Perhaps.

Her stomach clenched. And were you tempted, Scott? Just a little?

For Gods sake, Im calling you, arent I? Does that sound like I want to strike a deal?

No, Im sorry. Im scared. I never thought theyd guess it was you. Jesus, it was all falling apart.

No, it wasnt. She just had to think, to make ad-justments. We can work our way out of this. We may be lucky that they thought you might make a deal. They could have gone to the media.

But weve blocked that route for them.

Did you finish substituting the records?

Right after Price left me.

The panic subsided a little. It was going to be all right. She could see her way clear now. Thank God. Then Ill talk to Kevin right away and start the ball rolling. Its going to be fine, Scott.

Is it?

Of course it is. I promise you.

Youve promised me a lot of things, Lisa, he said wearily.

And havent I given you everything I promised? Youve lived the sweet life all these years.

You think I couldnt have done it without you?

I didnt say that, Scott.

He was silent a moment. Sorry.

He sounded odd, and she knew better than to overlook any change in him. The situation was too delicate. Whats wrong?

Price said something else. He told me about three people whod been murdered quite recently and that the murders conveniently erased problems for you. He asked if I wasnt afraid that Id be killed too.

And are you afraid, Scott? After all these years, are you afraid Id hurt you?

Silence. No, I guess not.

Thats not good enough. Dont guess, know.

He didnt say anything.

She closed her eyes. Christ, not now. Dont let him doubt now. Well talk. Ill prove it to you. But now we have to deal with Price as cleanly as possible to save you.

Not to mention you.

All right, save both of us. Go ahead and meet Price. Ill have Timwick there before you.

And?

Well take Price and try to use him as a bargaining tool for the skull. We have to have that skull back.

You think Logan will deal?

Weve got to try. She paused. Trust me, Scott. I wont let Logan take you down. Not after all youve done for me. She hung up.

Her heart was beating too hard. Breathe deeply, steadily. It was only another challenge.

But it was a challenge she shouldnt have had to meet. If Timwick had done his job with Donnelli, no one would ever have suspected Scott and she would not have had to make this decision. Panic was turning to rage. Logan and Duncan were coming too close and she was losing control.

So gain control. She had a way out. Shed call Timwick and tell him the problem.

But first she had to talk to Kevin and guide him on the path he had to take.

Joe called Eve at eight that evening. Ive managed to get a letter Chadbourne wrote to his sister when their mother died a few months before he took office. I dont think theres any doubt that he licked that par-ticular envelope himself.

Great. How did you get it?

You dont want to know. That would make you an accessory. But I havent gotten the sample from Millicent Babcock yet, and I thought that would be the easiest. Im following her and her husband to the country club this evening to see if I can get my hands on a glass. He paused. How are you?

Fine. Gary is going to be able to get the DNA right away.

Good. Another silence. Is Logan taking good care of you?

She avoided answering. He would go ballistic if he knew Logan wasnt here. I take care of myself, Joe.

I should be there. I should have told Logan to come here and follow that Babcock woman around. I didnt trust him to get the job done, but Im spinning my damn wheels.

Youll get it tonight.

Id better or Ill mug the damn woman and get a blood sample instead. Youre not laughing. I was joking, dammit.

Sorry, nothing seems very funny to me right now.

Me neither. Ill try to be there tomorrow. Take care of yourself.

Joe. She stopped him before he could hang up. Have you called Diane?

Before I left Atlanta.

Shell be worried about you. Im feeling guilty enough about involving you. I dont want to send her off the deep end too.

Ill call her.

Now?

Now, dammit. He ended the call.

She put the phone back on the table. At least Joe was safe and behaving with his usual protectiveness. Tomorrow hed be here and shed once more feel that sense of homecoming that was always present when she was with Joe.

Now she had only to wait for Logan to call and tell her he and Gil were okay.

Call her, Joe thought. You promised Eve youd call Diane. Now do it.

He dialed his home number and Diane picked up immediately.

Hi, babe, just thought Id check in. How are you doing?

Where are you, Joe?

I told you, out of town on a case. I should be able to wrap it up pretty soon.

What case?

Nothing youd be interested in.

Oh, I think Id be interested. Her tone was hard. Do you think Im stupid, Joe? Im tired of pre-tending Im blind. All this stuff on television. Its Eve, isnt it?

He was silent. He knew she wasnt stupid, but hed hoped shed pretend the problem didnt exist, as she usually did with issues that made her uncomfortable.

Isnt it?

Yes.

Its gone too far, Joe. Her voice was shaking. How long do you think I can put up with this? We have a good life and youre risking everything we have for her. Is she worth it?

You know I cant turn my back on her.

Oh, I know that. Nobody knows it better. I thought I could take it, but she dominates your god-damned life. Just why the hell did you marry me, Joe?

Youre upset. Well talk about this when I come home.

If you come home. If she doesnt get you killed. Diane slammed down the phone.

Jesus, hed made a mess of it. Why had he thought the marriage would work? Hed given her everything he could, everything hed thought she wanted. Hed tried to balance honesty with kindness, but Diane had pride, and no matter how he tried to avoid inflicting pain, it was inevitable. Everything Diane had said was true. She had every right to wonder why he had married her.

He hoped she never found out.

EIGHTEEN

The scent of the damp, mossy riverbank hit Logan as soon as he got out of the car. The smell of earth re-minded him of the cornfield in Maryland.

Not a particularly happy memory, Logan thought. A successful diversion, but he still remembered Eves face when she found out hed used her as bait.

Smells good, doesnt it? Gil breathed deeply as he started to walk toward the river. Reminds me of home.

The area appeared deserted and, at least, Gil had chosen a meeting place with no trees or cover. The gulf? Youre from Mobile, arent you?

A little town outside Mobile.

Deep South.

Where else did you think I learned to love Garth Brooks?

Logans gaze raked the bank. It should be therehellip; God, he wished there were moonlight. But you tell me country is universal.

But every universe has to have a home planet. He glanced at Logan. Relax. Its going to be okay. No one can approach us without us seeing them. If anyone but Maren shows we can take off.

And if were cut off from the car?

We can always swim.

Ive got a better idea. He breathed a sigh of re-lief as the moon came out from behind the clouds and he saw the gleam of stainless steel. I rented a speed-boat and arranged to have it brought downriver and staked out over there.

Gil started to laugh. I knew you would. God, youre anal, John.

Its better than swimming.

Do you think I wouldnt have done it myself if I hadnt known youd provide?

How the hell do I know what youd do? You arranged this damn-fool meeting. Why couldnt you just have him call you?

Because he may need more persuading. Its too easy to hang up a telephone.

And you have a death wish.