Iris Johansen 1998 - The Face of Deception

by The Face of Deception(lit)

  And you think an assassination conspiracy is a possibility?

  I wish I could say it wasnt. I assure you the President doesnt like the idea of being a target. But since the fire occurred at the time President Chadbourne was invited to visit Barrett House, Mr. Timwick tells me he has to consider the possibility and increase his security.

  And Logan is suspected of instigating this conspiracy?

  We sincerely hope not. Even though theyre on the opposite ends of the political spectrum, the Presi-dent has always held him in respect. Its his sincere wish that Logan will come forward and explain all this. He paused. Until that time, we must consider Logan a threat to both the President and the country. Jamal was a known terrorist and assassin and the Se-cret Service believes that the Presidents visit to Bar-rett House would have been a disastrous mistake.

  We were told the body was almost entirely destroyed. How did you manage to match the DNA to Jamal?

  Mr. Timwick asked that a check be made.

  Then you already suspected that Jamal was at Barrett House.

  When the President goes anywhere, we have to make sure the situation is secure. You all know how fanatically determined Logan has been to see that the President is not elected to a second term. When Mr. Timwick discovered that Mr. Logan may have had contact with Jamal on his last visit to Japan, he asked Bethesda to run a check on Jamal. He held up his hand. No more questions. The President wishes me to assure you that under no circumstances will this threat interfere with his attendance at the funeral of his good friend, nor with the execution of his duties as president. Jim Douglas turned and walked out of the room.

  There was a final shot of the President in the Rose Garden, which must have been taken at some other time. He was smiling down at Lisa Chadbourne and she was smiling back with just the right amount of support and concern.

  My God. Eve turned off the set and turned to Kessler. How hard are they looking for Logan?

  Theyve pulled out all the stops. Hes a prime suspect. Kessler added, And you too.

  She crossed her arms over her chest to keep from trembling. Now Im a terrorist as well as a murderer?

  Youve been downgraded. Youre just an acces-sory. Logan is the murderer. They believe he had a falling-out with Jamal about the terms of the assassi-nation and killed him.

  And burned down the house to hide it.

  Correct.

  Its completely preposterous. No one could believe a story like that. Logan is a respectable businessman. Why would he become involved with terrorists?

  Im not so sure they wont believe it, Gary said slowly. The average person sitting before a televi-sion set has a tendency to accept what the authorities tell him, and people in general have no liking for big business. Havent you heard that the only way to get someone to accept a big lie is to tell some little truths along with it? Youll notice that Douglas stressed two points. Logans political fanaticism, and his visits out of the country. Theyve started with basic provable facts and layered in DNA science and the average Americans fear of foreign terrorists. Its a pretty complete package.

  Complete enough to make it impossible for Logan to surface without danger of being shot on sight. She had it all planned. Eve still found it hard to believe. That was why, when that body was found in Barrett House, Detwil issued a statement praising Logan and revealing that hed planned to go there that weekend. We thought she was trying to have Maren switch the DNA to prove the body was Logans. Instead, she was setting this up.

  He nodded. Identifying that body as Jamal makes your situation a hell of a lot more difficult.

  Difficult. It made it a nightmare. Logan will be a target of every law enforcement body in the country.

  Maybe he was already dead. Why hadnt he called her?

  No, the media would have picked up on Logans capture or death. She suddenly remembered the press secretarys last words. What funeral? What was he talking about?

  Scott Maren. He was killed in an automobile ac-cident last night. They just announced that the fu-neral would be two days from now.

  The words struck her like a blow. What?

  A truck broadsided his Corvette.

  Where? Near where Gil was supposed to meet him?

  No, only a few blocks from the hospital. They think something was wrong with his brakes.

  Murder.

  Gary shook his head. Not as far as the officials are concerned. Theyre investigating, but they think its just an accident. Respected doctor, liked by everyone. No motive.

  It was murder. It was too coincidental. Lisa had gotten rid of Maren because shed been afraid hed become a liability. Which meant Maren had told her about Gil approaching him.

  They set a trap for Gil. And Logan had walked into the trap with him.

  Its possible. But we dont know. We have to wait and see. In the meantime, I think it would be a good idea if you stayed away from the testing lab, Kessler said. Logan would like you to stay here with Tellers security guard.

  No, Ill go with you.

  To protect me? He made a face. What can you do sitting in a car in the parking lot? I appreciate the effort, but I can care for myself. Besides, its only ten minutes from here. I promise Ill phone if I need you.

  Ill go, dammit.

  What about Logan? Have you heard from him?

  No.

  He touched the circles beneath her eyes. And youre worried. Shouldnt you stay here and wait for him? Hes the one who is in danger.

  I cant help him. I dont even know where he is.

  Hes a bright young man. Hell come back. He turned to leave. I have to get to the lab. Chris prom-ised me those results late today, but he works better with a little subtle browbeating.

  She tried to smile. Theres nothing subtle about you, Gary.

  Perhaps not, but Im effective. He paused at the door. You stay here. You have no car and I wont let you in my Volvo.

  Id feel better going with you.

  Since Im in control of the transport, I get my way. Ill see you for dinner. Come to my room at eight. I saw a menu flyer from Bubba Blues Barbecue. He shook his head. What a name. Thank God they de-liver. I have a vision of sawdust on the floor, a rattle-snake in a glass case, and a moaning country singer. I shudder at the chance were taking.

  The door closed behind him.

  She was shuddering too, but for a different reason. She closed her eyes, but she could still see Lisa Chadbournes face as she looked up at Detwil. The loyal wife protecting her husband in his hour of need.

  But it was Logan who was in need. Logan and Gil who were on the run.

  Where the hell were they?

  Sweet Jesus, Sandra murmured, her gaze on the television screen. Whats happening to her, Margaret?

  Nothing. They havent been caught and they wont be. Johns too smart to let that happen. This is just upsetting you. Margaret turned off the set. Hell, its upsetting me too.

  Why hasnt she called me?

  She called you yesterday.

  But she must know Id see What should we do?

  What were doing. Sit tight until John gets everything straightened out.

  Yeah, sure. She nibbled at her lower lip. Maybe we should do something.

  Like what?

  I have a friend in the D.A.s office.

  No, Margaret said sharply, then she tempered her tone. He couldnt help and hed lead anyone in-terested right to us.

  Maybe not. Ron would be careful.

  Sandra, no.

  I cant just sit here. She looked Margaret in the eye. I know you think Im some kind of lightweight, but Ive been around the block a couple of times. Give me a chance to do something.

  I dont think youre a lightweight, Margaret said gently. I think youre smart and kind and under normal conditions youd be taking care of me. These arent normal conditions. Just be patient, okay?

  Sandra shook her head.

  Okay, then try to get your mind off it. How about a game of blackjack?

  Again? You always beat me. You must spend half your time
in Las Vegas.

  Well hellip; Margaret grinned. One of my brothers is a dealer.

  I knew it.

  Okay, no blackjack. Ill make the supreme sacri-fice and let you cook me another one of those won-derful meals. You do realize Im going to be a blimp before we get out of here.

  Im a lousy cook, and you know it. Stop trying to distract me.

  Well, the casserole last night was better than the chili for lunch. Maybe youre getting better.

  And maybe cows can fly. She might as well go along with her, Sandra thought resignedly. Margaret could be relentless, and besides, cooking did keep her occupied. She rose to her feet. Ill make a pot roast. But you have to make the salad and do the dishes.

  Im just a drudge, Margaret groaned. Okay, lets get at it.

  Third time lucky.

  Fiske watched the two women bustling around the kitchen. The scent of meat and peppers drifted to him and reminded him he hadnt had breakfast that morning. The smell evidently had attracted Pilton too, because he had come in from the porch and was standing in the kitchen, talking to Margaret Wilson.

  Fiske backed away from the window into the shrubbery and set off through the woods. He reached his car, which was parked in the driveway of an empty rental cottage. Now that Sandra Duncan had been located, he could call and pacify Timwick. Then hed contact Lisa Chadbourne and tell her of his progress. Though from what hed seen on the news that morning, shed been a little too busy to worry about Sandra Duncan.

  Too bad about Scott Maren. The doctor had been on the list Timwick had given him and he felt a little cheated that the job had been given to someone else.

  He opened the glove box, took out the list, and drew a line through Marens name. He couldnt take credit, but he could keep the list accurate.

  He had another name to add to the list. He care-fully wrote in the name Joe Quinn. Kesslers assistant had been very helpful last night.

  He took out the pictures of Quinn and Kessler that Timwick had faxed him and studied them. Kessler was old and would probably pose no chal-lenge, but Quinn was young, fit, and a cop. He might prove interesting.

  He glanced down at the road atlas open on the passenger seat. Kesslers assistant had known nothing about Kesslers recent activities but he knew his pat-tern, his methods, his friends, his modus operandi.

  He knew about the work done by Chris Tellers research center in Bainbridge.

  So now Lisa Chadbourne had a choice of targets.

  How did I do? Kevin asked. Was the statement right? Do you think I should have told Douglas to be a little more stern?

  You were great, Lisa said patiently. The state-ment to the media was just right. You made yourself seem regretful and Logan appear dangerous enough for us to have a reason to go after him.

  Self-defense. He nodded. It should work.

  It will work. She handed him the paper shed just printed out. You need to memorize this. I want you to sound completely extemporaneous.

  What is it?

  The eulogy youre giving for Scott Maren. He glanced over the text. Touching.

  A little tearing wouldnt be remiss. He was one of Bens best friends.

  And yours. Kevin was staring down at the speech and his next words came haltingly, Wasnt he?

  She tensed. She didnt like his tone. Shed become accustomed to taking Kevins willful blindness for granted. Yes, he was my good friend. He did a great deal for mehellip; and for you.

  Yes. He didnt look up from the speech. Its strange. The accident, I mean.

  He always insisted on driving that little Cor-vette. Everyone told him that he should switch to a bigger car.

  No, I mean right now.

  What are you trying to say, Kevin? She took the speech away from him. Look at me.

  He flushed. Im confused. Everythings hap-pening too fast. First, this business with Logan and now Scott dying.

  Do you think I had anything to do with Scotts death? She let tears fill her eyes. How could you? He was our friend. He was helping us.

  I didnt say that, he said quickly.

  You might just as well have said it.

  No, I didnt mean He gazed at her helplessly. Dont cry. You never cry.

  Youve never accused me of Do you think Im some kind of monster? You know why Ben died. Do you think Id ever do that again?

  With Logan.

  To save you. Logan should never have interfered with what youre doing.

  He reached out and awkwardly touched her shoulder. Forget it. I didnt mean

  I cant forget it. She stepped back and thrust the speech at him. Go on to your office and learn that eulogy. And, while youre at it, decide whether I could have written those words about Scott if Id ever meant harm to him.

  I know you didnt I just wondered why it hap-pened.

  She turned her back on him and walked over to the window.

  She could feel his gaze on her and then heard the sound of the door closing behind him.

  Thank God. She didnt think she could have held on another minute. The entire night and morning had been a nightmare.

  Damn him. Damn him. Damn him.

  Tears were still running down her cheeks as she reached for her phone and dialed Timwick.

  Why? she asked hoarsely. Damn you, why?

  Maren was a threat. Hes always been a threat. I told you he needed to be eliminated when Logan started probing.

  And I told you not to do it. Scott was never a threat. He helped us.

  He was a loose thread, Lisa. And Logan was too close to unraveling him. You were too soft to do it, so I did it myself.

  She closed her eyes. He would never have betrayed me.

  Youre not the only one in this. She could hear the panic in his voice. I couldnt take the chance. He changed the subject. The press conference went well. It gives us the firepower we need. We found the speedboat. But we havent gotten a lead on Price and Logan yet. Ill keep you informed. He hung up.

  He had dismissed the killing of Scott as if it were unimportant.

  Just another deathhellip;

  How many more? she wondered. How much more bloodhellip;

  She sank down in her desk chair and covered her eyes.

  Oh, God, Scott, forgive me. I never thought I cant seem to stop it now. It goes on and on and I have to go with it.

  Think. Was there any way out? She had to have the skull. The scenario she had set up gave Timwick the ability to make sure Logan could be killed on sight.

  More killing. And after him, Fiskes list would kick in and the deaths would go on.

  She couldnt stand it.

  A deal?

  No, Logan was a stubborn man and would not give up even if sense and practicality told him that he should. Men were always too

  But Eve Duncan knew where the skull was and she had no male ego to stop her from thinking clearly. Duncan was a clever woman who would recognize that all their options were gradually disappearing.

  Lisa straightened and wiped her eyes. She turned and switched on the computer.

  Eve Duncan.

  NINETEEN

  The phone rang.

  Logan?

  Eve snatched her phone from the table where shed put it in readiness. Hello.

  Hello, Eve. I hope you dont mind my calling you by your given name. Please do the same. I believe events have established a certain intimacy between us.

  Eve straightened in shock.

  You do know who this is?

  Lisa Chadbourne.

  You recognize my voice. Good.

  How did you get my number?

  Ive had it since the first dossier on you was given to me. It didnt seem prudent to contact you under the circumstances.

  Since you were trying to kill me?

  Please believe I never meant to harm you until you interfered. You should never have accepted Logans offer. She paused. And you should never have permitted Logan to try to persuade Scott to be-tray me.

  I dont control Logan. Nobody does.

  You should have tried. Youre in
telligent and youre strong. All it would have taken was a little ef-fort. Maybe all this could have been She stopped to steady her voice. I didnt mean to get emotional on you. I dont expect you to understand, but its been a bad day for me.