The Face of Deception

by Iris Johansen

She headed for the door. Actually, that quote is closer to the mark than anything Logans told me. That skull has a hell of a lot better chance of be-longing to Shakespeares Yorick than to Kennedy.

  Theyre on the move, Timwick, Fiske said into the phone. Price, Logan, and the Duncan woman. They just drove out the gates.

  Be careful. Youll blow everything if they realize youre following them.

  No problem. We dont have to get close until theres need. Kenner planted a signal device in the limo when Price was at the Bentz apartment. Well wait until theyre on a deserted road and then over-take them and

  No, youll let them get where theyre going be-fore you act.

  That may not be the ideal situation. I should

  Screw the ideal situation. Youll let them get where theyre going. Do you hear me, Fiske? You let Kenner handle it. Ive given him exact instructions and youll do what he says.

  Fiske hung up the phone. Son of a bitch. It was bad enough having to give in to Timwick without knuckling under to Kenner. Hed had a bellyful of the prick in the past twenty-four hours.

  I told you I was in charge, Kenner said from the drivers seat. Youre just along for the ride until I give the word. He jerked his head at the two men in the backseat. Just like them.

  Fiske gazed straight ahead at the limos taillights in the distance. He drew a deep breath and tried to relax. It would be all right. He would manage to do his job in spite of Kenners interference. Hed kill the three in the limo up ahead and cross their names off the list.

  And then hed start his own list with Kenners name at the very top.

  The cornfield should have reminded Eve of some-thing as all-American as a state fair but all she could think about was a horror movie shed seen about a group of ghoulish children living in a cornfield.

  No children here.

  Only death.

  And a skull buried beneath the rich brown earth.

  Waiting.

  She slowly got out of the car. Its there?

  Logan nodded.

  The field looks well tended. Wheres the farm-house?

  About five miles to the north.

  Its a big field. I hope Donnelli gave you good directions.

  He did. I have them memorized. He got out of the car. I know exactly where its located.

  Those directions had better be good. Gil had opened the trunk and was taking out two shovels and a large lantern flashlight. Diggings not my favorite pastime. I spent a summer on a road crew when I was working my way through college, and I swore Id never do it again.

  Serves you right. Logan took the lantern and one of the shovels. Never say never. He strode into the cornfield.

  Coming? Gil asked Eve as he started after Logan.

  She didnt move.

  She could smell the earth where death waited.

  She could hear the breeze as it rustled through the rows of tall corn.

  She felt her chest tighten at the thought of sinking, drowning into that swaying sea of corn.

  Eve? Gil was standing at the edge of the field, waiting. John wants you with us.

  She moistened her lips. Why?

  He shrugged. Ask him.

  Its stupid for me even to be here. Im not going to be able to tell anything until I get back to the lab.

  Sorry, he wants you there when he digs it up.

  Stop arguing. Do it. Get it over with. Get out of this place.

  She followed Gil into the cornfield.

  Darkness.

  She could hear the rustling sound Gil was making ahead of her, but she couldnt see him. She could see nothing but the tall stalks all around her. It was like being buried. Even with a map and directions, how could Logan manage to find anything?

  I see a light ahead. Gils voice drifted back to her.

  It was more than she could see, but her pace increased.

  Get it over with. Get out of here.

  She could see the light now. Logan had set the flashlight on the ground and was already digging, his shovel spiking into the earth and tearing at the roots of the cornstalks.

  Here? Gil asked.

  Logan glanced up at them and nodded. Quick. Its buried pretty deep so the farmer wouldnt dig it up when he was planting. You dont have to be careful. Its supposed to be in a lead-lined box.

  Gil started digging.

  She wished theyd given her a shovel, she thought after five minutes. Being busy would have been better than standing there, watching. Her tension was growing with every second.

  This was stupid. There was probably nothing buried there and they were all behaving like people out of a Stephen King novel.

  Ive hit something, Gil said.

  Logan glanced at Gil. Hallelujah. He began digging faster.

  Eve moved closer to the hole and saw rusted metal through the loosened dirt. Jesushellip;

  Why was she feeling so shaken? Just because Donnelli hadnt lied about the location didnt mean the rest of the story was true. There might not even be a skull in the box and the chances of it being Kennedy were out of sight.

  Logan was prying open the lock on the box.

  Only it wasnt a box, she suddenly realized. It was a coffin.

  A babys coffin.

  Stop it.

  Logan looked at her. What the hell?

  Its a coffin. A babyhellip;

  I know that. Donnelli was an undertaker. How else do you think he got a lead-lined box?

  What if its not a skull?

  Logans face hardened. Its the skull. Were wasting time. He broke the lock on the coffin.

  She hoped he was right. The idea of a little baby buried out here alone and lost was too heartbreaking to bear.

  Logan was throwing open the coffin.

  No baby.

  Even through the heavy plastic wrapping she could make out the skull.

  Jackpot, Logan murmured. He brought the lantern closer. I knew it was

  I hear something. Gil had raised his head.

  Eve heard it too.

  The wind?

  Not the wind.

  More purposeful. The same sound they had made as they had moved through the cornfield.

  And the rustling was heading toward them.

  Shit, Logan muttered. He slammed shut the coffin, grabbed it, and jumped to his feet. Lets get out of here.

  Eve looked over her shoulder. Nothing. Just that menacing rustling. It could be the farmer, couldnt it?

  Its not the farmer. Theres more than one. Logan was already running. Dont lose her, Gil. Well circle back through the field and come out on the road where we parked the car.

  Gil grabbed her arm. Hurry.

  They shouldnt be talking. Someone would hear them. But that was crazy. What difference did it make? They were making as much noise crashing through the corn as whoever was pursuing them.

  Logan was zigzagging through the field and they were following.

  Running.

  Suffocating darkness.

  Rustling.

  Her lungs were hurting.

  Were they closer?

  She couldnt tell. They were making too much noise themselves for her to figure it out.

  To the left, someone shouted behind them.

  Logan tore through the corn at a right angle.

  I think I see something. A different voice.

  Oh, God, it sounded as if the man were in the row next to them.

  Logan was turning, heading back the way they came.

  Gil and Eve were on his heels.

  Faster.

  Eve was completely disoriented. How could Logan tell where he was going?

  Maybe he couldnt. They might run into whoever was pursuing them at any minute. Maybe they should

  Logan was turning again. To the left.

  And they were out of the field and running toward the road.

  The limo.

  But over fifty yards away.

  And a Mercedes was parked beside it. She couldnt see if there was anyone in it.

  She glanced over her shoulder towar
d the field.

  No one.

  They were almost at the limo.

  And the Mercedes door swung open.

  Gil dropped her arm. Get the coffin inside the limo, John. He turned, pulled out his gun, and darted toward the man who was getting out of the Mercedes.

  Too late.

  A shot.

  She watched in horror as Gil fell forward. He struggled to his knees and tried to raise his gun.

  Oh, God, the man was pointing his gun at Gil again.

  She didnt even realize she was moving until her hand grasped the gun and jerked it aside. The man turned toward her and her hand chopped down on the carotid artery in his neck. He grunted. His eyes glazed over. He was falling.

  Ill drive. Get in the backseat with Gil. Logan was dragging Gil the few feet toward the limo. Try to stop the bleeding. Weve got to get out of here. Theyve got to have heard the shot.

  Eve held the door for Logan and then dove into the seat beside Gil.

  Jesus, he was pale. She tore open his shirt. Some blood, high up on the shoulder. What if he

  Theyre coming! Logan shouted as the limo jumped forward.

  She glanced out the window and saw three men pouring out of the cornfield.

  Gravel flew as the limo tore down the road.

  Logan glanced in the rearview mirror. How is he?

  Its a shoulder wound. Not much bleeding. Hes conscious again. She glanced out the window once more. Theyve reached the road. Can you go any faster?

  Im trying, he said through his teeth. Its like driving a damned yacht.

  He had reached the paved road leading to the freeway, but the Mercedes was too fast. Its headlights were only yards behind them.

  Then the Mercedes hit the side of the limo.

  It was trying to force them off the road into the ditch.

  It struck them again.

  This time Logan barely managed to keep the car on the road.

  Pull ahead, she said. Well be dead in the water if we end up in that ditch.

  What do you think Im trying to do?

  Thank God, the freeway was just up ahead.

  The Mercedes hit the limo again and it spun toward the ditch.

  Logan turned the wheel frantically and managed to keep the car from plunging down the incline.

  That last hit caused them to skid to the other side of the road. Thats our chance, Eve said. Hit it!

  He stomped on the accelerator.

  Theyre too close. Logan was looking in the rearview mirror. Theyll catch us before we reach the freeway.

  Thehellip; coffin, Gil murmured. Give them

  No! Logan said.

  Eve looked down at the coffin at her feet.

  Give them the

  Eve reached for the door handle.

  What are you doing? Logan asked.

  Shut up, Eve said fiercely. Gils right. They want this damn coffin. Theyre going to get it. Its not worth our lives.

  What if they dont stop? Youve given it up for nothing.

  I dont give a damn. Gils already been shot over this skull. No one else is going to be hurt. Slow down and keep the car in this lane. No matter what happens.

  The car slowed, but it was still a struggle for her to open the door against the force of the wind.

  Theyre gaining.

  Just keep the car in this lane. She dragged and pushed the coffin toward the door. And as far ahead as you can.

  I dont think I

  Try. The wind had flung the door open and she shoved the coffin out. It bounced twice and skidded into the other lane.

  Now, well see. Eves gaze was fixed on the on-coming Mercedes. Weve just got to hope they Yes.

  The Mercedes had gone past the coffin. At first it seemed as if they were going to ignore it and con-tinue the pursuit. But then it slowed, suddenly made a U-turn, and started back.

  The freeways just ahead, Logan said. The limo flew down the road and up the ramp to the freeway.

  Cars. Trucks. People.

  Relief flooded Eve as Logan merged with the traffic. Are we safe now?

  No. Logan pulled over to the side of the free-way. Close that door. He turned to Gil. How are you doing?

  Just a scratch. Not even bleeding anymore.

  Im not sure its safe to stop. Ill call Margaret and have her get you some medical help. Youre sure youre not bleeding? Can you hold on until we get back to Bar-rett House?

  Sure. Gils voice was weak. If I survived your driving, I can survive anything.

  Thank God, he was well enough to joke, Eve thought with relief.

  You couldnt have done any better, Logan said. And for that nasty remark I should dump you out and let you walk.

  Ill shut up. He closed his eyes. And since thats so difficult for me, Ill think Ill take a little nap.

  Bad idea, Logan said as he pulled back into the traffic. Stay awake. I have to know if you lose con-sciousness.

  Sure. Anything to oblige. Ill just rest my eyes.

  Logan met Eves gaze in the rearview mirror.

  She nodded and his foot pressed harder on the accelerator.

  What the hell are you doing? Fiske screeched. Youre losing them.

  Shut up, Kenner said. I know what Im doing. The box is more important.

  You idiot. Nothings more important. We went to all this trouble and now youre letting them get

  Timwick said that if it came to a choice between retrieving what they went after or getting them, we should go for the retrieval.

  We can go back for it later. Theyre just trying to divert us.

  Do you think that didnt occur to me? I cant take the chance. Its in the middle of the road. It could be damaged or found.

  In the middle of the night?

  Timwick wants whats in that box.

  Fury jolted through Fiske. There was no way they could catch up with Logan now. All because of Timwicks obsession with that damn box.

  And Kenner was just like Timwick, so concerned with the small stuff that he couldnt see what was really important. You took one objective at a time and never let yourself be distracted.

  Certainly not by a fucking box.

  Two men in white uniforms streamed out of Barrett House as soon as Logan stopped the limo. Gil was transferred to a stretcher and whisked inside.

  Eve got out of the car. Her knees were so weak, she had to lean against the fender.

  You okay? Logan asked.

  She nodded.

  Ill tell Margaret to get you a cup of coffee, he said over his shoulder as he headed toward the house. I have to make sure Gil is going to be all right.

  Dazed, she watched him disappear. Too much had happened in too short a time for her to compre-hend that it was really over. Or even that it had actu-ally happened.

  But the crushed side of the limo was mute testimony to that terrifying chase.

  And Gil Prices wound was not a figment of her imagination. He could have been killed. They all could have been killed if she hadnt tossed the coffin out of the limo.

  Coffee. Margaret was thrusting a mug into her hand. Come into the house and sit down.

  In a minute. My legs dont seem to be working right now. She took a sip of the coffee. Hows Gil?

  Conscious and flippant as hell. The doctors ready to muzzle him.

  The coffee was strong and the caffeine was begin-ning to kick in. How did you get a doctor out here at this time of night?

  Money moves mountains. Margaret leaned against the limo. You scared?

  Hell, yes. Shouldnt I be? Maybe youre used to people shooting each other, but Im not.

  Im scared too. I never thought She drew a shaky breath. I never expected this. I thought I dont know what I thought.

  But you still trust Logan enough to keep working for him?

  Sure. She straightened. But Im damn well going to ask him for a raise and hazard pay. You ready to go inside now?