Bainbridge.
Dont think about Bainbridge. Dont think about the motel room where Gary had died.
A folded piece of paper. Another receipt?
She unfolded the paper.
She went rigid.
A list of several names. Some typewritten, some inked in.
Her own name, Logans, Joes, her mothers
And two other names that caused her eyes to widen in shock.
My God.
She forced herself to continue down the list.
Gary Kessler. Neatly crossed off.
She stared down blindly at Garys name.
Just another name on the list.
Gil had said Fiske was obsessed with neatness and efficiency. So kill a man and cross him off the list.
What is it? Logan was looking at her face in the rearview mirror.
A list. Garys name. She folded the paper and stuffed it into her purse. Shed look at it again later and think about it harder. It hurt too much just then. She went through the other papers. Nothing else of interest. Find us a place to stop.
A motel?
No, theyll be looking for us in this area. Shell wonder why she hasnt heard from Fiske and there will be discreet inquiries. Theyll find out about Joe.
Joe.
She quickly shied away from the thought of him. When she remembered Joe in that hospital, she couldnt focus on anything else.
You know we should leave this vicinity.
No, Joe may need me.
Youre not being reasonable. You cant even go to
I dont care. She couldnt leave Joe, not when she didnt know whether he was going to live or die. Just find us a place to stop for a while. I need to think.
Ive already been thinking. I believe we should contact Peter Brown, the reporter on that Atlanta newspaper.
Maybe. She rubbed her aching temple. But hes Joes friend. We really need Joe to
Joe again. They needed Joe. She needed Joe.
The memories came flooding back. Joe stopping by her lab to nag her for working too hard. Joe joking with her, talking quietly and
Just relax, Logan said. We dont have to de-cide anything this minute. Ill drive for a while and see if I can find somewhere unobtrusive to park.
Logan stopped at a McDonalds ten miles south of Gainesville and bought burgers and Cokes to go. He pulled off the highway and drove on a bumpy dirt road for another five miles, then stopped several yards from a large pond.
This should be private enough. Logan turned off the engine. Though theres probably a farm-house over that next hill. Its not easy finding a spot of wilderness in this day and age.
How far are we from the hospital?
Driving fast, forty minutes. He got out of the car, grabbed Bens case, and came around and opened her door. Come on, lets walk down by that pond. I think we both need some exercise.
Anything to release a little of this tension. She picked up her handbag and joined him.
The pond was muddy and the bank slippery. It must have rained recently. The sun was starting to go down, casting glittering bars of light on the waters surface.
After thirty minutes Logan asked, Better?
No. Yes. She stopped beside a tree and leaned her cheek against the trunk. I dont know, Logan.
I want to help you. Dammit, tell me how to help you.
Make Gary rise from the dead. Tell me Joes going to get well.
She shook her head.
Quinns not the only one who can help you. Let me try.
She sank down on the ground. Ill be okay, Logan. I just have to think. I know theres a way to end it, but it has to come clear and Im not thinking clearly.
Are you hungry?
No.
You should be. You havent eaten in nearly twenty-four hours.
Bubba Blues Barbecue. Gary had ordered food deliveredhellip;
You stay here. He set Bens case down beside her. Ill go bring the food to you.
She watched him stride up the slope. Get a grip, she thought in disgust. She was behaving like a wimp and he was worried about her. The cold calculation of Garys name on that list had thrown her into a tail-spin, and it was taking her a little time to rec
Her phone was ringing.
Mom?
She dug frantically in her purse for the phone.
Eve?
Lisa Chadbourne.
Eve started to shake. Damn you. Damn you to hell.
You gave me no choice. I tried to give you a way out.
And then you killed Gary.
Fiske killed No, I wont deny it. I told him I wanted it done.
And did you tell him to kill Joe too?
No, that wasnt in the immediate plan.
But she wasnt denying it might be on her agenda. Hes dying.
And I assume the dead man who was found with him was Fiske?
He tried to kill Joe.
Evidently he didnt succeed. I understand Quinn may still live.
Hed better.
Are you threatening me? I can understand your bitterness, but havent you realized that you cant win? How many more people have to die, Eve?
You dont have Fiske anymore.
Timwick will find a substitute. Quinn is very vulnerable now. Hes on life support, isnt he?
A bolt of sheer rage shot through Eve. Dont you even think about it.
I dont want to think about it, Lisa said wearily. The idea sickens me, but I will have it done, Eve. Just as I had Kessler killed. Just as Ill have everyone you care about killed. You have to give me the skull and that DNA report.
Go to hell.
Listen to me, Eve. Think about it. Is it worth it?
Youre saying if I give you the skull that Joe will live?
Yes.
Liar. Joe wouldnt be safe. My God, you even killed Scott Maren, and he was supposed to be your friend.
Silence. That wasnt my decision. I didnt know about it until it had been done. Timwick is in a panic and striking out. Ill see that Quinns safe. Be-lieve me.
I dont believe you.
Then, what do you want, Eve? What can I give you?
I want you brought down. She closed her eyes and said the words shed never thought shed say to anyone. I want you dead.
Im afraid thats not one of your choices.
Thats all Ill ever want.
Thats not true. Lisa paused. I was afraid that Fiske would fail, so Ive been sitting here won-dering what I could offer you. And then it came to me. So simple. I know what you want even more than you want me crushed down.
There isnt anything.
Oh, but there is, Eve.
Eve was still staring down at the phone when Logan came back.
He stopped a few feet away, his gaze narrowed on her face. Was it your mother? Hows Quinn?
She shook her head. It was Lisa Chadbourne.
He stiffened. And?
She wants the skull.
So whats new? Is that enough to send you into shock?
Yes. She put the phone back into her handbag. Its enough.
Did she threaten you?
She threatened Joe and Mom.
Sweet.
But Im not sure she can guarantee their safety even if I make the deal. She said Timwick is in a panic and she lost control of him when he killed Maren. She might lose control of him again.
And she might never have lost control and given the order herself.
Maybe. I dont know. I cant think right now.
If I make the dealhellip;
The phrasing abruptly hit home to him. My God, youre actually thinking about it. What the hell did she say to you?
She didnt answer.