Shes very attractive, Eve agreed. And shes doing wonderful work raising money for abused children.

Is she? Margarets tone was absent. That suits got to be Valentino.

Eve smiled with amusement. She would never have dreamed a dynamo like Margaret would be so interested in clothes.

The suit in question was precisely cut to enhance Lisa Chadbournes slim, athletic body. The soft beige color made her olive skin and sleek dark brown hair gleam in contrast. The Presidents wife was smiling at him from the sidelines, and she appeared both proud and loving. Very nice.

Do you think shes had a face-lift? Shes sup-posed to be forty-five but she doesnt look a day over thirty.

Maybe. Eve finished her soup. Or maybe shes just aging well.

I should be so lucky. I saw two new lines in my forehead this week. I stay out of the sun. I use mois-turizer. I do everything right and Im still going downhill. Margaret flicked off the television set. Looking at her depresses me. Chadbournes just saying the same old things. Lower taxes. More jobs. Aid to children.

Nothing wrong with that.

Tell that to John. Hell, Chadbourne says and does everything right and his wife smiles sweetly, has as many charities as Evita Peron, and bakes her own cookies. Its not going to be easy for Johns party to oust an administration that everyones calling the second Camelot.

Unless he could find a way to smear the other party. The more Eve thought about it, the more likely that explanation seemed, and she didnt like it one bit. Where is Logan?

Hes been in the study all afternoon making phone calls. Margaret stood up. Coffee?

No, I had some in the lab an hour ago.

Well, evidently I did something right by pro-viding the coffeemaker.

You did a great job. I have everything I need.

Lucky woman. She poured coffee into her own cup. Not many people can say that. Most of us arent as fortunate. We have to compromise and She looked up, stricken. God, Im sorry. I didnt mean that you

Forget it. She stood up. Now I believe I have about twenty minutes more until your decorators finish with my lab. I think Ill go to my room and make a few phone calls too.

Have I chased you off ?

Dont be ridiculous. Im not that sensitive.

Margarets gaze raked her face. I think you are. But you handle it damn well. She paused and then added awkwardly, I admire you. In your place, I dont think I could She shrugged. Anyway, I didnt mean to hurt you.

You didnt hurt me, Eve said gently. Truly. I do have phone calls to make.

Then go make them. Ill finish my coffee and then go nag those decorators and get them out of your way.

Thank you. Eve left the kitchen and strode quickly to her room. What she had told Margaret had been partly true. Time had formed scars on the wounds and, in many ways, she was lucky. She had a worthwhile profession, a parent she loved, and good friends.

And shed better check in with one of those friends, see if Joe had dug up anything more on Logan. She didnt like how the situation was shaping up, she thought grimly.

No, shed call Mom first.

It took six rings before Sandra picked up, but when she did she was laughing. Hello.

I guess I dont have to ask if youre okay, Eve said. Whats so funny?

Ron just spilled paint on his She broke off, giggling. Youd have to be here.

Youre painting?

I told you I wanted to paint your lab. Ron of-fered to help me.

What color? Eve asked warily.

Blue and white. Its going to look like sky and clouds. Were trying one of those new finishes that you do with garbage bags.

Garbage bags?

I saw it on TV. The receiver was suddenly cov-ered. Dont do that, Ron. Youre messing up the clouds. The corners have to be done differently. She came back on the line. How are you?

Fine. Ive been working on

Thats nice. She was laughing again. No cherubs, Ron. Eve would have a cow.

Cherubs?

I promise, just clouds.

Good God, cherubs, clouds. Youre busy. Ill call you again in a few days.

Im glad youre having a good time. Getting away is good for you.

And it was obviously not causing her mother any problem. No more trouble?

Trouble? Oh, you mean the break-in. Not a bit. Joe dropped by after work with Chinese food but left right after Ron got here. It turns out they know each other. I guess its not so strange, Ron being in the D.A.s office and JoeRon, you need more white in that blue paint. Eve, I have to go. Hes going to ruin my clouds.

We wouldnt want that. Good-bye, Mom. Take care of yourself.

You too.

Eve was smiling as she hung up. Sandra sounded younger than she had ever heard her, and everything was Ron and how everything and everyone related to Ron. Nothing wrong with being young. Kids grew up quick in the slums and maybe Sandra would be able to snatch some of that childhood magic now.