the school from the village, so he attacked the children. He knew it would be the one sure way to trap them.” She met his eyes. “Because there’s nothing a parent wouldn’t do for their child.” She paused. “There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for Michael. We have to be prepared that one of Varak’s moves might be to go after our child.” Even as she said the words, she could feel the fear and panic rising. “You were so worried about me, Joe. But forget about me. We should be worried about Michael. We should concentrate on keeping him safe.”
“Slow down. You or Michael? That’s no choice at all.”
“But it’s always been the right choice for us.” She drew a shaky breath. “First, we have to keep Michael away from Maldara and away from me. We don’t want to draw Varak’s attention to him. Particularly not in connection to me. But we can’t be sure he’s safe at the dig either. Varak probably has all Zahra’s power behind him, and judging by the appearance of that sniper at Asarti and Kimbro’s death in Cairo, he must still have his own scumbags at his command. He could send someone to find him.”
“I’ll tell Jane to disappear with him until this is over.”
“You know that would only make Michael more determined to go his own way. It’s better to keep him busy. Besides, Jane should be protected, too. And while we’re at it, even Cara’s probably not safe. You’ll have to make sure he can’t touch anyone in the family. But I’m most worried about Michael and Jane. I’ll call Jane and tell her what we’re facing.” She got to her feet and went into his arms. “I believe it’s time for you to call those buddies of yours at Scotland Yard and persuade them to assign him that army of detectives you were going to surround me with.” She laid her head on his shoulder, and said softly, “It was a good idea, just not the right person.”
“Exactly the right person.” His arms tightened around her. “I don’t suppose I can talk you into going to be with Michael?”
She shook her head. “I have to stay away from him. Haven’t you been paying attention?”
“I wish I could tell you that you’re all wrong about this.” He paused. “I might, if I hadn’t gone down and looked at that schoolroom for myself.” Joe’s lips twisted. “Okay, then I suppose I’d better get on the phone again with the Yard. I just spent half the morning harassing them about Oscar Varak.” He gave her a quick kiss before he turned away. “We’d better get ready to defend the gates.”
“And brace for the impact,” she repeated somberly as she reached for her phone to call Jane.
* * *
“Why didn’t you tell me all this before?” Jane asked quietly. “All Joe has been saying is that I should keep an eye on Michael because he might decide to take off and go to see you. That was worry enough, but now you’re telling me that he might actually be in danger on this dig? Not fair, Eve.”
“I know it wasn’t. I was so grateful to you for giving Michael such a great time, and I guess I was hoping that what was happening here wouldn’t get in the way. I just wanted to keep you out of it as long as I could. That time just ran out.”
“I’d say it did,” she said dryly. “And you had no business keeping me out of it. I’m supposed to be merrily playing in the dirt with Michael while you’re being hunted down by this Varak. I should be with you.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” Eve said firmly. “You should be exactly where you are right now. Joe has arranged to give you and Michael all kinds of protection, but those Scotland Yard people don’t know Michael as you do.” She paused. “And Michael would never be anything but honest with you even if he thought you were getting in his way. We both know he wouldn’t be quite as honest with anyone else. This might be a bad time for him. He’s going to need you.”
“Now you’re scaring me.”
“I just mean he’s going to be worried about me, and there aren’t many people who can handle a kid like Michael when he’s determined to do something.” She made a face. “I wish I had ten of you at that dig.”