Bonnie smiled Was it?
Or maybe all those flowers on the graves stirred some kind of subliminal message. I knew Logan was devious and maybe I suspected he was Stop smiling.
Im sorry. Im actually very proud of you. Its nice to have a mom whos so smart. Wrong, but still very smart. She looked back at the skull. Youre get-ting along pretty well with Jimmy, arent you?
Fair. There are some problems.
Youll solve them. Ill help you.
What?
I always try to help you in whatever you do.
Oh, now youre my guardian angel? And I sup-pose you were looking out for me when I was in that limo the other night.
No, I couldnt do anything. It scared me. I want to be with you but not yet. Its not your time and it would upset the balance.
Bull. If there was any sense or balance in the uni-verse, you would never have been taken from me.
I dont know how it works. Sometimes things go terribly wrong. But I dont want it to go wrong for you too, Mama. Thats why you have to be very careful now.
Im being careful and trying my darnedest to get out of this mess. Thats why Im working on Jimmy.
Yes, Jimmy is important Bonnie sighed I wish he werent. It would be easier. She leaned back against the wall. I can see youre going to push yourself to exhaustion in the next few days. If you wont go to bed, lay your head back down on the desk and go to sleep.
I am asleep.
Of course you are. Sometimes I forget Im only a dream. Well, will you do me a favor and lay your head back down on the desk? Its a little weird sleeping sit-ting upright in that chair.
Youre the one whos weird. She laid her head on her arms on the desk. After a moment she asked in a low voice, Are you leaving now?
Not yet. Ill stay awhile. I like to watch you when youre sleeping. All the kinks and worries kind of flow away. Its nice to see you that way.
Eve could feel the tears burn her eyes even as her lids closed Weird kidhellip;
BARRETT HOUSE
WEDNESDAY MORNING
You didnt eat anything last night. Logan opened the door and strode into the lab carrying a breakfast tray. I hate to have my labor wasted. Im going to stay and watch you polish off this meal.
Eve looked up from the skull. Your concern is touching. She went to the sink and washed her hands. Except I know you just dont want me to keel over and waste time.
Exactly. He settled himself in the visitors chair. So humor me.
The hell I will. She sat down at the desk and took the napkin off the tray. Ill eat because Im hungry and its sensible. Period.
Thats putting me in my place. I dont care as long as you eat. He was studying her face. You look surprisingly rested but your bed hasnt been slept in.
I took a nap here. She drank the glass of orange juice. And stay out of my bedroom, Logan. Youve invaded too many parts of my life as it is.
I feel a sense of responsibility. I want to help.
To speed up the work?
Only partly. Im not a complete bastard.
She took a bite of omelette.
He chuckled. That was a weighted silence. Well, at least youre not openly attacking me. That nap was good for you. I sense a slight mellowing.
Then you sense wrong. I just dont have time to try to analyze your good and bad points. Im busy.
Even thats a concession. His gaze went to the pedestal. I see youve gotten to the voodoo doll stage. Did you name him too?
Jimmy.
Why did He chuckled again as he under-stood. Its not Hoffa, Eve.
Well see. To her surprise, she found herself smiling. After the tension of the hours of work it was good to relax for a few momentshellip; even with Logan. Though I dont think youd be this involved with a labor leader.
Well, lets just say I wouldnt regard resur-recting him of paramount importance. His gaze returned to the pedestal. Interesting. It seems im-possible you can rebuild a face with that little to go on. How do you do it?
What do you care? As long as it gets done.
Im cursed with an inquiring mind. Is that so odd?
She shrugged. I guess not.
