Taking Eve(96)

“I’m not joking. I don’t want to waste any more time. Finish him.”

“After I rest my eyes and sleep for a while.” She got up from the stool. “I’m not afraid of you, Doane. If you want to hurt me or kill me, then do it. I don’t give a damn at the moment. My curiosity is wavering right now, and I’m tired of working on your monster. I’ll deal with him later. I told you, I’m going to rest.”

He frowned, obviously disconcerted. Then he smiled. “Kevin will be disappointed, but he’s waited for a long time. I’m sure he understands. Perhaps next time he’ll be more careful about scaring you.”

“He didn’t scare me. I’m a professional doing my job. Your son is a pitiful remnant I’m trying to put back together. Not anything else, Doane.”

“You protest too much.”

“Whatever.” She turned toward her bedroom. Escape tonight? Or did she need one more dose of the gas as insurance to make it safer? How would she know how much she needed? she thought impatiently. It was all guesswork and depended on how deep Doane slept or how alert he’d be now that he knew that she was definitely an antagonist.

“Wait.”

She didn’t turn around. “I’m not going to work on him any longer, Doane.”

“I’m not going to insist that you do. But I can’t let the time be entirely wasted. Come back here. I have a telephone call I want you to make.”

She turned warily to face him. “Call?”

“I think it’s time you became acquainted with one of the men whom you found so interesting in Kevin’s album. I’m not sure he’ll be equally interested in you, but it will be entertaining to find out.”

“What are you talking about? All I saw in that album were those poor children.”

“That’s right, but as a result of your prying, I told you about Tarther and Zander, didn’t I? Well, it’s almost the same thing.”

“That’s irrational. You’re going to make me talk to that poor child’s father?”

“Oh no, that wouldn’t be at all interesting for me. It’s Zander. You’re going to talk to Zander.”

Her eyes widened. “I have no desire to talk to that murderer. Though killing your son may have been the only decent thing he’s done in his life.” She met his gaze. “Maybe I should talk to him. Perhaps congratulations are in order. But why do you want me to talk to him? If he’s a paid hit man, he’s not going to care that I’m doing this reconstruction. DNA, maybe, but not a reconstruction that could be thrown out in a court of law.”

“I told you that I want everyone connected with Kevin’s death to come together. This seems a good initial opportunity since you’re being uncooperative in other areas.” He was dialing his phone. “Why not humor me? There’s a possibility that you could touch Zander’s heart, and he might come to rescue you. He obviously hates me enough to want to keep me from having anything I want. I’m a loose end, and he detests loose ends.” He chuckled. “Don’t get your hopes up. It’s not likely. You’d be amused, too, if you knew what a coldhearted son of a bitch he is.” His smile faded. “If you could have seen what was left of my beautiful boy in that furnace, even you might be sickened.”

“No more than if I saw a disease-carrying rat destroyed.”

“Ugly. How ugly you are.”

“And how did you get this Zander’s phone number? If he’s as smart as you say, I’d think he would make it very difficult for you.”

“He did, and I had to bounce off a dozen satellites and false numbers to narrow it down. But I had time and patience and Blick to help me.” He tilted his head, waiting as the phone rang. “And I’ve often wondered if he didn’t actually want to have me hunt him down. The bastard would feel like a caged tiger not to be able to go after a target he was salivating to get his teeth into. I’m sure he detests being frustrated.” He tensed. “He’s picking up. I’ll put him on speaker for you.” He spoke into the phone. “Zander, this is Doane.”

“Not Doane, Relling.” Zander’s deep voice was faintly mocking. “Venable gave you that new name and stowed you away for safekeeping, but you’ll always be the same scum as your son to me. No, worse. Because he had the guts to be a megamonster, and you were only a leech hanging on to him. I’ve been waiting for you to call. Or knock on my door. It took you long enough.”

“I was savoring the moment.”

“No, obsession carries one only so far and brainpower has to kick in somewhere. Anyone who could talk himself into carrying the water for a sloppy, self-indulgent executioner like Kevin Relling doesn’t have much upstairs.”