Taking Eve(27)
He didn’t speak for a moment, then said slowly, “Maybe it wasn’t that he wanted you to come to Summer Island. Maybe it was that he didn’t want you to go home to Eve.”
She froze. “What are you saying?”
“Coincidences. I always have problems with coincidences. You were planning to go home to visit Eve and Joe. Then suddenly your dog became very ill, and you had to cancel your trip to Eve and bring Toby here. Coincidence?”
“Why would anyone want to stop me from going to see Eve?”
“Inconvenient?”
“Caleb.”
“How do I know? It’s all just a product of my suspicious mind.”
But that product was beginning to scare the hell out of her. “It’s too … Why?”
“We’ll have to find out, won’t we?”
“No, we won’t,” she said harshly. “Because it’s not true. Nothing is wrong with Eve. None of this is going to touch her.”
“I scared you,” he said. “You asked, Jane.”
Yes, she had asked. But she hadn’t thought he would say anything that would involve Eve. “It’s all supposition.”
“I never claimed anything else.”
She drew a shaky breath. “I know.” She pulled out her phone. “But I think I’ll call Eve anyway. I promised I’d call her about Toby.”
He smiled. “That’s right you did.”
She dialed quickly.
Answer, Eve.
One ring.
Two rings.
Eve picked up on the third ring. “Jane?”
Jane felt heady with relief. “Yes. Did I wake you?”
“No, I was awake. I’ve had trouble sleeping tonight. How’s Toby?”
“Better. He’s going to live, Eve.”
“Thank God. What was wrong with him?”
“Poison.”
“What?”
“I know, it’s crazy. Some bastard poisoned him.”
“Who?
“I don’t know yet. The whole thing’s beyond any kind of sanity.” She paused. “How are you? Is everything all right there?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Take care of Toby.”
“If you’re fine, then why are you having trouble sleeping?”
“I should have known that you’d pick up on that. Ben Hudson dropped by unexpectedly.”
“Really? Why? You haven’t seen him since you found Bonnie, have you?”
“No.” She changed the subject. “How long before Toby will be well enough for you to bring him here?”
“I’m hoping only a day or two. He’s getting wonderful help here on the island.”
“Let me know as soon as you know for sure. Now I’m going to call Joe and tell him the good news about Toby. Or maybe not. It’s still the middle of the night, and he has to be in court tomorrow. I’ll phone him first thing in the morning.” Her voice was suddenly tense. “And I may decide not to wait until you come to me. Maybe I’ll hop a plane and check on you and Toby myself. Take care of yourself.” Eve hung up.
Jane slowly pressed the disconnect.
“Okay?” Caleb asked.
She nodded. “She said she was fine.”
“But you don’t believe her?”
“Sure I do.” She was frowning. “But she said something about coming down here to check on Toby and me. And she got off the phone too soon.”
“So?”
“She didn’t want me to ask questions. That bothered me. And what is Ben Hudson doing at the cottage?”
“I might be able to help you if I knew who Ben Hudson was. Is he a threat?”
She shook her head. “No way. It’s just odd that he should turn up tonight.” She turned and started for the door. “I’m going to ask Devon Brady how soon I can transport Toby.”
“And if you don’t get the answer you want?”
She hadn’t known that the answer had already formed in her mind. “I need to get to Eve. I think something is going on with her. I’ll just wait until I’m sure Toby’s stabilized. He may already be there.” She was thinking quickly. “And then I may turn him over to Margaret until I can come back. She’d take good care of him.”
He looked at her in surprise. “You’d trust her with your precious Toby? You just met her.”
“I’d trust her.” She met his gaze. “Will you take me to Eve?”
“That goes without saying.” He bowed mockingly. “I’m at your service. Why else would I be here?”
“I don’t know. I can never quite figure you out, Caleb.”
“But you’re willing to use me. Maybe you even actually trust me a little. Wouldn’t that be interesting?” He gestured with a little shooing motion. “Run along and make your arrangements about Toby. Oh, that’s right, you don’t like me to give you orders.”