Logan wasnt a man to panic, but hed been driving. Kenner had said it was the woman who had thrown out the coffin. At any rate, they would know soon.
And the surveillance would go on at Barrett House until they did.
Youre awake. Logan came into the room and dropped down in the chair beside Gils bed. How are you feeling?
A hell of a lot better if that doctor hadnt doped me up, Gil growled. My shoulders fine, but Ive got a jumbo headache.
You needed the rest.
Not twelve hours. He struggled to sit up. Whats happening?
Logan leaned forward and adjusted the pillows against the headboard. Eves working on the skull now.
Im surprised. I thought your decision to take her along was a mistake. You could have scared her off.
Or made her mad enough to dig in her heels. It could have gone either way. But I didnt have a choice. I needed to make them think that what we were doing was important. I wasnt expecting them to get that close.
You mean you were hoping they wouldnt. He smiled sardonically. Dont bullshit me. You would have done it anyway.
Probably. He added soberly, That doesnt stop me from being sorry about letting you take the heat.
Thats why I was there. We agreed that Id run interference while you took care of the red herring. Gil made a face. But I was clumsy. I would have been toast if it hadnt been for our bone lady. She was damn good.
Yes, very good. It seems Quinn thought she should know how to protect herself from the Frasers of the world.
Quinn again?
Logan nodded. He always seems to be in the background, doesnt he? He stood up. Im going to go down and take Eve a sandwich. She hasnt left the lab yet.
Im sure shell be grateful youre going to allow her to eat.
Drop the sarcasm.
I wasnt being sarcastic. I meant it. Now that youve got her on the job, I imagine youll crack the whip until you get what you want.
She wouldnt let me. Anything I can get you?
My CD player and discs. He grinned. How thick are these walls? I was thinking about tor-menting you with Loretta Lynns Coal Miners Daughter.
If you do, Ill ask Margaret to come in and play Florence Nightingale.
You wouldnt dare, Im a sick man. His smile disappeared. How much time do you think we have?
Three days maximum. Once they find out theyve got the wrong skull, theyll launch an all-out war. Weve got to be out of here by that time. He headed for the door. So get well and on your feet.
Tomorrow. Ill be up and functioning and back at the carriage house. Im tempted to loll in bed with Loretta and Garth Brooks, but its not worth the chance of Margaret nursing me.
Logan closed the door and went downstairs to the kitchen. Fifteen minutes later he was knocking on the lab door, a ham sandwich and bowl of vegetable soup on a tray in his hand.
No answer.
May I come in?
Go away. Im busy.
I have food. Youve got to stop and eat sometime.
Put it down and Ill get to it later.
Logan hesitated and then set the tray on the table beside the door. Try to make it soon. The soup will get cold.
Christ, he sounded like a nagging wife. How far the mighty had fallen. Its a good thing Margaret wasnt nearby to hear that curt rejection. It would have amused the hell out of her.
TEN
'You didnt eat your dinner. You cant work if you dont eat, Mama.
Eve slowly raised her head from the desk.
Bonnie was sitting on the floor by the door, her arms linked around her knees. And its dumb to fall asleep at your desk when you have a bed to go to.
I was going to close my eyes for only a minute, she said defensively. I have work to do.
I know. Bonnie looked at the skull on the pedestal. Good work.
Good?
I think so. Bonnies forehead was creased in a puzzled frown. Im not sure. I think its important. Thats why I called you up to the cemetery.
You didnt call me. It was an impulse.
