Shadow Play by Iris Johansen Page B

don’t have to remember. The joy has been with me while I was waiting. The most important thing I got to take with me. ”
    â€œWhat thing?”
    â€œ Why, the music, Eve. It’s still part of me. It’s still here. ”
    â€œMusic? What do you mean, Jenny?”
    No answer.
    â€œOkay, I guess I shouldn’t expect more than one breakthrough at a time.” She wearily rubbed the back of her neck. “And tonight I got a big one. I have a face. Tomorrow, I’ll take photos and run it through my computer program for any matches. The program isn’t as extensive as FBI and police databases, but I might get lucky.”
    â€œ You’re happy. I like to see you like this. ”
    â€œI did my job, and I came up with one great product. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to know what you look like. It’s like solving a mystery. Now I know to whom I’m talking.”
    â€œ It’s not only because of what happened to me? ”
    â€œNo, a whisper from the great beyond is better than nothing, but I’m a visual person.” She looked back at the reconstruction. “You know, sometimes I don’t even do brows but you must have been insistent.” She got to her feet and arched her back. “And now I’m going to shower and go to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.” She had a sudden thought. “Or not. Maybe you’ll disappear now that I’ve finished your reconstruction.”
    â€œ I’ll be here. ”
    â€œOh.” Why did she feel this relief? “You and the music?”
    â€œ You’re smiling. I’m sorry I can’t explain about the music. It’s just that— ”
    â€œYou don’t have to explain anything unless you want to. We’re just ships that pass in the night. I don’t have to know. You’ve been hurt, and you’re in a place I can’t possibly understand.”
    â€œ Ships that pass … I don’t think so, Eve. ”
    â€œTime will tell.”
    â€œ You’re going to bed with your Joe again? ”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    â€œ You were very happy at what he was doing to your body that first night I came. Are you going to do that again? ”
    Her mouth fell open. “What?” Then she shook her head. “Never mind. Jenny, I had no idea you were— Do you know what a peeping Tom is?”
    â€œ Yes. ”
    â€œThat’s what you did when you watched me and Joe—” But did she watch? Was she just attuned to Eve and aware of her feelings? “Whatever you did, that was a private moment and not to be shared without invitation. Do you understand?”
    â€œ But I liked it. It was … happy and excited. ”
    â€œYes, it was.” And a happiness Jenny would never know. So many experiences she would never know. “But it’s still private, and you shouldn’t intrude. Okay?”
    Silence. “I guess.”
    Reluctant at best. Eve wasn’t sure that she either understood or would comply. “Thank you.”
    â€œ You’re welcome. ” Still that thread of wistfulness. “ But I didn’t mean to hurt anyone…”
    â€œI know you didn’t. And you didn’t hurt me, Jenny. It’s just the way people feel about—” Oh, give it up. She didn’t even know how much a nine-year-old Jenny knew about sex. She was glad that she didn’t seem to feel anything horrific connected to it. It was always a fear in a child’s murder. “Good night, Jenny.”
    â€œ Good night, Eve. ”
    *   *   *
    â€œIs she finished?” Joe asked drowsily as Eve climbed into bed forty-five minutes later.
    â€œYes.” She cuddled close. “It turned out exceptionally well. She has a very memorable face. She kind of reminded me of a young Audrey Hepburn. Unusual…”
    â€œEverything about her has been unusual.” He brushed his lips across