Taking Eve(99)

“No, curiosity is cold and intellectual. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight, or may I go to bed?”

“I think that was close to an insult,” Zander said softly. “Am I mistaken?”

Stang shook his head. “It wasn’t an insult. Not if you see nothing wrong with being either of those things. You are what you are.” He started to turn away, then stopped. “Could you stop him from killing her? You were planning on going after Doane before Venable asked you to delay.”

“But now Doane wants me to come after him.” He shrugged. “That was the reason for the call. He wanted to taunt me to make me angry enough to come and try to get him.”

“A trap.”

“One that he’s been planning for a number of years. He even dangled Eve Duncan as part of the bait. I actually think he believed I might be tempted to come and save her. He obviously doesn’t know me as well as you do.”

“Could you save her?”

“Possibly. But having him come after me is strategically more sound and less risk. Then I get to spring the trap.”

“And you said she may die after she finishes sculpting that skull if he’s angry enough at her.”

Zander merely gazed at him.

“I know.” Stang said as he went toward the door. “You don’t care. Stay out of your business. Well, you told me to read those dossiers. Why? Because it makes it my business. Maybe you knew I’d react like this and for some reason you wanted me to—” He broke off. “Why did Doane think that you might want to keep him from killing Eve Duncan?”

“He was never a good judge of character. Maybe he thought the years had softened me, and I’d be as sympathetic as you toward that poor, innocent woman.”

Stang frowned. “There’s something strange here. You were sure he’d go after Eve Duncan.”

“He rescued his son’s skull. She reconstructs skulls.”

“That’s logical, but I—”

“You just said I had cold intellect,” Zander said mockingly. “What better demonstration?”

“None. I suppose.” He paused. “But you’d never shared information with me before. Why Eve Duncan and her family? Why this time?”

Zander’s smile didn’t waver. “I’m tired of talking about this, Stang.”

“I can’t let it go. It doesn’t add up. I have to figure it out.” He grimaced. “Because I believe that’s what you want me to do. But I’ll shut up about it.” He strode toward the door. “Call me if you need me, Zander.”

Zander’s smile vanished as soon as the door closed behind him.

Was he right? Stang was very clever. What Zander had assumed as a random impulse on his own part might hide other motives.

Good God, he never questioned his own actions or the psychology that drove them, he thought impatiently. He had accepted his character, or lack of it, a long time ago. But on this occasion had he sought to put a barrier between his innate ruthlessness and the fate of Eve Duncan?

Nonsense.

He strolled over to the desk and opened the Duncan file.

Eve Duncan’s face stared up at him. Her expression was thoughtful, alert, intelligent, strong. A hint of sadness in the firmness of her lips. No wonder Stang had been defensive of her.

He suddenly smiled. But then Stang had not been in the firing line of that scorching tongue. Eve Duncan might be innocent, but she was not helpless, and she was not suffering her imprisonment meekly. He had felt an odd flash of emotion when he had been the target. He still could not determine the nature of that feeling. Surprise? Regret? No, it must have been curiosity, as he had told Stang. It was strange that Doane had believed he’d have a shot at making Zander want to interfere with his plans for Eve Duncan.

Still, it would do no harm to call Venable and tell him that Doane was definitely on the move. He dialed quickly, and when Venable answered, he said tersely, “Doane called me and identified himself and made threats. I think he wants to signal that the game’s afoot. You might warn General Tarther.”

“I’ve already done it. I went to see him in Virginia to tell him that Doane has become a loose cannon. I’ve assigned an agent to guard him.” He paused. “I’m surprised you went to the trouble of calling to tell me Tarther is in danger. Did Doane mention Eve Duncan?”

“I talked to her. I believe the fool thought he might be able to use her for bait.”

“I’m sure you made it clear that wasn’t an option. She seemed well?”

“Yes, though I didn’t pay much attention. I’m hanging up now.” He pressed the disconnect and looked back down at the photo of Eve Duncan.