The Face of Deception (39 page)

And she was seeing only Bonnie.

TWENTY-TWO

Lisa Chadbourne called at seven on the dot the next morning. Well?

Eve drew a deep breath. Ill do it.

Im glad. Believe me, its best for everyone.

I dont care about everyone. If I did, I wouldnt be dealing with you. Listen to me. I want you to set me and my mother up somewhere out of the country, as you promised. I want you to call off your dogs after Logan and I want you to leave Joe Quinn alone.

And you want Bonnie.

Oh, yes. Her voice was shaking. You have to find her and bring her to me. Thats absolutely non-negotiable.

Ill find her. I promise you, Eve. Ill arrange for Timwick to pick up the skull and then

No. I dont know if your promise is good enough. Im taking a big chance. Whos to say you wont go back on your word once you have the skull?

Youll still have the DNA records. You know they could cause me a great deal of trouble.

Perhaps not enough without the skull.

Then, what are you asking?

Im not asking, Im demanding. I want to see you. I want you to pick up the skull.

Thats not possible.

Its the only way Ill deal.

Look, a woman in my position cant move around freely What youre asking is impossible.

Dont lie to me. A woman who can kill her hus-band and get away with it can find a way to meet me. Im putting my life on the line and Ive got to use what I can to survive. I dont have many weapons, but Im an artist. Ive made a study of facial expressions and Ive also studied you. I think Ill be able to tell if you intend to keep your word.

A pause. Youll bring the skull with you?

It will be hidden close by. But I guarantee you wont be able to find it if you decide to set a trap for me.

And what if this is a trap for me?

Take what precautions you like as long as they dont pose a threat to me.

And where do you suggest we meet?

Somewhere near Camp David. It would be easiest for you to go there for the weekend. Particularly since youve supposedly suffered the loss of your friend Scott Maren. Just state Camp David as your destination and have the pilot set down before you reach there.

It seems to be a reasonable plan. What about Logan?

Hes out of it. I took the skull and papers and left him during the night. He told me I was crazy. He thinks youll betray me.

But youre not listening to him?

Im listening. He may be right. Her hand tightened on the phone. I have to do it anyway. You knew I would, didnt you?

A silence on the other end of the line. This meeting isnt a good idea. It would be safer if you drop the skull off where Timwick can pick it up.

Safer for you.

Safer for both of us.

No, I have to see your face when you tell me youre going to find Bonnie. Youve told too many lies. I have to do whatever I can to make sure youre not deceiving me.

Believe me, its not a good idea.

Take it or leave it.

Give me a moment to think about it. Another silence. Very well. Ill meet you. But you can under-stand that Im going to bring Timwick.

No.

Timwick can fly a helicopter and hes Secret Service. That means Ill be able to eliminate both my guard and the pilot without suspicion. Lisa paused. And he has equipment that will be able to tell me if either you or the area is wired. I do have to protect myself.

And whos going to protect me from him?

Ill send Timwick away once Im assured you havent set a trap for me. I wont come without him, Eve.

She gave in. Okay. No one else. If I see any sign of anyone else, I wont meet you.

Fair enough. Now tell me where you want to meet.

Ill call you when youre in the air and near Camp David.

Caution. When do you want me to leave?

Tomorrow. Eight A.M.

Very well. Remember, it takes thirty minutes to reach Camp David from the White House. She paused. If I cant talk you into a drop. It would really be safer for both of us.

I said no.

Then tomorrow. Lisa hung up.

Eve pressed the end button. It was done. Logan had called it a terrible mistake, but shed rolled the dice anyway.

She needed transportation to get to Washington today, and there was one more thing she had to do be-fore she left. She dialed her mother. Hows Joe?

I just finished talking to the hospital. Hes out of intensive care.

Eve closed her eyes as waves of relief washed over her. Hes better? Hes going to live?

He regained consciousness during the night. The doctors are being cautious, but all the signs are promising.

I want to see him.

Dont be crazy. You know thats not possible.

But it didnt stop the desperation she was feeling. Who could guess what was going to happen at Camp David? She needed to see Joe. Okay. I need some help. Will you rent a car for me and pick me up?

What happened to the car Logan had?

Weve parted company. Theyre searching for him harder than they are for me, and theres probably an order to shoot on sight.

Im glad youre not together. I didnt like the idea of the two of you

Mom, I dont have much time. Im in a womens rest room at the Gainesville Recreational Park. Its deserted at this hour, but I cant stay here very long. I hate to ask it of you, but will you pick me up?

Im on my way.

Mom was on her way. Eve would drop Sandra off back at the condo and then she would be on her way too. She sat down on the floor, put down her handbag next to Bens case, and leaned back against the con-crete block wall. Breathe deep. Try to relax. She was doing what she had to do.

Tomorrow: eight A.M.

Tomorrow: eight A.M.

Lisa stood up and moved over to the window.

Tomorrow she would have Bens skull and the primary threat would be over.

It could be a trap, but Lisas gut instinct told her she had played the one card that Eve Duncan couldnt resist. The woman was obsessed with finding her daughter, and Lisa had played on her torment and brought the woman to her knees. She supposed she should feel triumphant.

She didnt feel triumphant.

She wished shed been able to convince Eve that a meeting wasnt necessary. She had honestly planned on keeping her part of the bargain.

Or had she? she wondered wearily. Shed thought she knew herself, but shed never dreamed she would do the things she had already done.

She just wished Eve hadnt set up the meeting.

NEAR CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK

THE NEXT DAY

8:20 A.M.

The helicopter was approaching from the north.

Eve made the call.

Im in a glade one mile from route 77 by Hunting Creek. Set down in the glade. Ill come to meet you.

As soon as we do a sweep of the area and make sure its secure, Lisa Chadbourne said. Timwick likes to be cautious.

It was Lisa who liked to be cautious, Eve thought. But Eve had been cautious too. Shed made very sure the surrounding area was all clear before shed made the call.

Hands nervously clenching and unclenching she watched the helicopter circle the clearing.

One person. Timwick pointed at the infrared blur on the LCD screen. The nearest other heat source is at the diner on route 77 , three miles away.

Electronics?

Timwick checked another screen. Nothing in the area anywhere near Duncan.

Youre sure?

Of course Im sure. Its my ass too.

Lisa felt a tinge of sadness as she looked at the solitary blur on the screen and realized Eve was down there alone and unprotected. Then lets go down and see if we can save it, James.

Lisa Chadbourne was getting out of the helicopter.

Eve had made the deal. She had set the time and place and yet it still seemed bizarre that Lisa was really there.

Eve watched her as she jumped to the ground. She looked just as she had on the videosbeautiful, serene, glowing. Well, what had she expected? Some marks of dissipation or cruelty? Lisa had killed her husband and still appeared the same as in those videos. Why would any other death make a difference?

Gary. Blood. Daggers. The hideous scene in that motel room flashed before Eves eyes.

It should make a difference. It should.

Dont think about it. Be calm.

She moved toward the helicopter.

Lisa Chadbourne said crisply, Hello, Eve. James called security at Camp David just now and said wed landed to check out a light on our control panel. We have ten minutes tops. Either were back in the air by then or theyll become alarmed and send someone to this area.

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