Iris Johansen 1998 - The Face of Deception

by The Face of Deception(lit)

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 prob
lem 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.

  True. Maybe she was wrong. Money could move the world. She herself had been tempted by the bait he had dangled before her. Let Gary try his way first.

  No offense. Just trying to help.

  I know you were. Why should I take offense? Theres nothing wrong with money.

  He stared at her in surprise.

  I just dont like it used as a club.

  But bribery is okay?

  In certain cases.

  He smiled. Like the Adam Fund?

  Hell, yes.

  Even when I used it to deceive you?

  No, that wasnt right. She looked into his eyes. But I let you do it. Im not stupid. I knew there was something wrong, but I still took the chance. I wasnt like youI wasnt afraid someone was going to make a mistake and blow us all up. I wanted the money. I thought it would help and I was willing to run the risk. If I hadnt gone with you, none of this would have hap-pened. I wouldnt be in trouble and Mom would be safe. She shrugged. Id like to keep blaming you, but we all have to accept responsibility for our own actions.

  That wasnt the impression I got, he said dryly. You wanted to cut my throat.

  There are moments when I still do. You were wrong. But I was wrong too, and I have to live with it. She gazed out the window. I just dont want anyone else hurt because I was wrong.

  Youre being very generous.

  Im not generous, she said wearily. But I try to see things clearly. I learned a long time ago that its easy to blame everyone else when it hurts to blame yourself. But in the end you have to face it.

  He went still. Bonnie?

  We were at a school picnic at a neighborhood park. She wanted to go to the ice cream stand and get a cone. I was talking to her teacher and I let her go alone. There were kids and parents all around and the stand was only a short distance from the picnic table. I thought it was safe. It wasnt safe.

  For Gods sake, how could that be your fault? he asked roughly.

  I should have gone with her. Fraser killed her but I didnt care for her well enough.

  And have you been wearing that hair shirt all these years?

  Its hard not to second-guess yourself when you make a mistake as big as that.

  He didnt speak for a moment. Why did you tell me?

  Why had she told him? She usually avoided talking about that day; the memory was still a hideous raw wound. I dont know. I made you tell me about your wife. Ihellip; think it hurt you. I suppose I thought it was only fair to even the ground.

  And you have an obsession about being fair.

  I have to try. Sometimes it doesnt work. Some-times I find myself closing my eyes and hiding away in the dark.

  Like you did with Quinn?

  I didnt hide She was lying. Admit it, she had tried not to see everything about Joes life clearly. The image she had of him was too important to her. Maybe I did. But not usually. Not if I can help it.

  I believe you.

  She was silent a moment. What about Millicent Babcock? Will she be in danger if they find out Joe got a sample from her?

  Harming her wouldnt be much use to them. Chadbourne has an aunt and three first cousins living. It would be pretty obvious if theyre all taken down. Besides, its Ben Chadbournes DNA thats the con-clusive proof. Shes probably safe.

  Probably.

  Probably her mother was safe. Probably Gary would not be hurt. Probably Millicent Babcock would not be killed.

  Probably wasnt good enough.

  She leaned her head back on the seat and closed her eyes.

  Let it be good enough. No more deaths. Please, no more deaths.

  WASHINGTON

  11:05 p.m.

  Mr. Fiske? Lisa Chadbourne leaned closer to the car window and smiled. May I get in? Its a little public out here.

  Fiske glanced around the street and then shrugged. It looks pretty deserted to me.

  Thats why I chose it. All the federal offices close at five in this neighborhood. She got in the pas-senger seat and shut the door. But Im sure youll understand that I cant take any chances. Im fairly recognizable these days.

  True. The velvet-trimmed hood of her brown cape was pulled forward to shadow her features, but the minute she pushed it back, Fiske instantly recog-nized her.
It really is you. I wasnt surehellip;

  You were sure enough to hop a plane and come to Washington to meet me.

  I was curious, and you said youd make me an offer that would intrigue me. Im always interested in advancing myself.