But wouldn’t it still be hanging over her? As long as Victor remained unfinished, she would be nagged by both her own desire to finish it and the knowledge that Jennings or some other official might appear and try to pressure her into doing it.

There was only one way to put an end to it.

She whirled to face Jennings. “Oh, for God’s sake, okay. I’ll do it. But I want it out of my hands the minute it’s done. I want it over.”

“Agreed.” Jennings smiled. “Whew. That’s a relief.” His tone became businesslike.

“Is there anything you need? Anything we can do?”

“Just keep my child and my mother safe. And try to be unobtrusive. I don’t want them scared.”

“No problem.”

“There had better not be.”

“And I’ll send agents up here from New Orleans to protect you and—”

“No,” Galen interrupted. “I allowed Quinn to tell you about my little home-away-from-home because you said it would be absolutely confidential. No one else is to know about it. Quinn and I will handle the security here.” Jennings looked at Eve. “You trust them?”

She nodded.

“Well, if you change your mind, let me know.” Jennings turned to go. “I’ll be in touch. Thank you, Ms. Duncan.”

“Don’t thank me. Just be on my doorstep the second I’ve finished him.” He smiled. “Let me know and I’ll be here.”

She whirled on Joe the minute the door had closed behind Jennings. “No arguments?”

He shook his head. “I don’t like it, but I know better than to argue with you once you’ve made up your mind. I’ll have to call the department and tell them that there will be some FBI agents showing up on the scene. They’re not going to be happy.”

“Shall I set up Victor and your equipment in the scullery?” Galen asked.

“Yes. Right away. If I have to go back to this blasted reconstruction I’m going to get it done as quickly as I can.”

“Yeah, sure,” Joe said. “Admit it, you’ve gotten a reprieve. You can’t wait to get your hands on Victor again.”

He was right. She could feel a tingling in her hands and the familiar eagerness flowing through her. “That doesn’t mean I won’t get him done quickly.”

“I don’t doubt it. You’ll be working every minute of every day. But then, what’s new?”

“It’s different this time.”

“It’s different every time.” He smiled. “Go ahead. Get to work. I’ll keep the world away.”

“I don’t want you to—”

He was gone.

Chapter 11

« ^ »

" WHERE’S EVE?” JOE ASKED GALEN WHEN HE CAME DOWNSTAIRS AT TEN THE NEXT

morning.

“You missed breakfast,” Galen said. “Actually, your absence made the atmosphere a good deal lighter.”

“I’ve been on the phone with the department. Besides, I couldn’t take another dog and pony show like the one you put on two nights ago.” He repeated, “Where’s Eve?”

“Downstairs, working.” Galen glanced at the portfolio Joe was carrying. “The sketch?”

“Yes. The FBI is going to go through its files and try to send me a photo of Hebert for comparison, but it hasn’t come in yet. This will have to do for now.” Joe was already going down the stairs to the former scullery.

“I’ll go with you.”

Joe didn’t answer. He paused at the bottom of the steps. Eve was working on Victor by the window, the sun shining on her red-brown hair and lighting the absorbed intentness of her expression. How many times had he seen her like that at the cottage…

She glanced up and stiffened.

Dammit. He jerked his gaze away from her and continued down the stairs. “I need your help, Eve.”

“Is this what you call staying in the background, Joe?” Eve asked.

“I spared you my presence at breakfast. I’ll be out of here as soon as I get a confirmation on this. I’ve been checking with the department on a possible criminal record for Hebert.” He moved across the room and slipped the sketch out of the portfolio. “Have you ever seen this man?”

She took the sketch and looked at it. She frowned. “There’s something familiar…

This is Hebert? Galen, come here.”

“What’s the—” Galen broke off and gave a low whistle. “Rick.” Eve inhaled sharply. “What?”

“Imagine him with light hair.” Galen pointed at the lean cheeks. “Fuller cheeks.

Nice, clean-cut look.”

“The man helping you at the church?” Joe asked.

My God, Galen was right. Eve nodded. “Rick Vadim. Except his hair wasn’t dark.

It was light brown, and his cheeks were fuller and sort of… rosy.”

“Small?”

“Yes, but he looked very athletic, so you hardly noticed.”

“Disguises are stock-in-trade for men in Hebert’s line of business.” Galen studied the sketch. “And this one would have only required dye for the hair, a little rouge, and some cheek pads.”

“He seemed almost boyish,” Eve said. “And he was very sweet and eager to please.”

“Sweet!” Joe whirled on Galen and said sarcastically, “Sharp. Very sharp, Galen.” Galen frowned. “My instincts are usually pretty good. I’d swear he didn’t want to hurt her.”

Joe frowned. “But why would he think he had to have a disguise? You’re sure you never saw him?”

“No, I don’t believe I—” Eve stopped. “The man who took me to the hospital. I didn’t really see him. It was dim and I was in and out, but the more I think about it, the more it seems like him.” Her lips tightened. “This is the man who killed Capel and sent me that report?”

Joe nodded. “It’s the composite sketch.”

“Bastard.” She rubbed her temple. “What the hell is happening? If he didn’t hire Marie to poison me, who did?”

“Good question,” Galen murmured. “It seems Hebert wanted very much to keep you alive.”

“Which doesn’t mean a damn thing,” Joe said. “Don’t think he’s your Good Samaritan. Believe me, he’s a sadistic son of a bitch. You should have seen what he did to Capel.”

“No, thank you,” Eve said. “I’m sure he had his reason for keeping me alive: Victor.”

“I’d better notify Jennings we may have a wild card in the pack. And, if Hebert’s in disguise, he’d better know about that, too. Though he’ll probably jettison his Rick Vadim persona since he’ll know we’re suspicious.”

“Jesus, I can’t take this,” Eve said in frustration. “How the hell do you expect me to finish Victor? I don’t want to have to try to figure out whether it was Hebert or one of his cohorts who poisoned me. I don’t want to think about Hebert or Rick or Melton or anyone else. Do you understand? Do whatever you have to do.” She turned back to the pedestal. “Now, both of you get out of here and let me get back to work.” Joe hesitated, then headed for the stairs.

Galen caught up with him as he reached the foyer. “When you get the photo from the FBI, will you make some copies? I have a few contacts who might be helpful.” Joe nodded. “You’ll have them within two hours. It might be a good idea. I’m sure your ‘contacts’ have a chance of knowing the bastard intimately.”

“I know it’s hard for you to believe, but I do know a few people who aren’t criminals,” Galen said. “Look at you and me. We’re best buddies, and you’ve never even pulled a heist.”

“You’re not going to yank my chain, Galen.”

“Hmm.” Galen gazed at him speculatively. “That should have irritated you, but you’re pretty calm. I’m afraid Eve’s told you that we didn’t make beautiful music together. Pity, I was having such a great time.”

“You came very close to being slaughtered.”

Galen grinned. “Served you right for mistaking Galahad for old lecherous Lancelot.”

“Galahad?”

“I have references. Of course, some of them are forged.” Galen’s smile faded. “I guess it’s just as well the fun is over. We’re going to need to work together to make sure Eve gets through this intact. Pax?”

Joe stared at him for a moment and then reluctantly repeated, “Pax.”

“Good. Then get me the photos and I’ll get on the fax machine and get to work.

Even though I’ve buried the paperwork on this place, it won’t take more than five or six days to unearth it if the search is done by someone with means. Evidently Melton qualifies. But since Eve’s so close to finishing, I doubt if he’ll be willing to wait that long. He’ll look for another way to find us.”