Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(62)
Joe stiffened. “What?”
“Don’t panic. The house is perfectly secure. He was in his room earlier, and I think I heard his voice talking to Darcy. I expected he might go see her tonight or tomorrow morning.”
Joe relaxed. “Okay. Though I’d expect he’d go visit Cara instead.”
“She’s not having the same kind of problems Darcy is having. He thinks Darcy needs him.” She thought about it. “And I don’t think he could really identify with Cara’s problems at the moment. He’s only six. Maybe in a few years…”
“What in hell are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Just thinking out loud. If we don’t hear Michael go back to bed, I’ll go get him. He’s got his first soccer game tomorrow afternoon, and he should get his rest. Come to bed. No sign of a problem on the property?”
“No.” He was already stripping off his clothes. “I have a hunch that Sakov’s murder was a swan song on Norwalk’s part, a last statement before he initiates phase two. He’d know that there would be police and state troopers all over those woods from now on. I’ll still be on the watch because he’s a tricky son of a bitch.” He slid into bed and took her in his arms. “I was hoping you might get another call from him. Though Jock seems to be getting close to finding out the big picture. But we need to know which direction he’s going to jump next.”
“Hell would be nice.” She cuddled closer. “He’d feel comfortable there. Jock would be delighted to show him the way.”
“So would I. And at least Jock’s free to go on the hunt for him.”
Eve stiffened as she heard the barely repressed impatience in his voice. She had been sensing that raw edginess since Norwalk’s call. She said quietly, “And you’re not free. I know it’s frustrating you. All your life, you’ve been a warrior of some sort. SEAL, FBI, police. It’s your instinct to go on the attack, and it’s probably driving you crazy to have to sit here and just play defense.” She was silent trying to find the words. “It’s a completely unnatural role for you, and I’ve been wondering lately if you’re regretting that day you came knocking on my door and let yourself in for it.”
“What? You’re the one who drives me crazy when you talk like that,” he said roughly. “Hell yes, I want to go after Norwalk. But so do you. And are you running out and leaving Michael and Cara to do it? What about it, Eve? Would you rather have not opened that door and devoted your entire mind and heart to all those skulls?” He got up on one elbow and stared down at her. “I know the answer to that because I know you. And you should know me well enough not to worry about me like you do the rest of the people you love. I have a special status.” He suddenly smiled down at her. “I’m the guardian at the gates. Can’t you see my shiny armor and mighty shield?”
“Yes, I can see it,” she said unsteadily. “All the time, Joe.”
“I thought you could. And that’s what keeps me from mounting my trusty steed and going out in search of demons to conquer.” His index finger gently traced the line of her upper lip. “Who needs glory? I’ve been there. It’s not so great. Everything changes, Eve. And every change connected to you and Michael is beautiful. Okay, right now some of those changes are causing a lot of upheaval. Sometimes we don’t know what we’re going to face next. But every day offers a chance to keep what I have intact by just guarding those gates. I’d be a fool to give it up.” He settled back beside her again. “So stop trying to make trouble. Unless you decide to give me my walking papers, you’re stuck with me. But I’d advise against it, you don’t see a gate guardian with my qualifications very often.”
“Never,” she said thickly. “It appears you’re irreplaceable. So I guess that means no walking papers. We’ll just have to get through this as we have everything else.”
“Together.”
Her arms tightened around him. “Guarding the gates or beyond. Together, Joe.”
CHAPTER
11
SATURDAY 8:25 A.M.
“You’re sure, Benoit?” Jock asked. “No mistake?”
“You insult me. A man of my experience and stature never makes mistakes. Occasionally, I have a slight omission in information, but never a true mistake. It was Manard who made the mistake. Arrogance can sometimes blind one to one’s limitations. I struggle constantly with my own, but Manard evidently did not.” He paused. “I hope you’re not planning on doing anything with that information. Even Manard was clever enough to avoid direct confrontation.”
Jock didn’t answer. “Concentrate on any movement of Norwalk’s men and get back to me if they head this way.” He hung up.
Timeline completed. Picture in place.
And to hell with avoiding confrontation.
He punched in the number on his phone.
This time Kaskov himself answered within three rings. “I’ve been waiting for you to get in touch with me. You took a little longer than I thought you would.”
“Perhaps your contacts are a little better than mine since they crawl on the underbelly. That avoids all kinds of traffic problems. But I did get there.” He paused. “A huge arms shipment to Pakistan by Robert Akim. Sound familiar?”