He was crazy, Eve thought. Eisley had said no one could get into that welfare facility.
But Eve herself had doubted it.
All it would take is one careless moment, one bored or disgruntled employee.
Wasn't that what Eve had been afraid of all along? Wasn't that why she had been urging Eisley to let her take Jane?
Her throat tightened as fear raced through her. He would do it. Christ, he would find a way to kill Jane if she didn't get her out of the facility.
She only had twenty-four hours.
Joe. She had to call Joe.
She was halfway through his number when she hung up. What was she doing? Was she really going to ask him to compromise his job by kidnapping a child from under the nose of welfare?
But she needed him.
So what? Stop being a selfish bitch and do what has to be done yourself.
How? She didn't even know where Jane was.
You have contacts. There's always a way. I'd find a way.
She started punching a phone number.
Mark Grunard answered on the second ring. He wasn't pleased. "Nice of you to let me know about Fay Sugarton. I got to her house along with half the newsmen in the city."
"I meant to call you. Things happened."
"That wasn't our agreement."
"It won't happen again."
"You're damn right it won't. I'm bailing out. You and Joe should have--"
"I need your help. Dom called again."
Silence. "And?"
"Welfare is keeping the kid at their holding facility. He wants her with me. He gave me twenty-four hours to get her."
"What happens if you don't?"
"What do you think happens? She's dead, dammit."
"It would be difficult to get to her at--"
"He'll do it. I can't take a chance."
"What does Joe say?"
"Nothing. I'm not telling him. Joe's out of it."
He gave a low whistle. "He's not going to like that."
"He's done enough. I won't have Joe crucified for helping me."
"But since you're calling me, I take it you're willing to sacrifice my humble self?"
"You have less to lose and more to gain."
"What kind of help do you want from me?"
"I need to know where she is. Do you have any idea?"
"Maybe."
"What do you mean, maybe?"
"Look, the location of that facility is a bigger secret than Level 4 of the CDC."
"But you know where it is?"
"Well, I followed Eisley once when she took a kid there during a big court case."
Then Dom could have followed Eisley too.
"It's a big old house on Delaney Street that used to be a convalescent home. The location could have changed though. That was over two years ago."
"We'll try it. Eisley said there's a guard."
"A security guard who patrols the grounds. I suppose you want me to distract him."
"Yes."
"And then? Once you've got her, where are you going to take her?"
"I don't know. I'll find a place. Will you help me?"
"You're putting my ass on the line."
"I'll make it worth your while."
"Yes, you will." His tone hardened. "Because I'm going to be with you every step of the way."
"I can't do--" She drew a deep breath. "Okay, we'll work something out. Come and get me. I'll meet you across the street at the park."
"Not before midnight."
"Mark, it's only five-thirty now. I want to get her out of there."
"Okay, eleven. But if you want to go any earlier, you'll have to go by yourself. It's bad enough we have to run the risk of the security guard. I want everyone in that house asleep before I go near it."
Five and a half hours. How could she wait that long? She was already a nervous wreck. Okay, chill out. Dom had given her twenty-four hours. "All right. I'll eat dinner and then tell Charlie I'm going to bed. The kitchen door leads to a laundry room that opens to the hall. I can slip out and meet you at the park at eleven."
"Right."
She hung up. Done. Mark Grunard had been tougher than she had thought. Not that she could blame him. She was asking a great deal and not many people would give without wanting something in return.
Except Joe.
Don't think about Joe. She couldn't have him with her.
"Come on out," Charlie called from outside the bedroom door. "Food's here."
She braced herself. Just get through dinner and hope to slip out before Joe comes home.
Chapter EIGHT