Chasing the Night by Iris Johansen Page B

want.”
    “That’s understandable. I’d say everyone has that philosophy.”
    “Do you?”
    He thought about it. “I have almost everything I want. A job I like, my adopted daughter, Jane, Eve…”
    “Almost,” she repeated. “What else, Joe?”
    He didn’t answer.
    She tilted her head, studying him. “Maybe…an Eve with no obsession about finding her daughter’s killer?”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “Because you’d never be disloyal to Eve in any way. Still, you might consider that a breach in the relationship if she closes you out. I can see how you might come to resent it. Obsession is a terrible and all-consuming thing.” She shrugged. “Who should know better? I’m just as obsessed as Eve. Though I’m lucky, I’m alone. I don’t have to worry about anyone else.”
    “Really? Are you lucky, Catherine?”
    She gazed at him standing there, leaning against the railing. Slim hips, broad shoulders, tea-colored eyes staring intently at her; mature, intelligent, with a quietness that could mask power and leashed recklessness.
    “Are you lucky to be alone, Catherine?” he repeated.
    She had a sudden memory of Joe holding her, warm, strong, absorbing all the pain that Rakovac had inflicted.
    “No.” She jumped to her feet. “But I don’t know anything else, and at least I’m not hurting anyone.” She avoided his eyes as she headed for the door. “I’ve got to help Eve. Thanks for being there for me tonight. I’ll try not to fall apart again.”
    “No problem.”
    She had an inkling there was definitely a problem. Being with Joe Quinn was making her aware of what she was missing. Eve and Joe had a relationship that was like a deep, strong river and yet Catherine could see the exciting rapids that still ran through it. She had never known a relationship with that intensity. She had loved Terry, but it had been a comfortable affection comprised of gratitude and common likes and dislikes. They had both wanted a home and child and passion had not been that important.
    Eve and Joe had passion. A passion for each other and a passion for their life together. They didn’t display it blatantly, but every glance revealed it.
    She wanted that passion for living. She was tired of just surviving.
    Good Lord, was she jealous?
    No, that would mean she wanted to take something from them to keep for herself, and she would never do that. This emotion was a sort of poignant wistfulness all the more powerful for the unexpectedness of its appearance in her life.
    She would not steal, but perhaps she could watch and learn.
    Joe was no longer looking at her. He had moved to the steps and was starting down them. Wind was whipping his clothes to his body, and he was drenched in seconds.
    “Where are you going?” she asked, startled.
    “I thought I’d take a look around to see if I can locate Rakovac’s scout.”
    “He said he pulled him once he reported.”
    “Why should I believe he’s telling the truth any more than you do?” He smiled recklessly. “I think I’ll see if he lied about that, too. I’m probably going to bat zero, but I’ll at least be able to work off some stored energy. I don’t like the idea of someone out there on my property.”
    Before she could respond, he had vanished into the heavy veil of rain.

Chapter
6
    2:35 A.M.
    “You’re tired,” Eve said. “Why don’t you go to bed?”
    “Not until you do.” Catherine looked up. “I have almost a quarter of this face done. I didn’t think I’d get this far so quickly. I’m very proud of myself.”
    “That’s two of us. I’m proud of you, too. I wasn’t sure that you’d be able to do it. It’s one hell of a difficult job.”
    Catherine nodded. “It takes concentration.” She smiled. “And study. I know more than I ever wanted to know about the bones of the human face.” Her smile faded. “You say Cindy was buried at least ten years ago. Does it take that long in the ground to turn a body into…this?”
    “It depends