Free Silencing Eve by Iris Johansen

friend.” He had been her only friend for years after they had met in Hong Kong when she was only fourteen. An unlikely friendship. She had been a street kid who had found her niche in selling information to the highest bidder, he was a master poisoner who traveled the world and sold his wares to whoever could afford them. When they had come together, they had found a closeness that had saved them both. “And he loves Luke. He wouldn’t hurt him.” But Hu Chang didn’t always have the same opinion of right and wrong as others. “He knows that it would break our friendship if he did something that I felt was wrong for Luke. He values that friendship as much as I do.”
    “You sound as if you’re trying to talk yourself into something.”
    “Nonsense. Hu Chang is brilliant, and Luke is learning more from him than he’d ever learn in school. These last months in Hong Kong have been wonderful for him.” She added, “But thank you for calling Hu Chang and telling him what happened. I’ll call Luke again tonight and explain.”
    “You’re welcome. I was just clearing the decks for you. I knew you’d be on the hunt as soon as Quinn told you that you had a chance of saving Eve. Remember to tap Venable for any information you can squeeze out of him.” He hung up.
    She pressed the disconnect and slipped the phone in her pocket. She felt a sudden rush of hope as well as excitement. John Gallo was on the move.
    Time for her to move, too.
    Brush aside that sleek, gray-haired guest Venable was using to run interference against her. Make the bastard talk to her.
    Venable looked up warily as she strode purposely across the bank toward him.
    *   *   *
    “I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU.” Mark Trevor watched Jane coming down the porch steps. “Particularly since I saw Caleb practically push you up those stairs. Are you okay?”
    “Fine.” She looked around the almost deserted grounds. “Better than fine now that I see everyone has gone home. I need to talk to Joe. I just needed a little stress-free rest.”
    “On Caleb’s recommendation?” Trevor’s lips twisted. “It’s not like him to be a caregiver. You have to be careful of his motives.”
    “I’m always careful with Caleb.”
    “I know. And it makes me uneasy that you’re so aware of him.” He shrugged. “But that’s the way things stand. I should never have left you for so long. I thought it was wise to give you space, but I’m not sure now. But now I’m back, and I’m closing that space down to inches.” He reached out and took her hand. “And I’m an excellent caregiver. It’s what I want to do. I want to be there to protect you in darkness and sunlight.” He said softly, “Lately, I’ve been realizing that’s maybe what I’m meant to do. I’ve even had a couple dreams about it. Crazy, huh? All the passion and the laughter was good, but in the end it comes down to what’s really important. What role we’re meant to play in each other’s lives.”
    She didn’t know what to say. This was completely unlike Trevor. He was sophisticated, sometimes dry, sometimes mischievous, never given to soul-searching. She searched his face for some hint of the Trevor she knew. No mockery. He meant what he said. She had known him since she was seventeen, but she had never seen him more sincere about anything. She laughed shakily. “Yes, pretty crazy. And I don’t want anyone to take care of me. You should know that by now, Trevor.”
    “That doesn’t seem to matter any longer.” He added simply, “It’s my role. I’ll try not to let it get in our way.” He linked his fingers with hers and pulled her toward Joe. “He’s still talking to that police captain from Chicago. I’ll distract him and get him out of your way while you talk to Quinn.”
    “How? You don’t have any background in police—” She stopped and smiled. “Never mind. What am I thinking? You never have trouble with accomplishing distraction and sleight of hand. It’s a