“Even if she was frantic about Jane?”

“She would have made arrangements. She’s a professional. What else did your agent find? What about Ben? He was supposed to be there.”

“No sign of him.”

There was something in his tone that caused Joe to tense. “Are you lying to me, Venable?”

“Why would I do—Okay, I’m not lying. I’m just omitting.”

“Omitting what?”

“We found traces of blood on the grass on the side of the road about a mile from the cottage.”

He felt sick. “Eve?”

“No, I knew that would be your first question, and I had Pastori run a blood test before the police forensic team got there. B-negative. Eve is A-positive, right?”

“Yes. I don’t know what Ben’s blood type is.”

“We’re checking on it.”

“Damn you. You weren’t going to tell me.”

“I’d have told you. Just a delay until you got here. I thought I’d know more by then.” He added testily, “And there wasn’t much use your making wild guesses and my life miserable.”

“What else is there that you didn’t tell me?”

“Fresh tire tracks in the mud. Truck. We’re trying to identify what kind of truck would use them. Traces of fertilizer and hay embedded in the cavities. Any farmers near you?”

“Several. I don’t know any of them personally. Get on it.”

“We already are. Right now, we’re trying to contact Dukes. I don’t like it. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to reach him.” He paused. “How is Jane?”

“Surviving. She could be worse. I’m in San Juan. She’s in the ER right now.” He said. “That’s all? No Eve. No Ben? Just a few drops of blood?”

“That’s all right now. I’ll try to have something more for you by the time you get here. When will that be?”

“A few hours. Jane made me promise that I’d get out of here soon.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“And I may have a photo of her shooter. The hangars had video cameras. I need you to process and identify.”

“Of course.”

“And I don’t want any stalling,” Joe said grimly. “I want to know accurately and fast. No hesitation, no sleight of hand. If I think that you’re keeping anything from me, it’s not going to be pretty, Venable.” He paused. “And when I see you at the cottage, you’re going to tell me what’s going on and what game you’ve been playing with us.”

“No game. I’m not always the bad guy. Did it occur to you that I might only be trying to keep you all alive?”

“It occurred to me. It also occurred to me that you could be manipulating us as you’ve done before. It could go either way.”

“But you’re willing to trust me enough to ask me to help you.”

“I’m not asking, I’m telling you. I’d use the devil himself if I thought I could control him. I can control you, Venable. Whatever the nasty business you’re dealing with, you like Eve, and you wouldn’t hurt her if you didn’t have to do it. I’ll be there to make sure that doesn’t become an option.”

“I do like her, Quinn,” he said quietly. “And I’ll do everything I can to help you get her back. I’m happy as hell you managed to snag that video photo.”

“I didn’t snag it. Seth Caleb took it from the camera, and I took it from him.”

“Caleb.” Venable’s tone was thoughtful. “An interesting man. I remember that he always seemed to be showing up when you least expected him.”

“He hasn’t changed.”

“But this time he’s been helpful?”

“Helpful? No, not intentionally. This time he thinks that he can use me.” He added dryly, “As I’m using you. No one is exempt. I’ll see you at the cottage, Venable.” He hung up.

Blood on the grass.

Not Eve’s blood. He had to take comfort in that fact. It might not even be Ben’s blood.

There was no comfort in that stark scenario Venable had painted.

No Eve. No Ben.

Blood.

His palms were suddenly cold with sweat.

Stop thinking about it. Within a few hours, he’d be at the cottage and making his own assessment. Just sit here until Jane got out of ER, then he could start moving.

Blood on the grass.

*   *   *

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, they wheeled Jane out of ER and down the corridor.

Her gaze was searching desperately until it fell on Joe standing against the wall. “Venable?” she whispered. “Eve?”

He shook his head. “She wasn’t at the cottage. Neither was Ben.” Don’t tell her about the blood yet. “Venable and his agent are there.” He looked at the dark-skinned intern with S. PEREZ on his name tag who was walking beside the gurney. “Is she okay?”

“No, but she will be.” His white smile flashed. “A few stitches and another pint of blood, and she’s responding beautifully. Give her a few days or so, and she’ll be released.”

“No way,” Jane said flatly. “As soon as I can stand without falling, I’m out of here.”

“Right.” Dr. Perez continued, “As I said, a few days or so.” He turned to Joe. “Now if you’ll leave her for fifteen minutes, we’ll get her settled in her room. You can visit her there.”

“No, he can’t,” she said. “You heard him, I’m on the mend. Now get out of here, Joe.”

“I’m going.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Do what they tell you.”

“Go to hell. You wouldn’t.” She grabbed his arm and held him tight for an instant. “Take care of yourself. Take care of her.”

“I will. I’ll call you and let you know what’s happening.”

“You’d better.” She let him go. “Because you’re not telling me everything now. I can feel it.”

“I don’t know everything, Jane.”

Her eyes closed. “Call me.”

He watched them wheel her into a room at the end of the hall before he turned on his heel and headed for the front entrance.

“How is she?” Caleb entered through the glass doors before Joe reached them. “Pretty well, I take it. Or you wouldn’t be leaving her.”

“Another pint of blood. A few stitches. Okay in a few days,” Joe said briefly. “I thought you’d be here sooner.”

“I had a problem to take care of after I landed at the airport. Where’s Jane now?”

“She’s in the room at the end of the corridor.”

Caleb nodded. “I’ll let her rest a few minutes before I go in to see her. I have a habit of overstimulating her.”

“Is that what you call it?”

He smiled. “Stimulation isn’t bad. It makes you know you’re alive.”

“Or gives you a heart attack.”

“You keep remembering what I did to that murderer that first time I met you and Eve.” He smiled. “I just pumped a little extra blood into his heart. He did deserve it, you know.”

“I know. But I dislike the idea of your being able to do that and no one’s being able to prove that it was cold-blooded murder.”

“Never cold-blooded, Quinn.” He opened the glass door and held it open for Joe. “I don’t know the meaning of the term. It wouldn’t work for me. Be sure to let me know as soon as you can about that photo. You’ve contacted Venable about it?”

“Yes.” He went past Caleb. “We had a comprehensive discussion about using people.”

“It’s a common practice, isn’t it? Even Jane isn’t above doing it for the people or animal she loves. Any news about Eve?”

He shook his head. “And it’s going to be hard to stop Jane from following me.” His lips twisted. “You might try your hand at discouraging her if you want to keep her safe.”

“I’m not sure I do. It might be to my advantage to let her put herself in jeopardy. Danger can be a strong bond.”

“Bastard.”

“I didn’t say I’d let her harm herself. That would be stupid. Good-bye, Quinn. I truly hope you find Eve.” His tone was sincere. “Which makes me very torn about my feelings about how the rest of this is going to play out.” He shrugged. “As you know, I’m not very stable. We’ll have to see which way I jump.”

“And if it’s the wrong way, Jane will trip you and barbecue you over hot coals.” Joe’s tone was grim.

Caleb threw back his head and laughed. “And that would be very stimulating, too. I’m sure you’ll attend the festivities.”