Silencing Eve

time.” He paused. “We could make a deal.”
    “I’ve told you how it’s going to be. You’ll do it because you’re scrambling for any clue to lead you to Doane.” He changed the subject. “Now, Ben is going to try to get up here. That’s okay as long as someone is looking out for him. That means you, Venable. You’ll be heading up here anyway now that you know Catherine and Zander are in this area. You take good care of Ben, or I’ll make you pay, Venable.”
    Silence. “Threats? We used to be on the same side.”
    “Not if your side considers Eve expendable.” He didn’t wait for an answer. He hung up.
    He drew a deep breath. Don’t think, don’t feel, just move forward efficiently and at top speed. He dialed Gallo’s cell.
    Gallo answered on the second ring. He said warily, “I take it that Catherine contacted you, too? I assure you that I don’t like the idea of our working together any more than you do.”
    “I agree, but I’ll accept it because I may need you.”
    “What?”
    “It depends if you can swallow what Venable calls Ben’s hogwash,” Joe said curtly. “If you can’t, I don’t want you.”
    Gallo was silent as moment. “Ben Hudson? What hogwash?”
    “He dreamed of Bonnie, and she told him a few things. She was scared for Eve, but she couldn’t reach the people closest to her. She said Kevin was keeping her away.” He paused. “Well, simpleminded hogwash, Gallo?”
    “Because he dreamed of Bonnie?” he asked quietly. “Then call me simpleminded, too, Quinn. I was in a North Korean prison for years, and I dreamed of Bonnie. I didn’t even know she was my child. I had no idea Eve was even pregnant when I left to go into the Army. All I know was that when I was on the point of death from starvation and torture, a little girl with red hair came down into that darkness and kept me alive. Yes, I believe that Bonnie could come to Ben. Do you?”
    “Yes, I didn’t for a long time, years. I had to learn to suspend disbelief.” He cleared his throat. “And Bonnie’s let me keep Eve through all these years, so I have no trouble believing she wants us to find her. Though as far as clues go, she didn’t give us a hell of a lot.” He tried to think of Ben’s exact words. “Bonnie said Eve was joking about her being sleeping beauty but instead of a castle it was a cottage, and instead of a garden of thornbushes, it was a graveyard of driftwood.”
    “That’s all?”
    “Something about its being Kevin’s place.”
    “A cottage and driftwood and a connection with Doane’s son,” Gallo said. “It was more than we had before.”
    “That’s what I thought.” He paused. “But we have to move fast to find it. Doane gave Eve an overdose and almost killed her. That’s why I called you. As Catherine said, two can cover more ground than one. And I’m calling Kendra and telling her to check those letters and the journal for any reference that might lead to answers.”
    “Good move. Spread the word. I’ll call Catherine and let her know to call Jane or Margaret. I’m at a Starbucks in Everton, Washington. How close are you?”
    “About twenty minutes.”
    “I’ll stay here. But be quicker than twenty minutes if you can do it.” He hung up.
    Those last sentences had sounded remarkably like orders, Joe thought with annoyance. Gallo was instinctively trying to take control. It was just what Joe had been wary about.
    Screw it.
    He’d take any chance he had to take to bring this nightmare to a close as quickly as possible.
    Eve almost died.
    Keep her alive for me, Bonnie.
    And while you’re at it, I’d appreciate it you’d keep a rein on your father. God knows, I don’t need trouble from Gallo.
    Seattle, Washington
    “EVE’S DEFINITELY HERE IN SEATTLE?” Catherine’s voice was tense. “It sounds like it from that driftwood description. I thought the chances were excellent, but there was always the possibility Doane had laid a false trail, Gallo. It’s good to have confirmation.”
    “Venable wasn’t so accepting,” Gallo said dryly. “He thought the source was suspect.” He paused. “Do you?”
    Catherine hesitated. “Bonnie? Let’s just say that I may not have met your little ghost-girl, Gallo, but Eve believes in her, you and Joe believe in her. I grew up in Hong Kong, where spirits are a part of the culture. I’m willing to take your word that I should take a chance on her.” She quickly changed the subject. “A graveyard of driftwood?