The Face of Deception ed-1

by Iris Johansen

  I dont want to He broke off as he saw her expression. He turned away abruptly. Stay with her, Logan. If you let anything happen to her, Ill break your neck. The door closed behind him with a deci-sive click.

  Violence again. She gazed blindly down at the skull.

  Are you ready to go? Logan asked.

  Not yet. Im going to pack up Ben and then rifle through Garys equipment for something to chip this clay off. She crossed to the table and opened the cabinet. You can contact Margaret and find out when my mother will be safe.

  I can phone from here.

  I dont want you underfoot. Go outside and do it.

  Id like to oblige, but Quinn gave me orders. I really would like to keep my skin intact.

  Im giving you orders. Youre not doing any good here. Get out of my way and see that Moms safe or Ill go home and do it myself. Its what I want to do anyway.

  He held up his hand in surrender. Im on my way.

  He was gone.

  She drew a breath of relief. She didnt want any of them around her right now. She was too unsettled and needed to get things back in perspective. Work was the only thing that would do that. The sooner they got to that lab at Kennesaw State, the better shed be.

  She found three wood instruments that looked sharp enough to be effective but not too sharp to do crucial damage if her hand slipped. She dropped them in her handbag and then carefully repacked Bens skull in the case. Okay, Ben. Sorry to put you through this, but Ive got to take all that clay off you. Put it on, take it off. All this running around and fussing doesnt seem fair, does it? She fastened the case. But here we go again.

  Mrs. Duncan? Open the door. Margaret Wilson.

  Sandra studied the plump woman through the peephole and compared her to the photograph in her hand.

  Mrs. Duncan?

  I heard you. Sandra unlocked the door. Come in.

  Margaret shook her head. No, I have the van at the curb. We have to leave now. Are you ready?

  As soon as I get my suitcase. She went to the living room and came back with the case. Where are we going?

  We cant talk here. Margaret preceded her down the porch steps. Dont worry, youll be safe.

  Why cant we talk here. Im not Sandra made the connection. Bugged? You think my house is bugged?

  Thats what I was told. Hurry.

  Bugged. Sandra locked the front door. What the hell is going on?

  I hoped youd know. Margaret moved briskly down the walk. I thought wed compare notes and come up with some answers. Usually, I dont mind traveling blind for John, but Im a little uneasy about all this. She opened the passenger door. Get in. She indicated the short, burly man in the drivers seat. This is Brad Pilton. Hes with Madden Security and hes one of the crew whos been watching over you the past several days. Hes supposed to be our bodyguard.

  I am your bodyguard, Pilton said, pained. He nodded politely at Sandra. Maam.

  Well, youre not very big. Margaret climbed into the backseat. Not that thats a hindrance in most cases. I approve of small. Still, I think Id have chosen someone else for the job if Id seen you first. There are uses for big and brawny. Not that you dont have excel-lent credentials.

  Thank you. He started the van and edged away from the curb.

  Where are we going? Sandra repeated. Or cant we talk?

  The vans safe. It belongs to the security com-pany, but I insisted Pilton check it out for bugs anyway. Were going to the mall.

  The mall?

  North Lake Mall. She smiled at Sandra. We need to do a car switch in case were followed. Well go in one door and out another.

  And from there?

  Lake Lanier. Ive rented a small cottage. Youll be safe and cozy.

  Lake Lanier. She and Ron had talked about going up there over Labor Day, Sandra remembered wist-fully. But hed said theyd stay at the hotel on Pine Island. He wasnt much on rustic. Well, neither was she. In spite of their differences, they had a lot in common.

  Something wrong? Margarets gaze was on her.

  I guess not. All this seems like a bad dream to me.

  Me too. Margaret leaned forward and squeezed Sandras shoulder. Dont worry. Well get through it together.

  I think were being followed, Pilton said.

  Sandra tensed and glanced over her shoulder. Where?

  The dark blue Mercury.

  Are you sure?

  Pilton nodded. Dont worry. We expected it. Well lose him at the mall.

  Someone was following them. Someone who might want to hurt her, Sandra thought with a shiver.

  For the first time, the threat became real to her.

  Fiske watched the van pull into a parking space at North Lake Mall and the three passengers hurry through the doors of the south entrance. He didnt bother to park. Hed cruise around the mall and see if he could spot the three as they came out an-other door.

  It was doubtful. There were too many lots and too many exits.

  It didnt really matter. His favorite listening de-vice had paid off again. He knew where they were going, though he wished Margaret Wilson had been a little more explicit. Lanier was a huge resort area with thousands of rental properties.

  Which meant he should start the ball rolling on locating the right one immediately.

  He took out his electronic earpiece and punched in Timwicks number on his phone. Duncans mother is being taken to a cottage on Lake Lanier. The place was probably rented yesterday or today by Margaret Wilson. I need to know where it is.

  Ill get on it. Timwick hung up the phone.

  Fiske decided that in the meantime hed check into a hotel and wait. Things were proceeding very well. Hed been upset about leaving Atlanta before everything was tidily brought to completion.

  But now he was back.

  Everythings fine, Margaret told Logan on the phone. Weve changed cars and were on our way to Lake Lanier.

  Call me when you get there.

  I told you, everythings fine. Pilton is sure were not being followed any longer.

  Pilton?

  The bodyguard. Though his body isnt much bigger than mine.

  No big deal. Id bet on you over Goliath any day.

  Me too. Thats why Im reassuring myself about Pilton. Okay, Ill call you when we get to the cottage. Anything else?

  Just stay out of sight. He ended the call.

  Everythings fine.

  Maybe it was fine, but he was still uneasy. Hed expected getting Sandra Duncan away from the house to be more difficult.

  Unless they wanted her out of sight as much as he did. It would be easier to dispose of someone who was hiding from the world.

  But only if they found her.

  I told you to stay with Eve. Joe Quinn was walking up the steps toward him.

  And she told you to stay with Kessler.

  Hes right behind me.

  And Im a hundred yards from the lab.

  Thats a hundred yards too far.

  I had phone calls to make and I think she wanted me out of her hair.

  She has good taste.

  Time to try to bridge the gulf. Youre absolutely right. Shes perfectly right to resent me. So are you. He gazed into Quinns eyes. But dont give me or-ders. Were on the same team and Ill do everything I can, but Ill work with you, not for you, Quinn.

  Joes lips twisted. And not against me? Just what did you tell her about me?

  What I had to tell her to protect my position. I assure you that it was nothing but the truth.

  As defined by John Logan.

  Logan nodded. I think you know what I told her. I imagine its what youve been carefully hiding for years.

  Damn you.

  I believe I was entitled to protect myself. You were becoming a little too lethal. Suppose we come to an agreement. You agree to work with me willingly, if not amicably, and Ill stop bringing up your alter ego to Eve.

  Quinn stared at him a moment. Screw you. He passed him and went into the building.

  Logan let out the breath he hadnt known he was holding. He ha
d confronted many dangerous men in his time, but Quinn was definitely in a class by him-self. It astonished him that Eve hadnt picked up on it.

  Maybe not so strange. To her Quinn was the pro-tector, the man who had saved her and sustained her.

  It was difficult to equate a savior with a terminator.

  FIFTEEN

  KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

  1:05 a.m.

  "Hows it going? Logan squatted beside Eves chair. Have you got a minute?

  No, I havent got a minute. It took me forever to jerry-rig this equipment and set it up. She adjusted the TV monitor. And Ive just started.

  Margaret called from Lanier. I have the phone number. I thought youd want to talk to your mother.

  Why didnt you tell me? Of course I want to talk to her.

  Logan dialed the number and handed his phone to Eve.

  How are you, Mom?

  Tired. Worried about you, Sandra said. Hell, worried about me. Other than that, Im in great shape. When is this going to be over, Eve?

  I wish I knew. She changed the subject. Hows the cottage?

  Nice. Its on the water. Great view.

  But Sandra didnt sound as if she appreciated either the cottage or the view. Who could blame her? Eve had disrupted her life and yanked her away from the pleasant, comfortable niche shed made for her-self. Try to enjoy it and relax. Do you have any books to read?

  Margaret brought a few suspense novels, but you know I dont read much. Theres a big TV set. A pause. Do you suppose I could call Ron? I wouldnt tell him where I was.

  No, dont do it. Honest, Ill try to have you out of there in a few days.

  Okay. Sandras tone was despondent. I guess Im kind of lonely. Ill be fine. You just take care of yourself.

  I will. Good night, Mom. Ill call you every day. She handed Logan the phone. Thanks. I feel a little better now.

  That was the intention. How is she?

  Depressed. She wants her life back. She gazed blindly at the monitor. She deserves a good life. Shes had a hard time and now things are looking up for her. Shes met someone she cares about. Moms al-ways needed people.

  And you havent?

  She shrugged. I guess Ive never thought about it. There was always too much work to do.

  Always?

  Not always. Not when Bonnie She turned to look at him. Youre probing again, Logan.

  Sorry, Im just wondering what makes you tick. He gazed at the skull on the pedestal. Besides an obsession with our friends who have passed over. Its in-teresting that you dont seem to have made any close friends after your daughter was killed.

  Ive been busy.

  And perhaps you dont want to come close to anyone again and risk being hurt.

  Do you expect me to be awed by your percep-tiveness? Im well aware Im avoiding new relation-ships and the reason for it.

  Of course you are. Youre a brilliant woman. So why dont you do something about it?

  Maybe I dont want to do anything about it.

  Not even to live a fuller, richer life?

  You dont know how full and rich my life is com-pared to what it was before. I was lost and now Im found. She said haltingly, I was drowning in pain and Ive managed to climb to dry land. Thats enough, Logan.

  Its not enough. Its time to go on.

  She shook her head. You dont understand.

  Im trying.

  Why?

  I like you, he said simply.

  She stared at him. What are you up to, Logan?

  I dont have an agenda. I do make new friendshellip; even if theres a risk of losing them. I like you and I admire you. I just thought Id tell you.

  Before you start using me again.

  Yes.

  Youre totally incredible. She looked back at the monitor. Do you expect me to say all is forgiven and lets go play in the sandbox?

  No, I told you, no agenda. Were past all that now. I just wanted to be honest with you for a change. Sorry I disconcerted you. He rose to his feet. Id better let you get back to work.

  Yes, you had.

  I thought youd have more done by now.

  She was relieved that odd moment of revelation and intimacy was over and that Logans usual de-manding self was back. He was right. He had discon-certed her. It took me longer than I thought to clean up Ben. She glanced at Kessler, who was seated at the table at the far end of the lab. Gary wasnt pleased. Hes been chomping at the bit to get to work and I still need the skull for verification.

  Why did you take those photographs at Barrett House?

  Insurance.

  How long is the superimposition going to take? This place is a little too public. I want to get out of here.

  Im hurrying as fast as I can. She adjusted the camera aimed at the skull on the pedestal, and then made a minor adjustment on the second camera aimed at one of the photographs of Ben Chadbourne Logan had given her at Barrett House.

  How long is this going to take? he repeated.

  It depends. Setting up sometimes takes the longest, and I havent used this equipment before. I think Ive got it right.

  How does it work?

  Havent you got something else to do?

  Just interested. Am I bothering you?

  I suppose not. She made another adjustment. As you can see, the one camera is focused on the skull, the other on the photograph. The angle on the skull and the photograph both have to be the same. Then both cameras are connected to a mixer, an editing machine that Ive connected to a VCR. The VCR plays the images on the monitor. The mixer can create a split screen where a line runs vertically and horizontally between the images at the same time or half of each image. The line can be moved to show less of one image and more of the other. Thats called a wipe. Rut what I need to do is cause a fade.

  And whats that?

  Its sort of like a dream sequence in a movie. You know, when one image blurs and then suddenly becomes another? One image is superimposed on an-other and then I equalize the fade so that you can see the photograph and the skull both as if the persons skin is transparent.

  Can you show me now?

  Here it comes. She brought the two images up on the monitor and started to work.

  Why did you pick the

  Be quiet. Im busy.

  Sorry.

  She was only vaguely aware of him beside her during the next period of painstaking adjustment.

  Move.

  Too much.

  Racktrack.

  Adjust.

  Again.

  Again.

  And still again.

  Christ. Logan leaned forward, his gaze on the ghostly merged image. Its almost spooky.

  Nothing spooky about it. Its just a tool.

  May I talk now?

  You appear to be doing it. She made another adjustment.

  Why did you choose the photograph with Chadbourne smiling?

  The teeth. Teeth are rarely perfect and each set has its own irregularities. If the teeth are a match, we hit the jackpot. Thats why I had to have the skull be-fore Gary started pulling the teeth.

  And do these teeth match?

  Oh, yes, she said with satisfaction. Definite match. Perfect match. Cant you see?

  They look good to me, but Im no expert. And Im being distracted by that ghostly effect.

  It all matches. She pointed. See how the bite line on the skull is even with the lip line on the photo-graph. She tapped the nasal opening. And this is the same size and shape as the nose. The eyeballs are cen-tered in the orbits of the skull. There are several other checkpoints and they all match.

  So what happens now?

  I print out several copies of this picture on the screen and go to the next photograph.

  But you told me this was a definite match.

  For an ordinary person. Not for the President of the United States. Every feature has to be verified. I need a better side shot of the ear canal and the muscle attachment at the side of the

  I get your point. Logan held up his hand to stop the flow of words.
Can I help?

  You can go talk to Gary and pacify him until I finish. Hell be pouncing on me any minute.

  I hear. I obey. He rose to his feet. Pacifying seems to be all Im good for these days. Its annoying not to be able to take action myself.

  I prefer you in passive mode, she said dryly. Every time you take action, I sink deeper into this quicksand.

  No comment. He strode across the lab toward Kessler.

  She looked back at the screen. She had known the superimposition would validate the work shed done on the skull, but it still sent a ripple of excitement through her. One more block in the wall of evidence she had to build. Were getting there, Ben, she whispered.

  She hit the print button on the Sony video printer.

  3:35 A.M.

  It was raining.

  She hadnt realized that when she was working in the lab. Now she leaned against the open doorway of the front entrance, looking out over the manicured lawns of the campus. The cool, humid air felt good in her lungs as she took a deep breath.

  She should be tired, but she was still pumped from working on the match.

  You shouldnt be out here. Joe was leaning against the brick wall a few yards from the door. Go back inside.

  I need some air.

  Did you finish?

  I finished the superimposition. Garys barely started on extracting the DNA. She looked at his clothes. Youre wet.

  Not much. The overhead ledge protects me. It kind of feels good. He grimaced. I guess Im a little hot under the collar.

  I noticed. But you shouldnt blame Logan. It was my decision to do the job. I knew there was a risk. The fee was just too good.

  Ill bet he didnt let you know how risky before he drew you in.

  It was still my decision. Why was she de-fending Logan? Joe was right to condemn Logans methods and she had been as angry as Joe when she found out how she had been used. She changed the subject. Its late. You shouldnt be here. Diane will be worried.

  I called her.

  If you told her you were with me, then that wouldnt stop her from worrying. She had to have seen CNN.

  I didnt tell her.

  You lied to her?

  No, I just told her I was working late.

  Thats almost a lie. Id be furious if you werent honest with me.

  Youre not Diane. She prefers to be kept in the dark when something unpleasant raises its head. Shes never become accustomed to being married to a cop. Shed much rather I quit the force and find some-thing with a little more prestige to do.