Smokescreen Page 10

  “Yes.” The tears were suddenly running down her cheeks. “He is not alive. He’s not hiding in the jungle waiting to come home to us because he’s afraid. They killed him, Hajif.” She was sobbing. “They killed him.”

  “You knew that.” He pulled her into his arms. “But does he look sad and afraid now? He is our Amari, and there is no fear.”

  “No fear,” his wife said brokenly. “I have nightmares about how afraid he was when those butchers came.”

  “I know. I know.” He held her close. He looked over her head at Eve. “Words cannot—I thank you. May we come and visit him here in the museum?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t believe he’d like staying here. Why don’t you take him home?”

  His eyes widened. “But he belongs to—”

  “He belongs to you now.” She grimaced. “As long as you promise not to ever put him in that box again.” She took a step closer to Leta. “Leave him here for the time being,” she told her gently. “Go home and make a place for him. No fancy shelves. Just a place where he’ll be safe, and you can see him every day. Use his favorite colors, put things he loved around him. If you see something you think he’d like, give that to him, too. See him as he is now and let him become part of your life.” She paused. “And maybe that will make the nightmares go away.”

  “I hope that is true.” Leta suddenly launched herself into Eve’s arms and was embracing her. “But if it’s not, when I wake, I will have him with me.” She awkwardly backed away, embarrassed. “Come along, Hajif. We must go home and find this place for him. It will not be as easy as she makes it out to be.”

  “But I’m sure you will be back in just a few hours with the perfect place.” Hajif smiled again at Eve as his wife pushed him toward the door. “There is nothing I will not do for you,” he said quietly, “You have only to ask.”

  “Oh, I’ll ask,” Eve said. “I have twenty-six other skulls to deal with after this. I’ll need help.”

  “Skulls,” he murmured, his wondering gaze on Amari. “It does not seem possible. He is…alive.” He smiled brilliantly. “Magic.”

  “No, skill and experience,” she called after him, as Leta pulled him from the room. She made a face, and said to Gideon, who was still leaning against the wall beside the door, “I don’t think Hajif believes in witch doctors, but this is Africa. You can never tell.”

  “He may not be far wrong.” Gideon straightened and strolled across the room toward the reconstruction. “This is pretty incredible.”

  “It’s hard work and making sure every measurement is correct.” She moved toward her duffel beside her cot. “And now you can take me to that hotel and let me spend the next hour under a hot shower.” She slipped the strap of the duffel over her shoulder. “I need it.”

  “Give me a minute.” Gideon was closely examining the reconstruction. “You’re selling yourself short. Probably intentionally. I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s superb.”

  “Yes, I’m very good. I want to go, Gideon.”

  “Hmm.” His index finger was tracing the scar at the corner of Amari’s left eye. “I just wanted to get a closer look at this. Hajif was impressed. I agree.” Then he gave her a slanting glance that held pure mischief. “Magic…”

  She ignored him, already on her way toward the door. “Bullshit. Haven’t you ever heard of inspiration? Get me to that hotel.”

  She heard him laugh as he followed her from the museum.

  * * *

  The Soran Hotel was one of the few skyscrapers in Jokan, and it looked like a luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Eve thought. It even had a uniformed doorman who rushed to open her door. “You said it was a decent hotel,” she said to Gideon. “This is several steps up from that. Zahra’s intervention?”

  “No, my father had it built when he still thought Zahra’s father could make a difference here in Maldara. Once Zahra took power, she couldn’t bear to give up a quality hotel when she could use it to her advantage. Though it irritates her that I prevented her from nationalizing it and still have major control. She tries to exert her influence whenever she gets the chance.” He walked with Eve into the lobby and handed her a key. “Suite 735. It’s the room I keep on reserve for myself. You’ll find it comfortable. Enjoy your shower. I’ll give you an hour, then have them bring you your meal. I’d guess you haven’t eaten for hours.”

  She couldn’t remember when she’d grabbed that bowl of soup yesterday. “No, but I think I’m getting hungry.”

  “Then I’ll call Pierre Gaillon, the chef, and get him out of bed. I hired him from the George V in Paris, and he does miracles with coq au vin. You won’t be disappointed.”

  “I’m sure I won’t. But I’m not accustomed to gourmet cuisine, Gideon. I’d be satisfied with a sandwich.”

  “I wouldn’t. I told you that I’d take care of you.” He walked her to the elevator. “I’m tempted to join you for dinner, but this is the time for you to relax, and I’m much too stimulating.”

  “I didn’t notice,” she murmured.

  “Of course you did.” He punched the elevator button. “You’re just dedicated to keeping me humble. So I’ll stay here in the lobby and talk to the manager and wait for you to call me and tell me how much you enjoyed that coq au vin. Try to get a nap if you can afterward. Call me if you need me.”

  “No nap.” The doors of the elevator opened, and she stepped inside. “And I’ll be ready to go back to Robaku as soon as I’ve eaten. I need to start the next reconstruction. I think I’m going to do one of the six-year-olds. But I’ll call you as soon as I’ve finished that gourmet meal you’re ordering for me.” She said quietly, “Thanks, Gideon. I appreciate your making everything easier for me.”

  “My pleasure.” He smiled. “It’s been an interesting few days. If you don’t mind, while I’m waiting around, I’ll give Jill a call and tell her about Amari. She’ll want to know.”

  “I don’t mind.” Being able to help Hajif had caused her resentment toward Jill to lessen, she found. There was no doubt that so far her work here had been worthwhile and caused a major difference in Hajif’s and Leta’s lives. “Tell her if she wants to see it, she should visit Hajif’s home.”

  “And not get in your way?”

  She found herself smiling as the elevator door started to close. “And not get in my way.”

  * * *

  “I won’t get in her way,” Jill said. “In fact, I’ll wait until the press meeting day after tomorrow to even show up at Robaku. Do I detect a little softening?”

  “A little.” He paused. “She’s got a different mind-set. Doing that reconstruction meant something to her. She’s pretty fantastic, you know, Jill. You chose the right person.”

  “I’m well aware of that, Gideon. There wasn’t a choice when I realized how amazing she was.”

  “But I like her,” Gideon said. “And I’m not cut out for all this secretive bullshit.” He returned to Eve. “And she covered for you with Zahra. But that isn’t because she was fond of you but because she didn’t like Zahra or the way she’d used the kids as a display for her museum.”

  “I thought that would push her buttons,” Jill said. “It did mine. I deliberately left it as a surprise.” She’d be glad when all this manipulation ended, she thought wearily. “But if she’s so involved with the kids, it might make it more difficult when I try to move her away from them.”

  “No word about the skull?”

  “Anytime now,” Jill said. She was as impatient as Gideon. “Novak said he’d let me know as soon as he does. It has to happen, Gideon.” She changed the subject to Eve. “Take care of her. I don’t like that Zahra wanted a guard stationed at Robaku.”

  “She didn’t get it. I’ll be there for Eve,” he said quietly. “The worst thing that will happen is that she’ll drop from exhaustion. I don’t seem to be able to control that possibility. Now let me go and order her dinner. The other possibility is that she might forget to eat and starve to death.” He cut the connection
.

  Gideon seemed almost big brotherly, Jill thought as she hung up, and that was never Gideon’s style. He was cool, sometimes amusing, sometimes sensual, and always wary these days. He tended to keep everyone at a distance. But he had said he liked Eve, and that might have made the difference.

  They had both developed feelings for Eve since they had brought her to Maldara. It was becoming more and more difficult to face drawing her even deeper into the quagmire.

  Novak, get that damn skull!

  * * *

  “I’m clean at last.” Eve stopped drying her hair and tossed aside the towel as she grinned at Joe on the Skype. “Sorry you have to put up with my soggy hair, but I wanted to catch you before you went to the Yard. I didn’t get a chance to call you yesterday. Did you get my message that I was finishing Amari?”

  “I got it,” he said dryly. “Or I would have been on the next plane to Jokan. I take it that it went well? You’re practically floating.”

  “I am floating. It was so different, Joe. You know I usually have to just send the reconstructions back to a police department and they do the follow-up to find who the child is and the killer. This time I was able to see that boy go home to the people who loved him five minutes after I finished. I got to see their faces, Joe.”

  “And it meant the world to you,” he said gently. “That’s wonderful, Eve.”

  “Everything’s wonderful tonight.” She chuckled. “I sent Amari home, Gideon brought me to this five-star hotel so that I could dine in style and shower, and I got to share it all with you. It can’t get any better.”

  “Until next time.” He smiled. “I’m not going to be able to get you away from that place, am I?”

  “I’m needed here, Joe. But I’ll leave when you and Michael are finished there. I promised you. Besides, I couldn’t stand being away from you any longer than that.” She heard a knock on the door. “That must be my room service. Gideon said that the chef was preparing me coq au vin, and it was guaranteed to be delicious.”

  “Evidently, I’ll have to trust your opinion of this Gideon,” Joe said. “Though I’m not certain how I feel about his being able to whisk you to five-star hotels and ply you with gourmet meals. I’ll have to tell you when I meet him. But as long as you’re not sharing that meal with him, soggy hair and all, I guess I’ll be able to tolerate it.”

  “You’re joking,” she said as she got to her feet. “I have to answer the door. I’ll tell you tonight if it’s as good as Gideon said. I love you. Have a good day.”

  “Only half joking. My humor is suffering drastically since I’ve been limited to Skype to see you. You’ll remember I don’t like sharing you. But I’m glad you’ve already had a wonderful day. I love you, too. Be safe.”

  Eve headed for the door as she disconnected the call. Those last remarks had had an edge, she thought. Joe had been very patient, but she knew he was worried. She had to be careful to reassure him that though everything was strange, and there were annoying elements like Zahra Kiyani, there had not been anything obviously threatening during these days.

  A smiling waiter wheeling a white-draped cart with several silver-domed serving dishes bowed as she opened the door. “The chef sends his regards and hopes his offering will please you.”

  “I’m sure it will.” She was suddenly ravenously hungry. She stood aside as he rolled the cart into the room. She would have to tell Joe about the elegant presentation when she talked to him tonight. It would amuse him. Or maybe it wouldn’t. She’d have to think about it. But it would certainly emphasize that everything surrounding her at the moment was ultracivilized and completely without threat…

  * * *

  Eve pushed back her chair and sighed with contentment.

  The meal had been as fantastic as the presentation, and this coffee she was drinking was excellent as well. She was tempted to call Gideon to tell him how well he’d done, but she decided against it. She’d call him after she got dressed and was ready to leave. That would be time enough. She was eager to get back to Robaku and start the new reconstruction.

  She quickly dressed in slacks and a work shirt and brushed her hair. She did feel fresher and able to cope now. She’d been right to take this little break between reconstructions. She’d be able to attack the new work with a clear head, and that would make it go faster than—

  Pain!

  She bent double as agony knifed through her stomach.

  She felt so sick.

  Then her stomach was suddenly heaving.

  She had to hold on to the vanity to make it to the toilet.

  Then she was throwing up…

  Time after time, trying to hold herself upright, fighting the violence of the vomiting.

  Her head was throbbing, pounding…

  And then the cramping attacked her stomach.

  Hideous cramping.

  Her legs gave way, and she fell to the floor.

  Her head was on fire.

  Her phone…She had to get to her phone. She reached blindly toward the vanity where she’d laid it.

  No strength…

  Only the pain and the terrible nausea.

  She felt as if she must be dying.

  Because everything was going dark…

  * * *

  “I don’t have much time, Jill,” Gideon said curtly when Jill picked up his call. “I’m in an ambulance heading to the embassy hospital. I found Eve unconscious in her suite, and I couldn’t bring her around. I have to get her to the ER right away.”

  Jill stiffened. “Gideon, what happened? You said she was fine when I talked to you before.”

  “I don’t know what happened, dammit. No obvious wounds. She’d obviously been throwing up, but I don’t know if it was drug-induced. All I know is she’s damn sick.”

  Panic seared through her. “I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

  “No, I’ll call you when I know more. You can’t do anything I can’t do. Novak doesn’t want you near her.”

  “That’s too bad. I don’t care. I figure all bets are off now. She could die, Gideon. She wasn’t supposed to get hurt. There’s no reason. Not for what she’s doing at Robaku.”

  “Evidently, someone disagreed. And she might not be that sick. Let me find out.” As she started to protest, he cut in harshly: “I told you I’d be responsible for her, and I screwed up. Do you know how that makes me feel? Now let me take care of her. I won’t let you blow everything we’ve worked for because you’re panicking. There’s too much at stake. Now call Novak and tell him to check her suite and see if he can find out who or what brought her down. I ordered dinner for her, and she’d finished it. But you stay away from the hospital unless I call you, Jill.” He cut the connection.

  Jill was panicking. She was terrified. And there was no way she wasn’t going to go to the hospital to see Eve. Gideon said he was responsible, but he was wrong. She was the one who was responsible for everything that had happened to Eve. She had chosen her, then done everything possible to make her come here.

  Yet if she did show up at the hospital, it would make Eve more of a target than ever. Any association with Jill might draw attention to Eve. But this couldn’t go on. She had to do something.

  One step at a time.

  First, do as Gideon suggested and phone Novak.

  She quickly dialed Novak’s number. “I suppose you already know what happened,” she said unevenly. “Gideon asked me to call you. But you always know what’s going on before anyone else does.”

  “I know an ambulance just took Eve to the embassy hospital,” Novak said. “Stay away from there, Jill.”

  “I’ve already heard that song, and I’m trying to do it. Because if Eve manages to live through this, I don’t want to make it any more dangerous for her than it is already.”

  “I know you’re upset, Jill. But we don’t know what her condition is right now. We’ll do everything we can to—”

  “Upset?” Her voice was shaking. “You bet I’m upset. I can’t take this a
ny longer. You go find out exactly what happened to her. And you make certain that Gideon lets me know as soon as possible whether I’ve killed her or not.”

  “It isn’t your fault that—”

  “Don’t tell me that,” she said fiercely. “I am to blame. I’m going to pray that I didn’t hurt her too badly, but I won’t try to escape the fact that if I did, the fault was mine.” She drew a deep, shaky breath. “But it’s not going to happen again. We thought she was safe, but she wasn’t. And we let her walk right into it. It’s got to change.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that.”

  “And I didn’t like it when Gideon said he couldn’t wake Eve up.” Those words were still chilling her. “It’s got to change, Novak.”

  She hung up the phone.

  * * *

  Embassy Hospital

  12:40 P.M.

  “Eve? Open your eyes. I have to talk to you.”

  Gideon, Eve realized dazedly. It was good he was here…She’d been trying to phone him when she’d been so sick.

  “Eve. Open your eyes, dammit. This might be my only chance to talk to you.”

  He sounded so urgent that she forced herself to open her lids. His face above her was as strained and urgent as his voice had been. He was frowning, and Gideon seldom frowned. Then he was smiling at her. “That’s right. Now stay awake. These hospitals suck, and I have to try to get you out of here.”

  Hospitals? Green walls. The smell of antiseptics and cleanliness. Definitely a hospital. Eve had been around enough of them to recognize one when she saw it.

  And Gideon’s face above her was sober again. A hospital face…

  “I was sick…” she whispered. Her throat was sore, and she could barely speak. She was sore all over, she realized vaguely. “Fast…it happened so fast. What happened to me, Gideon?”

  “I don’t know. They’re calling it food poisoning.” He was putting a straw between her lips, and she was sipping ice water. “But it was a damn violent strain if that was what it was. Besides the nausea, it caused unconsciousness. When you didn’t answer your phone, I went up to your suite and found you crumpled on the floor. I couldn’t wake you.” He took her hand. “It scared me. So I called the American hospital that the embassy uses and had them send an ambulance. You still weren’t awake when you got to their ER. They diagnosed it as food poisoning and pumped your stomach.”