Текст книги "The Face of Deception"

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

Her brow lifted. Oh, yes?

Well, not obviously pushy. Logan gestured to the chair. Sit down, Eve.

She shook her head. This wont take long.

Logan tensed. Look, I dont want you to

Shut up, Logan. Ill do it. Ill go to your damn cornfield to get this skull. Well bring it back here and Ill do the work you want me to do. She gazed di-rectly into his eyes. But we do it right away. I want this over with.

Tonight.

Fine. She started to leave.

Why? Logan asked suddenly. Why are you doing it?

Because youre wrong and the only way I can prove youre wrong is to do the work. I want to be done with it and get back to whats important to me. She added coolly, And, yes, I do want to see you with egg on your face. I want it so much that I might even volunteer to work on Chadbournes reelection campaign.

And thats all?

She carefully kept her face without expression. Dont let him see anything. Dont let him know the panic shed had to overcome last night. Dont give him a weapon to use against her. Thats all. When do we leave?

After midnight. He smiled crookedly. As is proper for such a nefarious enterprise. Well take the limo. Its only about an hours drive from here.

She glanced at Gil. Are you coming too?

I wouldnt miss it. I cant remember the last time I dug up a skull. Particularly one that promises to be this interesting. He winked. Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him, Horatio.

She headed for the door. Actually, that quote is closer to the mark than anything Logans told me. That skull has a hell of a lot better chance of be-longing to Shakespeares Yorick than to Kennedy.

Theyre on the move, Timwick, Fiske said into the phone. Price, Logan, and the Duncan woman. They just drove out the gates.

Be careful. Youll blow everything if they realize youre following them.

No problem. We dont have to get close until theres need. Kenner planted a signal device in the limo when Price was at the Bentz apartment. Well wait until theyre on a deserted road and then over-take them and

No, youll let them get where theyre going be-fore you act.

That may not be the ideal situation. I should

Screw the ideal situation. Youll let them get where theyre going. Do you hear me, Fiske? You let Kenner handle it. Ive given him exact instructions and youll do what he says.

Fiske hung up the phone. Son of a bitch. It was bad enough having to give in to Timwick without knuckling under to Kenner. Hed had a bellyful of the prick in the past twenty-four hours.

I told you I was in charge, Kenner said from the drivers seat. Youre just along for the ride until I give the word. He jerked his head at the two men in the backseat. Just like them.

Fiske gazed straight ahead at the limos taillights in the distance. He drew a deep breath and tried to relax. It would be all right. He would manage to do his job in spite of Kenners interference. Hed kill the three in the limo up ahead and cross their names off the list.

And then hed start his own list with Kenners name at the very top.

The cornfield should have reminded Eve of some-thing as all-American as a state fair but all she could think about was a horror movie shed seen about a group of ghoulish children living in a cornfield.

No children here.

Only death.

And a skull buried beneath the rich brown earth.

Waiting.

She slowly got out of the car. Its there?

Logan nodded.

The field looks well tended. Wheres the farm-house?

About five miles to the north.

Its a big field. I hope Donnelli gave you good directions.

He did. I have them memorized. He got out of the car. I know exactly where its located.

Those directions had better be good. Gil had opened the trunk and was taking out two shovels and a large lantern flashlight. Diggings not my favorite pastime. I spent a summer on a road crew when I was working my way through college, and I swore Id never do it again.

Serves you right. Logan took the lantern and one of the shovels. Never say never. He strode into the cornfield.

Coming? Gil asked Eve as he started after Logan.

She didnt move.

She could smell the earth where death waited.

She could hear the breeze as it rustled through the rows of tall corn.

She felt her chest tighten at the thought of sinking, drowning into that swaying sea of corn.

Eve? Gil was standing at the edge of the field, waiting. John wants you with us.

She moistened her lips. Why?

He shrugged. Ask him.

Its stupid for me even to be here. Im not going to be able to tell anything until I get back to the lab.

Sorry, he wants you there when he digs it up.

Stop arguing. Do it. Get it over with. Get out of this place.

She followed Gil into the cornfield.

Darkness.

She could hear the rustling sound Gil was making ahead of her, but she couldnt see him. She could see nothing but the tall stalks all around her. It was like being buried. Even with a map and directions, how could Logan manage to find anything?

I see a light ahead. Gils voice drifted back to her.

It was more than she could see, but her pace increased.

Get it over with. Get out of here.

She could see the light now. Logan had set the flashlight on the ground and was already digging, his shovel spiking into the earth and tearing at the roots of the cornstalks.

Here? Gil asked.

Logan glanced up at them and nodded. Quick. Its buried pretty deep so the farmer wouldnt dig it up when he was planting. You dont have to be careful. Its supposed to be in a lead-lined box.

Gil started digging.

She wished theyd given her a shovel, she thought after five minutes. Being busy would have been better than standing there, watching. Her tension was growing with every second.

This was stupid. There was probably nothing buried there and they were all behaving like people out of a Stephen King novel.

Ive hit something, Gil said.

Logan glanced at Gil. Hallelujah. He began digging faster.

Eve moved closer to the hole and saw rusted metal through the loosened dirt. Jesushellip;

Why was she feeling so shaken? Just because Donnelli hadnt lied about the location didnt mean the rest of the story was true. There might not even be a skull in the box and the chances of it being Kennedy were out of sight.

Logan was prying open the lock on the box.

Only it wasnt a box, she suddenly realized. It was a coffin.

A babys coffin.

Stop it.

Logan looked at her. What the hell?

Its a coffin. A babyhellip;

I know that. Donnelli was an undertaker. How else do you think he got a lead-lined box?

What if its not a skull?

Logans face hardened. Its the skull. Were wasting time. He broke the lock on the coffin.

She hoped he was right. The idea of a little baby buried out here alone and lost was too heartbreaking to bear.

Logan was throwing open the coffin.

No baby.

Even through the heavy plastic wrapping she could make out the skull.

Jackpot, Logan murmured. He brought the lantern closer. I knew it was

I hear something. Gil had raised his head.

Eve heard it too.

The wind?

Not the wind.

More purposeful. The same sound they had made as they had moved through the cornfield.

And the rustling was heading toward them.

Shit, Logan muttered. He slammed shut the coffin, grabbed it, and jumped to his feet. Lets get out of here.

Eve looked over her shoulder. Nothing. Just that menacing rustling. It could be the farmer, couldnt it?

Its not the farmer. Theres more than one. Logan was already running. Dont lose her, Gil. Well circle back through the field and come out on the road where we parked the car.

Gil grabbed her arm. Hurry.

They shouldnt be talking. Someone would hear them. But that was crazy. What difference did it make? They were making as much noise crashing through the corn as whoever was pursuing them.

Logan was zigzagging through the field and they were following.

Running.

Suffocating darkness.

Rustling.

Her lungs were hurting.

Were they closer?

She couldnt tell. They were making too much noise themselves for her to figure it out.

To the left, someone shouted behind them.

Logan tore through the corn at a right angle.

I think I see something. A different voice.

Oh, God, it sounded as if the man were in the row next to them.

Logan was turning, heading back the way they came.

Gil and Eve were on his heels.

Faster.

Eve was completely disoriented. How could Logan tell where he was going?

Maybe he couldnt. They might run into whoever was pursuing them at any minute. Maybe they should

Logan was turning again. To the left.

And they were out of the field and running toward the road.

The limo.

But over fifty yards away.

And a Mercedes was parked beside it. She couldnt see if there was anyone in it.

She glanced over her shoulder toward the field.

No one.

They were almost at the limo.

And the Mercedes door swung open.

Gil dropped her arm. Get the coffin inside the limo, John. He turned, pulled out his gun, and darted toward the man who was getting out of the Mercedes.

Too late.

A shot.

She watched in horror as Gil fell forward. He struggled to his knees and tried to raise his gun.

Oh, God, the man was pointing his gun at Gil again.

She didnt even realize she was moving until her hand grasped the gun and jerked it aside. The man turned toward her and her hand chopped down on the carotid artery in his neck. He grunted. His eyes glazed over. He was falling.

Ill drive. Get in the backseat with Gil. Logan was dragging Gil the few feet toward the limo. Try to stop the bleeding. Weve got to get out of here. Theyve got to have heard the shot.

Eve held the door for Logan and then dove into the seat beside Gil.

Jesus, he was pale. She tore open his shirt. Some blood, high up on the shoulder. What if he

Theyre coming! Logan shouted as the limo jumped forward.

She glanced out the window and saw three men pouring out of the cornfield.

Gravel flew as the limo tore down the road.

Logan glanced in the rearview mirror. How is he?

Its a shoulder wound. Not much bleeding. Hes conscious again. She glanced out the window once more. Theyve reached the road. Can you go any faster?

Im trying, he said through his teeth. Its like driving a damned yacht.

He had reached the paved road leading to the freeway, but the Mercedes was too fast. Its headlights were only yards behind them.

Then the Mercedes hit the side of the limo.

It was trying to force them off the road into the ditch.

It struck them again.

This time Logan barely managed to keep the car on the road.

Pull ahead, she said. Well be dead in the water if we end up in that ditch.

What do you think Im trying to do?

Thank God, the freeway was just up ahead.

The Mercedes hit the limo again and it spun toward the ditch.

Logan turned the wheel frantically and managed to keep the car from plunging down the incline.

That last hit caused them to skid to the other side of the road. Thats our chance, Eve said. Hit it!

He stomped on the accelerator.

Theyre too close. Logan was looking in the rearview mirror. Theyll catch us before we reach the freeway.

Thehellip; coffin, Gil murmured. Give them

No! Logan said.

Eve looked down at the coffin at her feet.

Give them the

Eve reached for the door handle.

What are you doing? Logan asked.

Shut up, Eve said fiercely. Gils right. They want this damn coffin. Theyre going to get it. Its not worth our lives.

What if they dont stop? Youve given it up for nothing.

I dont give a damn. Gils already been shot over this skull. No one else is going to be hurt. Slow down and keep the car in this lane. No matter what happens.

The car slowed, but it was still a struggle for her to open the door against the force of the wind.

Theyre gaining.

Just keep the car in this lane. She dragged and pushed the coffin toward the door. And as far ahead as you can.

I dont think I

Try. The wind had flung the door open and she shoved the coffin out. It bounced twice and skidded into the other lane.

Now, well see. Eves gaze was fixed on the on-coming Mercedes. Weve just got to hope they Yes.

The Mercedes had gone past the coffin. At first it seemed as if they were going to ignore it and con-tinue the pursuit. But then it slowed, suddenly made a U-turn, and started back.

The freeways just ahead, Logan said. The limo flew down the road and up the ramp to the freeway.

Cars. Trucks. People.

Relief flooded Eve as Logan merged with the traffic. Are we safe now?

No. Logan pulled over to the side of the free-way. Close that door. He turned to Gil. How are you doing?

Just a scratch. Not even bleeding anymore.

Im not sure its safe to stop. Ill call Margaret and have her get you some medical help. Youre sure youre not bleeding? Can you hold on until we get back to Bar-rett House?

Sure. Gils voice was weak. If I survived your driving, I can survive anything.

Thank God, he was well enough to joke, Eve thought with relief.

You couldnt have done any better, Logan said. And for that nasty remark I should dump you out and let you walk.

Ill shut up. He closed his eyes. And since thats so difficult for me, Ill think Ill take a little nap.

Bad idea, Logan said as he pulled back into the traffic. Stay awake. I have to know if you lose con-sciousness.

Sure. Anything to oblige. Ill just rest my eyes.

Logan met Eves gaze in the rearview mirror.

She nodded and his foot pressed harder on the accelerator.

What the hell are you doing? Fiske screeched. Youre losing them.

Shut up, Kenner said. I know what Im doing. The box is more important.

You idiot. Nothings more important. We went to all this trouble and now youre letting them get

Timwick said that if it came to a choice between retrieving what they went after or getting them, we should go for the retrieval.

We can go back for it later. Theyre just trying to divert us.

Do you think that didnt occur to me? I cant take the chance. Its in the middle of the road. It could be damaged or found.

In the middle of the night?

Timwick wants whats in that box.

Fury jolted through Fiske. There was no way they could catch up with Logan now. All because of Timwicks obsession with that damn box.

And Kenner was just like Timwick, so concerned with the small stuff that he couldnt see what was really important. You took one objective at a time and never let yourself be distracted.

Certainly not by a fucking box.

Two men in white uniforms streamed out of Barrett House as soon as Logan stopped the limo. Gil was transferred to a stretcher and whisked inside.

Eve got out of the car. Her knees were so weak, she had to lean against the fender.

You okay? Logan asked.

She nodded.

Ill tell Margaret to get you a cup of coffee, he said over his shoulder as he headed toward the house. I have to make sure Gil is going to be all right.

Dazed, she watched him disappear. Too much had happened in too short a time for her to compre-hend that it was really over. Or even that it had actu-ally happened.

But the crushed side of the limo was mute testimony to that terrifying chase.

And Gil Prices wound was not a figment of her imagination. He could have been killed. They all could have been killed if she hadnt tossed the coffin out of the limo.

Coffee. Margaret was thrusting a mug into her hand. Come into the house and sit down.

In a minute. My legs dont seem to be working right now. She took a sip of the coffee. Hows Gil?

Conscious and flippant as hell. The doctors ready to muzzle him.

The coffee was strong and the caffeine was begin-ning to kick in. How did you get a doctor out here at this time of night?

Money moves mountains. Margaret leaned against the limo. You scared?

Hell, yes. Shouldnt I be? Maybe youre used to people shooting each other, but Im not.

Im scared too. I never thought She drew a shaky breath. I never expected this. I thought I dont know what I thought.

But you still trust Logan enough to keep working for him?

Sure. She straightened. But Im damn well going to ask him for a raise and hazard pay. You ready to go inside now?

Eve nodded.

Hazard pay. Logans generosity was making sense to her now. This wasnt about dead cats and vicious vandalism. This was about murder. They had tried to murder Gil. They might have killed all of them if the limo had ended up in that ditch.

Better? Logan had come down the stairs. You have more color.

Do I? She took another sip of coffee. Hows Gil?

Flesh wound. Braden says hell be okay. He turned to Margaret. We dont want the police report filed yet. Talk Braden into a delay.

Yeah, sure, and let them accuse me of suppressing She sighed and headed for the stairs. Ill take care of it.

Margaret had reached the top before Logan turned back to Eve. We need to talk.

Id say thats an understatement. She moved toward the kitchen. But, right now, I have an empty cup and I need more coffee.

He followed her and dropped down into a chair at the table. Im sorry you were frightened.

Is that supposed to make me feel all warm and fuzzy? Her hand was shaking as she poured the coffee. It doesnt. Right now Im scared, but when I get over it, Im going to be mad as hell.

I know. I cant expect anything else. He paused. You were pretty amazing tonight. You probably saved Gils life. Where did you learn karate?

Joe. After Bonnie was I told you Id never be a victim again. Joe taught me how to take care of myself.

He smiled. And everyone else too, evidently.

Somebody had to help him. You obviously thought more of that damn coffin than of your friend. My God, youre obsessed. Im surprised you agreed to slow down so I could toss that thing out.

His smile faded. Gils been trained to take care of himself too. He had his job. I had mine.

And I have mine. She stared into his eyes. But I never bargained for anyone shooting at me.

I told you theyd try to stop us.

You didnt tell me theyd try to murder us.

No, I guess I didnt.

You know damn well you didnt. Her voice rose with anger. The whole thing was a disaster. You risked your life on a wild-goose chase and dragged me along with you. You almost got me killed, you son of a bitch.

Yes.

And there was no reason for it. I didnt have to be there.

Yes, you did.

What was I supposed to do? Work on the skull in the damn cornfield?

No.

Then, why did

Dr. Bradens leaving. Margaret was at the entryway. I believe things will go smoother if you clap him on the shoulder and see him on his way, John.

Right. Logan stood up. Will you come with me, Eve? Were not finished.

You bet were not. She followed him into the foyer and watched him with the doctor. Smooth as honey. Persuasive as Lucifer. It took only a few min-utes for him to send the man happily on his way.

She stood in the doorway as he escorted the doctor to his car.

Hes good, huh? Margaret murmured.

Too good. Suddenly the rage was gone, re-placed by weariness. What the hell difference did it make? Let him weave all his little webs and plots. None of it concerned her any longer.

Logan waved at the doctor, and then turned back to face her. His gaze narrowed warily. Youre not angry anymore. That could be bad or good.

Or neither. Why should I get upset? Its all water under the bridge. Im going upstairs to pack. Its over and Im out of here.

Its not over.

She stiffened. The hell its not.

Margaret hurriedly said, I think Ill go check on Gil, and left them.

Logans gaze never left Eves face. He repeated, Its not over, Eve.

I agreed to one job and one job only. Even if I werent ready to cut your throat for putting me in the spot you did tonight, that job ended when I tossed that skull out of the limo. If you think Im going to hang around here while you try to retrieve it, youre crazy.

I dont have to try to retrieve it.

Her eyes widened. What the hell do you mean?

Come with me.

What?

You heard me.

He turned and walked away from her.

NINE

The cemetery.

He was already past the wrought iron gate when she caught up with him. He moved purposefully down the row of graves.

She didnt follow. What are you doing?

Retrieving the skull. He stopped before Ran-dolph Barretts grave, lifted the pallet of carnations, and moved it aside. He picked up the shovel that had been hidden beneath it and began to dig. The earth was soft, recently turned, and the task went quickly. Since you called my hand, I have to supply you with a skull.

She stared at him in disbelief. Are you com-pletely crazy? Digging up any old corpse to She inhaled sharply as a sudden thought occurred to her. Good God.

He glanced up at her and answered her unspoken question. Yes, I retrieved the skull from that corn-field two months ago.

And you buried it again here. Thats why you covered all these graves with flowers. You wanted to erase any sign the grave had been disturbed.

He nodded as he kept on digging. Theres an old saying that the best place to hide anything is in plain sight, but I admit Im too anal to just leave it at that. I had Mark install an alarm that would go off if the box is touched, and I had him turn it off when I was in the house just now.

And you must have substituted another skull in that coffin in the cornfield. She glanced at the name on the tombstone. Was it Randolph Barretts?

No, Barretts only temporarily sharing his quar-ters. He died when he was sixty-four. I wanted a younger skull, so I bought one from a medical school in Germany.

Her head was whirling. Wait a minute. Why? Why have you gone to all this trouble?

I knew theyd tumble to what I was doing even-tually and that I might need a diversion. I hoped I wouldnt have to use it. I tried every way I could not to tip my hand, but something must have gone wrong. You hadnt even started the project. Things were moving too fast and I had to throw them off the track.

What do you mean, moving too fast? I dont know what the hell youre talking about.

You dont have to know. Its safer for you if you dont. He threw down his shovel, bent, and picked up the square lead box hed uncovered. All you have to do is the job I paid you for.

I dont have to know? Shock reverberated through her as all the implications of his deception hit home. Why, you son of a bitch.

Maybe. He set the box aside and began shovel-ing the dirt back into the grave. But it doesnt change anything.

It changes everything. Her voice was shaking with anger. You took me out there to that damn cornfield, knowing it was for nothing.

It wasnt for nothing. They knew you were on the job and I needed you there for window dressing to make the trip more convincing.

And almost got me killed.

Sorry. I cut it a little close.

Sorry? Is that all youve got to say? What about Gil Price? He was shot. He was trying to save that skull for you and it wasnt even the right one.

I hate to disappoint you. I know you want to pile all the guilt you can on my shoulders, but Gil knew exactly what he was doing. He arranged for the pur-chase of the skull for me.

He knew? Im the only one who was left in the dark?

Yes. He put the shovel down and drew the pallet of carnations over it and the grave. I wouldnt have let him walk into something like that without warning him.

But you let me walk into it.

You were supposed to be a bystander. Gil was going to participate. I didnt know youd be forced to

Bystander. She was growing more furious by the second. You set me up. I wondered why you wanted me there, but I didnt think it was to use me as bait.

The skull was the bait. As I said, you were there to make it all credible. I needed to make sure that theyd think our trip had enough significance for them to follow us.

You wanted them to chase us. You wanted them to get close enough so there would be a valid excuse for shoving that coffin out the limo.

He nodded. They had to believe that only des-peration would force me to give up the skull. I was planning on being the one to toss out the coffin, but then Gil was hurt and I had to drive.

And Gil told me to do it. Christ, you even ar-gued with me.

I figured it was the quickest way to get you to do it. You were angry enough with me to do anything I didnt want you to do.

And you would have risked letting Gil and me die to fool them.

I was in that car too.

If you want to commit suicide, thats your busi-ness. You had no right to endanger anyone else.

I thought it was the only solution.

Solution? My God, youre so obsessed with your damn politics, you were willing to stage a charade that could have killed all of us.

I needed to buy you some time.

Well, then, you did it for nothing. Her eyes blazed at him. If you think Id touch this job now, youre crazy. Id like to strangle you and bury you here beside Randolph Barrett. She whirled away from him. No, Id like to bury you somewhere no one would ever find you. You deserve it, you callous bastard.

Eve.

She ignored him as she started down the hill.

You have a perfect right to be angry with me, but there are things for you to consider. Will you let me clarify the situation so that you

She continued to ignore him and speeded up her pace. Manipulative son of a bitch. Crazy, conniving bastard.

She met Margaret on the stairs as she headed for her room. Gils asleep. I think

Arrange a car and a flight for me, she said curtly. Im out of here.

Oops. I gather John wasnt very persuasive. She grimaced. Cant say I blame you, but you really can trust John to

Forget it. Make that flight the next one out.

Ill have to check with John.

Get me out of here or Ill walk to Atlanta. She slammed the door of her room, flipped on the light, and moved toward the closet. She dragged her suit-case out, tossed it on the bed, and headed for the bureau.

You do have to listen to me, Logan said quietly from the doorway. I know its difficult to see things clearly when youre this upset, but I cant let you leave until you know what youre facing.

Im not interested in anything you have to say. She threw an armful of underthings into the suitcase. Why should I? Theyd probably be lies. Your credi-bility with me is the pits. You deceived me and you nearly got me killed.

But you werent killed. Getting you killed is the last thing I want.

She went back to the bureau and opened another drawer.

Okay, lets explore the situation. You didnt think what I wanted you to do was dangerous enough to cause anyone serious problems. It seems you were wrong. They wanted the skull enough to kill for it. Therefore, they think its as important as I do.

She dumped the contents of the second drawer into the suitcase. Its not Kennedy.

Then prove it to them. Prove it to both of us.

Screw you. I dont have to prove anything to anyone.

Im afraid you do.

She whirled to face him. The hell I do.

You do if you want to keep alive. He paused. And keep your mother alive.

She stiffened. Are you threatening me?

Me? No way. Im just telling you how it is. The situations escalated to the point where you have only two options. Prove Im right and let me go after the bastards with evidence. Prove me wrong and you can go to the media and get everyone off your back. He looked directly into her eyes. Because the alternative is to have them go after you and put you down. They wont care if Donnellis story is true or not. They wont want to take the chance.

I can get police protection.

That might help for a while. But its not a per-manent solution.

I can have Joe drag your ass in for questioning. I can tell them everything.

And Ill find a way to walk out, smelling like a rose. Thats what lawyers are for. He added soberly, I dont want to fight you, Eve. I want to keep you alive.

Bull. You want exactly what youve wanted from the beginning.

Yes, but one doesnt rule out the other. What happened at your lab was a warning, but what hap-pened tonight showed theyve pulled the gloves off.

Maybe.

Listen, think about it. He studied her face and then shook his head. Im not getting through to you, am I? Okay, I didnt want to tell you, but other wit-nesses are already being eliminated. Three people have been killed in the last few days.

Witnesses?

My God, the case has been riddled with unex-plained deaths since the assassination. You must have read about it. He paused. And now its started again. Thats why I wanted to cause a diversion tonight. I hoped the killing would stop if they had another focus.

Why should I believe you?

I can give you the names and addresses of the victims. You can check with the local police. As God is my witness, Im telling you the truth.

She believed him. She wished she didnt because his words shook her. Theres no reason for anyone to hurt my mother.

Not if they can get at you. If they cant, they might decide to use her as a threat or an example like that cat in your lab.

Blood. Her terror and horror at the first sight of the wreckage surged back. He had probably meant the reminder to do just that, but it wasnt necessary. The memory was vivid and knife-sharp and couldnt be pushed away. You keep saying they. Im tired of walking around in the dark. Who were those men fol-lowing us tonight? Whos doing this?

He didnt answer for a moment. The man whos calling the shots right now is James Timwick. Do you recognize the name?

She shook her head.

Hes very high in the Treasury Department.

And he was there tonight?

No, Im not sure who those men were. They probably dont have any official status. Timwick wouldnt want any direct connection to him. In a con-spiracy like this the fewer people who know, the safer hed be. It would be much easier for him if he could use the full force of the government. But Id bet theyre hired guns.

Hired guns. It sounded like something out of a bad western. And who did that to my lab?

Gil says it could be Albert Fiske. Hes worked for Timwick before.

Fiske. That blood and horror now had a name. I want Joe to know. He can track the bastard down.

Do you really want to involve Quinn before you have proof? Timwick is a heavyweight. With one phone call he could make your friends life very diffi-cult. His voice lowered persuasively, Go for that proof, Eve. Do your job. Youll make things easier for Quinn and safer for yourself.

And do what you want.

Theres a downside to everything. But dont cut off your nose to spite your face hellip; or me. You think Im wrong. Wouldnt proving it punish me for all the problems Ive forced on you?

Attempted murder can hardly be called a problem.

Ive leveled with you. And Ive warned you. Its your decision now.

It always has been.

Then make the right one. He turned to leave. It will take a little time to arrange security to take you home. Ill tell Margaret to make reservations for you on the afternoon flight out of Reagan National.