How long is this going to take? he repeated.
It depends. Setting up sometimes takes the longest, and I havent used this equipment before. I think Ive got it right.
How does it work?
Havent you got something else to do?
Just interested. Am I bothering you?
I suppose not. She made another adjustment. As you can see, the one camera is focused on the skull, the other on the photograph. The angle on the skull and the photograph both have to be the same. Then both cameras are connected to a mixer, an editing machine that Ive connected to a VCR. The VCR plays the images on the monitor. The mixer can create a split screen where a line runs vertically and horizontally between the images at the same time or half of each image. The line can be moved to show less of one image and more of the other. Thats called a wipe. Rut what I need to do is cause a fade.
And whats that?
Its sort of like a dream sequence in a movie. You know, when one image blurs and then suddenly becomes another? One image is superimposed on an-other and then I equalize the fade so that you can see the photograph and the skull both as if the persons skin is transparent.
Can you show me now?
Here it comes. She brought the two images up on the monitor and started to work.
Why did you pick the
Be quiet. Im busy.
Sorry.
She was only vaguely aware of him beside her during the next period of painstaking adjustment.
Move.
Too much.
Racktrack.
Adjust.
Again.
Again.
And still again.
Christ. Logan leaned forward, his gaze on the ghostly merged image. Its almost spooky.
Nothing spooky about it. Its just a tool.
May I talk now?
You appear to be doing it. She made another adjustment.
Why did you choose the photograph with Chadbourne smiling?
The teeth. Teeth are rarely perfect and each set has its own irregularities. If the teeth are a match, we hit the jackpot. Thats why I had to have the skull be-fore Gary started pulling the teeth.
And do these teeth match?
Oh, yes, she said with satisfaction. Definite match. Perfect match. Cant you see?
They look good to me, but Im no expert. And Im being distracted by that ghostly effect.
It all matches. She pointed. See how the bite line on the skull is even with the lip line on the photo-graph. She tapped the nasal opening. And this is the same size and shape as the nose. The eyeballs are cen-tered in the orbits of the skull. There are several other checkpoints and they all match.
So what happens now?
I print out several copies of this picture on the screen and go to the next photograph.
But you told me this was a definite match.
For an ordinary person. Not for the President of the United States. Every feature has to be verified. I need a better side shot of the ear canal and the muscle attachment at the side of the
I get your point. Logan held up his hand to stop the flow of words. Can I help?
You can go talk to Gary and pacify him until I finish. Hell be pouncing on me any minute.
I hear. I obey. He rose to his feet. Pacifying seems to be all Im good for these days. Its annoying not to be able to take action myself.
I prefer you in passive mode, she said dryly. Every time you take action, I sink deeper into this quicksand.
No comment. He strode across the lab toward Kessler.
She looked back at the screen. She had known the superimposition would validate the work shed done on the skull, but it still sent a ripple of excitement through her. One more block in the wall of evidence she had to build. Were getting there, Ben, she whispered.
She hit the print button on the Sony video printer.
3:35 A.M.
It was raining.
She hadnt realized that when she was working in the lab. Now she leaned against the open doorway of the front entrance, looking out over the manicured lawns of the campus. The cool, humid air felt good in her lungs as she took a deep breath.
She should be tired, but she was still pumped from working on the match.
You shouldnt be out here. Joe was leaning against the brick wall a few yards from the door. Go back inside.
I need some air.
Did you finish?
I finished the superimposition. Garys barely started on extracting the DNA. She looked at his clothes. Youre wet.
Not much. The overhead ledge protects me. It kind of feels good. He grimaced. I guess Im a little hot under the collar.
I noticed. But you shouldnt blame Logan. It was my decision to do the job. I knew there was a risk. The fee was just too good.
Ill bet he didnt let you know how risky before he drew you in.
It was still my decision. Why was she de-fending Logan? Joe was right to condemn Logans methods and she had been as angry as Joe when she found out how she had been used. She changed the subject. Its late. You shouldnt be here. Diane will be worried.
I called her.
If you told her you were with me, then that wouldnt stop her from worrying. She had to have seen CNN.
I didnt tell her.
You lied to her?
No, I just told her I was working late.
Thats almost a lie. Id be furious if you werent honest with me.
Youre not Diane. She prefers to be kept in the dark when something unpleasant raises its head. Shes never become accustomed to being married to a cop. Shed much rather I quit the force and find some-thing with a little more prestige to do.
Well, I cant argue the situation isnt as un-pleasant as it comes, but Id still want to brain you. Marriage should be a partnership.
There are all kinds of marriages.
I dont suppose I should be surprised. You dont tell me everything either. She glanced away from him, staring into the distance. For instance, you never mentioned youd killed anyone in the line of duty.
Youve had enough violence in your life. You didnt need any more.
Was that your decision? Just like the one you made to protect Diane? Keep the delicate females away from any hint of unpleasantness.
Did I want to protect you? he asked roughly. Hell, yes. But I also wanted to protect myself. I knew youd be like this. I didnt want you to look at me and see Fraser.
Id never do that. I know you. Im sure you did only what you had to do.
Then turn around and let me see your face.
She braced herself, turned, and looked at him.
Shit, he said through his teeth.
I just have to become accustomed to the idea. I feel as if I dont really know you.
You know me better than anyone on this earth, just as I know you better than anyone else does.
Then why didnt you tell me about
All right, Ill tell you. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. You want a body count? Three. Two of them were into drug running. The third just liked killing and reminded me of Fraser. Ive often won-dered if that one really was self-defense. Maybe I didnt want to take the chance of him walking. His voice lowered. And I never lost a minutes sleep over any of them. Does that make you feel like you know me any better?
Joe, I dont
Do you want me to talk about my stint in the SEALs? No, I can see you dont. Three is enough for you. You dont want the grim reapers shadow any-where near you. I knew that and accepted it.
Why didnt I hear about those deaths?