The comparison is close enough to be apt.
He made a face. Ouch. Which part?
He was no Neanderthal. He was smart and charismatic and she was learning that the code guiding his life was as inflexible as the one that guided hers. She looked away from him. You were telling me the truth, werent you? It really wasnt politics. Youre doing this because you think youre saving the world.
Hell, no. Im doing it because Im afraid not to do it. Because theres a chance that the sky could fall and I dont want to look back and know I stood aside and let it happen. He took her chin in his hand and turned her head to look into her eyes. Id feel re-sponsible. Like you, Eve.
Hair shirt? she whispered.
I dont believe in them. You do what you can and then you go on.
His touch was disturbing. His words, the way he thoughthellip; He was disturbing. She turned her head and gazed out the window. Or you learn to live with your hair shirt.
That option is unacceptable, he said harshly. Choosing a career like yours was probably the worst possible thing you could have done. Why didnt someone stop you? Why didnt Quinn keep you on that island until you healed, until the memory dimmed a little?
She looked at him in wonder. He was so wrong. Why couldnt he understand? Because he knew it was the only way Id survive.
Is this surviving? Youre a workaholic, you have no personal life, youre the most driven woman Ive ever met. You need
Back off, Logan.
Why the hell should He drew a deep breath. Okay, Ill drop it. Its none of my business, right?
Right.
Then, dammit, why does it feel like my business?
Youre used to running things.
Yeah, thats it. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. My organizational instincts. When I see waste, I dive in and try to get rid of it. He stabbed savagely at the numbers on the keypad. And, Christ, am I seeing a wasteland in you.
My life isnt a waste. Far from it. Who are you phoning?
Gil.
Now? Why?
Its past time I heard from him. He pressed the send button. And I need a distraction at the mo-ment. Big-time.
So did she, she thought, relieved. The past few minutes had been too intense and upsetting, and her present life was already in such chaos.
Whats happening? Logan said into the phone. Why the hell havent you contacted me, Gil? Yes, I am surly, dammit.
He listened. Dont be stupid. It could be a trap. Marens already killed one man.
Eve stiffened.
Dont do it. He listened again. Yes, shes here. No, I wont let you talk to her. Talk to me.
Eve held out a hand.
He muttered a curse and handed her the phone. Hes an idiot.
I heard that, Gil said. Johns a little testy, isnt he? Thats why I wanted to talk to you. I really dont need to be yelled at in my present state.
What state is that?
Im walking a tight line. Maren is one cool customer.
You spoke to him about the deal?
He denied everything and pretended he didnt know what I was talking about.
Thats a logical reaction. I didnt think it would work.
But I think it did work. I could see I was hitting the bulls-eye. Maren didnt call the hospital security guards. Thats a good sign. I told him to think about it and meet me at a designated place on the Potomac near the C and O canal. Tonight at eleven.
He wont come. Hell talk to Lisa Chadbourne and theyll set a trap for you.
Maybe.
No maybe. Her hand clenched on the tele-phone. You and Logan told me she probably per-suaded him to kill for her. Do you think hes going to believe shed betray him?
Hes a very smart man. Its not easy to fool him. Its hard for me to believe hed let her talk him into killing Chadbourne in the first place. I think I can make him see that he has to cut his losses and get out before hes history.
Dont meet him, Gil.
I have to meet him. If I wrap up Maren, weve got Lisa Chadbourne. Ill let you know how it goes. Gil hung up.
She handed the phone back to Logan. Hes going to do it.
Hes an idiot, Logan said between his teeth.
You said he was a professional and knew what he was doing.
I never said his judgment was infallible. The meeting tonight is a mistake.
She thought it was a mistake too. Unless Lisa Chadbournes hold on Maren had weakened, there was no way hed betray her. And she would never allow that hold to be broken.
Until she broke it herself.
Shes going to be angry.
What?
Lisa Chadbourne. I think she probably regards Maren as her property. Shes going to be angry that were trying to take him away from her.
Its hardly reasonable shed feel possessive of a man she intends to dispose of.
Whos to say shes always reasonable? She has emotions like everyone else. Shes going to be on edge and maybe a little panicky when she finds out were close to Maren. It will be a surprise. She wont have realized wed made that connection.
Gil could be right. Maren might not tell her.
You dont believe that.
He shook his head.
Then what are we going to do?
Youre going to wait here with Kessler. Im going to fly up to Washington and go with Gil to that meeting.
You could be recognized.
Screw it.
Or caught in the same trap.
Ditto. He got out of the car and went around to the drivers side. Ill need the car. Ill drive to Sa-vannah and hop a plane from there. You drive back to the motel with Gary.
She slowly got out, then reached into the back-seat and retrieved Bens case. What about the test results?
You get them. You said it might be days. He slipped behind the wheel. Im no help here anyway.
And Ivanhoe had action to be taken and a castle to be won.
She wanted to hit him.
Phone and let me know what happens. She opened the passenger door of Garys Volvo. Pro-viding youre alive to do it.
Ill be alive. He started the car. Ill be back to-morrow. You should be safe. He frowned. Should isnt good enough. I cant take the chance. Ill call Kessler from the airport and get him to pay one of Tellers security guards to go to the motel and keep watch until I get back.
And what excuse is he going to give Teller?
Kesslers been pretty innovative so far. Let him worry about it.
Timwicks probably still camped out at Duke, and itll take time for anyone to track us here. This is definitely off the beaten path as far as forensic labs are concerned.
But she was no longer certain that the Duke di-version had worked. Lisa Chadbourne wouldnt focus totally on Logan; she had too much respect for women.
A security guard parked out front at the motel wont hurt. Be sure and lock your door, Logan said. And call me if you notice anything suspicious. Anything.
Ill be careful.
He hesitated. I have to go, Eve. Gil is my friend and I brought him into this.
She got into the Volvo and put Bens case on the floor. So go. She gave him a cool glance. I dont need you, Logan. Ive never needed you. Ill handle this myself.
Keep Bens skull with you.
Have you ever seen me leave him anywhere? She smiled bitterly. I know whos important in the scheme of things.
Thats not true. Its just that
Go on. She waved her hand dismissingly. Go help Gil. Go do what you have to do.