I knew theyd tumble to what I was doing even-tually and that I might need a diversion. I hoped I wouldnt have to use it. I tried every way I could not to tip my hand, but something must have gone wrong. You hadnt even started the project. Things were moving too fast and I had to throw them off the track.
What do you mean, moving too fast? I dont know what the hell youre talking about.
You dont have to know. Its safer for you if you dont. He threw down his shovel, bent, and picked up the square lead box hed uncovered. All you have to do is the job I paid you for.
I dont have to know? Shock reverberated through her as all the implications of his deception hit home. Why, you son of a bitch.
Maybe. He set the box aside and began shovel-ing the dirt back into the grave. But it doesnt change anything.
It changes everything. Her voice was shaking with anger. You took me out there to that damn cornfield, knowing it was for nothing.
It wasnt for nothing. They knew you were on the job and I needed you there for window dressing to make the trip more convincing.
And almost got me killed.
Sorry. I cut it a little close.
Sorry? Is that all youve got to say? What about Gil Price? He was shot. He was trying to save that skull for you and it wasnt even the right one.
I hate to disappoint you. I know you want to pile all the guilt you can on my shoulders, but Gil knew exactly what he was doing. He arranged for the pur-chase of the skull for me.
He knew? Im the only one who was left in the dark?
Yes. He put the shovel down and drew the pallet of carnations over it and the grave. I wouldnt have let him walk into something like that without warning him.
But you let me walk into it.
You were supposed to be a bystander. Gil was going to participate. I didnt know youd be forced to
Bystander. She was growing more furious by the second. You set me up. I wondered why you wanted me there, but I didnt think it was to use me as bait.
The skull was the bait. As I said, you were there to make it all credible. I needed to make sure that theyd think our trip had enough significance for them to follow us.
You wanted them to chase us. You wanted them to get close enough so there would be a valid excuse for shoving that coffin out the limo.
He nodded. They had to believe that only des-peration would force me to give up the skull. I was planning on being the one to toss out the coffin, but then Gil was hurt and I had to drive.
And Gil told me to do it. Christ, you even ar-gued with me.
I figured it was the quickest way to get you to do it. You were angry enough with me to do anything I didnt want you to do.
And you would have risked letting Gil and me die to fool them.
I was in that car too.
If you want to commit suicide, thats your busi-ness. You had no right to endanger anyone else.
I thought it was the only solution.
Solution? My God, youre so obsessed with your damn politics, you were willing to stage a charade that could have killed all of us.
I needed to buy you some time.
Well, then, you did it for nothing. Her eyes blazed at him. If you think Id touch this job now, youre crazy. Id like to strangle you and bury you here beside Randolph Barrett. She whirled away from him. No, Id like to bury you somewhere no one would ever find you. You deserve it, you callous bastard.
Eve.
She ignored him as she started down the hill.
You have a perfect right to be angry with me, but there are things for you to consider. Will you let me clarify the situation so that you
She continued to ignore him and speeded up her pace. Manipulative son of a bitch. Crazy, conniving bastard.
She met Margaret on the stairs as she headed for her room. Gils asleep. I think
Arrange a car and a flight for me, she said curtly. Im out of here.
Oops. I gather John wasnt very persuasive. She grimaced. Cant say I blame you, but you really can trust John to
Forget it. Make that flight the next one out.
Ill have to check with John.
Get me out of here or Ill walk to Atlanta. She slammed the door of her room, flipped on the light, and moved toward the closet. She dragged her suit-case out, tossed it on the bed, and headed for the bureau.
You do have to listen to me, Logan said quietly from the doorway. I know its difficult to see things clearly when
