Free Stalemate by Iris Johansen Page A

sorry to bother you, but you said--"
    "I know what I said." Diaz sat up, leaned back against the padded velvet headboard, and lit a joint. "Talk and get out."
    Nekmon carefully avoided looking at the naked woman lying next to Diaz. "Aquila reported in night before last. He didn't have much. Montalvo has been very quiet lately and staying close to home. He did come up with one name several times during surveillance. Something about a job and an Eve Duncan."
    "Who the shit is Eve Duncan?"
    "I went to the Internet. If it's the same one, she's some kind of big-time forensic sculptor."
    Diaz stiffened. "What?"
    "My report's on your desk. I could get it for you now."
    "No, not now," he said absently. "But I want to know if Aquila calls with any other info."
    "We haven't heard from him in twenty-four hours. He should be calling every eight hours per your orders."
    Diaz muttered a curse. "The idiot was probably clumsy."
    "That's my guess. Do I send someone else?"
    Diaz nodded slowly. "Send Duarte."
    Nekmon's brows lifted. "You believe that will be necessary?"
    "It can't hurt. I like to be prepared." He murmured, "Eve Duncan. The bastard must be getting close."
    "Can I do anything else?"
    "Not in here. I don't like sandwiches." He handed the joint to the woman next to him.
    Only it wasn't a woman, Nekmon noticed. It was a girl not over eleven or twelve. He vaguely remembered seeing her working on one of the coca farms. Evidently Diaz had seen her, too, and decided he liked what he saw. It didn't surprise him. Diaz usually liked the young ones. He often bought girls even younger from the whorehouses in Bogota.
    "I'll go then. Good night, Mr. Diaz."
    Diaz didn't answer. He was already moving over the young girl. "Now let's see how well you've learned your lessons, little puta...."
    "Again, Joe?" Eve's voice was breathless as she cuddled closer to him. "Don't tell me I've worn you out?"
    "Okay, I won't tell you." He rolled over and was on top of her. "Now put up or shut up."
    "You mean put out." She smiled up at him. "No problem."
    "I hope not." His hand caressed her cheek. "That's what I want for you, Eve. No problems ever."
    "There are always problems." She turned her head to kiss his palm. "But moments like this make us forget about them. You're a wonderful man and a hell of a lover." She whispered, "I love you, Joe."
    "I gathered that by the way you seduced me tonight. You didn't let me eat my supper before you set out to do your best to get me in the sack."
    "You were easy. It didn't take my best. Are you complaining?"
    "If I were, you should send me to a shrink." He bent down and kissed her, slow, lingering. "God, I'm glad to be seduced. I was trying to be reserved and not use sex to influence you."
    "How stupid can you get? Use it." She chuckled. "It won't get you anywhere, but we'll have a hell of a good time."
    "What a healthy attitude." He started to move. "I believe I will...."
    Joe was carefully getting out of bed and heading for the bathroom. The door closed silently and she heard the shower.
    He didn't want to wake her, Eve knew. It was six-thirty. He'd get dressed and be on the way to the precinct within thirty minutes.
    She'd lie here and pretend to be asleep and hope he didn't turn on the light and see the tears staining her cheeks. This was going to be the most difficult time. She wanted to talk to him, tell him everything. She wanted to draw him back to her and forget about Venable's agent, who'd be here in a few hours. Why was she doing this when she could have Joe and hours like the ones that had spun by like molten gold?
    Golden nights and silver mornings.
    Who had said that?
    Jane. After she had come back from MacDuff's Run.
    Last night had been golden. But this morning was anything but silver. It was shoddy metal and was leaving a taste of bitter brass in her mouth.
    The decision was made. Good-byes were always hard. If she didn't go today, she would go tomorrow or the next day. She knew herself too well not to