The Face of Deception

Me?

Novak, that hotshot lawyer of Logans, was in-terviewed, and he said you were staying with Logan at Barrett House. He paused. He said you were Logans lover and he had been concerned about the relationship because you were unbalanced.

Son of a bitch.

They know about Lakewood, Eve.

She stiffened. How could they know? How could anyone know? You buried the records. You promised me that I

I dont know how they found out. I thought I had it covered.

You should have been more Christ, she was blaming Joe for something that wasnt even his re-sponsibility. They mentioned Lakewood?

Yes. He paused. I told you that there was no reason to hide it. Theres nothing wrong about

It seems there is reason.

Joe cursed softly. Tell me where you are. Ill come to you.

She tried to gather her wits. I shouldnt see you. As long as youre not involved youll be

Tell me. I am involved. Tell me or Ill hunt you down. Im damn good at hunting.

She knew better than anyone else how deter-mined Joe could be. Im coming to Atlanta. I need to see Kessler. Ill meet you at the Hardees parking lot out in Dekalb at ten tomorrow morning. Thats about six blocks from Emory.

Right. He didnt speak for several seconds. How bad is it, Eve?

Big-time. It couldnt be any worse.

Sure it could. You couldnt have me to help fix it.

She smiled shakily. Thats true. That would make it worse. She thought of something. Will you dig up a picture of Logans assistant, Margaret Wilson, and run it over to my mother? Tell her that Margaret is the one whos going to help her.

Help her do what?

Shes going to see that Mom gets to somewhere safe.

Im taking care of her. There was an edge to his tone. You dont need any other help.

Dont do this to me, Joe. I need all the help I can get. Will you get the picture to her?

Of course Ill do it. But youd better have a damn good reason for not trusting me.

I do trust Maybe hed understand when she explained everything to him. She thought of some-thing else. And will you find a picture of James Timwick and a man called Albert Fiske, who works for him? Bring it with you tomorrow.

Timwick should be no problem. Hes on the news fairly frequently, but whos Albert Fiske?

A name I need to put a face to. Good-bye, Joe. She pressed the end button.

Lakewood. My God, Lakewood.

She put her phone back in her purse and stood up. She could hear the television in the next room. Logan and Gil would be hearing about Lakewood.

But Logan must already know. The lawyer was his snoop and it was Logans money that had dug up all the facts about her past.

Logan again. Damn him.

Gil and Logan both looked up when she walked into the room.

The plot thickens, Logan said as he switched off the TV.

Yes, Im crazy and youre dead, she said jerkily. They want to make it hard for us to make any move at all.

Not hard. Impossible, Gil corrected her. Were you really at Lakewood?

Ask Logan.

Logan shook his head. I didnt get that morsel of information. I guess Novak was saving that to sell to Timwick.

You knew he was dealing with them?

I suspected the possibility. Novaks ambitious. He paused. But the question is how valuable is that piece of information to them. How long were you at Lakewood?

Three weeks.

Who committed you?

Joe.

Christ. The authorities. Not a good image.

It wasnt the authorities, she said fiercely. It was Joe.

Quinn was with the FBI at the time.

They didnt know about it. Nobody knew about it. Not even my mother.

Shes next of kin. She would have had to know.

Eve shook her head. Lakewood isnt a public in-stitution. Its a small private hospital in South Georgia. Joe admitted me under another name. Anna Quinn. He told them I was his wife.

And you went in voluntarily?

She smiled crookedly. No, Joe can be a power-house when he chooses. He bulldozed me into it.

Why?

She didnt answer.

Why, Eve?

What the hell. Hed find out anyway. The night Fraser was executed, I took an overdose of sedatives. I was staying at a motel near the prison and Joe came to check and found me. She shrugged. He made me throw up several times and walked me around that damn room until I was out of danger. Then he took me to Lakewood. He stayed there with me for three weeks. At first they wanted to sedate me, but he told them that wasnt why he brought me there. He made me talk to every shrink in the place. He made me talk about Bonnie. He made me talk about Fraser. He made me talk about my mother. Hell, he even made me talk about my father, and I hadnt seen him since I was a baby. She grimaced. But he didnt think I was opening up enough with the good doctors, so after three weeks he checked me out and took me to Cumberland Island and kept me there for another week.

Cumberland Island?

Its a wild island off the coast. One hotel, but Joe didnt check us in there. We camped out and Joe ad-ministered his own brand of therapy.

And did you open up with him?

Joe didnt give me any choice. Her lips twisted ruefully. I told you, he can be a powerhouse. He wasnt about to let me go crazy or kill myself. He wouldnt have it. So I had to cope.

Quinn must be pretty impressive, Gil said.

Oh, yes. No doubt about it. Theres nobody like him. She walked over to the window and looked out at the surf. I fought him like a tiger. He wouldnt let me go.

I wish hed buried the Lakewood records deeper.

So do I. In the neighborhood where I grew up there were a lot of crazies, but you were really bonkers if you had to go to an asylum. But Joe doesnt think like we do. Hes very direct. If somethings broken, you get an expert to fix it. He didnt see any stigma about staying at a mental hospital. That didnt scare him.

Did it scare you? Logan asked.

She was silent a moment. Yes.

Why?

She said haltingly, I was afraid I belonged there.

Ridiculous. You had enough stress to give anyone a nervous breakdown.

And how close is a nervous breakdown to going over the edge? You never realize what a tightrope we all walk until you almost slip into the chasm.

But you fought back.

Joe jerked me back. She crossed her arms over her chest. And then I got mad as hell and disgusted with myself. I wasnt about to let Fraser take anything else from me. Not my life and not my sanity. I wasnt going to let him win. She turned to face Logan. And Im not going to let Timwick and her win either. The question is how are we going to keep them from making everyone think Im nuts.

We cant. Not now. Were on the defensive, Logan said. We cant do anything until we have a weapon to launch an offensive.

She had known that, but shed hoped for good news, not reality. Did you call Margaret?

He nodded. Shes on her way.

Where will she take my mother?

Shes consulting with the security service whos guarding your mother now. Wherever they decide to stash her, I told Margaret I wanted them to take at least one guard. Did you tell Sandra to ex-pect her?

Yes, and I told Joe to meet us tomorrow in At-lanta. She saw an expression flit across Logans face and demanded, What?

Nothing. It just might not have been wise to in-volve him. The fewer people who

Crap. She ignored the fact that that had been her own initial thought. I trust him more than I trust you or Gil.

I can see why. Gil rose to his feet. Im eager to meet the interesting Mr. Quinn. I think Ill go for a walk. Care to join me, John?

Logan nodded. I can use some air. He moved toward the door. Well be back soon. Keep an eye on the news, will you, Eve?

They wanted to talk over the situation alone. Theyd weigh the recent developments and try to plan an offensive. Well, let them. Theyd learn soon enough that she wouldnt be shut out of decisions any longer.

On the other hand, she just might want to shut them out. Tomorrow shed be with Joe again. Logan had used her and she had no confidence he wouldnt do it again, but she could trust Joe. Theyd been a team for a long time, and together they could work their way through anything, including Timwick and Lisa Chadbourne.

Lisa Chadbourne. Did the fact that her name had come so easily to Eve mean shed accepted Lisa Chad-bourne as the prime conspirator? The signals she had used with Detwil indicated complicity but didnt nec-essarily mark her as the kingpin.

But the woman shed studied in the videotapes was not the type to accept second place. She exuded confidence and charisma.

And Gils description of Timwick had not been of a man who would be able to pull off a deception of this magnitude. It would take nerves of steel and the ability to think on your feet. According to Gil, Timwick was a man who might crumble under pres-sure.

If Lisa Chadbourne was the prime player, then Eve had better study her very carefully.

She went to her handbag and pulled out the tapes she had stuffed in it before leaving Barrett House. She popped one in the VCR and settled on the sofa in front of the television.

Lisa Chadbournes smiling face appeared on the screen. Beautiful, intelligent, and, yes, fascinating. Eve felt tension ripple through her, and she leaned forward, her gaze never leaving Lisa Chadbourne.

What are you doing? Logan asked when he walked in on her two hours later. Lisa Chadbourne?

Eve flipped off the VCR. Nothing. I was just studying her.

Her signals to Detwil?

Some. Mainly body language. Expressions. They tell a hell of a lot.

Do they? Logans gaze narrowed on her face. I wouldnt think theyd tell you anything. Im sure shes very good at disguising her emotions.

She shrugged. Im an artist and Ive made it my business to learn a lot about facial expressions. When I first became a forensic sculptor, I even took a course in expressions and body language and how they re-late to psychology. Expressions can make all the dif-ference in identification. A face without expression is like an empty slate.

And what did you learn about Lisa Chadbourne?

Shes a little arrogant, bold, but wary too. Per-haps a little vain. She frowned. No, not vain. Shes too confident to be vain. She just knows who she is and she likes herself.

Smug?

Eve shook her head. No. She hesitated. Sheshellip; intensely focusedhellip; and maybe a little lonely.

Quite a crystal ball you have, Gil said.

Some of its guesswork. Maybe a lot of it. People can usually control most of the muscles of the face. Except the ones around the eyes. Theyre very diffi-cult to manage. But even a lack of expression can sometimes tell a story. She returned to Lisa Chadbourne. Id bet she has a very small circle of friends and shed keep everyone but those few at a distance.

Logan raised his brows. That wasnt my impres-sion when I met her. I assure you no one could be warmer or more gregarious, and she handles people better than anyone I know.

And shes good enough to fool you. She turned on the charm and focused the full force on you. Men still rule the world, and shes made it her business to get along with them. Its probably second nature to her now.

But shes not good enough to fool you?

Maybe, if you hadnt provided me with the tapes that spotlight her every move and expression. Shes quite wonderful and almost never steps out of character. When it happens its for only a split second and then shes back in character again. She shrugged. Thank God for freeze-frame. It can be very illuminating.

So youve decided shes just a lonely, misunderstood woman who became innocently involved? he asked mockingly.

No, I think she could kill a man. She projects de-termination and intensity as strong as an atomic blast. I think she could do anything she needed to do and theres no way shed be a pawn. It would be her way all the way. She switched the television set back on. Im afraid I was too busy to watch the news for you. You can catch up on it yourself.

Youre assuming a lot from just looking at those videotapes.

Believe me or not. I couldnt care less.

Oh, I believe that body language and facial ex-pressions can be a dead giveaway. Studying them is one of the key courses in the negotiating seminars I send all my corporate executives to. Its just that we have to be very careful about assuming anything about Lisa Chadbourne.

We have to be careful about everything con-nected with her. She headed for the front door. Im going down to the pier.

May I go with you? Logan asked.

No, I dont remember being invited when you and Gil wanted to talk.

Ouch, Gil said.

She ran down the porch steps. The beach was de-serted except for a few children playing volleyball several hundred yards from the pier. She supposed she should be worried about being recognized. CNN had probably shown a photograph of the crazy pyromaniac who had killed Logan.

Crazy. She flinched from the word. Damn Lisa Chadbourne. Shed had to use the part of Eves life that could still bring pain. She could almost see her going over the possibilities and then striking like a black widow spider at the heart of

Why was she so sure it was Lisa Chadbourne who was responsible for the attack on her? She could be wrong. It could be Timwick.

She wasnt wrong. Lisa Chadbourne would never underestimate another woman. She had too much re-spect for herself.

She sat down on the pier and looked down into the water.

Youre assuming a lot just from looking at those videotapes.

She was assuming a lot. She could be imagining the subtle nuances she thought shed caught while watching Lisa Chadbourne.

The hell she could. She had trained herself to recognize and portray expression.

And her observations were more than clinical. She had felt the same gut instinct she experienced in the last stages of sculpting.

She knew Lisa Chadbourne.

Fraser.

She shivered as she looked down into the water. Lisa Chadbourne and Fraser were nothing alike. So why was she thinking of them as one?

Because the fear was back a second time. It had returned the day her lab had been destroyed so vio-lently and she had thought of Fraser. Lisa Chad-bourne had been the guiding hand then, just as she was now.

Fraser had been tainted with a madness that Eve had not seen in Lisa Chadbourne, but they both pos-sessed the assurance that came with power.

The pleasure derived from power was a strong motivator. Frasers power had come from killing. Lisa Chadbournes motivation was obviously more com-plicatedhellip; and possibly even more deadly. The thirst for power on a global scale could be far more dam-aging than on a smaller personal scale.

To hell with global scale. Nothing could be more damaging than what had happened to Bonnie. The world was made up of personal stories, personal tragedies, and the brutal acts that Fraser had com-mitted were every bit as evil as the killing done by Lisa Chadbourne.

Murder was murder. They had taken a life and life was sacred. She wasnt sure that Detwil was the danger Logan saw him to be. She didnt know about politics or plots or diplomatic implications, but she knew about murder. She had lived and eaten and slept with it.

And, God, how she hated it.

Keep watching the mother, James. Lisas brow knit as she gazed at the Duncan dossier in the computer. Duncan obviously has a soft spot for her. I think we can find a way to use her.

I am watching her, Timwick said. Ive never stopped. We believe Duncan placed a call to her mother this morning. She was on a digital phone, but we had stationed a man with an amplifier outside the house. We got only snippets of the conversation, but Id bet shes trying to remove her mother from the equation.

Smart. Just exactly what Lisa would have done. Erase every weak point. That mustnt happen. Deal with it.

Permanently?

Christ, violence was Timwicks solution for everything. No, we may need her.

Shes being watched by Madden Security, Logans team, as well as the Atlanta P.D. It may be difficult to make a clean move.

Do your best. Send Fiske. He handled the Bar-rett House matter exceptionally well. What about the forensic anthropologist?

Were watching Crawford at Duke University.

What about the people Eve Duncan worked with?

Were working our way through the list. That takes time.

We dont have time. It shouldnt be that diffi-cult. Hed have to have qualifications and experience working in DNA.

There are more people with the DNA qualifica-tion than youd think. Its the wave of the future.

Weve got to cut the list down. Send it to me and Ill do it. She checked her wristwatch. I have to go. Im scheduled for a meeting. Ill get back to you.

She hung up and started to close Eve Duncans file. Then she hesitated, gazing at Eves image.

Eve was moving swiftly to prevent any more damage. Lisa had had a hunch that Eve would try to save the mother even though Sandra seemed to have done precious little for her. Shed let her daughter grow up on the streets and had done nothing to keep her from becoming pregnant and having that illegiti-mate child.

Yet Eve had obviously forgiven her mother and was loyal to her. Loyalty was a rare and valuable quality. The more Lisa studied the womans file, the more she was coming to admire herhellip; and know her. She kept seeing similarities between them. Lisas own parents had been loving and supportive but she, too, had worked her way out of the tenements and fought the system against all odds.

What was she thinking? she wondered impa-tiently. She mustnt be swayed just because she was be-ginning to feel a certain empathy with Eve Duncan. She had set her feet on a particular path, and she must follow it to the end.

No matter who got in the way.

FOURTEEN

"Well, you made it, Joe said sourly as he walked over to the car. Im surprised. This baby looks like its seen some miles.

It attracts less attention. Logan climbed out of the drivers seat and faced him. Would you have pre-ferred I drove Eve around in a red Lamborghini?

Id prefer you didnt drive her around at all. He stared at Logan. Id prefer that youd never set eyes on her, you son of a bitch.

Christ, he was uptight, Eve thought. Joe looked more menacing than shed ever seen him, and Logan was bristling like a guard dog. She hurriedly got out of the car. Get in the backseat with me, Joe. Logan, you drive us to Emory.

Neither man moved.

Dammit, youre drawing too much attention. Get in, Joe.

He finally climbed into the car.

She drew a breath of relief, said, Drive, Logan, and climbed in.

Logan returned to the drivers seat and started the car.

Did you get the picture of Margaret to my mother? she asked Joe.

Last night. His gaze was fixed on the back of Logans head. I scouted the area myself and ran across his security team. I almost threw them in the lockup before I got them to identify themselves.

Anyone else? Logan asked.

Not that I could tell. No obvious stakeout.

They wouldnt be obvious and theyd be good. Very good. With the most sophisticated surveillance equipment in the business.

Why? Joe turned to Eve. What the hells going on? Talk to me.

Did you bring me the pictures of Timwick and Fiske?

He reached into his jacket pocket and brought out an envelope. And thats another thing. I checked into Mr. Fiske and hes real nasty. You shouldnt even be within shouting distance of the bastard.

Ill try not to be. He didnt look nasty, she thought absently, more like a stereotypical butler. Hazel eyes gazed mildly out of the picture. His nose was long and aristocratic, and his gray-flecked, care-fully trimmed mustache was the epitome of neatness. Though he appeared to be only in his late thirties, his barbered brown hair was slightly gray at the temples and receded sharply from a broad forehead.

There was nothing aristocratic about James Timwick. His face was broad, almost Slavic, and his eyes were a pale blue. He was younger than shed thought hed be, perhaps in his early forties, and his hair was jet black.

Now tell me why you had me bring those to you, Joe said.

Because I needed to see the face of the enemy, the men who might try to kill me. Not an explanation she could give Joe, who was already near meltdown. I thought it might help. She tucked the pictures in her handbag. Thank you, Joe.

Dont thank me. Tell me what I need to know.

She had to make one last try. You dont need to know. Id rather you opted out of this.

Tell me.

He wasnt going to be dissuaded, she realized re-signedly. Okay, but let me tell it my way. Dont try interrogating me, Joe.

They had arrived at Emory and were parked in the lot for a good ten minutes before Eve stopped speaking.

He was silent a moment, gazing down at the leather case at her feet. Is that him?

Yes.

Its damn hard to believe.

I agree, Eve said. But its Ben Chadbourne, Joe.

Youre sure?

She nodded. And thats why I want you out of it. I dont know what will happen.

I do. Joes lips tightened grimly. And so does Logan. He knew what he was getting you into from the beginning.

Yes, I did, Logan said calmly. But that doesnt change the present scenario. We have to do that ourselves.

Joe gave him an icy glance and then turned back to Eve. You cant trust him. It would be better if I got rid of him for you.

Got rid of him?

It would be easy enough. Everyone thinks it happened already anyway.

Her eyes widened. Joe.

He shrugged. I didnt think youd go for it. He opened the car door. Stay here. Ill reconnoiter the area and feel out Kessler for you. What makes you think hell want to become involved?

He has integrity plus curiosity and an obsessive nature. Its why hes in the profession.

Well, you should know about obsessions. He slammed the door shut and moved quickly across the parking lot.

A very violent man for an officer of the law, Logan murmured.

Hes not violent. Hes just angry. He wouldnt really have

Oh, I think he would. For a few minutes my neck was definitely on the line. I think Id better step very carefully around Quinn.

Joe believes in the law, she said fiercely. Dammit, hes a good cop.

Im sure he is, but Im equally sure his SEAL training gets in the way occasionally. Particularly when the law doesnt seem to be working and his friends are involved.

Joe doesnt kill.

Now. Did you ever ask him how many men he killed when he was a SEAL?

Of course I didnt. We were at peace when he was in the service.

But SEALs have missions even in peacetime.

Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to make me distrust Joe?

Maybe self-preservation. He smiled grimly. And because I want you to admit that one nod of your head and I would have been a dead man a few minutes ago.

I wont admit any

Be honest.

She didnt want to be honest, not if it meant ad-mitting she didnt know Joe as well as she thought she did. Joe was one of the bedrocks of her life. He was everything stable and trustworthy. When everything else had been falling apart around her, Joe had always been there. She would not think of him as a killer be-cause that would be comparing him to Fraser. No. Never.

Has he ever talked to you about his time in the SEALs?

No.

Did you know hes killed three men in the line of duty since hes been in Atlanta?

Her gaze flew to his face.

I didnt think so. Quinns smart and he knows you well. Hed keep that part of his life separate from you.

Hes no murderer.

I didnt say he is. Theres no question that those deaths were self-defense and that the scum he killed deserved to die. Im just saying that Quinn is multi-faceted and very dangerous.

Youre trying to take away my trust in him.

And hes trying to take away any trust you might have in me. Im just defending myself.

I have no trust in you.

You have a little. At least, you know were on the same side. I wont have Quinn stealing that away. His gaze went to Joe, who was now climbing the steps of the geoscience building. And I dont want to have to fight Quinn along with everyone else.

Eve followed his glance. It was as if she were looking at Joe in a different light. He was always con-fident, always moved with a springy grace, but now she could see the relentless efficiency in his entire at-titude. Powerhouse, she had called him, and power-house she knew him to be, but not deadly.

She could sense the deadliness now.

Damn you.

Were all savages, Logan said quietly. We all kill when it means enough to us. Food, revenge, self-preservationhellip; But Quinn knew you couldnt take it, so he made sure you didnt see that side of him.

And would you kill too, Logan? she asked bitterly.

If the circumstances warranted it. And so would you, Eve.

She shook her head. Life is too precious. Theres no excuse for murder.

He shrugged. Excuse no, but reason is

I dont want to talk about it. She leaned back and stared out the window, shutting him out. I dont want to talk to you at all, Logan. Just leave me alone, okay?

Sure.

Of course hed agree. Hed turned loose a serpent and now was willing to watch it work its poison.

She wouldnt let him. She wouldnt let him de-stroy the trust she had in Joe. Logan was the out-sider, not Joe. She wouldnt brood and wonder and let his words eat at her.

Logan said softly, But its true, you know.

Its okay. Joe opened the car door for Eve and helped her out. The coast is clear. Kesslers alone. His assistant, Bob Spencer, was there, but I had Kessler get rid of him.

She picked up the case containing the skull. What did you tell Gary?

Not what was in the surprise package, but I filled him in on everything else. Youre right, hes cu-rious. He took the case from her and his hand closed on her elbow. Lets get him started on it.

Im beginning to feel a little de trop. Logan got out of the car. I trust you wont mind if I tag along?

I do mind, Joe said. But Ill put up with you as long as you dont get in the way. His pace quickened as he guided Eve across the parking lot. How long will this take?

Kesslers part wont take long if he can find a good source of DNA to extract. Its the lab work Im concerned about. DNA testing can take months.

You worry about getting a good sample, Ill take care of getting the DNA testing pushed through. Joe held the door to the building open for her. No problem. Im good at pushing. Its one of my His gaze suddenly narrowed on her face. Why are you looking at me like that?

She glanced away from him quickly. I dont know what you mean.

The hell you dont.

She shook off his hand and kept walking. Stop probing, Joe. Theres nothing wrong.

Maybe. His glance shifted to Logan. Maybe not.

She opened the door of the lab and saw Kessler sitting at his desk, eating a sandwich.

He looked up and glowered at her. I hear youre trying to get me tossed in the cooler. Thanks a lot, Duncan.

Theres mustard on your mustache. She took the case from Joe and went to stand before Kessler. She picked up the paper napkin on the desk and wiped his mouth and bristly gray mustache. Christ, you have to be the messiest eater on the planet, Gary.

Eating should be a pleasurable function when a mans alone. I shouldnt have to worry about a woman coming in and criticizing me. Particularly one whos come begging. He took another bite of his sandwich. What have you got yourself into, Duncan?

I need a little help.

If the hews reports are right, you need help from a lawyer, not me. He looked behind her. Youre Logan?

Logan nodded.

Kessler smiled slyly. I understand youve got a potload of money?

Enough.

Care to part with some? Things arent the same as when I was a young man. Its a sad fact that we bril-liant scientists need patrons these days.

Maybe we could come to an arrangement, Logan said.

Back off, Gary. Eve unfastened Bens case. You know very well that if youre interested enough, youll do the job for nothing.

You have a loud mouth, Duncan, Kessler said. Theres nothing wrong with a little greed. And, besides, I might have become more of a philistine since we last worked together. His tone was absent, his gaze fixed on the case. In spite of his words, she could sense his excitement. He re-minded Eve of a kid waiting to see what was in a Christmas package. And sending Quinn in ahead to try to rouse my curiosity is a pretty obvious ploy. I would have thought youd be a little more subtle.

She grinned. If something works, I dont fuss with it.

It must have been something pretty interesting that pulled you into a mess like this. His gaze never left the case. Youre not usually stupid.

Thank you.

She waited.

He finally said impatiently, So who is it?

She opened the lid and carefully lifted out the skull. You tell me.

Oh, shit, he whispered.

Eve nodded. Yes.

He took the skull from her and put it on his desk. Its no joke?

Would I be on the run if it was a joke?

He stared at the face. My God. Chadbourne. He looked at her. If it is Chadbourne. Did you know who you were working on?

She shook her head. I went at it blind. I had no idea until I finished.

And what do you want from me?

Proof.

DNA. He frowned. And what have I got to work on? I suppose you worked on the actual skull again? Why cant you make casts? Theres no telling what you destroyed.

It was already clean. The body had been through a fire.

His gaze narrowed. Then what do you think Im supposed to do?

I thoughthellip; the teeth. The DNA would have been protected by the enamel. You could split a tooth and extract the DNA. Is that possible?

Possible. Its been done before. Kessler added, But its not a sure thing.

Will you try?

Why should I? This isnt any of my concern, and it could be big trouble.

Joe spoke up. Ill be here to guard you while youre working. He glanced at Logan. And Im sure Mr. Logan would be glad to make it worth your while.

Within boundaries, Logan said.

They were going about this all wrong, Eve thought impatiently. Theyd had Gary from the mo-ment hed seen the face. He just needed a little push over the line. Dont you want to know if its really Chadbourne, Gary? Dont you want to be the one to prove it?

Kessler was silent a moment. Maybe.

He wanted it all right. She could see the excite-ment he was trying to hide.

It would be megadifficult, she said. Hell, youll probably have enough for a book.

Not so difficult. He scowled. Unless you screwed up the teeth too.

I didnt touch them any more than I could help. She smiled. And you know my work doesnt interfere with yours. Its all there, waiting for you.

He glanced up from the skull. I know exactly what youre doing, you know.

Of course you do. Now, are you going to do it, or do we take the skull to Crawford at Duke?

Appealing to my competitiveness wont work ei-ther. I know Im the best in the business. He sat back down in the chair. But I may do you the favor. Ive always liked you, Duncan.

Youd do it even if you hated my guts. Her smile faded. But Im not going to lie. The situation is more dangerous than getting in trouble with the law.

I gathered that. He shrugged. Im an old man. I need a little something to keep the adrenaline pumping. Can I use my own lab?

Wed rather you dont. We think were safe, but we dont want to take any chances. Is there someplace else you can work?

You do make things hard for me. He thought for a minute. My lab at home?

She shook her head.

Ive a friend whos a professor at Kennesaw State, which is about forty minutes from here. Hell let me use his lab.

Fine.

What about my assistant?

She shook her head. Let him take over your classes. Ill help you.

I probably wont need it. He added testily, But you can clean off all this damned clay. I want a nice, clean surface.

Okay. She braced herself. But I need to do a superimposition first.

And Im supposed to twiddle my thumbs and wait?

Ill hurry. We need it, Gary. You know the teeth are important with superimposition and we dont know how many teeth youre going to have to take. We cant verify the dental records, so we need every bit of evidence we can get our hands on.

Maybe, he granted reluctantly. But my DNA will carry the day.

I know. But will you use your pull to borrow video equipment from the audio-visual department? I already have the mixer.

You dont want much, Gary said sourly. Tak-ing valuable equipment off campus? Theyll yell bloody murder.

Dont tell them youre taking it off campus.

Theyll still kick up a fuss.

Charm them.

Yeah, sure. Then they really will suspect Ive gone around the bend. Ill threaten and blackmail them instead.

Youre right, we wouldnt want you to act out of character.

But youll work your skinny butt off and get your stuff done pronto.

Im not arguing.

Amazing, Kessler murmured. How long to clean up the skull?

An hour, maybe two. I want to be very careful.

Then Ill get your equipment and then run down my assistant and tell him Ill be gone for a couple of days. Kessler moved toward the door. Pack up our presidential friend. Ill be back as soon as possible.

She said quietly, Thanks, Gary. I owe you.

Yes, you do, and Ill make sure you pay me.

You played him very well, Logan said as the door closed behind Kessler.

We understand each other. She glanced at Joe. Will you follow him and make sure hes safe? I didnt want to make an issue of it, but I dont want him running around the campus all by himself.

You said yourself that you didnt think theyd figure out the connection.

I dont want to take any chances. I persuaded him to help us. I feel responsible.

And I feel responsible for you.

Please, Joe.

I dont want to He broke off as he saw her expression. He turned away abruptly. Stay with her, Logan. If you let anything happen to her, Ill break your neck. The door closed behind him with a deci-sive click.

Violence again. She gazed blindly down at the skull.

Are you ready to go? Logan asked.

Not yet. Im going to pack up Ben and then rifle through Garys equipment for something to chip this clay off. She crossed to the table and opened the cabinet. You can contact Margaret and find out when my mother will be safe.

I can phone from here.

I dont want you underfoot. Go outside and do it.

Id like to oblige, but Quinn gave me orders. I really would like to keep my skin intact.

Im giving you orders. Youre not doing any good here. Get out of my way and see that Moms safe or Ill go home and do it myself. Its what I want to do anyway.

He held up his hand in surrender. Im on my way.

He was gone.

She drew a breath of relief. She didnt want any of them around her right now. She was too unsettled and needed to get things back in perspective. Work was the only thing that would do that. The sooner they got to that lab at Kennesaw State, the better shed be.

She found three wood instruments that looked sharp enough to be effective but not too sharp to do crucial damage if her hand slipped. She dropped them in her handbag and then carefully repacked Bens skull in the case. Okay, Ben. Sorry to put you through this, but Ive got to take all that clay off you. Put it on, take it off. All this running around and fussing doesnt seem fair, does it? She fastened the case. But here we go again.

Mrs. Duncan? Open the door. Margaret Wilson.

Sandra studied the plump woman through the peephole and compared her to the photograph in her hand.

Mrs. Duncan?

I heard you. Sandra unlocked the door. Come in.

Margaret shook her head. No, I have the van at the curb. We have to leave now. Are you ready?

As soon as I get my suitcase. She went to the living room and came back with the case. Where are we going?

We cant talk here. Margaret preceded her down the porch steps. Dont worry, youll be safe.

Why cant we talk here. Im not Sandra made the connection. Bugged? You think my house is bugged?

Thats what I was told. Hurry.

Bugged. Sandra locked the front door. What the hell is going on?

I hoped youd know. Margaret moved briskly down the walk. I thought wed compare notes and come up with some answers. Usually, I dont mind traveling blind for John, but Im a little uneasy about all this. She opened the passenger door. Get in. She indicated the short, burly man in the drivers seat. This is Brad Pilton. Hes with Madden Security and hes one of the crew whos been watching over you the past several days. Hes supposed to be our bodyguard.

I am your bodyguard, Pilton said, pained. He nodded politely at Sandra. Maam.

Well, youre not very big. Margaret climbed into the backseat. Not that thats a hindrance in most cases. I approve of small. Still, I think Id have chosen someone else for the job if Id seen you first. There are uses for big and brawny. Not that you dont have excel-lent credentials.

Thank you. He started the van and edged away from the curb.

Where are we going? Sandra repeated. Or cant we talk?

The vans safe. It belongs to the security com-pany, but I insisted Pilton check it out for bugs anyway. Were going to the mall.

The mall?

North Lake Mall. She smiled at Sandra. We need to do a car switch in case were followed. Well go in one door and out another.

And from there?

Lake Lanier. Ive rented a small cottage. Youll be safe and cozy.

Lake Lanier. She and Ron had talked about going up there over Labor Day, Sandra remembered wist-fully. But hed said theyd stay at the hotel on Pine Island. He wasnt much on rustic. Well, neither was she. In spite of their differences, they had a lot in common.

Something wrong? Margarets gaze was on her.

I guess not. All this seems like a bad dream to me.

Me too. Margaret leaned forward and squeezed Sandras shoulder. Dont worry. Well get through it together.

I think were being followed, Pilton said.

Sandra tensed and glanced over her shoulder. Where?

The dark blue Mercury.

Are you sure?

Pilton nodded. Dont worry. We expected it. Well lose him at the mall.

Someone was following them. Someone who might want to hurt her, Sandra thought with a shiver.

For the first time, the threat became real to her.

Fiske watched the van pull into a parking space at North Lake Mall and the three passengers hurry through the doors of the south entrance. He didnt bother to park. Hed cruise around the mall and see if he could spot the three as they came out an-other door.

It was doubtful. There were too many lots and too many exits.

It didnt really matter. His favorite listening de-vice had paid off again. He knew where they were going, though he wished Margaret Wilson had been a little more explicit. Lanier was a huge resort area with thousands of rental properties.

Which meant he should start the ball rolling on locating the right one immediately.

He took out his electronic earpiece and punched in Timwicks number on his phone. Duncans mother is being taken to a cottage on Lake Lanier. The place was probably rented yesterday or today by Margaret Wilson. I need to know where it is.

Ill get on it. Timwick hung up the phone.

Fiske decided that in the meantime hed check into a hotel and wait. Things were proceeding very well. Hed been upset about leaving Atlanta before everything was tidily brought to completion.

But now he was back.

Everythings fine, Margaret told Logan on the phone. Weve changed cars and were on our way to Lake Lanier.

Call me when you get there.

I told you, everythings fine. Pilton is sure were not being followed any longer.

Pilton?

The bodyguard. Though his body isnt much bigger than mine.

No big deal. Id bet on you over Goliath any day.

Me too. Thats why Im reassuring myself about Pilton. Okay, Ill call you when we get to the cottage. Anything else?

Just stay out of sight. He ended the call.

Everythings fine.

Maybe it was fine, but he was still uneasy. Hed expected getting Sandra Duncan away from the house to be more difficult.

Unless they wanted her out of sight as much as he did. It would be easier to dispose of someone who was hiding from the world.

But only if they found her.

I told you to stay with Eve. Joe Quinn was walking up the steps toward him.

And she told you to stay with Kessler.

Hes right behind me.

And Im a hundred yards from the lab.

Thats a hundred yards too far.

I had phone calls to make and I think she wanted me out of her hair.

She has good taste.

Time to try to bridge the gulf. Youre absolutely right. Shes perfectly right to resent me. So are you. He gazed into Quinns eyes. But dont give me or-ders. Were on the same team and Ill do everything I can, but Ill work with you, not for you, Quinn.

Joes lips twisted. And not against me? Just what did you tell her about me?

What I had to tell her to protect my position. I assure you that it was nothing but the truth.

As defined by John Logan.

Logan nodded. I think you know what I told her. I imagine its what youve been carefully hiding for years.

Damn you.

I believe I was entitled to protect myself. You were becoming a little too lethal. Suppose we come to an agreement. You agree to work with me willingly, if not amicably, and Ill stop bringing up your alter ego to Eve.

Quinn stared at him a moment. Screw you. He passed him and went into the building.

Logan let out the breath he hadnt known he was holding. He had confronted many dangerous men in his time, but Quinn was definitely in a class by him-self. It astonished him that Eve hadnt picked up on it.

Maybe not so strange. To her Quinn was the pro-tector, the man who had saved her and sustained her.

It was difficult to equate a savior with a terminator.

FIFTEEN

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

1:05 a.m.

"Hows it going? Logan squatted beside Eves chair. Have you got a minute?

No, I havent got a minute. It took me forever to jerry-rig this equipment and set it up. She adjusted the TV monitor. And Ive just started.

Margaret called from Lanier. I have the phone number. I thought youd want to talk to your mother.

Why didnt you tell me? Of course I want to talk to her.

Logan dialed the number and handed his phone to Eve.

How are you, Mom?

Tired. Worried about you, Sandra said. Hell, worried about me. Other than that, Im in great shape. When is this going to be over, Eve?

I wish I knew. She changed the subject. Hows the cottage?

Nice. Its on the water. Great view.

But Sandra didnt sound as if she appreciated either the cottage or the view. Who could blame her? Eve had disrupted her life and yanked her away from the pleasant, comfortable niche shed made for her-self. Try to enjoy it and relax. Do you have any books to read?

Margaret brought a few suspense novels, but you know I dont read much. Theres a big TV set. A pause. Do you suppose I could call Ron? I wouldnt tell him where I was.

No, dont do it. Honest, Ill try to have you out of there in a few days.

Okay. Sandras tone was despondent. I guess Im kind of lonely. Ill be fine. You just take care of yourself.

I will. Good night, Mom. Ill call you every day. She handed Logan the phone. Thanks. I feel a little better now.

That was the intention. How is she?

Depressed. She wants her life back. She gazed blindly at the monitor. She deserves a good life. Shes had a hard time and now things are looking up for her. Shes met someone she cares about. Moms al-ways needed people.

And you havent?

She shrugged. I guess Ive never thought about it. There was always too much work to do.

Always?

Not always. Not when Bonnie She turned to look at him. Youre probing again, Logan.

Sorry, Im just wondering what makes you tick. He gazed at the skull on the pedestal. Besides an obsession with our friends who have passed over. Its in-teresting that you dont seem to have made any close friends after your daughter was killed.

Ive been busy.

And perhaps you dont want to come close to anyone again and risk being hurt.

Do you expect me to be awed by your percep-tiveness? Im well aware Im avoiding new relation-ships and the reason for it.

Of course you are. Youre a brilliant woman. So why dont you do something about it?

Maybe I dont want to do anything about it.

Not even to live a fuller, richer life?

You dont know how full and rich my life is com-pared to what it was before. I was lost and now Im found. She said haltingly, I was drowning in pain and Ive managed to climb to dry land. Thats enough, Logan.

Its not enough. Its time to go on.

She shook her head. You dont understand.

Im trying.

Why?

I like you, he said simply.

She stared at him. What are you up to, Logan?

I dont have an agenda. I do make new friendshellip; even if theres a risk of losing them. I like you and I admire you. I just thought Id tell you.

Before you start using me again.

Yes.

Youre totally incredible. She looked back at the monitor. Do you expect me to say all is forgiven and lets go play in the sandbox?

No, I told you, no agenda. Were past all that now. I just wanted to be honest with you for a change. Sorry I disconcerted you. He rose to his feet. Id better let you get back to work.

Yes, you had.

I thought youd have more done by now.

She was relieved that odd moment of revelation and intimacy was over and that Logans usual de-manding self was back. He was right. He had discon-certed her. It took me longer than I thought to clean up Ben. She glanced at Kessler, who was seated at the table at the far end of the lab. Gary wasnt pleased. Hes been chomping at the bit to get to work and I still need the skull for verification.

Why did you take those photographs at Barrett House?

Insurance.

How long is the superimposition going to take? This place is a little too public. I want to get out of here.

Im hurrying as fast as I can. She adjusted the camera aimed at the skull on the pedestal, and then made a minor adjustment on the second camera aimed at one of the photographs of Ben Chadbourne Logan had given her at Barrett House.

How long is this going to take? he repeated.

It depends. Setting up sometimes takes the longest, and I havent used this equipment before. I think Ive got it right.

How does it work?

Havent you got something else to do?

Just interested. Am I bothering you?

I suppose not. She made another adjustment. As you can see, the one camera is focused on the skull, the other on the photograph. The angle on the skull and the photograph both have to be the same. Then both cameras are connected to a mixer, an editing machine that Ive connected to a VCR. The VCR plays the images on the monitor. The mixer can create a split screen where a line runs vertically and horizontally between the images at the same time or half of each image. The line can be moved to show less of one image and more of the other. Thats called a wipe. Rut what I need to do is cause a fade.

And whats that?

Its sort of like a dream sequence in a movie. You know, when one image blurs and then suddenly becomes another? One image is superimposed on an-other and then I equalize the fade so that you can see the photograph and the skull both as if the persons skin is transparent.

Can you show me now?

Here it comes. She brought the two images up on the monitor and started to work.

Why did you pick the

Be quiet. Im busy.

Sorry.

She was only vaguely aware of him beside her during the next period of painstaking adjustment.

Move.

Too much.

Racktrack.

Adjust.

Again.

Again.

And still again.

Christ. Logan leaned forward, his gaze on the ghostly merged image. Its almost spooky.

Nothing spooky about it. Its just a tool.

May I talk now?

You appear to be doing it. She made another adjustment.

Why did you choose the photograph with Chadbourne smiling?

The teeth. Teeth are rarely perfect and each set has its own irregularities. If the teeth are a match, we hit the jackpot. Thats why I had to have the skull be-fore Gary started pulling the teeth.

And do these teeth match?

Oh, yes, she said with satisfaction. Definite match. Perfect match. Cant you see?

They look good to me, but Im no expert. And Im being distracted by that ghostly effect.

It all matches. She pointed. See how the bite line on the skull is even with the lip line on the photo-graph. She tapped the nasal opening. And this is the same size and shape as the nose. The eyeballs are cen-tered in the orbits of the skull. There are several other checkpoints and they all match.

So what happens now?

I print out several copies of this picture on the screen and go to the next photograph.

But you told me this was a definite match.

For an ordinary person. Not for the President of the United States. Every feature has to be verified. I need a better side shot of the ear canal and the muscle attachment at the side of the

I get your point. Logan held up his hand to stop the flow of words. Can I help?

You can go talk to Gary and pacify him until I finish. Hell be pouncing on me any minute.

I hear. I obey. He rose to his feet. Pacifying seems to be all Im good for these days. Its annoying not to be able to take action myself.

I prefer you in passive mode, she said dryly. Every time you take action, I sink deeper into this quicksand.

No comment. He strode across the lab toward Kessler.

She looked back at the screen. She had known the superimposition would validate the work shed done on the skull, but it still sent a ripple of excitement through her. One more block in the wall of evidence she had to build. Were getting there, Ben, she whispered.

She hit the print button on the Sony video printer.

3:35 A.M.

It was raining.

She hadnt realized that when she was working in the lab. Now she leaned against the open doorway of the front entrance, looking out over the manicured lawns of the campus. The cool, humid air felt good in her lungs as she took a deep breath.

She should be tired, but she was still pumped from working on the match.

You shouldnt be out here. Joe was leaning against the brick wall a few yards from the door. Go back inside.

I need some air.

Did you finish?

I finished the superimposition. Garys barely started on extracting the DNA. She looked at his clothes. Youre wet.

Not much. The overhead ledge protects me. It kind of feels good. He grimaced. I guess Im a little hot under the collar.

I noticed. But you shouldnt blame Logan. It was my decision to do the job. I knew there was a risk. The fee was just too good.

Ill bet he didnt let you know how risky before he drew you in.

It was still my decision. Why was she de-fending Logan? Joe was right to condemn Logans methods and she had been as angry as Joe when she found out how she had been used. She changed the subject. Its late. You shouldnt be here. Diane will be worried.

I called her.

If you told her you were with me, then that wouldnt stop her from worrying. She had to have seen CNN.

I didnt tell her.

You lied to her?

No, I just told her I was working late.

Thats almost a lie. Id be furious if you werent honest with me.

Youre not Diane. She prefers to be kept in the dark when something unpleasant raises its head. Shes never become accustomed to being married to a cop. Shed much rather I quit the force and find some-thing with a little more prestige to do.

Well, I cant argue the situation isnt as un-pleasant as it comes, but Id still want to brain you. Marriage should be a partnership.

There are all kinds of marriages.

I dont suppose I should be surprised. You dont tell me everything either. She glanced away from him, staring into the distance. For instance, you never mentioned youd killed anyone in the line of duty.

Youve had enough violence in your life. You didnt need any more.

Was that your decision? Just like the one you made to protect Diane? Keep the delicate females away from any hint of unpleasantness.

Did I want to protect you? he asked roughly. Hell, yes. But I also wanted to protect myself. I knew youd be like this. I didnt want you to look at me and see Fraser.

Id never do that. I know you. Im sure you did only what you had to do.

Then turn around and let me see your face.

She braced herself, turned, and looked at him.

Shit, he said through his teeth.

I just have to become accustomed to the idea. I feel as if I dont really know you.

You know me better than anyone on this earth, just as I know you better than anyone else does.

Then why didnt you tell me about

All right, Ill tell you. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. You want a body count? Three. Two of them were into drug running. The third just liked killing and reminded me of Fraser. Ive often won-dered if that one really was self-defense. Maybe I didnt want to take the chance of him walking. His voice lowered. And I never lost a minutes sleep over any of them. Does that make you feel like you know me any better?

Joe, I dont

Do you want me to talk about my stint in the SEALs? No, I can see you dont. Three is enough for you. You dont want the grim reapers shadow any-where near you. I knew that and accepted it.

Why didnt I hear about those deaths?

Because I saw that you didnt want to know about them. Figuring that out was easy. You never watched or read local news after Bonnie. I just had to make sure no one in the department talked. He gazed into her eyes. And Id do it again. You werent ready to face the idea that I wasnt Andy Griffith am-bling around Mayberry. You may never be ready. His glance shifted past her to the hall leading to the lab. And Im not pleased with our Mr. Logan for stirring up this hornets nest.

Then you shouldnt have threatened him.

Do you think I dont know that? I was stupid. I was angry and I let you see it. He smiled recklessly. Or maybe Im lying to myself. Maybe I meant to do it. It could be I was sick and tired of But how the hell long do you think I can keep everything inside without He took a long breath. Dont blow what weve got, Eve. Weve been together a long time. Like you said, you know me.

Do I? she whispered.

Okay, well start over. Ill be honest with you even if it tears you apart. Satisfied? He turned away from her. Because Im not. But then, Im used to that. Its become a way of life to me.

What do

This isnt getting us anywhere. Ive got to go check out the perimeter. He started down the steps. But dont worry, if I find any bad guys, Ill handle them with kid gloves. We wouldnt want any more blood on my hands, would we?

He was angry with her. Maybe he had a right. He was her friend, closer than a brother, and she had pushed him away and closed him out. Joe knew her too well not to be aware of everything she was feeling.

But she didnt know him that well. She had thought she did, but shed had no idea of all that hed hidden from her.

Face it, she hadnt wanted to know. Policemen dealt with violence every day and, if she had let her-self think about it, she would have known it would touch Joe.

I didnt want you to look at me and see Fraser.

She had denied it, but hadnt that been her first thought when Logan told her about the deaths in Joes past? It wasnt rational, it wasnt fair, but the thought had been there.

Another ripple Logan had set in motion to disturb her life. Only this time it was more like a tidal wave.

Block it out. She had enough to worry about just then. Easy to say. The idea of angering Joe wasnt easy to block out.

And what if it wasnt only anger? What if she had hurt him? Joe was tough, but he could be hurt. God, she didnt want to hurt him.

She couldnt dismiss the idea, but she had to put it on the back burner and consider all the ramifications later. Joe was too important to her. If she began to worry about him, she wouldnt be able to do any-thing else.

So go back in and see if you can help Gary. Get this business over with so you can go back to living a normal life with normal problems.

She turned and strode down the hall toward the lab.

Kessler glanced up as she reached him. You okay?

Sure. I just needed some air. How are you doing?

Not good. He looked back down at the molar he was cutting. The poor bastard may be toothless before I get enough for a sample. This is the third one Ive cut into.

Do you need me to help?

And share the credit? She smiled. I promise Ill never tell.

Sure. Ive heard that before. Go away.

Whatever you say. But she didnt move, watching as he carefully cut through the enamel on the tooth. Ive been thinking. After we get the sample, it might be a good idea if you went away for a while. Maybe to your place on the shore.

Ah, are you trying to save my neck, Duncan? Maybe feeling a little stirring of guilt?

Yes.

Good. A little guilt is good for the soul. His gaze was narrowed on the tooth. But dont flatter yourself that Im doing this for you. This job is going to make me a star. Ive always wanted to be the center of at-tention.

Yeah, sure, thats why you work like a demon and live like a hermit.

It takes one to know one. Another fifty years and youll probably be living in your lab, eating cold Dominos pizza.

And lying about wanting to become famous? Admit it, youre just curious.

Partly. He carefully started opening the tooth.

And whats the rest of it?

Did you know I spent my early childhood in Munich during the thirties?

She shook her head, gazing at him in surprise. Youve never talked about it.

No, we talk only about our jobs, dont we? The bones, the deadhellip; He adjusted his glasses on his nose. My mother was Jewish but my father was of good Aryan stock with high government connections. The Nazis put pressure on him to divorce her, but he refused. He owned a small bakery and for two months he had to replace the windows that were broken every day. He held out and still refused. Then one night he didnt come home from the shop and we were told hed been run over by a truck. He lost a leg and spent nine months in a hospital. By the time he was up and about, it was all over. The shop was out of business and the Nazis had begun to round up the Jews. We managed to get to Switzerland and then later to America.

Oh, God, thats terrible, Gary. Im sorry.

I wasnt sorry. I was mad. I watched those sons of bitches striding around the neighborhood, running over everyone who got in their way. Bullies. Taking away everything that made life worth living. God, I hate bullies. He nodded at the skull. And the people who did this are like those damn Nazis, running over the whole damn world. They make me sick. Ill be damned if they get away with it this time.

She swallowed to ease the sudden tightness in her throat. Why, Gary, you sound downright noble.

Hell, yes. Besides, this may be my swan song, and I want it sung loud and clear.

Swan song? Are you planning on retiring?

Maybe. Im past retirement age. Im an old man, Eve.

Eve shook her head. Not you, Gary. He chuckled. Youre right, Im not old. When-ever I look in the mirror, I see the young stud I was at twenty. Maybe a few more wrinkles, but I dont often notice them. Its like that superimposition you do. No matter whats on the top layer, that young man is underneath and I know hes there. Do you suppose every old geezer is as self-deluding as me?

Youre not self-deluding. We all see what we want to see. We all have a vision of ourselves. She tried to smile. And, dammit, youre not old and youre not going to retire. I need you.

True. It takes a benevolent and exceptional man to deal with someone of your headstrong nature and many faults. I may have to stick around just to keep you in Shit. He pushed the tooth aside. Another blank. Go away. Youre bringing me bad luck.

Well, thats a profoundly scientific notion. She turned away. Call me if you need me.

Not likely. He bent over the skull again as she walked away.

Any progress? Logan straightened in his chair across the room.

Not yet.

I saw a cot in the back room. Why dont you try to take a nap?

She shook her head. I need to be here in case he changes his mind about not needing help. She sat down beside him and leaned her head back against the wall. Its my responsibility. I brought him into this.

He seems to be enjoying himself. Logans gaze was fixed on Kessler. In a cerebral way.

Cerebral? Hell, he thinks hes Schwarzkopf or Eliot Ness or Lancelot or some other She drew a deep breath and said fiercely, And youd better see that nothing happens to him, Logan. I should have gone to your man at Duke. All I thought about was who was best for the job. I didnt think about how dangerous this could be for Gary.

As soon as we get the DNA sample and an affi-davit, well whisk him away out of the limelight.

Like you whisked my mother?

I told you she was safe, Eve. You talked to her.

Shes not safe. She wont be safe until this is over. None of them would be safe. Joe and Gary and her mother had been drawn into the net, and Eve had done it.

All right, shes not as safe as Id like her to be, Logan said. But its the best I can do right now. He paused. Kessler appears to have upset you. What did he say?

Nazis and swan songs and a young man in the mirror. Nothing much. Nothing important.

It was a lie. Garys life was important. The fact that she had never scratched more than the surface of Gary Kesslers past was important. It was a night of revelations, she thought wearily. Logan, Joe, and now Gary. She closed her eyes. Just keep him safe, okay?

THE WHITE HOUSE

7:20 A.M.

Kessler, Lisa said as soon as Timwick picked up the phone. Check out Kessler at Emory.

I know my job, Lisa. Im checking out Kessler. Hes on my list.

Then put him higher on your list. Duncans worked with Kessler several times. It was in the stuff on the disc you messengered over.

Shes worked with other people too. She heard him rustling papers. And she hasnt worked with him in over two years.

But he was the first anthropologist she ever worked with. They have a history. It would mean something to her.

Then why hasnt she worked with him lately? Logan researched Crawford at

Have they shown up at Duke?

No, but its early days yet.

Early? You should have caught them by now. Times running out. Put Kessler at the top of the shortlist. She hung up the phone.

She shouldnt have been so sharp; it wasnt smart. The more desperate Timwick became, the more resentful he grew and the more domineering he tried to be. But, Christ, how could an intelligent man have so little imagination? Couldnt he see that it was Duncan and not Logan who was the key?

She drew a deep breath and tried to compose her-self. She mustnt panic. She mustnt lose control. Okay, the problem was two-pronged. One, Bens skull must be recovered; any evidence was moot without the skull. Two, Logan and Duncan must be elimi-nated and any other possible evidence destroyed. Dammit, Timwick was doing neither. She had known he was a weak link since that mistake with Donnelli and had made alternate plans to enact whenever necessary.

It was necessary. The more time passed, the more dangerous everything became. She had to take the reins completely in her own hands.

How had she come to this point? She had never wanted any of this. It wasnt fair.

Well, the world wasnt fair. You just had to do whatever you had to do. There wasnt any way she could reverse what shed done that day, so she just had to protect herself and all shed gained.

She opened her phone book to the name and number she had gotten from Timwick three weeks earlier.

She quickly dialed the number. It rang three times before it was answered.

Mr. Fiske? Weve never talked before, but I be-lieve its time we did.

SIXTEEN

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

11:50 A.M.

"Got it. Eves hand tightened on the thermal case that contained the vial with the DNA sample. Now lets get out of here. We cant afford any deterioration.

Is there enough? Logan asked.

Just enough. She turned to Kessler. Where do you suggest we take it, Gary?

I assume you dont want to take a chance on any of the obvious or well-known testing centers?

She shook her head.

But you want a place with excellent credentials.

She nodded.

Duncan, youre an incredibly demanding woman. And youre fortunate that Im incredible enough myself to meet your absurd demands. He lowered his voice dramatically. I know a man.

I dont want a man. I want a lab.

Youll have to settle for Chris Teller.

And who is Chris Teller?

A student of mine who went on to become a MacArthur Fellow. Brilliant man. Hes been doing re-search on the medical side of DNA, but he needed to put food on the table, so he opened a small lab in Bainbridge, Georgia, last year. Its a three-man opera-tion and they intend to keep it that way. The lab is listed as a medical research lab, not a forensic testing center.

It sounds good.

Of course its good. Its perfect. Youd think Id been dabbling in conspiracies all my life. Chris takes DNA profile jobs only when he needs to pay the bills, but hes absolutely accurate. We cant risk bungling. Im not sure I can get another sample.

She nodded slowly. Bainbridge, okay. Ill take it down myself and

Gary was shaking his head. Ill do it. You said you need speed. Ill appeal to him as a fellow scientist.

Look, Ill take Joe. Surely Teller will cooperate with the police.

Not if hes deep in research and doesnt want to stop. Hell just tell Quinn to go somewhere else. Well get better cooperation if I handle it.

Your job is done, Eve said. Its time for you to go somewhere and loll on the beach for a while. I cant ask you to do anything more, Gary.

I didnt hear you ask, Gary said. And Ill de-cide when my job is done. Are you trying to cheat me out of my book contract?

Im trying to keep you alive.

Gary took the thermal case from her and headed for the door. I have to stop by my house and pick up clothes and an overnight bag.

Gary, this is crazy. Let me

You want to be helpful? Go get me samples for Teller to compare this one to. He opened the door. If you want to follow me down to Bainbridge, come ahead. But Im in charge of this sample, Eve.

Gary, listen to Hed already left the labora-tory, and Eve hurriedly followed him down the hall and out the front door.

Whats going on? Joe came toward her. Wheres he going?

A DNA lab in Bainbridge. Hes got the sample. I told him Id take it, but he wanted to go himself.

Stubborn bastard. Joe started down the steps. Ill handle it, Eve.

No. Logan had come out of the building. Eve and I will follow Kessler to Bainbridge. You go see Chadbournes sister, Millicent Babcock.

I suppose you want a DNA sample from her?

Yes, but even if thats a match, it will be only an indication, not proof accepted in a courtroom. We also need direct DNA from Ben Chadbourne. He and his sister were very close. He stayed with her several times during the campaign and he must have sent her birthday cards or notes that still have saliva traces on the envelopes. Or if he left any clothes at her house, there might still be hair or

And how am I supposed to get those little mementoes?

Thats up to you.

And wheres Chadbournes sister?

Richmond, Virginia.

And, of course, youre not trying to get me out of the picture?

Not this time. We need those comparison sam-ples. The sooner we get them, the sooner this will be over.

Joe hesitated and then said, Okay. Chadbournes DNA and a sample from his sister. What do you need from her? Blood?

Saliva will do for now, Eve said. But the sample should be refrigerated and expressed imme-diately.

Ill bring it myself. He looked at Logan. I dont suppose you know if she smokes?

Logan shook his head. Sorry.

Joe shrugged. Salivas no problem. If she doesnt smoke, she probably drinks coffee. Its the national addiction these days. Its Chadbournes DNA thats going to be a headache. Letters will be the most likely source but how the hell am I going to get hellip; He started down the steps. Ill find a way to do it. Ill be on your heels before you know it. You just take care of Eve until I get down there, Logan.

Will you do me a favor and follow Gary to his house and stay with him until we get there? Eve asked. I have to pack up Bens skull and my papers, and I dont want him to be alone. Eves gaze was on Gary, who was now getting into his car. Take care of him, Joe.

And try to persuade him to stop at a lawyers of-fice and get an affidavit, Logan added.

Eve turned to face him.

He shrugged. Sorry to be callous, but its smart to have back-up evidence in case anything happens.

He meant in case Gary was killed, Eve thought, suddenly feeling sick.

Ill get the affidavit and the damned DNA sam-ples. Joe was hurrying after Gary. You just get Eve away from here and out of sight, Logan.

Its done. Logan took her elbow and nudged her back inside the building. Thats one order of Quinns I wont have a problem obeying.

In the lab he packed up the skull while Eve gath-ered the photographs and printouts and stuffed them in her briefcase. Theres no air service to Bainbridge. Well have to drive.

Its safer than taking a plane anyway. Particu-larly out of your home city. He started for the door. Ready?

It would have been too bad if she wasnt ready, she thought ruefully. Logan was on the move and she either had to follow him or be left behind.

And she wasnt about to be left behind.

Why dont you try to get some sleep? Logan said. You worked all last night. I promise I wont land us in a ditch.

I dont want to sleep. Weve been driving a long time. Its almost dark. Arent we almost there?

Another hour or so.

An hour was too long when Eve was this restless. Have you heard from Gil?

Last night. No progress yet. It may take time to approach Maren on a confidential basis. Im sure hes very busy overseeing the work on my corpse.

Thats not funny.

I didnt think so either, but its better if you laugh.

Is it?

Ive always thought so. It keeps you sane.

Then Ill vote for that. She gazed at the tail-lights of Garys car on the road ahead of them. Are you speaking from experience? How close have you come to the edge, Logan?

Close enough.

No. She turned to face him. Dont give me that evasive bull. Its not fair. Tell me. You know everything about me.

I doubt it. Youre a multifaceted woman. It wouldnt surprise me if you had a few secrets.

Tell me.

What do you want to know?

The edge.

Ah, you want to see my scars.

Youve seen mine.

He was silent a moment. I was married once when I was pretty young. It was during the time I lived in Japan. She was Eurasian and the most beau-tiful woman Id ever seen. Her name was Chen Li.

Youre divorced?

She died of leukemia. He smiled crookedly. It wasnt like your loss. No violence. Except on my part. I wanted to tear the world apart when I couldnt find a way to help her. I was a cocky bastard and sure that there wasnt a mountain I couldnt climb. Well, I couldnt climb that one. It took over a year for her to die, and I had to watch it. Is that a deep enough scar for you?

She looked away from him into the darkness. Yes, thats deep enough.

And do you know me better now?

She didnt answer. Did you love her?

Oh, yes. I loved her. He glanced at her. You know, you really shouldnt have asked. You have a soft heart and it would have been easier for you to dislike me if you hadnt seen Im human, like everyone else.

It was true. Understanding always made antago-nism more difficult. His very restraint underscored the pain hed undergone. Ive never doubted you were human.

Maybe. Maybe not. He changed the subject. Tellers lab may not be open when we reach Bain-bridge. Well probably have to check into a motel and wait until tomorrow morning.

Cant we call him or something? Maybe Gary could

Kesslers going to arouse enough suspicion by the pressure hes going to apply on Teller. It would be a little over the top to ask him to stay open until we got there.

No doubt he was right but, dear God, she wanted to move more quickly. You dont understand. It sometimes takes weeks to get a definitive report on a DNA sample. Garys going to ask Teller to do it in a few days. Private labs have the capability to be faster because theyre not as backlogged, but every minute is going to count.

Will some of my filthy lucre help urge him to do a little overtime?

She shook her head. I dont think so. He sounds like a dedicated professional.

He still has to pay the mortgage. Kessler seemed to think Teller might need money.