Текст книги "The Face of Deception"

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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She smiled at the recollection. It had taken her a long time to be able to separate the good memories from the bad. At first she had tried to save herself from pain by closing out all thoughts of Bonnie. Then she had come to understand that that would be forgetting Bonnie and all the joy she had brought into her and Sandras lives. Bonnie deserved more than

Ms. Duncan.

She stiffened, then whirled around.

Im sorry, I didnt mean to frighten you. Im John Logan. I wonder if I could speak to you?

John Logan. If he hadnt introduced himself she would have recognized him from the photo. How could she miss that California tan? she thought sar-donically. And in that gray Armani suit and Gucci loafers, he looked as out of place in her small back-yard as a peacock. You didnt frighten me. You star-tled me.

I rang the doorbell. He smiled as he walked toward her. There was not an ounce of fat on his body, and he exuded confidence and charm. She had never liked charming men; charm could hide too much. I guess you didnt hear me.

No. She had the sudden desire to shake his con-fidence. Do you always trespass, Mr. Logan?

The sarcasm didnt faze him. Only when I really want to see someone. Could we go somewhere and talk? His gaze went to the door of her lab. Thats where you work, isnt it? Id like to see it.

How did you know its where I work?

Not from your friends at the Atlanta P.D. I understand they were very protective of your pri-vacy. He strolled forward and stood beside the door. He smiled. Please?

He was obviously accustomed to instant acquies-cence, and annoyance surged through her again. No.

His smile faded a little. I may have a proposition for you.

I know. Why else would you be here? But Im too busy to take on any more work. You should have phoned first.

I wanted to see you in person. He glanced at the lab. We should go in there and talk.

Why?

It will tell me a few things about you that I need to know.

She stared at him in disbelief. Im not applying for a position with one of your companies, Mr. Logan. I dont have to go through a personnel check. I think its time you left.

Give me ten minutes.

No, I have work to do. Good-bye, Mr. Logan.

John.

Good-bye, Mr. Logan.

He shook his head. Im staying.

She stiffened. The hell you are.

He leaned against the wall. Go on, get to work. Ill stay out here until youre ready to see me.

Dont be ridiculous. Ill probably be working until after midnight.

Then Ill see you after midnight. His manner no longer held even a hint of his previous charm. He was icy cool, tough, and totally determined.

She opened the door. Go away.

After you talk to me. It would be much easier for you to just let me have my way.

I dont like things easy. She closed the door and flicked on the light. She didnt like things easy and she didnt like being coerced by men who thought they owned the world. Okay, she was overreacting. She didnt usually let anyone disturb her composure, and he hadnt done anything but invade her space.

What the hell, her space was very important to her. Let the bastard stay out there all night.

She threw open the door at eleven thirty-five.

Come in, she said curtly. I dont want you out there when my mother comes home. You might scare her. Ten minutes.

Thank you, he said quietly. I appreciate your consideration.

No sarcasm or irony in his tone, but that didnt mean it wasnt there. Its necessity. I was hoping youd give up before this.

I dont give up if I need something. But Im surprised you didnt call your friends at the police department and have them throw me out.

Youre a powerful man. You probably have con-tacts. I didnt want to put them on the spot.

I never blame the messenger. His gaze traveled around the lab. You have a lot of room here. It looks smaller from outside.

It used to be a carriage house before it was a garage. This part of town is pretty old.

Its not what I expected. He took in the rust and beige striped couch, the green plants on the windowsill, and then the framed photos of her mother and Bonnie on the bookshelf across the room. It lookshellip; warm.

I hate cold, sterile labs. Theres no reason why I cant have comfort as well as efficiency. She sat down at her desk. Talk.

Whats that? He moved toward the corner. Two video cameras?

Its necessary for superimposition.

What is Interesting. His attention had been drawn to Mandys skull. This looks like something from a voodoo movie with all those little spears stuck in it.

Im charting it to indicate the different thick-nesses of skin.

Do you have to do that before you

Talk.

He came back and sat down beside the desk. Id like to hire you to identify a skull for me.

She shook her head. Im good, but the only sure ways of identification are dental records and DNA.

Both of those require subjects to match. I cant go that route until Im almost certain.

Why not?

It would cause difficulties.

Is this a child?

Its a man.

And you have no idea who he is?

I have an idea.

But youre not going to tell me?

He shook his head.

Are there any photos of him?

Yes, but I wont show them to you. I want you to start fresh and not construct the face you think is there.

Where were the bones found?

Marylandhellip; I think.

You dont know?

Not yet. He smiled. They havent actually been located yet.

Her eyes widened in surprise. Then what are you doing here?

I need you on the spot. I want you with me. Ill have to move fast when the skeleton is located.

And Im supposed to disrupt my work and go to Maryland on the chance that youll locate this skeleton?

Yes, he said calmly.

Bull.

Five hundred thousand dollars for two weeks work.

What?

As youve pointed out, your time is valuable. I understand you rent this house. You could buy it and still have a lot left over. All you have to do is give me two weeks.

How do you know I rent this house?

There are other people who arent as loyal as your friends at the police department. He studied her face. You dont like having dossiers gathered on you.

Youre damn right I dont.

I dont blame you. I wouldnt either.

But you still did it.

He repeated the word she had used with him. Necessity. I had to know who I was dealing with.

Then youve wasted your efforts. Because youre not dealing with me.

The money doesnt appeal to you?

Do you think Im nuts? Of course it appeals to me. I grew up poor as dirt. But my life doesnt revolve around money. I pick and choose my jobs these days, and I dont want yours.

Why not?

It doesnt interest me.

Because it doesnt concern a child?

Partly.

There are other victims besides children.

But none as helpless. She paused. Is your man a victim?

Possibly.

Murder?

He was silent a moment. Probably.

And youre sitting there asking me to go with you to a murder site? Whats to stop me from calling the police and telling them that John Logan is in-volved in a murder?

He smiled faintly. Because Id deny it. Id tell them I was thinking of having you examine the bones of that Nazi war criminal who was found buried in Bolivia. He let a couple of moments pass. And then Id pull every string I have to make your friends at the Atlanta P.D. look foolish or even criminal.

You said you wouldnt blame the messenger.

But that was before I realized how much it would bother you. Evidently the loyalty goes two ways. One uses whatever weapon ones given.

Yes, he would do that, she realized. Even while theyd been talking hed been watching her, weighing her every question and answer.

But Ive no desire to do that, he said. Im trying to be as honest as I can with you. I could have lied.

Omission can also be a lie, and youre telling me practically nothing. She stared directly into his eyes. I dont trust you, Mr. Logan. Do you think this is the first time someone like you has come and asked me to verify a skeleton? Last year a Mr. Damaro paid me a call. He offered me a lot of money to come to Florida and sculpt a face on a skull he just happened to have in his possession. He said a friend had sent it to him from New Guinea. It was supposed to be an anthropo-logical find. I called the Atlanta P.D. and it turned out that Mr. Damaro was really Juan Camez, a drug runner from Miami. His brother had disappeared two years ago and it was suspected hed been killed by a rival organization. The skull was sent to Camez as a warning.

Touching. I suppose drug runners have family feelings too.

I dont think thats funny. Tell that to the kids they hook on heroin.

Im not arguing. But I assure you that Ive no connection with organized crime. He grimaced. Well, Ive used a bookie now and then.

Is that supposed to disarm me?

Disarming you would obviously take a total global agreement. He stood up. My ten minutes are up and I wouldnt want to impose. Ill let you think about the offer and call you later.

Ive already thought about it. The answer is no.

Weve only just opened negotiations. If you wont think about it, I will. There has to be something I can offer you that will make the job worth your while. He stood looking at her with narrowed eyes. Something about me is rubbing you the wrong way. What is it?

Nothing. Other than the fact that you have a dead body you dont want anyone to know about.

Anyone but you. I very much want you to know about it. He shook his head. No, theres something else. Tell me what it is so I can clear it up.

Good night, Mr. Logan.

Well, if you cant call me John, at least drop the Mr. You dont want anyone to think youre properly respectful.

Good night, Logan.

Good night, Eve. He stopped at the pedestal and looked at the skull. You know, hes beginning to grow on me.

Shes a girl.

His smile faded. Sorry. It wasnt funny. I guess we all have our own way of dealing with what we be-come after death.

Yes, we do. But sometimes we have to face it be-fore we should. Mandy wasnt over twelve years old.

Mandy? You know who she was?

She hadnt meant to let that slip. What the hell, it didnt matter. No, but I usually give them names. Arent you glad now that I turned you down? You wouldnt want an eccentric like me working on your skull.

Oh, yes, I appreciate eccentrics. Half the men in my think tanks in San Jose are a little off center. He moved toward the door. By the way, that computer youre using is three years old. We have a newer ver-sion thats twice as fast. Ill send you one.

No, thank you. This one works fine.

Never refuse a bribe if you dont have to sign on the dotted line for return favors. He opened the door. And never leave your doors unlocked, as you did tonight. Theres no telling who could have been waiting in here for you.

I lock the lab up at night, but it would be incon-venient to keep it locked all the time. Everything in here has been insured, and I know how to protect my-self.

He smiled. I bet you do. Ill call you.

I told you that Im

She was talking to air; hed already closed the door behind him.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Not that she had the slightest doubt she would hear from him again. She had never met a man more determined to get his own way. Even when his approach had been velvet soft, the steel had shown through. Well, she had dealt with powerhouse types before. All she had to do was stick to her guns and John Logan would eventually get discouraged and leave her alone.

She stood up and went over to the pedestal. He cant be so smart, Mandy. He didnt even know you were a girl. Not that many people would have.

The desk phone rang.

Mom? She had been having trouble with the ig-nition on her car lately.

Not her mother.

I remembered something just as I reached the car, Logan said. I thought Id throw it into the pot for you to consider with the original deal.

Im not considering the original deal.

Five hundred thousand for you. Five hundred thousand to go to the Adam Fund for Missing and Runaway Children. I understand you contribute a portion of your fees to that fund. His voice lowered persuasively. Do you realize how many children could be brought home to their parents with that amount of money?

She knew better than he did. He couldnt have offered a more tempting lure. My God, Machiavelli could have taken lessons from him.

All those children. Arent they worth two weeks of your time?

They were worth a decade of her time. Not if it means doing something criminal.

Criminal acts are often in the eyes of the beholder.

Bullshit.

Suppose I promise you that I had nothing to do with any foul play connected with the skull.

Why should I believe any promise you make?

Check me out. I dont have a reputation for lying.

Reputation doesnt mean anything. People lie when it means enough to them. Ive worked hard to establish my career. I wont see it go down the drain.

There was silence. I cant promise you that you wont come out of this without a few scars, but Ill try to protect you as much as I can.

I can protect myself. All I have to do is tell you no.

But youre tempted, arent you?

Christ, she was tempted.

Seven hundred thousand to the fund.

No.

Ill call you tomorrow. He hung up the phone.

Damn him.

She replaced the receiver. The bastard knew how to push the right buttons. All that money channeled to find the other lost ones, the ones who might still be alivehellip;

Wouldnt it be worth a risk to see even some of them brought home? Her gaze went to the pedestal. Mandy might have been a runaway. Maybe if shed had a chance to come home she wouldnthellip;

I shouldnt do it, Mandy, she whispered. It could be pretty bad. People dont fork out over a mil-lion dollars for something like this if theyre even slightly on the up-and-up. I have to tell him no.

But Mandy couldnt answer. None of the dead could answer.

But the living could, and Logan had counted on her listening to the call.

Damn him.

Logan leaned back in the drivers seat, his gaze on Eve Duncans small clapboard house.

Was it enough?

Possibly. She had definitely been tempted. She had a passionate commitment to finding lost children and he had played on it as skillfully as he could.

What kind of man did that make him? he thought wearily.

A man who needed to get the job done. If she didnt succumb to his offer, hed go higher tomorrow.

She was tougher than hed thought shed be. Tough and smart and perceptive. But she had an Achilles heel.

And there was no doubt on earth that he would exploit it.

He just drove off, Fiske said into his digital phone. Should I follow him?

No, we know where hes staying. He saw Eve Duncan?

She was home all evening and he stayed over four hours.

Timwick cursed. Shes going to go for it.

I could stop her, Fiske said.

Not yet. She has friends in the police depart-ment. We dont want to make waves.

The mother?

Maybe. It would certainly cause a delay at least. Let me think about it. Stay there. Ill call you back.

Scared rabbit, Fiske thought contemptuously. He could hear the nervousness in Timwicks voice. Timwick was always thinking, hesitating instead of taking the clean, simple way. You had to decide what result you needed and then just take the step that would bring that result. If he had Timwicks power and resources, there would be no limit to what he could do. Not that he wanted Timwicks job. He liked what he did. Not many people found their niche in life as he had.

He rested his head on the back of the seat, staring at the house.

It was after midnight. The mother should be re-turning soon. Hed already unscrewed the porch light. If Timwick called him right away, he might not have to go into the house.

If the prick could make up his mind to do the smart, simple thing and let Fiske kill her.

THREE

"You know youre going to do it, Mama, Bonnie said. I dont understand why youre worrying so much.

Eve sat up in bed and looked at the window seat. When she came, Bonnie was always in the window seat with her jean-clad legs crossed I dont know any such thing.

You wont be able to help yourself. Trust me.

Since youre only my dream, you cant know more than what I know.

Bonnie sighed. Im not your dream. Im a ghost, Mama. What do I have to do to convince you? Being a ghost shouldnt be this hard

You can tell me where you are.

I dont know where he buried me. I wasnt there anymore.

Convenient.

Mandy doesnt know either. But she likes you.

If shes there with you, then whats her real name.

Names dont matter anymore to us, Mama.

They matter to me.

Bonnie smiled. Because you probably need to put a name to love. Its really not necessary.

Very profound for a seven-year-old

Well, for goodness sake, its been ten years. Stop trying to trap me. Who says a ghost doesnt grow up? I couldnt stay seven forever.

You look the same.

Because Im what you want to see. She leaned back against the alcove wall. Youre working too hard, Mama. Ive been worrying about you. Maybe this job with Logan will be good for you.

Im not taking the job.

Bonnie smiled

Im not, Eve repeated.

Whatever. Bonnie was staring out the window. You were thinking about me and the honeysuckle tonight I like it when you feel good about me.

Youve told me that before.

So Im repeating it You were hurting too much in the beginning. I couldnt get near you.hellip;

Youre not near me now. Youre only a dream.

Am I? Bonnie looked back at her, and a loving smile lit her face. Then you wont mind if your dream stays around a little longer? Sometimes I get so lone-some for you, Mama.

Bonnie. Love. Here.

Oh, God, here.

It didnt matter that it was a dream.

Yes, stay, she whispered huskily. Please stay, baby.

The sun was streaming through the window when Eve opened her eyes the next morning. She glanced at the clock and immediately sat up in bed. It was al-most eight-thirty and she always got up at seven. She was surprised her mother hadnt come in to check on her.

She swung her feet to the floor and headed down the hall to the shower, rested and optimistic as she usually was after dreaming of Bonnie. A psychiatrist would have a field day with those dreams, but she didnt give a damn. She had started dreaming of Bonnie three years after her death. The dreams came frequently, but there was no telling when shed have them or what triggered them. Maybe when she had a problem and needed to work through it? At any rate, the effect was always positive. When she awoke she felt composed and capable, as she did today, confident that she could take on the world.

And John Logan.

She dressed quickly in jeans and a loose white shirt, her uniform when she was working, and ran down the stairs to the kitchen.

Mom, I overslept. Why didnt you

No one was in the kitchen. No smell of bacon, no frying pans on the stovehellip; The room appeared the same as it had been at midnight when shed come in.

And Sandra hadnt been home when shed gone to bed. She glanced out the window, and relief rushed through her. Her mothers car was parked in its usual spot in the driveway.

Shed probably gotten in late and had overslept too. It was Saturday and she didnt have to work.

Eve would have to be careful not to mention shed been worried, she thought ruefully. Sandra had no-ticed Eves tendency toward overprotection and had a perfect right to resent it.

She poured a glass of orange juice from the re-frigerator, reached for the portable phone on the wall, and dialed Joe at the precinct.

Diane says you havent called her, he said. You should be phoning her, not me.

This afternoon, I promise. She sat down at the kitchen table. Tell me about John Logan.

There was silence at the other end of the line. Hes contacted you?

Last night.

A job?

Yes.

What kind of job?

I dont know. Hes not telling me much.

You must be thinking about it if youre calling me. What did he use as bait?

The Adam Fund.

Christ, has he got your number.

Hes smart. I want to know how smart. She took a sip of orange juice. And how honest.

Well, hes not in the same category as your Miami drug runner.

Thats not very comforting. Has he ever done anything criminal?

Not as far as I know. Not in this country.

Isnt he a U.S. citizen?

Yes, but when he was first establishing his com-pany he spent a number of years in Singapore and Tokyo trying to improve his products and studying marketing strategies.

It seems to have worked. Were you joking when you said he probably left a few bodies by the wayside?

Yes. We dont know much about those years he spent abroad. The people who came in contact with him are tough as hell and they respect him. Does that tell you anything?

That I should be careful.

Right. He has the reputation of being a straight shooter and he inspires loyalty in his employees. But you have to consider that all of that is on the surface.

Can you find out anything more for me?

Like what?

Anything. Whats he been doing lately thats un-usual? Will you dig a little deeper for me?

Youve got it. Ill start right away. He paused. But its not going to come cheap. You call Diane this afternoon and you come down to the lake house with us next weekend.

I dont have time to She sighed. Ill be there.

And without any bones rattling around in your suitcase.

Okay.

And you have to have a good time.

I always have a good time with you and Diane. But I dont know why you put up with me.

Its called friendship. Sound familiar?

Yeah, thanks, Joe.

For digging out the dirt on Logan?

No. For having been the only one holding back the madness that had clawed at her during all those nights of horror, and for all the years of work and companionship that had followed. She cleared her throat. Thanks for being my friend.

Well, as your friend, Id advise you to go very carefully with Mr. Logan.

Its a lot of money for the kids, Joe.

And he knew how to manipulate you.

He didnt manipulate me. I havent made any decision yet. She finished her orange juice. Ive got to get to work. Youll let me know?

That I will.

She hung up the phone and rinsed out her glass.

Coffee?

No, shed make a pot at the lab. On weekends Mom usually came down in the middle of the morning and had coffee with her. It was a nice break for both of them.

She took the lab key from the blue bowl on the counter, ran down the porch steps, and started for the lab.

Stop thinking about Logan. She had work to do. She had Mandys head to finish and she had to go over that packet the LAPD had sent her last week.

Logan would call her today or come to the house. She hadnt the slightest doubt. Well, he could talk all he pleased. He wouldnt get an answer from her. She had to find out more about

The lab door was ajar.

She froze on the path.

She knew she had locked it the previous night as she always did. The key had been in the blue bowl, where she always threw it.

Mom?

No, the door jamb was splintered as if the lock had been jimmied. It had to have been a thief.

She slowly pushed open the door.

Blood.

Sweet Jesus, blood everywherehellip;

Blood on the walls.

On the shelves.

On the desk.

Bookcases had been hurled to the floor and ap-peared to have been chopped to pieces. The couch was overturned, the glass on all the picture frames had been shattered.

And the bloodhellip;

Her heart leapt to her throat.

Mom? Had she come to the lab and surprised the thief?

She strode forward, panic making her heart race.

My God, its Tom-Tom.

Eve whirled to see her mother standing in the doorway. Relief turned her knees weak.

Her mother was staring at a corner of the room. Who would do that to a poor little cat?

Eves gaze followed hers and her stomach lurched. The Persian was covered with blood and barely recog-nizable. Tom-Tom belonged to their neighbor but spent a lot of time in their yard chasing the birds at-tracted by the honeysuckle.

Mrs. Dobbins is going to be heartbroken. Her mother stepped into the room. That old cat was the only thing she was close to in the world. Why would Her gaze had moved to the floor by the side of the desk. Oh, Eve, Im sorry. All your workhellip;

Her computer had been smashed, and beside it lay Mandys skull, shattered and destroyed with the same cruelty and efficiency that had been used on everything else in the room.

She fell to her knees beside the pieces of the skull. It would take a miracle to put it together again.

Mandyhellip; lost. Maybe forever.

Was anything taken? Sandra asked.

Not that I can tell. She closed her eyes. Mandyhellip; They just destroyed everything.

Vandals? But weve got such nice kids in the neighborhood. They wouldnt

No. She opened her eyes. Will you go call Joe, Mom? Ask him to come right away. She looked at the cat, and tears rose to her eyes. He was almost nineteen and deserved to have a kinder death. And get a little box and a sheet. While were waiting, well take Tom-Tom to Mrs. Dobbins and help her bury him. Well tell her he was run over by a car. Its kinder than telling her that some mindless savage did this.

Right. Sandra hurried outside.

Mindless savage.

The destruction was savage, but it was neither mindless nor random. Instead, it was thorough and systematic. Whoever had done this had wanted to shock and hurt her.

She gently stroked a piece of Mandys skull. Vio-lence had touched the girl even in death. It shouldnt have happened to her any more than brutality should have ended the life of that poor little cat. Both were wrong. So wrong.

She carefully gathered up the skull pieces, but there was no place to put them. The pedestal across the room was smashed like everything else. She laid the pieces on the blood-smeared desk.

But why was the skull on this side of the room? she wondered suddenly. The vandal had deliberately carried it over before smashing it. Why?

Then the thought flew out of her mind as she saw the blood dripping from the top drawer of the desk.

Oh, God, more?

She didnt want to open the drawer. She wouldnt open it.

She did.

She screamed and jumped back.

A river of blood inside and, in the middle of the sticky pool, a dead rat.

She slammed the drawer shut.

Ive got the box and sheet. Her mother had reappeared. Do you want me to do it?

Eve shook her head. Sandra looked as squeamish as Eve felt. Ill do it. Is Joe coming?

Right away.

Eve took the sheet, braced herself, and then moved toward the cat.

Its all right, Tom-Tom. Were taking you home.

Joe met her on the doorstep of the lab two hours later. He took one look and handed her his handkerchief. Theres a smudge on your cheek.

We just buried Tom-Tom. She wiped her tear-stained cheeks. Moms still with Mrs. Dobbins. She loved that cat. It was her child.

Id want to kill someone if they did anything to my retriever. He shook his head. We dusted but didnt come up with any prints. He probably wore gloves. We did find partial footprints in the blood. Big, probably belongs to a man, and only one set, so Id bet it was a single perpetrator. Is there anything missing?

Not that I can tell. Justhellip; destroyed.

I dont like it. Joe glanced back over his shoulder at the wreckage. Someone took a long time to do that thorough a job. It was pretty vicious and it doesnt look random to me.

I didnt think so either. Someone wanted to hurt me.

Any kids in the neighborhood?

None Id suspect. This was too cold.

Have you called the insurance company?

Not yet.

Better do it.

She nodded. Only the day before shed told Logan she wasnt worried about leaving the lab unlocked. She hadnt imagined anything like this could happen. I feel sick, Joe.

I know. He took her hand and squeezed it com-fortingly. Ill have a black and white keep an eye on the house. Or how about you and your mom coming to my place for a few days?

She shook her head.

Okay. He hesitated. I should get back to the precinct. I want to check records, see if theres been any similar crimes in the area lately. You going to be all right?

Ill be fine. Thanks for coming, Joe.

I wish I could do more. Well question your neighbors and see if we come up with anything.

She nodded. Except for Mrs. Dobbins. Dont send anyone to her house.

Right. If you need me, just call.

She watched him walk away and then turned back to the lab. She didnt want to go inside. She didnt want to see that violence and ugliness again.

She had to do it. She had to make sure nothing was missing and then call the insurance company. She braced herself and then walked in. Again, the blood struck her like a blow. God, she had been so frightened when she had thought that blood might be her mothers.

Dead cats and butchered rats and blood. So much blood.

No.

She ran out the door and sank down on the doorstep. Cold. She was so cold. She clasped her arms around her body in a futile attempt to banish the chill.

Theres a police car parked outside. Are you all right?

She looked up to see Logan standing a few feet away. She couldnt deal with him now. Go away.

Whats wrong?

Go away.

He looked behind her at the doorway. Some-thing happened?

Yes.

Ill be right back. He went past her into the lab. He was back beside her in a few minutes. Very nasty.

They killed my neighbors cat. They smashed Mandy.

I saw the shattered bones on the desk. He paused. Was that where you found them?

She shook her head. On the floor beside it.

But you and your mother werent hurt?

Lord, she wished she could stop shivering. Go away, I dont want to talk to you.

Wheres your mother?

At Mrs. Dobbinss. Her cat Go away.

Not until someones here to take care of you. He pulled her to her feet. Come on, were going to the house.

I dont need anyone to take care He was half tugging her down the path. Let me go. Dont touch me.

As soon as I get you to the house and get some-thing hot inside you.

She pulled her arm away from him. I dont have time to sit around having coffee. I have to call the in-surance company.

Ill do it. He nudged her gently up the steps and into the kitchen. Ill handle everything.

I dont want you to handle everything. I want you to go away.

Then be quiet and let me get you something to drink. He pushed her down into a chair at the table. Its the quickest way to get rid of me.

I dont want to sit She gave up. She was in no shape to do battle just then. Hurry up.

Yes, maam. He turned toward the cabinet. Wheres the coffee?

In the blue canister on the counter.

He ran water into the carafe. When did it happen?

Last night. Sometime after midnight.

You locked the lab?

Of course I did.

Easy. He measured coffee into the coffeemaker. You didnt hear anything?

No.

Im surprised, with all that damage.

Joe said he knew exactly what he was doing.