I doubt it. Youre a multifaceted woman. It wouldnt surprise me if you had a few secrets.

Tell me.

What do you want to know?

The edge.

Ah, you want to see my scars.

Youve seen mine.

He was silent a moment. I was married once when I was pretty young. It was during the time I lived in Japan. She was Eurasian and the most beau-tiful woman Id ever seen. Her name was Chen Li.

Youre divorced?

She died of leukemia. He smiled crookedly. It wasnt like your loss. No violence. Except on my part. I wanted to tear the world apart when I couldnt find a way to help her. I was a cocky bastard and sure that there wasnt a mountain I couldnt climb. Well, I couldnt climb that one. It took over a year for her to die, and I had to watch it. Is that a deep enough scar for you?

She looked away from him into the darkness. Yes, thats deep enough.

And do you know me better now?

She didnt answer. Did you love her?

Oh, yes. I loved her. He glanced at her. You know, you really shouldnt have asked. You have a soft heart and it would have been easier for you to dislike me if you hadnt seen Im human, like everyone else.

It was true. Understanding always made antago-nism more difficult. His very restraint underscored the pain hed undergone. Ive never doubted you were human.

Maybe. Maybe not. He changed the subject. Tellers lab may not be open when we reach Bain-bridge. Well probably have to check into a motel and wait until tomorrow morning.

Cant we call him or something? Maybe Gary could

Kesslers going to arouse enough suspicion by the pressure hes going to apply on Teller. It would be a little over the top to ask him to stay open until we got there.

No doubt he was right but, dear God, she wanted to move more quickly. You dont understand. It sometimes takes weeks to get a definitive report on a DNA sample. Garys going to ask Teller to do it in a few days. Private labs have the capability to be faster because theyre not as backlogged, but every minute is going to count.

Will some of my filthy lucre help urge him to do a little overtime?

She shook her head. I dont think so. He sounds like a dedicated professional.

He still has to pay the mortgage. Kessler seemed to think Teller might need money.

True. Maybe she was wrong. Money could move the world. She herself had been tempted by the bait he had dangled before her. Let Gary try his way first.

No offense. Just trying to help.

I know you were. Why should I take offense? Theres nothing wrong with money.

He stared at her in surprise.

I just dont like it used as a club.

But bribery is okay?

In certain cases.

He smiled. Like the Adam Fund?

Hell, yes.

Even when I used it to deceive you?

No, that wasnt right. She looked into his eyes. But I let you do it. Im not stupid. I knew there was something wrong, but I still took the chance. I wasnt like youI wasnt afraid someone was going to make a mistake and blow us all up. I wanted the money. I thought it would help and I was willing to run the risk. If I hadnt gone with you, none of this would have hap-pened. I wouldnt be in trouble and Mom would be safe. She shrugged. Id like to keep blaming you, but we all have to accept responsibility for our own actions.

That wasnt the impression I got, he said dryly. You wanted to cut my throat.

There are moments when I still do. You were wrong. But I was wrong too, and I have to live with it. She gazed out the window. I just dont want anyone else hurt because I was wrong.

Youre being very generous.

Im not generous, she said wearily. But I try to see things clearly. I learned a long time ago that its easy to blame everyone else when it hurts to blame yourself. But in the end you have to face it.

He went still. Bonnie?

We were at a school picnic at a neighborhood park. She wanted to go to the ice cream stand and get a cone. I was talking to her teacher and I let her go alone. There were kids and parents all around and the stand was only a short distance from the picnic table. I thought it was safe. It wasnt safe.

For Gods sake, how could that be your fault? he asked roughly.

I should have gone with her. Fraser killed her but I didnt care for her well enough.

And have you been wearing that hair shirt all these years?

Its hard not to second-guess yourself when you make a mistake as big as that.

He didnt speak for a moment. Why did you tell me?

Why had she told him? She usually avoided talking about that day; the memory was still a hideous raw wound. I dont know. I made you tell me about your wife. Ihellip; think it hurt you. I suppose I thought it was only fair to even the ground.

And you have an obsession about being fair.

I have to try. Sometimes it doesnt work. Some-times I find myself closing my eyes and hiding away in the dark.

Like you did with Quinn?

I didnt hide She was lying. Admit it, she had tried not to see everything about Joes life clearly. The image she had of him was too important to her. Maybe I did. But not usually. Not if I can help it.

I believe you.

She was silent a moment. What about Millicent Babcock? Will she be in danger if they find out Joe got a sample from her?

Harming her wouldnt be much use to them. Chadbourne has an aunt and three first cousins living. It would be pretty obvious if theyre all taken down. Besides, its Ben Chadbournes DNA thats the con-clusive proof. Shes probably safe.

Probably.

Probably her mother was safe. Probably Gary would not be hurt. Probably Millicent Babcock would not be killed.

Probably wasnt good enough.

She leaned her head back on the seat and closed her eyes.

Let it be good enough. No more deaths. Please, no more deaths.

WASHINGTON

11:05 p.m.

Mr. Fiske? Lisa Chadbourne leaned closer to the car window and smiled. May I get in? Its a little public out here.

Fiske glanced around the street and then shrugged. It looks pretty deserted to me.

Thats why I chose it. All the federal offices close at five in this neighborhood. She got in the pas-senger seat and shut the door. But Im sure youll understand that I cant take any chances. Im fairly recognizable these days.

True. The velvet-trimmed hood of her brown cape was pulled forward to shadow her features, but the minute she pushed it back, Fiske instantly recog-nized her. It really is you. I wasnt surehellip;

You were sure enough to hop a plane and come to Washington to meet me.

I was curious, and you said youd make me an offer that would intrigue me. Im always interested in advancing myself.

And you were flattered that I would go over Timwicks head and speak to you directly?

No. The conceited bitch thought he should fall all over himself just because she was the Presidents wife. You dont mean anything more to me than anyone else. I dont need you, you need me. Or you wouldnt be here.

She smiled. Youre right. You have a unique talent and an efficiency I appreciate. I told Timwick the way you handled the problem at Barrett House was admirable. She paused. But, unfortunately, Timwick is not as efficient and hes become nervous and irrational. Hes begun to disappoint me. You do realize that hes merely been channeling orders from me?

Not the President?

Definitely not the President. Hes not involved.

He was disappointed. It would have been a feather in his cap to have done this job for the most important man in the free world. Then I should be charging more money, shouldnt I?

Should you?

If he doesnt know about what youre doing, then hes a potential threat. If he was involved, he could protect me. You cant do shit.

Do you want to be protected, Fiske? I dont think so. Ive read your dossier and I dont believe thats one of your priorities. Youre not a man who relies on anyone but himself.