The Face of Deception ed-1

by Iris Johansen

  The same deal you offered Scott. You disappear and turn up somewhere with enough money to keep you for the rest of your life.

  And what about Logan?

  Im sorry, its too late for Logan. We had to act publicly to make sure hes no threat to us. You can just fade away, but I cant call off the hunt for Logan. Hes on his own.

  And my mother?

  You can take her with you. Can we deal?

  No.

  Why? What else do you want?

  I want my life back. I dont want to spend the next fifty years hiding out for something I didnt do. I dont consider that option viable.

  Its all I can offer. I cant have you here. Its too dangerous for me. For the first time, Eve could hear an edge of steel to Lisa Chadbournes voice, and something elsepanic. Give me that skull, Eve.

  No.

  Ill find it anyway. It will just be easier if you give it to me.

  Even if you find it youre afraid the truth will come to light in an awkward and public manner. Thats the only reason youre offering me a deal.

  God, no. Both the hardness and fear were gone from her voice now. It reflected only weariness and sadness. You refuse?

  Ive told you that.

  Would it be so bad to let me stay in the White House? Look what Ive done through Kevin. The new bill to save Medicare. Tougher laws on animal and child abuse. Theres a good chance I can get the Na-tional Health Bill passed before the election. Do you know what a miracle that is when we dont control Congress? Her voice hardened with desperation. But Ive only started. Theres so much more that Ive planned for next term. Let me do it, Eve.

  And seize immortality for yourself? I dont re-gard murder as a permissible method for pushing bills through Congress.

  Please. Reconsider.

  No deal.

  Silence. Im sorry. I wanted to make it easy for you. No, thats not true. I wanted to make it easier for me. I wanted it to stop. Lisa cleared the thickness from her voice. Youve misjudged your position, Eve. Its not as strong as you think, and there are al-ways two sides of a coin. I hope Ill be able to give you another chance later, but I doubt it. Ill have to move forward. You will remember it was your choice? She hung up.

  Eve had thought she had grasped the womans personality and motivations, but she hadnt gone deep enough. She wondered if anyone could go deep enough with Lisa Chadbourne. She had been thinking about her as a ruthless monster like Fraser, but the woman she had just spoken to was very human.

  But not vulnerable. She might not be a monster, but her determination would never waver.

  Eves hand was shaking as she put down the phone on the table. Christ, she was scared. She had believed she had a slight advantage because she had studied and felt she knew Lisa Chadbourne.

  The advantage was gone. Not only did she not know Lisa Chadbourne, but the woman had also been studying her. Lisa Chadbourne also knew Eve.

  Two sides of a coin.

  Bribery on one side. Death on the other. It couldnt be clearer. She had refused Lisas offer and now she had to face the consequences.

  Why the hell couldnt she stop shaking? It was as if Lisa had been in the room with her and

  A knock on the door.

  Her gaze flew across the room.

  Dont answer the door, Logan had said.

  Two sides of a coin.

  For Gods sake, Lisa Chadbourne wasnt some supernatural being who had transported herself to this motel. Eve rose to her feet and strode to the door. And assassins didnt knock politely.

  The second knock wasnt polite though. It was hard, impatient, and demanding.

  Who is it?

  Logan.

  She gave a quick glance through the peephole. Thank God. She unfastened the chain bolt and un-locked the door.

  Logan strode into the room. Pack your clothes. Youre getting out of here.

  Where have you been?

  On my way here. He opened her closet, took out her bag, blazer, and windbreaker and threw them on the bed. I took a taxi to Baltimore-Washington airport, rented a car, and drove here.

  Why didnt you call me?

  He didnt answer.

  Dammit, why didnt you call me? Didnt you know Id be worried?

  I didnt want to talk to He unzipped her bag. Will you pack? I want you out of here.

  The DNA profile isnt done yet. Gary found out the lab could escalate the process, but Joe hasnt come with the comparison samples and Gary says it wont

  I dont give a damn, he said harshly. Youre out of it.

  Thats going to be hard to do. Did you hear about Abdul Jamal?

  On the radio coming down.

  She watched him take an armful of underthings out of the bureau drawer and drop them into the bag. His clothes were rumpled and grass-stained and there was a scratch on his forearm. Im not going anywhere until you talk to me.

  Then Ill pack for you and dump you in the car with the rest of the luggage.

  Stop mishandling my property and look at me, dammit.

  He slowly turned to look at her.

  She stiffened when she saw his face. Jesus, she whispered. What happened, Logan?

  Gils dead. His movement was jerky uncoordi-nated, as he flung more clothes from a drawer onto the bed. Shot. I dont think they even meant to kill him. They were just firing warning shots. But now hes dead. He threw clothes into the duffel. I left him in a boathouse near the river. Im sure you wont approve, considering how you feel. No home for Gil. I just left him and took off running.

  Gil, she repeated numbly.

  He was born near Mobile. I think he has a brother. Maybe later we can

  Shut up. She grabbed his arms. Shut up, Logan.

  He was joking before it happened. He said he was safe because hed taken his bullet for the month. He was wrong. He wasnt safe. He didnt know what hit him. He just

  Im sorry. God, Im so sorry. Without thinking she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him. His body felt stiff and unrelenting, his muscles locked against her. I know he was your friend.

  Thats more than I know. If he was my friend, would I have let him run the risks he did?

  You tried to persuade him not to meet with Maren. We both tried. He wouldnt listen.

  I could have stopped him. But I knew there was a chance he was right about Maren. I could have knocked him on the head or gone by myself. I didnt have to let him go.

  Dear heaven, he was hurting and she couldnt reach him. It wasnt your fault. It was Gils decision. You couldnt know that

  Bullshit. He pushed her away. Finish packing. Im getting you out of here.

  And where am I supposed to be going?

  Anywhere away from here. Ill put you on a boat to Timbuktu.

  No. She crossed her arms over her chest. Not now. Youre too upset to be reasonable. We need to talk about this.

  Pack. Theres nothing to talk about.

  Were going to talk. Lets get out of here. She headed for the door. The emotion in the room was so thick, she felt as if she was suffocating. And, it would be better if she could get him away from that damn packing he was obsessing about. Ive been cooped up in here all day. Take me for a drive.

  Im not going

  Yes, you are. She grabbed Bens case, threw open the door, and glanced over her shoulder. Which car?

  He was silent.

  Which car, Logan?

  The beige Taurus.

  She moved toward the car parked across the lot. He reached it before she did. She waited for him to unlock the door.

  His lips curved in a sardonic smile as he reached for Bens case. And everywhere that Eve goes, the skull is sure to follow, he murmured, then put the case in the backseat. But then I told you to never leave it alone, didnt I? Even though it makes you an automatic target.

  Do you think Id pay any attention to what you said if I didnt think it was the right thing to do? Not likely, Logan.

  As soon as they got into the car, she said, Drive.

  Where?

  I dont care. She leaned back in the seat.
As long as its nowhere you can put me on a boat to Timbuktu.

  Im not going to change my mind.

  And Im not going to try to argue with you when youve probably been planning this all the way from Washington. Just drive.

  He drove. He didnt speak for the next thirty min-utes. May I go back now?

  No. His body was still rigid with tension. How the hell could she break through to him? Shock? She could tell him about Lisa Chadbournes call. Defi-nitely not. That would only reinforce his determina-tion. Give him some more time.

  Lisa stared down at the phone.

  Pick it up. Make the call. Youve waited too long already.

  No deal, Eve Duncan had said.

  All right, accept it.

  It had to go on.

  Do what you have to do.

  Lisa picked up the phone.

  It was over an hour later and the rays of the sun were casting long shadows when Logan pulled off the highway into a dirt lay-by. Im not going any far-ther. Get it over with.

  Will you listen to me? Eve asked.

  Im listening.

  And stubbornly determined not to hear. Or maybe not stubborn, she thought wearily. Maybe he was afraid to hear.

  It was odd to think of confident and decisive Logan as being afraid. Remember what you told me? Do the best you can and then go on? Youre full of hot air, Logan.

  So I dont practice what I preach.

  Youre not responsible for Gils death. He was a grown man and he made his own decision. You even tried to talk him out of it.

  Weve already gone over this.

  And youre not responsible for me. Id have to yield you that right, and I wont do that. Im the only one who guides my life. So dont give me that bullshit about putting me on a boat and sending me to Outer Mongolia.

  Timbuktu.

  Wherever. Im not going anywhere. Ive gone through too much. Ive too much invested in my life to throw it away. Do you understand?

  He didnt look at her. I understand.

  Then I guess we can go back to the motel.

  He started the car. But it doesnt make any dif-ference. I warn you, Ill find a way to get you on that boat.

  She shook her head. I get seasick. I remember when we came back on the ferry from Cumberland Island, I was sick as a dog.

  Im surprised you noticed.

  I didnt understand it either. I felt as if my life had ended and it didnt seem fair that my body was punishing me too.

  But Quinn took care of you.

  Yes, Joe always takes care of me.

  Have you heard from him?

  Last night. Hes found a letter thats almost cer-tain to contain Chadbournes saliva, but hes having trouble getting the sample from Millicent Babcock. He was going to follow her and her husband to the country club and try to swipe a drink glass.

  Your stalwart policeman is going to steal?

  Talking was helping him. The muscles on Logans forearms were a little less rigid.

  Thats not like stealing. She decided not to con-fide the fact that Joe had gotten the letter through du-bious means.

  Did you ever read Les Miseacute;rables ?

  Yes, and I can see Joe stealing bread to feed a hungry child.

  He smiled lopsidedly. Your hero.

  My friend, she corrected him.

  His smile disappeared. Sorry, I dont have the right to criticize Quinn. Ive failed pretty miserably in the friend sweepstakes.

  Stop beating yourself up. Your thinking is blurred. When did you last sleep?

  He shrugged.

  Youll feel better after you have a good nights sleep.

  Will I?

  She hesitated and then said bluntly. Probably not. But youll be able to think clearer.

  He smiled faintly. Have I ever mentioned how much I like that brutal honesty of yours?

  It wouldnt do any good to give you a sugar-coated pill. Youd only laugh at me. Youve been through pain before. You know theres no quick fix. You just have to ride with it.

  Yes, thats the only way to handle it. He paused. But I wouldnt laugh at you, Eve. No way. He took his hand from the wheel and covered her hand that lay on the seat between them. Thankhellip; you.

  For what? She tried to smile lightly. Saving myself a trip to Timbuktu?

  No, thats still on the agenda if I can work it in. He squeezed her hand and then slowly released it. I believe I envy Quinn.

  Why?

  Many things. His lips tightened grimly. But its much more desirable for a man to be protector and comforter than the other way around. Crying on your shoulder like this displays a certain lack of strength.

  You didnt cry on my shoulder.And no one could ever say Logan lacked strength. You yelled at me and threw my clothes around.

  Same thing. Sorry, I lost control. It wont happen again.

  She hoped it wouldnt happen again. Her re-sponse to his pain had startled her. It had been an al-most maternal reaction. She had taken him in her arms and had wanted to rock him until the agony dis-appeared. She had wanted to comfort and heal, to hold and caress. His vulnerability had broken through barriers that his strength would never have breached. No problem. Just hang my clothes back up and well call it even.

  She looked out the window. The need was over. Shut him out. He was coming too close.

  She could feel his gaze on her, but she didnt look at him. She kept her eyes on the sun setting behind the trees.

  He didnt speak again until he pulled into the parking space near her motel room. I have to talk to Kessler. When do you expect him back from the lab?

  She checked her wristwatch. Seven forty-five. He might be in his room now. I was supposed to go to his room at eight and we were going to order dinner to be delivered. She made a face. Bubba Blues Barbecue. Gary said he could imagine the place probably had a rattlesnake in a glass case, saw-dust on the floor, and a country singer yodelingOh, shit. Her eyes filled with tears. She had been so busy comforting Logan that Gils death had not hit home until that moment. Would she ever listen to a country song again without remembering Gil Price?

  Yeah. Logans eyes were glittering. I told him hed love this place. That all they had on the radio was country music like He abruptly opened the door and got out of the car. I have to go to my room and shower and change clothes. He reached in the backseat and pulled out the case. Ill take custody of Ben for a while. Ill meet you in Kesslers room in twenty minutes.

  She nodded numbly as she moved toward her door. Gil Price, humor and gentleness and a zestful love of life. All that gone. Death. Creeping close, striking down Gil. Who was next? Logan could have died with Gil.

  The other side of a coin.

  She went into the room and shook her head as she saw the clothes scattered on the bed. Shed clean up this mess and try to

  Screw it.

  She was scared and worried and chillingly aware of the shadows drawing near. She hadnt talked to Mom since last night and she needed to make contact. She reached for the telephone in her bag.

  No answer.

  What the hell?

  She dialed the number again.

  No answer.

  The other side of a coin.

  Your position isnt as strong as you think.

  Mom.

  Her hand was trembling as she dialed Logans room number. I cant reach Mom. Shes not an-swering her phone.

  Dont panic. It may be

  Dont tell me not to panic. I cant reach her.

  It may be nothing. Let me call Pilton and check.

  Whats the chance of that hap

  Im going to call Pilton, he interrupted. Ill get back to you. He hung up the phone.

  Nothing was wrong.

  Fiske hadnt found her.

  Nothing was wrong.

  The phone rang.

  She jumped to answer it.

  Shes fine, Logan said. I talked to her. She and Margaret were just sitting down to dinner. The bat-tery on her phone was down.

  Safe. The relief was so intense, she felt almost sick. Shes okay?
>
  Shes worried about you. Shed like to break my neck. But shes okay.

  She couldnt talk for a moment. You know that boat to Timbuktu, Logan?

  Yes.

  I want my mother on it.

  Well work on it right away. Will you go with her?

  Hell, yes. Get me out of here. No, Ill see you in Kesslers room in fifteen minutes.

  I have a copy of the DNA report, Gary said as soon as he opened the door. Wheres Quinn with those comparison samples?

  He should be here soon. She looked beyond him to Logan, who was sitting in the chair across the room. Logan told you about Gil Price?

  Gary nodded. Not good.

  Very bad. Youve done everything you can, Gary. Youve got the report for us. For Gods sake, will you leave now?

  When I finish. When I have Quinns samples.

  Thats not good enough. We dont need you any-more. Joe can go to the lab and get

  No, Duncan. Garys voice was gentle but firm. I finish what I start.

  Thats stupid. Youll end up like Gil Price. She whirled on Logan. Tell him.

  Ive tried, Logan said. He wont listen.

  Like Gil. Gil wouldnt listen either. She drew a deep breath. But you have to listen. Shes going to Two sides of a coin.

  What?

  Lisa Chadbourne. She phoned me this after-noon.

  Logan sat up straight in his chair. What the hell?

  She wanted to make a deal with me for the skull.

  Why didnt you tell me she called? Logan asked grimly.

  Think about it. Were you in a mood to listen? You wouldnt have been reasonable.

  I dont feel reasonable now either. Did she threaten you?

  In a way.

  What kind of way?

  She washellip; sad. What difference does it make? she asked impatiently. I just want Gary and my mother out of this. Okay?

  Did she say anything to lead you to believe that she knows anything about Bainbridge or your mother?

  Of course she didnt. Shes too smart. Shed never give anything away. She turned to Gary. But you have to

  The only thing I have to do is call Bubba Blues Barbecue, Gary said. Do you want ribs or steak?

  I want you to leave.

  Or maybe a pork sandwich?

  Garyhellip;

  He reached for the phone and started dialing. Give me your order or youll get the ribs.

  She gazed at him helplessly. Dammit. Steak.