She watched the tape for a few more minutes, jumped to her feet, and hurried across the room to rerun the tape from the beginning.
Shes signaling him, Eve said flatly when she walked back into the lab ten minutes later. A whole set of signals. When she smooths the front of her skirt, he cracks a joke. When she folds her hands on her lap, he gives a negative response. When she straightens the collar of her suit, its a yes. I dont know what the rest means, but those are pretty obvious. Whenever hes uncertain, she gives him the answer.
Yes.
You knew it. Why didnt you tell me to watch out for it?
I hoped youd find out for yourself.
Shes controlling him like a puppet, she said slowly.
Logans gaze narrowed on her face. And do you really believe the Ben Chadbourne who was elected to the presidency would let anyone else pull the strings?
She was silent a moment. No.
Then is it reasonable that man is not Ben Chadbourne?
Its not reasonable, its crazy. She paused. But it could be the truth.
Thank God. His sigh of relief came from deep in his chest. He moved toward the door. Pack up the skull. Theres a leather carrying case in the closet. Weve got to get out of here.
Not until we talk. You havent told me every-thing, have you?
No, well talk later. I dont know how much time we have right now. The only reason I risked staying this long is that I had to have your cooperation.
We do have time. For Gods sake, do you expect someone to break through those electric gates?
Maybe. His lips tightened grimly. It could happen. Anything could happen. Think about the power of the presidency. There isnt much that couldnt be covered up if you have enough clout. As long as they think they have Chadbournes skull, theyll go slowly, eliminate us one by one at their leisure. But as soon as they find out they have the wrong skull, theyre going to assume we have the right one. The gloves will come off. And theyll do anything to get the skull back and erase every witness.
A bolt of panic jolted through Eve. If she be-lieved that skull on the pedestal was Ben Chadbourne, then she had to believe the threat was as deadly as Logan said.
After all the lies he had told her, there was no way she could trust him, but she had created Chadbournes face with her own hands and mind. If she trusted her own skill and integrity, then she had to believe the skull was Ben Chadbourne.
She strode quickly across the room toward the pedestal. Get moving. Ill pack up the skull.
CHEVY CHASE
Kenner and six of his men will be here in ten min-utes in a chopper, Timwick told Fiske as he strode out of the lab. Youre going to Barrett House.
Fiske stiffened. I wont knuckle under to that prick Kenner again.
You wont have to knuckle to anyone. Its your game now. Kenners only instructions are to assist and clean up after you.
It was about time. Logan and Duncan?
And everyone else in the place. Margaret Wilson and the electronics man went to the airport earlier today. Well have to track them down later. Theyre relatively unimportant, or Logan wouldnt have per-mitted them to leave. But Price, Duncan, and Logan are still at Barrett House. Theyre your targets. Handle it any way you have to. We cant have anyone left alive who knows what they were doing there.
This was more like it. Clean and neat. Whoever Timwick had phoned clearly had more intelligence than he did. No witnesses?
No witnesses.
What the hell are you doing? Logan asked as he strode back into the lab carrying a duffel bag. That skull was supposed to be packed.
Eve repositioned the cameras. Taking some more shots of the head. I may need them.
Get them later.
Are you going to guarantee well be somewhere with technical equipment?
He hesitated. No.
Then, shut up. She took two more shots. Im hurrying as fast as I can.
We have to get out of here, Eve.
She took three shots of the left profile. That should be enough. Where are those photographs you said you had of Ben Chadbourne?
He reached into his duffel and brought out a brown envelope.
Are they current?
None taken more than four years ago. May we go now?
She stuffed the envelope in her purse, placed the skull in the leather box beside the pedestal, and fas-tened the latches. She pointed to the small metal box beside the cameras. Stuff that in your duffel. I may need it.
