She had told Margaret she wasnt a ghoul who hung around graveyards, so why was she there? Why hadnt she gone to bed as shed intended instead of obeying the crazy impulse that had brought her there?
And it was impulse.
To believe something had called her there was insane, and she was not insane. She had fought that fight after Fraser had been executed and she had to be very careful not to let herself go down the path toward madness. It would be so easy. Dreaming of Bonnie at night was permissible, but she mustnt imagine Bonnie was there when she was wide awake.
Besides, Bonnie couldnt be here. She had never been in this place.
Logan had talked of death and graves and her mind had done the rest. No one had called her.
It was only an impulse.
She wasnt surprised to see Logan waiting for her when she entered the house an hour later.
Im tired. I dont want to talk, Logan. She walked past him and started up the stairs.
He smiled. I gathered that from your extremely rude gesture.
You shouldnt have been watching me. I dont like being spied on.
A graveyard isnt the most pleasant place for a stroll. Why there?
What does it matter?
Im curious.
Her hand tightened on the banister. Stop trying to read some significance into everything I say or do. I went there because it was night and I knew the way. I didnt want to get lost.
Thats all?
What did you expect? I was up there having a seance?
Dont bite my head off. I was just curious. I was actually hoping the walk had cleared your head and youd come to a decision about the
It didnt. She started up the stairs again. Ill talk to you in the morning.
Ill be working most of the night, if you come to any
Back off, Logan.
Whatever you say. He added, Since you obvi-ously know Im keeping an eye on you, I thought it only fair to keep you informed about my own whereabouts.
Sure you did. She slammed her bedroom door behind her and headed for the bathroom. A hot shower would get rid of this tension. Then maybe shed go back down to the lab and work on Mandy. She knew she wasnt going to sleep well tonight, and she might as well be productive.
It wasnt as if she were afraid of going to sleep and dreaming of Bonnie. Bonnie was never a threat. How could a loving dream be a danger?
And it had been pure impulse, not Bonnie calling her, that had led her to the graveyard that night.
The two bodies were lying in one sleeping bag, their arms draped around each other in a final embrace. They were naked and their eyes were wide open, staring into each others face with terror.
A long tent stake was driven through both their bodies.
Son of a bitch. Killing them was bad enough, but Gil felt there was something obscene about the way the old couple had been posed. It robbed their death of all dignity.
He looked around the campsite. No footprints. No visible evidence. Fiske had taken time to clean up.
Gil flipped open his phone and called Logan. Too late.
Both of them?
Yeah, nasty. More than nasty. Twisted. What do you want me to do?
Come back. I havent been able to contact Maren. Hes in the desert somewhere. But that may be good. If we cant reach him, I doubt Fiske will be able to. We may have a reprieve.
Dont count on it. He glanced at the two bodies. Fiske isnt going to be twiddling his thumbs.
Im not counting on anything, but theres no way I want you heading for Jordan. I may need you.
Gil went still. The skull?
I cant wait any longer. Everythings moving too fast. Come back.
Im on my way.
Very satisfactory.
Everything neat and hed even been able to add a little whimsy.
Fiske was humming softly to himself as he un-locked his car and got in. He quickly dialed Timwick. Cadros done. Im heading for Jordan on the next plane. Anything else?
Forget Maren for the moment. Go join the sur-veillance team at Barrett House.
Fiske frowned. I dont like surveillance.
Youll do this one. If Logan and the Duncan woman sneeze, I want to know about it and I want you on the spot.
I dont like jumping all over the place until I finish the job. I still have Maren to
We followed Gil Price when he left Barrett House yesterday morning. He went directly to Dora Bentzs apartment.
So? I left it clean.
You dont get the point. He knew about Dora Bentz and that means Logan knows. We cant Timwick drew a deep breath. We need Logan, Price, and the Duncan woman dead.
You said it was too risky.
That was before we were sure Logan was on the right track. Theres no question we can leave them alive now.
At last Timwick was showing some balls. When?
Ill let you know.
Fiske pressed the end button of the phone. Things were definitely looking up. Both the chal-lenge and monetary opportunities were escalating. He started humming again as he opened the glove compartment and took out Timwicks list. He drew a neat line through the second name and below Marens name carefully wrote in block letters John Logan, Gil Price, and Eve Duncan.
Might as well keep things orderly.
He started the car, then grinned as he suddenly realized the song he was still humming.
Making a list, checking it twice.
Gonna find out whos naughty or nice hellip;
EIGHT
"Wake up, Margaret said. For Gods sake, do you even have to sleep with those bones, Eve?
Eve groggily lifted her head. What? She shook her head to clear it of sleep. What time is it?
Margaret was standing in front of the desk. Its almost nine in the morning. John told me you werent going to work anymore last night.
I changed my mind. She looked down at Mandy on the desk in front of her. I fit a few more pieces to the puzzle.
And fell asleep working on it.
I was going to close my eyes for just a minute. Her mouth felt nasty. I guess I was tired. She pushed back her chair. I need to go brush my teeth and shower.
Not until you tell me what a good job I did on this lab.
She smiled. Sorry, its wonderful.
Your enthusiasm is truly astonishing. Margaret sighed. I knew I should have told them to do it in sackcloth and ashes.
I told you it didnt matter. She stood up and moved toward the door. But I appreciate your effort.
John wants to see you. He sent me to find you.
Ill see him after I shower and change.
Could you hurry? Hes been pretty edgy since Gil got back.
Eve turned at the door. Hes back?
Margaret nodded. About an hour and a half ago. Theyre waiting for you in the office.
Waiting for her decision. Waiting to see if shed go along on Logans wild-goose chase.
Kennedy.
My God, in the clear light of day the idea was even more bizarre than it had been the previous night.
And John authorized me to shift that other pay-ment you agreed on to the Adam Fund, Margaret said. I called the bank and you should be able to verify the transfer within another hour.
She hadnt agreed to that other payment. Logan was applying pressure, bribing her without insisting on a return favor. Well, let him give the money. It wouldnt influence her decision and the kids would benefit. I trust you.
Verify, Margaret said. John insists.
Logan could insist until he was blue in the face. Shed do exactly what she wanted to do. Working on Mandy last night had been good for her. She felt much more in control of the situation that morning. Ill see you later, Margaret.