Текст книги "Body of Lies "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

“I have a right to be concerned, dammit.” A pause. “First Etienne, and now this.

Another very curious incident. They seem to be hovering around you like a dark cloud.”

Hebert ignored the implication. “Is she hesitating about doing the reconstruction?”

“Yes, but I believe she’s still eager to do it. We just have to push the right buttons.”

“That’s what we need. Eagerness… and speed.”

“She’ll be released tomorrow and I think she’ll want to start work at once.”

“That’s good. I’ll make sure that she does. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.” Hebert hung up.

Melton was suspicious, but not enough to cause Jules any immediate problems.

Melton wouldn’t make a move until after Boca Raton. The Cabal needed things to go smoothly, and advance preparations took time and effort. They wouldn’t want to bring in someone new at this point.

Hebert leaned back in his chair and covered his eyes with his hand. He could feel the panic rising within him and he must crush it down. He’d had to lie to Melton, but things were still under control. Events were escalating, and he had to move fast to keep from being caught and drowned in their wake. God, Eve Duncan was strong.

He had felt her fighting to live. Too bad that her struggle was for nothing, he thought sadly.

Because the way things were going, there was no way he could let her survive.

“You scared me, Mama,” Bonnie said.

Eve looked across the hospital room to see Bonnie curled up in a visitor’s chair by the window. The nurse had turned out the light forty minutes ago, but the moonlight streaming in the window lit Bonnie’s curly red-brown hair. It was too dim to see the freckles marching across her nose. Her small body was dressed in jeans and a Bugs Bunny T-shirt, as it always was when she came to Eve. She smothered the surge of love she felt and said accusingly, “You wouldn’t let me go, dammit.”

“I told you, it wasn’t your time. And you didn’t really want to die.”

“Don’t tell me what I want to do. Who’s the mother around here?”

“I think all these years of ghostdom qualify me to have my input.” Bonnie sighed. “You’ve been very challenging, Mama. You still won’t admit I’m anything but a dream.”

“Because your so-called ghostly powers seem to be rather limited. Ghostdom? What kind of word is that? And if you didn’t want me to die, why did you let me eat that stew? It would have saved me a bellyache.”

“I’ve told you I can’t stop things happening… it doesn’t work that way.”

“Convenient. That means you’re never to blame.”

Bonnie giggled. “That’s right. It’s one of the good things about being a ghost.”

“Are there bad things, baby?”

“Look at you. You’re tearing up. Yes, the bad thing is trying to keep you from being so unhappy. I thought maybe you were on the right track, but here you are all depressed and hurting and hundreds of miles away from Joe.”

“Joe lied to me. About you. Your grave. Why didn’t you tell me it wasn’t you?”

“If I’m a dream, how could I do that?” She grinned. “Gotcha.”

“Why?” Eve insisted.

“You know the answer. It doesn’t matter to me where my body is. I’m always with you.” She paused. “And you were happier thinking I was there. So why not let you think it? ”

“You sound like Joe. It’s important to me. I want you home, Bonnie.”

“I am home.” She sighed. “But you’re too stubborn to believe it. You make it very hard for me. And I don’t like this depression. You’re a fighter, but you weren’t fighting last night until I nudged you. That’s not to happen again, Mama. Things are very… cloudy. You may have to fight hard and I may not be around.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel less depressed?”

“I’ll always come to you like this, but you can’t rely on me, Mama. But you have Joe and Jane and Grandma. Isn’t that lucky?” She made a face. “I could feel you freezing up when I mentioned Joe. Get over it, Mama.”

“Bullshit.”

“Okay, we’ll talk about something else. I want you to feel good in the morning.” Eve always felt better after the dreams. They had started two years after Bonnie had died, and at times Eve felt as if they had saved her sanity. A psychiatrist would probably have sent her to the nearest funny farm if she told him that. Well, screw them. There was nothing that wasn’t positive about the dreams. “If my ribs are still this sore, there’s no way I’ll feel good in the morning.”

“They’ll be a little better.” Bonnie leaned back in the chair. “This is a nice place. I like all those bayous. Why didn’t we ever come here?”

“I don’t know. I guess I never got around to it.”

“Well, Panama City was nice, too. I loved the water.…”

“I know you did, baby.”

“There are lots of things to love. Now tell me about Jane’s new puppy. Sarah gave him to her?”

“Yes, and he’s a complete rascal. Of course, Jane thinks he’s the smartest animal in the universe. She’s talking about going out to the coast and having Sarah help her train …” Chapter 5

« ^ »

" YOU’RE IN A BETTER MOOD THIS MORNING.” GALEN STUDIED EVE’S EXPRESSION AS

he helped her into his car after they’d left the hospital. “And you look much healthier. Did you sleep well?”

“When I wasn’t dreaming.”

“Nightmares?”

She shook her head. “No, good dreams.” She gazed up at the brilliant blue sky.

“It’s a pretty day.”

He nodded. “You could probably still use a day of rest. Why don’t you sit out on the balcony and just watch the world go by?”

The church, dark and looming, filling her entire vision as she lay on the balcony floor.

“I want to get to work. Did you find out any more about Marie’s death?”

“Officially food poisoning. Case closed.”

“I see.”

“I don’t. I paid a small bribe to a clerk at the coroner’s department to get a look at the provisional report.”

“And?”

“Food poisoning.” He paused. “The only thing in the least unusual was slight abrasions on her upper arms.”

“Caused by what?”

“No conclusions. But I was wondering… ropes?”

“But that’s not what the coroner said.”

“No.” Galen shrugged. “At any rate, the body has been released and the funeral is tomorrow.”

“Her son is coming here?”

“I assume he will. This is his mother’s hometown. Why?”

“I want to see him and express my sympathy.”

“What?” He grimaced. “I believe it’s very bad form to offer condolences to the family of someone who tried to murder you.”

“I don’t believe she tried to kill me, and I think her son would like to know what she told me about their relationship. It could help at a time like this. I’d like to go to the funeral.”

“Okay. I’ll find out when and where. I’m surprised you’re willing to delay the start of your work on the skull.”

“Support means a good deal to the bereaved. This time is a nightmare. No one knows that better than I do.”

“So I’ve heard.” Galen’s voice was sober. “Your Bonnie.”

“My Bonnie.” They had pulled up in front of the house and she got out of the car.

“Melton called the hospital and arranged to meet me here at one, then go with me to the church. Are you coming with us?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” Galen watched Eve unlock the front door, and then preceded her into the foyer. He glanced around the foyer and then started up the stairs. Eve followed. “Skeletons are my cup of tea. Mind if I take a look around your bedroom? I was here earlier and did a little cleanup job, but I’d feel better if I just checked it again.”

“You cleaned up that mess?”

“Well, your housekeeper wasn’t able to do it. I didn’t want you to have to come home and face it.”

“Thank you. That was a very kind thing to do.”

“I am kind.” He threw open the bedroom door and looked around. “My mum always said if you want to get along in the world, you have to do unto others as they do unto you.”

“That’s not quite the way the quote goes.”

“Makes more sense Mum’s way.” He went onto the balcony and looked out over the bayou. “Seems okay. You rest. I’ll just check the bathroom and the downstairs, and then cook you a light lunch.”

“I’m not an invalid. I’ll do it.”

“Are you trying to eliminate my job? How can I be the queen’s chief poison taster if you do everything yourself?” He headed for the door. “By the way, I moved into the bedroom next door. I checked and I can hear practically everything that happens in this room through those paper-thin walls. I hope you don’t snore…” Eve heard him running down the steps a few minutes later. She gave one more glance at the church before leaving the balcony. It was difficult to pull her gaze away.

She supposed it was natural the ancient structure would command attention, and it was the last thing she’d seen when she’d thought she was going to die. That had guaranteed it would capture her imagination.

Eve forced herself to turn and go back into the bedroom. That wide expanse of bed was very tempting. It was ridiculous to be this sore and tired. She’d thought when she left the hospital that she’d spring back much sooner. She should ignore the tiredness and hit the shower. She’d be okay once she got going.

Well, maybe just a short nap…

“The shoes were made by the Norton Shoe Company.” Carol Dunn tossed the report on Joe’s desk. “It’s a southeast company with branches in Alabama and Louisiana. Size nine.”

“Distribution?” Joe asked.

She shook her head. “Pretty heavy in both states, and to a lesser degree here in Georgia.. With this kind of flimsy sole, they’re not a high-ticket item so they sell pretty well.”

“That’s just great.” He frowned. “What about the tire tracks?”

“Firestone Affinity HP fifteen-inch. Standard on the new Saturn L-three hundred.”

“Thanks, Carol.” Joe scanned the report. “I owe you.”

“You owe yourself a good night’s sleep,” she said. “Jane called and told me to send you home early.”

“I’m going.” He stood up and started for the door. “Will you call and tell her I’m bringing home Chinese, but I have to make one more stop on the way?”

“Coward.”

“Right. She’s tough.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “Did I get a return call from George Capel when I was out today?”

Carol shook her head. “Don’t you trust voice mail?”

“I’m an old-fashioned guy. I don’t believe in these newfangled gadgets.”

“And you were hoping it wasn’t working.”

“He hasn’t shown up at the DNA lab for a week. I went to his house—the mail is piling up and he didn’t stop delivery of the newspaper.”

“Doesn’t sound good, but he could have taken off on a little jaunt. It’s happened before.”

“Yeah, I know. But I think it’s time I talked to his neighbors.”

“Okay, I’ll call Jane,” Carol said. “But you’d better not forget the Chinese.” Joe nodded and waved as he left the office. He called Logan when he reached his car. “Have you heard from Galen?”

“He won’t report to me unless he has reason. He runs his own show.”

“So you don’t know if she’s okay.”

“We’d have heard if there was a problem. Galen’s with her.” And Joe wasn’t with her and it was driving him crazy. “Can you ask him to give regular reports?”

“Galen doesn’t operate that way.”

“Then he should, dammit.”

“You asked for Galen, Quinn.”

Because he was the best, but that didn’t mean Galen’s independence didn’t annoy the hell out of him. He wanted to know.

“How are things going with you?” Logan asked.

“Okay. I’m keeping busy.” Not busy enough. Three days had seemed like three hundred since Eve left. “I’m trying to track down Capel. He seems to have disappeared.”

“You think he was paid to send that report to Eve and then skipped town?”

“Could be. He didn’t try to hit me for more money, so he must have another source.”

“Any ideas?”

“Someone who wanted to hurt me or Eve. Probably me. She doesn’t have any enemies. I have case files full of them.”

“Amazing,” Logan murmured.

“And you don’t?”

Logan didn’t answer. “I’ll let you know if I hear from Galen.”

“Maybe I should call him. No, never mind.”

“Good choice. You wouldn’t want Eve to know you’re checking up on her. How’s Jane?”

“Great. Better than I deserve right now.”

“I agree. Good-bye, Quinn.”

Joe hung up and started the car. Interview Capel’s neighbors and then get home to Jane. Don’t think about Eve all those hundreds of miles away in Baton Rouge.

Company branches in Alabama and Louisiana.

Louisiana…

Don’t jump to conclusions. The defacement could have nothing to do with Eve’s reconstruction job in Baton Rouge. But he didn’t like the way this investigation was shaping up, dammit.

And he wished to hell he could contact Galen without getting Eve’s back up.

Just do your job. Find Capel and the man who bribed him. Do some more checking on the tire. Keep Jane as happy you can. Try to keep yourself from jumping on a plane and flying to Eve in Baton Rouge.

And hope to hell time was healing the rift he’d torn between them.

“I fell asleep.” Eve came down the stairs, trying to straighten her rumpled hair.

“For heaven’s sake, it’s quarter past five in the evening. Why didn’t you wake me?”

“Easy. You needed the sleep.” Galen grinned. “And I needed time to prepare a meal par excellence.”

“I’ve got to get over to the church. Didn’t Melton show up?”

“He was here right on time. I told him to go away.”

“You had no right to do that.”

“I told him he could meet us in front of the church at six.” He checked his watch.

“That gives you forty-five minutes to eat my fine repast.” He gestured to the dining room. “I don’t like hurried meals; they dull one’s appreciation. But I’ll accept it this time.”

“You should have woken me.”

“You’re wasting time. You don’t want to keep our honorable senator waiting.” She followed him. “I’ve already kept him waiting for four hours.” Galen grinned. “He deserved it.” He seated her at the table and shook out her napkin and put it on her lap. “Now start on the spinach salad.”

“No way.” She jumped up. “Galen, I want to go to meet Melton. I couldn’t eat this meal, anyway. My stomach is still upset.”

“What a dunce I am. Of course, you can’t. I got carried away with my sheer culinary genius. Okay, maybe I’ll make you some soup after we get back from the church tonight.”

“I may not come back tonight. I often work at night.”

“And then again you may. You still look pale around the gills.”

“Galen.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not trying to bulldoze you. I sometimes take advantage of circumstances to get my own way, but I respect your free will.”

“You really like to cook?”

“Eating is one of life’s great pleasures. It dulls the roughest edges.” And Galen’s life had probably had a multitude of sharp edges. Eve’s gaze wandered from the white damask tablecloth to the flickering spring-green candles and then to the delicate bone china. It was as different as night and day from her cozy meal two nights ago in the kitchen.

And that had been his intention, she realized suddenly. He hadn’t wanted to remind her of Marie Letaux or that last meal she’d had in this house.

“I’m sure your meal would have been wonderful. Thank you, Galen.”

“You’re welcome. It’s just too bad I have to wait a little longer to be truly appreciated.” He took her arm. “Let’s get you over to the church so you can stop fretting.”

To her surprise, Melton was waiting impatiently outside the church when they arrived there. “Good, you’re early. You’re better? Galen said you weren’t feeling well.”

“I feel much better.” Her gaze went to the door. “I expected you to be inside.”

“I don’t have a key. I’ve been waiting for– Here he is.” His gaze was on the sandy-haired man hurrying toward them. “This is Rick Vadim. I hired Rick to help you out here. Rick, this is Ms. Duncan.”

The young man nodded and smiled at Eve. “How do you do, ma’am. It’s my pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello. I’m very glad to meet you.” She shook his hand. “This is Sean Galen.

He’s—”

“Ms. Duncan’s assistant,” Galen supplied. “I make things run smoothly for her.”

“Then that makes two of us,” Rick said solemnly. “That’s also my assignment.”

“Rick has been hired to assist Ms. Duncan in any way possible,” Melton said.

“You’re a forensic anthropologist?” Eve asked.

“No, I have no scientific background. But I’m very good at acquiring things and smoothing the way.” He unlocked the door. “You’d like to see the skull?”

“That’s why I’m here.” Eve glanced around the vestibule. She’d half expected the interior of the church to be covered with dust, but it was spotless. “Where is it?”

“The main chapel.” Rick gestured to the arched doorway. “This way, please.”

“The chapel?”

“It seemed more respectful,” Rick said. “From what I’ve read about your work, you believe in showing respect for those who have passed on.”

“Yes, I do. But I doubt if I’ll be able to work in your chapel. I require a good deal of light, a worktable, and a pedestal for my equipment.”

“I’ve already set up a room for you. I think you’ll be satisfied.” He threw open the door. “There it is.”

A huge black coffin.

She stopped short in the doorway and stared at it. The coffin dominated the small sanctuary.

“I’ll wait out here,” Melton said.

Eve felt the same strange reluctance to approach the coffin as he obviously did. “I thought you would have already removed the skull from the coffin. I didn’t expect to see– It’s very… big…”

“The coffin is designed to protect the remains from further damage or decay. We wanted to make sure the skull was perfectly preserved,” Rick said earnestly. “Believe me, I’m very upset that the rest of the skeleton has been misplaced. I wasn’t in charge here when that happened.”

“Misplaced?” Eve repeated. “I don’t believe that’s the term I’d use.”

“It seems incredible to me, too. This entire affair is bizarre. But that’s not my business. My job is to make sure nothing goes wrong from now on.” Rick moved forward until he stood beside the coffin. “And I’ve been told the skull is in very good condition.” He opened the lid and stepped aside. “What do you think?”

“I think I need some light. I can hardly see it. It’s too dim inhere.”

“I’m sorry.” Rick quickly lit a candle on the altar. “You have wonderful light and heat in the workroom I set up for you. I didn’t know you’d want to do a close examination of the skull in here. I should have thought…” He was so upset that Eve smothered the impatience she was feeling. “It’s okay, Rick. If there’s a problem, I can take the skull back to the house.”

“No, please don’t do that. Believe me, I’ve made your workroom everything you could ask,” Rick said. “The senator wants the work done here.”

“Why?” Galen asked.

“It’s on an island. Senator Melton was very concerned about the missing skeleton.

He wants Ms. Duncan to be perfectly safe, and the security people he hired say the church will be much easier to keep protected. I promise I’ll do everything I can to make the church comfortable for you.”

“That will take some doing.” Galen stepped closer, took a penlight out of his pocket, and shone it down into the coffin. “It’s damn chilly. It must be damp in every molecule of this place.”

“It’s very warm in her workroom.”

“It’s fine,” Eve said absently, her gaze on the skull. She still couldn’t see worth a damn, but the penlight was better than nothing. Although the skull was blackened by fire, it was intact, except that there were no teeth and the jaw was shattered. But there were no visible punctures or breaks. That was lucky.

“It’s a male. Caucasian. The skull is surprisingly well preserved. I’ll be able to work with it.”

“He’s been roughed up a little.” Galen pointed to the shattered jawline. “And no teeth. He’s been through one hell of a battle. Reminds me of that gladiator movie.”

“Shut up, Galen,” Eve said. “I have to have an unbiased mind when I do the final stage. I don’t want the face to look like Russell Crowe.”

“Great movie.” Galen glanced at Rick and winked. “You can tell me who you think he is later when she’s not around.”

Rick smiled and shook his head. “I’m as much in the dark as you are. I can only guess.” He turned to Eve. “I’ve got a pedestal and two worktables in your studio. I understand you’ll need a video and computer setup for confirmation. I’ve been in touch with the Forensic Department at LSU and I think I’ve got it hooked up right.

As soon as you’re ready, I’ll bring the skull to you.” He was obviously ready to whisk her out of the chapel and set her to work. His eagerness was very appealing, but she wasn’t ready to leave the skull yet.

“Galen, why don’t you go with Rick and check out the workroom for me while I try to take a better look at the skull?”

“Sure.” Galen handed her the penlight. “Not my most interesting assignment, but I live to serve.”

“Thanks.” She shone the penlight into the nasal cavity. “Definitely Caucasian…”

“Come on, Rick. We’re not wanted.”

Eve was vaguely aware that they were gone and she was alone in the chapel. It didn’t matter. Her feelings of unease had completely dissipated the moment she had seen the skull. He was just another one of the lost ones. It didn’t matter if this was Bently or some poor vagrant. In the end he had clearly been as much a victim as little Carmelita, whose reconstruction she had just finished. Judging by the condition of the skull and the fact that those teeth had probably been jerked out after death, he might have been more of a victim.

Time to get to know him. Eve gently touched his cheekbone. “What do I call you?” She knew it would seem nuts to anyone on the outside, but she made it a practice to give all her subjects names. Each one had a history and a life. They had laughed and been loved by someone, even this poor beat-up warrior. He’d obviously not won this last battle, but she hoped he’d had his share of victories.

“Victor? Not a bad name.” She nodded. “Works for me.” She carefully swung down the heavy lid. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Victor. And we’ll see what we can do about bringing you home.”

“Ready?” Galen was standing in the doorway. “Rick’s done you proud. Your workroom is wonderfully equipped, lots of light and heat. Clean and shining as a Marine recruits’ barracks. Do you want to see it?” She started to tell him yes, and then stopped. Dammit, the energy she’d thought she’d regained was draining out of her. She came toward him. “No, I trust you. I’ll see it tomorrow when I move in.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Okay, you were right about my not being up to full speed. I thought I could start tonight, but I’m too tired. I can’t begin him when I’m this weak.” She grimaced. “I’ll be glad when I get back to full strength. I took that long nap this afternoon, but even so, all I want to do is sleep.”

“Then that’s what you should do. I’m glad you’re not going to insist on starting work tonight.”

“I’ve already started work.” Eve glanced over her shoulder at the black coffin.

“And keen wits and alertness are essential to set up my equipment and start the measuring. Victor can wait a few more hours.”

“Victor?”

“The skull.”

“Oh.” Galen didn’t look at her as they started down the hall. “I don’t want to be impolite, but do you always talk to skulls?”

“No.” She gave him a limpid stare. “I’m very selective.”

“It’s okay with me. Just thought I’d ask.” His gaze went to Rick standing with Melton at the front door. “Rick seems to be a nice guy. Sharp, too. He went to school up north.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. He sounds like a Yankee. Where did he go?”

“Notre Dame. Big football fan.”

“It goes with the territory. He looks like the all-American boy, with that fair hair and those rosy cheeks.” She dismissed the subject. “Did you find out when Marie’s funeral is tomorrow?”

“Eleven. Are you still going?”

She nodded. “I’ll set up early and then break to go to the funeral.” As Eve and Galen left the church she held out her hand to Rick, who was still waiting by the front door with Melton. “Thank you for everything. I suppose I’ll see you in the morning.”

“It will be my pleasure.” He shook her hand. “I’ll have everything ready for you. I notice the skull is a little dirty, but I left it for you to clean.”

“That’s exactly right. We don’t want to risk any more damage.” He nodded solemnly. “Certainly. Is there anything else I can do?” Good Lord, he was intense. But that almost childlike earnestness was kind of sweet. “You won’t find me very demanding. Just let me do my work.” He smiled. “No one will disturb you. I promise you.” He turned to Galen. “An honor, sir.”

Galen looked taken aback. “See you, Rick.” He said in an undertone as he and Eve left the church, “Sir? Am I getting that old?”

“You don’t see that kind of courtesy anymore. I think it’s refreshing.”

“You didn’t answer me.”

“How old are you, Galen?”

“Thirty-seven.”

“That qualifies.” She had a sudden thought and glanced back at Rick, who was still talking to Melton. “Rick.”

He broke off and looked at her. “You need something? You only have to ask.”

“A dragon to kill, a Holy Grail to find,” Galen murmured sarcastically.

She ignored him. “Were you here two nights ago when I came to the church, Rick?”

He frowned. “You were here before?”

“The first night I arrived in Baton Rouge. I came and knocked on the door. No one answered.”

“Because no one was here. I was at LSU arranging for the video equipment. I just arrived yesterday morning. I would have answered the door if I’d been in the church.”

“No one was here?”

He shook his head. “Only the guards patrolling the grounds. And I guess they must have realized you weren’t an intruder. You thought there was actually someone inside the church?”

“No, I guess not. I just had a feeling that… Never mind. I’ll see you in the morning.” She turned to Melton. “Good-bye, Senator.”

“I take it you’re going to accept the job? I wasn’t sure you would. I’m very grateful.”

“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for that man’s family.” He smiled. “I’m still grateful. I’m glad everything is working out well. You have my phone number; please call me if there’s any problem.”

“You can count on it. Come on, Galen.” Eve started toward the bridge.

“Did you see anything that led you to believe someone was here that night?” Galen asked.

“No, it was only a feeling.”

He chuckled. “Maybe it was the ghost of our gladiator.”

“I don’t believe in ghosts.”

“That’s probably good. Considering how many skeletons you deal with, you could become a basket case.”

She glanced away from him. “Do you believe in ghosts?”

“I don’t not believe in them. I think anything is possible. I just have to be shown.” He smiled. “And so far our ghostly friends haven’t seen fit to show themselves to me.”

“The mind sees what it wants to see. It’s all imagination… or dreams.”

“Dreams?”

She changed the subject. “And stop calling him a gladiator.”

“That’s right. His name is Victor. Isn’t that what you called him?” She glanced back at the church. Melton and Rick must have gone back inside. The door was shut, and the entrance had regained that air of forbidding secrecy she’d noticed the first time she saw it.

Well, secrets were meant to be solved, and tomorrow she would start. “Yes, his name is Victor.”

“Will you do it?” Joe asked. “All I’m asking is an afternoon of your time. Just come with me to Capel’s neighbors and let them describe the guy to you.”

“Don’t bullshit me. That’s only where it starts.” Lenny Tyson penciled in a line beside the flaring nostrils of the woman in his sketch. “Then the real work begins, and I’m swamped right now. You know that, Joe.”

“A favor, Lenny.”

Tyson glanced up from the sketch. “Why? Is the guy a mass murderer or something?”

Joe shook his head. “This isn’t department business, it’s personal. I’ll pay you twice what the department pays for composite sketches. George Capel was seen by two neighbors the day before he disappeared. He entered his condo with a small, dark-haired man in his late twenties or early thirties. They came out a few hours later and drove off together. He was seen again later that same day at the bank where he has a safety-deposit box. The same man accompanied him. That was almost a week ago.”

“And you want me to draw a sketch of Capel’s friend?”

“Come on, Lenny. How long could it take?”

“It depends how good a memory the neighbors have.” Tyson leaned back in his chair. “Seven days is a long time. It’s promising that they remembered the color of his hair and that he wasn’t a big man. How close does it have to be?”

“I want to try to compare it to mug files.”

“Ouch. That’s tough.”

“Will you do it?”

“Twice what the department pays?”

“Three times.”

Lenny sighed, stood up, and grabbed his art portfolio. “Let’s go.” Chapter 6

« ^ »

VICTOR’S SKULL WAS SITTING ON A PEDESTAL WHEN EVE WALKED INTO THE

workroom at seven the next morning.

“I told you I’d have everything ready.” Rick beamed as he gestured around the small room. “There are your worktables, and I got the pedestal from a sculptor who lives here in Baton Rouge. Is it okay?”

“Very nice.”

“And the video equipment?”

“I'll check it out later. That’s the last stage.“ Eve set her case down on the worktable. ”Now, if you’ll get me several towels and a bowl of water, I’ll be able to start.“

“Sounds like you’re going to operate or deliver a baby.” Galen had appeared in the doorway.

Rick chuckled as he hurried out of the room.

“There are similarities to both.” Eve rolled up the sleeves of her loose white shirt.

“I was wondering where you were this morning.”

“I was on the phone most of the night. I kept an eye on you from my balcony when you left the house.”

“Why were you on the phone?”

“Research. Melton is a little too slick for my liking. So I called a few contacts.” He made a face. “But Melton seems to be telling the truth on all fronts. Bently did disappear two years ago, and everything you were told about him seems to check out. Model citizen, husband, and father. From all accounts he was a genuinely nice guy. Sheriff Bouvier is a respected law enforcement officer and did release the skeleton to Melton.”

“Skeleton?”

“Bouvier knew nothing about the skeleton disappearing. Melton promised him that he’d get an expert to quickly do a DNA test and then quietly return the remains to him. When I told Bouvier that there might be quite a few pieces missing, he was hopping mad. It’s his job on the line. When he calmed down, he said he’d contact the senator, and he was sure Melton would use his influence to have the skeleton found and returned to him. He was just brimful of excuses and praise for the senator. He’s solidly in Melton’s camp.”

“You sound disappointed that Melton’s story checked out.” He shrugged. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”