The Face of Deception ed-1

by Iris Johansen

  And she wasnt about to be left behind.

  Why dont you try to get some sleep? Logan said. You worked all last night. I promise I wont land us in a ditch.

  I dont want to sleep. Weve been driving a long time. Its almost dark. Arent we almost there?

  Another hour or so.

  An hour was too long when Eve was this restless. Have you heard from Gil?

  Last night. No progress yet. It may take time to approach Maren on a confidential basis. Im sure hes very busy overseeing the work on my corpse.

  Thats not funny.

  I didnt think so either, but its better if you laugh.

  Is it?

  Ive always thought so. It keeps you sane.

  Then Ill vote for that. She gazed at the tail-lights of Garys car on the road ahead of them. Are you speaking from experience? How close have you come to the edge, Logan?

  Close enough.

  No. She turned to face him. Dont give me that evasive bull. Its not fair. Tell me. You know everything about me.

  I doubt it. Youre a multifaceted woman. It wouldnt surprise me if you had a few secrets.

  Tell me.

  What do you want to know?

  The edge.

  Ah, you want to see my scars.

  Youve seen mine.

  He was silent a moment. I was married once when I was pretty young. It was during the time I lived in Japan. She was Eurasian and the most beau-tiful woman Id ever seen. Her name was Chen Li.

  Youre divorced?

  She died of leukemia. He smiled crookedly. It wasnt like your loss. No violence. Except on my part. I wanted to tear the world apart when I couldnt find a way to help her. I was a cocky bastard and sure that there wasnt a mountain I couldnt climb. Well, I couldnt climb that one. It took over a year for her to die, and I had to watch it. Is that a deep enough scar for you?

  She looked away from him into the darkness. Yes, thats deep enough.

  And do you know me better now?

  She didnt answer. Did you love her?

  Oh, yes. I loved her. He glanced at her. You know, you really shouldnt have asked. You have a soft heart and it would have been easier for you to dislike me if you hadnt seen Im human, like everyone else.

  It was true. Understanding always made antago-nism more difficult. His very restraint underscored the pain hed undergone. Ive never doubted you were human.

  Maybe. Maybe not. He changed the subject. Tellers lab may not be open when we reach Bain-bridge. Well probably have to check into a motel and wait until tomorrow morning.

  Cant we call him or something? Maybe Gary could

  Kesslers going to arouse enough suspicion by the pressure hes going to apply on Teller. It would be a little over the top to ask him to stay open until we got there.

  No doubt he was right but, dear God, she wanted to move more quickly. You dont understand. It sometimes takes weeks to get a definitive report on a DNA sample. Garys going to ask Teller to do it in a few days. Private labs have the capability to be faster because theyre not as backlogged, but every minute is going to count.

  Will some of my filthy lucre help urge him to do a little overtime?

  She shook her head. I dont think so. He sounds like a dedicated professional.

  He still has to pay the mortgage. Kessler seemed to think Teller might need money.

  True. Maybe she was wrong. Money could move the world. She herself had been tempted by the bait he had dangled before her. Let Gary try his way first.

  No offense. Just trying to help.

  I know you were. Why should I take offense? Theres nothing wrong with money.

  He stared at her in surprise.

  I just dont like it used as a club.

  But bribery is okay?

  In certain cases.

  He smiled. Like the Adam Fund?

  Hell, yes.

  Even when I used it to deceive you?

  No, that wasnt right. She looked into his eyes. But I let you do it. Im not stupid. I knew there was something wrong, but I still took the chance. I wasnt like youI wasnt afraid someone was going to make a mistake and blow us all up. I wanted the money. I thought it would help and I was willing to run the risk. If I hadnt gone with you, none of this would have hap-pened. I wouldnt be in trouble and Mom would be safe. She shrugged. Id like to keep blaming you, but we all have to accept responsibility for our own actions.

  That wasnt the impression I got, he said dryly. You wanted to cut my throat.

  There are moments when I still do. You were wrong. But I was wrong too, and I have to live with it. She gazed out the window. I just dont want anyone else hurt because I was wrong.

  Youre being very generous.

  Im not generous, she said wearily. But I try to see things clearly. I learned a long time ago that its easy to blame everyone else when it hurts to blame yourself. But in the end you have to face it.

  He went still. Bonnie?

  We were at a school picnic at a neighborhood park. She wanted to go to the ice cream stand and get a cone. I was talking to her teacher and I let her go alone. There were kids and parents all around and the stand was only a short distance from the picnic table. I thought it was safe. It wasnt safe.

  For Gods sake, how could that be your fault? he asked roughly.

  I should have gone with her. Fraser killed her but I didnt care for her well enough.

  And have you been wearing that hair shirt all these years?

  Its hard not to second-guess yourself when you make a mistake as big as that.

  He didnt speak for a moment. Why did you tell me?

  Why had she told him? She usually avoided talking about that day; the memory was still a hideous raw wound. I dont know. I made you tell me about your wife. Ihellip; think it hurt you. I suppose I thought it was only fair to even the ground.

  And you have an obsession about being fair.

  I have to try. Sometimes it doesnt work. Some-times I find myself closing my eyes and hiding away in the dark.

  Like you did with Quinn?

  I didnt hide She was lying. Admit it, she had tried not to see everything about Joes life clearly. The image she had of him was too important to her. Maybe I did. But not usually. Not if I can help it.

  I believe you.

  She was silent a moment. What about Millicent Babcock? Will she be in danger if they find out Joe got a sample from her?

  Harming her wouldnt be much use to them. Chadbourne has an aunt and three first cousins living. It would be pretty obvious if theyre all taken down. Besides, its Ben Chadbournes DNA thats the con-clusive proof. Shes probably safe.

  Probably.

  Probably her mother was safe. Probably Gary would not be hurt. Probably Millicent Babcock would not be killed.

  Probably wasnt good enough.

  She leaned her head back on the seat and closed her eyes.

  Let it be good enough. No more deaths. Please, no more deaths.

  WASHINGTON

  11:05 p.m.

  Mr. Fiske? Lisa Chadbourne leaned closer to the car window and smiled. May I get in? Its a little public out here.

  Fiske glanced around the street and then shrugged. It looks pretty deserted to me.

  Thats why I chose it. All the federal offices close at five in this neighborhood. She got in the pas-senger seat and shut the door. But Im sure youll understand that I cant take any chances. Im fairly recognizable these days.

  True. The velvet-trimmed hood of her brown cape was pulled forward to shadow her features, but the minute she pushed it back, Fiske instantly recog-nized her. It really is you. I wasnt surehellip;

  You were sure enough to hop a plane and come to Washington to meet me.

  I was curious, and you said youd make me an offer that would intrigue me. Im always interested in advancing myself.

  And you were flattered that I would go over Timwicks head and speak to you directly?

  No. The conceited bitch thought he should fall all over himself just because she was the Presidents wife. Yo
u dont mean anything more to me than anyone else. I dont need you, you need me. Or you wouldnt be here.

  She smiled. Youre right. You have a unique talent and an efficiency I appreciate. I told Timwick the way you handled the problem at Barrett House was admirable. She paused. But, unfortunately, Timwick is not as efficient and hes become nervous and irrational. Hes begun to disappoint me. You do realize that hes merely been channeling orders from me?

  Not the President?

  Definitely not the President. Hes not involved.

  He was disappointed. It would have been a feather in his cap to have done this job for the most important man in the free world. Then I should be charging more money, shouldnt I?

  Should you?

  If he doesnt know about what youre doing, then hes a potential threat. If he was involved, he could protect me. You cant do shit.

  Do you want to be protected, Fiske? I dont think so. Ive read your dossier and I dont believe thats one of your priorities. Youre not a man who relies on anyone but himself.

  His gaze narrowed on her face with sudden in-terest. Smart. Money is protection.

  Your fees are exorbitant. You probably have enough in a bank in Switzerland to live like a king.

  Im worth my fee.

  Of course you are. Im just pointing out that you could have retired in safety a long time ago. So why are you risking your neck doing this?

  Theres never too much money.

  She shook her head. You like it. You like the risk. You like the game. It gives you immense satisfaction, and the harder the game, the greater the risk, the better you like it. You love the idea of doing some-thing no one else can do. She paused. The most dif-ficult thing on earth is getting away with murder, isnt it? Thats the supreme challenge, the most inter-esting game.

  Christ. Maybe too smart. Perhaps.

  Dont be so wary. We all have our own agendas. I find your philosophy perfectly reasonable, and it happens to coincide perfectly with my needs. Thats why I chose you.

  You chose me? Timwick chose me.

  Timwick gave me a number of dossiers and he thinks we chose you together. I chose you, Fiske. I knew you were the one I needed. She smiled. And I knew you were the man who needed me.

  I dont need anyone.

  Of course you do. Im the one who can increase the difficulty of the game. I can give you a challenge that youve never been faced with before. Dont you find that idea exciting?

  He didnt answer.

  She chuckled. You do. I knew you would. Youre probably sick of working under Timwick. You like bold strokesdecisive, clean thinking. You wont have any problem with waffling from me.

  Hed bet he wouldnt. Youre cutting Timwick out of the picture?

  Im saying that you go back to Atlanta and check on Kessler. You pay lip service to Timwick, but you obey my orders and answer directly to me.

  It would help me decide if I knew what all this is about.

  She studied him. No, it wouldnt. You dont care. You think all of our complicated machinations are stupid. Youre just trying for a power hold. You appre-ciate power. Its part of the game.

  His lips twisted. You think you know me that well?

  She shook her head. But I know you well enough to survive you.

  Do you? He put his hands around her throat. Did you ever realize how difficult it would be to kill the first lady and get away with it? Think what a kick it would be for me to show those bastards how stupid they are.

  I thought about it. She stared directly into his eyes. But then youd be on the run and the game would be over. What a disappointment. I can stretch out the game for a long time.

  His hands tightened until he knew there would be bruising. Hurt her, make her back down.

  She didnt flinch. I have a list for you. Her voice was hoarse. Or, rather, an addendum to the list you were given before.

  His grasp didnt loosen.

  I knew youd like lists. I told Timwick so. Thats why he gave you She drew a deep breath as his hands fell away from her. Thank you. She rubbed her throat. Timwick told you to check out Kessler?

  Yes, but he didnt seem to think it was impor-tant. Hes more concerned with Sandra Duncan.

  Shes also important. I may have to make a decision about her shortly, but I dont want Kessler overlooked. Unless you reach him immediately, Kessler will be making DNA tests, probably not at the university. Find him. Dont let him have time to get the results.

  DNA?

  On the skull. You know about the skull.

  He smiled. No, you tell me about it. Whats so important about that skull?

  You know all youre going to know. Except that I want the skull and youre going to get it for me.

  Am I?

  I hope you are. Im not Timwick, Ill never take you for granted.

  He tilted his head. Now, I wonder who you killed? A lover? A blackmailer?

  I need that skull.

  Youre an amateur, or you wouldnt be in all this hot water. You should have let an expert handle it.

  I realize my mistake. Thats why Im having an expert handle the matter now. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Here. My private digital phone number is on the back. Unless its an emergency, please try not to call me before seven in the evening.

  He looked down at the folded paper in his hand. Youre taking a chance. Your fingerprints must be all over Gloves. She was wearing leather gloves. Then I assume its also not handwritten?

  Computer, and you wont find any prints on that sheet but your own. My phone is under another name and the paperwork is buried so deep that it would take years to unearth it. She reached for the door handle. Im very efficient too, Fiske. Thats why you and I will work so well together.

  Im not saying Im agreeing.

  Think about it. She got out of the car. Read the list and think about it.

  Wait.

  I have to get back. You can understand how dif-ficult it is for me to get away unnoticed.

  But you did it. How? he asked, curious.

  I explored those possibilities the first week I moved in. I wasnt about to become a prisoner. Its not too difficult.

  And youre not going to tell me. He thought about it. There was a rumor about a subterranean tunnel linking the White House to the Treasury De-partment. Supposedly Kennedy used it when he wanted to meet Marilyn Monroe. Is that how

  Would I tell you? Youd regard getting into the White House as a plum in your list of accomplish-ments. The difficulty factor might just make killing me too tempting to resist, and I want you focused elsewhere.

  Shake the bitch. He suddenly leaned forward. There are at least thirty-five secret agents and over a hundred uniformed guards at the White House at any given time. Its good to know there are ways to avoid them.

  Her face was without expression. You have the numbers down pat.

  As you say, its a challenging scenario. The possi-bilities have always intrigued me.

  But you have to remember that I have Timwick schedule those Secret Service men at times and places that make it easy for me to avoid them. Timwicks not going to help you.

  Not even if I tell him that you asked me to meet you tonight?

  You wont do that. It would be against your interests.

  He was silent a moment. You dont fool me. You were scared like all the rest. I could feel your heart jump under my thumbs. Youre scared now.

  I am. Some things are worth being scared about. Call me. She walked away from him and down the street.

  Tough woman. Tough and smart and gutsy. A hell of a lot more guts than Timwick.

  But maybe she was too smart. She had come very close in her assessment of him, and it made him un-easy. He didnt like the idea of anyone predicting how he would react in any given situation. He wasnt sure he liked the idea of working with a woman.

  Read the list.

  She had guessed how a man of his temperament would appreciate a list. But why had she thought reading her list would make him favor her?

  He unfolded
the paper and bent closer to the lights of the dashboard.

  He started to laugh.

  The phone rang as Lisa was walking into her bedroom.

  Okay, Fiske said. He hung up the phone.

  A man of quick decision and few words, she thought dryly as she returned her phone to her handbag. Not to mention a certain lethal impulsive-ness for which she had not been prepared. She would have to hide the bruises from Kevin tonight and wear a scarf tomorrow.

  Lisa? Kevin called from the bedroom. Where have you been?

  Just for a walk in the garden. I needed some air. She hung her cape in the closet and grabbed a bathrobe with a cowl neck. Now I need a hot shower. Ill be in soon, Kevin.

  Hurry. I want to talk.

  Talk. God, she wished it was only sex. Listening to Kevin ramble and inserting the appropriate praise and encouragement was a strain she didnt need. For a moment, when Fiske had put his hands on her throat, she had thought she was going to die. Han-dling Fiske was going to be very difficult.

  But she could do it. She had to do it. Dont think about how frightened shed been. She had done good work tonight. Fiske was hers.

  She stepped beneath the hot spray of the shower and let the water run over her. God, she felt dirty. Just being in the same car with that filthy murderer had made her feel contaminated.

  But she was a murderer too.

  Not like him. She would not see herself in the same light as that beast.

  Dont think about him. She closed her eyes and commanded her muscles to relax. This was her mo-ment. Enjoy it. She had very little time to herself. She almost wished she were free like Eve Duncan.

  What are you doing now, Eve Duncan? Is it as hard for you as it is for me? She leaned her head against the wall of the shower and whispered, Where are you, Eve?

  Fiske would find her. Fiske would kill her and Lisa would be safe. Why was there no comfort in that thought?

  Lisa? Kevin was outside the bathroom door.

  Dammit, couldnt they let her have one moment alone? Coming. She stepped out of the shower and dried her tears. Christ, what was wrong with her? Fiske must have shaken her more than she could have believed. She slipped on her robe, zipping it up to the chin, then ran a brush through her hair.

  Smile. Be warm and sympathetic. Dont let him see, dont let any of them see. She swung open the door and kissed Kevin on the cheek. Now, whats so important that you couldnt wait to tell me?