at him in frustration. “What are we doing at this damn hotel anyway? We’ve been here for hours. Did you finish your calls?”

“Yes.”

“And you told me that the one person that you contacted hasn’t been able to tell you anything about where Doane might be. Shouldn’t we be out asking more questions, trying more of your contacts?”

“No, one is enough.”

“Then let’s do something.”

“You are doing something. You’re acting as my bodyguard. Isn’t that what you said was going to be your mission?”

“It’s no challenge when we’re holed up in this hotel.” She paused. “You know that Gallo could probably find us if he made the attempt. He was one of the best undercover Special Forces guys either one of us has ever run across.”

“But he won’t make the attempt because it would upset you, and he wants you to trust him. I considered the possibility of his intrusion but discarded it.”

“He may change his mind if Joe gets desperate.”

“You’re the one who is getting desperate. I was detecting a hint of tension while you were speaking to Gallo.”

“More than a hint.”

“Yes.” His smile faded. “And it was justified. Because you’re right. Time is running out, Catherine.” He got to his feet and headed for the door that led to the bedroom. “So I’d advise that you gather all your friends and cohorts who are so earnestly trying to find Eve and make magic happen.” His voice was grim. “Because she’s going to need it.”

*   *   *

“YOU’RE RESTLESS,” Stang said quietly. “That’s unusual for you, Zander. Well, actually not an unusual state, just unusual for you to show it.”

“You regard it as a form of weakness?” Zander asked. “A break in the armor?”

Stang was immediately wary. There was something seething beneath that surface that he didn’t wish to explore. “I didn’t say that. It was just an observation. You know as well as I do that you’re careful not to let anyone see too deeply.” He smiled. “I’ve worked for you for years, and you’re still a mystery to me.”

“But you always said that you liked it like that. You prefer it,” Zander said mockingly. “It’s safer for you not to get involved. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.” Stang’s gaze narrowed on Zander’s face. “But you’ve wanted me to be involved since Eve Duncan was taken. I still don’t know why, but here I am. I thought for a while it was that you wanted me to be Eve’s advocate. You’re a hard man, Zander, and you won’t let yourself bend. You might have wanted me to strike a balance and give Eve her chance.”

“Oh, another sign of weakness?”

“No,” he said quietly. “Humanity.”

“An even worse insult. I’m not fond of the human race, Stang.”

“I know.”

“You know too much about me. Perhaps it’s time I rid myself of you.”

“Go ahead. There was always that risk when I came to work for you. But it’s been interesting when I wasn’t terrified of you.” He grimaced. “Which wasn’t very often. Most people are frightened of you, Zander.” He nodded toward the door of the sitting room. “Even Catherine. I think she fights it every moment, but the fear is there. She just doesn’t let it stop her from trying to manipulate you. It’s quite fascinating.” He paused, then asked the question that he’d wanted to ask for days. “Was she frightened of you, Zander?”

Zander didn’t pretend not to understand. “Eve? No, she wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t afraid of me or Doane or anyone in the whole damn world. We sat together in front of that campfire for hours, and there was wariness but no fear. And she’s not afraid now. No matter what he’s done to her, she wouldn’t let fear enter into it.” He stopped, thinking about it. “I’ve always used fear as just another weapon, but lately I’ve not—it’s a weapon that isolates and she wouldn’t let me be isolated.”

“A very special person?”

“You’re acting as her advocate again, Stang.”

“Yes. As you wish me to do.” He tilted his head. “But I’m not sure it’s necessary any longer. Is it?”

“You’ll have to decide that for yourself.” He turned away from the window. “You seem to be doing a lot of that lately.”

“May I ask a question?”

“Why not?”

“What are we doing in this hotel room when you’re restless, foul-tempered, and obviously wanting to strike out?”

“That’s what Catherine asked. However, without the personal insults.”

“Did she get an answer?”

“Not really. But since you ran the risk, I’ll give one to you.” He shrugged. “We’re doing something I totally detest.” He turned back to the window. “Waiting. We’re waiting, Stang.”

Wrigley Field

“THERE’S A BALL GAME GOING ON. The Cubs are playing,” Trevor said as he saw the people streaming into the stadium. “That may mean problems, Margaret.”

“No, it’s better. Crowds are always better. Buy tickets. Enjoy the game.” She turned to Jane. “Look, you and Trevor meet me at the car in the parking lot in two hours.” She grinned. “Or if you hear a ruckus, you come running and keep them from throwing me into jail. Okay?”

“What?” Jane was frowning. “No, it’s not okay. I’m going with you.” She looked at the huge clock on the scoreboard. “Though how the hell are we supposed to get inside?”

“I’m going to look for the maintenance man and have him take me. Did you think I was going to climb it and break in?”

“Maybe,” Trevor said. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“Forget it,” Margaret said. “It’s easier to rely on persuasion than force.” She turned to Jane. “And it will also be easier for me if you aren’t with me. You’re beautiful. You attract attention. I need to lull, not stir.”

“How will you get maintenance to let you up there?” Trevor asked.

“Most people can be handled. I’ll make up a story. I’m good at that.”

“I’m sure you are,” he murmured.

“So take her away.” Margaret waved a hand at the ticket booths. “And buy her a hot dog. She didn’t eat much breakfast.” She started to turn away. “I’ll see you in two hours.”

“Margaret, dammit,” Jane said in frustration. “Let me go.”

“No, this is my job,” Margaret said quietly. “It’s what I do. You’d be in the way.” She moved quickly away and slipped into the crowd. She didn’t look back. She knew what she would see. Jane worried and frustrated and Trevor, a rock, guarding her from every danger. What would it be like to have someone care that much about you, she wondered. She would probably never know. It was the Janes of the world who attracted love and romance and all that other stuff. They were like lightning rods.

Margaret chuckled. But she attracted a few lightning bolts of her own every now and then. But her strikes were confined to dogs and wolves and sundry other creatures. And now she had to explore the minds of the wild rats running around this stadium.

She sighed as she moved toward the tall security guard standing near the refreshment stand to ask where she could find the maintenance chief. She was not looking forward to dealing with rats. She would have preferred a dog or a cat, but you had to take what was available in the animal world. There might be a feral cat, but a rat was far more likely.