leaned forward across the desk, her eyes shining, her words firing like bullets. “We’re planning to set up permanently at Robaku, and you’ll never get rid of us. Before we’re through, you’ll never say that Robaku is yours again. It will be mine and Eve Duncan’s. We’ve already drafted plans for tearing down that hideous schoolroom and building a fine chapel where families can come and pray for their slain children. I’ll be taking pictures of the schoolroom and showing what it could be with public support. I’ll spend a lot of time describing the children who died there. You’ll remember how much sympathy my stories have aroused in the past year? Well, before we’re through, anyone who reads those stories about Robaku will want to get in there with a jackhammer and tear that schoolroom down themselves.” Jill could see the shock in Zahra’s face at the picture she’d drawn. Okay, hit her with another one from a different direction. “And you might be interested to know that in another fifteen minutes, Eve Duncan will make an announcement on your local television station that she’s invited several top news agencies to Robaku for a press interview tomorrow afternoon. She’s promised to divulge a startling revelation regarding the tragedy.” She added mockingly, “They were all very eager to accept the invitation. I’m afraid you’re old news now, Zahra. And Eve Duncan gives so few interviews.”
Her eyes were suddenly wary. “Revelation?”
“It’s a good way to intrigue and start the buzz going, don’t you think?”
“That sounds like a threat to me,” Zahra hissed. “You’d both blow your credibility. No one would believe you. You wouldn’t take the chance.”
“I admit I hesitated, but Eve is an idealist. Once she finished the reconstruction of that skull, she said she couldn’t live with herself if she kept silent. What could I do but throw my support behind her?” Jill paused. “And it’s not a threat but a warning. Or perhaps an opportunity. I don’t really want you if I can have Varak. He’s the big story. You’re small potatoes.”
“What?” Jill could see her eyes flash. She’d thought that bruising Zahra’s vanity would be the way to hit home. Then Zahra recovered quickly. “Varak is dead. There is no story where he’s concerned.”
“I think there might be. I’ve studied Varak for years, and I know what a complete sociopath he is.” She tilted her head. “I have no idea why you’re doing this, Zahra. I wonder if you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into by dealing with him. You’re a strong, dominant woman, and he won’t put up with it. It’s only a matter of time before he kills you.” She smiled faintly. “You’ve probably already had to talk yourself out of situations you found dangerous.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Zahra said through set teeth. “Varak is dead.”
“No, he isn’t. Not yet. But you’d be much better off if he was.” Jill added bluntly, “Because I’ll never stop going after him, and you’ll be caught in the cross fire. Pity, since you’ve been doing so well lately. But they’ll burn you at the stake once they find out how you’ve been coddling Nils Varak.” She paused. “But if you find a way to deliver him to me, I won’t care if he’s accidentally shot by you or one of your soldiers. Maybe you could set it up so that you’ll truly be a heroine. All I want is the monster dead and the story finished. I might even be able to persuade Eve that Varak dead is the primary goal, and we don’t want to spend years in courts just to tangle with your lawyers. As I said, you’re ingenious, and I’m sure you could figure out how to come out of a scenario like that in fantastic shape. Consider it a challenge.”
“I consider this insanity.” Zahra got to her feet, her cheeks flushed. “And I’ll have to ask you to go.” Then she suddenly burst out, “You think you can do this to me? You’ll lose. I always win.” Her eyes were glittering with malice. “Just as I won from you before.” She took a step toward her. “Did what they did to you hurt, bitch? I told them it had to hurt.”
“Then they did what you told them to do,” Jill said steadily. “I’ve already figured out that had to be Varak. Why do you think I want him so much? Give him to me, and he’ll never bother either of us