Eight Days to Live Read Online Free PDF Page B

long time, Jock. You didn’t just drop in out of the blue and—”
    “No.” He shook his head. “My timing’s not that good. I thought there might be a problem.”
    She sat up straighter on the sofa. “What kind of problem? Venable. You mentioned Venable. You said you were working for him? The CIA? That doesn’t make any sense. We were all walking atightrope just to keep Venable from taking you into custody. If MacDuff hadn’t been able to make a deal with him, he’d have thrown you into prison.”
    “But it seems he had something else in mind.” His lips twisted. “A man of my talents can be a valuable commodity in Venable’s line of work.”
    “He’s using you?” Anger flared through her. “Dammit, get him on the phone. I want to talk to him.”
    He smiled faintly. “Only you would want to jump in and take on Venable when you’ve just had a knockout punch of your own. You don’t need to protect me. I’m not a kid any longer, Jane.”
    She knew that with her mind but she couldn’t stop seeing him as that beautiful, broken boy he had been. “I still want to talk to Venable. Yes, I’ll give him hell, but maybe I can squeeze some information out of him.”
    “You won’t have to squeeze. Not him. Not me. But give yourself a little time. Drink your coffee.” He leaned back in the chair. “You’d only get upset if I dove in and tried to explain now. You’re very protective, Jane.” He smiled. “No one should know that better than I do.”
    “Dammit, I
am
upset. My friend was murdered and nailed to a door. I wasn’t very protective of her, was I?” She leaned forward. “Now you tell me what’s happening, Jock.”
    “Wait for MacDuff,” he said quietly. “He should be here anytime now.”
    “MacDuff? He’s coming, too? I don’t want to wait for MacDuff. I want you to—”
    “Leave the lad alone, Jane.” MacDuff was standing in the open elevator. “I know you’ve been through a great deal, but so has Jock.” He smiled. “You mustn’t intimidate the poor boy.”
    She stiffened as MacDuff stepped out of the elevator. Presence. Charisma. Force. She was always aware of those three aspects of MacDuff’s personality when he came into a room.
    “Intimidate?” She shook her head. “I’ve never been able to intimidate Jock.”
    “That’s not true,” Jock said. “You’re a truly fearsome woman, Jane. From the first time you sketched me in the garden at the castle, I knew that I’d never be free of you.” He got to his feet. “So I’ll leave and let MacDuff handle you. He likes to think he can call the birds from the trees.”
    “Then you should have given me the chance to talk you out of letting Venable use you,” MacDuff said curtly. “I’m not pleased with you, Jock.”
    “I quake. I quiver.” Jock moved toward the kitchen. “I have to make decisions for myself now, MacDuff. Venable used me because I made the choice.”
    “Stop it,” Jane said. “I won’t have this.”
    MacDuff turned back to her. “You’re right. Jock and I are both a little on edge, but we should contain it. You have a right to be upset with us.” He smiled. “But then we wouldn’t be so frank in front of you if we didn’t regard you as family.”
    “Is that supposed to flatter me? I’ve no desire to be a part of you or that crumbling estate. Go to hell.”
    Jock glanced back over his shoulder. “Now it’s time for you to quake and quiver, MacDuff.” He disappeared into the kitchen.
    “Is that what you want?” MacDuff asked her quietly. “I’ll work on it if it will please you.”
    “Bullshit.”
    “Aye.” His lips indented at the corners. “But it’s bullshit that put a little color in your cheeks. I don’t like to see you pale and strained. Has it been a bad time for you tonight?”
    “Bad time? You might say that. That bastard crucified my friend. He pinned her to that door like a—” She broke off. “And I don’t know why. But I’m going to find out.”
    “Yes, you