Logan had thought he had time.
Maybe he was jumping to conclusions.
Hell, so what? Hed always trusted his instincts, and they were shouting at him now.
But sending Gil to check on Dora Bentz would be a tip-off. Timwick would know what he only sus-pected now. Logan could try to save Dora Bentz or he could remain safe for a few more days.
Shit
He picked up the phone and dialed Gils number in the carriage house.
Lights. Moving lights.
Eve stopped drying her hair, slowly got up, and went to the window.
The black limousine that had picked them up at the airport was gliding down the driveway toward the gates.
Logan?
Gil Price?
It was almost four oclock in the morning. Where would anyone be going at this hour?
She doubted if shed be told if she asked to-morrow morning.
But shed damn well do it anyway.
SIX
Eve didnt fall asleep until five, and then her slumber was restless. She woke at nine but forced herself to stay in bed until almost ten, when a thun-derous knock sounded on the door.
The door opened before she could answer, and a small, plump woman strode into the room. Hi, Im Margaret Wilson. Heres the gate control you wanted. She set the remote on the nightstand. Sorry if I woke you, but John says I screwed up on the lab. How the hell was I to know you wanted pretty? What do I need to get? Pillows? Rugs?
Nothing. Eve sat up in bed and gazed curiously at Margaret Wilson. The woman was probably in her early forties. The gray gabardine pantsuit she wore slimmed her plump figure and complemented her dark, sleek hair and hazel eyes. I told him that I wasnt going to be here long enough for it to matter.
It matters. John likes things right. So do I. Whats your favorite color?
Green, I guess.
I should have known. Redheads are pretty predictable.
Im not a redhead.
Well, almost. She looked around the room. This kind of thing okay?
Eve nodded as she threw back the covers and got out of bed.
Good, then Ill get on the phone and order some stuff. It should be Oh, my God, youre a giant.
What?
Margaret was glowering at her. How the hell tall are you?
Five nine.
A giant. Youll make me feel like a midget. I hate tall, skinny women. They do something to my psyche and I become over aggressive.
Youre not that small.
Youre patronizing me. She grimaced. And Im being defensive. Oh, well, Ill have to fight it. Ill just keep telling myself that Im much smarter than you. Get dressed and come on down to the kitchen. Well grab some cereal and then Ill take you for a walk around the grounds.
Thats not necessary.
Sure it is. John wants you kept happy and he says you dont have anything to do right away. If youre anything like me, youll go crazy. She headed for the door. But well take care of it. Fifteen minutes?
Fine. She wondered what the response would have been if she had said otherwise. Margarets tac-tics made a steamroller look subtle.
But it was hard not to like her. She hadnt smiled once, but she exuded a vibrant energy and cheerful-ness. She was blunt, bold, and like no one Eve had ever met. She was a breath of fresh air after the dark tension she sensed in Logan.
The Barrett family graveyard. Margaret waved a hand at the small iron-fenced cemetery. Theres no grave later than 1922. Do you want to go in?
Eve shook her head.
Thank God. Cemeteries depress me, but I thought you might be interested.
Why?
I dont know. All those bones and stuff you work with.
I dont hang around graveyards like some kind of ghoul, but they dont bother me. Particularly family cemeteries. No lost ones here, and it was ex-tremely well kept. All the graves were even covered with pallets of fresh carnations. Where did all the flowers come from? Are there Barretts still in the neighborhood?
No, the direct line died out about twenty years ago. She pointed at a gravestone. Randolph Barrett. The family scattered over the years and Randolph Barrett was the last to be buried here back in 1922. The graveyard was in pretty sad shape when John bought the property. He gave orders for it to be cleaned up and fresh flowers brought in every week.
Im surprised. I wouldnt think Logan would be that sentimental.
Well, you never know what John is going to do. But Im glad he brought in a landscaper for this job. Like I said, cemeteries depress me.
Eve turned and started down the hill. They dont depress me. Sadden me, maybe. Particularly the babies graves. Before modern medicine, so many children didnt live to grow up. Do you have any children?
Margaret shook her head. I was married once, but we both had careers and were too busy to think about kids.
Your job must be very demanding.
Yep.
And varied. She paused. Like this one. You cant say that skeleton hunting is in many peoples job description.
I dont hunt, I just do what Im told.
That could be dangerous.
John will keep me clear of trouble. He always has before.
Hes done this before?
Bones? No, but hes been known to walk some mighty thin lines.
But you trust him?
Hell, yes.
Even if you dont know what hes looking for? Or do you?
Margaret grinned. Stop pumping me. I dont know anything about anything and I wouldnt tell you if I did.
You wont even tell me if it was Logan who left in the middle of the night?
Sure. Johns still here. I saw him before he disap-peared into his study this morning. It was Gil who left.
Why?
Margaret shrugged. Ask John. She added bluntly, You came here because John made it worth your while. I handled the transfer to the Adam Fund. Hell tell you everything when he thinks its time. Trust him.
I dont have your faith in him. She glanced at the carriage house. Is that where the gates are monitored?
Margaret nodded. Its a pretty elaborate system with video cameras all over the place. Mark Slater does all the monitoring.
I havent met him yet.
He doesnt come up to the house much.
Does Logans house on the West Coast have se-curity like this?
Sure, there are lots of nuts out there. Men in Johns position are prime targets. Her pace quick-ened. I have some work to do. Will you be okay if I leave you alone this afternoon?
Yes. You dont have to baby-sit me, Margaret.
Actually, I enjoyed it. Youre not what I expected from a bone lady.
Bone lady. Thats what Gil had called her. The correct term is forensic sculptor.
Whatever. Like I said, I expected someone very cool and professional. Hence the mistake I made with the lab. Not that Id admit to John that I made a mis-take. I told him it was all his fault because he didnt let me know what I had to contend with. Its not good for him to know that Im not perfect. It would make him feel insecure.
Eve smiled. I cant imagine that.
Everyone has insecure moments, even me. She added gloomily, But only when I stand next to giants like you. It comes from growing up a shrimp with four six-foot brothers. Is your mother tall?
No, only medium height.
Okay, then youre a freak and Ill magnani-mously forgive you. I wont mention it again.
Thank you. I appreciate the
I was wondering where you were. Logan had come out of the house and was walking toward them. Did you have a good night? he asked Eve.
No.
I have those reports to finish, Margaret said quickly. See you later, Eve.
Eve nodded, her gaze on Logan. Dressed in black jeans and sweatshirt, he looked very different from the man she had met that first day. Not only because of the clothes, but because he seemed to have stripped off the sleek image and completely discarded it.
Strange bed?
Partly. Why did Gil Price leave right after we got here last night?
I had an errand for him to run.
At four in the morning?
He nodded. It was a rather urgent errand. He should be back tonight. He paused. I was hoping youd have a day or two
