Why did that thought make Eve feel a thousand years old?

Because she was stupid and selfish and maybe a little envious.

Joe.

She reached for the telephone again and then stopped.

Logan had known she had gone to the cemetery.

She didnt like the idea of that electronic beehive in the carriage house.

She was being paranoid. Video cameras didnt necessarily equate to bugged telephones.

But they might. Ever since shed arrived there shed had the vague sensation of being caught in a web.

So she was paranoid.

She stood up, dug her digital out of her shoulder bag, and punched in Joes number.

I was just going to call you. How are things going?

Theyre not going. Im treading water. He wants to involve me more than Im comfortable with. I need to know what Im looking at. Did you dig up anything?

Maybe. But its pretty weird.

Whats not weird about all this?

It seems hes lately acquired an obsession about John F.Kennedy.

Kennedy, she repeated, startled.

Yeah. And Logans a Republican, so that by it-self is already weird. He paid a visit to the Kennedy Library. He ordered copies of the Warren Commis-sion Report on Kennedys assassination. He went to the book depository in Dallas and then to Bethesda. Joe paused. He even talked to Oliver Stone about the research he did for his movie JFK. All done very ca-sual and quiet. No urgency. Youd never even make the connection between his actions unless you were looking for a pattern, like I was.

Kennedy. It was bizarre. That cant have any-thing to do with why Im here. Is there anything else?

Not so far. You asked for out of the ordinary.

Well, you certainly gave it to me.

Ill keep looking. He changed the subject. I ran into your moms current flame tonight. Rons a nice guy.

She thinks so. Thanks for keeping an eye on her for me.

I dont think Im going to have to do much more of it. Ron seemed pretty protective himself.

I havent met him yet. Moms afraid Ill scare him off.

You might.

What do you mean? You know I want whatevers best for Mom.

Yep, and youll kick ass until you get it for her.

Am I that bad?

Joes voice softened. No, youre that good. Look, Ive got to go. Diane wants to catch a nine oclock movie. Ill call you when I know anything more.

Thanks, Joe.

Forget it. I probably didnt help you much.

He probably hadnt, Eve thought as she hung up. Logans interest in JFK might be just coincidence. What possible connection could there be between the ex-president and her present situation?

Coincidence? She doubted if anything Logan did was coincidental. He was too sharp, too much in con-trol. His search for information about Kennedy was too recent not to be suspicious, and if hed tried to keep his interest in Kennedy under wraps, it was for a reason.

What reason? It couldnt be of

She stiffened with shock.

Oh, my God.

SEVEN

The library was unoccupied when she entered a few minutes later.

She slammed the door closed, flicked on the light, and strode toward the desk. She opened the right-hand drawer. Just papers and telephone books. She slammed it shut and opened the left-hand drawer.

Books. She pulled them out and set them on the desk.

The Warren Commission Report was on top. Be-neath it was the Crenshaw book on the Kennedy au-topsy and then a well-thumbed book titled The Kennedy Conspiracy: Questions and Answers.

May I help you? Logan stood in the doorway.

Are you crazy, Logan? She glared at him. Ken-nedy? Youve got to be out of your mind.

He crossed the room and sat down at the desk. You appear to be a little upset.

Why should I be upset? Just because youve brought me here on the wildest goose chase ever con-ceived by man. Kennedy? she repeated. What the hell kind of crackpot are you?

Why dont you sit down and take a deep breath. He smiled. You scare me when you loom over me like that.

Bullshit. This isnt funny, Logan.

His smile vanished. No, its not funny. I was hoping it wouldnt come to this. I tried to be so careful. I take it you didnt just decide to ransack my office out of curiosity. Joe Quinn?

Yes.

I heard he was very smart. He shook his head. But youre the one who sicced him on me. Why couldnt you have just left it alone?

You expected me to wander around in the dark?

He was silent a moment. No, I guess I didnt expect it. But I hoped. I wanted you to go into this unprejudiced.