Im not arguing. But I assure you that Ive no connection with organized crime. He grimaced. Well, Ive used a bookie now and then.

Is that supposed to disarm me?

Disarming you would obviously take a total global agreement. He stood up. My ten minutes are up and I wouldnt want to impose. Ill let you think about the offer and call you later.

Ive already thought about it. The answer is no.

Weve only just opened negotiations. If you wont think about it, I will. There has to be something I can offer you that will make the job worth your while. He stood looking at her with narrowed eyes. Something about me is rubbing you the wrong way. What is it?

Nothing. Other than the fact that you have a dead body you dont want anyone to know about.

Anyone but you. I very much want you to know about it. He shook his head. No, theres something else. Tell me what it is so I can clear it up.

Good night, Mr. Logan.

Well, if you cant call me John, at least drop the Mr. You dont want anyone to think youre properly respectful.

Good night, Logan.

Good night, Eve. He stopped at the pedestal and looked at the skull. You know, hes beginning to grow on me.

Shes a girl.

His smile faded. Sorry. It wasnt funny. I guess we all have our own way of dealing with what we be-come after death.

Yes, we do. But sometimes we have to face it be-fore we should. Mandy wasnt over twelve years old.

Mandy? You know who she was?

She hadnt meant to let that slip. What the hell, it didnt matter. No, but I usually give them names. Arent you glad now that I turned you down? You wouldnt want an eccentric like me working on your skull.

Oh, yes, I appreciate eccentrics. Half the men in my think tanks in San Jose are a little off center. He moved toward the door. By the way, that computer youre using is three years old. We have a newer ver-sion thats twice as fast. Ill send you one.

No, thank you. This one works fine.

Never refuse a bribe if you dont have to sign on the dotted line for return favors. He opened the door. And never leave your doors unlocked, as you did tonight. Theres no telling who could have been waiting in here for you.

I lock the lab up at night, but it would be incon-venient to keep it locked all the time. Everything in here has been insured, and I know how to protect my-self.

He smiled. I bet you do. Ill call you.

I told you that Im

She was talking to air; hed already closed the door behind him.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Not that she had the slightest doubt she would hear from him again. She had never met a man more determined to get his own way. Even when his approach had been velvet soft, the steel had shown through. Well, she had dealt with powerhouse types before. All she had to do was stick to her guns and John Logan would eventually get discouraged and leave her alone.

She stood up and went over to the pedestal. He cant be so smart, Mandy. He didnt even know you were a girl. Not that many people would have.

The desk phone rang.

Mom? She had been having trouble with the ig-nition on her car lately.

Not her mother.

I remembered something just as I reached the car, Logan said. I thought Id throw it into the pot for you to consider with the original deal.

Im not considering the original deal.

Five hundred thousand for you. Five hundred thousand to go to the Adam Fund for Missing and Runaway Children. I understand you contribute a portion of your fees to that fund. His voice lowered persuasively. Do you realize how many children could be brought home to their parents with that amount of money?

She knew better than he did. He couldnt have offered a more tempting lure. My God, Machiavelli could have taken lessons from him.

All those children. Arent they worth two weeks of your time?

They were worth a decade of her time. Not if it means doing something criminal.

Criminal acts are often in the eyes of the beholder.

Bullshit.

Suppose I promise you that I had nothing to do with any foul play connected with the skull.

Why should I believe any promise you make?

Check me out. I dont have a reputation for lying.

Reputation doesnt mean anything. People lie when it means enough to them. Ive worked hard to establish my career. I wont see it go down the drain.

There was silence. I cant promise you that you wont come out of this without a few scars, but Ill try to protect you as much as I can.

I can protect myself. All I have to do is tell you no.

But youre tempted, arent you?

Christ, she was tempted.

Seven hundred thousand to the fund.

No.

Ill call you tomorrow. He hung up the phone.