Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(72)

An instant later, Michael was on the line. “Mama, it’s okay,” he said in a rush. “No, it’s not okay, but don’t worry about me. Don’t let it hurt you. I’ll be all right. There has to be ways—don’t worry.”

“I’ll try.” She tried to keep her voice steady for his sake. “I’m coming for you. Keep yourself safe. I love—”

“Touching.” Norwalk had come back on the line. “Just exactly the interchange that will bring about what I need from you. Good-bye, Eve. I’ll see you soon.” He hung up.

Joe grabbed her phone and was trying to check on the possible trace he’d set up.

Eve collapsed back on the swing. She felt weak and dizzy … and grateful.

Thank you, God. Thank you, God.

Michael.

“No trace,” Joe said curtly. “But it was Michael?” He fell to his knees in front of her. “It was really Michael?”

She nodded jerkily. “You heard. It was him, Joe.”

“Hey, then why are you crying?” He touched her wet cheek. “You knew it all along, right?” His eyes were also wet. “Just a confirmation…”

Yes, a confirmation.

And the answer to a prayer.

She went into his arms and held him tight for a moment. “And he was worried about me,” she said brokenly. “Yes, it was Michael…” She drew a shaky breath. “The photo. We need to see his photo.” She took her phone back and accessed the photo.

Michael still in his gold jersey and red shorts. He was standing in front of a tree and holding a newspaper. She zoomed in and enlarged it. “Times-Picayune. Today’s date.”

“Times-Picayune.” Joe said. “New Orleans newspaper. Unless Norwalk’s trying to lay a false trail.”

“No, he’s not trying to lay a false trail.” Eve was still gazing feverishly at Michael. He looked pale, there was a bruise on his cheek, but he didn’t look frightened. She hated the idea of that son of a bitch scaring him. “He’s telling us where to come.”

“New Orleans?”

“No, not New Orleans, but probably near there.” She tossed him the sketch she’d made last night. “If we believe Michael somehow managed to reach me to let me know he was alive, I have to believe that dream meant something. Swamp, bayou, those cypress trees. We’ve been down there in those swamps, but we’ve never taken Michael. Naturally, he’d be curious about a bayou.”

“Naturally,” Joe said absently. “There are a hell of a lot of bayous and swamps near New Orleans.”

“But maybe not that many close to Kaskov.” She met his eyes. “He kept saying the word positioning. He wants all the targets in a row so that he can pick us off in the most painful and efficient way possible. But he has to have Kaskov because he’s the one who gave the order to kill his brother. So Norwalk is bringing us down to Kaskov so that he can also use us to get to him. He knows Cara might be useful since Kaskov killed Norwalk’s twin to protect her.” Her lips twisted. “And we both know why I have to be there. He wants to kill Michael in front of me.”

Michael. She couldn’t think of him right now. She was getting too shaky. There was too much to do, and it all had to be done at top speed.

“But that’s not going to happen.” She got to her feet. “I’m leaving for New Orleans today. We have to start right away to make certain we kill Norwalk before he gets too ‘impatient.’”

He nodded. “But you have to know that this is going to spark a massive manhunt. Homeland Security might even become involved if they think terrorists could be involved.”

“And I’d be grateful if I didn’t think it might get Michael killed. Michael will die the moment that bastard feels cornered. We have to find Norwalk before they do.” She headed for the door. “Now I’ll go tell Cara and Darcy that I’m not crazy and that Michael is still alive. They’ll be relieved on both counts. Will you call Jock and tell him we have to know everything possible about Kaskov’s estate down there and the surrounding area? Particularly any swamps or bayous?”

He nodded. “And one of Norwalk’s men was taking photos of the disaster last night. He’s probably not still in town, but if we can find out who he is and a description, it may help to find him.”

She looked over her shoulder. “And I believe that either you or Jock would be able to make him tell anything he knows about Norwalk, don’t you?” She added grimly, “If not, I’d be glad to do it myself.”

She shut the door behind her.





BLACK POOL BAYOU


The damn boy was staring at him again, Norwalk thought with annoyance. He’d expected talking to his mother would upset him, maybe make him break down in tears. Why hadn’t it done that?

“Stop looking at me.” He grabbed Michael’s shoulder and shoved him toward the canoe. “You’re going to die, you know. I wouldn’t even have to do it myself. There are so many ways to die in this swamp. Drowning. Coral snakes. Some say there’s even a swamp monster sighted around here called a Rougarou. And what about alligators? How would you like to be eaten by an alligator, brat?”

“I’ve never seen an alligator except on TV.” Michael looked at Norwalk as he got into the canoe. “They look ugly and mean, but maybe they’re just hungry. Do they really eat people?”