Текст книги "The Face of Deception"

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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Did you get the picture of Margaret to my mother? she asked Joe.

Last night. His gaze was fixed on the back of Logans head. I scouted the area myself and ran across his security team. I almost threw them in the lockup before I got them to identify themselves.

Anyone else? Logan asked.

Not that I could tell. No obvious stakeout.

They wouldnt be obvious and theyd be good. Very good. With the most sophisticated surveillance equipment in the business.

Why? Joe turned to Eve. What the hells going on? Talk to me.

Did you bring me the pictures of Timwick and Fiske?

He reached into his jacket pocket and brought out an envelope. And thats another thing. I checked into Mr. Fiske and hes real nasty. You shouldnt even be within shouting distance of the bastard.

Ill try not to be. He didnt look nasty, she thought absently, more like a stereotypical butler. Hazel eyes gazed mildly out of the picture. His nose was long and aristocratic, and his gray-flecked, care-fully trimmed mustache was the epitome of neatness. Though he appeared to be only in his late thirties, his barbered brown hair was slightly gray at the temples and receded sharply from a broad forehead.

There was nothing aristocratic about James Timwick. His face was broad, almost Slavic, and his eyes were a pale blue. He was younger than shed thought hed be, perhaps in his early forties, and his hair was jet black.

Now tell me why you had me bring those to you, Joe said.

Because I needed to see the face of the enemy, the men who might try to kill me. Not an explanation she could give Joe, who was already near meltdown. I thought it might help. She tucked the pictures in her handbag. Thank you, Joe.

Dont thank me. Tell me what I need to know.

She had to make one last try. You dont need to know. Id rather you opted out of this.

Tell me.

He wasnt going to be dissuaded, she realized re-signedly. Okay, but let me tell it my way. Dont try interrogating me, Joe.

They had arrived at Emory and were parked in the lot for a good ten minutes before Eve stopped speaking.

He was silent a moment, gazing down at the leather case at her feet. Is that him?

Yes.

Its damn hard to believe.

I agree, Eve said. But its Ben Chadbourne, Joe.

Youre sure?

She nodded. And thats why I want you out of it. I dont know what will happen.

I do. Joes lips tightened grimly. And so does Logan. He knew what he was getting you into from the beginning.

Yes, I did, Logan said calmly. But that doesnt change the present scenario. We have to do that ourselves.

Joe gave him an icy glance and then turned back to Eve. You cant trust him. It would be better if I got rid of him for you.

Got rid of him?

It would be easy enough. Everyone thinks it happened already anyway.

Her eyes widened. Joe.

He shrugged. I didnt think youd go for it. He opened the car door. Stay here. Ill reconnoiter the area and feel out Kessler for you. What makes you think hell want to become involved?

He has integrity plus curiosity and an obsessive nature. Its why hes in the profession.

Well, you should know about obsessions. He slammed the door shut and moved quickly across the parking lot.

A very violent man for an officer of the law, Logan murmured.

Hes not violent. Hes just angry. He wouldnt really have

Oh, I think he would. For a few minutes my neck was definitely on the line. I think Id better step very carefully around Quinn.

Joe believes in the law, she said fiercely. Dammit, hes a good cop.

Im sure he is, but Im equally sure his SEAL training gets in the way occasionally. Particularly when the law doesnt seem to be working and his friends are involved.

Joe doesnt kill.

Now. Did you ever ask him how many men he killed when he was a SEAL?

Of course I didnt. We were at peace when he was in the service.

But SEALs have missions even in peacetime.

Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to make me distrust Joe?

Maybe self-preservation. He smiled grimly. And because I want you to admit that one nod of your head and I would have been a dead man a few minutes ago.

I wont admit any

Be honest.

She didnt want to be honest, not if it meant ad-mitting she didnt know Joe as well as she thought she did. Joe was one of the bedrocks of her life. He was everything stable and trustworthy. When everything else had been falling apart around her, Joe had always been there. She would not think of him as a killer be-cause that would be comparing him to Fraser. No. Never.

Has he ever talked to you about his time in the SEALs?

No.

Did you know hes killed three men in the line of duty since hes been in Atlanta?

Her gaze flew to his face.

I didnt think so. Quinns smart and he knows you well. Hed keep that part of his life separate from you.

Hes no murderer.

I didnt say he is. Theres no question that those deaths were self-defense and that the scum he killed deserved to die. Im just saying that Quinn is multi-faceted and very dangerous.

Youre trying to take away my trust in him.

And hes trying to take away any trust you might have in me. Im just defending myself.

I have no trust in you.

You have a little. At least, you know were on the same side. I wont have Quinn stealing that away. His gaze went to Joe, who was now climbing the steps of the geoscience building. And I dont want to have to fight Quinn along with everyone else.

Eve followed his glance. It was as if she were looking at Joe in a different light. He was always con-fident, always moved with a springy grace, but now she could see the relentless efficiency in his entire at-titude. Powerhouse, she had called him, and power-house she knew him to be, but not deadly.

She could sense the deadliness now.

Damn you.

Were all savages, Logan said quietly. We all kill when it means enough to us. Food, revenge, self-preservationhellip; But Quinn knew you couldnt take it, so he made sure you didnt see that side of him.

And would you kill too, Logan? she asked bitterly.

If the circumstances warranted it. And so would you, Eve.

She shook her head. Life is too precious. Theres no excuse for murder.

He shrugged. Excuse no, but reason is

I dont want to talk about it. She leaned back and stared out the window, shutting him out. I dont want to talk to you at all, Logan. Just leave me alone, okay?

Sure.

Of course hed agree. Hed turned loose a serpent and now was willing to watch it work its poison.

She wouldnt let him. She wouldnt let him de-stroy the trust she had in Joe. Logan was the out-sider, not Joe. She wouldnt brood and wonder and let his words eat at her.

Logan said softly, But its true, you know.

Its okay. Joe opened the car door for Eve and helped her out. The coast is clear. Kesslers alone. His assistant, Bob Spencer, was there, but I had Kessler get rid of him.

She picked up the case containing the skull. What did you tell Gary?

Not what was in the surprise package, but I filled him in on everything else. Youre right, hes cu-rious. He took the case from her and his hand closed on her elbow. Lets get him started on it.

Im beginning to feel a little de trop. Logan got out of the car. I trust you wont mind if I tag along?

I do mind, Joe said. But Ill put up with you as long as you dont get in the way. His pace quickened as he guided Eve across the parking lot. How long will this take?

Kesslers part wont take long if he can find a good source of DNA to extract. Its the lab work Im concerned about. DNA testing can take months.

You worry about getting a good sample, Ill take care of getting the DNA testing pushed through. Joe held the door to the building open for her. No problem. Im good at pushing. Its one of my His gaze suddenly narrowed on her face. Why are you looking at me like that?

She glanced away from him quickly. I dont know what you mean.

The hell you dont.

She shook off his hand and kept walking. Stop probing, Joe. Theres nothing wrong.

Maybe. His glance shifted to Logan. Maybe not.

She opened the door of the lab and saw Kessler sitting at his desk, eating a sandwich.

He looked up and glowered at her. I hear youre trying to get me tossed in the cooler. Thanks a lot, Duncan.

Theres mustard on your mustache. She took the case from Joe and went to stand before Kessler. She picked up the paper napkin on the desk and wiped his mouth and bristly gray mustache. Christ, you have to be the messiest eater on the planet, Gary.

Eating should be a pleasurable function when a mans alone. I shouldnt have to worry about a woman coming in and criticizing me. Particularly one whos come begging. He took another bite of his sandwich. What have you got yourself into, Duncan?

I need a little help.

If the hews reports are right, you need help from a lawyer, not me. He looked behind her. Youre Logan?

Logan nodded.

Kessler smiled slyly. I understand youve got a potload of money?

Enough.

Care to part with some? Things arent the same as when I was a young man. Its a sad fact that we bril-liant scientists need patrons these days.

Maybe we could come to an arrangement, Logan said.

Back off, Gary. Eve unfastened Bens case. You know very well that if youre interested enough, youll do the job for nothing.

You have a loud mouth, Duncan, Kessler said. Theres nothing wrong with a little greed. And, besides, I might have become more of a philistine since we last worked together. His tone was absent, his gaze fixed on the case. In spite of his words, she could sense his excitement. He re-minded Eve of a kid waiting to see what was in a Christmas package. And sending Quinn in ahead to try to rouse my curiosity is a pretty obvious ploy. I would have thought youd be a little more subtle.

She grinned. If something works, I dont fuss with it.

It must have been something pretty interesting that pulled you into a mess like this. His gaze never left the case. Youre not usually stupid.

Thank you.

She waited.

He finally said impatiently, So who is it?

She opened the lid and carefully lifted out the skull. You tell me.

Oh, shit, he whispered.

Eve nodded. Yes.

He took the skull from her and put it on his desk. Its no joke?

Would I be on the run if it was a joke?

He stared at the face. My God. Chadbourne. He looked at her. If it is Chadbourne. Did you know who you were working on?

She shook her head. I went at it blind. I had no idea until I finished.

And what do you want from me?

Proof.

DNA. He frowned. And what have I got to work on? I suppose you worked on the actual skull again? Why cant you make casts? Theres no telling what you destroyed.

It was already clean. The body had been through a fire.

His gaze narrowed. Then what do you think Im supposed to do?

I thoughthellip; the teeth. The DNA would have been protected by the enamel. You could split a tooth and extract the DNA. Is that possible?

Possible. Its been done before. Kessler added, But its not a sure thing.

Will you try?

Why should I? This isnt any of my concern, and it could be big trouble.

Joe spoke up. Ill be here to guard you while youre working. He glanced at Logan. And Im sure Mr. Logan would be glad to make it worth your while.

Within boundaries, Logan said.

They were going about this all wrong, Eve thought impatiently. Theyd had Gary from the mo-ment hed seen the face. He just needed a little push over the line. Dont you want to know if its really Chadbourne, Gary? Dont you want to be the one to prove it?

Kessler was silent a moment. Maybe.

He wanted it all right. She could see the excite-ment he was trying to hide.

It would be megadifficult, she said. Hell, youll probably have enough for a book.

Not so difficult. He scowled. Unless you screwed up the teeth too.

I didnt touch them any more than I could help. She smiled. And you know my work doesnt interfere with yours. Its all there, waiting for you.

He glanced up from the skull. I know exactly what youre doing, you know.

Of course you do. Now, are you going to do it, or do we take the skull to Crawford at Duke?

Appealing to my competitiveness wont work ei-ther. I know Im the best in the business. He sat back down in the chair. But I may do you the favor. Ive always liked you, Duncan.

Youd do it even if you hated my guts. Her smile faded. But Im not going to lie. The situation is more dangerous than getting in trouble with the law.

I gathered that. He shrugged. Im an old man. I need a little something to keep the adrenaline pumping. Can I use my own lab?

Wed rather you dont. We think were safe, but we dont want to take any chances. Is there someplace else you can work?

You do make things hard for me. He thought for a minute. My lab at home?

She shook her head.

Ive a friend whos a professor at Kennesaw State, which is about forty minutes from here. Hell let me use his lab.

Fine.

What about my assistant?

She shook her head. Let him take over your classes. Ill help you.

I probably wont need it. He added testily, But you can clean off all this damned clay. I want a nice, clean surface.

Okay. She braced herself. But I need to do a superimposition first.

And Im supposed to twiddle my thumbs and wait?

Ill hurry. We need it, Gary. You know the teeth are important with superimposition and we dont know how many teeth youre going to have to take. We cant verify the dental records, so we need every bit of evidence we can get our hands on.

Maybe, he granted reluctantly. But my DNA will carry the day.

I know. But will you use your pull to borrow video equipment from the audio-visual department? I already have the mixer.

You dont want much, Gary said sourly. Tak-ing valuable equipment off campus? Theyll yell bloody murder.

Dont tell them youre taking it off campus.

Theyll still kick up a fuss.

Charm them.

Yeah, sure. Then they really will suspect Ive gone around the bend. Ill threaten and blackmail them instead.

Youre right, we wouldnt want you to act out of character.

But youll work your skinny butt off and get your stuff done pronto.

Im not arguing.

Amazing, Kessler murmured. How long to clean up the skull?

An hour, maybe two. I want to be very careful.

Then Ill get your equipment and then run down my assistant and tell him Ill be gone for a couple of days. Kessler moved toward the door. Pack up our presidential friend. Ill be back as soon as possible.

She said quietly, Thanks, Gary. I owe you.

Yes, you do, and Ill make sure you pay me.

You played him very well, Logan said as the door closed behind Kessler.

We understand each other. She glanced at Joe. Will you follow him and make sure hes safe? I didnt want to make an issue of it, but I dont want him running around the campus all by himself.

You said yourself that you didnt think theyd figure out the connection.

I dont want to take any chances. I persuaded him to help us. I feel responsible.

And I feel responsible for you.

Please, Joe.

I dont want to He broke off as he saw her expression. He turned away abruptly. Stay with her, Logan. If you let anything happen to her, Ill break your neck. The door closed behind him with a deci-sive click.

Violence again. She gazed blindly down at the skull.

Are you ready to go? Logan asked.

Not yet. Im going to pack up Ben and then rifle through Garys equipment for something to chip this clay off. She crossed to the table and opened the cabinet. You can contact Margaret and find out when my mother will be safe.

I can phone from here.

I dont want you underfoot. Go outside and do it.

Id like to oblige, but Quinn gave me orders. I really would like to keep my skin intact.

Im giving you orders. Youre not doing any good here. Get out of my way and see that Moms safe or Ill go home and do it myself. Its what I want to do anyway.

He held up his hand in surrender. Im on my way.

He was gone.

She drew a breath of relief. She didnt want any of them around her right now. She was too unsettled and needed to get things back in perspective. Work was the only thing that would do that. The sooner they got to that lab at Kennesaw State, the better shed be.

She found three wood instruments that looked sharp enough to be effective but not too sharp to do crucial damage if her hand slipped. She dropped them in her handbag and then carefully repacked Bens skull in the case. Okay, Ben. Sorry to put you through this, but Ive got to take all that clay off you. Put it on, take it off. All this running around and fussing doesnt seem fair, does it? She fastened the case. But here we go again.

Mrs. Duncan? Open the door. Margaret Wilson.

Sandra studied the plump woman through the peephole and compared her to the photograph in her hand.

Mrs. Duncan?

I heard you. Sandra unlocked the door. Come in.

Margaret shook her head. No, I have the van at the curb. We have to leave now. Are you ready?

As soon as I get my suitcase. She went to the living room and came back with the case. Where are we going?

We cant talk here. Margaret preceded her down the porch steps. Dont worry, youll be safe.

Why cant we talk here. Im not Sandra made the connection. Bugged? You think my house is bugged?

Thats what I was told. Hurry.

Bugged. Sandra locked the front door. What the hell is going on?

I hoped youd know. Margaret moved briskly down the walk. I thought wed compare notes and come up with some answers. Usually, I dont mind traveling blind for John, but Im a little uneasy about all this. She opened the passenger door. Get in. She indicated the short, burly man in the drivers seat. This is Brad Pilton. Hes with Madden Security and hes one of the crew whos been watching over you the past several days. Hes supposed to be our bodyguard.

I am your bodyguard, Pilton said, pained. He nodded politely at Sandra. Maam.

Well, youre not very big. Margaret climbed into the backseat. Not that thats a hindrance in most cases. I approve of small. Still, I think Id have chosen someone else for the job if Id seen you first. There are uses for big and brawny. Not that you dont have excel-lent credentials.

Thank you. He started the van and edged away from the curb.

Where are we going? Sandra repeated. Or cant we talk?

The vans safe. It belongs to the security com-pany, but I insisted Pilton check it out for bugs anyway. Were going to the mall.

The mall?

North Lake Mall. She smiled at Sandra. We need to do a car switch in case were followed. Well go in one door and out another.

And from there?

Lake Lanier. Ive rented a small cottage. Youll be safe and cozy.

Lake Lanier. She and Ron had talked about going up there over Labor Day, Sandra remembered wist-fully. But hed said theyd stay at the hotel on Pine Island. He wasnt much on rustic. Well, neither was she. In spite of their differences, they had a lot in common.

Something wrong? Margarets gaze was on her.

I guess not. All this seems like a bad dream to me.

Me too. Margaret leaned forward and squeezed Sandras shoulder. Dont worry. Well get through it together.

I think were being followed, Pilton said.

Sandra tensed and glanced over her shoulder. Where?

The dark blue Mercury.

Are you sure?

Pilton nodded. Dont worry. We expected it. Well lose him at the mall.

Someone was following them. Someone who might want to hurt her, Sandra thought with a shiver.

For the first time, the threat became real to her.

Fiske watched the van pull into a parking space at North Lake Mall and the three passengers hurry through the doors of the south entrance. He didnt bother to park. Hed cruise around the mall and see if he could spot the three as they came out an-other door.

It was doubtful. There were too many lots and too many exits.

It didnt really matter. His favorite listening de-vice had paid off again. He knew where they were going, though he wished Margaret Wilson had been a little more explicit. Lanier was a huge resort area with thousands of rental properties.

Which meant he should start the ball rolling on locating the right one immediately.

He took out his electronic earpiece and punched in Timwicks number on his phone. Duncans mother is being taken to a cottage on Lake Lanier. The place was probably rented yesterday or today by Margaret Wilson. I need to know where it is.

Ill get on it. Timwick hung up the phone.

Fiske decided that in the meantime hed check into a hotel and wait. Things were proceeding very well. Hed been upset about leaving Atlanta before everything was tidily brought to completion.

But now he was back.

Everythings fine, Margaret told Logan on the phone. Weve changed cars and were on our way to Lake Lanier.

Call me when you get there.

I told you, everythings fine. Pilton is sure were not being followed any longer.

Pilton?

The bodyguard. Though his body isnt much bigger than mine.

No big deal. Id bet on you over Goliath any day.

Me too. Thats why Im reassuring myself about Pilton. Okay, Ill call you when we get to the cottage. Anything else?

Just stay out of sight. He ended the call.

Everythings fine.

Maybe it was fine, but he was still uneasy. Hed expected getting Sandra Duncan away from the house to be more difficult.

Unless they wanted her out of sight as much as he did. It would be easier to dispose of someone who was hiding from the world.

But only if they found her.

I told you to stay with Eve. Joe Quinn was walking up the steps toward him.

And she told you to stay with Kessler.

Hes right behind me.

And Im a hundred yards from the lab.

Thats a hundred yards too far.

I had phone calls to make and I think she wanted me out of her hair.

She has good taste.

Time to try to bridge the gulf. Youre absolutely right. Shes perfectly right to resent me. So are you. He gazed into Quinns eyes. But dont give me or-ders. Were on the same team and Ill do everything I can, but Ill work with you, not for you, Quinn.

Joes lips twisted. And not against me? Just what did you tell her about me?

What I had to tell her to protect my position. I assure you that it was nothing but the truth.

As defined by John Logan.

Logan nodded. I think you know what I told her. I imagine its what youve been carefully hiding for years.

Damn you.

I believe I was entitled to protect myself. You were becoming a little too lethal. Suppose we come to an agreement. You agree to work with me willingly, if not amicably, and Ill stop bringing up your alter ego to Eve.

Quinn stared at him a moment. Screw you. He passed him and went into the building.

Logan let out the breath he hadnt known he was holding. He had confronted many dangerous men in his time, but Quinn was definitely in a class by him-self. It astonished him that Eve hadnt picked up on it.

Maybe not so strange. To her Quinn was the pro-tector, the man who had saved her and sustained her.

It was difficult to equate a savior with a terminator.

FIFTEEN

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

1:05 a.m.

"Hows it going? Logan squatted beside Eves chair. Have you got a minute?

No, I havent got a minute. It took me forever to jerry-rig this equipment and set it up. She adjusted the TV monitor. And Ive just started.

Margaret called from Lanier. I have the phone number. I thought youd want to talk to your mother.

Why didnt you tell me? Of course I want to talk to her.

Logan dialed the number and handed his phone to Eve.

How are you, Mom?

Tired. Worried about you, Sandra said. Hell, worried about me. Other than that, Im in great shape. When is this going to be over, Eve?

I wish I knew. She changed the subject. Hows the cottage?

Nice. Its on the water. Great view.

But Sandra didnt sound as if she appreciated either the cottage or the view. Who could blame her? Eve had disrupted her life and yanked her away from the pleasant, comfortable niche shed made for her-self. Try to enjoy it and relax. Do you have any books to read?

Margaret brought a few suspense novels, but you know I dont read much. Theres a big TV set. A pause. Do you suppose I could call Ron? I wouldnt tell him where I was.

No, dont do it. Honest, Ill try to have you out of there in a few days.

Okay. Sandras tone was despondent. I guess Im kind of lonely. Ill be fine. You just take care of yourself.

I will. Good night, Mom. Ill call you every day. She handed Logan the phone. Thanks. I feel a little better now.

That was the intention. How is she?

Depressed. She wants her life back. She gazed blindly at the monitor. She deserves a good life. Shes had a hard time and now things are looking up for her. Shes met someone she cares about. Moms al-ways needed people.

And you havent?

She shrugged. I guess Ive never thought about it. There was always too much work to do.

Always?

Not always. Not when Bonnie She turned to look at him. Youre probing again, Logan.

Sorry, Im just wondering what makes you tick. He gazed at the skull on the pedestal. Besides an obsession with our friends who have passed over. Its in-teresting that you dont seem to have made any close friends after your daughter was killed.

Ive been busy.

And perhaps you dont want to come close to anyone again and risk being hurt.

Do you expect me to be awed by your percep-tiveness? Im well aware Im avoiding new relation-ships and the reason for it.

Of course you are. Youre a brilliant woman. So why dont you do something about it?

Maybe I dont want to do anything about it.

Not even to live a fuller, richer life?

You dont know how full and rich my life is com-pared to what it was before. I was lost and now Im found. She said haltingly, I was drowning in pain and Ive managed to climb to dry land. Thats enough, Logan.

Its not enough. Its time to go on.

She shook her head. You dont understand.

Im trying.

Why?

I like you, he said simply.

She stared at him. What are you up to, Logan?

I dont have an agenda. I do make new friendshellip; even if theres a risk of losing them. I like you and I admire you. I just thought Id tell you.

Before you start using me again.

Yes.

Youre totally incredible. She looked back at the monitor. Do you expect me to say all is forgiven and lets go play in the sandbox?

No, I told you, no agenda. Were past all that now. I just wanted to be honest with you for a change. Sorry I disconcerted you. He rose to his feet. Id better let you get back to work.

Yes, you had.

I thought youd have more done by now.

She was relieved that odd moment of revelation and intimacy was over and that Logans usual de-manding self was back. He was right. He had discon-certed her. It took me longer than I thought to clean up Ben. She glanced at Kessler, who was seated at the table at the far end of the lab. Gary wasnt pleased. Hes been chomping at the bit to get to work and I still need the skull for verification.

Why did you take those photographs at Barrett House?

Insurance.

How long is the superimposition going to take? This place is a little too public. I want to get out of here.

Im hurrying as fast as I can. She adjusted the camera aimed at the skull on the pedestal, and then made a minor adjustment on the second camera aimed at one of the photographs of Ben Chadbourne Logan had given her at Barrett House.

How long is this going to take? he repeated.

It depends. Setting up sometimes takes the longest, and I havent used this equipment before. I think Ive got it right.

How does it work?

Havent you got something else to do?

Just interested. Am I bothering you?

I suppose not. She made another adjustment. As you can see, the one camera is focused on the skull, the other on the photograph. The angle on the skull and the photograph both have to be the same. Then both cameras are connected to a mixer, an editing machine that Ive connected to a VCR. The VCR plays the images on the monitor. The mixer can create a split screen where a line runs vertically and horizontally between the images at the same time or half of each image. The line can be moved to show less of one image and more of the other. Thats called a wipe. Rut what I need to do is cause a fade.

And whats that?

Its sort of like a dream sequence in a movie. You know, when one image blurs and then suddenly becomes another? One image is superimposed on an-other and then I equalize the fade so that you can see the photograph and the skull both as if the persons skin is transparent.

Can you show me now?

Here it comes. She brought the two images up on the monitor and started to work.

Why did you pick the

Be quiet. Im busy.

Sorry.

She was only vaguely aware of him beside her during the next period of painstaking adjustment.

Move.

Too much.

Racktrack.

Adjust.

Again.

Again.

And still again.

Christ. Logan leaned forward, his gaze on the ghostly merged image. Its almost spooky.

Nothing spooky about it. Its just a tool.

May I talk now?

You appear to be doing it. She made another adjustment.

Why did you choose the photograph with Chadbourne smiling?

The teeth. Teeth are rarely perfect and each set has its own irregularities. If the teeth are a match, we hit the jackpot. Thats why I had to have the skull be-fore Gary started pulling the teeth.

And do these teeth match?

Oh, yes, she said with satisfaction. Definite match. Perfect match. Cant you see?

They look good to me, but Im no expert. And Im being distracted by that ghostly effect.

It all matches. She pointed. See how the bite line on the skull is even with the lip line on the photo-graph. She tapped the nasal opening. And this is the same size and shape as the nose. The eyeballs are cen-tered in the orbits of the skull. There are several other checkpoints and they all match.

So what happens now?

I print out several copies of this picture on the screen and go to the next photograph.

But you told me this was a definite match.

For an ordinary person. Not for the President of the United States. Every feature has to be verified. I need a better side shot of the ear canal and the muscle attachment at the side of the

I get your point. Logan held up his hand to stop the flow of words. Can I help?

You can go talk to Gary and pacify him until I finish. Hell be pouncing on me any minute.

I hear. I obey. He rose to his feet. Pacifying seems to be all Im good for these days. Its annoying not to be able to take action myself.

I prefer you in passive mode, she said dryly. Every time you take action, I sink deeper into this quicksand.

No comment. He strode across the lab toward Kessler.

She looked back at the screen. She had known the superimposition would validate the work shed done on the skull, but it still sent a ripple of excitement through her. One more block in the wall of evidence she had to build. Were getting there, Ben, she whispered.