“It was good tactics, right? Just shut up and get us out of here.” Joe gave a soundless whistle. “Yes, ma’am. Right away, ma’am.“ Joe went back in the direction they had come from.

“Where are we going?”

“I have no idea. I’ll worry about that when I’m sure we don’t have anyone tailing us.”

Joe didn’t stop until he was fifty miles away from Galen’s house and he’d changed roads and directions twice. He finally pulled over at a supermarket lot in a small town on the east side of New Orleans.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Galen. “We’re clear. We did have visitors.”

“I was afraid of that. No one was hurt?”

“No, but we’re in a Podunk town in the middle of nowhere. Find me a place to put Eve.”

“I’m working on it,” Galen said. “I’ll get back to you.” He hung up.

“Now can I find out what the devil is happening?” Eve asked.

He got out of the car. “Come on, let’s take a walk.”

“I do have a stake in this, too, you know,” Nathan said.

“Later,” Joe said. “Stay here and take care of the skull.” It was chilly, and Eve jammed her cold hands into the pockets of her jacket as she fell into step with Joe. “Talk to me.”

“You’re not going to like it.”

“So what’s new. I haven’t liked anything to do with this reconstruction,” Eve said.

“This strikes close to home.”

She stiffened. “Jane?”

“Don’t panic. She’s okay. So is your mother.” He quickly filled her in on what her mother and Galen had told him.

“And you say she’s okay?” Eve’s hands clenched into fists in her pockets. “For God’s sake, that crazy bastard blew up the condo. It’s a miracle they’re still alive.”

“But they are alive.”

“I should never have left her. You should never have left her.”

“Don’t you know that’s what I’ve been telling myself ever since I got that call from your mother? I thought Hebert would concentrate on you, but I still tried to give them enough protection.”

“You didn’t do it. She almost died. You should have—” She shook her head.

“Why am I blaming you? It’s just as much my fault as it is yours. I’m the one who took this job. I’m the one who chose to steal the damn skull. I thought he’d go after me, too. I’m the one who’s to blame.”

“Shh. Stop shaking. Nothing happened.”

“What do you mean? Something did happen. He almost killed them. I was so worried about Victor and so busy thumbing my nose at Hebert that I—”

“Hush.” He took her in his arms and pressed her head into his shoulder. “Jane and your mother are fine, and we’re going to keep them that way.” Oh, God, she needed him. An anchor in a rough sea. A rock that never moved.

“Joe…” Without thinking, she slid her arms around him. “Jane’s never been sure that I really loved her. She’s always thought Bonnie came first. I do love her. It’s just…

different.”

“She knows you love her.”

“She’s not sure. I want to tell her again. What if she’d died and I didn’t get the chance to tell her how much she means to me?”

“But she didn’t.”

“There are so many things I didn’t tell Bonnie before she was taken from me. I’m not going to make that mistake again.” Tears were flowing down her cheeks. “But I almost did. Shit.”

“Okay, you’re not perfect. Who is? But Jane’s not one of your lost children. She’s strong and smart, and she’s a survivor. She’ll only take so much from you. We’re lucky she lets us as close to her as she does.” His hands cupped her face and he looked down into her eyes. “Are you listening to me, Eve? Jane doesn’t want a mother. She loves you, but you came together too late for all the maternal folderol.

She doesn’t expect it. You’re a damn good friend, and that’s great with her.”

“Is it?” Eve smiled with quivering lips. “I never realized you’d made such a study of our relationship.”

“I had to. Anyone who touches you touches me.”

She couldn’t look away from him. His eyes…

Joe’s hands dropped away from her and he stepped back. “That’s the way it’s always been; that’s the way it is. I’m just very fortunate that I love Jane, too.” She drew a deep breath. “Well, neither of us has been very good at showing her we love her by keeping her safe.” She turned back toward the car. “Well, it’s not too late, thank God. It’s time I thought about Jane and Mom instead of my damn job.”

“And that means?”

“I’m going back to Atlanta. I’m not going to let Jane and my mother take the punishment for my actions while I’m hundreds of miles away.”

“Galen said that was what you’d do. He thinks you’ll walk right into Hebert’s hands.”

“Screw Galen. Jane needs me.”

“She needs us.” Joe smiled faintly and nodded. “Screw Galen.” Eve’s phone rang as she reached the car. It was Bart Jennings. “I need to tell you that there was—”

“Damn you,” Eve’s voice was shaking with anger. “You promised me they’d be safe. That’s all I asked, and you fouled up.”

“You have every right to be angry. Galen called you? My men would have appreciated it if he’d been working with us. He didn’t even identify himself to them until they were taking away your daughter.”

“It was a good thing he was there. You screwed up.”

“I’m not making excuses. If it will make you feel any better, we’re working hand in hand with the Atlanta police, and we have the safe house completely covered.”

“You had the condo covered.”

“Hebert’s ID was perfect, and he was in disguise. There was supposed to be an inspection today—the guard at the desk verified it with the superintendent’s office when Hebert arrived. We can’t locate Leonard Smythe, the man who was to do the inspection. We have to assume Hebert got to him.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“I’m sorry. I said I wouldn’t make excuses. I’m sending two agents to pick you up and bring you—”

“Too late. You blew it.” She hung up. “He’s sorry. He had the nerve to say he was sorry. My mother and Jane were almost blown up, and he’s—”

“Easy. He’s a decent guy. What else could he say?” Joe’s lips tightened. “Not that I don’t want to take a poke at him right now myself. He should have—” His phone rang, arid he didn’t wait for Galen to speak. “We’re going back to Atlanta. Don’t argue, Galen. Just find us a way to get home.” He took out his pen and wrote down a name and phone number. “Okay, I’ll see you in Georgia.” Joe hung up and turned to Eve. “He said he knew it would come down to this. He gave me the phone number of a Philip Jordan. He said to call him and he’d pick us up and take us to a very private airport in Metairie, Louisiana.”

“Just so it’s soon.”

“You’re going to Atlanta?” Nathan asked.

“Yes.”

“I want to go with you.”

“What a surprise,” Joe said. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that Hebert may be there? He could be on his way here, you know.” He shook his head. “Not when he finds out they didn’t get us at Galen’s. Jules Hebert is smart. Take me with you.”

“You’ve become something of an albatross, Nathan.” Nathan turned to Eve. “I want to come. We’re in this together.” Eve gazed at him a moment and finally nodded.

“I thought as much.” Joe began dialing his phone. “I’ll tell Jordan there’ll be one more to pick up.”

The plane landed at an airport north of Gainesville, Georgia in the rosy dawn light. Galen met them as the plane drew up before the hangar. “Welcome home.” His brows lifted as his gaze went beyond them to Nathan. “I see you brought your bodyguard.”

“Be quiet, Galen.” Eve moved toward the car on the tarmac. “I’m mad enough at you for not telling me you thought Hebert would go after Jane.”

“Ingratitude, thy name is woman.”

“I am grateful. I just wish I’d known…” She turned to face him. “I’m a bitch. You saved their lives. I’ll owe you a debt for the rest of my life.”

“That’s better.” He looked pointedly at Joe. “Now, do you have something to say to me?”

“Yes.” Joe pushed the leather case he was carrying at him. “Stop playing around and put Bently in the trunk.”