Simple, hell.

If its not, it was done very well, Gil said. Ex-tremely well.

Like the vandalism of Eves lab in Atlanta. Were you followed?

No doubt about it. You knew I would be.

Can you find out from one of your old buddies who Timwick might be using?

Maybe. Ill put out some feelers. Do you want me to come back there?

No. Ive been trying to contact James Cadro all morning. According to his office, hes camping with his wife in the Adirondacks. He paused. Hurry. I wasnt the first one to inquire about him.

Do we know where in the Adirondacks?

Somewhere near Jonesburg.

Great. Thats what I like. Precise directions. Im on my way.

Logan replaced the phone. Dora Bentz dead. He could have saved her if hed acted yesterday. But, dammit, hed thought theyd all be safer if he didnt display any interest in them, if he seemed to ignore their existence.

He was wrong. Dora Bentz was dead.

It was too late for her but maybe not for the others. A distraction could possibly save lives and give him the witnesses he desperately needed.

But he couldnt move fast without Eve Duncan. She was the key. He had to be patient and let her begin to trust him.

Trust building would be a slow process with someone as wary as Eve. She was smart and some-where along the way she would find out that there was more danger to her and her family than an act of vandalism.

Scratch trust.

Then find a way to overcome her resistance and catapult her into his camp.

He leaned back in his chair and began to go over the possibilities.

Hi. Margaret stuck her head into the lab. The decorators in charge of warming up the lab are here. Can you vacate the place for an hour and let them do their thing?

Eve frowned. I told you it wasnt necessary.

The lab isnt perfect, therefore its necessary. I dont do my job halfway.

Only an hour?

I told them you didnt want to be bothered and theyd lose the sale if they took longer. And you do have to eat. She checked her watch. Its almost seven. How about having soup and a sandwich with me while we wait?

Just a minute. She carefully moved the board with Mandys bones to the bottom drawer of the desk. Tell them not to touch the desk or theyll lose more than a sale. Ill murder them.

Right. Margaret turned and disappeared.

Eve took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. A break would probably be good. She had made only a little progress in several hours and her frustration was growing. But a little progress was better than none. Shed tackle the work again after eating.

She encountered six men and two women in the hallway, bearing accent pillows, chairs, and carpets, and had to press back against the wall to avoid the stampede.

This way. Margaret took her arm, maneuvered her around two men carrying a rolled carpet, and led her toward the kitchen. Its not as massive an under-taking as it looks. One hour, I promise.

Im not timing you. A few minutes either way isnt going to matter.

Not going too well? Margaret asked sympa-thetically. Too bad. They entered the kitchen and Margaret gestured to the two places set at the kitchen table. I made tomato soup and cheese sandwiches. Is that okay?

Fine. Eve sat down, picked up her napkin, and spread it on her lap. Im not that hungry.

Im starved, but Im on a diet and trying to be good. She sat down opposite Eve and looked at her accusingly. Youve obviously never been on a diet in your life.

Eve smiled. Sorry.

You should be. She reached for the TV remote on the counter. Mind if I turn on the set? The Presi-dents having a press conference. John has me tape and listen to all of them and report to him if theres any-thing interesting.

I dont mind. She began to eat. If you dont mind my not paying any attention to it. Politics isnt my cup of tea.

Nor mine. But John is fairly obsessed with it.

I heard about the fund-raisers. Do you think he wants to go into politics himself ?

She shook her head. He couldnt stand the bull-shit. She watched the TV for a moment. Chadbournes damn good. Hes practically oozing warmth. Did you know theyre calling him the most charis-matic president since Reagan?

No. Its a big job and charisma doesnt get the work done.

But it can get you elected. She nodded at the TV. Look at him. Everyone says he might carry Con-gress this time.

Eve looked. Ben Chadbourne was a big man in his late forties with a handsome face and gray eyes that sparkled with life and humor. He answered one of the reporters questions with a good-natured jab. The room erupted into laughter.

Impressive, Margaret said. And Lisa Chadbournes not chopped liver. Did you see her suit? Valentino, I bet.

I wouldnt know.

Or care. Margaret grimaced. Well, I care. She always attends every press conference, and the only kick I get from watching them is seeing what she wears. Someday Im going to be skinny enough to wear suits like that.