The Face of Deception (13 page)

“But I was a necessary risk. Who made you God, Logan?”

“I did what I had to do.”

“For your damn politics.”

“No, more than that. The man in the White House may be acting like Ben Chadbourne, but he doesn't have either his ethical standard or his training. I don't want that man able to press a button that could start World War III.”

“So now you're not a political opportunist, you're a patriot?”

“Patriot, hell. I just want to protect my ass.”

“Now, that I can believe.”

“It's not necessary that you believe me. It's necessary that you know we're on the same side.”

“Oh, yes, we're on the same side. You've seen to that. You've tossed me right into the middle of this mess.” She leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. “And do you know who that man in the White House is?”

“We believe he's Kevin Detwil. He's one of three doubles who were used during Chadbourne's first year in office,” Gil said. “Detwil was used only twice at brief public appearances and then resigned. He said he had to go home to Indiana on personal business, but he actually went to South America and had more plastic surgery done.”

“
More
plastic surgery?”

“He had some done in Washington before he got the job. When he was drawn into the plot, he had to look exactly like Chadbourne, including scars on the lower back. He also had to be coached in depth about gestures, voice intonations, and so on. And he had to be briefed on policy, politics, the day-to-day living at the White House. Lisa Chadbourne would have been able to help him, but he couldn't just be thrown into the role.”

“This is all supposition, I assume.”

Gil shrugged. “The other two doubles are alive and well and doing occasional appearances. Detwil never showed up in Indiana. However, I managed to track him to a private clinic near Brasilia and a Dr. Hernandez, who had the reputation of supplying new faces to embezzlers, murderers, and terrorists. Detwil entered the clinic under the name Herbert Schwartz. A short time after Mr. Schwartz was discharged, the unfortunate Dr. Hernandez fell off the terrace of his penthouse.”

“Kevin Detwil,” Eve repeated slowly. “He has to be unbalanced to do something like this. Yet the government must have had a profile on him. A security check?”

“Of course, but there aren't that many men in the world who could pass as the President, so the choice is limited. The security check in these cases is mainly to determine if the subject is discreet enough to keep his silence and wouldn't shoot anybody and embarrass the administration.” Gil added, “Detwil's background shows a stable, ordinary child of moderate intelligence, who became a rather dull, ordinary man. He's unmarried, was raised by his mother, and lived with her until her death five years ago.”

“What about his father?”

“Split when Detwil was a kid. Evidently he was pretty well under his mother's thumb.”

“Which set him up beautifully for Lisa Chadbourne,” Logan said. “A man with that background would allow himself to be molded by another dominant woman.”

“But would he take a chance like this? You said he was dull and ordinary.”

“But you saw the tapes. He loves it. He sparkles,” Logan said. “Suppose you had a lifetime of being a wallflower. Then suddenly you become the most powerful man in the world. Everyone defers, everyone listens. He's a male Cinderella and Lisa Chadbourne has handed him the glass slipper.”

“With strings,” Eve pointed out.

“He probably wouldn't have it any other way. He's used to strings and they can make some men feel secure.”

“Then I gather he's not a weak link for her.”

“He might be nervous at times but not when she's anywhere near him, and she's not about to let him out of her sight. She's probably made herself the most important thing in his life.”

“Important enough to kill Chadbourne for her?”

Logan shrugged. “She probably wouldn't risk involving him in the actual crime. He wouldn't have the backbone.”

“If she did kill him. You have no proof he was murdered.”

“I was hoping you might help us there.”

She had known that was his intention, but she wasn't about to commit to any more right now. She needed time to digest everything she had been told and decide if it could be the truth. “I bet you are.”

“You have little choice.”

“Bullshit.”

“Well, not any other decent ones.”

“Don't talk to me about decency.”

“I believe it's time to turn on the radio,” Logan murmured. “Why don't you try to nap for a while? I'll wake you when we get to North Carolina.”

He switched on the radio, and strains of Grieg's
Peer Gynt Suite
filled the car.

“Oh, my God.” Gil huddled in the corner. “Eve, tell him to turn it off and save me. I think I'm having a relapse.”

“Save yourself.” The music was soothing her raw nerves. “I haven't noticed you being particularly solicitous regarding my needs. Not if they got in the way of what Logan wanted.”

“Ouch.” Gil grimaced. “Forget I asked. I can get used to classical. In fact, by the time we get to the beach house, I'll probably like old Grieg better than Reba McIntyre.”

TWELVE

“You're sure it's been done, James?” Lisa Chadbourne asked Timwick. “For God's sake, it took you long enough. I can't have any more mistakes.”

“Barrett House is in flames right now. The delay was only because it took a while to make sure the cause looked like faulty wiring.”

“And you have a team on the way to retrieve the body? I don't want the fire department paramedics to get there first.”

“I'm not a fool, Lisa. They'll whisk it away and take it to Bethesda.”

He sounded pissed. She had obviously been too authoritative. Everyone else was easy, but it was always more difficult to strike a good balance with Timwick. In public he was properly respectful and subservient, but in private he never let her forget they were partners. She softened her voice. “I'm sorry, I know you're doing everything you can. I'm just frightened. I feel a little helpless.”

“As a king cobra.”

She felt a ripple of shock. It was the first time Timwick had ever used sarcasm with her. Not a good sign. She'd been noticing how nervous and on edge he'd been lately, and now he was taking it out on her. “Do I deserve that, James? We agreed it had to be done, and I've always been honest with you.”

A silence. “I didn't expect this to happen. You told me everything would go smoothly.”

Don't get angry. Look at the big picture. She needed Timwick. He had his job just as she had hers. She kept the irritation from her voice. “I'm doing my best.” She reminded him gently, “It was you who didn't wait long enough at the funeral home. There wouldn't have been a problem if you'd made sure Donnelli had done his job.”

“I sat there and watched him burn. I thought it was safe to leave. How was I to know it took so damn long to burn a body?”

She
would have known. She would have researched and found out all she needed to know. She had been a fool to trust Timwick to do the same. “I know. It's not your fault. But now we have to cope with it . . . and Logan. You found no trace of the skull?”

“There were signs that the Duncan woman had been working, but no skull. If she's as good as reported, we have to assume she's completed the work.”

Lisa felt the muscles of her stomach tighten. “It will be fine. Her work alone proves nothing. We just have to make sure they're discredited in the media before they get more proof. We took the first step today. Your job is to find them and make sure that no other damage is done.”

“I know my job. You just keep Detwil in line. He was a little too boisterous at the last press conference.”

She was handling Kevin perfectly. Timwick had deliberately added that dig to get back at her for criticizing his handling of Donnelli. “You think so? I'll watch it, James. You know how I rely on your judgment.” She paused. “What about the Duncan woman? So far we've aimed most of our efforts against Logan. She may prove as difficult.”

“I'm keeping my eye on her, but Logan is the power player. He's calling the shots.”

“Whatever you say. But could you give me a more complete report on Duncan?”

“It is complete. What else could you want to know?”

“More about her professional background. They'll try for a DNA match and she's bound to have contacts.”

“After tomorrow they'll know how dangerous it is to surface. With any luck we'll catch them before they can get anything else done.”

“We'd be foolish to rely on luck, wouldn't we?”

“For God's sake, how much DNA could be left after it's been through a fire?”

“I've no idea, but we can't take the chance.”

“And, like I said, Logan will be calling the shots. They can't just walk into a DNA lab with that skull. We know where they'll be going for help. I've already got Ralph Crawford at Duke staked out. If we don't get them right away, they'll walk right into our—”

“Please, James,” she said gently.

“Okay.” She could hear the impatience in his voice. “I'll get it.”

“Good. And let me know as soon as the body arrives at Bethesda.” She hung up the phone, got up, and strode toward the bedroom.

Logan will be calling the shots.

She wasn't so sure. Her file on Eve Duncan reported a strong, intelligent woman who wouldn't walk behind any man. Who should know better than Lisa how a strong woman could shape situations to suit herself? Timwick, as usual, was underestimating the opposition. She would have to be the one to keep an eye on Eve Duncan.

“Lisa?”

Kevin was standing in the bathroom doorway wearing Ben's red paisley robe. It was one of the few garments of Ben's that Kevin liked. He had a fondness for bright colors that she'd had to curb. Ben rarely wore anything but navy or black.

He was frowning. “Is something wrong?”

She forced a smile. “A little problem with Timwick.”

“Can I help?”

“Not in this. Let me handle it.” She went to him and slipped her arms around his neck. He smelled of Ben's specially blended lemon cologne. Fragrances were important. Even when you didn't realize it, it was a subtle reminder of who a person was. Sometimes when she woke suddenly in the middle of the night she thought Ben was still lying next to her. She whispered in Kevin's ear, “You were superb today at that AARP meeting. You had them in the palm of your hand.”

“Really?” he asked eagerly. “I thought I did pretty well.”

“Brilliant. Better than Ben could ever have done.” She kissed him gently. “You're doing such a good job. We could be in the middle of a war now if you hadn't taken over.”

“He was that unstable?”

She had drummed Ben's supposed instability into Kevin's head a hundred times, but he always wanted reinforcement. Guilt? No, he just liked the idea he was saving the world. For an intelligent man, Kevin could be incredibly vain and naive. “Do you think I'd be doing what we're doing now if I hadn't been afraid of what he'd do?”

He shook his head.

“And you've been magnificent. I think we'll get the health bill passed this year. Have I told you how proud I am?”

“I couldn't do it without you.”

“Maybe I helped you in the beginning, but you're surpassing anything—” She threw back her head and grinned impishly at him. “My God, you're getting hard as a rock. I've got to remember what praise does to you. It keeps me a happy woman.” She backed away from him and slipped off her robe. “Now, come to bed and I'll tell you how marvelously you handled the Japanese ambassador.”

He chuckled and moved toward her, eager as a kid for the romp to come. She kept the teasing, bold smile as she slipped into bed.

She and Ben had shared a bed, and bringing Kevin immediately into hers was a necessary part of the plan. He had been hesitant, even shy at first, and she'd had to use her every skill to draw him in without appearing too aggressive. She could have found other ways to manage him, but this was best. It was her job to make sure Kevin was controlled.

And sex was the greatest controller of all.

Arrogant bitch.

Timwick leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. It was all very well for Lisa to order him around and then go to bed and let him do the work. She was there in the White House, acting like royalty, and he was in this crummy office, working his ass off. She wanted results, but she didn't want to dirty her hands, and she turned a blind eye to what she didn't want to see. He was the one who kept things running and protected them from disaster. Where would she be now if he hadn't stepped in?

Eve Duncan. She was Logan's tool, nothing more. It was stupid to make her a priority. If Lisa hadn't been such a feminist, she would have admitted that Logan was the prime threat.

Jesus, it seemed as if there were threats closing in all around him.

His hands clenched the arms of the chair. Keep calm. He was doing everything he could to save the situation. He
would
save it. He had too much at stake to take off and run. If he stuck it out, he'd have everything he'd ever wanted.

He reached for the telephone. Do what she said—for now. He needed her to help stop the exposure of the cover-up and he needed her to push Detwil into the White House for another term. After that he'd find a way to gain control. Let Lisa think she was running the show.

He'd give her enough information on Eve Duncan to choke her.

“Wake up, we're here.”

Eve opened her eyes to see Logan getting out of the driver's seat.

She yawned. “What time is it?”

“After midnight.” Gil reached for the door latch. “You slept most of the way.”

It seemed impossible that she could have fallen asleep. Her nerves had been taut as wires.

“You've had a rough couple of days.” Gil answered her unspoken question. “I dozed a little myself. But I admit I'll be glad to stretch out.”

She was so stiff, she had to catch hold of the door when she got out of the car. She watched Logan climb the steps and unlock the front door. He was carrying the leather case with Chadbourne's skull. Trust Logan to keep his priorities in order, she thought dryly.

“Ready?” Gil asked as he grabbed her suitcase.

“I'll take that.”

“I can manage. Take Mandy's box.” He was already following Logan up the steps.

She didn't want to go inside. The air was cool and wet in her nostrils, and the sound of the sea against the shore was like a blessing. She hadn't been to the shore in a long time. Joe had taken her to Cumberland Island after she'd left the hellhole but she had no memory of what the island looked like. All she could remember was Joe holding her, Joe talking, Joe holding back the night.

Joe. She had to call Joe. She hadn't spoken to him since before the night they'd gone to the cornfield. She had deliberately avoided calling him and pulling him deeper into this morass. But if she didn't call him soon, he'd be storming Barrett House with a SWAT team.

The wind was coming up and blowing the surf into whitecaps before they reached the shore.

Bonnie had liked the ocean. Eve and Sandra had taken her to Pensacola a few times and she had streaked up and down the shore, laughing and chattering and looking for seashells.

She closed the car door and walked down to the pier.

“Eve.”

She didn't turn around at Logan's call. She didn't want to go into the house. She didn't want to face him or anything else just then. She needed time for herself.

She pulled off her sandals, sat down on the low pier, and dangled her feet. The water was cool and silken as it flowed against her skin.

She leaned her head against the post, listening to the rush of the sea.

And remembering Bonnie . . .

“Are you going after her?” Gil said. “She's been out there almost an hour, John.”

“Soon.” God, she looked lonely. “I don't think she wants company.”

“You don't want her to think too much. Thinking can be a dangerous thing. She's already resentful.”

“I'm tired of driving her, dammit. Let her have some peace.”

“I doubt if she allows herself to be driven in a direction she doesn't want to go.”

“But it's possible to block out every other path so she's forced to take the only one left.” Logan had done that since the moment he had met her. He was doing it now.

So was he going to stop because he was having a few twinges of conscience?

Not likely.

So repair her broken trust and use her again. “I'll go get her.” He went down the porch steps and strode across the sand to the pier.

She didn't look at him as he approached. “Go away, Logan.”

“It's time you came in. It's getting chilly.”

“I'll come in when I'm ready.”

He hesitated and then sat down beside her. “I'll wait for you.” He took off his shoes and socks and dangled his feet in the water.

“I don't want you here.”

“You know, I haven't done anything like this since I was in Japan.” He gazed out at the ocean. “There doesn't seem to be time enough in the day to relax.”

“Are you trying to bond with me, Logan?”

“Maybe.”

“Well, you're not doing it.”

“No? Too bad. Then, I guess I might as well just sit here and relax.”

Silence.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“Not Chadbourne.”

“Your daughter?”

She stiffened. “Don't use Bonnie to try to get close to me, Logan. It won't work.”

“Just curious. I guess I don't understand your obsession with identifying skulls. Oh, I know your daughter was never found, but you can't expect to—”

“I don't want to talk about it.”

“I watched you with Mandy and then with Ben Chadbourne. There's almost a . . . tenderness.”

“So I'm a little crazy. Everyone's a little bonkers on some subject or other,” she said jerkily. “I assure you I don't think their souls are hanging around those bones.”

“Do you believe in an everlasting soul?”

“Sometimes.”

“Only sometimes?”

“Okay, most of the time.”

He was silent, waiting.

“When Bonnie was born, she wasn't like me or Mom or anyone. She was just . . . herself. All complete . . . and wonderful. How could that be if you're not born with a soul?”

“And that soul is eternal?”

“How do I know? I . . . think so. I hope so.”

“Then why are you so passionate about returning those bones to their families? It shouldn't make any difference.”

“It makes a difference to me.”

“Why?”

“Life is important. Life should be treated with respect, not tossed away like some useless bit of trash. There should be a . . . home for everyone. I never had a real home when I was a kid. We moved from tenement to tenement. Motel to motel. Mom was— It wasn't her fault. But everyone should have a place, a permanent place in the scheme of things. I tried to give Bonnie a home, the best home I could manage, where I could love her and take care of her. When Fraser killed her, I had nightmares about her lying in the forest for the animals to—” She was silent a moment and her voice was uneven when she spoke again. “I wanted her home, where I could take care of her as I always had. He'd taken her life, I didn't want him to take that last bit of caring away from either of us.”

“I see.” Christ, he was seeing more than he wanted to see. “Do you still have nightmares?”