The Face of Deception

With good reason. Ive never seen anyone work with that much intensity. Michelangelo probably was less tense when he was sculpting David.

He had more time.

Hows it coming?

I dont know. I never know until its done. Im through with the donkey work. Now comes the hard part.

A little rest might help. He was sitting with apparent ease, but she was suddenly aware of the ten-sion in him.

I was trying to rest, she said dryly.

Sorry. And I was trying to help. He smiled crookedly. Ive been expecting you to collapse any minute.

But you didnt stop me.

I cant. The clocks ticking. He paused. How long?

Twelve hours. Maybe a little longer. She wearily leaned back in the chair again. I dont know. As long as it takes. Dont nag me, dammit.

Right. He rose jerkily to his feet. Ill leave you alone to rest. Why dont you lie down on the couch? When do you want me to wake you?

I dont want to sleep. I just have to rest my eyes.

Then Ill come back later. He added as he moved toward the door, If you dont mind.

It doesnt matter. She closed her eyes again. Tell me, Logan, doesnt all this subservience and courtesy stick in your throat?

A little. But I can live with it. I learned a long time ago that if youre not the most important chip in a computer, you grease the wheels and dont get in the way.

I believe thats the worst mix of metaphors Ive heard.

How would you know? Your minds probably too blurry for you to think straight.

I dont have to think. From now on its pure in-stinct. I just have to be able to see.

I can feed you, but I cant help you there.

At this point, no one can help me.

The door closed behind him.

No one, she murmured. Its just between you and me, isnt it, Jimmy?

CHEVY CHASE

WEDNESDAY EVENING

11:45 P.M.

Hes nearly finished, Timwick, Fiske said. He said the job was easier than he thought. Maybe another twelve hours.

Have you seen the skull?

I cant make anything of it. It doesnt even have a nose or eyes yet. I think youre wasting your time.

Ill be the judge of that. Call me when hes done and Ill come right down.

Fiske replaced the receiver. Twelve more hours and hed know if Doprel or Logan and Duncan were the targets. He almost hoped it was Doprel. Logan and Duncan were more of a challenge, but Doprel was beginning to annoy him beyond belief.

BARRETT HOUSE

THURSDAY

6:45 A.M.

Smooth the clay.

Delicacy.

Sensitivity.

Let the tips of your fingers move of their own volition.

Dont think.

Help me, Jimmy.

The clay was cool, but her fingertips felt warm, almost hot, as they molded and smoothed.

Generic ears. She had no idea whether theyd stuck out or had longer lobes.

A longer, thinner nose.

Mouth?

Generic again. She knew the width but not the shape. She made the lips closed, without expression.

Eyes.

So important. So difficult. No measurements and very few scientific indicators. Okay, dont be in a rush. Study the shape and angle of the orbits. The size of eyeballs were all pretty much the same and grew only a little from infancy to adulthood. Should she make Jimmys eyes protruding, deep-set, or somewhere in between? The angle of the orbits and the bony ridge above would help her decide.

But not yet. Eyes were always a clincher. Most forensic sculptors worked from top to bottom and the eyes went in close to the beginning. She had never been able to do that. Shed found that she had an even greater tendency to hurry if the eyes were looking at her.

Bring me home.

More smoothing along the cheekbone. Not too deep.

Dont look at the face as a whole. Take each sec-tion and feature separately.

Smooth.

Fill in.

Slow down. You cant let go yet. Dont let your mind totally guide your hands. Dont visualize. Build. Measurements are still critical. Check them again.

Nose width, 32 mm. Okay.

Nose projection, 19 mm. Okay.

Lip height, 14 mm. No, it should be 12. Bring the top lip down, its usually thinner than the bottom lip.

Build up more around the mouth, theres a major muscle under there.

More shaping to the nostrils.

A little creasing on each side of the nose. How deep?

Whats the difference? Nobody ever identified anyone by a skin crease.

Deepen the area around the lower lip.

Why? It didnt matter. Do it.

Smooth.

Mold.

Fill in.

Sun lines around the eye cavities. Lines around the mouth.

She was working feverishly now. Her hands flew over Jimmys face.

Almost finished.

Who are you, Jimmy? Help me. Were almost done. Well take a photo and circulate it and someone will take you home.

Smooth.

Mold.

Stop. Dont gild the lily.

She stepped back and drew a deep breath. Shed done all she could do.

Except the eyes.

What color? Logan would probably prefer she use blue. Kennedys blue eyes were as famous as his smile. Screw Logan. This couldnt be Kennedy and why should she indulge Logan. She took another step back and allowed herself to look at the full face for the first time. She would use the brown she usually

Oh, my God.

She stood frozen, staring at the face shed created. She felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach.

No.

It was a lie.

She moved slowly, heavily, over to the table, where the small eye case lay open. The eyeballs glit-tered up at herblue, brown, gray, hazel, green.

She took the case and carried it to the pedestal.

She was exhausted; her mind could be playing tricks on her. The eyes would make a difference. Brown. Put in brown eyes.

Her hand was shaking as she took out the first brown eyeball and inserted it in the left cavity. Then she took the second eyeball and fitted it to the right.

Youve put in the wrong eyes, Logan said from the corner. You know it, Eve.

She stared straight into the brown eyes before her, her back rigid. I dont know it.

Put in the right eyes.

Its a mistake. I made a mistake somewhere along the way.

You dont allow yourself to make mistakes. Put in the eyes that you know belong with the face.

She took out the brown eyes and put them back in the case. She stood staring blindly down at the eyes in the case.

You know which ones to use, Eve.

All right. She reached down, picked up the eye-balls, and jammed them in the sockets.

Now step back and look at him.

She moved back from the pedestal. Incredible. God in heaven, it couldnt be true.

But there couldnt be any doubt.

You bastard. Her voice was shaking as she stared into the gray eyes. She was shaking. She felt as if the entire globe was trembling on its axis. Its Ben Chadbourne. Its the President.

CHEVY CHASE

Well? Doprel asked sourly. Is it your terrorist?

Timwick gazed at the skull. Youre sure this is a correct representation?

Im sure. May I go home now?

Yes, thank you for your hard work. Ill have you driven back to New York immediately. Naturally, youll keep this quiet. We wouldnt want a security leak.

Ive no desire to talk about this job. It hasnt been a highlight of my career. Ill go pack. Doprel strode out of the room.

Shall I take him back? Fiske asked from where he stood behind Timwick.

No. Timwick turned away from the bust. The skulls a ringer. Doprels not important anymore. Ill send him home with someone else. I have other work for you and well have to move fast. He moved toward the phone. Leave me alone. I have some phone calls to make.

He waited until Fiske was out the door before he punched in the secure line at the White House.

Its not him. Same age. Same general facial struc-ture. But its not him.

BARRETT HOUSE

You lied to me, Eve whispered. She whirled on Logan. You lied.

Yes. Its the last lie Ill tell you, Eve.

You expect me to believe that? Every way I turn I find out youve lied to me again. You never thought it was Kennedy. My God, you even put all those books and reports about him in your desk just to make me believe what you wanted me to believe. It was all some kind of wild red herring.

There wasnt anything wild about it. I worked very hard to make that lie plausible. I had to have a cover to hide the fact that I was having Donnellis claim investigated. Thats why I laid the false trail to Kennedy. So they couldnt be sure if I suspected something or I was just a crackpot. I had also begun a discreet search for a forensic sculptor, the one person who could reveal if theres any truth to Donnellis story.

Me.

Yes, you were the key player I needed.

Her gaze went back to Jimmys skull. No, not Jimmy anymore. Ben Chadbourne, President of the United States. She shook her head. Its all crazy. When you told me what had happened at Donnellis funeral home, I assumed it had taken place decades ago. Thats what you meant me to think.

Yes. It was only two years ago.

Lies.

You had to be entirely uninfluenced, with no preconceived ideas. That was the only way to guar-antee that you would reconstruct the face that be-longed on that skull. His gaze followed hers to Chadbournes face. It was something of a miracle watching you work, bringing him to life. I was almost sure it was him, but every touch seemed to

How did he die? Murder?

Probably. It would make sense.

And that man in the White House is one of his doubles?

He nodded.

She shook her head. Its too bizarre. It couldnt be pulled off with Chadbourne anymore than with Kennedy. The office is too public.

But they did it.

Timwick?

Hes the front man.

Fronting for who?

Chadbournes wife. She has to be the one pulling the strings. Shes the only one who has the power to protect any double and coach him.

Lisa Chadbourne. Eve remembered her at the press conference; she had stood on the sidelines, her gaze fixed lovingly on her husband. And shes sup-posed to be a murderer?

Maybe. We cant be sure until we find out what happened to Ben Chadbourne.

What motive could she possibly have?

I dont know. Ambition, possibly. Shes smart and savvy and knows how to manipulate a situation. She worked her way through law school and became a partner in a prestigious law firm. After she married Chadbourne she pushed him until he made it to the White House. Once there, she did everything right. He smiled sardonically. Shes the perfect first lady.

I dont believe it could be her.

I didnt think you would. I had a few problems believing it myself. Id met her a few times and I liked her. That combination of charm and intelligence can be very disarming.

Eve shook her head.

Im throwing too much at you. I wish I could let you have longer to absorb it all, but I cant. Were almost out of time. He stood up. All right, dont believe its Lisa Chadbourne. Believe someone else is behind it. But youll grant that she has to be in on any conspiracy for it to work?

Thatshellip; reasonable. She glanced back at the skull. But what if this isnt Chadbourne? What if this is the double?

Its Chadbourne.

Because you want it to be?

Because it is. Its the only thing that makes sense. He paused. Because it was James Timwick who delivered that body to Donnelli.

How can you be sure? Donnellis father could have lied.

Im sure he could have. He appears to have been pretty much of a scumball. But he wasnt a dumb scumball. He dealt with some pretty lethal characters and he had to protect himself. Hed equipped his crematorium with an audiotaping setup. He got Timwick on audiotape. He smiled crookedly. It was part of his legacy to his son and the bait that hooked me. Because of that tape, I had Gil check into the story.

If you had a tape that incriminating, you wouldnt need any more proof. You could take it to the authorities or the media and let them

He was shaking his head. It wasnt incrimi-nating enough. No detail. No Hey, Im James Timwick and Im burning up the President of the United States. It was just general conversation while they were in the crematorium. Timwick ordered one of his men to help him with the body. Once, he asked Donnelli for a chair so he could sit down. Evidently the poor man had a taxing evening and he was tired. Comments like that.

Then how do you know it was Timwick?

Id met him before. Hes director of the Secret Service and attended a good many of Chadbournes functions and he

Secret Service. You said he was high up in the Treasury Department. Her lips tightened. Oh, yes, the Secret Service is part of the Treasury Depart-ment. Just another little evasion.

Sorry. He continued. Timwick had a very dis-tinguished career and was a key player in getting Chadbourne elected. His voice is very distinctive. Hes from Massachusetts and the accent is pretty un-mistakable. I had a hunch it was him, and when Don-nelli Junior sent me the cassette, I ran some of the videotapes I made of Chadbourne on the campaign trail and did a comparison. It wasnt difficult. Timwick isnt a man who likes to stay in the background. I think he was disappointed Chadbourne didnt give him a cabinet post.

I cant believe they let Donnelli live to black-mail them. Why didnt they just force him to give up the tape and the skull?

He told them he put a copy of the tape and an explanation in the hands of a lawyer, who would send it immediately to the media if he disappeared or died of unnatural causes.

Then he died of a heart attack, and his son did disappear.

But they werent responsible, so they had to assume Donnelli Junior had made a better deal. I imagine the hunt for him was pretty intense. I was careful, but there might have been something that led them to believe Donnelli might have made con-tact with me. He shrugged. Maybe not. It could be they were looking for anything or anyone suspi-cious and I set off the alarm bell.

Its incredible. Why would they do away with Chadbourne?

I have no idea. I can only guess. He shrugged. Lisa Chadbournes a unique woman. Some people say that she would have made a better president than her husband. But the consensus is that the country isnt ready to accept a woman president yet, so she has to work behind the scenes. It must have grated on her to always stay in the background. And Ben Chad-bourne was a strong man himself. Maybe she wanted more control over him. More control of the country.

Thats a lot of maybes.

Theyre all I have to give you. All I can tell you is that I believe it happened. Will you do me a favor? Go to the library and pop in the videotapes in the top desk drawer. There are three of them with recent Chadbourne speeches and press conferences. Ive edited them for comparison. Id appreciate it if youd try to watch with an open mind.

And what do you expect me to see?

Just watch them.

Its crazy. Like some kind of

What can it hurt?

She was silent and then jerkily nodded her head. Okay. She headed for the door. Ill watch them.

As soon as she left, Logan crossed to the desk and dialed Gil at the carriage house. Shes finished. The skull is Chadbourne.

Gil cursed softly. I dont know why it comes as a shock. We knew it probably would be.

Hell, I watched her doing it and I felt the same way when I saw it.

How is she taking it?

Multiply your reaction by about a million and youd come close. Shes not sure she believes me. Cant blame her. I wouldnt after all the deceptions Ive laid on her. At least she agreed to look at the tapes. After she finishes, Ill have another go at her.

Do we have time?

God knows. But the ID on the skull is just the first crack in the door. We still need her and we need her to believe hes Chadbourne. After that, every-thing will fall in line. Are you ready to go?

Yep.

Tell Mark and Margaret to pack up everything. Get them out of here as soon as possible.

Done.

Logan replaced the receiver and moved to stand before Chadbournes skull. Poor bastard. He didnt deserve this fate. Logan had never agreed with his politics, but he had liked the man. No one could help but like Ben Chadbourne. He had dreamed dreams and tried to turn them into reality. He lacked practi-cality and probably would have increased the na-tional debt astronomically, but there werent many men who dreamed at all these days.

And those who did usually ended like this man staring back at him with bright glass eyes.

ELEVEN

It couldnt be true.

Chadbournehellip;

Eves gaze was fastened on the TV screen. The last tape was almost over. The face was the same, the mannerisms the same, even the voice and intonations seemed identical.

Lisa Chadbourne was present at almost every public function starting after November two years before, and Eve had begun to focus on her during the last tape.

Always charming, never losing her loving smile, her gaze always fastened on Chadbourne. Chad-bourne glancing frequently at her with affection and respect even in the midst

Eve suddenly sat upright in her chair.

She watched the tape for a few more minutes, jumped to her feet, and hurried across the room to rerun the tape from the beginning.

Shes signaling him, Eve said flatly when she walked back into the lab ten minutes later. A whole set of signals. When she smooths the front of her skirt, he cracks a joke. When she folds her hands on her lap, he gives a negative response. When she straightens the collar of her suit, its a yes. I dont know what the rest means, but those are pretty obvious. Whenever hes uncertain, she gives him the answer.

Yes.

You knew it. Why didnt you tell me to watch out for it?

I hoped youd find out for yourself.

Shes controlling him like a puppet, she said slowly.

Logans gaze narrowed on her face. And do you really believe the Ben Chadbourne who was elected to the presidency would let anyone else pull the strings?

She was silent a moment. No.

Then is it reasonable that man is not Ben Chadbourne?

Its not reasonable, its crazy. She paused. But it could be the truth.

Thank God. His sigh of relief came from deep in his chest. He moved toward the door. Pack up the skull. Theres a leather carrying case in the closet. Weve got to get out of here.

Not until we talk. You havent told me every-thing, have you?

No, well talk later. I dont know how much time we have right now. The only reason I risked staying this long is that I had to have your cooperation.

We do have time. For Gods sake, do you expect someone to break through those electric gates?

Maybe. His lips tightened grimly. It could happen. Anything could happen. Think about the power of the presidency. There isnt much that couldnt be covered up if you have enough clout. As long as they think they have Chadbournes skull, theyll go slowly, eliminate us one by one at their leisure. But as soon as they find out they have the wrong skull, theyre going to assume we have the right one. The gloves will come off. And theyll do anything to get the skull back and erase every witness.

A bolt of panic jolted through Eve. If she be-lieved that skull on the pedestal was Ben Chadbourne, then she had to believe the threat was as deadly as Logan said.

After all the lies he had told her, there was no way she could trust him, but she had created Chadbournes face with her own hands and mind. If she trusted her own skill and integrity, then she had to believe the skull was Ben Chadbourne.

She strode quickly across the room toward the pedestal. Get moving. Ill pack up the skull.

CHEVY CHASE

Kenner and six of his men will be here in ten min-utes in a chopper, Timwick told Fiske as he strode out of the lab. Youre going to Barrett House.

Fiske stiffened. I wont knuckle under to that prick Kenner again.

You wont have to knuckle to anyone. Its your game now. Kenners only instructions are to assist and clean up after you.

It was about time. Logan and Duncan?

And everyone else in the place. Margaret Wilson and the electronics man went to the airport earlier today. Well have to track them down later. Theyre relatively unimportant, or Logan wouldnt have per-mitted them to leave. But Price, Duncan, and Logan are still at Barrett House. Theyre your targets. Handle it any way you have to. We cant have anyone left alive who knows what they were doing there.

This was more like it. Clean and neat. Whoever Timwick had phoned clearly had more intelligence than he did. No witnesses?

No witnesses.

What the hell are you doing? Logan asked as he strode back into the lab carrying a duffel bag. That skull was supposed to be packed.

Eve repositioned the cameras. Taking some more shots of the head. I may need them.

Get them later.

Are you going to guarantee well be somewhere with technical equipment?

He hesitated. No.

Then, shut up. She took two more shots. Im hurrying as fast as I can.

We have to get out of here, Eve.

She took three shots of the left profile. That should be enough. Where are those photographs you said you had of Ben Chadbourne?

He reached into his duffel and brought out a brown envelope.

Are they current?

None taken more than four years ago. May we go now?

She stuffed the envelope in her purse, placed the skull in the leather box beside the pedestal, and fas-tened the latches. She pointed to the small metal box beside the cameras. Stuff that in your duffel. I may need it.

What is it?

Its the mixer. I can probably jerry-rig cameras, VCRs, and monitors, but a mixer is sometimes spe-cialized and more difficult. I may not

Never mind. Forget I asked. He picked up the mixer and put it in his duffel. Anything else?

She shook her head. Just grab Bens case. Ill get Mandy.

Mandy?

You have your priorities. I have mine. Mandys just as important to me as Ben Chadbourne.

Take whatever you like. Just get out of here.

Gil met them at the front entrance. Sorry, Ive got only one bag for you, Eve. With this shoulder, I cant manage anything else.

It doesnt matter. She started for the front door. Lets go.

Wait. Theres another Shit.

She heard it too. A low throbbing, becoming louder by the second. Helicopter rotors.

Logan went to the window. Theyll be landing in a few minutes. He ran toward the kitchen.

Eve followed him. Wheres Margaret? Weve got to

She and Mark left over an hour ago, Gil said. They should be at the airport by now. In three hours theyll be at a safe house in Sanibel, Florida.

Where are we going? Shouldnt we try to get to the limo?

No time. And theres bound to be someone watching outside the gate. Logan was opening the door of the walk-in pantry. Come on. He reached under one of the bottom shelves, lifted up a trapdoor, and tossed his duffel bag into the darkness. Dont ask questions. Just climb down the ladder.

She scrambled down the ladder and found herself in some kind of cellar with an earthen floor. Logan followed. Close the pantry door, Gil.

Done. Theyre in the house, John. I heard them at the front door.

Then get the hell down here and close the trap-door, John ordered.

Stand aside. Im tossing down the suitcase. A moment later the light was blocked as Gil closed the trapdoor and bolted it.

Running footsteps on the wood floor above them.

Shouts.

Where are we? she whispered. A cellar?

Yes, with a tunnel. Logans voice was almost inaudible as he set off down the passageway. You asked why I bought this particular house. It was used by the Underground Railroad to smuggle slaves out of the South before the Civil War. I had the beams rein-forced. The tunnel leads a half mile north and under-neath the fence to the woods. Stay close. I cant risk a flashlight until we get around the next curve.

He was walking so rapidly, she and Gil were al-most running to keep up with him.

They must be away from the house. She could no longer hear steps above them, she realized with relief.

Logans penlight suddenly illuminated the dark-ness in front of them. Run. Theyll be searching the house, and it wont be long before they find the trapdoor.

She was running, dammit.

Her breath was coming in labored pants.

She heard Gil cursing softly behind her.

He was wounded. How much longer could he keep up this pace?

Up ahead Logan was opening a door. Thank God.

Up the ladder.

Daylight.

A thick screen of shrubs hid the door, but light filtered through them.

Fresh air.

Outside.

Quick, Logan said. Just a little fartherhellip;

They followed Logan around the shrubs and deeper into the woods. Behind another screen of bushes, a car, an older model Ford with the blue paint beginning to chip.

Get in back. Logan placed Chadbournes case on the floor of the passenger seat and climbed in the drivers seat.

Eve sank into the backseat beside Gil and set Mandys case on the floor at her feet. She barely had the door shut, when Logan started the car and it began moving over the bumpy terrain. Jesus, what if they got a flat tire? Where are we going?

Theres a back road three miles away. Once we reach it, well circle the woods and head for the freeway. The car hit another bump. That should buy us a little time. Theyll probably use the heli-copter to try to spot us, but even if they do, the license plates on this car couldnt be traced to me.

If they even reached the road, Eve thought as they plowed over one more shrub.

Its okay. Gils gaze was fixed on her face. I had heavy-duty tires and a new engine put on this baby. Its not as decrepit as it looks.

Hows your shoulder? she asked.

Okay. He smiled slyly. But my spirits would be a hell of a lot better if it wasnt John doing the driving again.

No one in the tunnel. Kenner was climbing back up the ladder into the pantry. It leads to the woods. Ive sent two men to reconnoiter.

If Logan arranged a bolt hole, he would have ar-ranged transport. Fiske moved out of the pantry. Ill scout the area from above in the helicopter. Stay here and burn the place to the ground. Nothings cleaner than fire.

Kenner shrugged. Okay. Then Ill set an explosion.

Idiot. It was a good thing Fiske was in charge now. No explosion. Thats not clean. Set a fire. No gasoline. Make it look like bad wiring.

That will take time.

Taking time is worth it to keep a job clean. He headed toward the helicopter. See to it.

He had been in the air ten minutes when he flipped open his cell phone and dialed Timwick. No one was at the house. Were scouting the area, but no progress so far.

Son of a bitch.

We may still find him. If we dont, Im going to need a list of locations Logan might go to.

Youll get them.

And Ive ordered the place burned to the ground to destroy any evidence.

Good. Actually, I was going to tell you to do that anyway. It was part of the contingency plan I was given. Timwick paused. One more thing. I need a body in those ruins.

What?

A mans body burned beyond recognition.

Who?

Anyone. As long as the height is close to Logans. Get back to me when its done.

Fiske pressed the end button and put his cellular away. It was the first time Timwick had indicated he was actually taking orders and not just consulting with his cohorts. Interesting that they wanted Logan to appear dead. He wondered just what

He suddenly grinned, then turned to the pilot. Get back to the house right away.

The adrenaline and pleasure were pumping through him as he thought of Timwicks words.

Anyone. As long as the height is close to Logans.

Kenner.

Were going south, Eve said. Is it too much to hope youre taking me home to Atlanta?

Yes. Were going to North Carolina, to a house on the shore there. Logan glanced over his shoulder from the drivers seat. If you think this through, youll realize you dont want to bring trouble down on your mother by going home.

No, she didnt want to do that, she thought wearily. She was caught in a whirlpool of deceit and death and Mom had to be kept clear. And just what are we going to do in North Carolina?

We have to have a base, Gil said. The house in North Carolina is right by the beach, in a prime tourist area. Our neighbors will be people on vaca-tion, and they wont care about newcomers.

You have it all planned out. Eve smiled crookedly. You were that sure it was Chadbourne?

Pretty sure. You can see I had to make plans based on the assumption.

I cant see much of anything right now except that youve used me without a scrap of conscience. You deliberately caught me in a trap so that I would have no choice but to try to expose Chadbournes death.

Yes. Logan met her gaze in the rearview mirror. Deliberately. "

She looked out the window at the flowing traffic. Bastard.

Right.

Could you dial one of my country stations on the radio, John? Gil asked plaintively. I need soothing. Im a sick man and all this tension isnt good for me.

In your dreams, Logan said.

Eve turned to Gil. And youre not a good ol country boy turned chauffeur, are you?

Sure I am. He shrugged. But I also did a stint with the Secret Service under the last admin-istration and another six months with the Chadbourne administration. I was pretty sick of dealing with Timwicks little regime and wanted to get as far away as I could from Washington. I thought a nice, peaceful job on the Seventeen Mile Drive was just the ticket. He grimaced. It didnt work out as Id planned, but you might say that my few contacts in convenient places have increased my value to John.

And Margaret?

Gil made a face. Shes just what she appears to be. A top sergeant of the business world.

She doesnt know about Chadbourne?

Logan shook his head. I tried to keep her as clear as I could. She doesnt even know about the beach house. I made the arrangements myself.

How kind.

Im not a complete son of a bitch, he said roughly. I dont want anyone risked unnecessarily.

But I was a necessary risk. Who made you God, Logan?

I did what I had to do.

For your damn politics.

No, more than that. The man in the White House may be acting like Ben Chadbourne, but he doesnt have either his ethical standard or his training. I dont want that man able to press a button that could start World War III.

So now youre not a political opportunist, youre a patriot?

Patriot, hell. I just want to protect my ass.

Now, that I can believe.

Its not necessary that you believe me. Its neces-sary that you know were on the same side.

Oh, yes, were on the same side. Youve seen to that. Youve tossed me right into the middle of this mess. She leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. And do you know who that man in the White House is?

We believe hes Kevin Detwil. Hes one of three doubles who were used during Chadbournes first year in office, Gil said. Detwil was used only twice at brief public appearances and then resigned. He said he had to go home to Indiana on personal business, but he actually went to South America and had more plastic surgery done.

More plastic surgery?

He had some done in Washington before he got the job. When he was drawn into the plot, he had to look exactly like Chadbourne, including scars on the lower back. He also had to be coached in depth about gestures, voice intonations, and so on. And he had to be briefed on policy, politics, the day-to-day living at the White House. Lisa Chadbourne would have been able to help him, but he couldnt just be thrown into the role.

This is all supposition, I assume.

Gil shrugged. The other two doubles are alive and well and doing occasional appearances. Detwil never showed up in Indiana. However, I managed to track him to a private clinic near Brasilia and a Dr. Hernandez, who had the reputation of supplying new faces to embezzlers, murderers, and terrorists. Detwil entered the clinic under the name Herbert Schwartz. A short time after Mr. Schwartz was dis-charged, the unfortunate Dr. Hernandez fell off the terrace of his penthouse.

Kevin Detwil, Eve repeated slowly. He has to be unbalanced to do something like this. Yet the gov-ernment must have had a profile on him. A security check?

Of course, but there arent that many men in the world who could pass as the President, so the choice is limited. The security check in these cases is mainly to determine if the subject is discreet enough to keep his silence and wouldnt shoot anybody and embarrass the administration. Gil added, Detwils background shows a stable, ordinary child of mod-erate intelligence, who became a rather dull, ordi-nary man. Hes unmarried, was raised by his mother, and lived with her until her death five years ago.

What about his father?

Split when Detwil was a kid. Evidently he was pretty well under his mothers thumb.

Which set him up beautifully for Lisa Chadbourne, Logan said. A man with that background would allow himself to be molded by another domi-nant woman.

But would he take a chance like this? You said he was dull and ordinary.

But you saw the tapes. He loves it. He sparkles, Logan said. Suppose you had a lifetime of being a wallflower. Then suddenly you become the most powerful man in the world. Everyone defers, everyone listens. Hes a male Cinderella and Lisa Chadbourne has handed him the glass slipper.

With strings, Eve pointed out.

He probably wouldnt have it any other way. Hes used to strings and they can make some men feel secure.

Then I gather hes not a weak link for her.

He might be nervous at times but not when shes anywhere near him, and shes not about to let him out of her sight. Shes probably made herself the most important thing in his life.

Important enough to kill Chadbourne for her?

Logan shrugged. She probably wouldnt risk in-volving him in the actual crime. He wouldnt have the backbone.

If she did kill him. You have no proof he was murdered.

I was hoping you might help us there.

She had known that was his intention, but she wasnt about to commit to any more right now. She needed time to digest everything she had been told and decide if it could be the truth. I bet you are.

You have little choice.

Bullshit.

Well, not any other decent ones.

Dont talk to me about decency.

I believe its time to turn on the radio, Logan murmured. Why dont you try to nap for a while? Ill wake you when we get to North Carolina.

He switched on the radio, and strains of Griegs Peer Gynt Suite filled the car.

Oh, my God. Gil huddled in the corner. Eve, tell him to turn it off and save me. I think Im having a relapse.

Save yourself. The music was soothing her raw nerves. I havent noticed you being particularly so-licitous regarding my needs. Not if they got in the way of what Logan wanted.

Ouch. Gil grimaced. Forget I asked. I can get used to classical. In fact, by the time we get to the beach house, Ill probably like old Grieg better than Reba Mclntyre.

TWELVE

"Youre sure its been done, James? Lisa Chadbourne asked Timwick. For Gods sake, it took you long enough. I cant have any more mistakes.

Barrett House is in flames right now. The delay was only because it took a while to make sure the cause looked like faulty wiring.

And you have a team on the way to retrieve the body? I dont want the fire department paramedics to get there first.

Im not a fool, Lisa. Theyll whisk it away and take it to Bethesda.

He sounded pissed. She had obviously been too authoritative. Everyone else was easy, but it was al-ways more difficult to strike a good balance with Timwick. In public he was properly respectful and subservient, but in private he never let her forget they were partners. She softened her voice. Im sorry, I know youre doing everything you can. Im just frightened. I feel a little helpless.

As a king cobra.

She felt a ripple of shock. It was the first time Timwick had ever used sarcasm with her. Not a good sign. Shed been noticing how nervous and on edge hed been lately, and now he was taking it out on her. Do I deserve that, James? We agreed it had to be done, and Ive always been honest with you.

A silence. I didnt expect this to happen. You told me everything would go smoothly.

Dont get angry. Look at the big picture. She needed Timwick. He had his job just as she had hers. She kept the irritation from her voice. Im doing my best. She reminded him gently, It was you who didnt wait long enough at the funeral home. There wouldnt have been a problem if youd made sure Donnelli had done his job.

I sat there and watched him burn. I thought it was safe to leave. How was I to know it took so damn long to burn a body?

She would have known. She would have re-searched and found out all she needed to know. She had been a fool to trust Timwick to do the same. I know. Its not your fault. But now we have to cope with ithellip; and Logan. You found no trace of the skull?

There were signs that the Duncan woman had been working, but no skull. If shes as good as re-ported, we have to assume shes completed the work.

Lisa felt the muscles of her stomach tighten. It will be fine. Her work alone proves nothing. We just have to make sure theyre discredited in the media before they get more proof. We took the first step today. Your job is to find them and make sure that no other damage is done.

I know my job. You just keep Detwil in line. He was a little too boisterous at the last press conference.

She was handling Kevin perfectly. Timwick had deliberately added that dig to get back at her for criti-cizing his handling of Donnelli. You think so? Ill watch it, James. You know how I rely on your judgment. She paused. What about the Duncan woman? So far weve aimed most of our efforts against Logan. She may prove as difficult.

Im keeping my eye on her, but Logan is the power player. Hes calling the shots.

Whatever you say. But could you give me a more complete report on Duncan?

It is complete. What else could you want to know?

More about her professional background. Theyll try for a DNA match and shes bound to have contacts.

After tomorrow theyll know how dangerous it is to surface. With any luck well catch them before they can get anything else done.

Wed be foolish to rely on luck, wouldnt we?

For Gods sake, how much DNA could be left after its been through a fire?

Ive no idea, but we cant take the chance.

And, like I said, Logan will be calling the shots. They cant just walk into a DNA lab with that skull. We know where theyll be going for help. Ive already got Ralph Crawford at Duke staked out. If we dont get them right away, theyll walk right into our

Please, James, she said gently.

Okay. She could hear the impatience in his voice. Ill get it.

Good. And let me know as soon as the body ar-rives at Bethesda. She hung up the phone, got up, and strode toward the bedroom.

Logan will be calling the shots.

She wasnt so sure. Her file on Eve Duncan re-ported a strong, intelligent woman who wouldnt walk behind any man. Who should know better than Lisa how a strong woman could shape situations to suit herself ? Timwick, as usual, was underestimating the opposition. She would have to be the one to keep an eye on Eve Duncan.

Lisa?

Kevin was standing in the bathroom doorway wearing Bens red paisley robe. It was one of the few garments of Bens that Kevin liked. He had a fond-ness for bright colors that shed had to curb. Ben rarely wore anything but navy or black.

He was frowning. Is something wrong?

She forced a smile. A little problem with Timwick.

Can I help?

Not in this. Let me handle it. She went to him and slipped her arms around his neck. He smelled of Bens specially blended lemon cologne. Fragrances were important. Even when you didnt realize it, it was a subtle reminder of who a person was. Sometimes when she woke suddenly in the middle of the night she thought Ben was still lying next to her. She whispered in Kevins ear, You were superb today at that AARP meeting. You had them in the palm of your hand.

Really? he asked eagerly. I thought I did pretty well.

Brilliant. Better than Ben could ever have done. She kissed him gently. Youre doing such a good job. We could be in the middle of a war now if you hadnt taken over.

He was that unstable?

She had drummed Bens supposed instability into Kevins head a hundred times, but he always wanted reinforcement. Guilt? No, he just liked the idea he was saving the world. For an intelligent man, Kevin could be incredibly vain and naive. Do you think Id be doing what were doing now if I hadnt been afraid of what hed do?

He shook his head.

And youve been magnificent. I think well get the health bill passed this year. Have I told you how proud I am?

I couldnt do it without you.

Maybe I helped you in the beginning, but youre surpassing anything She threw back her head and grinned impishly at him. My God, youre getting hard as a rock. Ive got to re-member what praise does to you. It keeps me a happy woman. She backed away from him and slipped off her robe. Now, come to bed and Ill tell you how marvelously you handled the Japanese ambassador.

He chuckled and moved toward her, eager as a kid for the romp to come. She kept the teasing, bold smile as she slipped into bed.

She and Ben had shared a bed, and bringing Kevin immediately into hers was a necessary part of the plan. He had been hesitant, even shy at first, and shed had to use her every skill to draw him in without appearing too aggressive. She could have found other ways to manage him, but this was best. It was her job to make sure Kevin was controlled.

And sex was the greatest controller of all.

Arrogant bitch.

Timwick leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. It was all very well for Lisa to order him around and then go to bed and let him do the work. She was there in the White House, acting like royalty, and he was in this crummy office, working his ass off. She wanted results, but she didnt want to dirty her hands, and she turned a blind eye to what she didnt want to see. He was the one who kept things running and pro-tected them from disaster. Where would she be now if he hadnt stepped in?

Eve Duncan. She was Logans tool, nothing more. It was stupid to make her a priority. If Lisa hadnt been such a feminist, she would have admitted that Logan was the prime threat.

Jesus, it seemed as if there were threats closing in all around him.

His hands clenched the arms of the chair. Keep calm. He was doing everything he could to save the situation. He would save it. He had too much at stake to take off and run. If he stuck it out, hed have every-thing hed ever wanted.

He reached for the telephone. Do what she saidfor now. He needed her to help stop the expo-sure of the cover-up and he needed her to push Detwil into the White House for another term. After that hed find a way to gain control. Let Lisa think she was running the show.

Hed give her enough information on Eve Duncan to choke her.

Wake up, were here.

Eve opened her eyes to see Logan getting out of the drivers seat.

She yawned. What time is it?

After midnight. Gil reached for the door latch. You slept most of the way.

It seemed impossible that she could have fallen asleep. Her nerves had been taut as wires.

Youve had a rough couple of days. Gil an-swered her unspoken question. I dozed a little my-self. But I admit Ill be glad to stretch out.

She was so stiff, she had to catch hold of the door when she got out of the car. She watched Logan climb the steps and unlock the front door. He was car-rying the leather case with Chadbournes skull. Trust Logan to keep his priorities in order, she thought dryly

Ready? Gil asked as he grabbed her suitcase. Ill take that.

I can manage. Take Mandys box. He was al-ready following Logan up the steps.

She didnt want to go inside. The air was cool and wet in her nostrils, and the sound of the sea against the shore was like a blessing. She hadnt been to the shore in a long time. Joe had taken her to Cumber-land Island after shed left the hellhole but she had no memory of what the island looked like. All she could remember was Joe holding her, Joe talking, Joe holding back the night.

Joe. She had to call Joe. She hadnt spoken to him since before the night theyd gone to the cornfield. She had deliberately avoided calling him and pulling him deeper into this morass. But if she didnt call him soon, hed be storming Barrett House with a SWAT team.

The wind was coming up and blowing the surf into whitecaps before they reached the shore.

Bonnie had liked the ocean. Eve and Sandra had taken her to Pensacola a few times and she had streaked up and down the shore, laughing and chat-tering and looking for seashells.

She closed the car door and walked down to the pier.

Eve.

She didnt turn around at Logans call. She didnt want to go into the house. She didnt want to face him or anything else just then. She needed time for herself.

She pulled off her sandals, sat down on the low pier, and dangled her feet. The water was cool and silken as it flowed against her skin.

She leaned her head against the post, listening to the rush of the sea.

And remembering Bonniehellip;

Are you going after her? Gil said. Shes been out there almost an hour, John.

Soon. God, she looked lonely. I dont think she wants company.

You dont want her to think too much. Thinking can be a dangerous thing. Shes already resentful.

Im tired of driving her, dammit. Let her have some peace.

I doubt if she allows herself to be driven in a di-rection she doesnt want to go.

But its possible to block out every other path so shes forced to take the only one left. Logan had done that since the moment he had met her. He was doing it now.

So was he going to stop because he was having a few twinges of conscience?

Not likely.

So repair her broken trust and use her again. Ill go get her. He went down the porch steps and strode across the sand to the pier.

She didnt look at him as he approached. Go away, Logan.

Its time you came in. Its getting chilly.

Ill come in when Im ready.

He hesitated and then sat down beside her. Ill wait for you. He took off his shoes and socks and dangled his feet in the water.

I dont want you here.

You know, I havent done anything like this since I was in Japan. He gazed out at the ocean. There doesnt seem to be time enough in the day to relax.

Are you trying to bond with me, Logan?

Maybe.

Well, youre not doing it.

No? Too bad. Then, I guess I might as well just sit here and relax.

Silence.

What are you thinking about? he asked.

Not Chadbourne.

Your daughter?

She stiffened. Dont use Bonnie to try to get close to me, Logan. It wont work.

Just curious. I guess I dont understand your ob-session with identifying skulls. Oh, I know your daughter was never found, but you cant expect to

I dont want to talk about it.

I watched you with Mandy and then with Ben Chadbourne. Theres almost ahellip; tenderness.

So Im a little crazy. Everyones a little bonkers on some subject or other, she said jerkily. I assure you I dont think their souls are hanging around those bones.

Do you believe in an everlasting soul?

Sometimes.

Only sometimes?

Okay, most of the time.

He was silent, waiting.

When Bonnie was born, she wasnt like me or Mom or anyone. She was justhellip; herself. All completehellip; and wonderful. How could that be if youre not born with a soul?

And that soul is eternal?

How do I know? Ihellip; think so. I hope so.

Then why are you so passionate about returning those bones to their families? It shouldnt make any difference.

It makes a difference to me.

Why?

Life is important. Life should be treated with re-spect, not tossed away like some useless bit of trash. There should be a hellip; home for everyone. I never had a real home when I was a kid. We moved from tene-ment to tenement. Motel to motel. Mom was It wasnt her fault. But everyone should have a place, a permanent place in the scheme of things. I tried to give Bonnie a home, the best home I could manage, where I could love her and take care of her. When Fraser killed her, I had nightmares about her lying in the forest for the animals to She was silent a mo-ment and her voice was uneven when she spoke again. I wanted her home, where I could take care of her as I always had. Hed taken her life, I didnt want him to take that last bit of caring away from either of us.

I see. Christ, he was seeing more than he wanted to see. Do you still have nightmares?

She was silent again and then she said, No, not nightmares. She swung her legs out of the water and onto the pier. Im going inside. She picked up her sandals and rose to her feet. If your curiosity is satis-fied, Logan.

Not entirely. But youre evidently not going to confide anything else to me.

Youve got that right. She looked down at him. And dont think youve made any headway with this cozy chat. I havent told you anything I wouldnt tell anyone else. Joe and I agreed that it was healthiest for me to talk about Bonnie.

We need to talk about Chadbourne.

No, we dont. Not tonight.

She walked away from him.

Tough lady. Exceptional lady.

He watched her start up the steps of the beach house. The light pouring through the windows shim-mered on her red-brown hair and silhouetted her slim, strong body.

Strong but vulnerable. That body could be hurt and broken and destroyed.

And he could very well be responsible for just that happening.

Maybe trying to reconnect with her hadnt been such a good idea. She had walked away as strong and independent as ever, and he was the one feeling uncertain.

And, yes, perhaps even a little vulnerable.

Ive been thinking, Lisa, Kevin murmured in her ear. Maybe we should What do you think about a baby.

Oh, good God. A child?

He got up on one elbow and gazed down at her. A child would be very popular. Everyone loves kids. If we started now, it would be born right after my next term starts. He hesitated. And Idhellip; like it.

She reached up and stroked his cheek. Do you think I wouldnt? she asked softly. Nothing would please me more. Ive always wanted a child. But its not possible.

Why? You said Chadbourne couldnt have chil-dren, but we can take care of that now.

Im forty-five years old, Kevin.

But there are all those fertility drugs now.

For a moment she was actually tempted. She had spoken the truth; she had always wanted a child. She and Ben had tried so hard to conceive. She remembered him joking and saying what an advantage kids were to any politician, but that was one time she hadnt cared about political advan-tage. Shed wanted someone of her own, someone to belong to her.

Forget it. Impossible. The tears that filled her eyes werent totally for Kevins benefit. Dont talk about it. It hurts me that we cant do it.

Why cant we?

It would be too difficult. There could be all kinds of problems for a woman my age. What if the doctor decided I had to have complete bed rest for the last months of pregnancy? That happens sometimes, and I wouldnt be able to travel with you during the campaign. That could be dangerous for us.

But youre so strong and healthy, Lisa.

He must have been brooding about this for a long time to be this persistent. It would be a risk we shouldnt take. She pushed the one button she knew would stop him cold. Of course, we could give up our plans for another term. But youre such a wonderful president, everyone admires and respects you. Do you want to give all that up?

He was silent. Youre sure it would be that risky?

He was already relinquishing the idea, as shed known he would. No way would he go back to ano-nymity after the power and respect hed become ac-customed to. Right now is just the wrong time. Im not saying we couldnt consider it later. She stroked his lower lip with a forefinger. But do you know how touched I am that you think so much of me? Id love nothing better than to

The phone on the bedside table rang, and she reached over to pick it up.

The bodys arrived at Bethesda, Timwick said.

The body. Cold. Impersonal. Thats how she should view it too. Thats how she had to view it. Excellent.

Have you managed to contact Maren?

Hes somewhere out in the desert. Ill have to try again.

We dont have much time.

I said Ill take care of it.

The media is crawling all over the hospital. Should we start it in motion?

No, let them speculate and then pop the story on them in the morning. We want them hungry enough to jump on any tidbit of information. She hung up.

Timwick? Kevin asked.

She nodded absently, her mind still on Bethesda.

I dont like the bastard. Do we still need him?

Be a little grateful, she said teasingly. Hes the one who discovered you.

He always treats me like a stupid ass.

Not in public?

He shook his head.

Well, maybe you wont have to see much of him. Ive been thinking you should give him an ambas-sadors post. Maybe in Zaire. After all, you are the president.

He laughed delightedly. Zaire.

She got up and slipped on her robe. Or Moscow. Its supposed to be very uncomfortable in Moscow.

But you promised him the vice presidency next term. Well have to name him as my running mate at the convention. He grimaced. Hes not going to give that up.

No, the vice presidency was the only carrot that had drawn Timwick into the plan. Hed been bitterly disappointed that Ben had not given him a cabinet post, and Lisa had never seen a more ambitious man. A hunger that intense could pose future problems for her, but she couldnt worry about Timwick now. Maybe we can think of a way of getting around it.

It would really be better if we can keep Chet Mobry as vice president. He hasnt caused us any trouble.

He could have caused us big trouble if we hadnt kept him on the road with nonstop goodwill missions. He never agreed with our policies. We could do the same with Timwick.

I guess so, but hes been Where are you going?

I have a little work to take care of. Go to sleep.

Is that why Timwick called you? He frowned. You never tell me what youre doing.

Because its only small, unimportant details. You take care of the big picture, I do the little stuff.

His frown disappeared. Youll come back when youre finished?

She nodded. Im only going into the next room to look at a dossier. I want to be prepared for your next meeting with Tony Blair.

He lay back down on the pillows. Hell be a piece of cake after the Japanese.

He was getting cocky. But it was better than the intimidation hed shown when hed first slipped into Bens place. Well see. She blew him a kiss. Go to sleep. Ill wake you when I come back.

She closed the door and walked to the desk across the room. It took her ten minutes to get through to Scott Maren and another five to explain the situation and its urgency.

Christ, Lisa, its not that easy. What excuse am I going to give for cutting my stay here short?

Youre clever. Youll come up with something. She added quietly, I need you, Scott.

Silence. It will be all right. Hang tough, Lisa. Ill call the hospital and tell them to hold off the au-topsy. Ill be there as soon as I can.

She hung up the phone. God, she was lucky to have Scott. He was going to be essential with damage control.

She turned on the computer, entered her pass-word, and opened the file on Eve Duncan. Every-thing was moving smoothly toward a salvage of the situation, and yet she was uneasy.

Eve Duncans image on the screen stared back at her. Kinky tousled curls, only a minimum of makeup, large brown eyes behind round wire-rimmed glasses. There was a world of character in that face, more than enough to make her fascinating-looking instead of just attractive. But the woman ignored the basic rules of power; she didnt use the assets she was given. She reminded Lisa of herself during her first few years of college, when shed thought brains and de-termination would do it all. God, that seemed a long time ago. Shed probably had the same intensity she saw in Eves expression. It hadnt taken her long to learn that intensity scared people. It was better to hide your passions behind a sweet smile.

Yet Eves background showed she was a survivor, and Lisa respected survivors. She was one herself, or she would never have been able to make it through these last years. Smiling sadly, she gently touched Eves image.

Sisters. Opposite sides of the same coin. Survivors.

Too bad.

She started reading Eves dossier, looking for a weakness, a way to topple her.

She was only two-thirds through the report when she found it.

Gil and Logan were sitting in front of the television set when Eve came into the living room the next morning.

Shit, Gil murmured. They really gutted it. I liked that old house.

What happened? she asked. Barrett House?

Gil nodded. It seems John got cheap on the wiring.

The picture on the screen showed a smoking ruin with only two chimneys still intact.

Gil added, But youll be glad to know he was punished for his miserliness. John died in the fire.

What?

Burned beyond recognition. But theyre com-paring dental and DNA records now. Such a fine man. Detwil just issued a statement about how John was loved and respected by everyone in both parties. He even said John had invited him to Barrett House for the weekend to talk about their policies.

Why would he say that?

How do I know? I thought it was overkill my-self. He switched off the television set. I cant bear any more. John and I were so close. Practically brothers. He went over to the kitchen bar. Anyone for breakfast?

Eve turned to Logan. This is crazy. Youre not exactly unknown. Do they think they can get away with this?

For a while. Theyll see that the DNA and dental records will match. Theyve taken the body to Bethesda.

So what does that mean?

It means they can control things at Bethesda. They have an inside man there. Hell see that every-thing is handled to their liking. It will buy them time.

What are you going to do?

Well, Im not going to show myself and try to prove theyre wrong. Id find myself in a maximum security cell as an imposter and suffer an unfortunate accident. He stood up. Besides, I have things to do.

Who do you suppose Who was that man who died?

Logan shrugged.

She shivered. It had started. A man had died, a life thrown away.

Coffee? Gil asked. Theres danish.

She shook her head.

Can we talk about Chadbourne now? Logan asked politely. I believe the situation is escalating.

Youre damn right well talk, she answered. I want my mother safe. I dont want my house going up in flames with her in it.

Ill call Margaret, tell her Im still of this world, and to find a hiding place for your mother.

Now.

Shes being very well guarded. Can I finish my coffee first? He gazed at her over the rim of the cup. Are you going to help me, Eve?

Maybe. If I dont think youre keeping me wan-dering around blind. She turned to Gil. I want to know about this Timwick you think is pulling the strings. You worked under him?

Gil nodded. Not close. As a humble Secret Service man, I was not privy to the great mans confidence.

Whats he like? You have to have made judgments.

Hes smart, ambitious, and knows how to pull strings to get what he wants. Personally, I wouldnt have wanted him to back me up in a tight situation. Ive seen him explode too often. I dont think he re-acts well under pressure. He paused. Is he dan-gerous? Hell, yes. Volatility translates too often to unreasonable violence.

What about Fiske?

Hes only a hired man. Calculated, efficient, and likes what he does. Anyone else?

You tell me. There could be a dozen people lurking in the wings you havent told me about.

As I mentioned before, they would need to keep down the number of people involved, Logan said. And wed be stupid to try to keep you in the dark now. You know what we know. Everything is out on the table. Will you help us?

If my mother is safe. She stared directly into his eyes. And Im going to help myself, not you. Id be an idiot not to know what a target youve made me. And the only way I can help myself is to prove Ben Chadbourne is really dead. DNA and dental records are the only legally acceptable proof. So we have to go after them.

And your suggestion?

Im not a DNA expert or a forensic anthropolo-gist with the additional qualifications necessary to do the extraction. So we take the skull to one of the most respected anthropologists in the profession, see if he can get enough DNA to make a match.

The skull went through a fire.

Its still a possibility. She added deliberately, As I think you know. I was just the first shot in your arsenal. Ill bet youve even chosen the forensic an-thropologist to do the work.

Dr. Ralph Crawford. Duke University. He has the qualifications we need.

She shook her head. Gary Kessler. Emory.

Hes better?

At least as good and I know him.

Another Quincy? Gil asked.

That TV show drives Gary crazy. Besides the fact that its inaccurate, people are always confusing pathologists with forensic anthropologists.

Well, what is the difference?

Pathologists have medical degrees and resi-dence training in pathology. Anthropologists dont have medical degrees, they have doctorates in an-thropology and some of them specialize in the human skeletal system and its changes during a lifetime. Like Gary Kessler. Hes worked with sev-eral Atlanta pathologists and is well respected. Be-sides, since you were researching Crawford, its very likely that they wont think wed go to anyone else.

Theyve probably been looking at your back-ground with a magnifying glass too.

And theyll find out Ive worked with ten to twelve anthropologists in L.A., New York, and New Orleans and that Ive been bombarded with requests since that 60 Minutes story. It will take time for them to check out everyones specialty and they would con-sider Gary a long shot since I havent worked with him in over two years.

Logan slowly nodded. Youre making sense. And, under the circumstances, it may be easier to con-vince someone you know to help.

Since those circumstances involved probable trouble with the law, she could see the problem. What about dental records?

That may be more difficult. Chadbournes den-tist was a woman named Dr. Dora Bentz. He paused. She was one of the people Fiske murdered after you came to Barrett House. You can bet every dental file Chadbourne ever had has been switched.

You said it was a witness who was murdered. She held up her hand as he started to speak. Never mind. Why should I expect truth from you?

Im not going to defend myself. It was a dif-ferent situation.

She noticed he didnt apologize or claim hed do anything else. Then were left with the DNA. What if we dont have enough for a test? Could we find a way to force Detwil to take a test to prove his identity?

No way, Logan said flatly. Hes now the presi-dent. We bear the burden of proof. Besides, his medical records could be switched like mine.

Couldnt we try? Hes got to have relatives.

Other than his mother, who died seven years ago, he had one older half brother.

Had?

John Cadro. He and his wife were killed the day after Dora Bentz.

Jesus. It doesnt have to be a close relative. They proved the Anastasia impostor wasnt genuine by comparing her DNA to Prince Philip of Englands. Isnt there anyone else?

Not that we can readily trace. They chose Detwil very carefully.

What about the mother? They could exhume

I dont mean to make a morbid pun, but we dont have time to dig deeper. Once we go public, we have to have full proof.

Why dont we have time?

Because well be dead within twelve hours after we show ourselves, Gil said bluntly. According to the news, John is already dead. That leaves only you and me, and they have the power of the presidency behind them. Im sure the scenario is already in place. Quick, logical, and thorough. Timwick was al-ways thorough.

Eve shivered. There has to be another leadhellip; someone else.

Yes, there is. Scott Maren.

Another relative? She grimaced. And is he dead too?

No. Hes Chadbournes personal physician, and hes been out of the country, which probably saved his life. He paused. But Im not sure well be able to use him. I believe hes probably involved in the actual murder.

How?

Opportunity. Two years ago, on the morning of November second, Ben Chadbourne checked into Bethesda for his annual checkup. The body appeared at Donnellis funeral home after midnight on No-vember third.

You think thats when the switch was made?

Logan nodded. It had to have been choreographed perfectly, with one Ben Chadbourne checking in and another checking out. Maren probably gave the real Chadbourne a lethal shot claiming it was vitamin B or something.

So hes their inside man at Bethesda, Eve said slowly. It was possible and diabolically clever, she thought. A physician was in a position of trust and yet dealt with the means for taking life every day. This has to be supposition. Maren would have had to go through all kinds of security checks before he became Chadbournes physician.

Im sure he did, Gil said. But hes highly re-spected and also a close friend of the Presidents. Maren, Chadbourne, and Lisa Chadbourne all went to college together. Either Chadbourne or his wife was probably instrumental in getting him his posi-tion at Bethesda.

Why would he do it? Why would he take that chance?

Logan shrugged. I dont know, but Id bet he did. Thats why Ive been trying to contact him. We might be able to persuade him to implicate Timwick and Lisa Chadbourne.

I cant see that Maren is a lead. Theres no way hed admit he was involved if its true. Hed be a fool.

Maybe. Logan paused. Unless we could con-vince him that hes a dead man if theyre not taken out. When I made up my list of their possible targets for elimination, Maren ranked high on it.

Eve thought about it. Hes the only witness who can link Lisa Chadbourne and Timwick to her hus-bands death.

Right. If theres no such witness and the death is discovered, they could set up a patsy, claim it was a terrorist plot or some other conspiracy. But Maren is real, and if he goes down for the murder, they couldnt be sure he wouldnt talk and bring them down with him. I havent any doubt that from the moment the plan was conceived, they were already planning on killing him.

But will he believe that?

We can try. We dont have much choice. Hes our only hope right now.

You said he was out of the country. Where is he?

Detwil sent him on a goodwill mission to Jordan to inspect the hospitals there. It was high-profile and he was supposedly requested by the king of Jordan. On the surface its an honor that would increase Marens prestige.

And below the surface?

Possibly a setup. Fiske would have found it easy to kill him there and shift the blame to a foreign dis-sident group. I think Bentz and Cadro were killed be-cause they suspected I might be getting too close, but Maren was always a target.

He wont cooperate. For Gods sake, if he killed the President, hes a dead man either way.

Not if we offer him a deal.

You dont have authority to offer him She studied his face. What are you thinking?

That I want Detwil and Lisa Chadbourne out of the White House, and I dont care how I do it. He paused. Even if it means helping Maren set himself up somewhere with a fat bank account.

Make a deal with a murderer?

What if we cant get DNA proof? Can you sug-gest anything else?

She was too confused to think clearly about any-thing at the moment. Whats to stop Fiske from still going to Jordan after Maren?

The situation has changed. They need Maren, and they wont kill him until his usefulness is ended. He smiled. Remember, they took my body to Bethesda. Theyre going to want Maren there to cover up. He was supposed to come back day after tomorrow, but now hell be winging his way home at warp speed. While we go to Emory to see Kessler, Gils going to Bethesda and try to gather Maren in.

How is Gil going to keep from being gathered in himself? Theyre bound to be on watch for us.

Through the magic of disguise, Gil said. Im going to dress up as a female nurse. He tilted his head. A blonde, I think. With great boobs.

What?

Just joking. Dont worry, Ill handle it.

She was already worried. She didnt want any harm to come to him. Gil might have been involved in the plot to deceive her, but he was a likable rascal.

And, dear Christ, there had been too many deaths already. People she had never met were dying. She seemed to be in the middle of a circle of ever-widening ripples of destruction. Thank God, those ripples hadnt touched anyone close to her yet.

And they mustnt touch them.

Youre talking as if you can move around without any problems, she pointed out. What about money? What about ID? Credit cards can be traced and

Logan took care of that. He had me buy a few handy-dandy phony drivers licenses on the black market. Youre Bridget Reilly. I thought your red hair looked like you might be of Irish descent. The picture is very satisfactorily blurred and

My picture? She turned to Logan. You got a phony drivers license for me?

He shrugged. I had to be prepared. I had Gil get IDs for everyone who was at Barrett House. I thought it might come down to this.

Damn him. He had not only known the trouble he was involving her in, he had planned on it. And I suppose you had Gil set up phony credit cards for all of us too?

He nodded. But I brought enough cash to see us through most situations.

Youre absolutely incredible.

I had to be prepared, he repeated.

She had to get out of the room, or shed do some-thing violent.

Call Margaret. She headed for the bedroom. Im going to phone my mother and tell her to be ready to go.

Her phone will be monitored, you know.

Im not an idiot. I know theyll be watching my mother. Ill be careful, but Ive got to warn her. Ill use my digital phone and call her on hers.

She has a digital too?

Of course. Joe got them for us. He says there are all kinds of creeps out there listening in on cellulars. Digitals are almost foolproof.

I should have known it was the ubiquitous Mr. Quinn, Logan murmured. Is there anything he doesnt think of?

No, hes a good friend and he keeps us safe. She gave him a cool glance over her shoulder. I can guess why you wouldnt understand that concept.

THIRTEEN

Sandra had seen the morning news, and it took Eve ten minutes to get past her exclamations of relief and deflect her barrage of questions to tell her that Mar-garet was coming.

What do you mean, I have to leave? Sandra said. Whats going on, Eve?

Nothing good. I cant talk about it.

Is John Logan really dead?

No. Look, Mom, its going to be nasty, and until I get it cleaned up, I want you somewhere safe and out of public view.

Safe? Im safe here. Joe stops by every other day, and that black and white is parked out in front every night.

Mom hellip; She had to find a way of convincing her. Do what I ask. Please. Its bad. Trust me. Im scared of what may happen.

Scared? Sandra was silent. I believe you are scared. I havent seen you act like this since Fraser She broke off and then said, I want to see you.

I cant come there. It would only endanger you.

What are you mixed up in, Eve?

I cant tell you that either. Will you do this for me?

I have a job. I just cant run off

Theyll kill you, she said baldly. Or theyll use you to kill me. Is that what you want? For Gods sake, tell the office you have a family emergency. Believe me, its true.

Kill you, Sandra repeated, and for the first time Eve heard fear in her voice. Im going to call Joe.

Im going to call him myself. But he may not be able to help you. Dont leave the house and dont open the door to anyone but the person I send after you.

And who is that?

Christ, what if they found a way to monitor the conversation? She couldnt have Margaret a target. Theyll have ID. Ill fax a picture No, her fax machine had been destroyed along with almost everything else in the lab, and besides, a fax might not be safe. Ill get a photo and information to you somehow. She paused. And, Mom, dont go any-where with anyone else, no matter what kind of ID they show you. Not the police, not the FBI or Secret Service. No one.

When will this person be here?

I dont know. Soon. I dont even know how theyll contact you. They may not want to come to the house. Just do what they say. Okay?

Im an adult, Eve. I dont go blindly where Im led. God knows, I did enough of that when I was growing up. She sighed. Okay, okay, Ill go along with this. But I wish to hell youd never heard of John Logan.

Me too, Mom. Me too.

And you take care of yourself.

I will. She paused and then said impulsively, I love you.

My God, now I am scared. You dont get sappy very often. She said awkwardly, I love you too, Eve. She quickly hung up the phone.

Eve pressed the end button on her phone. Ex-pressing affection was still never easy for either of them. There had been too many years of noncommu-nication during Eves childhood.

But Sandra knew she loved her. She didnt have to say it.

She braced herself. Now Joe.

She quickly dialed Joes private digital phone number.

He picked up immediately.

Joe?

A silence, and then his voice came low, hard. What the hell are you up to?

Can you talk? Is there anyone around?

Im walking out to the parking lot. Why didnt you call me? Why the hell didnt you return

I was busy. Stop yelling at me.

Im not yelling. It was true, but every word was laden with anger. I could strangle you.

You may have to stand in line.

Is that supposed to be funny?

No. Im in trouble, Joe.

Thats pretty clear. Did you kill Logan?

Her hand tightened on the receiver. What?

Did you kill him?

Are you nuts?

Answer me. Look, if you did it, I know it was self-defense, but I have to know so I can fix it.

Why would you think Of course I didnt kill him. Hes not dead. Its all a lie.

Silence. Then Id say youre in very deep shit. Have you seen CNN?

About Barrett House burning? Yes, I know about that.

No, the latest bulletin. The one that mentions you as a suspect.