“You’re right,” Margaret said. “But hitchhiking can be dangerous. I preferred to tap Caleb.” She chuckled. “Though he can be sort of risky, too. But not to me.”
“Don’t count on that,” Caleb said softly. “I don’t like the idea of your juggling and pitting Trevor against me to get what you want.” He held up his hand as she started to speak. “And you went after Quinn to get around Jane’s objections. You’re very wily, Margaret. All that sunny charm may cover something darker.”
She shook her head. “I’m a survivor,” she said simply. “I’ve had to be, Caleb. And I’m not some Pollyanna phony. I try to stay away from darkness. It’s always out there, but the only way I can get through it is to let in a little light now and then. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Sounds pretty saccharine to me.” He shrugged. “However, no one can say I’m full of sweetness and light.”
“You can say that again,” Jane said. “Now stop being cynical and give her a break.” She opened the door. “The bathroom is down the hall and to your left, Margaret. When you’ve washed the travel and dog smell off, come out, and we’ll talk.” She met her gaze. “But no matter what Joe says, I don’t know if I’m going to let you—”
“I know. I know. But you respect Joe Quinn. That’s half the battle.” She was walking quickly down the hall. “And I have to have information if I’m going to help at all. He’s a detective and razor-sharp. If he thinks I’ll be useful, he’ll share. You might ration info to keep me safe.”
Very canny, Jane thought. “You might get more than you bargain for. Joe is frantic, and he’ll do anything to get Eve back.” Her lips twisted. “Don’t trust me, either. I’m trying to remember to be civilized, but I’ll probably fold at the first hint that Doane’s going to hurt her. You’d be much safer if you got the hell away from both of us.”
Margaret’s head swiftly turned. “Doane? You have a name?” Her eyes were suddenly glittering. “See, information. It can be magic. How did you find out that—”
“Go take your shower. I may tell you later. Or I may not.”
“I’ll hurry.” Margaret disappeared into the bathroom and slammed the door.
“Are you softening?” Caleb asked.
“If I were softening, then I’d run her away from here. The word is hardening.” She wearily rubbed her temple. “I wish she hadn’t come. It makes it too easy to take advantage of her.”
“She wouldn’t consider it taking advantage. You heard her, payback.” He shrugged. “I would probably take advantage, but then I’m a callous bastard. Your decision.” He glanced at the kitchen bar. “Now I believe you said you were going to give me a cup of coffee. You’re the one who looks like you need one. Sit down. I’ll make it for us.”
“I can do it.”
“I’m sure you can, but I didn’t take a bullet a couple days ago.” He was already around the bar. “It’s more reasonable to let—”
“For God’s sake, stop arguing with him, Jane,” Joe said roughly as he came out of the bedroom. “Keep what strength you have. The last thing we need is for you to collapse and have to go back in the hospital.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m—” Jane stopped, and her heart skipped a beat. “You’re upset. What’s wrong? Did you hear something about Eve?”
“No, I got a report on Blick’s overseas years from Army personnel. It was absolutely clear and uneventful until he reached Turkey. Then there were three instances of fights in bars and a few run-ins with the locals.”
“That wasn’t in the report that Venable gave us.”
“And therefore very suspect. The bar episodes were very violent but not lethal. Nothing that got him thrown in jail, but the incidents were written up. The Turkish complaints were because Blick was found in a private residential area where foreign soldiers were discouraged from going. He was with another man, who ran away and left Blick to take the blame when he and Blick were spotted near a Muslim girls’ school.” Joe added, “Blick wouldn’t reveal his identity when questioned by the Turks. Nor when he was released to the U.S. military police. He claimed he was alone, and the Turks were crazy. He said he was drunk and was wandering aimlessly when they picked him up.”
“He never revealed the name of the man who was with him?”
Joe shook his head. “And the charges against him were dropped the next day. Blick was shipped back to the States a month later.”