youre this upset, but I cant let you leave until you know what youre facing.
Im not interested in anything you have to say. She threw an armful of underthings into the suitcase. Why should I? Theyd probably be lies. Your credi-bility with me is the pits. You deceived me and you nearly got me killed.
But you werent killed. Getting you killed is the last thing I want.
She went back to the bureau and opened another drawer.
Okay, lets explore the situation. You didnt think what I wanted you to do was dangerous enough to cause anyone serious problems. It seems you were wrong. They wanted the skull enough to kill for it. Therefore, they think its as important as I do.
She dumped the contents of the second drawer into the suitcase. Its not Kennedy.
Then prove it to them. Prove it to both of us.
Screw you. I dont have to prove anything to anyone.
Im afraid you do.
She whirled to face him. The hell I do.
You do if you want to keep alive. He paused. And keep your mother alive.
She stiffened. Are you threatening me?
Me? No way. Im just telling you how it is. The situations escalated to the point where you have only two options. Prove Im right and let me go after the bastards with evidence. Prove me wrong and you can go to the media and get everyone off your back. He looked directly into her eyes. Because the alternative is to have them go after you and put you down. They wont care if Donnellis story is true or not. They wont want to take the chance.
I can get police protection.
That might help for a while. But its not a per-manent solution.
I can have Joe drag your ass in for questioning. I can tell them everything.
And Ill find a way to walk out, smelling like a rose. Thats what lawyers are for. He added soberly, I dont want to fight you, Eve. I want to keep you alive.
Bull. You want exactly what youve wanted from the beginning.
Yes, but one doesnt rule out the other. What happened at your lab was a warning, but what hap-pened tonight showed theyve pulled the gloves off.
Maybe.
Listen, think about it. He studied her face and then shook his head. Im not getting through to you, am I? Okay, I didnt want to tell you, but other wit-nesses are already being eliminated. Three people have been killed in the last few days.
Witnesses?
My God, the case has been riddled with unex-plained deaths since the assassination. You must have read about it. He paused. And now its started again. Thats why I wanted to cause a diversion tonight. I hoped the killing would stop if they had another focus.
Why should I believe you?
I can give you the names and addresses of the victims. You can check with the local police. As God is my witness, Im telling you the truth.
She believed him. She wished she didnt because his words shook her. Theres no reason for anyone to hurt my mother.
Not if they can get at you. If they cant, they might decide to use her as a threat or an example like that cat in your lab.
Blood. Her terror and horror at the first sight of the wreckage surged back. He had probably meant the reminder to do just that, but it wasnt necessary. The memory was vivid and knife-sharp and couldnt be pushed away. You keep saying they. Im tired of walking around in the dark. Who were those men fol-lowing us tonight? Whos doing this?
He didnt answer for a moment. The man whos calling the shots right now is James Timwick. Do you recognize the name?
She shook her head.
Hes very high in the Treasury Department.
And he was there tonight?
No, Im not sure who those men were. They probably dont have any official status. Timwick wouldnt want any direct connection to him. In a con-spiracy like this the fewer people who know, the safer hed be. It would be much easier for him if he could use the full force of the government. But Id bet theyre hired guns.
Hired guns. It sounded like something out of a bad western. And who did that to my lab?
Gil says it could be Albert Fiske. Hes worked for Timwick before.
Fiske. That blood and horror now had a name. I want Joe to know. He can track the bastard down.
Do you really want to involve Quinn before you have proof? Timwick is a heavyweight. With one phone call he could make your friends life very diffi-cult. His voice lowered persuasively, Go for that proof, Eve. Do your job. Youll make things easier for Quinn and safer for yourself.
