And do what you want.
Theres a downside to everything. But dont cut off your nose to spite your face hellip; or me. You think Im wrong. Wouldnt proving it punish me for all the problems Ive forced on you?
Attempted murder can hardly be called a problem.
Ive leveled with you. And Ive warned you. Its your decision now.
It always has been.
Then make the right one. He turned to leave. It will take a little time to arrange security to take you home. Ill tell Margaret to make reservations for you on the afternoon flight out of Reagan National.
What if I want to leave now?
He shook his head. Ive made you a target and Im going to protect you as best I can. Ill also double the security surrounding your mother and the house in Atlanta. He looked back at her. Change your mind, Eve. Forget how angry you are at me and do whats best for you and your mother.
The door closed behind him before she could an-swer. Hit and run. Manipulative bastard.
Keep your mother alive.
She tried to smother the panic rising inside her. He had cleverly chosen the words that would strike deepest. She should ignore everything hed said and get the hell out of there. Shed never have come if shed known it could lead to this. Hed deliberately deceived her and embroiled her in a situation that
Slow down. Forget the fact that she wanted to wring Logans neck. The situation existed. Now what could she do about it?
Prove me wrong.
Tempting bait. If she worked hard, in a couple days she could have the proof.
And give in to Logan after all the hell hed put her through?
No way. Not if there was any other path she could take.
Do whats best for you and your mother.
She slowly moved to the window. It was begin-ning to get light. By afternoon she could be on her way home. God, how she wanted to be back where everything was safe and familiar.
But it might no longer be safe there. Just the deci-sion to take Logans job might have destroyed the peace and safety shed so carefully cultivated through the years since Frasers execution. She was being drawn back into that nightmarish quagmire in which shed almost drowned after Bonnie died.
She would not drown. If she survived Bonnies death, she could survive anything.
BARRETT HOUSE
TUESDAY AFTERNOON
Logan was standing in the foyer when she came down the stairs just after one oclock.
A slow smile lit his face. You dont have your suitcase.
Its still packed. Im going to get out of here the minute Im finished. But I decided that doing the job is the best way to cut all ties to this mess. She moved down the hall toward the lab. Wheres the skull?
Youre heading right toward it. The box is on your desk. He followed her. But dont you think youd better get some sleep first?
Ive already slept. I took a shower and a nap after I made my decision to get on with it.
You could have sent me word and relieved my mind.
I have no desire to relieve your mind.
I can see your point. But youre doing the intelli-gent thing.
If I didnt think that, Id be heading for the front door instead of the lab. She gave him a cool glance. And lets be clear. The minute I prove that skull doesnt belong to Kennedy, Im going to call the newspapers and let them know what an ass you are.
Fair enough.
And I wont be held incommunicado. Im calling Mom and Joe every day Im here.
Have I ever tried to stop you? Youre no prisoner. I hope we can work together.
Not likely. She threw open the door of the lab. The lead box occupied the center of the desk, and she moved brusquely toward it. I work alone.
May I ask how long its going to take you?
It depends on the condition of the skull. If its not a jigsaw puzzle, two, maybe three days.
It looked pretty intact to me. He paused. Try to make it two, Eve.
Dont push me, Logan.
I have to push you. I dont know how much time I bought. Timwick wont assume the skull he has is the right one. Hell have it examined by one of your forensic counterparts. Hes bound to find out hes got the wrong one.
According to you, he wouldnt want to take the chance of having the skull identified.
Hed have to. He wouldnt risk tapping DNA or dental records, but hed do this. There are always ways to dispose
