Silencing Eve

picked up the phone. “Forget about those security tapes. Something strange is going on.”
    “We’ve already got the tapes. It didn’t take us that long. We’re already on our way back. What are you talking about?”
    “I was monitoring those machines, and Cartland called Harriet. He wouldn’t talk to her on the phone. She went down to the lobby to talk to him.”
    “What? Did she leave the hotel?”
    “No, that was what I was afraid would happen. I followed her down to the lobby. She talked to Cartland, then made a phone call and went back to her room.”
    “Could you get close enough to hear the conversation?”
    “No way. They were being supercareful.” She paused. “And when CartIand called her, he didn’t want her to talk on the phone. Does that suggest anything?”
    “That Cartland might be afraid that her phone has been bugged,” Jane said. “ Shit. ” She turned to Trevor. “She may be on the run. She could take off at any time.”
    “But not yet.” He stepped on the accelerator. “We should be back at the hotel in ten minutes.”
    Seattle
    CATHERINE SILENTLY OPENED the door.
    The sitting room was dark.
    There was no sound.
    But she knew Zander was in that room.
    And Zander knew she was standing there.
    “Really, Catherine, you’re making me feel harassed,” he said. “Though you’re very good. I didn’t even hear the door open.”
    “You’re ready to make a move, aren’t you?” she asked. “I’ve been feeling it all day. And you didn’t want me to follow you. That means you found out something from that contact Slater you talked to last night. You know where Doane is.”
    “No, I have no idea … yet.”
    “But you are ready to move.” Catherine turned toward the corner from where his voice was coming, but she couldn’t make him out in the darkness. “You know something. I’m coming with you, Zander.”
    “You’re not invited.”
    “Too bad.” She glided forward. “Now let’s stop playing hide-and-seek. Turn on the lights.”
    “But you have such a delightful voice coming out of the darkness. Very soft, very mysterious.”
    “If you don’t take me with you, I’ll follow you.”
    “I know you will.” His tone was regretful. “And I can’t allow you to do that.”
    His voice was issuing from about a foot right of the corner of the room, she judged.
    “You won’t kill me. Why should you? I’m on your side, on Eve’s side.”
    “No one is on my side but me. I learned that a long time ago. And you would get in my way, Catherine. That could be a great danger.”
    She could feel her heart pounding. “Okay, but I’m on Eve’s side. That means something to you.”
    “Does it?”
    “Yes. That man Slater told you something. What?”
    “Would I lie to you?”
    “Yes.”
    He chuckled. “True, but in this case I’m not lying.” He added, “And why are you trying to move closer to me? That’s really not wise, Catherine.”
    “I want you to be able to see me, touch me. I want you to remember who I am, all our conversations. I believe it’s much harder to strike down an antagonist you know.”
    “Not for me.”
    “Even you, Zander.” She paused. “You were waiting for me, weren’t you? Cat and mouse?”
    “You’re much more like a sleek, beautiful panther than a mouse. But yes, I was waiting for you. Since you’re my bodyguard, I thought I should tell you something.”
    “I can hardly wait to know what. You haven’t told me anything since I’ve been with you.”
    “Don’t be sarcastic. Pay attention. Judging by your information from Jane MacGuire, once I’m taken, I figure that I’ll probably have from five to eight hours before Harriet Weber shows up to witness my execution. After she shows up, I think that Eve’s survival will be very dicey. In case something goes wrong with my calculations, it might be wise if you find that driftwood cottage. Purely as a backup, you understand.”
    Shock jolted through her. “What the hell are you saying?”
    “I’ve always intimidated Slater. He probably did know where to reach Doane, but he would never deal with me. But he’d put out the word that I was in town and where I could be found … for a price. By this time, Doane should have set up his ambush. I’d bet he’s outside now waiting for me to appear.”
    “And you’re going to walk into it?” she asked in disbelief. “No, that’s a sure way to lose both Eve and you, dammit. I won’t let you do—”
    “I told you, I’m the