Im on my way.
Mom was on her way. Eve would drop Sandra off back at the condo and then she would be on her way too. She sat down on the floor, put down her handbag next to Bens case, and leaned back against the con-crete block wall. Breathe deep. Try to relax. She was doing what she had to do.
Tomorrow: eight A.M.
Tomorrow: eight A.M.
Lisa stood up and moved over to the window.
Tomorrow she would have Bens skull and the primary threat would be over.
It could be a trap, but Lisas gut instinct told her she had played the one card that Eve Duncan couldnt resist. The woman was obsessed with finding her daughter, and Lisa had played on her torment and brought the woman to her knees. She supposed she should feel triumphant.
She didnt feel triumphant.
She wished shed been able to convince Eve that a meeting wasnt necessary. She had honestly planned on keeping her part of the bargain.
Or had she? she wondered wearily. Shed thought she knew herself, but shed never dreamed she would do the things she had already done.
She just wished Eve hadnt set up the meeting.
NEAR CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK
THE NEXT DAY
8:20 A.M.
The helicopter was approaching from the north.
Eve made the call.
Im in a glade one mile from route 77 by Hunting Creek. Set down in the glade. Ill come to meet you.
As soon as we do a sweep of the area and make sure its secure, Lisa Chadbourne said. Timwick likes to be cautious.
It was Lisa who liked to be cautious, Eve thought. But Eve had been cautious too. Shed made very sure the surrounding area was all clear before shed made the call.
Hands nervously clenching and unclenching she watched the helicopter circle the clearing.
One person. Timwick pointed at the infrared blur on the LCD screen. The nearest other heat source is at the diner on route 77 , three miles away.
Electronics?
Timwick checked another screen. Nothing in the area anywhere near Duncan.
Youre sure?
Of course Im sure. Its my ass too.
Lisa felt a tinge of sadness as she looked at the solitary blur on the screen and realized Eve was down there alone and unprotected. Then lets go down and see if we can save it, James.
Lisa Chadbourne was getting out of the helicopter.
Eve had made the deal. She had set the time and place and yet it still seemed bizarre that Lisa was really there.
Eve watched her as she jumped to the ground. She looked just as she had on the videosbeautiful, serene, glowing. Well, what had she expected? Some marks of dissipation or cruelty? Lisa had killed her husband and still appeared the same as in those videos. Why would any other death make a difference?
Gary. Blood. Daggers. The hideous scene in that motel room flashed before Eves eyes.
It should make a difference. It should.
Dont think about it. Be calm.
She moved toward the helicopter.
Lisa Chadbourne said crisply, Hello, Eve. James called security at Camp David just now and said wed landed to check out a light on our control panel. We have ten minutes tops. Either were back in the air by then or theyll become alarmed and send someone to this area.
Ten minutes should be enough time.
Dont say anything, Lisa. Timwick got out of the helicopter and came toward Eve.
She instinctively took a step back.
He was holding an instrument that looked like one of those metal detector wands used at airport se-curity. Hold out your arms.
You said the entire area was clean, James, Lisa said.
It doesnt hurt to be careful. He ran the wand over Eves body. Turn around.
Dont touch me.
