She drew a deep breath and tried to compose her-self. She mustnt panic. She mustnt lose control. Okay, the problem was two-pronged. One, Bens skull must be recovered; any evidence was moot without the skull. Two, Logan and Duncan must be elimi-nated and any other possible evidence destroyed. Dammit, Timwick was doing neither. She had known he was a weak link since that mistake with Donnelli and had made alternate plans to enact whenever necessary.

It was necessary. The more time passed, the more dangerous everything became. She had to take the reins completely in her own hands.

How had she come to this point? She had never wanted any of this. It wasnt fair.

Well, the world wasnt fair. You just had to do whatever you had to do. There wasnt any way she could reverse what shed done that day, so she just had to protect herself and all shed gained.

She opened her phone book to the name and number she had gotten from Timwick three weeks earlier.

She quickly dialed the number. It rang three times before it was answered.

Mr. Fiske? Weve never talked before, but I be-lieve its time we did.

SIXTEEN

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

11:50 A.M.

"Got it. Eves hand tightened on the thermal case that contained the vial with the DNA sample. Now lets get out of here. We cant afford any deterioration.

Is there enough? Logan asked.

Just enough. She turned to Kessler. Where do you suggest we take it, Gary?

I assume you dont want to take a chance on any of the obvious or well-known testing centers?

She shook her head.

But you want a place with excellent credentials.

She nodded.

Duncan, youre an incredibly demanding woman. And youre fortunate that Im incredible enough myself to meet your absurd demands. He lowered his voice dramatically. I know a man.

I dont want a man. I want a lab.

Youll have to settle for Chris Teller.

And who is Chris Teller?

A student of mine who went on to become a MacArthur Fellow. Brilliant man. Hes been doing re-search on the medical side of DNA, but he needed to put food on the table, so he opened a small lab in Bainbridge, Georgia, last year. Its a three-man opera-tion and they intend to keep it that way. The lab is listed as a medical research lab, not a forensic testing center.

It sounds good.

Of course its good. Its perfect. Youd think Id been dabbling in conspiracies all my life. Chris takes DNA profile jobs only when he needs to pay the bills, but hes absolutely accurate. We cant risk bungling. Im not sure I can get another sample.

She nodded slowly. Bainbridge, okay. Ill take it down myself and

Gary was shaking his head. Ill do it. You said you need speed. Ill appeal to him as a fellow scientist.

Look, Ill take Joe. Surely Teller will cooperate with the police.

Not if hes deep in research and doesnt want to stop. Hell just tell Quinn to go somewhere else. Well get better cooperation if I handle it.

Your job is done, Eve said. Its time for you to go somewhere and loll on the beach for a while. I cant ask you to do anything more, Gary.

I didnt hear you ask, Gary said. And Ill de-cide when my job is done. Are you trying to cheat me out of my book contract?

Im trying to keep you alive.

Gary took the thermal case from her and headed for the door. I have to stop by my house and pick up clothes and an overnight bag.

Gary, this is crazy. Let me

You want to be helpful? Go get me samples for Teller to compare this one to. He opened the door. If you want to follow me down to Bainbridge, come ahead. But Im in charge of this sample, Eve.

Gary, listen to Hed already left the labora-tory, and Eve hurriedly followed him down the hall and out the front door.

Whats going on? Joe came toward her. Wheres he going?

A DNA lab in Bainbridge. Hes got the sample. I told him Id take it, but he wanted to go himself.

Stubborn bastard. Joe started down the steps. Ill handle it, Eve.

No. Logan had come out of the building. Eve and I will follow Kessler to Bainbridge. You go see Chadbournes sister, Millicent Babcock.

I suppose you want a DNA sample from her?

Yes, but even if thats a match, it will be only an indication, not proof accepted in a courtroom. We also need direct DNA from Ben Chadbourne. He and his sister were very close. He stayed with her several times during the campaign and he must have sent her birthday cards or notes that still have saliva traces on the envelopes. Or if he left any clothes at her house, there might still be hair or

And how am I supposed to get those little mementoes?

Thats up to you.

And wheres Chadbournes sister?

Richmond, Virginia.

And, of course, youre not trying to get me out of the picture?

Not this time. We need those comparison sam-ples. The sooner we get them, the sooner this will be over.

Joe hesitated and then said, Okay. Chadbournes DNA and a sample from his sister. What do you need from her? Blood?

Saliva will do for now, Eve said. But the sample should be refrigerated and expressed imme-diately.

Ill bring it myself. He looked at Logan. I dont suppose you know if she smokes?

Logan shook his head. Sorry.

Joe shrugged. Salivas no problem. If she doesnt smoke, she probably drinks coffee. Its the national addiction these days. Its Chadbournes DNA thats going to be a headache. Letters will be the most likely source but how the hell am I going to get hellip; He started down the steps. Ill find a way to do it. Ill be on your heels before you know it. You just take care of Eve until I get down there, Logan.

Will you do me a favor and follow Gary to his house and stay with him until we get there? Eve asked. I have to pack up Bens skull and my papers, and I dont want him to be alone. Eves gaze was on Gary, who was now getting into his car. Take care of him, Joe.

And try to persuade him to stop at a lawyers of-fice and get an affidavit, Logan added.

Eve turned to face him.

He shrugged. Sorry to be callous, but its smart to have back-up evidence in case anything happens.

He meant in case Gary was killed, Eve thought, suddenly feeling sick.

Ill get the affidavit and the damned DNA sam-ples. Joe was hurrying after Gary. You just get Eve away from here and out of sight, Logan.

Its done. Logan took her elbow and nudged her back inside the building. Thats one order of Quinns I wont have a problem obeying.

In the lab he packed up the skull while Eve gath-ered the photographs and printouts and stuffed them in her briefcase. Theres no air service to Bainbridge. Well have to drive.

Its safer than taking a plane anyway. Particu-larly out of your home city. He started for the door. Ready?

It would have been too bad if she wasnt ready, she thought ruefully. Logan was on the move and she either had to follow him or be left behind.

And she wasnt about to be left behind.

Why dont you try to get some sleep? Logan said. You worked all last night. I promise I wont land us in a ditch.

I dont want to sleep. Weve been driving a long time. Its almost dark. Arent we almost there?

Another hour or so.

An hour was too long when Eve was this restless. Have you heard from Gil?

Last night. No progress yet. It may take time to approach Maren on a confidential basis. Im sure hes very busy overseeing the work on my corpse.

Thats not funny.

I didnt think so either, but its better if you laugh.

Is it?

Ive always thought so. It keeps you sane.

Then Ill vote for that. She gazed at the tail-lights of Garys car on the road ahead of them. Are you speaking from experience? How close have you come to the edge, Logan?

Close enough.

No. She turned to face him. Dont give me that evasive bull. Its not fair. Tell me. You know everything about me.