Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(111)

Joe slipped his arm around her waist. “Then we’ll make it happen.”

“No, I’ll make it happen,” Jock’s lips twisted. “Have you forgotten how efficient I am at cleanup?” He turned to Joe. “The alligators will take care of Norwalk and friends, but the fire’s going to attract attention. And I’ll need information from you about any other aspects of the scene that are also going to arouse curiosity. No way do we want Michael to have the paparazzi asking him questions about what happened to him. He was never here.” He looked from Joe to Eve. “None of you were ever here.”

Joe nodded and turned to Eve. “Go take everyone back to the cove and get ready to go. I’ll be with you as soon as I’m through with Jock.”

She nodded as she turned to go. “Thanks, Jock.”

“No, we all have our parts to play. You just have to take care of her.” Jock’s gaze was on Cara and Michael. “She won’t let me do it. But just look at her, Eve.”

Eve was too busy looking at him at the moment. Cara was not the only one in pain. “I’ll take care of her.” She started toward Cara, Darcy, and Michael. So much pain to be healed. It was difficult to know where to begin.

Love.

Start with love.

She took Cara in her arms. “I’m so proud of you. I love you. We’re all going to get through this.”

“I know.” Cara’s arms tightened around her. “Otherwise, he’d win, wouldn’t he?” She drew a deep breath. “Even though Michael said that Norwalk went away and wouldn’t come back. Is that true?”

“Michael always tells the truth.” She released her and turned to Darcy and gave her a hug. “You look … different.” She took a strand of her hair and looked at it. “Red-brown? And the shape of your eyes…”

“Your eyes. Waterproof makeup.” She made a face. “And I had to practically glue that wig in place so that it wouldn’t come off in the water. But I had help from those old Esther Williams movies.”

“Esther Williams? I’m … confused. Why did you come, Darcy?”

“Why did you come?” Darcy asked. “Norwalk. Cara. Michael. Kaskov was the only one offering me an opportunity. But I had to pretend to be you to take advantage of it.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll tell you all about it later.” Her gaze went back to the burning island. “It was worth it. I did help with Cara. My only regret is Norwalk. I promised Sylvie I’d make him pay. I didn’t do it.”

“I think perhaps you did,” she said gently. “Or maybe Sylvie helped a little.” She was remembering Norwalk’s wild eyes and confusion as he’d stared at her during those last moments. And what had prompted Eve to bring up that claim that she was also a twin that had so upset him? It had all come out of nowhere. She reached out and touched the sodden, red-brown hair clinging around Darcy’s face. “Joe said we should all head for the boats.” She took Darcy’s arm and nudged her down the path. “Suppose you and I go ahead and lead the way. There’s something I should tell you…”





CHAPTER

19





LAKE COTTAGE




“Dad says he’s going to barbecue tonight,” Michael said. “Sort of a welcome home. Isn’t that a good idea?”

“A very good idea,” Eve said. “Is Cara with him? I haven’t seen her since we got home.” But then they had only arrived a few hours ago. They’d taken a flight out of New Orleans immediately after they’d arrived at Kaskov’s dock. Only Darcy had decided to stay behind to take time to get rid of the remnants of the wig and makeup, and told them she’d join them the next day.

“She was down by the lake.” He went to the railing of the porch. “There she is.” He waved at Cara. “She has her violin.”

And she was starting to play. Mendelssohn.

Eve stood there, listening.

Beauty to sing to the spirit and free the soul.

“She’ll be better now,” Michael said as he went to the porch swing and dropped down on the cushions. “It was bad for her, Mama. She doesn’t understand ugliness. It hurts her. But the music will make her all well again.” He smiled. “It’s doing it now. Can’t you feel it?”

“Maybe not as well as you can.” She sat down beside him and put her arm around him. “But, yes, I feel it.” Jock had asked her to take care of Cara, but she was already taking care of herself. She was reaching out to the one source that she knew could make her whole again. That’s what they were all doing. Joe was going back to the small, wonderful tasks that made them a family. Eve was holding, watching, keeping guard.

But what was Michael doing? He appeared perfectly normal and loving, but she had been at her most vigilant in watching him. Yes, he was unusual and unique, but he was also a six-year-old child. “Do you want to go down and help your dad?”

He shook his head. “I’ll go down later. I’ll stay with you for a while.”

Because he knew that she needed him? Was he trying to heal her, too? “It’s nice sitting here and listening to Cara. She’s delayed her visit to Kaskov and she’ll be going back to school next week.” She paused. “And so will you, Michael. Your dad and I have been talking about it, and we’ve decided that maybe you should go to another school. We’re going to tell everyone that we were mistaken about your being in that ice-cream shop, that a relative had picked you up. But things might still be—it could be sad for you.”