“Misplaced?” Eve repeated. “I don’t believe that’s the term I’d use.”

“It seems incredible to me, too. This entire affair is bizarre. But that’s not my business. My job is to make sure nothing goes wrong from now on.” Rick moved forward until he stood beside the coffin. “And I’ve been told the skull is in very good condition.” He opened the lid and stepped aside. “What do you think?”

“I think I need some light. I can hardly see it. It’s too dim inhere.”

“I’m sorry.” Rick quickly lit a candle on the altar. “You have wonderful light and heat in the workroom I set up for you. I didn’t know you’d want to do a close examination of the skull in here. I should have thought…” He was so upset that Eve smothered the impatience she was feeling. “It’s okay, Rick. If there’s a problem, I can take the skull back to the house.”

“No, please don’t do that. Believe me, I’ve made your workroom everything you could ask,” Rick said. “The senator wants the work done here.”

“Why?” Galen asked.

“It’s on an island. Senator Melton was very concerned about the missing skeleton.

He wants Ms. Duncan to be perfectly safe, and the security people he hired say the church will be much easier to keep protected. I promise I’ll do everything I can to make the church comfortable for you.”

“That will take some doing.” Galen stepped closer, took a penlight out of his pocket, and shone it down into the coffin. “It’s damn chilly. It must be damp in every molecule of this place.”

“It’s very warm in her workroom.”

“It’s fine,” Eve said absently, her gaze on the skull. She still couldn’t see worth a damn, but the penlight was better than nothing. Although the skull was blackened by fire, it was intact, except that there were no teeth and the jaw was shattered. But there were no visible punctures or breaks. That was lucky.

“It’s a male. Caucasian. The skull is surprisingly well preserved. I’ll be able to work with it.”

“He’s been roughed up a little.” Galen pointed to the shattered jawline. “And no teeth. He’s been through one hell of a battle. Reminds me of that gladiator movie.”

“Shut up, Galen,” Eve said. “I have to have an unbiased mind when I do the final stage. I don’t want the face to look like Russell Crowe.”

“Great movie.” Galen glanced at Rick and winked. “You can tell me who you think he is later when she’s not around.”

Rick smiled and shook his head. “I’m as much in the dark as you are. I can only guess.” He turned to Eve. “I’ve got a pedestal and two worktables in your studio. I understand you’ll need a video and computer setup for confirmation. I’ve been in touch with the Forensic Department at LSU and I think I’ve got it hooked up right.

As soon as you’re ready, I’ll bring the skull to you.” He was obviously ready to whisk her out of the chapel and set her to work. His eagerness was very appealing, but she wasn’t ready to leave the skull yet.

“Galen, why don’t you go with Rick and check out the workroom for me while I try to take a better look at the skull?”

“Sure.” Galen handed her the penlight. “Not my most interesting assignment, but I live to serve.”

“Thanks.” She shone the penlight into the nasal cavity. “Definitely Caucasian…”

“Come on, Rick. We’re not wanted.”

Eve was vaguely aware that they were gone and she was alone in the chapel. It didn’t matter. Her feelings of unease had completely dissipated the moment she had seen the skull. He was just another one of the lost ones. It didn’t matter if this was Bently or some poor vagrant. In the end he had clearly been as much a victim as little Carmelita, whose reconstruction she had just finished. Judging by the condition of the skull and the fact that those teeth had probably been jerked out after death, he might have been more of a victim.

Time to get to know him. Eve gently touched his cheekbone. “What do I call you?” She knew it would seem nuts to anyone on the outside, but she made it a practice to give all her subjects names. Each one had a history and a life. They had laughed and been loved by someone, even this poor beat-up warrior. He’d obviously not won this last battle, but she hoped he’d had his share of victories.

“Victor? Not a bad name.” She nodded. “Works for me.” She carefully swung down the heavy lid. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Victor. And we’ll see what we can do about bringing you home.”

“Ready?” Galen was standing in the doorway. “Rick’s done you proud. Your workroom is wonderfully equipped, lots of light and heat. Clean and shining as a Marine recruits’ barracks. Do you want to see it?” She started to tell him yes, and then stopped. Dammit, the energy she’d thought she’d regained was draining out of her. She came toward him. “No, I trust you. I’ll see it tomorrow when I move in.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Okay, you were right about my not being up to full speed. I thought I could start tonight, but I’m too tired. I can’t begin him when I’m this weak.” She grimaced. “I’ll be glad when I get back to full strength. I took that long nap this afternoon, but even so, all I want to do is sleep.”

“Then that’s what you should do. I’m glad you’re not going to insist on starting work tonight.”

“I’ve already started work.” Eve glanced over her shoulder at the black coffin.

“And keen wits and alertness are essential to set up my equipment and start the measuring. Victor can wait a few more hours.”

“Victor?”

“The skull.”

“Oh.” Galen didn’t look at her as they started down the hall. “I don’t want to be impolite, but do you always talk to skulls?”

“No.” She gave him a limpid stare. “I’m very selective.”

“It’s okay with me. Just thought I’d ask.” His gaze went to Rick standing with Melton at the front door. “Rick seems to be a nice guy. Sharp, too. He went to school up north.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. He sounds like a Yankee. Where did he go?”

“Notre Dame. Big football fan.”

“It goes with the territory. He looks like the all-American boy, with that fair hair and those rosy cheeks.” She dismissed the subject. “Did you find out when Marie’s funeral is tomorrow?”

“Eleven. Are you still going?”

She nodded. “I’ll set up early and then break to go to the funeral.” As Eve and Galen left the church she held out her hand to Rick, who was still waiting by the front door with Melton. “Thank you for everything. I suppose I’ll see you in the morning.”

“It will be my pleasure.” He shook her hand. “I’ll have everything ready for you. I notice the skull is a little dirty, but I left it for you to clean.”

“That’s exactly right. We don’t want to risk any more damage.” He nodded solemnly. “Certainly. Is there anything else I can do?” Good Lord, he was intense. But that almost childlike earnestness was kind of sweet. “You won’t find me very demanding. Just let me do my work.” He smiled. “No one will disturb you. I promise you.” He turned to Galen. “An honor, sir.”

Galen looked taken aback. “See you, Rick.” He said in an undertone as he and Eve left the church, “Sir? Am I getting that old?”

“You don’t see that kind of courtesy anymore. I think it’s refreshing.”

“You didn’t answer me.”

“How old are you, Galen?”

“Thirty-seven.”

“That qualifies.” She had a sudden thought and glanced back at Rick, who was still talking to Melton. “Rick.”

He broke off and looked at her. “You need something? You only have to ask.”

“A dragon to kill, a Holy Grail to find,” Galen murmured sarcastically.

She ignored him. “Were you here two nights ago when I came to the church, Rick?”

He frowned. “You were here before?”

“The first night I arrived in Baton Rouge. I came and knocked on the door. No one answered.”

“Because no one was here. I was at LSU arranging for the video equipment. I just arrived yesterday morning. I would have answered the door if I’d been in the church.”