Hunting Eve Read Online Free PDF

to jail.”
    “And that’s when the general contacted you.”
    “Yes, you always have a wonderful grasp on the continuity of numbers or events, Stang. It’s that fine orderly mind of yours. It didn’t take me long to track him down. He was in Athens, and I knew it well. I shot him, then arranged for his body to be cremated by Nalori Crematorium. Unfortunately, his father was close by and rushed to the crematorium and retrieved Kevin’s head from the furnace. He was a little upset and threw the man I’d bribed to do the cremation into the furnace.”
    “His father? Doane?”
    “He was Jim Relling then. He took the name of Doane when Venable took him into protective custody. He’d contacted General Tarther and told him that his son had given him a disk with names of embedded CIA agents and Pakistanis who were searching for Bin Laden. He was afraid that al-Qaeda would find out and target him. He said if he didn’t get protection, he’d have to turn the disk over to the newspapers.” He shrugged. “He appeared a broken man just trying to understand what had happened to his Kevin. There was no evidence that he had any connection with his son’s crimes, and I’m told he was very convincing. My instinct was to dispose of him immediately. I could see him trying to find out who killed his son and causing us trouble down the road. But the general was afraid that would be dangerous for those agents in Pakistan. I conceded graciously and let him live.”
    Stang’s brows rose. “Graciously?” The gentle, old-fashioned word did not fit Zander in either profession or appearance. His close-cut white hair, the features that were more bold than handsome. He was probably somewhere in his fifties or sixties but he appeared ageless. His tall, muscular body, which he’d honed to perfection with daily workouts in the gym, was sleek and powerful. And so was that mind, which Stang had found to be sharper than that of anyone he had ever met.
    “I’m always gracious,” Zander said. “And I told Venable I’d let Doane live as long as he kept him under surveillance. That was truly gracious.”
    “And why did Doane target Eve Duncan?”
    “He had a skull. She’s a forensic sculptor.”
    Stang’s eyes were narrowed on his face. “Is that all?”
    “You’re probing. You told me that you didn’t want to know anything that—”
    “I don’t.” He looked down at the photo. “Or maybe I do. I feel as if I’ve gotten to know her in the past few days. I feel … close to her.”
    “Really?” He studied the photo. “Are you attracted to her? She’s not beautiful. She’s just interesting. Nothing to make you—”
    “Are you going to go after him?”
    “I told Venable I’d think about it.”
    “Do it.”
    “I beg your pardon?” Zander turned to look at him.
    “I know it’s not my business. I’ve tried to stay out of it. I know it would be safer for me.”
    “Yes, it would.” He tilted his head. “But it intrigues me you’re willing to take the risk of involving yourself. If you stayed on the outskirts of my iniquitous life, I’m much more vulnerable to ambush.”
    “You didn’t give me a choice. It was either resign and leave you or take the next step.” He forced himself to stare him in the eye. “And you don’t know that I want to ambush you.”
    “No, but I’m a tolerable judge of character, and I’ve been suspecting it since the day you came to work for me. The prospect was interesting. Besides the fact that you’re a genius at making my money grow there was another factor. I live a fairly boring life, and watching you and wondering what you’re up to gave it a little spice. But now life is becoming more entertaining, and I may not need that additional stimulation.”
    Stang felt the tension grip him. “And that means?”
    “I think I’ll let you dwell on that and decide for yourself.” He flipped the file closed. “I believe I’ll go work out at the gym.” He headed for the French doors