Blood Game by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online

Bonnie.”
    “Because you’re not afraid of being hurt or dying. Because you think you’d be happier with me.” She shook her head. “But I keep telling you that can’t happen. We will be together but not for a long time. You have to stay and take care of Joe and Jane. They need you.”
    “Lecture number fifty-six.”
    Bonnie chuckled. “More than that. You just don’t listen, Mama.”
    “You’re either a ghost or a dream. Why should I listen?”
    “Because you love me. Because you know I’m right.”
    Yes, she loved her. From the moment she had given birth to her, Bonnie had been the center of her life. When her little girl had been taken from her, she had thought her life was over. Then these dreams of Bonnie had begun to come to Eve about a year after she had disappeared. Dream or spirit? During those first years, telling herself these appearances were only dreams was a safety net and kept her certain of her own sanity. Nowadays, she didn’t really care whether her daughter was a dream or a ghost. She was real to her, she was here. “You always think you’re right, young lady.”
    “Because I am. Especially where you’re concerned, Mama.”
    “And why do you think I’m afraid?”
    “Because of Joe. You’re afraid for Joe.” The tiniest frown wrinkled her brow. “I’m afraid, too.”
    “Why?”
    “He’s not like you. I love Joe. I was so happy . . . But he’s not like you.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    Bonnie looked at her. “You’re afraid because Joe may be different. Megan scared you.”
    “Don’t be silly.”
    “Joe is like an anchor for you. He is what he is. You don’t want him to be changed.”
    “Everybody changes. That’s what life’s all about. You learn to love the changes too.”
    “What if Joe doesn’t love the changes? I went away, but I don’t think she will.”
    “Megan? Look, Bonnie, this psychic thing is completely without—” Her cell phone rang and she reached in her pocket. “It’s Montalvo.”
    BONNIE DIDN’T ANSWER.
    Eve didn’t have to glance at the pine tree to know that Bonnie would no longer be there. Disappointment sharpened her voice as she answered the phone. “What do you want, Montalvo?”
    “In what order?” Montalvo asked. “No, I can tell by your tone that you’re not about to indulge me that way. I called to tell you that there was another credit slip for Kevin Jelak issued at a gas station in Calhoun, Georgia.”
    Calhoun. That was a town not too far from Chattanooga. “He’s coming closer. What was the date on the slip?”
    “Yesterday.”
    “He’s leaving a trail. It’s stupid of him to use a credit card that can be traced.”
    “Maybe he doesn’t know that we know about him.”
    “Maybe he doesn’t care. Maybe he wants us to know he’s heading this way.” She gazed out at the lake. “Why now, Montalvo? It’s strange that he should appear right on the heels of Kistle’s death. All these years, and we heard nothing from Jelak. Did those investigators of yours stir him into action?”
    “Possibly. I’m expecting a report on him later today. They’re tracing his background through the credit-card application. I’ll let you know.” He paused. “Is everything all right with you?”
    A gold goblet stained with blood.
    “Everything is fine.”
    “I don’t believe you, but I’ll let it go. I’ll call you when I have anything of interest to you.” He hung up.
    It didn’t surprise her that Montalvo would sense her disturbance. He knew her very well. Too well.
    She turned and moved back toward the cottage. She would finish going through her e-mail, then maybe take a nap while Jane was still asleep. She’d had only a few hours’ sleep before she’d had to go pick up Jane at the airport.
    As if she’d be able to relax, she thought ruefully. Her mind was skipping from Jelak to Megan’s worried questions about Joe, to that damn goblet. Everything was swirling around her, leaping closer, like a tornado,