The Face of Deception

by Iris Johansen

  Gil had said Fiske was obsessed with neatness and efficiency. So kill a man and cross him off the list.

  What is it? Logan was looking at her face in the rearview mirror.

  A list. Garys name. She folded the paper and stuffed it into her purse. Shed look at it again later and think about it harder. It hurt too much just then. She went through the other papers. Nothing else of interest. Find us a place to stop.

  A motel?

  No, theyll be looking for us in this area. Shell wonder why she hasnt heard from Fiske and there will be discreet inquiries. Theyll find out about Joe.

  Joe.

  She quickly shied away from the thought of him. When she remembered Joe in that hospital, she couldnt focus on anything else.

  You know we should leave this vicinity.

  No, Joe may need me.

  Youre not being reasonable. You cant even go to

  I dont care. She couldnt leave Joe, not when she didnt know whether he was going to live or die. Just find us a place to stop for a while. I need to think.

  Ive already been thinking. I believe we should contact Peter Brown, the reporter on that Atlanta newspaper.

  Maybe. She rubbed her aching temple. But hes Joes friend. We really need Joe to

  Joe again. They needed Joe. She needed Joe.

  The memories came flooding back. Joe stopping by her lab to nag her for working too hard. Joe joking with her, talking quietly and

  Just relax, Logan said. We dont have to de-cide anything this minute. Ill drive for a while and see if I can find somewhere unobtrusive to park.

  Logan stopped at a McDonalds ten miles south of Gainesville and bought burgers and Cokes to go. He pulled off the highway and drove on a bumpy dirt road for another five miles, then stopped several yards from a large pond.

  This should be private enough. Logan turned off the engine. Though theres probably a farm-house over that next hill. Its not easy finding a spot of wilderness in this day and age.

  How far are we from the hospital?

  Driving fast, forty minutes. He got out of the car, grabbed Bens case, and came around and opened her door. Come on, lets walk down by that pond. I think we both need some exercise.

  Anything to release a little of this tension. She picked up her handbag and joined him.

  The pond was muddy and the bank slippery. It must have rained recently. The sun was starting to go down, casting glittering bars of light on the waters surface.

  After thirty minutes Logan asked, Better?

  No. Yes. She stopped beside a tree and leaned her cheek against the trunk. I dont know, Logan.

  I want to help you. Dammit, tell me how to help you.

  Make Gary rise from the dead. Tell me Joes going to get well.

  She shook her head.

  Quinns not the only one who can help you. Let me try.

  She sank down on the ground. Ill be okay, Logan. I just have to think. I know theres a way to end it, but it has to come clear and Im not thinking clearly.

  Are you hungry?

  No.

  You should be. You havent eaten in nearly twenty-four hours.

  Bubba Blues Barbecue. Gary had ordered food deliveredhellip;

  You stay here. He set Bens case down beside her. Ill go bring the food to you.

  She watched him stride up the slope. Get a grip, she thought in disgust. She was behaving like a wimp and he was worried about her. The cold calculation of Garys name on that list had thrown her into a tail-spin, and it was taking her a little time to rec

  Her phone was ringing.

  Mom?

  She dug frantically in her purse for the phone.

  Eve?

  Lisa Chadbourne.

  Eve started to shake. Damn you. Damn you to hell.

  You gave me no choice. I tried to give you a way out.

  And then you killed Gary.

  Fiske killed No, I wont deny it. I told him I wanted it done.

  And did you tell him to kill Joe too?

  No, that wasnt in the immediate plan.

  But she wasnt denying it might be on her agenda. Hes dying.

  And I assume the dead man who was found with him was Fiske?

  He tried to kill Joe.

  Evidently he didnt succeed. I understand Quinn may still live.

  Hed better.

  Are you threatening me? I can understand your bitterness, but havent you realized that you cant win? How many more people have to die, Eve?

  You dont have Fiske anymore.

  Timwick will find a substitute. Quinn is very vulnerable now. Hes on life support, isnt he?

  A bolt of sheer rage shot through Eve. Dont you even think about it.

  I dont want to think about it, Lisa said wearily. The idea sickens me, but I will have it done, Eve. Just as I had Kessler killed. Just as Ill have everyone you care about killed. You have to give me the skull and that DNA report.

  Go to hell.

  Listen to me, Eve. Think about it. Is it worth it?

  Youre saying if I give you the skull that Joe will live?

  Yes.

  Liar. Joe wouldnt be safe. My God, you even killed Scott Maren, and he was supposed to be your friend.

  Silence. That wasnt my decision. I didnt know about it until it had been done. Timwick is in a panic and striking out. Ill see that Quinns safe. Be-lieve me.

  I dont believe you.

  Then, what do you want, Eve? What can I give you?

  I want you brought down. She closed her eyes and said the words shed never thought shed say to anyone. I want you dead.

  Im afraid thats not one of your choices.

  Thats all Ill ever want.

  Thats not true. Lisa paused. I was afraid that Fiske would fail, so Ive been sitting here won-dering what I could offer you. And then it came to me. So simple. I know what you want even more than you want me crushed down.

  There isnt anything.

  Oh, but there is, Eve.

  Eve was still staring down at the phone when Logan came back.

  He stopped a few feet away, his gaze narrowed on her face. Was it your mother? Hows Quinn?

  She shook her head. It was Lisa Chadbourne.

  He stiffened. And?

  She wants the skull.

  So whats new? Is that enough to send you into shock?

  Yes. She put the phone back into her handbag. Its enough.

  Did she threaten you?

  She threatened Joe and Mom.

  Sweet.

  But Im not sure she can guarantee their safety even if I make the deal. She said Timwick is in a panic and she lost control of him when he killed Maren. She might lose control of him again.

  And she might never have lost control and given the order herself.

  Maybe. I dont know. I cant think right now.

  If I make the dealhellip;

  The phrasing abruptly hit home to him. My God, youre actually thinking about it. What the hell did she say to you?

  She didnt answer.

  He fell to his knees beside her. Tell me.

  She shook her head. My heads messed up. Maybe later.

  Maybe?

  She changed the subject. I want you to call the hospital.

  To check on Quinn? Your mother said she

  No, I want you to call the nurses station. I want you to tell her that you intend to kill Joe.

  What?

  I want you to be obscene and ugly and explicit. I want you to tell her how youre going to pretend youre hospital personnel and slip into his room and cut off his life support. Or maybe give him a shot hed never wake up from. I want you to sound crazy and homicidal.

  He slowly nodded. Theyll report the anony-mous call to the cops hanging around the hospital and theyll be on the lookout.

  Id do it myself, but a man is usually perceived as more lethal.

  Perception can be faulty as hell. Ill call right away. He frowned. What are you doing?

  She was on her knees, reaching for Bens case on the ground beside her. I just
want to hold Bens skull case.

  Why?

  Im not going to run away with it. I just want to have it in my hands.

  He didnt like that any more than he liked the way Eve was acting. Maybe we should think about leaving here. We need to find somewhere to sleep.

  Okay, well go back to Gainesville later tonight. She looked away from him and down at the case on her lap. Make the call.

  Sandra called Eve at eleven that night. Joes vital signs have stabilized. Hes still critical but its looking better.

  Hope surged through Eve. When will they know for sure?

  I dont know. Tomorrow morning, maybe. How are you?

  Okay.

  You dont sound okay.

  Im fine, Mom. Are you with Ron?

  Yes, hes right here. He says hes not going to move two feet from me until this is over. He thinks you should come in and talk to the police. So do I. Youve got to get this mess straightened out.

  It sounded so easy, she thought tiredly. Deposit everything in the arms of the police and let them take care of it. Call me back when you find out more about Joe. Take care of yourself, Mom.

  Quinns better? Logan asked.

  She nodded. But not out of the woods. She opened the car door. Im going to walk down to the pond. You dont have to go with me.

  In other words, my companys not wanted. He glanced at Bens case in her hand. But evi-dently our skeletal friend is. You havent set it down all evening. Are you going to tell me why youre toting that thing around?

  She wasnt sure herself. Maybe she thought it would give her the answer. God, she needed an an-swer. I just want it with me.

  Weird.

  Yes, havent you heard? I dont have all my marbles.

  Crap. Youre one of the sanest people I know.

  But look at the company you keep. She moved down the moonlit slope. The leather of the case was smooth beneath her touch.

  Help me, Ben. Im lost and I need someone to find me.

  Eve had been sitting underneath that tree for over two hours.

  And she was hugging that leather case like it was a baby.

  He couldnt stand it any longer. Logan got out of the car and stalked down the slope.

  Im sick of being patient and understanding. You tell me whats happening. Do you hear me? I want to know what the hell Lisa Chadbourne told you.

  She didnt speak for a moment, and then she whispered, Bonnie.

  What?

  She offered me Bonnie. She offered to find Bonnie for me.

  How could she do that?

  She said that shed have the cases reopened, that shed send an army of police and military to question and search. She said shed been thinking about it. The search couldnt be obviously for Bonnie. It would look too suspicious for her. Theyd choose one of the other children to publicly focus on, but the searchers would have their orders. It would be Bonnie theyd be looking for.

  My God.

  She said that theyd spend years if they had to. She promised to bring Bonnie home to me.

  And all you have to do is give her the skull and the DNA report? Its a trick. Shed never follow through.

  Just the skull. She said I could leave the country and keep the DNA report until she delivers Bonnie.

  A pretty weak hold.

  She closed her eyes. Bonnie.

  She wouldnt keep her word.

  Maybe she would.

  I wont let you do it.

  Her eyes flicked open and she said fiercely, Listen to me, Logan. If I decide to do this, neither you nor anyone else is going to stop me. Ill run right over you. If anyone can find Bonnie, Lisa Chadbourne has the power to do it. Do you know what that means to me?

  Yes, he said harshly. And so does she. Dont let her use you like this.

  She shook her head. You dont understand.

  He did understand and he ached for her. Lisa Chadbourne had used the one lure that was irre-sistible to Eve. When do you have to let her know?

  Shes going to call me at seven in the morning.

  It would be a terrible mistake.

  She said Joe and Mom would be safe, that all the killing would be over. Shell even try to get Timwick to stop looking for you.

  Fat chance. Youd be crazy to believe her.

  I believe she doesnt want any more killing. I dont know if she can stop it, but I think she wants it over.

  When she calls, let me talk to her.

  She shook her head.

  I thought we were in this together.

  Together? Youve already said youd try to keep me from doing it.

  Because I know its a mistake.

  Its a mistake to leave Bonnie alone out there.

  Eve, the stakes are too high to let

  Shut up, Logan. Her voice was tight. Just leave me alone to think. Youre not going to convince me. I already know every argument against it.

  But every cell in her mind and body was telling her to do it, Logan thought. He wanted to strangle Lisa Chadbourne.

  Okay, I wont try to persuade you right now. Just think about it. He rose to his feet. And remember Kessler and Joe Quinn.

  I havent been thinking about anything else.

  Thats not true. I dont believe you can think of anyone but Bonnie. Just weigh

  She wasnt listening to him anymore. She was looking down at the skull case but he didnt think she was seeing that either.

  She was only hearing the siren call that Lisa Chadbourne had sung.

  And she was seeing only Bonnie.

  TWENTY-TWO

  Lisa Chadbourne called at seven on the dot the next morning. Well?

  Eve drew a deep breath. Ill do it.

  Im glad. Believe me, its best for everyone.

  I dont care about everyone. If I did, I wouldnt be dealing with you. Listen to me. I want you to set me and my mother up somewhere out of the country, as you promised. I want you to call off your dogs after Logan and I want you to leave Joe Quinn alone.

  And you want Bonnie.

  Oh, yes. Her voice was shaking. You have to find her and bring her to me. Thats absolutely non-negotiable.

  Ill find her. I promise you, Eve. Ill arrange for Timwick to pick up the skull and then

  No. I dont know if your promise is good enough. Im taking a big chance. Whos to say you wont go back on your word once you have the skull?

  Youll still have the DNA records. You know they could cause me a great deal of trouble.

  Perhaps not enough without the skull.

  Then, what are you asking?

  Im not asking, Im demanding. I want to see you. I want you to pick up the skull.

  Thats not possible.

  Its the only way Ill deal.

  Look, a woman in my position cant move around freely What youre asking is impossible.

  Dont lie to me. A woman who can kill her hus-band and get away with it can find a way to meet me. Im putting my life on the line and Ive got to use what I can to survive. I dont have many weapons, but Im an artist. Ive made a study of facial expressions and Ive also studied you. I think Ill be able to tell if you intend to keep your word.

  A pause. Youll bring the skull with you?

  It will be hidden close by. But I guarantee you wont be able to find it if you decide to set a trap for me.

  And what if this is a trap for me?

  Take what precautions you like as long as they dont pose a threat to me.

  And where do you suggest we meet?

  Somewhere near Camp David. It would be easiest for you to go there for the weekend. Particularly since youve supposedly suffered the loss of your friend Scott Maren. Just state Camp David as your destination and have the pilot set down before you reach there.

  It seems to be a reasonable plan. What about Logan?

  Hes out of it. I took the skull and papers and left him during the night. He told me I was crazy. He thinks youll betray me.