“Finagled? That’s a fancy word for a good ole country boy like me.”

She snorted. “A country boy who majored in mathematics at MIT and turned down two prestigious European scholarships to enlist in the army.”

“Now how did you know that?”

“I dug. The same way that you probably went about trying to find out everything about me.”

“But I have a number of investigative sources at my disposal.”

“And I only have one. My friend, Kendra Michaels. But she has all kinds of friends in police and FBI circles. Though she did say that prying any information out of the military about you was like pulling teeth. Some of the things you did are still considered classified.”

“And why did you put her to that trouble?”

“I had to be sure.”

“But you’re still not entirely sure, are you? Why? Why not accept me as I am? Why dig?”

“Tit for tat?” She made a face. “You’re not going to like it.”

“I can’t say I liked much of what’s transpired tonight,” he said dryly. “Well, maybe a few things.”

His hands on her throat that should have been a threat and became …

She veered quickly away from that memory. “I couldn’t be sure of anything, so I had to check. There were questions about you…”

“What kind of questions? Who was asking them?”

She hesitated, then went for it. “Sajan.”

His jaw dropped. “Oh, my God.”

“I told you that you wouldn’t like it.”

“A coyote has questions about me?”

“Not exactly. You were just jumbled in with Walsh when I was melding with him.” She stared him in the eye. “But it confused me. Because Walsh wasn’t the only one searching in this forest. Sajan saw you, Nalchek. Not once, but many times.”

“When? Anyone can tell you I’ve been practically living in this forest since we found Jenny.”

“I didn’t get the impression that’s what Sajan meant. I believe it was before that.”

“But you’re not certain.”

She shook her head. “But I believe in my instincts. I believe that I’m good at what I do. Sometimes that’s all that I’ve had to hold on to.”

He stared at her. “I could almost believe you, too.” He grimaced. “What am I saying? Sorry, I refuse to be placed under suspicion by the blurred meanderings of your guardian coyote.”

She suddenly grinned. “There wouldn’t be any suspicion at all if you’d tell me the truth. Of course, I don’t expect you to do that. You must have had an important reason to be in the woods—important to you, at least. And you would have told Eve if it wasn’t confidential. I only wanted to know that you weren’t involved in Jenny’s death. That’s all I care about.”

“Is it?” He reached out and touched her cheek. “You’re fairly incredible.”

“That probably means you think I’m weird.”

“A little.” His hand dropped away from her face. “But a lot of people think I’m weird, too. It’s usually a question of choices. I’ve made some pretty bad ones.” He got up in one lithe movement. “But you’re not old enough to have made many mistakes.” He reached down and pulled her to her feet. “And I’m not about to let you start on my watch. No hitchhiking. I’ll drive you back to your hotel.”

“What if I’m not ready to go?”

“You’re ready.”

“How do you know?”

“I don’t believe you were here communing with your coyote. I think you came out here because you knew I’d follow, and you wanted to talk to me.” He shook his head. “Do you always take chances like that?”

“I have to trust myself,” she said simply. “I don’t have anyone else.”

“Oh, shit. Now what am I supposed to say to that?”

“Nothing.” She started toward the trees. “Now I know that you may have your own agenda, but you won’t hurt Eve.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “And if I hear from Eve, I’ll call you and tell you.” She smiled. “I won’t leave you out in the cold, Nalchek. I know how painful that can be.”

“Not painful, just annoying.”

She turned and moved ahead of him. “Whatever…”

TAHOE

“Three miles ahead,” Joe said as he turned the curve. “If he’s going to contact us, it should be soon.”

“Yes.” Eve glanced out the window at the glittering waters below. Beautiful, she thought. Incredibly beautiful and remote from the ugliness of Walsh. She had thought all during the drive up here to the mountains that this entire countryside was filled with glamour and breathless beauty. Yet she knew that Walsh saw only the trap he was setting for them. “Do you suppose he’s watching us?”

“Probably. He’d have a good view from anywhere along those cliffs.” He didn’t look at her. “Opt out. Let me go it alone.”

She didn’t answer.

“Eve.”

“I’m the one who should be saying that. I knew that was what you had in mind when you insisted on stopping at that army surplus store on the way.”

“Walsh is a professional, and he’s bringing us to fairly wild country. I need to be prepared.”

“See, it’s all about you. Look, I’m the one Walsh wants. I’m willing to take a chance to get that reconstruction, but that chance doesn’t include you, Joe.”

“Then we won’t take a chance.” He smiled recklessly. “I’ll make certain that it’s a sure thing.” He suddenly pulled around a curve and far over to the inside of the mountain. “And we’d better start now.” He cut the engine. “Get out. This car is too much of a target.”

Eve was already out of the car. “You’re right.” She moved over to the brush and pine trees bordering the road. “But I’m interested to know how you intend to—”

Her phone rang. “Walsh.”

“Why did you stop?” Walsh asked mockingly when she picked up. “And I thought you were so eager to see me.”

“You can’t have it all your own way, Walsh,” she said. “We’re not going to blindly follow your orders as if you’re some kind of Pied Piper.”

He chuckled. “Funny that you made that comparison. You do know that the Pied Piper was paid to lead those creatures from the village to drown in the river. Don’t you think that this magnificent lake is so much more impressive?”

“Joe and I have no intention of being your victims, Walsh.”

“But you may have no choice, Eve. You’ve proved to be far too persistent, and you’ve attracted the attention of my employer. I was intending to dispose of you anyway, but now I have a direct order.”

“From whom? If you’re so certain that you’ll be able to get rid of us, you shouldn’t mind satisfying my curiosity.”

“I’m not that arrogant. Nor that stupid. There’s a possibility that you might slip away this time. Not a great possibility, but it does exist.”

“Then tell me where I can find the reconstruction.”

“You’re almost there. Go another mile or two and look down the cliff. I’ve even been considerate enough to put a few Coleman lanterns to light your way.”

“And make certain that we can be seen if we make the attempt.”

“There is no if. You want it too much. You’ll think that you can find a way. Tell me, is it really the idea of bringing that poor child home, or is it that you’re more arrogant than even I’ve ever dreamed of being.”

“Or is it that Jenny wants you dead and in hell and has picked me to send you there.”

There was silence, and when he finally spoke, his voice was harsh. “The dead don’t have power. I have the power just as I did when I killed the bitch. Now go find her skull before I blow it into a thousand pieces.” He hung up.

“I believe you struck a nerve,” Joe murmured.

“Or Jenny did.” She slipped her phone back in her pocket. “What next?”

“We move.” He went to the trunk and started pulling out the equipment he’d picked up on the way out of Sacramento. He put on the backpack. “On foot. And I lead.”

“No argument.” She fell in behind him. “Your qualifications as a SEAL far outweigh mine in this area. Just don’t try to leave me behind.”

He didn’t answer as he moved up into the trees at the side of the road.

*   *   *