So now Lisa Chadbourne had a choice of targets.
How did I do? Kevin asked. Was the statement right? Do you think I should have told Douglas to be a little more stern?
You were great, Lisa said patiently. The state-ment to the media was just right. You made yourself seem regretful and Logan appear dangerous enough for us to have a reason to go after him.
Self-defense. He nodded. It should work.
It will work. She handed him the paper shed just printed out. You need to memorize this. I want you to sound completely extemporaneous.
What is it?
The eulogy youre giving for Scott Maren. He glanced over the text. Touching.
A little tearing wouldnt be remiss. He was one of Bens best friends.
And yours. Kevin was staring down at the speech and his next words came haltingly, Wasnt he?
She tensed. She didnt like his tone. Shed become accustomed to taking Kevins willful blindness for granted. Yes, he was my good friend. He did a great deal for mehellip; and for you.
Yes. He didnt look up from the speech. Its strange. The accident, I mean.
He always insisted on driving that little Cor-vette. Everyone told him that he should switch to a bigger car.
No, I mean right now.
What are you trying to say, Kevin? She took the speech away from him. Look at me.
He flushed. Im confused. Everythings hap-pening too fast. First, this business with Logan and now Scott dying.
Do you think I had anything to do with Scotts death? She let tears fill her eyes. How could you? He was our friend. He was helping us.
I didnt say that, he said quickly.
You might just as well have said it.
No, I didnt mean He gazed at her helplessly. Dont cry. You never cry.
Youve never accused me of Do you think Im some kind of monster? You know why Ben died. Do you think Id ever do that again?
With Logan.
To save you. Logan should never have interfered with what youre doing.
He reached out and awkwardly touched her shoulder. Forget it. I didnt mean
I cant forget it. She stepped back and thrust the speech at him. Go on to your office and learn that eulogy. And, while youre at it, decide whether I could have written those words about Scott if Id ever meant harm to him.
I know you didnt I just wondered why it hap-pened.
She turned her back on him and walked over to the window.
She could feel his gaze on her and then heard the sound of the door closing behind him.
Thank God. She didnt think she could have held on another minute. The entire night and morning had been a nightmare.
Damn him. Damn him. Damn him.
Tears were still running down her cheeks as she reached for her phone and dialed Timwick.
Why? she asked hoarsely. Damn you, why?
Maren was a threat. Hes always been a threat. I told you he needed to be eliminated when Logan started probing.
And I told you not to do it. Scott was never a threat. He helped us.
He was a loose thread, Lisa. And Logan was too close to unraveling him. You were too soft to do it, so I did it myself.
She closed her eyes. He would never have betrayed me.
Youre not the only one in this. She could hear the panic in his voice. I couldnt take the chance. He changed the subject. The press conference went well. It gives us the firepower we need. We found the speedboat. But we havent gotten a lead on Price and Logan yet. Ill keep you informed. He hung up.
He had dismissed the killing of Scott as if it were unimportant.
Just another deathhellip;
How many more? she wondered. How much more bloodhellip;
She sank down in her desk chair and covered her eyes.
Oh, God, Scott, forgive me. I never thought I cant seem to stop it now. It goes on and on and I have to go with it.
Think. Was there any way out? She had to have the skull. The scenario she had set up gave Timwick the ability to make sure Logan could be killed on sight.
More killing. And after him, Fiskes list would kick in and the deaths would go on.
She couldnt stand it.
A deal?
No, Logan was a stubborn man and would not give up even if sense and practicality told him that he should. Men were always too
But Eve Duncan knew where the skull was and she had no male ego to stop her from thinking clearly. Duncan was a clever woman who would recognize that all their options were gradually disappearing.
Lisa straightened and wiped her eyes. She turned and switched on the computer.
Eve Duncan.
NINETEEN
The phone rang.
Logan?
Eve snatched her phone from the table where shed put it in readiness. Hello.
Hello, Eve. I hope you dont mind my calling you by your given name. Please do the same. I believe events have established a certain intimacy between us.
Eve straightened in shock.
You do know who this is?
Lisa Chadbourne.
You recognize my voice. Good.
How did you get my number?
Ive had it since the first dossier on you was given to me. It didnt seem prudent to contact you under the circumstances.
Since you were trying to kill me?
Please believe I never meant to harm you until you interfered. You should never have accepted Logans offer. She paused. And you should never have permitted Logan to try to persuade Scott to be-tray me.
I dont control Logan. Nobody does.
You should have tried. Youre intelligent and youre strong. All it would have taken was a little ef-fort. Maybe all this could have been She stopped to steady her voice. I didnt mean to get emotional on you. I dont expect you to understand, but its been a bad day for me.
I dont understand. The shock had dissipated a little and the sheer outlandishness of the conversa-tion hit Eve abruptly. And I dont care.
Of course you dont care. She paused. But its necessary that you try to understand. I have to see it through. Its like being on a roller coaster. You cant get off until you reach the end. Ive fought too hard, Ive given up too much. I cant lose all Ive gained.
Through murder.
Silence. I want it to end. Let me find a way to end it, Eve.
Why did you call me?
Is Logan there?
Relief rushed over her. If Lisa didnt know where Logan was, it meant that he and Gil could be safe. Not right now.
Good. Hed get in the way. For a brilliant man, hes not at all reasonable. Youre not like him. You can see the advantages of compromise. She paused. As you did when you begged them not to execute Fraser.
Eves hand tightened on the phone. She hadnt expected her to touch that wound.
Eve?
Im here.
You wanted Fraser to die, but you wanted some-thing else more. You were reasonable enough to deal for what you wanted.
I dont want to talk about Fraser.
I can see why you dont want to remember him. I mentioned him only because you have to be reason-able now.
What do you want from me?
The skull and any other evidence you and Logan have gathered.
And what do I get for handing over those things to you?
The same deal you offered Scott. You disappear and turn up somewhere with enough money to keep you for the rest of your life.
And what about Logan?
Im sorry, its too late for Logan. We had to act publicly to make sure hes no threat to us. You can just fade away, but I cant call off the hunt for Logan. Hes on his own.