Body of Lies Read Online Free PDF Page B

hell it’s not. You’ll always be my business.”
    Eve ignored the last remark. “Take care of Jane. I’ve told her I’ll call her every three days and touch base.” She picked up her suitcase. “I’ve called Mom and asked her to take Jane whenever you’re working.”
    “Very efficient.”
    “I’m trying to be.” She met his eyes. “It’s not easy right now, and concentrating on this job will help.”
    “You won’t phone me?”
    “Probably not. That would defeat the purpose.” She moved toward the door. “Good-bye, Joe.”
    He watched her get into the car and drive down the road.
    He felt hollow and lonely . . . and scared.
    “Shit.” He turned, got out his phone, and dialed. “She’s gone,” he said when Logan picked up. “What did you find out about Melton?”
    “Nothing really bad. Politically savvy. Elected to the Senate two years ago from Louisiana and done a fairly good job. He has friends in high places and may be up for the presidential nomination in a few years.”
    “Why would he be connected with a hush-hush job like this reconstruction?”
    “Search me.” Logan paused. “If you’re that concerned, you could follow her.”
    “I told you what happened. Unless I have a damn good reason, she’s not going to want me on the same continent. Maybe not even then.”
    “Well, I can’t give you a good reason yet. I’ll keep checking. Maybe you should just give her some time to herself. That would be the smart move.”
    “I’m not feeling very smart right now. And I don’t want advice. Do you think I would have called you if I hadn’t known you knew every politician in Washington?”
    “No, you’ve never forgiven me for that year I lived with Eve. You should know that’s water under the bridge. We’re just friends now.” Logan paused. “Which appears to be more than I can say for your relationship at the moment.”
    “If you’re friends, then find a way to protect her. God knows I can’t do it right now.”
    “She may not need protection.”
    “I don’t like what was done to that grave. And Capel hasn’t shown up for work for the last four days.”
    “I don’t see a connection with Eve’s trip.”
    “I don’t, either. I just don’t like it. And I don’t like not being able to make sure there’s no connection.” Joe paused. “Get Galen to go to Baton Rouge, will you?”
    “The U.S. government doesn’t exactly approve of Galen.”
    “Tough.”
    “And Galen is freelance. He takes jobs where he pleases.”
    “You’re friends. Use it.”
    “An order?”
    “Please,” Joe said through gritted teeth. “Send Galen.”
    “That’s better. I’ll ask him and call you back.”
    Joe went back to the window, but Eve was already out of sight. Soon she’d be on that plane for Baton Rouge, traveling far away from him at jet speed.
    She couldn’t be any farther away from him than she’d been a few minutes ago in this very room. She couldn’t wait to get away from him. The wall she’d put between them had been almost tangible, and her expression . . .
    Forget the hurt. He couldn’t expect anything else. He should even have anticipated Eve would take this reconstruction job. Whenever she was in pain or lonely, she always submerged herself in her work.
    And that’s what he should do. He’d take that tire print down to the precinct and then go see what he could find out about Capel.
    Maybe if he kept himself busy enough, he might be able to block out the memory of Eve’s face before she’d walked out the door.
    Maybe.

Chapter 3
    A big, portly man in a dark blue suit hurried up to Eve as soon as she got off the plane. “Welcome to Baton Rouge, Ms. Duncan. I’m Paul Tanzer with the mayor’s office. Senator Melton thought you’d be more comfortable with a fellow southerner. He asked me to meet you and make sure you were comfortable. Did you have a good flight?”
    “Fine.” It was a lie. It had been a lousy flight. The air had been smooth, but she’d felt