Last night. Sometime after midnight.

You locked the lab?

Of course I did.

Easy. He measured coffee into the coffeemaker. You didnt hear anything?

No.

Im surprised, with all that damage.

Joe said he knew exactly what he was doing.

He turned on the coffeepot. Any idea who did it?

She shook her head. No fingerprints. Gloves maybe.

He took a cardigan from a hook on the laundry room door. Gloves. Then it wasnt done by amateurs.

I told you that.

He draped the sweater over her shoulders. So you did.

And this is my mothers sweater.

You need it. I dont think shed mind.

She did need it. She couldnt stop shivering.

He picked up the phone.

What are you doing?

Im calling my personal assistant, Margaret Wilson. Whats the name of your insurance company?

Security America, but you dont

Hello, Margaret. John, he said into the phone. I need you to Yes, I know its a Saturday. He listened patiently. Yes, Margaret. Its a terrible imposi-tion. Im duly grateful for your forbearance. Now, will you shut up and let me tell you what I need?

Eve stared at him in surprise. Whatever she had expected, it was not Logan browbeaten by one of his employees.

He grimaced at Eve, still listening. Now? he repeated into the phone.

Evidently this time the answer was an affirma-tive, because he said, Make a report to Security America for Eve Duncan. He spelled the last name. Break-in, vandalism, and possible theft. If you need details or verification, call Joe Quinn, Atlanta P.D. I want a claims investigator out here right away, and arrange for a cleaning crew. I want that lab spick-and-span by midnight. He sighed. No, I dont want you to fly out here and do it yourself, Margaret. Sarcasm isnt necessary. Just take care of it. I dont want Eve Duncan bothered with anything more than signing her name to a claim report. I also want a security force out here protecting the property and Eve and Sandra Duncan. Call me if you run into any trouble. No, Im not doubting your efficiency, I just He lis-tened a moment more and then said gently but firmly, Good-bye, Margaret. He hung up, then reached into the cabinet for a cup. Margaret will take care of it.

She doesnt want to.

She just wants to make sure I never take her for granted. If Id done it myself, she would have accused me of not trusting her to take care of it. He poured hot coffee into the cup. Cream or sugar?

Black. Has she been with you a long time?

Nine years. He set the coffee down in front of her. We need to go back out there and collect any-thing that you dont want the insurance investigator going through.

I dont think I need to hurry. She took a sip of coffee. Ive never seen an insurance company work that fast.

Trust Margaret. Someone will be here soon. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down op-posite her. Shell regard it as a challenge.

I dont know Margaret, so I cant trust her. Just as I cant trust you. She met his gaze. And I dont need any private security force out here. Joes going to have a police car keep an eye on us.

Good. But a few extra precautions never hurt anybody. They wont get in your way. He studied her as he took a swallow of his coffee. Your color is better. I thought you were going to flip out.

She did feel better. The shaking had eased a little. Dont be stupid. I wasnt going to faint. I deal with horror stories every day. I was just upset.

You had a right to be, and this particular horror story hit very close to home. That makes a difference.

Yes, her private life had been serene and free from violence since that night at the prison. She hadnt been ready to have this ugliness erupt. Its more than that. It makes me feel like a victim. I swore Id never beI hate it.

I can see that you do.

She finished her coffee and stood up. If you really think someone from the insurance company will be coming out right away, Id better go back and finish checking out the lab.

Take a little more time. Like you said, theres no hurry.

I want to get it over with. She moved toward the door. My mother will be coming home soon and I dont want her to feel that she has to do it with me.

Youre very protective of your mother. He fol-lowed her down the steps. Youre close?

Yes. We didnt used to be, but now were good friends.

Friends?

Well, shes only sixteen years older than I am. We sort of grew up together. She glanced over her shoulder. You dont have to go with me, you know.

I know. He opened the lab door for her. But Margaret would be very upset with me if I made her work and didnt do a thing myself.

FOUR

"Lots of blood, Logan said matter-of-factly. But the cleaning crew will take care of it. He nodded at the pile of articles on the floor by the smashed bookcase. Why dont you check for anything there that can be salvaged? I see a couple of photographs.