Eyes.
So important. So difficult. No measurements and very few scientific indicators. Okay, dont be in a rush. Study the shape and angle of the orbits. The size of eyeballs were all pretty much the same and grew only a little from infancy to adulthood. Should she make Jimmys eyes protruding, deep-set, or somewhere in between? The angle of the orbits and the bony ridge above would help her decide.
But not yet. Eyes were always a clincher. Most forensic sculptors worked from top to bottom and the eyes went in close to the beginning. She had never been able to do that. Shed found that she had an even greater tendency to hurry if the eyes were looking at her.
Bring me home.
More smoothing along the cheekbone. Not too deep.
Dont look at the face as a whole. Take each sec-tion and feature separately.
Smooth.
Fill in.
Slow down. You cant let go yet. Dont let your mind totally guide your hands. Dont visualize. Build. Measurements are still critical. Check them again.
Nose width, 32 mm. Okay.
Nose projection, 19 mm. Okay.
Lip height, 14 mm. No, it should be 12. Bring the top lip down, its usually thinner than the bottom lip.
Build up more around the mouth, theres a major muscle under there.
More shaping to the nostrils.
A little creasing on each side of the nose. How deep?
Whats the difference? Nobody ever identified anyone by a skin crease.
Deepen the area around the lower lip.
Why? It didnt matter. Do it.
Smooth.
Mold.
Fill in.
Sun lines around the eye cavities. Lines around the mouth.
She was working feverishly now. Her hands flew over Jimmys face.
Almost finished.
Who are you, Jimmy? Help me. Were almost done. Well take a photo and circulate it and someone will take you home.
Smooth.
Mold.
Stop. Dont gild the lily.
She stepped back and drew a deep breath. Shed done all she could do.
Except the eyes.
What color? Logan would probably prefer she use blue. Kennedys blue eyes were as famous as his smile. Screw Logan. This couldnt be Kennedy and why should she indulge Logan. She took another step back and allowed herself to look at the full face for the first time. She would use the brown she usually
Oh, my God.
She stood frozen, staring at the face shed created. She felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach.
No.
It was a lie.
She moved slowly, heavily, over to the table, where the small eye case lay open. The eyeballs glit-tered up at herblue, brown, gray, hazel, green.
She took the case and carried it to the pedestal.
She was exhausted; her mind could be playing tricks on her. The eyes would make a difference. Brown. Put in brown eyes.
Her hand was shaking as she took out the first brown eyeball and inserted it in the left cavity. Then she took the second eyeball and fitted it to the right.
Youve put in the wrong eyes, Logan said from the corner. You know it, Eve.
She stared straight into the brown eyes before her, her back rigid. I dont know it.
Put in the right eyes.
Its a mistake. I made a mistake somewhere along the way.
You dont allow yourself to make mistakes. Put in the eyes that you know belong with the face.
She took out the brown eyes and put them back in the case. She stood staring blindly down at the eyes in the case.
You know which ones to use, Eve.
All right. She reached down, picked up the eye-balls, and jammed them in the sockets.
Now step back and look at him.
She moved back from the pedestal. Incredible. God in heaven, it couldnt be true.
But there couldnt be any doubt.
You bastard. Her voice was shaking as she stared into the gray eyes. She was shaking. She felt as if the entire globe was trembling on its axis. Its Ben Chadbourne. Its the President.
CHEVY CHASE
Well? Doprel asked sourly. Is it your terrorist?
Timwick gazed at the skull. Youre sure this is a correct representation?
Im sure. May I go home now?
Yes, thank you for your hard work. Ill have you driven back to New York immediately. Naturally, youll keep this quiet. We wouldnt want a security leak.
Ive no desire to talk about this job. It hasnt been a highlight of my career. Ill go pack. Doprel strode out of the room.
Shall I take him back? Fiske asked from where he stood behind Timwick.
No. Timwick turned away from the bust. The skulls a ringer. Doprels not important anymore. Ill send him home with someone else. I have other work for you and well have to move fast. He moved toward the phone. Leave me alone. I have some phone calls to make.
He waited until Fiske was out the door before he punched in the secure line at the White House.
Its not him. Same age. Same general facial struc-ture. But its not him.
BARRETT HOUSE
You lied to me, Eve whispered. She whirled on Logan. You lied.
Yes. Its the last lie Ill tell you, Eve.
You expect me to believe that? Every way I turn I find out youve lied to me again. You never thought it was Kennedy. My God, you even put all those books and reports about him in your desk just to make me believe what you wanted me to believe. It was all some kind of wild red herring.
There wasnt anything wild about it. I worked very hard to make that lie plausible. I had to have a cover to hide the fact that I was having Donnellis claim investigated. Thats why I laid the false trail to Kennedy. So they couldnt be sure if I suspected something or I was just a crackpot. I had also begun a discreet search for a forensic sculptor, the one person who could reveal if theres any truth to Donnellis story.
Me.
Yes, you were the key player I needed.
Her gaze went back to Jimmys skull. No, not Jimmy anymore. Ben Chadbourne, President of the United States. She shook her head. Its all crazy. When you told me what had happened at Donnellis funeral home, I assumed it had taken place decades ago. Thats what you meant me to think.
Yes. It was only two years ago.
Lies.
You had to be entirely uninfluenced, with no preconceived ideas. That was the only way to guar-antee that you would reconstruct the face that be-longed on that skull. His gaze followed hers to Chadbournes face. It was something of a miracle watching you work, bringing him to life. I was almost sure it was him, but every touch seemed to
How did he die? Murder?
Probably. It would make sense.
And that man in the White House is one of his doubles?
He nodded.
She shook her head. Its too bizarre. It couldnt be pulled off with Chadbourne anymore than with Kennedy. The office is too public.
But they did it.
Timwick?
Hes the front man.
Fronting for who?
Chadbournes wife. She has to be the one pulling the strings. Shes the only one who has the power to protect any double and coach him.
Lisa Chadbourne. Eve remembered her at the press conference; she had stood on the sidelines, her gaze fixed lovingly on her husband. And shes sup-posed to be a murderer?
Maybe. We cant be sure until we find out what happened to Ben Chadbourne.
What motive could she possibly have?
I dont know. Ambition, possibly. Shes smart and savvy and knows how to manipulate a situation. She worked her way through law school and became a partner in a prestigious law firm. After she married Chadbourne she pushed him until he made it to the White House. Once there, she did everything right. He smiled sardonically. Shes the perfect first lady.