The Face of Deception

by Iris Johansen

  But youre not listening to him?

  Im listening. He may be right. Her hand tightened on the phone. I have to do it anyway. You knew I would, didnt you?

  A silence on the other end of the line. This meeting isnt a good idea. It would be safer if you drop the skull off where Timwick can pick it up.

  Safer for you.

  Safer for both of us.

  No, I have to see your face when you tell me youre going to find Bonnie. Youve told too many lies. I have to do whatever I can to make sure youre not deceiving me.

  Believe me, its not a good idea.

  Take it or leave it.

  Give me a moment to think about it. Another silence. Very well. Ill meet you. But you can under-stand that Im going to bring Timwick.

  No.

  Timwick can fly a helicopter and hes Secret Service. That means Ill be able to eliminate both my guard and the pilot without suspicion. Lisa paused. And he has equipment that will be able to tell me if either you or the area is wired. I do have to protect myself.

  And whos going to protect me from him?

  Ill send Timwick away once Im assured you havent set a trap for me. I wont come without him, Eve.

  She gave in. Okay. No one else. If I see any sign of anyone else, I wont meet you.

  Fair enough. Now tell me where you want to meet.

  Ill call you when youre in the air and near Camp David.

  Caution. When do you want me to leave?

  Tomorrow. Eight A.M.

  Very well. Remember, it takes thirty minutes to reach Camp David from the White House. She paused. If I cant talk you into a drop. It would really be safer for both of us.

  I said no.

  Then tomorrow. Lisa hung up.

  Eve pressed the end button. It was done. Logan had called it a terrible mistake, but shed rolled the dice anyway.

  She needed transportation to get to Washington today, and there was one more thing she had to do be-fore she left. She dialed her mother. Hows Joe?

  I just finished talking to the hospital. Hes out of intensive care.

  Eve closed her eyes as waves of relief washed over her. Hes better? Hes going to live?

  He regained consciousness during the night. The doctors are being cautious, but all the signs are promising.

  I want to see him.

  Dont be crazy. You know thats not possible.

  But it didnt stop the desperation she was feeling. Who could guess what was going to happen at Camp David? She needed to see Joe. Okay. I need some help. Will you rent a car for me and pick me up?

  What happened to the car Logan had?

  Weve parted company. Theyre searching for him harder than they are for me, and theres probably an order to shoot on sight.

  Im glad youre not together. I didnt like the idea of the two of you

  Mom, I dont have much time. Im in a womens rest room at the Gainesville Recreational Park. Its deserted at this hour, but I cant stay here very long. I hate to ask it of you, but will you pick me up?

  Im on my way.

  Mom was on her way. Eve would drop Sandra off back at the condo and then she would be on her way too. She sat down on the floor, put down her handbag next to Bens case, and leaned back against the con-crete block wall. Breathe deep. Try to relax. She was doing what she had to do.

  Tomorrow: eight A.M.

  Tomorrow: eight A.M.

  Lisa stood up and moved over to the window.

  Tomorrow she would have Bens skull and the primary threat would be over.

  It could be a trap, but Lisas gut instinct told her she had played the one card that Eve Duncan couldnt resist. The woman was obsessed with finding her daughter, and Lisa had played on her torment and brought the woman to her knees. She supposed she should feel triumphant.

  She didnt feel triumphant.

  She wished shed been able to convince Eve that a meeting wasnt necessary. She had honestly planned on keeping her part of the bargain.

  Or had she? she wondered wearily. Shed thought she knew herself, but shed never dreamed she would do the things she had already done.

  She just wished Eve hadnt set up the meeting.

  NEAR CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK

  THE NEXT DAY

  8:20 A.M.

  The helicopter was approaching from the north.

  Eve made the call.

  Im in a glade one mile from route 77 by Hunting Creek. Set down in the glade. Ill come to meet you.

  As soon as we do a sweep of the area and make sure its secure, Lisa Chadbourne said. Timwick likes to be cautious.

  It was Lisa who liked to be cautious, Eve thought. But Eve had been cautious too. Shed made very sure the surrounding area was all clear before shed made the call.

  Hands nervously clenching and unclenching she watched the helicopter circle the clearing.

  One person. Timwick pointed at the infrared blur on the LCD screen. The nearest other heat source is at the diner on route 77 , three miles away.

  Electronics?

  Timwick checked another screen. Nothing in the area anywhere near Duncan.

  Youre sure?

  Of course Im sure. Its my ass too.

  Lisa felt a tinge of sadness as she looked at the solitary blur on the screen and realized Eve was down there alone and unprotected. Then lets go down and see if we can save it, James.

  Lisa Chadbourne was getting out of the helicopter.

  Eve had made the deal. She had set the time and place and yet it still seemed bizarre that Lisa was really there.

  Eve watched her as she jumped to the ground. She looked just as she had on the videosbeautiful, serene, glowing. Well, what had she expected? Some marks of dissipation or cruelty? Lisa had killed her husband and still appeared the same as in those videos. Why would any other death make a difference?

  Gary. Blood. Daggers. The hideous scene in that motel room flashed before Eves eyes.

  It should make a difference. It should.

  Dont think about it. Be calm.

  She moved toward the helicopter.

  Lisa Chadbourne said crisply, Hello, Eve. James called security at Camp David just now and said wed landed to check out a light on our control panel. We have ten minutes tops. Either were back in the air by then or theyll become alarmed and send someone to this area.

  Ten minutes should be enough time.

  Dont say anything, Lisa. Timwick got out of the helicopter and came toward Eve.

  She instinctively took a step back.

  He was holding an instrument that looked like one of those metal detector wands used at airport se-curity. Hold out your arms.

  You said the entire area was clean, James, Lisa said.

  It doesnt hurt to be careful. He ran the wand over Eves body. Turn around.

  Dont touch me.

  He went behind her and ran the wand from shoulder to feet. Shes okay. No weapons. No wire.

  Forgive James, Lisa said. Hes been extremely nervous lately. Its yours and Logans fault, Im afraid. Go away and let us talk, James.

  Timwick started to move toward the trees.

  No, Eve said sharply. I notice nobody gave me a chance to go over him with that damn wand. I dont want him out of my sight. She pointed at a spot be-side the helicopter. Sit down.

  What?

  You heard me. I want you sitting with your legs crossed. It would take you longer to attack from that position.

  Timwicks lips thinned. This is humiliating, Lisa.

  Do it. Lisa was smiling faintly. Youre not quite as helpless as I thought, Eve.

  Timwick dropped to the ground and crossed his legs. Satisfied?

  No, reach into your jacket and remove your gun. Put the safety on and toss it out of reach.

  I dont have a gun.

  Remove your gun, Eve repeated.

  Lisa nodded. Lets get this over with, James.

  Timwick muttered a curse, pulled out his gun, put on the safety, and tossed his gun across the glade.

  Eve turned to Lisa. Now Im satisfied.


  Youve used up valuable time. Lisa glanced at her watch. Two minutes to be exact.

  It was worth it. I dont trust him.

  I suppose you have a right to be suspicious. She paused. Now give me Bens skull, Eve.

  Not yet.

  You want me to tell you that youll get your Bonnie back? She looked her straight in the eye. Theres no way of being sure, but Ill do everything in my power to find her. Her voice vibrated with sin-cerity. I promise you, Eve.

  Oh, God, she was telling the truth. Bonnie could come home.

  The skull, Eve. I dont have much time. Ive pa-pers and money for you in the helicopter and James has arranged a plane to fly you and your mother out of the country. Give me the skull, and James and I will get back in that helicopter and disappear from your life.

  Would there ever be a moment when Lisa Chadbourne wasnt a part of her memory and life?

  The skull.

  Its over there beneath the trees. Eve glanced warily at Timwick as she moved toward the edge of the glade. Im watching you, Timwick.

  James isnt going to interfere. Lisa followed her. He wants that skull as much as I do.

  But what about after I give you the skull?

  Lisa didnt answer. Her forehead was creased in a frown. Where is it? Did you bury it?

  No. She stopped and pointed at the leather case, which was half obscured by a bush. There it is.

  In plain sight? You said we wouldnt be able to find it.

  A bluff. Would it have done me any good to bury or hide it? Youd have gotten all kinds of detectors in here.

  In this case, it seems I overestimated you. She laughed. My God, I thought youd worked out some-thing brilliant. Her smile faded. If it is Ben. You threw a ringer at us before.

  Eve shook her head. Its Ben Chadbourne. Look for yourself.

  Lisa picked up the case. I hear you do wonderful sculpting work. Will I really be able to see the resem-blance?

  Open it.

  Lisa stared down at the case. I dont think I want to.

  Eve shrugged. Whatever you like. But Im sur-prised youd take the chance of not doing it.

  I cant take a chance. Lisa braced herself and slowly opened the latches. Lets see if youre as good as your reput Dear God. She reeled back against the tree, staring down at the scorched skull. What is

  Sorry its not as handsome as you expected. Gary Kessler always liked to work on a clean skull, so he made me break down what Id done. You remember Gary. You told Fiske to kill him, didnt you?

  Lisa couldnt take her gaze off the skull. She whispered, Ben?

  Thats what a man looks like when you burn him. All the skin melts away and

  Shut up. Tears were suddenly flowing down Lisas cheeks.

  And you see the jagged hole in the back of the skull? Thats what happened when his brain ex-ploded. When youre in a fire, your brain boils and eventually

  Shut up, you bitch.

  But Garys death was different. You told Fiske that he had to show me that I had to give you the skull. You told him you wanted him crucified.

  I didnt tell him that. I just told him he had to shock you into realizing you had to give in. I had to show you. It was your fault. I wanted it all to stop. I told you it would stop if youd give me Bens skull, but you wouldnt do it. She looked down at the skull. Benhellip;

  How did you kill him?

  Scott Maren gave him a shot. It was very quick, very merciful. He didnt suffer. She drew a deep breath and struggled for control. Making me look at this skull was very cruel, Eve.

  Dont talk to me about cruelty. You had Gary and Gil killed. Joe almost died.

  Are you satisfied now? Lisa asked. Christ, youre hard. I was actually feeling sorry for you.

  You mean because you intended to kill me? Be-cause you never expected to let me leave here?

  I told you to arrange a drop. I knew I couldnt let you stay alive if you gave me the opportunity Its my job. She jerkily turned toward Timwick. Were leaving, James. Take care of her.

  Timwick slowly rose to his feet. You want me to kill her?

  No, I dont want it, but it has to be done. So do it.

  Timwick looked at Eve. Then he turned and walked toward the helicopter.

  James!

  Screw you.

  Lisa went rigid. We agreed it had to be done.

  He opened the helicopter door. And did we agree that Fiske would take me out too? When was it going to be, Lisa?

  I dont know what you mean.

  The list. You gave Fiske another list. I saw it. He combined your list and mine. I know his hand-writing.

  How could you see something that doesnt exist. She moistened her lips. If there was a list, it certainly didnt come from me. You know he often had his own agenda.

  He wouldnt kill the hand that was feeding him. Not unless another one was feeding him too. You thought you didnt need me any longer.

  Nothing can be proved. Fiske is dead.

  Youd find someone else to put me down.

  Youre making a mistake. She started toward the helicopter. Listen to me, James.

  Im through listening. Im out of here.

  Theyll catch you.

  Not if I have a head start. That was part of the deal. Ill call Camp David and tell them were on the way. That should give me enough time. He got into the helicopter. Burn in hell, bitch.

  Timwick! She reached for the door. Its a trick. Its a lie. Dont give up all weve worked for. Kevin will appoint you

  The helicopter lifted off and Lisa fell to the ground.

  Eve watched her struggle to her knees.

  Lisa Chadbourne gazed at Eve across the clearing. You did this.

  Actually, you did it. Youre the one who told me Timwick was in a panic. A man in a panic will snatch at any straw.

  You set me up. There was still a thread of dis-belief in her voice.

  It was my plan. But it was Logan who ap-proached Timwick with the list.

  But when I suggested bringing Timwick with me, you objected.

  I knew youd want to bring Timwick. It was the smart move and youre a very smart woman. If you hadnt suggested it, Timwick would have persuaded you it was the thing to do. She smiled without mirth. But he didnt have to convince you, did he?

  All this wont do you any good. I can work around having Timwick She froze. Oh, my God, youre wired, arent you?

  Yes.

  And you showed me Bens skull to deliberately shake me up.

  I hoped it would. Most people find skeletons frightening. Particularly their victims.

  Lisa was silent, obviously thinking back over their conversation. Very bad but not completely damning. In court any transcript can be interpreted to mean any

  Logan also arranged for three witnesses to hear the transmission. Peter Brown, a reporter on the Atlanta Journal and Constitution , Andrew Ben-nett of the Supreme Court, and Senator Dennis Lathrop. All highly respected men. After we made the decision, Logan got moving. He had almost a full day to convince Timwick that he was your next victim.

  Lisa turned pale and suddenly looked twice her age. She sank back on her heels. Howhellip; clever. I told Timwick in the beginning we had to be careful of you. The electronic monitoring was obviously bogus, but I saw the infrared so I assume we have a little time before Logan gets here.

  Eve nodded.

  Good. I need a few minutes to pull myself to-gether. It seems impossible its all gone down She swallowed. I thought I had you. I thought your Bonnie was the key.

  She was the key.

  But you gave up the chance to

  The stakes were too high. You hurt people I cared about.

  I was going to do it, you know. I was going to keep my promise about finding Bonnie. Keeping my word about her would have made me feel better.

  I believe you.

  Eve tensed as Lisa rose to her feet.

  Lisa shook her head. Im not going to try to hurt you. Im the one whos the walking wounded. Youvedestroyed me.