Taking Eve(95)

“Caleb, I won’t tolerate any conflict,” she said through clenched teeth. “Not from either of you.”

“I’m sure you won’t have trouble with Trevor. He’ll be everything that’s civilized. Greek-god looks, sophistication, and intelligence. How could you ask for anything more?”

“Don’t be flip, dammit. And I can do without sarcasm.”

Caleb didn’t speak for a moment, then said, “You’re right. I’m having a few problems I didn’t expect. I think it’s because I know you were lovers.”

“What?”

“I know it’s none of my business.” He smiled sardonically. “And it shows how very uncivilized I am that it bothers me. Bothers me? That’s an understatement. I want to—” He broke off. “You don’t want to know what I want to do.”

“No, I don’t.”

His smile changed, warmed, became completely charismatic. “Then we won’t discuss it. But don’t you feel better that you know where you are with me? I wouldn’t be able to hide it even if I tried.” He added, “And I’ll be careful not to antagonize Trevor because I know it would make it difficult for you. We’re just men with the usual priorities, but Trevor will be civilized, and I’ll be as sensitive as I can, and it will all work out. Anything else would be exceptionally stupid.”

“Yes, it would.” And just because Caleb stated that truth wouldn’t necessarily mean that everything would be smooth and easy. She never knew which way he was going to jump. She said deliberately, “And I would never forgive either of you if you did anything that got in my way when I’m looking for Eve.”

“Point taken.” Caleb looked away from her to the road. “A car just came around the bend. Venable?”

“Lord, I hope so.” Her gaze followed his to the light tan Camry. “Yes, that’s the car he was driving.” She started quickly down the steps as she dialed Joe’s number to tell him. Now things would start to move. Now some of the waiting would come to an end. “Thank God.”





CHAPTER

14

Rio Grande Forest, Colorado



“HE’S COMING TO LIFE.” DOANE’S eyes were glowing softly as he gazed at the reconstruction. “I can see him. The shape of his lips … He always had such fine, full lips. How did you do that? I can see the cheekbones and perhaps the basic structure. But how did you get the lips?”

Eve shrugged. “Maybe I used the shape of your lips as a model. Using family resemblance is one way of creating an accurate picture.”

“But not your way.” He smiled. “I researched you for a long time, remember? You won’t even look at photos of possible victims in case it will influence you.” He reached up and touched his lips. “And my mouth is thinner and not nearly as symmetrical.” His gaze shifted back to the reconstruction. “No, it’s something else. He’s coming alive for you.”

“No!”

He ignored the instant rejection. “They always come alive for you, don’t they? You said that in one of your interviews. In the final stages, you rely on pure creativity.”

“That’s natural in a sculptor, which is what I am. What you’re talking about is something different.” She met his gaze. “I’m a sculptor, not Frankenstein.”

“I wish you were,” he said wistfully. “And perhaps you could be, given the opportunity. You may have the potential. Those lips…”

“A coincidence.” She was on edge, and she was tired of his insistence. She didn’t want to think about the last few hours when she had been drawn deep into the work. She had intended to block out all thought, but she had gone mindless, automatic, instead.

And when she had emerged, it was to see that face beginning to form beneath her fingers.

“It frightened you, didn’t it?” Doane said softly. “I told you that he wanted to come back to me. We belong together. We’ve waited so long to punish those bastards.”

“It didn’t frighten me.” She repeated, “Coincidence.” She put her hands on her back and arched it. “And I’ve had enough for right now. I’m going to get some rest.”

His smile disappeared. “I told you that you were going to work until we’re finished. We’re so close. I want it done.”

“Then do it yourself.” She forced herself to glance at the face of the reconstruction. It was not even half-completed yet she felt as if Kevin were there, veiled, ready to slide from beneath the layers of clay. “Have him help you if you think he can. But I warn you that you’re going to have trouble building the nose.”