Hide Away (6 page)

“Only you would hear music in that sound,” Eve said. “I'm certain that the neighborhoods surrounding the airport aren't appreciating them as you are.” Yet it was entirely natural Cara would be able to hear music where others did not. Eve had been told by Cara's teacher that she was an extraordinary violinist though Eve had never heard her play. “And I don't hear anything as delicate as a string instrument in that roar.”

“I do. It's a secondary theme, but it's there.” She glanced at Eve. “Though it's more for a piano. Jenny would be able to hear it. She always liked the thunder. She'd play for me sometimes…”

Before Jenny had been killed when she was nine years old, before Cara and her nurse, Elena, had been forced to start the long run that had dominated Cara's young life. “You had to be only about three at that time. I'm surprised you remember.”

“I remember. I remember everything about her. I didn't start playing the violin until I started school, but then I understood…”

“You loved it?”

“It was … everything,” she said simply.

“I'll get you another violin as soon as we get to Atlanta.”

“Thank you.” A brilliant smile lit her face. “It will be … I won't feel as … alone.”

“You're not alone, Cara.” She reached out and gently touched her shoulder. “I know you probably feel that way right now, but you have Joe and me. Soon you'll have friends your own age. We just have to get through this patch.”

She nodded. “And there always seems to be another patch just ahead. But that's the way it is. Elena always told me that we had to ignore the bad times and just enjoy the good times.”

“She sounds like a very wise woman.”

“She was great.” Her voice was unsteady. “I miss her.”

“I know you do.”

“It shouldn't have happened. Sometimes I thought she was being too careful, but I was wrong.” She moistened her lips. “I used to ask her why we couldn't just go to the police and tell everyone that Walsh had killed Jenny. But she said that it was too complicated. That my father was almost as bad as Walsh, and I mustn't get near either one.”

“She was right. It wouldn't be safe. And you'd be in the middle of an international incident that could end very badly for you.”

“I don't remember my father or mother. Elena said they hardly ever wanted to see Jenny or me. I didn't understand it. You see all those TV shows where the father and mother act all sloppy about their kids.” She frowned. “And my father must have kind of liked us if that other guy, Salazar, thought he'd be sad if he killed us.”

“I don't know what he felt. I've heard he's a very bad man. I do know that environment would be totally wrong for you. That's why we want you to stay with us until we can sort this mess out.”

Cara nodded. “I promised Elena I wouldn't try to go back to see him or my mother. It's just hard to understand. I know Walsh was a terrible man. I know Salazar, who hired him, is bad. But it's not easy to think of your father as being just as bad and maybe hurting you.” She spoke haltingly, trying to work it out. “But there are so many bad people out there. How can you tell who you'd be safe with?”

“You can't. Be careful and watch your back,” Eve said. “I'd love to tell you that you have to have faith, and everything will work out fine. But I can't tell you that, Cara. It's not the world you live in right now.”

“I know. That's kind of what Joe said.”

“But you still came close to real danger when you trusted that boy at the hospital. I would have thought that you'd be more cautious.”

“He wasn't like … I thought he'd lost someone like me. I wanted to help him.”

“And he caught you off guard.”

She nodded. “It won't happen again. I'll know better next time.”

“Let's hope there won't be a next time,” Eve said grimly. “Maybe Joe scared that slimeball away.”

Cara gravely shook her head. “I don't think so.” She turned back to the window again. “He didn't act scared. I believe I'll see him again.”

Eve's brows rose. “You don't appear frightened.”

“I know him now. I'm scared, but I know who I'm facing.” She added, “It's all part of this business of not understanding. Nothing is what it seems. All the time that Walsh was hunting us, he was just a faceless monster. It was almost a relief when I actually saw him. Now he's dead, and there's someone else. I have to learn what I'm facing. I guess I was expecting someone who was like Walsh.”

“And he wasn't.”

“No, I think he might be even worse. He made me … care. But now I know the face of this monster,” she said quietly. “And I'll never forget it.”

LAKE COTTAGE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

“It's beautiful here,” Cara said softly as she climbed the steps to the front porch. “I love the lake. Elena took me to a motel in the hills that had a lake for a weekend last year. But it wasn't like this. I'll like being here until you send me away.”

“Who said we were going to send you away?” Eve asked as they watched Joe unlock the front door. “I told you that this was a time of exploration while you decided what was best for you. You might like the lake, but you might not like the life Joe and I lead. We're pretty boring most of the time.”

“I'm used to boring,” Cara said. “Unless Elena wasn't working, I had to stay by myself in the apartment and not invite any of the kids over to visit.”

“Pretty lonely?”

“I didn't mind. I had the music.” She wrinkled her nose. “Well, sometimes I did mind, but I knew she was only doing what she thought best. She wanted to keep me safe.”

“And she did,” Eve said. “She gave up her life to do it.”

Cara nodded. “One minute she was there, and then she was gone. I still feel as if she's out there somewhere, waiting for me.”

Eve could see how that was possible. Cara had only been told that her friend Elena was dead, and it would have been difficult for her to accept the reality. Eve had avoided going into any details, hoping to spare the child. Now she could see that it had not been a kindness. “You know Elena was murdered. The police had to do an autopsy, and they haven't released the body for burial. After that happens, we'll arrange a suitable service for her.” She hesitated. “But we may wait for the service until we're certain you're safe. I'm sure you understand why.”

“You think they'll use her as a trap,” Cara said flatly.

Eve nodded.

“Anywhere can be a trap.” Cara looked around the lake and woods. “Even this beautiful place.”

And it was incredibly sad that Cara had found that out, Eve thought. “I won't deny that's true. Our friend Margaret was trying to persuade us that Elena was right to run and hide and not settle in any one place. We may decide that they're both on the right track.” She started up the steps. “But while we're here, Joe will make sure we're safe. That's why he insisted on going into the house first to check it out. Stop frowning, you don't have to worry.”

“That wasn't what I was thinking about,” Cara said as she followed her. “I was thinking that he was right.”

“He?”

“That guy at the hospital. Kevin Roper.”

Eve's gaze flew to her face. “That kid?”

“That monster.” She added soberly, “He told me so many lies but there was truth in some of them. He said that I should go to church and pray for Elena's soul. He only meant to lure me away from Joe, and I would have gone. Because it seemed right. I tried to pray for her, but I— It wasn't what— I want to go to a church. Could I do that?”

“Of course. After we get you settled, I'll arrange for it. You choose the church, and I'll see that you get there tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” She looked out at the lake. “Though this is so peaceful, it's kind of like a church, isn't it? I just think that Elena would like me to go to church to pray for her. No matter where we settled, she made sure that she took me to confession and Mass.”

“Whatever you like,” Eve said gently. “A prayer is a prayer. It's the thought and the love behind it that matters.” She opened the front door. “Now come in and let's get you settled. Joe is going to want to take you around and show you the property.”

 

CHAPTER

3

Eve smiled as she watched Joe and Cara stroll down the path that led around the lake. It reminded her of the many times she had watched Joe and Jane over the years. Cara wasn't speaking, and her attitude was reticent, but that was how Jane had been in the beginning, defensive, wary. It had taken months for her to accept Joe after they had taken her off the streets. She and Eve had an instant rapport, but Joe was different. Jane had been in so many foster homes that she didn't trust anyone. But Joe had changed that, Joe always managed to change everything.

She turned away and went back into the house. It was good to be home, but she had things to do. She had to check her messages and see if there was anything pressing. She had put her other assignments on hold to do the reconstruction of Cara's sister, Jenny. There were probably several impatient messages asking when she was going to complete their projects.

She got a cup of coffee and picked up her phone to start going through them.

She'd just begun to scroll down when her phone rang.

Jane.

She hadn't heard from her since before she left for California, when Jane had arrived back in London.

A little odd that she was calling her the minute Eve returned?

“Hi, Jane. What's been happening? Have you been settling into—”

“Why didn't you tell me you were in the hospital?”

Apparently not odd at all. “It wasn't important. A little knock on the head. I'd have been in and out of the ER except Joe overreacted.”

“Joe tends to do that with you. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have called me.”

“I was hoping you would never know about it. For heaven's sake, you're in London. Why worry you about nothing?” She added grimly, “However, someone evidently saw fit to do that. Should I guess?”

“Margaret.”

“That was my first guess.”

“She thought I should know. She said that you'd sent her on her way, and she didn't think that you and Joe should be left without reinforcements. Good God, what have you gotten yourself into?”

“I'm certain Margaret told you in detail.”

“Of course she did. I wouldn't have it any other way.” She paused. “What about this little girl? How is she doing?”

“As well as can be expected. Cara's very strong, she reminds me a little of you.”

“I haven't been very strong lately. No wonder you didn't trust me. I practically fell apart on you before I left Atlanta.”

“You had a right. Trevor was shot and killed before your eyes. And you knew it was because he was trying to save you. It takes a long time to get over a trauma like that. I don't believe you ever really get over it. You just learn to live with it.”

“Yes, and it's a tough lesson. But I didn't have to worry you as I did.” She changed the subject. “But that's my problem. We're talking about yours. How do you want to handle this? Do you want me to come back there? Or do you want to come here?”

“Neither.”

“It's one or the other. I'm not leaving you to face this without me.”

“Back off, Jane. We'll handle it.”

“Like you always back off when I'm in trouble? We're family, and you know I can't do that. Choose.”

“Jane.”

“I'll go along with whatever you say, but I really think you'd be better off coming across the pond. I agree with Margaret that you should be running and hiding rather than staked out for Salazar in a cave where he can corner you.”

“It's a very nice cave, and you spent a number of years holed up here.”

“I loved it. If I didn't think I'd cling too much to you and Joe, I'd be back there right now.” She went on brusquely, “But as I said, you'd be safer here. Well, not here in London, but I'm planning on meeting MacDuff and Jock in Edinburgh in a few days, then we'll go directly to the Highlands.”

“Oh, yes, the great treasure hunt. Your friend, Lord MacDuff has been trying to talk you into looking for Cira's gold for years.” Cira was the ancestress who had come to Scotland from Herculaneum centuries ago and had founded the MacDuff dynasty. There had been legends that she had brought with her a chest of gold coins that would have astronomical value today, but it had never been found. MacDuff and his best friend, Jock Gavin, had been searching for it for years, and MacDuff had reasons to believe that Jane might be able to help them. But Jane had only agreed in the past weeks because she needed the distraction to cope with the depression, Eve knew. “And I believe it's a great idea. Is Seth Caleb going along?”

“No, I haven't seen him since I got back to London from Atlanta.” She added flatly, “And I certainly didn't invite him.”

Jane's tone was distinctly cool, Eve noticed. But that didn't surprise her. Caleb and Jane's relationship had been volatile since the moment they had met years ago. Caleb was an enigma, and Eve never knew which way he was going to turn. She did know that he probably felt something for Jane that he didn't feel for anyone else on earth. “Since when did Caleb require an invitation?”

“I'm trying to change the status quo in that regard. Look, that's not important. This whole idiotic treasure hunt isn't important. I'll put it off if you want me to come back. Otherwise, you come here, and we'll get lost in the Highlands while Joe is trying to set up a way to make Cara permanently safe from Salazar.”

“And I'm supposed to involve you in this mess? No way.”

“I'm already involved. The minute Margaret told me what was going on, I was involved. Accept it.”