“No, you’ve got that covered,” Kendra said.

“Problem?” Caleb climbed out of the Jeep.

“Maybe,” Jane said.

Venable held up his hands. “Look, a stealth operation is easier said than done. The road up the mountain to the coin factory goes along the ridge around that ghost town; it’s narrow, and you can see it from miles away. You could be picked off with no problem. We need power and intimidation if we’re going to make a deal.”

Kendra glanced at the black-clad team. “Well, you’ve got enough for that.”

“Enough to send Doane into a killing fit,” Jane said. “If that’s what you believe, why are you still here?”

“We have another unit coming in from Wyoming, right across the border. They should be here any minute.”

Kendra nodded. “By all means, all you need is another dozen or so.” She got into the rental car in which Margaret had just pulled up. “Good luck, Venable. I hope to hell you don’t get Eve killed.”

“That’s not my intention.” Venable’s eyes were narrowed on Kendra. “And what do you intend to do?”

“Why should I tell you? You appear to like surprises. You sure gave us one this morning,” Kendra said. “Maybe we’re going to do a little sightseeing.” Kendra motioned to Trevor, who was still behind the wheel. “Follow us.”

Trevor nodded as Jane and Caleb climbed into the car.

Both cars turned wide to exit the parking lot.

As Jane looked back, it was to see Venable still standing there, and she could see his lips moving in what must be obscenities.

A mile and a half down the road, Margaret slowed to allow the Jeep to pull alongside.

“We’re going to that coin factory?” Jane said.

“That’s where I’m going. Your choice.”

“There’s no choice. Eve might be there.” Jane’s lips curved in the ghost of a smile. “And I have to see if that landscape really looks the way I drew it.”

“From the mural, it appears that’s already established,” Margaret said. “You did well, Jane.”

“And Eve could be held there,” Kendra said. “I’d bet the coin press in Doane’s car was from that coin factory. It’s all coming together.” She frowned. “And I’d wait for Quinn or Venable to make the first move, but I’m scared to death what Venable may do. I want to be there to see for myself. Maybe I can stop him if he knows someone else is there but his team.”

“I agree that this is a crazy idea of Venable’s,” Jane said, troubled. “But in spite of your opinion of him, he’s no fool.”

Kendra was silent. “No, he’s not. But what if he’s more interested in nailing Doane than saving Eve? From that perspective, wouldn’t his plan make perfect sense?”

“That’s a strong accusation, Kendra.”

“It’s a strong hunch, Jane.”

And Jane believed in hunches. She also couldn’t stand the thought of waiting and deferring to anyone else when she could be on the spot, moving and using her own judgment when it came to the person she loved.

She hesitated, then glanced at Caleb and Trevor. “I’m going to break a few rules and probably get in trouble with the CIA. Would you care to join me?”

Caleb smiled. “Venable has always been suspicious of me anyway. It’s only a tiny step from suspicion to conviction in the eyes of the CIA. I might as well push him over the line. Trevor?”

“I’ve become accustomed to being your chauffeur. What would you do without me?” Trevor said. “Point the way.”

“Good God.” Jane grimaced. “They actually agreed on something, Kendra. That may either be a celestial sign from above, or we may be in deep, deep shit.”

“Okay,” Kendra said. “You can handle it. I’ll lead the way.” She looked behind them. “But we’d better hurry. I want to be up at that coin factory when Venable gets there.” She started the car. “And if we hang out here too long, I have a feeling Venable will try to stop us.” She added sarcastically, “Purely for our own good and safety, of course.”

Rio Grande Forest

Colorado

“IT TOOK OVER FOUR HOURS, not three,” Joe said as he pushed his way through the wet brush. “Zander was wrong.”

“It might not have been four for him,” Stang said as he checked to see if Dr. Eland was making good speed behind him as he followed Joe through the forest. “And we’re getting close to the coordinates Zander gave us.”

Joe nodded. “Jane sent me an e-mail while we were flying in here when she couldn’t reach me by phone. This is the same region that Kendra Michaels told her was a high probability for where Eve might be held.” He added impatiently, “We’re closing in on Doane. But not fast enough, dammit.” His pace increased. “And where is Zander? We should almost be where he told us to meet him.”

“May I suggest you let me go first?” Stang said. “If he sees you, he may decide not to show. He doesn’t like surprises.”

“No, I don’t,” Zander said as he dropped down from the overhanging branch over the path ahead. He was cradling a rifle in his right arm. He added coldly, “Which begs the question, why the hell did you bring Quinn, Stang?”

“He wanted to come,” Stang said simply. “And since I’d already done a good many things that would make you angry with me, I thought one more wouldn’t do any harm.”

“The hell it won’t. He’ll be in my way.”

“Tough,” Joe said. “I don’t give a damn if I get in the way of your vendetta with Doane. I just have to make sure you don’t catch Eve in the cross fire.”

“She’s not stupid, and she can take care of herself.”

Joe stiffened. “You said that with confidence. You’ve seen her, talked to her?”

Zander didn’t answer.

Joe was next to him in seconds. “Answer me. Or so help me, I’ll break your neck.”

“Quinn,” Stang said warningly.

“It’s okay, Stang,” Zander said. “I won’t hurt him.”

Joe stared at him incredulously. “You’re damn right you won’t.”

“Not because you don’t deserve it,” Zander said. “But I understand you can be lethal, and with this broken wrist, even if I put you down, you could probably do me more damage than I can afford right now.” He stared him directly in the eye. “So I’ll have to endure you until this is over. Providing you don’t do anything that will keep me from taking out Doane.”

“Have you seen or talked to Eve?” Joe repeated. “Do you still think she’s alive?”

He nodded slowly. “The chase was pretty rough and the signs are that he caught her; but there was no body, so that probably means he didn’t kill her. But he’s got her again.”

“Again? She was free?”

“She’d escaped and been on the run from him for the past few days.”

Joe cursed. “Son of a bitch.”

“Can we get to her?” Stang asked.

“Maybe. If I move fast enough,” Zander said. “He may suspect, but he doesn’t know for certain that Eve has help on the mountain. She’d be too smart to tell him.” He was silent a moment. “Or perhaps too damn protective. He wants to finish the plans he made for her before he heads in my direction.” He grimaced. “Which, hopefully, he thinks is Vancouver.”

“Protective?” Stang asked. “Of you? Why should—”

“Zander, I’m going to charge you a small fortune for this idiocy.” Dr. Daniel Eland had emerged from the shrubbery behind them. “Not only do you drag me out of bed and my own country, but you throw me into these woods and make me walk miles to get to you.” Eland was glaring at Zander. He was a tall, spare man with gray-flecked black hair and a large nose and mouth. At the moment, that mouth was spewing curses and complaints that ended, “Now show me what you’ve done to yourself, so I can fix it and get out of this place.”

Zander glanced at Joe, obviously not liking the idea of appearing vulnerable. Then he slowly lifted his left arm. “Set it and make it useable for the next twenty-four hours or so.”

“Holy shit.” Eland took one look at the bone protruding out of the skin of Zander’s forearm. “You’re lucky you didn’t sever an artery.” He pushed him to the side of the trail. “Sit down. This may take a while.”