Текст книги "The Face of Deception"

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

It doesnt matter. Im not accustomed to ser-vants, and food isnt a high priority for me.

His gaze ran over her. I can tell. Youre lean as a greyhound.

I like greyhounds, Gil said as he carried the luggage into the hall. Graceful and those great, big wistful eyes. I had one once. Nearly killed me when he died. Where do you want her bags?

The first door at the head of the stairs, Logan said.

Right. Gil started up the steps. Pretty boring. My quarters are in the old carriage house, Eve. You should ask him to put you out there. More privacy.

This will be more convenient to the lab, Logan said.

And more convenient for Logan to keep tabs on me, Eve thought.

Margaret must have gone to bed. Youll meet her in the morning. I think youll find everything you need in your room.

I want to see my lab.

Now?

Yes. You may not have equipped it properly. I may have to supplement it.

Then by all means come with me. Its one of the added rooms in the back. I havent seen it myself. I had Margaret get you everything she thought youd need.

The efficient Margaret again.

Not only efficient. Exceptional.

She followed Logan across a huge living room with a fireplace large enough to walk into, plank floors covered by woven hemp carpets, and oversized leather furniture. It looked like a lodge, she decided.

He led her down a short hall and then opened a door. Here you are.

Coldness. Sterility. Gleaming stainless steel and glass.

Oops. Logan grimaced. This must be Mar-garets idea of scientific heaven. Ill try to warm it up for you.

It doesnt matter. I wont be here that long. She strode over to the pedestal. It was sturdy and ad-justable. The three video cameras on tripods next to it were top-notch, as were the computer, mixer, and VCR. She moved over to the workbench. The mea-suring instruments were high-grade, but she pre-ferred the ones she had brought with her. She took the wooden box from the shelf above the bench, and sixteen sets of eyes stared up at her. All variations of hazel, gray, green, blue, brown. Blue and brown would have been sufficient, she said. Brown is the most prevalent eye color.

I told her to get you everything you could pos-sibly need.

Well, she did that. She turned to look at him. When can I start to work?

In a day or two. Im waiting for word.

And Im supposed to sit here and twiddle my thumbs?

Would you like me to dig you up one of the Bar-retts to practice on?

No, I want to finish the job and go home.

You gave me two weeks. He turned away. Come on, youre tired. Ill show you to your room.

She was tired. She felt as if a thousand years had passed since she had walked to her lab that morning. She had a sudden pang of homesickness. What was she doing here? She didnt belong in this strange house with a man she didnt trust.

The Adam Fund. It didnt matter whether she be-longed here or not. She had a job and a purpose. She came toward him. I meant what I said. I wont do anything criminal.

I know you meant it.

Which didnt mean he accepted it. She flicked off the overhead light and moved past him into the hall. Are you going to tell me why you brought me here and why I should do what you want me to do?

He smiled. Why, its your patriotic duty.

Bull. Her gaze narrowed on his face. Politics?

Why do you assume that?

Youre known for your activities in public view and behind the scenes.

I suppose I should be relieved that you no longer think Im a mass murderer.

I didnt say that. Im exploring all options. Politics?

Possibly.

A sudden thought occurred to her. My God, are you trying to smear someone?

I dont believe in smear campaigns. Lets say things arent always what they seem, and I believe in bringing the truth to light.

If its to your advantage.

He nodded mockingly. Of course.

I dont want to be part of it.

Youre not part of ithellip; unless Im right. If Im wrong, you go home and we forget you were ever here. He was preceding her up the stairs. What could be more fair?

Maybe his reason didnt involve politics. Maybe it was entirely personal. Well see.

Yes, we will. He opened her door and stood aside. Goodnight,Eve.

Good night. She went inside and closed the door. The room was country comfortable with a canopy bed with a rust and cream quilt, simple pine furniture. The only thing in it that interested her was the telephone on the end table. She sat down on the bed and dialed Joe Quinns number.

Hello, he answered sleepily.

Joe, Eve.

His voice lost all trace of drowsiness. Is every-thing okay?

Fine. Im sorry to wake you, but I just wanted to tell you where I am and give you my phone number here. She rattled off the number printed on the ex-tension. Got it?

Got it. Where the hell are you?

Barrett House. Logans place in Virginia.

And this couldnt wait until morning?

Probably. But I wanted you to know. I feelhellip; disconnected.

You sound uneasy as the devil. You took the job?

Why else would I be here?

And whats scaring you?

Im not scared.

The hell youre not. You havent called me in the middle of the night since Bonnie

Im not afraid. I just wanted you to know. She had a thought. Logan has a driver, Gil Price. He used to be in the Air Force Military Police.

You want me to check him out?

Ihellip; think so.

No problem.

And youll watch out for my mother while Im gone?

Sure, you know I will. Ill ask Diane to go over and have coffee with her tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks, Joe. Go back to sleep.

Yeah, sure. He paused. I dont like this. Be careful, Eve.

Theres nothing to be careful about. Bye.

She hung up the phone and stood. Shed take a shower, wash her hair, and then get to bed. She really shouldnt have woken up Joe, but hearing a familiar voice made her feel better. Everything about this place was low-key and unthreatening, including lik-able Gil Price, but she was still on edge. She couldnt tell how much was authentic and how much had been layered on to disarm her, and she didnt like being so isolated.

But now she had a link to the outside world.

Joe would be her safety net while she was walking this tightrope.

Eve? Diane Quinn rolled over in bed and propped her head on her hand. Is everything all right?

Joe nodded. I think so. I dont know. She took a job that may not be Forget it. Probably nothing to worry about.

But Joe would worry, Diane thought. He always worried about Eve.

He lay back down and pulled up the covers. Go by and visit her mother tomorrow, will you?

Sure. She turned out the light and cuddled closer. Whatever you say. Now go back to sleep.

I will.

He wouldnt go back to sleep. Hed lie there in the darkness thinking and worrying about Eve. Smother the resentment. She had a good marriage. Joe had in-herited enough money from his parents to give them a comfortable lifestyle even without his salary. He was thoughtful, generous, and great in bed. Shed known when she married him that he and Eve were a package deal. It hadnt taken her long to realize the bond between Joe and Eve was too strong to break. They were so close, sometimes they finished each others sentences.

But that bond wasnt sexual. Not yet. Maybe never. That part of him was still hers.

So smother the envy and resentment. Be Eves friend, be Joes wife.

Because she was bitterly aware she couldnt be one without being the other.

She called Joe Quinn thirty minutes ago. Gil set a sheet of paper on the desk in front of Logan. Heres a transcript Mark made of the conversation.

Logan smiled faintly as he glanced through the text. I dont believe she trusts us, Gil.

Smart lady. Gil threw himself into the easy chair across the room and draped a leg over the arm. Now, Im not surprised she doesnt trust you. Youre pretty transparent, but it takes someone ultrapercep-tive to suspect me.

Its not your acting ability, its those damn freckles. He frowned. Ive been trying to contact Scott Maren in Jordan. Any calls?

No calls. Then he snapped his fingers. Except from your lawyer, Novak.

He can wait.

Do you want Mark to foul up the connection if she tries to call again?

He shook his head. Shed only use her digital. She still might if she knows the phone in her room is bugged.

Whatever you say. He paused. When do we go for it?

Soon.

He lifted a brow. You wouldnt be holding out on me, would you?

I have to make sure everythings right. Timwicks been too close on my tail.

You can trust me, John.

I said Im waiting.

All right, you closemouthed bastard. Gil stood up and strolled toward the door. But I dont like going in blind.

You wont.

Ill take that as a promise. Get some sleep.

I will.

When the door closed behind Gil, Logan glanced down at the transcript again and then tossed it to one side. Joe Quinn. He couldnt afford to underestimate the detective. Eve had inspired intense loyalty in Quinn. Loyalty and friendship and what else? he wondered. Quinn was married, but that didnt matter.

Hell, it wasnt any of his business if it didnt in-terfere with what he needed Eve to do. Besides, he had enough to worry about.

Scott Maren was wandering around Jordan and might be taken down at any minute.

Timwick might have seen through Logan and drawn conclusions. Those conclusions would frighten him enough to give the order to secure his position.

Logan couldnt wait to get hold of Maren.

He pulled out his personal phone book and flipped it open to the back page. There were only three names and telephone numbers on the page.

Dora Bentz.

James Cadro.

Scott Maren.

Bentzs and Cadros telephones might be bugged, but he should still call and verify they were all right. Then hed send someone to pick them up.

He reached for the telephone and dialed the first phone number.

Dora Bentz.

The phone was ringing.

Fiske finished tying the womans legs to the bedposts and pushed her nightgown up above her waist.

She was in her fifties, but she had damn nice legs. Too bad about that pouchy belly. She should have worked out, he thought. Situps would have taken care of that pouch. He did two hundred situps a day and his own belly was iron hard.

He got a broom out of the kitchen closet and came back to the bed.

The phone was still ringing. Persistent.

He shoved the broom up the woman. The killing had to look like a sex crime, but he wouldnt risk ejacu-lating inside her. Semen was evidence. Many serial killers had trouble ejaculating anyway, and the broom was a nice touch. It spelled out woman hatred and home desecration.

Anything else?

Six deep, savage wounds on her breasts, duct tape over her mouth, the open windowhellip;

No, it was a clean job.

Hed have liked to stay awhile and admire his handiwork, but the phone hadnt stopped ringing.

Whoever was on the other end might get worried and call the police.

One more check. He walked to the head of the bed and gazed down at her.

She stared back at him, her eyes as wide open, her expression as terrified as when hed plunged the knife into her heart.

He took out the envelope with the photographs and the typewritten list Timwick had given him at the airport. He liked lists; they kept the world in order.

Three photographs. Three names. Three addresses.

He crossed Dora Bentzs name off the list.

The phone was still ringing as he left her apart-ment.

No answer.

It was three-thirty in the morning. There should have been an answer.

Logan slowly replaced the receiver.

It didnt have to mean anything. Dora Bentz had married children who lived in Buffalo, New York. She could be visiting them. She could be on vacation anywhere.

Or she could be dead.

Timwick could be moving quickly to tie up all the loose ends.

Shit, Logan had thought he had time.

Maybe he was jumping to conclusions.

Hell, so what? Hed always trusted his instincts, and they were shouting at him now.

But sending Gil to check on Dora Bentz would be a tip-off. Timwick would know what he only sus-pected now. Logan could try to save Dora Bentz or he could remain safe for a few more days.

Shit

He picked up the phone and dialed Gils number in the carriage house.

Lights. Moving lights.

Eve stopped drying her hair, slowly got up, and went to the window.

The black limousine that had picked them up at the airport was gliding down the driveway toward the gates.

Logan?

Gil Price?

It was almost four oclock in the morning. Where would anyone be going at this hour?

She doubted if shed be told if she asked to-morrow morning.

But shed damn well do it anyway.

SIX

Eve didnt fall asleep until five, and then her slumber was restless. She woke at nine but forced herself to stay in bed until almost ten, when a thun-derous knock sounded on the door.

The door opened before she could answer, and a small, plump woman strode into the room. Hi, Im Margaret Wilson. Heres the gate control you wanted. She set the remote on the nightstand. Sorry if I woke you, but John says I screwed up on the lab. How the hell was I to know you wanted pretty? What do I need to get? Pillows? Rugs?

Nothing. Eve sat up in bed and gazed curiously at Margaret Wilson. The woman was probably in her early forties. The gray gabardine pantsuit she wore slimmed her plump figure and complemented her dark, sleek hair and hazel eyes. I told him that I wasnt going to be here long enough for it to matter.

It matters. John likes things right. So do I. Whats your favorite color?

Green, I guess.

I should have known. Redheads are pretty predictable.

Im not a redhead.

Well, almost. She looked around the room. This kind of thing okay?

Eve nodded as she threw back the covers and got out of bed.

Good, then Ill get on the phone and order some stuff. It should be Oh, my God, youre a giant.

What?

Margaret was glowering at her. How the hell tall are you?

Five nine.

A giant. Youll make me feel like a midget. I hate tall, skinny women. They do something to my psyche and I become over aggressive.

Youre not that small.

Youre patronizing me. She grimaced. And Im being defensive. Oh, well, Ill have to fight it. Ill just keep telling myself that Im much smarter than you. Get dressed and come on down to the kitchen. Well grab some cereal and then Ill take you for a walk around the grounds.

Thats not necessary.

Sure it is. John wants you kept happy and he says you dont have anything to do right away. If youre anything like me, youll go crazy. She headed for the door. But well take care of it. Fifteen minutes?

Fine. She wondered what the response would have been if she had said otherwise. Margarets tac-tics made a steamroller look subtle.

But it was hard not to like her. She hadnt smiled once, but she exuded a vibrant energy and cheerful-ness. She was blunt, bold, and like no one Eve had ever met. She was a breath of fresh air after the dark tension she sensed in Logan.

The Barrett family graveyard. Margaret waved a hand at the small iron-fenced cemetery. Theres no grave later than 1922. Do you want to go in?

Eve shook her head.

Thank God. Cemeteries depress me, but I thought you might be interested.

Why?

I dont know. All those bones and stuff you work with.

I dont hang around graveyards like some kind of ghoul, but they dont bother me. Particularly family cemeteries. No lost ones here, and it was ex-tremely well kept. All the graves were even covered with pallets of fresh carnations. Where did all the flowers come from? Are there Barretts still in the neighborhood?

No, the direct line died out about twenty years ago. She pointed at a gravestone. Randolph Barrett. The family scattered over the years and Randolph Barrett was the last to be buried here back in 1922. The graveyard was in pretty sad shape when John bought the property. He gave orders for it to be cleaned up and fresh flowers brought in every week.

Im surprised. I wouldnt think Logan would be that sentimental.

Well, you never know what John is going to do. But Im glad he brought in a landscaper for this job. Like I said, cemeteries depress me.

Eve turned and started down the hill. They dont depress me. Sadden me, maybe. Particularly the babies graves. Before modern medicine, so many children didnt live to grow up. Do you have any children?

Margaret shook her head. I was married once, but we both had careers and were too busy to think about kids.

Your job must be very demanding.

Yep.

And varied. She paused. Like this one. You cant say that skeleton hunting is in many peoples job description.

I dont hunt, I just do what Im told.

That could be dangerous.

John will keep me clear of trouble. He always has before.

Hes done this before?

Bones? No, but hes been known to walk some mighty thin lines.

But you trust him?

Hell, yes.

Even if you dont know what hes looking for? Or do you?

Margaret grinned. Stop pumping me. I dont know anything about anything and I wouldnt tell you if I did.

You wont even tell me if it was Logan who left in the middle of the night?

Sure. Johns still here. I saw him before he disap-peared into his study this morning. It was Gil who left.

Why?

Margaret shrugged. Ask John. She added bluntly, You came here because John made it worth your while. I handled the transfer to the Adam Fund. Hell tell you everything when he thinks its time. Trust him.

I dont have your faith in him. She glanced at the carriage house. Is that where the gates are monitored?

Margaret nodded. Its a pretty elaborate system with video cameras all over the place. Mark Slater does all the monitoring.

I havent met him yet.

He doesnt come up to the house much.

Does Logans house on the West Coast have se-curity like this?

Sure, there are lots of nuts out there. Men in Johns position are prime targets. Her pace quick-ened. I have some work to do. Will you be okay if I leave you alone this afternoon?

Yes. You dont have to baby-sit me, Margaret.

Actually, I enjoyed it. Youre not what I expected from a bone lady.

Bone lady. Thats what Gil had called her. The correct term is forensic sculptor.

Whatever. Like I said, I expected someone very cool and professional. Hence the mistake I made with the lab. Not that Id admit to John that I made a mis-take. I told him it was all his fault because he didnt let me know what I had to contend with. Its not good for him to know that Im not perfect. It would make him feel insecure.

Eve smiled. I cant imagine that.

Everyone has insecure moments, even me. She added gloomily, But only when I stand next to giants like you. It comes from growing up a shrimp with four six-foot brothers. Is your mother tall?

No, only medium height.

Okay, then youre a freak and Ill magnani-mously forgive you. I wont mention it again.

Thank you. I appreciate the

I was wondering where you were. Logan had come out of the house and was walking toward them. Did you have a good night? he asked Eve.

No.

I have those reports to finish, Margaret said quickly. See you later, Eve.

Eve nodded, her gaze on Logan. Dressed in black jeans and sweatshirt, he looked very different from the man she had met that first day. Not only because of the clothes, but because he seemed to have stripped off the sleek image and completely discarded it.

Strange bed?

Partly. Why did Gil Price leave right after we got here last night?

I had an errand for him to run.

At four in the morning?

He nodded. It was a rather urgent errand. He should be back tonight. He paused. I was hoping youd have a day or two to become acclimated to the situation, but we may have to pick up the pace.

Good, I dont need to become acclimated. Just bring me the bones and let me get to work.

We may have to go to them.

She stiffened. What?

You may have to do a cursory examination right after we excavate and determine if its worthwhile to bring the skeleton here. My source could have lied, and the skull might be damaged too badly for a face to be reconstructed.

You want me to be there when you dig it up?

Maybe.

Forget it. Im not a grave robber.

It may be necessary for you to be there. That could be the only

Forget it.

Well talk about it later. It may not be necessary. Did you enjoy the graveyard?

Why does everyone assume I enjoy grave Her gaze narrowed on his face. How did you know I was at the cemetery? She glanced at the carriage house. Of course, your video cameras. I dont like being spied on, Logan.

The cameras scan the grounds continuously. They just happened to catch you and Margaret at the cemetery.

It could be true, but she doubted if anything just happened in Logans life. I liked the fresh flowers.

Well, Im living in the Barretts house. I figured that was the least I could do.

Its your house now.

Is it? The Barretts built the inn, they lived and worked here for over a hundred and sixty years and saw a lot of history troop by. Did you know Abraham Lincoln stayed here right before the end of the Civil War?

Another Republican. No wonder you bought the place.

Some of the places Lincoln stayed in I wouldnt have touched on a bet. I value my comfort too much. He opened the front door for her. Have you called your mother?

No, Ill do that this evening when she gets home from work. She smiled. Providing shes not out on the town. Shes keeping company with a lawyer from the D.A.s office.

Hes lucky. She seemed very nice.

Yes, and shes smart too. After Bonnie was born, she finished high school and then went to technical school to learn court reporting.

She finished school after your daughter He stopped. Sorry, Im sure you dont want to talk about your daughter.

I dont mind talking about Bonnie. Why should I? Im very proud of her. She came into our lives and made everything different. She added simply, Love can do that, you know.

So Ive heard.

Its true. Id tried to get my mother off crack, but couldnt. Maybe I was too bitter and resentful. God knows, sometimes I thought I hated her. But Bonnie came and I changed. Somehow all the bitter-ness was gone. And my mother changed too. I dont know whether it was just the right time and point in her life or it was because she knew she had to get off the crack in order to help me raise Bonnie. My God, how she loved Bonnie. No one could help but love her.

I can understand that. I saw her picture.

Wasnt she beautiful? She smiled luminously. So happy. She was always so happy. She loved every waking hour that she She had to swallow to ease the tightness in her throat and then said brusquely, Im sorry, I have to stop talking now. I can go only so far, and then it starts to hurt. But Im getting better all the time.

Christ, stop apologizing, he said roughly. Im sorry I made you talk about her.

You didnt make me do anything. Its important that I keep her with me, that I never let myself forget her. She existed. She became a part of me, maybe the best part. She turned away from him. And now I think Ill go to my lab and see if I can do a little work on Mandy.

He looked at her in surprise. You brought those fragments with you?

Of course. Theres probably not much I can do with them, but I couldnt give up without trying.

He smiled. No, I can see you couldnt.

She felt his eyes on her as she walked away. She probably shouldnt have shown him how vulnerable she could be, but the conversation had seemed to flow from one subject to another. Logan had listened in-tently and sympathetically and made her feel as if he really cared. Maybe he did care. Maybe he wasnt the manipulator she suspected him of being.

And maybe he was. What the hell difference did it make? She wasnt ashamed of how she felt about Bonnie, and there was no way he could twist anything she had said and use it against her. The only advantage he might have gained was that she felt a little closer to him now; the very act of talking to him about Bonnie had caused the most tentative of bonds to be formed. But a connection that tentative was easy to break and wouldnt influence her in any way.

She opened the door of the lab and went directly to the briefcase she had left on the desk. She unlocked it and began taking the skull fragments out of the case. Putting them together would be like working on a jigsaw puzzle with some pieces the size of tiny splin-ters. What was she thinking? she wondered in despair. It was crazy, probably impossible.

The task would be impossible if she took that attitude, she thought impatiently. Reconstructing Mandy was her job, and shed find a way to do it. The connection with Mandy was one she could trust, a bond she could afford to hold on to.

Hello, Mandy. She sat down at the desk and picked up a nasal bone, the largest left intact. I guess well start here. Dont worry. It may take a long time, but well get there.

Dora Bentz is dead, Gil said baldly when Logan picked up the phone.

Shit. His hand tightened on the receiver.

Stabbed to death and apparently raped. She was found by her sister in her apartment about ten this morning. They were planning on going to an aerobics class together. The sister had a key and let herself in after she kept knocking and didnt get an answer. The window was open and the police think its a simple rape-murder.

Simple, hell.

If its not, it was done very well, Gil said. Ex-tremely well.

Like the vandalism of Eves lab in Atlanta. Were you followed?

No doubt about it. You knew I would be.

Can you find out from one of your old buddies who Timwick might be using?

Maybe. Ill put out some feelers. Do you want me to come back there?

No. Ive been trying to contact James Cadro all morning. According to his office, hes camping with his wife in the Adirondacks. He paused. Hurry. I wasnt the first one to inquire about him.

Do we know where in the Adirondacks?

Somewhere near Jonesburg.

Great. Thats what I like. Precise directions. Im on my way.

Logan replaced the phone. Dora Bentz dead. He could have saved her if hed acted yesterday. But, dammit, hed thought theyd all be safer if he didnt display any interest in them, if he seemed to ignore their existence.

He was wrong. Dora Bentz was dead.

It was too late for her but maybe not for the others. A distraction could possibly save lives and give him the witnesses he desperately needed.

But he couldnt move fast without Eve Duncan. She was the key. He had to be patient and let her begin to trust him.

Trust building would be a slow process with someone as wary as Eve. She was smart and some-where along the way she would find out that there was more danger to her and her family than an act of vandalism.

Scratch trust.

Then find a way to overcome her resistance and catapult her into his camp.

He leaned back in his chair and began to go over the possibilities.

Hi. Margaret stuck her head into the lab. The decorators in charge of warming up the lab are here. Can you vacate the place for an hour and let them do their thing?

Eve frowned. I told you it wasnt necessary.

The lab isnt perfect, therefore its necessary. I dont do my job halfway.

Only an hour?

I told them you didnt want to be bothered and theyd lose the sale if they took longer. And you do have to eat. She checked her watch. Its almost seven. How about having soup and a sandwich with me while we wait?

Just a minute. She carefully moved the board with Mandys bones to the bottom drawer of the desk. Tell them not to touch the desk or theyll lose more than a sale. Ill murder them.

Right. Margaret turned and disappeared.

Eve took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. A break would probably be good. She had made only a little progress in several hours and her frustration was growing. But a little progress was better than none. Shed tackle the work again after eating.

She encountered six men and two women in the hallway, bearing accent pillows, chairs, and carpets, and had to press back against the wall to avoid the stampede.

This way. Margaret took her arm, maneuvered her around two men carrying a rolled carpet, and led her toward the kitchen. Its not as massive an under-taking as it looks. One hour, I promise.

Im not timing you. A few minutes either way isnt going to matter.

Not going too well? Margaret asked sympa-thetically. Too bad. They entered the kitchen and Margaret gestured to the two places set at the kitchen table. I made tomato soup and cheese sandwiches. Is that okay?

Fine. Eve sat down, picked up her napkin, and spread it on her lap. Im not that hungry.

Im starved, but Im on a diet and trying to be good. She sat down opposite Eve and looked at her accusingly. Youve obviously never been on a diet in your life.

Eve smiled. Sorry.

You should be. She reached for the TV remote on the counter. Mind if I turn on the set? The Presi-dents having a press conference. John has me tape and listen to all of them and report to him if theres any-thing interesting.

I dont mind. She began to eat. If you dont mind my not paying any attention to it. Politics isnt my cup of tea.

Nor mine. But John is fairly obsessed with it.

I heard about the fund-raisers. Do you think he wants to go into politics himself ?

She shook her head. He couldnt stand the bull-shit. She watched the TV for a moment. Chadbournes damn good. Hes practically oozing warmth. Did you know theyre calling him the most charis-matic president since Reagan?

No. Its a big job and charisma doesnt get the work done.

But it can get you elected. She nodded at the TV. Look at him. Everyone says he might carry Con-gress this time.

Eve looked. Ben Chadbourne was a big man in his late forties with a handsome face and gray eyes that sparkled with life and humor. He answered one of the reporters questions with a good-natured jab. The room erupted into laughter.

Impressive, Margaret said. And Lisa Chadbournes not chopped liver. Did you see her suit? Valentino, I bet.

I wouldnt know.

Or care. Margaret grimaced. Well, I care. She always attends every press conference, and the only kick I get from watching them is seeing what she wears. Someday Im going to be skinny enough to wear suits like that.

Shes very attractive, Eve agreed. And shes doing wonderful work raising money for abused children.

Is she? Margarets tone was absent. That suits got to be Valentino.

Eve smiled with amusement. She would never have dreamed a dynamo like Margaret would be so interested in clothes.

The suit in question was precisely cut to enhance Lisa Chadbournes slim, athletic body. The soft beige color made her olive skin and sleek dark brown hair gleam in contrast. The Presidents wife was smiling at him from the sidelines, and she appeared both proud and loving. Very nice.