Think only about Victor and the task of bringing him home.

“I brought you coffee and a sandwich.” Galen set the tray on the worktable. He glanced at Nathan, sound asleep in the big chair by the fire. “If I’d known you had company, I’d have brought more food.”

“He’s protecting me.” Eve grinned as she glanced at Nathan. “He was very insistent, but he got bored after about four hours and dropped off. He meant well.”

“Hmm.” Galen poured Eve’s coffee before turning away from Nathan. “How are you coming on Victor?”

“I’d be better if I didn’t keep being interrupted.”

“Ouch. Well, you won’t have to worry about me for much longer. I’ll be out of your hair. I’m going to snoop around and see what I can find out about our friend Jules.”

“Where are you going?”

“New Orleans, first.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“Not long, I hope. I’ll be in touch.”

“So much for my poison taster.”

“I’m designating Quinn as my temporary replacement.” He held up his hand as he saw her stiffen. “I knew that would be your reaction. That’s why I decided to come and talk to you before I left. It’s important that I go, and I wouldn’t have the option if Quinn weren’t here. You’re evidently resigned to his presence, but that’s not enough.” He paused. “He knows what he’s doing, Eve. You have to cooperate. You have to listen to him.”

“Do I?”

“You’re not thinking straight. Do you believe there’s a threat to your life?”

“I’d be stupid not to consider the possibility.”

“Do you believe Joe Quinn is competent?”

“Of course.”

“Then, dammit, stop being stubborn and let him help you. He’s not going to take advantage of the situation. I’ll feel better about being away if you’ll promise me you’ll cooperate with him.”

She didn’t want Galen to go away. He had been a buffer between Joe and her.

Now he was tearing down the barrier and leaving her exposed.

Okay, be adult. It was a life-and-death situation, and she couldn’t expect to have everything her own way. She was the one who had chosen to take Victor from the church. Face the consequences. “I’ll cooperate.”

“Good. I’ll be back as soon as I can. You should be okay with Quinn protecting you.” He glanced at Nathan. “Though I doubt if Nathan is going to be of any use.” He started for the stairs. “I have to see Quinn before I go. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Where are you going?” Nathan’s eyes were suddenly open, and he was sitting upright in the chair.

“Ah, good to see you with us again. I was afraid I’d have to get a frog to kiss you to wake you up. Or is that the right fairy tale?”

“Where the hell are you going?”

“To track down Hebert. But I feel very confident that Eve will be safe with you as long as you take your No-Doz.”

“Smartass.” Nathan glowered at Galen. “At least, I don’t willingly jump into bayous with alligators and…”

He was talking to air. Galen had already disappeared up the stairs.

Nathan muttered an oath, and his glance shifted to Eve. “Quinn’s staying?”

“Yes.” She turned back to the reconstruction. With all these interruptions, it would be incredible if she ever finished Victor. “Now I have to get back to work.”

“Sorry.” He didn’t speak for a moment, and then he grumbled, “I wasn’t really sleeping. I was just resting my eyes…”

“Anything from the FBI?” Galen stood in the doorway of the library.

“I have your photos. The sketch and the photo were two peas in a pod.” Joe nodded at the four faxes on the desk. “Hebert must be very smart. He’s been picked up on suspicion of murder once, but he’s never gone to trial. Lack of evidence.”

“Or pull in very high places.”

“I’m not going to believe that until I get proof.”

“That’s the problem with being a cop. I have the advantage of being able to make guesses out of the blue.” Galen folded one of the faxes and put it in his jacket pocket.

“But this could come in handy. I’m heading into New Orleans and I have to take the car. I’ll stop and have another car dropped off for you. Any preference? Another Lexus?”

“Why are you going to New Orleans?”

Galen didn’t answer for a moment. “To catch a plane to Atlanta. I’m not really needed here, and I thought I might as well join the legion you have looking out for your Jane and her grandmother.”

Joe stiffened. “You think something’s going to happen in Atlanta?”

“I don’t know. It shouldn’t. You have enough protection for them.” He shrugged.

“My problem is that I never trust anyone but myself. Since you’re here, I thought I might as well go scout out the area.” He paused. “Unless you object?” Joe thought about it and then slowly shook his head. “Not if you call me every day and keep me informed. I think you’re wrong. Eve will be the target. But I’d never turn down any help to protect Jane, even yours.”

“I’m touched by your confidence. I’ll call you.” Galen turned and headed for the front door.

Joe followed him and watched as Galen walked toward the Lexus. “Did you tell Eve?”

“Not that I was going to Atlanta. I didn’t want her to worry when I didn’t really have any solid reason to question your security arrangements.” He opened the car door. “The car being delivered here isn’t a rental car. I have a few contacts in New Orleans who managed to find a car to borrow.”

“Borrow?”

Galen grinned. “It’s not hot. I’ll drive over to Mobile and drop this car off there. It may lay a false trail for Hebert if he manages to trace it.” He started the car. “Nathan seems to be determined to keep Eve safe. He could prove helpful to you on a limited basis, but don’t trust him too far. He wouldn’t measure up to Hebert.”

“I can make my own judgments, dammit.”

Galen studied him. “You’re uneasy about me leaving. I’d be flattered, but I know it’s only because you’re afraid Eve will prove difficult. You’ll be relieved to know I got her to promise to cooperate with you.” He smiled slyly. “That struck a sour note, didn’t it? You don’t like having anyone act as an intermediary between you and Eve.

Well, you won’t have to worry for a little while. You’re on your own, Quinn.” He lifted his hand in farewell as he pressed the accelerator.

Joe watched the Lexus rolling down the long driveway. He was glad to see Galen go and to know that he was now in sole control of the situation. And he couldn’t deny he felt a little relieved that Galen would be one of the team looking out for Jane.

A heavyweight like him on the job almost guaranteed her safety.

Now he had his own job to do. He straightened his shoulders as he turned back to the house and went inside.

“You’ve turned Victor around on the pedestal,” Nathan said. “Why?”

“I’m getting to the final stage and I don’t want you to see me working on him.”

“Why not?”

“You know Bently. Your expression might tell me something. If I see your approval or disapproval as I do the final sculpting, it might influence me. I might zig when I should zag and spoil the reconstruction.”

“You’re very careful.”

“I have to be. Victor deserves it. They all deserve it.”

“Bently deserves it. I’m not sure about the other skulls you work on. Some of them probably deserve to be tossed in the ground and forgotten about.”

“But I don’t know that.”

“What would you do if this skull belonged to the man who killed your daughter?” Eve stopped in mid-stroke. “I’d finish it.” She finished the stroke. “And then when I was sure, I’d stomp on it, crush it, and then incinerate it. I might even hire a voodoo priest to put a curse on it.” She glanced at Nathan. “Is that what you wanted to know?”

“Yes.” Nathan smiled. “I didn’t want to be insensitive, but I feel much better now.

You were a little too noble for me.”

“Noble? Nonsense. I didn’t have much of a home life as a kid, and I guess home became something of an obsession to me. I believe everyone should have their own home, their own place, even in death. Maybe even more in death, if their life was tortured and troubled. If I bring them home, it validates their life, it shows the world they weren’t disposable, that they had value.” She glanced at Nathan. “Does that make sense to you?”