The Atlanta PD car cruised slowly by the welfare house, shining its lights on the front of the building and grounds as it passed.

Eve held her breath, half expecting the car to stop. Had they been seen?

The police car drove on and turned the corner.

"I think it's safe now." Mark raised his head. "I suppose we should have expected welfare to request additional security."

"We've got to hope the guard is still the only one on the grounds." Eve got out of the car. "And that the police car doesn't come back anytime soon. Hurry." She was already skirting the walk and crossing the grass. Don't think. Just move fast and pray.

She arrived at the back of the building and looked up at the second floor. First window on the south side.

The room was dark and the window closed.

Great.

A rusty drainpipe clung to the side of the building, but it was at least a yard from the window.

What the hell was she going--

What was that?

She looked over her shoulder.

A sound?

Someone standing in the shadows?

No, there was nothing. It must have been her imagination.

She turned back to the house. First she had to find a way to get up to the second floor. Then she'd have to get inside the room without scaring Jane. The more she considered the situation, the more helpless she felt. She'd do better figuring out how to get into the ground floor and then--

The window was opening.

Eve tensed.

Jane stuck her head out and looked down at her. Could she tell who Eve was? Yes, the moonlight was bright enough for recognition. But that didn't guarantee anything. Everyone must seem like a threat to Jane right now.

She stared at Eve for a long while. Then she touched her forefinger to her lips as if to hush her.

The gesture was conspiratorial; the two of them against the world. Eve didn't know why she'd gotten lucky, but she'd take it. God, yes, she'd take it.

Jane tossed a knotted sheet out the window. It ended twelve feet above Eve's head. Jane started climbing down it like a monkey; how was she supposed to--

"Catch me," Jane ordered.

"It's not that easy. If I miss, you'll break--"

"Don't miss." She let go of the sheet and fell into Eve's arms. The child's weight knocked them both to the ground.

"Get off me," Jane whispered.

Eve rolled to the left and managed to sit up. "Sorry. You nearly broke my ribs."

Jane was on her feet and racing around the building.

"Shit." Eve jumped up and ran after her.

"Lose something?" Mark was holding Jane in a hammerlock. She kicked backward and connected with his shin. "Ouch. Stop fighting me or I'll break your neck, you little demon."

"Don't hurt her." Eve knelt down in front of the child. "We're trying to help you, Jane. Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid. And I don't need your help."

"You needed me to catch you."

"It was a long drop. I didn't want to break my legs."

Eve made a face. "You'd rather break my ribs."

Jane stared calmly into her eyes. "Why not? I don't care anything about you."

"But you must not think I'm a danger to you, since you didn't scream when you saw me."

"I needed someone. I knew the sheet wouldn't reach the ground."

"But you do believe I'm no danger to you?"

"Maybe. I don't know." She scowled. "Why are you here?"

Eve hesitated. She didn't want to scare the kid, but she sensed that Jane would see through a lie. "I was afraid for you."

"Why?"

"I'll tell you later. We don't have time now."

Jane looked over her shoulder. "This isn't the cop."

"No, he's Mark Grunard, a reporter."

"He wants to write stories about Fay."

"Yes."

"We should get out of here, Eve." Mark's voice was impatient. "I didn't run into the guard, but he's bound to come around soon. And who knows when that patrol car will come back."

She was as eager to leave as he was, but she wasn't about to drag Jane kicking and screaming. "Will you come with us, Jane?" Eve asked. "Believe me, we just want you to be safe."

Jane didn't answer.

"You were leaving anyway. I promise we'll locate a place where they won't find you."

"Let me go."

Mark shook his head. "And have you run out on--"

"Let her go, Mark. It has to be her decision."

Mark's hold loosened and Jane quickly slipped out of his grip.

Jane gazed at Eve for a few seconds and then said, "I'll go with you. Where's your car?"

THEY HAD DRIVEN no more than four blocks when Jane said to Mark, "You're going the wrong way."