“You’re frowning.” Caleb was standing in the doorway. “Don’t tell me. Margaret?”
“That was an easy enough guess. You must have seen her in the hall.”
He nodded. “And she looked a lot happier than you do. But then, not much seems to bother her.”
She had a sudden memory of that brief, shadowed expression. “I’m not so sure. Why didn’t you tell me you’d brought her from the island?”
“I wasn’t certain that you’d approve.”
She raised her brows.
“Okay, I had to do a little juggling and hunting for her. She needed better credentials. I didn’t want to make you an accessory.”
“But you didn’t mind doing it yourself.”
“She made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“I see.”
He smiled. “No, you don’t. She’s not my type. Much too sunny. She offered to make herself useful to me.”
“Stalking.”
“What?”
“Just something that Margaret said about you.”
“I can imagine.”
“She also said that you didn’t tell me she was here because you wanted to be the center of attention.”
“Possibly.”
His hand on her cheek. His tongue outlining her lip.
He was smiling, but she was relieved that he was obviously not going to pursue the details of that nocturnal visit. She moistened her lips. “She’s talking about going to the lake cottage. I think she’s going to ask you to take her.”
“Do you want me to do it?”
“No, I want her to go back to the island.”
“She won’t do it. She’s on a mission. But I can delay her if I refuse to take her.”
“Then do it. Maybe I’ll be out of here by that time.”
“Of course I did manage to get her a very authentic-looking passport and driver’s license last night after I arrived here.”
“Why?”
“She wanted it, and it seemed a good idea at the time. She might not need me. She might decide to hitch a ride on a cruise ship to Miami. There’s always that possibility. Then you’d lose track of her and what she’s doing. Do you really want that?”
“No, I just want to find Eve without having to worry about anyone else,” she said wearily.
“Then I’ll see what I can do about stalling her.” He smiled. “Now rest. I talked to Dr. Perez and he said you’re doing well and he thinks that he can release you day after tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “He can release me when I can get out of this bed and get dressed.”
“Whatever.” He tucked the sheet around her. “Whenever you call me, I’m at your disposal. Any news from Quinn today?”
“No, I’m going to call him by noon if he doesn’t call me.” She shivered. “They were searching the woods. I suppose it’s good news he hasn’t called me.”
“But you don’t feel as if it’s good news. You feel as if you’re treading water. I can—” His cell phone rang, and he glanced at the screen. His brows rose in surprise. “Your Joe Quinn.”
Jane tensed. “Why would he call you?”
“You’re thinking bad thoughts,” Caleb said. “Relax. I assure you that he wouldn’t call me to cushion bad news for you. He wouldn’t trust my sensitivity.” He turned up the volume before he answered the call. “Caleb.”
“I’m sending you a file,” Joe said briefly. “I gave Venable the disk when I got in yesterday, and he had it processed within a few hours, then checked the data banks. The shooter’s name is Terence Blick, but he doesn’t appear to have much of a record.”
“What’s his connection to Jane or Eve?”
“Not a damn thing that I can see. At least not in the file that Venable gave me.”
“You think there are omissions?”
“I don’t know what I think. It’s possible. Venable is being entirely too enigmatic. I’m going to check some of my own sources and see if I can find out anything else. How is Jane?”
“Better. She’s right here. Do you want to talk to her?”
“No, just show her the file. That’s all I know right now. I’ll call her later. I kept my word, Caleb. Now we’re quits.” He hung up.
“He sounds tired. He didn’t have the strength to insult or abuse me.” Caleb pressed the disconnect and brought up the file. “I’m sending the file to your phone for you to study.” He dropped down in the chair beside her bed. “It will give you something to occupy you while you’re stuck here.”