Silencing Eve

me. That opens all kinds of interesting questions to sift through.”
    She had been afraid that would be his reaction. She would always have to be on guard against Zander’s razor-sharp intellect and boundless curiosity, and her vulnerability to Gallo made her wary of exposing that possible weakness. She shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
    “Oh, I will.”
    “I didn’t have the—” She broke off as Gallo answered. “Hello, Gallo. I need to fill you in on a few things that I’ve learned that may come into play.”
    “I haven’t found Zander yet. He and Stang seem to have disappeared. Though I think I have a line on an electronics expert he uses on occasion. His name is Weiner, and I should be able to—”
    “Weiner? No, leave him alone. The man’s been practically having a nervous breakdown because he’s afraid Zander will think he’s betrayed him.”
    Silence. “Now I’m curious to know how you happen to have that information.”
    She braced herself. “Because I found Zander. I’m with him now.”
    “The hell you are.”
    “And he’s not in Vancouver and won’t return there until we find Eve.”
    He said softly, “And, dammit, how can we find Eve if we can’t use him to do it?”
    She glanced at Zander. “I don’t believe he’d like to be used. But he may come around to being of minimal help.”
    “He’s in the room with you, isn’t he?”
    “A plane, actually. And, yes, he’s listening.”
    “And is he a threat to you?”
    “Not at the moment. It’s my choice to be here. If I behave myself, I may escape being thrown out over the Rockies.”
    “I want to talk to him.”
    “That wouldn’t be a good idea. I was joking about being thrown out over the mountains.”
    “More likely the Pacific,” Zander murmured. “I could talk to him, Catherine.”
    And that mocking tongue would probably stir Gallo into a fury. “Zander wasn’t the only reason I called you. I wanted to make sure you weren’t wasting your time looking for him, but there are other things I needed to tell you.” She briefly told him all she had learned in her conversation with Jane, then their chase after Eve to the airport in Wyoming. “Seattle, not Vancouver, Gallo. He’s going to try some way to get Eve with Zander in Seattle. At least, that’s what Eve guessed when she wrote those letters on the clay.”
    “And Jane thinks that Doane’s ex-wife may know something about Doane?”
    “I don’t know what Jane thinks. Harriet Weber is one big question mark right now. But she thinks it’s worth pursuing. Kendra is working on the journal and seeing what connections she can make with the new info about Harriet.” She paused. “There you have it, Gallo. It’s all I can give you to work with.”
    “You’re going to Seattle, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, but if you’re thinking about teaming with me and Zander, forget it. Zander won’t have it. He’s barely tolerating me. You’re on your own.” She hesitated. “But there’s a way that you could help Eve if you’ll do it.”
    “Of course I’ll do it,” he said roughly. “Don’t be ridiculous. What is it?”
    “Joe Quinn is somewhere up there in Vancouver. Jane called and told him that Seattle was going to be the hot spot.”
    “I don’t like where this is going.”
    “Joe is nearly crazy, he’s so afraid about Eve. He’s not going to be either cautious or safe. He may even give away the edge that Doane believes he’s safe from pursuit. Joe will tear down to Seattle and go for broke.” She paused. “Having someone around to balance that desperation would be very desirable.”
    “For God’s sake, he’s Eve’s lover. I’m the father of her child. Don’t you see a few difficulties in having me chum up with him? I assure you that Quinn will.”
    “You specialize in overcoming difficulties. I’ve watched you do it. It’s a matter of whether you’ll exert the effort. I can’t persuade you. Only you can decide whether it’s worth it to save Eve. I’ll keep you in the loop with any information that comes up. I’m going to hang up now.”
    Gallo muttered a curse. “I need to be with you there. Why the hell didn’t you bring me into the picture when you tapped Venable? Why face Zander alone?”
    “Why not?” She looked at Zander. “We’re making real progress in getting to know each other. He assured me that he wouldn’t throw me out of the plane in the mountains. It would definitely be the Pacific. Now that would extend our