The Face of Deception

by Iris Johansen

  Not that I know about. The young man came into the office and closed the door. My name is Gil Price. Id like to talk to you.

  BAINBRIDGE

  8:40 A.M.

  Chris Tellers laboratory was located in a small building on the outskirts of Bainbridge. Its clapboard walls were covered with ivy and it looked more like a Yale fraternity house than a science lab. Even the sign on the lab was so small, Eve would have missed the building entirely if she hadnt been closely fol-lowing Gary.

  Teller Laboratories.

  This is the home of state-of-the-art science? Logan murmured.

  Everything isnt the way it appears on the sur-face. Gary trusts him, so I do too. She parked beside Garys Volvo in the parking lot and waited. When Gary got out of his car and came toward her, she asked, Do you want us to go in with you, Gary?

  If you want to blow any chance I have, he said dryly. This may be a small southern town, but they do have television sets and newspapers. Stay here. I may be a while.

  She watched him walk briskly into the building. His step was eager, vigoroushellip; young. Ivanhoe going into the fray against the Black Knight, she thought apprehensively.

  Easy. Logan gently pried her clenched fingers from the steering wheel. Hes not going to face any-thing more than rejection in there.

  Right now. We should never have let him come.

  I doubt if we could have stopped him. He leaned back in the seat. Whats the process? You said it might take days even if Kessler can persuade him to accelerate. Why does DNA identification take so long?

  Its the radioactive probe.

  Probe?

  She raised a brow. Are you trying to distract me, Logan?

  Yes, but I really dont know the process. He shrugged. Except what I learned in the 0.J. Simpson trial. And that courtroom hardly provided a definitive, unbiased course on DNA.

  The DNA strand we took from Ben will be dis-solved in a solution of enzymes that target specific points on the strand and cut it into fragments. A small amount of DNA is put in a tray with a special gel, then a current of electricity is sent through the gel. The current pulls the fragments along and arranges them by length and weight.

  And where does the probe come in?

  The technician transfers the fragments to a nylon membrane and the radioactive probe is applied to it. The probe seeks out and marks specific points on the DNA. X-ray film is placed over it for several days to develop. When thats done, the DNA will ap-pear as dark bands on the X-ray film.

  And thats the DNA print?

  She nodded. Thats the DNA profile and theres only a one-in-a-million chance that anyone else might have the same profile.

  And theres no way of accelerating the probe?

  Theres one method Ive been hearing about lately, but its been slow to catch on in the laborato-ries. Its called chemiluminescence. The radioactive probe is replaced by a chemically activated probe that interacts with chemical reagents that then release light in the form of photons.

  What are photons?

  Particles of light. Whichever area of the X-ray film they strike will be exposed, and the result is the same dark bands of DNA youd see with the ra-dioactive probe method. Most of the big labs have started using chemiluminescence, but I dont know if this small lab has. Gary will tell us. Keep your fingers crossed.

  I hoped

  I told you it might not be overnight.

  Several dayshellip;

  Stop repeating that, she said sharply. I know we dont have that much time. Maybe Gary will have good news.

  I hope so. He paused. Youre clenching again.

  She deliberately loosened her grip on the steering wheel. And youre not helping.

  Im trying, he said quietly. Ill do anything I can. Do you want me to go into the lab and send Kessler away? Ill do it. Hell, Im aching to do some-thing, anything. Im tired of standing aside and let-ting everyone else take the risks.

  Oh, God, another Ivanhoe. She would never have thought it of Logan. But maybe she should have, con-sidering that year of agonized frustration hed spent with his dying wife. He was not a man who would easily accept or recognize defeat.

  Well?

  He was trying to hide his eagerness, but it was there. Beneath that cool, tough exterior lay a desire to smash something.

  Jesus, men were idiots.

  Dont you dare. Ive no desire to end up in jail or some loony bin because youre bored and want to loose all your Neanderthal instincts.

  She could see he was disappointed, but he shrugged philosophically. I dont believe Neanderthals were ever bored. Their brains were too undeveloped, their life span too short, and they spent most of their time just keeping alive.

  The comparison is close enough to be apt.

  He made a face. Ouch. Which part?

  He was no Neanderthal. He was smart and charismatic and she was learning that the code guiding his life was as inflexible as the one that guided hers. She looked away from him. You were telling me the truth, werent you? It really wasnt politics. Youre doing this because you think youre saving the world.

  Hell, no. Im doing it because Im afraid not to do it. Because theres a chance that the sky could fall and I dont want to look back and know I stood aside and let it happen. He took her chin in his hand and turned her head to look into her eyes. Id feel re-sponsible. Like you, Eve.

  Hair shirt? she whispered.

  I dont believe in them. You do what you can and then you go on.

  His touch was disturbing. His words, the way he thoughthellip; He was disturbing. She turned her head and gazed out the window. Or you learn to live with your hair shirt.

  That option is unacceptable, he said harshly. Choosing a career like yours was probably the worst possible thing you could have done. Why didnt someone stop you? Why didnt Quinn keep you on that island until you healed, until the memory dimmed a little?

  She looked at him in wonder. He was so wrong. Why couldnt he understand? Because he knew it was the only way Id survive.

  Is this surviving? Youre a workaholic, you have no personal life, youre the most driven woman Ive ever met. You need

  Back off, Logan.

  Why the hell should He drew a deep breath. Okay, Ill drop it. Its none of my business, right?

  Right.

  Then, dammit, why does it feel like my business?

  Youre used to running things.

  Yeah, thats it. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. My organizational instincts. When I see waste, I dive in and try to get rid of it. He stabbed savagely at the numbers on the keypad. And, Christ, am I seeing a wasteland in you.

  My life isnt a waste. Far from it. Who are you phoning?

  Gil.

  Now? Why?

  Its past time I heard from him. He pressed the send button. And I need a distraction at the mo-ment. Big-time.

  So did she, she thought, relieved. The past few minutes had been too intense and upsetting, and her present life was already in such chaos.

  Whats happening? Logan said into the phone. Why the hell havent you contacted me, Gil? Yes, I am surly, dammit.

  He listened. Dont be stupid. It could be a trap. Marens already killed one man.

  Eve stiffened.

  Dont do it. He listened again. Yes, shes here. No, I wont let you talk to her. Talk to me.

  Eve held out a hand.

  He muttered a curse and handed her the phone. Hes an idiot.

  I heard that, Gil said. Johns a little testy, isnt he? Thats why I wanted to talk to you. I really dont need to be yelled at in my present state.

  What state is that?

  Im walking a tight line. Maren is one cool customer.

  You spoke to him about the deal?

  He denied everything and pretended he didnt know what I was talking about.

  Thats a logical reaction. I didnt think it would work.

  But I think it did work. I could see I was hitting the bulls-eye. Maren didnt call the hospital security guards. Thats a good sign. I told him to think about it
and meet me at a designated place on the Potomac near the C and O canal. Tonight at eleven.

  He wont come. Hell talk to Lisa Chadbourne and theyll set a trap for you.

  Maybe.

  No maybe. Her hand clenched on the tele-phone. You and Logan told me she probably per-suaded him to kill for her. Do you think hes going to believe shed betray him?

  Hes a very smart man. Its not easy to fool him. Its hard for me to believe hed let her talk him into killing Chadbourne in the first place. I think I can make him see that he has to cut his losses and get out before hes history.

  Dont meet him, Gil.

  I have to meet him. If I wrap up Maren, weve got Lisa Chadbourne. Ill let you know how it goes. Gil hung up.

  She handed the phone back to Logan. Hes going to do it.

  Hes an idiot, Logan said between his teeth.

  You said he was a professional and knew what he was doing.

  I never said his judgment was infallible. The meeting tonight is a mistake.

  She thought it was a mistake too. Unless Lisa Chadbournes hold on Maren had weakened, there was no way hed betray her. And she would never allow that hold to be broken.

  Until she broke it herself.

  Shes going to be angry.

  What?

  Lisa Chadbourne. I think she probably regards Maren as her property. Shes going to be angry that were trying to take him away from her.

  Its hardly reasonable shed feel possessive of a man she intends to dispose of.

  Whos to say shes always reasonable? She has emotions like everyone else. Shes going to be on edge and maybe a little panicky when she finds out were close to Maren. It will be a surprise. She wont have realized wed made that connection.

  Gil could be right. Maren might not tell her.

  You dont believe that.

  He shook his head.

  Then what are we going to do?

  Youre going to wait here with Kessler. Im going to fly up to Washington and go with Gil to that meeting.

  You could be recognized.

  Screw it.

  Or caught in the same trap.

  Ditto. He got out of the car and went around to the drivers side. Ill need the car. Ill drive to Sa-vannah and hop a plane from there. You drive back to the motel with Gary.

  She slowly got out, then reached into the back-seat and retrieved Bens case. What about the test results?

  You get them. You said it might be days. He slipped behind the wheel. Im no help here anyway.

  And Ivanhoe had action to be taken and a castle to be won.

  She wanted to hit him.

  Phone and let me know what happens. She opened the passenger door of Garys Volvo. Pro-viding youre alive to do it.

  Ill be alive. He started the car. Ill be back to-morrow. You should be safe. He frowned. Should isnt good enough. I cant take the chance. Ill call Kessler from the airport and get him to pay one of Tellers security guards to go to the motel and keep watch until I get back.

  And what excuse is he going to give Teller?

  Kesslers been pretty innovative so far. Let him worry about it.

  Timwicks probably still camped out at Duke, and itll take time for anyone to track us here. This is definitely off the beaten path as far as forensic labs are concerned.

  But she was no longer certain that the Duke di-version had worked. Lisa Chadbourne wouldnt focus totally on Logan; she had too much respect for women.

  A security guard parked out front at the motel wont hurt. Be sure and lock your door, Logan said. And call me if you notice anything suspicious. Anything.

  Ill be careful.

  He hesitated. I have to go, Eve. Gil is my friend and I brought him into this.

  She got into the Volvo and put Bens case on the floor. So go. She gave him a cool glance. I dont need you, Logan. Ive never needed you. Ill handle this myself.

  Keep Bens skull with you.

  Have you ever seen me leave him anywhere? She smiled bitterly. I know whos important in the scheme of things.

  Thats not true. Its just that

  Go on. She waved her hand dismissingly. Go help Gil. Go do what you have to do.

  Why the hell are you I thought you liked Gil.

  I do and I want him safe. But she didnt want Logan dead, and the more she thought about Lisa Chadbourne, the more frightened she became. Im not arguing. I know it wouldnt do any good. Good-bye, Logan.

  He still hesitated.

  Good-bye, Logan.

  He muttered an oath beneath his breath and backed out of the parking space. In another minute he was gone.

  Alone.

  Its not good for you to be alone, Mama.

  She was accustomed to being alone. When the door was shut and the world closed out, wasnt every-body alone?

  Yet it was strange that she was feeling more alone now than ever before.

  Wheres Logan?

  She turned and saw Gary had walked up to the car. Winging his way north. Gil Price needed him, Eve said. What did you find out?

  Well, theres some bad news and some good news. The good news is that Chris has converted their method over to chemiluminescence. They could work up a DNA profile for me today.

  And the bad news?

  He said he wont do it. Hes too busy. He held up his hand. I know. I know. You dont have to say it. Hell do it. I just have to be a little more persistent. It wont be today, but I may be able to get the initial profile tomorrow. I just thought Id come out and give you a report. He tossed her his keys and started back toward the lab. Go back to the motel. Ill probably be here until after midnight. Ill take a taxi.

  She didnt want to go back to the motel. She wanted to go into the lab and help. She wanted to do something.

  Yes, sure, and blow everything Gary was trying to do.

  Forget it. Her irrational impulse was only due to the fact that she had nothing to do, sitting there waiting was getting on her nerves. She could al-most sympathize with Gary and Logan, who had seized the opportunity to take action, any action, even if it held an element of recklessness.

  What was she thinking? Recklessness had nothing to do with her life. She needed steadiness and serenity. Taking chances was not for her.

  She mustnt begin to think about Lisa Chadbourne as if she were some kind of superwoman. Logan was probably right about Gary and her being safe for the time being. Accept it. Relax. After the tension and pace of the last days, she should be glad for a boring few days in Bainbridge.

  Ive narrowed the possibility of the safe house at Lanier down to four, Timwick said as soon as Fiske picked up the phone. They were all booked day be-fore yesterday.

  By Wilson?

  How the hell would I know? Timwick asked sourly. Do you think shed use her real name?

  Shed have to make a deposit. That means a credit card.

  And whos to say that she doesnt have a phony? Do you think Logan wouldnt have made provisions for that? Got a pen? He rattled off the four ad-dresses. Get on it right away.

  As soon as I can.

  What the hell do you mean?

  You told me to check out Kessler. Im at Emory now and he left on an unexpected trip yesterday morning.

  Where?

  Ive no idea. Im on my way to talk to his assis-tant and see if I can find out.

  The mother is more important. Kessler is just a long shot. Logan will be going to Duke if he wants an expert.

  Now that Im here, I might as well check it out.

  I told you to drop it. Go to Lanier.

  What do you want me to do if I find her?

  Just stake her out. Ill let you know.

  I told you I dont like stakeouts. Ill find her, but you assign someone else for the donkey work, Timwick.

  The silence at the other end of the phone was frigid. The chicken bastard didnt like being told what to do. Well, hed better get used to it. Timwick didnt know it, but the game had changed and the queen was controlling the board.

  You realize that you can be replaced, Fiske.

&n
bsp; But it would be difficult at this stage of the game. Why not let me do what I do best?