Eve by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page B

of nice little get-togethers at these hotels. It would be easier if you just came and got me out.”
    “And how am I supposed to do that?”
    “How do I know?” Sandra was crying again. “You’re smart. You’re always thinking. Think of a way to get me out of here before he comes back. I don’t like to be hurt. I don’t want to take that heroin, but if he says he’s going to hurt me … Fix it. You owe me, Eve. Find a way to help me.”
    Anger and fear were racing through Eve, and she tried to suppress both so that she could think. All Sandra had to do was call the front desk, but she wasn’t about to do it. Typical. She’d rather take a chance on everything working out so that she could have it all.
    “I really am bleeding, Eve,” Sandra said. “He didn’t care. He’s not a nice man.”
    And if Sandra didn’t get out of there, she was going to risk either a brutal beating or an overdose. “How long has he been gone?”
    “I don’t know … it seems like a long time.”
    If Sandra was on crack, that could mean anything. Two minutes or two hours.
    “What’s your room number?”
    “It’s 2012.”
    “I’ll come after you. Go to the bathroom and wash your face and try to stop the bleeding.”
    “I will. You’ll hurry?”
    “I’ll hurry.” She hung up the receiver, and leaned her head against the phone for a moment. She tried to think. Dammit, Sandra, why wouldn’t you just call the desk? But Sandra wasn’t going to do it, so that meant the ball was in Eve’s court.
    So get it done.
    She whirled and strode toward the front entrance. “I have to go, Mr. Kimble. Emergency…”
    A moment later she was running across the street toward John’s car. Teresa was leaning with her elbows on the open window of the passenger door talking to John. She glanced at Eve in surprise as Eve nudged her aside.
    “Get out of my way. I’m in a hurry.” Eve jumped in the passenger seat and turned to John. “Take me to the Marriott Hotel.”
    “A hotel? That’s too good to be true.” He was studying her expression. “Yes, I’m right, it is too good.” He started the car. “Bye, Teresa, nice talking to you.”
    “Yeah.” Teresa was still in the street watching as the Chevy pulled away from the curb.
    “Why the Marriott?” John asked as he stopped at the red light on the corner.
    “Sandra … my mother is in trouble. Someone beat her up and locked her in the hotel room. I have to get there as quickly as possible.”
    “And I had a car.”
    “The Marriott is ten or twelve blocks away. Just drop me off, and I’ll take it from there.”
    “I know where it is. That fancy downtown Marriott.” He glanced at her. “How badly is she hurt?”
    “I don’t know. She wasn’t too coherent. She said she’s bleeding.” She shook her head. “I don’t think that she’s too bad. She wasn’t scared enough to call downstairs to the front desk.” Her lips tightened. “She’d rather have me rescue her again.”
    “How many times has it happened?”
    “Two or three times. Not like this. Once was at the apartment, a couple times in bars. She’s not a good judge of men. Anyone who has the stuff and is willing to sweet-talk her is enough.”
    “You’re angry with her.”
    “Yes, this is so stupid. I’m angry and I’m worried and I want her to stop. She’s only a little over thirty. At this rate, she won’t live to forty. She’s selfish and vain and doesn’t care for anyone but herself.” She crossed her arms across her chest, her hands tightly gripping her upper arms to keep from shaking. “I try to hate her, but I can’t do it.” She repeated through set teeth, “I can’t do it.”
    “Easy.” John’s hand was on her thigh. “We’ll get her out of this.”
    “This time,” Eve said. “What about next time?”
    “You can’t keep doing it. You’re not the mother, she is.”
    “That doesn’t seem to make any difference,” she said shakily. “And it won’t, until I find a way to