The Face of Deception

by Iris Johansen

  And what do you do next?

  I take strips of plasticine and apply them between the markers, then build up to all of the tissue-depth points.

  It sounds like a connect the dots game.

  Sort of, only in three-dimension and its a hell of a lot more difficult. I have to concentrate on the scien-tific elements of building the face, like keeping true to the tissue-depth measurements as I fill in between the plasticine strips and considering where the facial muscles are located and how they affect the contours of the face.

  But what about the size of the nose? Old Jimmy doesnt have one.

  Thats a toughie. The width and length is determined again by measurements. For a Caucasian like Jimmy, I measure the nasal opening at the widest point and add five millimeters on each side for the nostrils. That gives me the width. The length, or pro-jection, depends on the measurement of the little bone at the base of the nasal opening, called the nasal spine. Its very simple. I multiply the spine measure-ment by three and add the mid-philtrum tissue-depth measurement.

  Ah, the dreaded mid-philtrum again.

  Do you want to know this or not?

  Yes, I always joke when Im faced with some-thing a little out of my depth. He made a face. Honest, I didnt mean it. Go on.

  The nasal spine also determines the angle of the nose. It will show me if the nose is turned up, angled down, or very straight. Once youve got the nose, the ears are easier. Theyre usually as long as the nose.

  It sounds very precise.

  She shrugged. I wish it were. Even with all the formulas and measurements and scientific data about what makes up a nose, theres no way I can be sure Im reconstructing the original nose. Ive just got to do my best and hope I come close.

  And the mouth?

  Measurements again. The height of the lips is determined by measuring the distance between the top and bottom gum line. The width is generally the distance between the canine teeth, which usually co-incides with the distance between the centers of the eyes. Thickness of the lips comes from the anthropo-logical charts for tissue depth. Like the nose, I have no clues about the unique shape, so I have to use instinct and judgment to She pushed the tray away and stood up. I dont have time to talk anymore. I have to get back to work.

  Then I assume Im dismissed again. He rose to his feet and picked up the tray. Would it be all right if I come in and watch you sometime, or would that be invading your space?

  Why? Do you think Im really going to make him look like Jimmy Hoffa?

  No. But could it happen?

  She shook her head. Havent you been listening? The bone structure tells the tale.

  What about the smoothing and filling-in process and the judgment calls on the nose and mouth and

  Okay, if you have a preconceived idea of iden-tity, it might influence what you do. Thats why I never look at photos until Im finished. During this period I dont allow myself any creativity. Pure sci-ence has to guide the basic foundation for the face. When the technical development is complete, then I can consider the face as a whole and give artistic judg-ment full rein until its finished. If I didnt do it that way, the product would just be a sculpture and not a facial reconstruction. Her lips tightened. You can bet I wouldnt let that happen. Jimmys not going to look like Hoffa unless hes Hoffa. So you dont have to keep an eye on me, Logan.

  That wasnt my intention. He grimaced. If I admit Im tense and maybe a little worried, would you please let me come?

  Doubts? I thought you were so sure it was Kennedy.

  I want to see that skull come to life, Eve, he said simply. I know that I dont deserve any consid-eration, but will you let me?

  She hesitated. She was still annoyed and re-sentful. After all he had done, she should tell him to go jump in the lake. On the other hand, a truce might be necessary for getting out of this predicament safely. She lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. I dont care if you dont talk to me. I probably wouldnt know youre in the room. If you open your mouth, youre out.

  Not a word. He headed for the door. You wont even know Im here. Ill bring you food and coffee and then curl up in the corner like a docile pussycat.

  I dont know any cats that are docile. She moved toward the pedestal and was already closing him out. Just be quiethellip;

  CHEVY CHASE

  WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

  You dont seem to be progressing very fast, Doprel, Fiske said. And youre not even working on the skull.

  I never work on the skull, Doprel said. Im making a cast and Ill do the work on that.

  Does everyone? It seems like a waste of time.

  No, but I prefer to do it that way, Doprel said with irritation. Its safer. I dont have to be so careful of the skull.

  Timwick wants the work done quickly. This cast is

  I work the way I work, Doprel said coldly. I find it goes even faster when I dont have to be cautious.

  Timwick doesnt care if the skull is damaged. We dont have time for the cast. He paused. Id think youd want to get this done fast so you can go home.

  Its not the way I He hesitated. Screw it. What the hell do I care if the damn thing gets broken? Ill work on the skull. Now leave me alone, Fiske. Youre supposed to bring me meals and get me what I need, not criticize my methods.

  Arrogant prick. He was treating Fiske like a lousy servant. Fiske had seen those scientific types before. They thought they were better and smarter than everyone else. Doprel with all his training and brains couldnt do what Fiske did in a million years. He wouldnt have either the cunning or the guts.

  But maybe Doprel would learn his mistake be-fore this was over. Timwick said it depended on the results. Fiske smiled. I didnt mean to offend. He started to leave. Let me go make a pot of coffee for you.

  BARRETT HOUSE

  WEDNESDAY

  10:50 P.M.

  Done.

  Eve stepped back, took off her glasses, and wiped her stinging eyes with the back of her hands. The meticulous work of laying the clay strips was fin-ished, and her eyes were strained badly. She didnt dare do anything else right now; she couldnt risk making a mistake. Shed sit down, rest for an hour or so, and then begin again.

  She crossed to the desk, dropped down in the chair, leaned back, and closed her eyes.

  Are you okay? Logan asked.

  She jumped, and her gaze flew to the far corner of the lab. Jesus, she had forgotten he was in the room. In the past twenty-four hours, he had moved in and out of the lab like a ghost, and she couldnt remember him even speaking to her.

  Maybe he had. She had been so absorbed with Jimmy that she didnt remember much of those hours. She vaguely recalled she had called her mother once but had no idea what she had said.

  Okay? Logan repeated.

  Of course Im okay. I was just resting. I dont have the best vision in the world and my eyes are strained.

  With good reason. Ive never seen anyone work with that much intensity. Michelangelo probably was less tense when he was sculpting David.

  He had more time.

  Hows it coming?

  I dont know. I never know until its done. Im through with the donkey work. Now comes the hard part.

  A little rest might help. He was sitting with apparent ease, but she was suddenly aware of the ten-sion in him.

  I was trying to rest, she said dryly.

  Sorry. And I was trying to help. He smiled crookedly. Ive been expecting you to collapse any minute.

  But you didnt stop me.

  I cant. The clocks ticking. He paused. How long?

  Twelve hours. Maybe a little longer. She wearily leaned back in the chair again. I dont know. As long as it takes. Dont nag me, dammit.

  Right. He rose jerkily to his feet. Ill leave you alone to rest. Why dont you lie down on the couch? When do you want me to wake you?

  I dont want to sleep. I just have to rest my eyes.

  Then Ill come back later. He added as he moved toward the door, If you dont mind.

  It doesnt matter. She closed her eyes again. Tell m
e, Logan, doesnt all this subservience and courtesy stick in your throat?

  A little. But I can live with it. I learned a long time ago that if youre not the most important chip in a computer, you grease the wheels and dont get in the way.

  I believe thats the worst mix of metaphors Ive heard.

  How would you know? Your minds probably too blurry for you to think straight.

  I dont have to think. From now on its pure in-stinct. I just have to be able to see.

  I can feed you, but I cant help you there.

  At this point, no one can help me.

  The door closed behind him.

  No one, she murmured. Its just between you and me, isnt it, Jimmy?

  CHEVY CHASE

  WEDNESDAY EVENING

  11:45 P.M.

  Hes nearly finished, Timwick, Fiske said. He said the job was easier than he thought. Maybe another twelve hours.

  Have you seen the skull?

  I cant make anything of it. It doesnt even have a nose or eyes yet. I think youre wasting your time.

  Ill be the judge of that. Call me when hes done and Ill come right down.

  Fiske replaced the receiver. Twelve more hours and hed know if Doprel or Logan and Duncan were the targets. He almost hoped it was Doprel. Logan and Duncan were more of a challenge, but Doprel was beginning to annoy him beyond belief.

  BARRETT HOUSE

  THURSDAY

  6:45 A.M.

  Smooth the clay.

  Delicacy.

  Sensitivity.

  Let the tips of your fingers move of their own volition.

  Dont think.

  Help me, Jimmy.

  The clay was cool, but her fingertips felt warm, almost hot, as they molded and smoothed.

  Generic ears. She had no idea whether theyd stuck out or had longer lobes.

  A longer, thinner nose.

  Mouth?

  Generic again. She knew the width but not the shape. She made the lips closed, without expression.

  Eyes.

  So important. So difficult. No measurements and very few scientific indicators. Okay, dont be in a rush. Study the shape and angle of the orbits. The size of eyeballs were all pretty much the same and grew only a little from infancy to adulthood. Should she make Jimmys eyes protruding, deep-set, or somewhere in between? The angle of the orbits and the bony ridge above would help her decide.

  But not yet. Eyes were always a clincher. Most forensic sculptors worked from top to bottom and the eyes went in close to the beginning. She had never been able to do that. Shed found that she had an even greater tendency to hurry if the eyes were looking at her.

  Bring me home.

  More smoothing along the cheekbone. Not too deep.

  Dont look at the face as a whole. Take each sec-tion and feature separately.

  Smooth.

  Fill in.

  Slow down. You cant let go yet. Dont let your mind totally guide your hands. Dont visualize. Build. Measurements are still critical. Check them again.

  Nose width, 32 mm. Okay.

  Nose projection, 19 mm. Okay.

  Lip height, 14 mm. No, it should be 12. Bring the top lip down, its usually thinner than the bottom lip.

  Build up more around the mouth, theres a major muscle under there.

  More shaping to the nostrils.

  A little creasing on each side of the nose. How deep?

  Whats the difference? Nobody ever identified anyone by a skin crease.

  Deepen the area around the lower lip.

  Why? It didnt matter. Do it.

  Smooth.

  Mold.

  Fill in.

  Sun lines around the eye cavities. Lines around the mouth.

  She was working feverishly now. Her hands flew over Jimmys face.

  Almost finished.

  Who are you, Jimmy? Help me. Were almost done. Well take a photo and circulate it and someone will take you home.

  Smooth.

  Mold.

  Stop. Dont gild the lily.

  She stepped back and drew a deep breath. Shed done all she could do.

  Except the eyes.

  What color? Logan would probably prefer she use blue. Kennedys blue eyes were as famous as his smile. Screw Logan. This couldnt be Kennedy and why should she indulge Logan. She took another step back and allowed herself to look at the full face for the first time. She would use the brown she usually

  Oh, my God.

  She stood frozen, staring at the face shed created. She felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach.

  No.

  It was a lie.

  She moved slowly, heavily, over to the table, where the small eye case lay open. The eyeballs glit-tered up at herblue, brown, gray, hazel, green.

  She took the case and carried it to the pedestal.

  She was exhausted; her mind could be playing tricks on her. The eyes would make a difference. Brown. Put in brown eyes.

  Her hand was shaking as she took out the first brown eyeball and inserted it in the left cavity. Then she took the second eyeball and fitted it to the right.

  Youve put in the wrong eyes, Logan said from the corner. You know it, Eve.

  She stared straight into the brown eyes before her, her back rigid. I dont know it.

  Put in the right eyes.

  Its a mistake. I made a mistake somewhere along the way.

  You dont allow yourself to make mistakes. Put in the eyes that you know belong with the face.

  She took out the brown eyes and put them back in the case. She stood staring blindly down at the eyes in the case.

  You know which ones to use, Eve.

  All right. She reached down, picked up the eye-balls, and jammed them in the sockets.

  Now step back and look at him.

  She moved back from the pedestal. Incredible. God in heaven, it couldnt be true.

  But there couldnt be any doubt.

  You bastard. Her voice was shaking as she stared into the gray eyes. She was shaking. She felt as if the entire globe was trembling on its axis. Its Ben Chadbourne. Its the President.

  CHEVY CHASE

  Well? Doprel asked sourly. Is it your terrorist?

  Timwick gazed at the skull. Youre sure this is a correct representation?

  Im sure. May I go home now?

  Yes, thank you for your hard work. Ill have you driven back to New York immediately. Naturally, youll keep this quiet. We wouldnt want a security leak.

  Ive no desire to talk about this job. It hasnt been a highlight of my career. Ill go pack. Doprel strode out of the room.

  Shall I take him back? Fiske asked from where he stood behind Timwick.

  No. Timwick turned away from the bust. The skulls a ringer. Doprels not important anymore. Ill send him home with someone else. I have other work for you and well have to move fast. He moved toward the phone. Leave me alone. I have some phone calls to make.

  He waited until Fiske was out the door before he punched in the secure line at the White House.

  Its not him. Same age. Same general facial struc-ture. But its not him.

  BARRETT HOUSE

  You lied to me, Eve whispered. She whirled on Logan. You lied.

  Yes. Its the last lie Ill tell you, Eve.

  You expect me to believe that? Every way I turn I find out youve lied to me again. You never thought it was Kennedy. My God, you even put all those books and reports about him in your desk just to make me believe what you wanted me to believe. It was all some kind of wild red herring.

  There wasnt anything wild about it. I worked very hard to make that lie plausible. I had to have a cover to hide the fact that I was having Donnellis claim investigated. Thats why I laid the false trail to Kennedy. So they couldnt be sure if I suspected something or I was just a crackpot. I had also begun a discreet search for a forensic sculptor, the one person who could reveal if theres any truth to Donnellis story.

  Me.

  Yes, you were the key player I needed.