Yes. Its the last lie Ill tell you, Eve.
You expect me to believe that? Every way I turn I find out youve lied to me again. You never thought it was Kennedy. My God, you even put all those books and reports about him in your desk just to make me believe what you wanted me to believe. It was all some kind of wild red herring.
There wasnt anything wild about it. I worked very hard to make that lie plausible. I had to have a cover to hide the fact that I was having Donnellis claim investigated. Thats why I laid the false trail to Kennedy. So they couldnt be sure if I suspected something or I was just a crackpot. I had also begun a discreet search for a forensic sculptor, the one person who could reveal if theres any truth to Donnellis story.
Me.
Yes, you were the key player I needed.
Her gaze went back to Jimmys skull. No, not Jimmy anymore. Ben Chadbourne, President of the United States. She shook her head. Its all crazy. When you told me what had happened at Donnellis funeral home, I assumed it had taken place decades ago. Thats what you meant me to think.
Yes. It was only two years ago.
Lies.
You had to be entirely uninfluenced, with no preconceived ideas. That was the only way to guar-antee that you would reconstruct the face that be-longed on that skull. His gaze followed hers to Chadbournes face. It was something of a miracle watching you work, bringing him to life. I was almost sure it was him, but every touch seemed to
How did he die? Murder?
Probably. It would make sense.
And that man in the White House is one of his doubles?
He nodded.
She shook her head. Its too bizarre. It couldnt be pulled off with Chadbourne anymore than with Kennedy. The office is too public.
But they did it.
Timwick?
Hes the front man.
Fronting for who?
Chadbournes wife. She has to be the one pulling the strings. Shes the only one who has the power to protect any double and coach him.
Lisa Chadbourne. Eve remembered her at the press conference; she had stood on the sidelines, her gaze fixed lovingly on her husband. And shes sup-posed to be a murderer?
Maybe. We cant be sure until we find out what happened to Ben Chadbourne.
What motive could she possibly have?
I dont know. Ambition, possibly. Shes smart and savvy and knows how to manipulate a situation. She worked her way through law school and became a partner in a prestigious law firm. After she married Chadbourne she pushed him until he made it to the White House. Once there, she did everything right. He smiled sardonically. Shes the perfect first lady.
I dont believe it could be her.
I didnt think you would. I had a few problems believing it myself. Id met her a few times and I liked her. That combination of charm and intelligence can be very disarming.
Eve shook her head.
Im throwing too much at you. I wish I could let you have longer to absorb it all, but I cant. Were almost out of time. He stood up. All right, dont believe its Lisa Chadbourne. Believe someone else is behind it. But youll grant that she has to be in on any conspiracy for it to work?
Thatshellip; reasonable. She glanced back at the skull. But what if this isnt Chadbourne? What if this is the double?
Its Chadbourne.
Because you want it to be?
Because it is. Its the only thing that makes sense. He paused. Because it was James Timwick who delivered that body to Donnelli.
How can you be sure? Donnellis father could have lied.
Im sure he could have. He appears to have been pretty much of a scumball. But he wasnt a dumb scumball. He dealt with some pretty lethal characters and he had to protect himself. Hed equipped his crematorium with an audiotaping setup. He got Timwick on audiotape. He smiled crookedly. It was part of his legacy to his son and the bait that hooked me. Because of that tape, I had Gil check into the story.
If you had a tape that incriminating, you wouldnt need any more proof. You could take it to the authorities or the media and let them
He was shaking his head. It wasnt incrimi-nating enough. No detail. No Hey, Im James Timwick and Im burning up the President of the United States. It was just general conversation while they were in the crematorium. Timwick ordered one of his men to help him with the body. Once, he asked Donnelli for a chair so he could sit down. Evidently the poor man had a taxing evening and he was tired. Comments like that.
Then how do you know it was Timwick?
