Ten minutes should be enough time.
Dont say anything, Lisa. Timwick got out of the helicopter and came toward Eve.
She instinctively took a step back.
He was holding an instrument that looked like one of those metal detector wands used at airport se-curity. Hold out your arms.
You said the entire area was clean, James, Lisa said.
It doesnt hurt to be careful. He ran the wand over Eves body. Turn around.
Dont touch me.
He went behind her and ran the wand from shoulder to feet. Shes okay. No weapons. No wire.
Forgive James, Lisa said. Hes been extremely nervous lately. Its yours and Logans fault, Im afraid. Go away and let us talk, James.
Timwick started to move toward the trees.
No, Eve said sharply. I notice nobody gave me a chance to go over him with that damn wand. I dont want him out of my sight. She pointed at a spot be-side the helicopter. Sit down.
What?
You heard me. I want you sitting with your legs crossed. It would take you longer to attack from that position.
Timwicks lips thinned. This is humiliating, Lisa.
Do it. Lisa was smiling faintly. Youre not quite as helpless as I thought, Eve.
Timwick dropped to the ground and crossed his legs. Satisfied?
No, reach into your jacket and remove your gun. Put the safety on and toss it out of reach.
I dont have a gun.
Remove your gun, Eve repeated.
Lisa nodded. Lets get this over with, James.
Timwick muttered a curse, pulled out his gun, put on the safety, and tossed his gun across the glade.
Eve turned to Lisa. Now Im satisfied.
Youve used up valuable time. Lisa glanced at her watch. Two minutes to be exact.
It was worth it. I dont trust him.
I suppose you have a right to be suspicious. She paused. Now give me Bens skull, Eve.
Not yet.
You want me to tell you that youll get your Bonnie back? She looked her straight in the eye. Theres no way of being sure, but Ill do everything in my power to find her. Her voice vibrated with sin-cerity. I promise you, Eve.
Oh, God, she was telling the truth. Bonnie could come home.
The skull, Eve. I dont have much time. Ive pa-pers and money for you in the helicopter and James has arranged a plane to fly you and your mother out of the country. Give me the skull, and James and I will get back in that helicopter and disappear from your life.
Would there ever be a moment when Lisa Chadbourne wasnt a part of her memory and life?
The skull.
Its over there beneath the trees. Eve glanced warily at Timwick as she moved toward the edge of the glade. Im watching you, Timwick.
James isnt going to interfere. Lisa followed her. He wants that skull as much as I do.
But what about after I give you the skull?
Lisa didnt answer. Her forehead was creased in a frown. Where is it? Did you bury it?
No. She stopped and pointed at the leather case, which was half obscured by a bush. There it is.
In plain sight? You said we wouldnt be able to find it.
A bluff. Would it have done me any good to bury or hide it? Youd have gotten all kinds of detectors in here.
In this case, it seems I overestimated you. She laughed. My God, I thought youd worked out some-thing brilliant. Her smile faded. If it is Ben. You threw a ringer at us before.
Eve shook her head. Its Ben Chadbourne. Look for yourself.
Lisa picked up the case. I hear you do wonderful sculpting work. Will I really be able to see the resem-blance?
Open it.
Lisa stared down at the case. I dont think I want to.
Eve shrugged. Whatever you like. But Im sur-prised youd take the chance of not doing it.
I cant take a chance. Lisa braced herself and slowly opened the latches. Lets see if youre as good as your reput Dear God. She reeled back against the tree, staring down at the scorched skull. What is
Sorry its not as handsome as you expected. Gary Kessler always liked to work on a clean skull, so he made me break down what Id done. You remember Gary. You told Fiske to kill him, didnt you?
Lisa couldnt take her gaze off the skull. She whispered, Ben?
Thats what a man looks like when you burn him. All the skin melts away and
Shut up. Tears were suddenly flowing down Lisas cheeks.
And you see the jagged hole in the back of the skull? Thats what happened when his brain ex-ploded. When youre in a fire, your brain boils and eventually
Shut up, you bitch.
But Garys death was different. You told Fiske that he had to show me that I had to give you the skull. You told him you wanted him crucified.
I didnt tell him that. I just told him he had to shock you into realizing you had to give in. I had to show you. It was your fault. I wanted it all to stop. I told you it would stop if youd give me Bens skull, but you wouldnt do it. She looked down at the skull. Benhellip;
How did you kill him?
Scott Maren gave him a shot. It was very quick, very merciful. He didnt suffer. She drew a deep breath and struggled for control. Making me look at this skull was very cruel, Eve.
Dont talk to me about cruelty. You had Gary and Gil killed. Joe almost died.
Are you satisfied now? Lisa asked. Christ, youre hard. I was actually feeling sorry for you.
You mean because you intended to kill me? Be-cause you never expected to let me leave here?
I told you to arrange a drop. I knew I couldnt let you stay alive if you gave me the opportunity Its my job. She jerkily turned toward Timwick. Were leaving, James. Take care of her.
Timwick slowly rose to his feet. You want me to kill her?
No, I dont want it, but it has to be done. So do it.
Timwick looked at Eve. Then he turned and walked toward the helicopter.
James!
Screw you.
Lisa went rigid. We agreed it had to be done.
He opened the helicopter door. And did we agree that Fiske would take me out too? When was it going to be, Lisa?
I dont know what you mean.
The list. You gave Fiske another list. I saw it. He combined your list and mine. I know his hand-writing.
How could you see something that doesnt exist. She moistened her lips. If there was a list, it certainly didnt come from me. You know he often had his own agenda.
He wouldnt kill the hand that was feeding him. Not unless another one was feeding him too. You thought you didnt need me any longer.
Nothing can be proved. Fiske is dead.
Youd find someone else to put me down.
Youre making a mistake. She started toward the helicopter. Listen to me, James.
Im through listening. Im out of here.
Theyll catch you.
Not if I have a head start. That was part of the deal. Ill call Camp David and tell them were on the way. That should give me enough time. He got into the helicopter. Burn in hell, bitch.
Timwick! She reached for the door. Its a trick. Its a lie. Dont give up all weve worked for. Kevin will appoint you
The helicopter lifted off and Lisa fell to the ground.
Eve watched her struggle to her knees.
Lisa Chadbourne gazed at Eve across the clearing. You did this.
Actually, you did it. Youre the one who told me Timwick was in a panic. A man in a panic will snatch at any straw.
You set me up. There was still a thread of dis-belief in her voice.
It was my plan. But it was Logan who ap-proached Timwick with the list.