The Face of Deception (43 page)

You can do anything in a dream. Im sure youll rationalize it as sleepwalking or something dumb like that. Come on, get up, Mama.

Eve got to her feet, brushed the sand off her shorts, and started down the beach You are a dream, baby. I know it.

Do you? Tomorrow when you come back here the tide will have washed away my sand castle. She smiled at Eve. But you wont risk coming back tonight before that happens, will you?

I might

Bonnie shook her head Youre not ready. But Im beginning to have hope for you.

Is that supposed to thrill me? Id really be bad off if

Look at that sea gull. Bonnies head was lifted to the sky; a radiant smile lit her face, and her red hair shone in the sunlight. Have you ever noticed how their wings seem to move as if theyre hearing music? What song do you think hes hearing?

I dont know. Rachmaninoff? Count Basie?

Isnt he beautiful, Mama?

Beautiful.

Bonnie picked up a seashell and hurled it far out into the water. Okay, ask me the question so we can get it over and enjoy ourselves.

I dont know what you mean.

Mama.

Its not right. I have to bring you home.

You know what my answer will be. Someday youll not ask me and Ill know youre healed She tossed another shell into the sea before turning to smile lovingly at Eve. But I realize you have to do it now, so ask me, Mama.

Yes, ask the question.

Ask a ghost. Ask a dream.

Ask of love.

Where are you, Bonnie?

Dear Reader:

As I came close to the end of The Face of Deception , I knew there had to be another Eve Duncan book.

When I first created Eve, she was just a forensic sculptor with no personal history. But she quickly took on a life of her own, a life of sadness and tri-umph, and emerged one tough lady. She learned to endure every parents worst nightmare: the loss of a child. Because Im also a mother, I can imagine Eves torment. Its too wrenching for me to leave her be-hind right now, not with her search for Bonnie just barely begun.

So Im creating another story. In her quest to bring Bonnie home, Eve faces a challenge that is both intimate and terrifying. A killer will test her en-durance, bring her to the edge of sanity. And Eve will wonder what shes willing to do to survive.

I hope youre looking forward to finding out the answer.

Warmest wishes,

Iris Johansen

The End