Iris Johansen 1998 - The Face of Deception

by The Face of Deception(lit)

  Or was it?

  Good night. She left the library and swiftly climbed up the stairs to her bedroom.

  Kennedy.

  Impossible. Kennedy was lying at Arlington, not in some hole in a Maryland cornfield. Logan had been suckered into paying for nothing.

  But Logan was anything but a sucker. If he thought there was any truth to Donnellis story, that might be enough reason for her to look deeper into it.

  And to give credence to any plan Logan might have for a smear campaign. He could be lying, dig-ging desperately for a way to get what he wanted.

  She had made a deal with him and he had kept his end of it.

  Oh, what the hell. She was too tired to make a de-cision now. She would go to bed and hope she would see things more clearly in the morning. It would be the sensible thing to

  The window.

  She stiffened and inhaled sharply. Imagination. She wouldnt let herself be tricked by her own mind. She was tired and discouraged and prey to her own imagination. She wouldnt let herself be

  The window.

  She moved slowly across the room to the window and stood looking out into the darkness.

  Darkness. Mosquitoes. Bugs. Snakes.

  His Italian designer loafers were being ruined by the damp, rotting foliage on the trail, Fiske real-ized with annoyance.

  He had never liked the woods. He remembered one time when he was a kid, hed been sent to some fucking camp in Maine and been forced to stay there for two weeks. His parents were always sending him somewhere to get rid of him.

  Bastards.

  But hed fixed them. Hed made sure the camp would never accept him back after that summer. They hadnt been able to prove anything, but the counselor had known. Oh, yes, he had known. It had shown in the pricks scared face, the way his eyes slid away from him.

  That summer had taught him a few lessons hed been able to apply to his chosen vocation. Camping nuts almost always needed reservations for a camping site at a national park, and each reservation was tidily documented by the forest rangers.

  There was a glimmer of fire up ahead.

  Target.

  Approach directly or wait until they were asleep?

  Adrenaline was starting to pump through him.

  Direct approach. Let them see him, feel it coming.

  He ruffled his hair and smeared a streak of dirt on his cheek.

  The gray-haired old man was sitting staring into the fire. His wife came out of their tent, and she laughed and said something to him. There was an air of intimacy and affection between them that Fiske found vaguely annoying. But then, he found every-thing about this kill annoying. He didnt like being forced into practicing his skills in the middle of the wilds, and he would make sure the old man and woman realized it.

  He paused, drew a deep breath, then burst into the clearing. Thank God. Can you help me? My wife is hurt. We were setting up camp down the road and she fell and broke

  I know where theyre camped, Gil said. Im on my way. But Im two hours behind. The ranger said there was another inquiry earlier this evening.

  Logans hand tightened on the receiver. Be careful.

  Am I stupid? Of course Ill be careful. Particu-larly if its Fiske.

  Fiske?

  I called my contact in the Treasury Department and the word is that Timwicks been known to use Al-bert Fiske on occasion. Fiske was a hit man for the CIA and a damn good one. He always wanted the toughest jobs, the most prestigious hits. He takes in-ordinate pride in his efficiency and ability to do jobs no one else can do. In the last five years hes severed his ties with the Company and struck out on his own, and hes done very well. He moves fast, knows the system well enough to make it work for him. He paused. And he likes it, Logan. He really likes it.

  Shit.

  Ill call you back when I find them.

  Logan slowly replaced the receiver.

  He moves fast.

  How fast?

  And in what direction?

  The house phone on the desk buzzed.

  Ms. Duncan left the house three minutes ago, Mark said.

  Is she heading for the front gate?

  No, shes going up the hill.

  Ill be right there.

  Logan came into the carriage house a few min-utes later.

  Shes at the graveyard, Mark said.

  Logan walked over to the bank of monitors. Whats she doing?

  Its dark and shes in the shadow of that tree. Shes not doing anything as far as I can tell. Just standing there.

  Standing just outside a graveyard in the middle of the night.

  Zero in closer.

  Mark made an adjustment on the control board and Eves face was suddenly on the screen before him.

  It told him nothing. She was looking at the flower-covered graves, her face totally without ex-pression. What had he expected? Strain? Torment?

  Pretty weird, huh? Mark asked. What a nutcase.

  Damn you, shes not a nut He broke off, as surprised as Mark at the sudden burst of fury. Sorry, but shes not crazy. Shes just carrying around a lot of baggage.

  Okay, okay, Mark said. I just thought it was all kind of weird. I wouldnt be trekking up to a grave-yard at night. I guess she He suddenly started to laugh. Shit. Youre right, shes normal as hell.

  Eve was looking up into the trees, and the middle finger of her right hand was lifted in an obscene gesture.

  Shes giving us the bird. Mark was still chuck-ling. I think I like her, John.

  Logan found himself smiling. He liked her too, dammit. He liked her strength and intelligence and resilience. Even her stubbornness and unpre-dictability intrigued him. In other circumstances he would have liked having her for a friendhellip; or even a lover.

  Lover. He hadnt realized he was regarding her in a sexual light until that moment. She was attractive, but hed been more aware of her mind and person-ality than her tall, graceful body.

  Yeah, sure. Who was he kidding? Hell, sex was al-ways important and, if he was honest with himself, Eves very breakability aroused him.

  Which made him pretty much of a scumbag.

  So forget it. Concentrate on what was important, the reason hed brought her there.

  And why the hell she was still in that damn graveyard.

  The warm wind stirred the carnations on the graves and carried the faintest scent to where Eve was standing outside the fence.

  She had told Margaret she wasnt a ghoul who hung around graveyards, so why was she there? Why hadnt she gone to bed as shed intended instead of obeying the crazy impulse that had brought her there?

  And it was impulse.

  To believe something had called her there was insane, and she was not insane. She had fought that fight after Fraser had been executed and she had to be very careful not to let herself go down the path toward madness. It would be so easy. Dreaming of Bonnie at night was permissible, but she mustnt imagine Bonnie was there when she was wide awake.

  Besides, Bonnie couldnt be here. She had never been in this place.

  Logan had talked of death and graves and her mind had done the rest. No one had called her.

  It was only an impulse.

  She wasnt surprised to see Logan waiting for her when she entered the house an hour later.

  Im tired. I dont want to talk, Logan. She walked past him and started up the stairs.

  He smiled. I gathered that from your extremely rude gesture.

  You shouldnt have been watching me. I dont like being spied on.

  A graveyard isnt the most pleasant place for a stroll. Why there?

  What does it matter?

  Im curious.

  Her hand tightened on the banister. Stop trying to read some significance into everything I say or do. I went there because it was night and I knew the way. I didnt want to get lost.

  Thats all?

  What did you expect? I was up there having a seance?

  Dont bite my head off. I was just curious. I was actually hoping the walk had cleared your head and
youd come to a decision about the

  It didnt. She started up the stairs again. Ill talk to you in the morning.

  Ill be working most of the night, if you come to any

  Back off, Logan.

  Whatever you say. He added, Since you obvi-ously know Im keeping an eye on you, I thought it only fair to keep you informed about my own whereabouts.

  Sure you did. She slammed her bedroom door behind her and headed for the bathroom. A hot shower would get rid of this tension. Then maybe shed go back down to the lab and work on Mandy. She knew she wasnt going to sleep well tonight, and she might as well be productive.

  It wasnt as if she were afraid of going to sleep and dreaming of Bonnie. Bonnie was never a threat. How could a loving dream be a danger?

  And it had been pure impulse, not Bonnie calling her, that had led her to the graveyard that night.

  The two bodies were lying in one sleeping bag, their arms draped around each other in a final embrace. They were naked and their eyes were wide open, staring into each others face with terror.

  A long tent stake was driven through both their bodies.

  Son of a bitch. Killing them was bad enough, but Gil felt there was something obscene about the way the old couple had been posed. It robbed their death of all dignity.

  He looked around the campsite. No footprints. No visible evidence. Fiske had taken time to clean up.

  Gil flipped open his phone and called Logan. Too late.

  Both of them?

  Yeah, nasty. More than nasty. Twisted. What do you want me to do?

  Come back. I havent been able to contact Maren. Hes in the desert somewhere. But that may be good. If we cant reach him, I doubt Fiske will be able to. We may have a reprieve.

  Dont count on it. He glanced at the two bodies. Fiske isnt going to be twiddling his thumbs.

  Im not counting on anything, but theres no way I want you heading for Jordan. I may need you.

  Gil went still. The skull?

  I cant wait any longer. Everythings moving too fast. Come back.

  Im on my way.

  Very satisfactory.

  Everything neat and hed even been able to add a little whimsy.

  Fiske was humming softly to himself as he un-locked his car and got in. He quickly dialed Timwick. Cadros done. Im heading for Jordan on the next plane. Anything else?

  Forget Maren for the moment. Go join the sur-veillance team at Barrett House.

  Fiske frowned. I dont like surveillance.

  Youll do this one. If Logan and the Duncan woman sneeze, I want to know about it and I want you on the spot.

  I dont like jumping all over the place until I finish the job. I still have Maren to

  We followed Gil Price when he left Barrett House yesterday morning. He went directly to Dora Bentzs apartment.

  So? I left it clean.

  You dont get the point. He knew about Dora Bentz and that means Logan knows. We cant Timwick drew a deep breath. We need Logan, Price, and the Duncan woman dead.

  You said it was too risky.

  That was before we were sure Logan was on the right track. Theres no question we can leave them alive now.

  At last Timwick was showing some balls. When?

  Ill let you know.

  Fiske pressed the end button of the phone. Things were definitely looking up. Both the chal-lenge and monetary opportunities were escalating. He started humming again as he opened the glove compartment and took out Timwicks list. He drew a neat line through the second name and below Marens name carefully wrote in block letters John Logan, Gil Price, and Eve Duncan.

  Might as well keep things orderly.

  He started the car, then grinned as he suddenly realized the song he was still humming.

  Making a list, checking it twice.

  Gonna find out whos naughty or nice hellip;

  EIGHT

  "Wake up, Margaret said. For Gods sake, do you even have to sleep with those bones, Eve?

  Eve groggily lifted her head. What? She shook her head to clear it of sleep. What time is it?

  Margaret was standing in front of the desk. Its almost nine in the morning. John told me you werent going to work anymore last night.

  I changed my mind. She looked down at Mandy on the desk in front of her. I fit a few more pieces to the puzzle.

  And fell asleep working on it.

  I was going to close my eyes for just a minute. Her mouth felt nasty. I guess I was tired. She pushed back her chair. I need to go brush my teeth and shower.

  Not until you tell me what a good job I did on this lab.

  She smiled. Sorry, its wonderful.

  Your enthusiasm is truly astonishing. Margaret sighed. I knew I should have told them to do it in sackcloth and ashes.

  I told you it didnt matter. She stood up and moved toward the door. But I appreciate your effort.

  John wants to see you. He sent me to find you.

  Ill see him after I shower and change.

  Could you hurry? Hes been pretty edgy since Gil got back.

  Eve turned at the door. Hes back?

  Margaret nodded. About an hour and a half ago. Theyre waiting for you in the office.

  Waiting for her decision. Waiting to see if shed go along on Logans wild-goose chase.

  Kennedy.

  My God, in the clear light of day the idea was even more bizarre than it had been the previous night.

  And John authorized me to shift that other pay-ment you agreed on to the Adam Fund, Margaret said. I called the bank and you should be able to verify the transfer within another hour.

  She hadnt agreed to that other payment. Logan was applying pressure, bribing her without insisting on a return favor. Well, let him give the money. It wouldnt influence her decision and the kids would benefit. I trust you.

  Verify, Margaret said. John insists.

  Logan could insist until he was blue in the face. Shed do exactly what she wanted to do. Working on Mandy last night had been good for her. She felt much more in control of the situation that morning. Ill see you later, Margaret.

  You took enough time. Logan scowled at her as she walked into the study. Weve been waiting.

  I had to wash and blow-dry my hair.

  And very nice it looks, Gil said from the corner of the room. Worth every minute of the delay.

  She smiled at him. I dont believe Logan thinks so.

  I dont, Logan said. Its rude to keep people waiting.

  It depends on whether you have an appoint-ment or a summons.

  Gil chuckled. You shouldnt have sent Margaret, Logan.

  Dammit, I didnt want to appear pushy.

  Her brow lifted. Oh, yes?

  Well, not obviously pushy. Logan gestured to the chair. Sit down, Eve.

  She shook her head. This wont take long.

  Logan tensed. Look, I dont want you to

  Shut up, Logan. Ill do it. Ill go to your damn cornfield to get this skull. Well bring it back here and Ill do the work you want me to do. She gazed di-rectly into his eyes. But we do it right away. I want this over with.

  Tonight.

  Fine. She started to leave.

  Why? Logan asked suddenly. Why are you doing it?

  Because youre wrong and the only way I can prove youre wrong is to do the work. I want to be done with it and get back to whats important to me. She added coolly, And, yes, I do want to see you with egg on your face. I want it so much that I might even volunteer to work on Chadbournes reelection campaign.

  And thats all?

  She carefully kept her face without expression. Dont let him see anything. Dont let him know the panic shed had to overcome last night. Dont give him a weapon to use against her. Thats all. When do we leave?

  After midnight. He smiled crookedly. As is proper for such a nefarious enterprise. Well take the limo. Its only about an hours drive from here.

  She glanced at Gil. Are you coming too?

  I wouldnt miss it. I cant remember the last time I dug up a skull. Particul
arly one that promises to be this interesting. He winked. Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him, Horatio.