Gil made a face. Shes just what she appears to be. A top sergeant of the business world.
She doesnt know about Chadbourne?
Logan shook his head. I tried to keep her as clear as I could. She doesnt even know about the beach house. I made the arrangements myself.
How kind.
Im not a complete son of a bitch, he said roughly. I dont want anyone risked unnecessarily.
But I was a necessary risk. Who made you God, Logan?
I did what I had to do.
For your damn politics.
No, more than that. The man in the White House may be acting like Ben Chadbourne, but he doesnt have either his ethical standard or his training. I dont want that man able to press a button that could start World War III.
So now youre not a political opportunist, youre a patriot?
Patriot, hell. I just want to protect my ass.
Now, that I can believe.
Its not necessary that you believe me. Its neces-sary that you know were on the same side.
Oh, yes, were on the same side. Youve seen to that. Youve tossed me right into the middle of this mess. She leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. And do you know who that man in the White House is?
We believe hes Kevin Detwil. Hes one of three doubles who were used during Chadbournes first year in office, Gil said. Detwil was used only twice at brief public appearances and then resigned. He said he had to go home to Indiana on personal business, but he actually went to South America and had more plastic surgery done.
More plastic surgery?
He had some done in Washington before he got the job. When he was drawn into the plot, he had to look exactly like Chadbourne, including scars on the lower back. He also had to be coached in depth about gestures, voice intonations, and so on. And he had to be briefed on policy, politics, the day-to-day living at the White House. Lisa Chadbourne would have been able to help him, but he couldnt just be thrown into the role.
This is all supposition, I assume.
Gil shrugged. The other two doubles are alive and well and doing occasional appearances. Detwil never showed up in Indiana. However, I managed to track him to a private clinic near Brasilia and a Dr. Hernandez, who had the reputation of supplying new faces to embezzlers, murderers, and terrorists. Detwil entered the clinic under the name Herbert Schwartz. A short time after Mr. Schwartz was dis-charged, the unfortunate Dr. Hernandez fell off the terrace of his penthouse.
Kevin Detwil, Eve repeated slowly. He has to be unbalanced to do something like this. Yet the gov-ernment must have had a profile on him. A security check?
Of course, but there arent that many men in the world who could pass as the President, so the choice is limited. The security check in these cases is mainly to determine if the subject is discreet enough to keep his silence and wouldnt shoot anybody and embarrass the administration. Gil added, Detwils background shows a stable, ordinary child of mod-erate intelligence, who became a rather dull, ordi-nary man. Hes unmarried, was raised by his mother, and lived with her until her death five years ago.
What about his father?
Split when Detwil was a kid. Evidently he was pretty well under his mothers thumb.
Which set him up beautifully for Lisa Chadbourne, Logan said. A man with that background would allow himself to be molded by another domi-nant woman.
But would he take a chance like this? You said he was dull and ordinary.
But you saw the tapes. He loves it. He sparkles, Logan said. Suppose you had a lifetime of being a wallflower. Then suddenly you become the most powerful man in the world. Everyone defers, everyone listens. Hes a male Cinderella and Lisa Chadbourne has handed him the glass slipper.
With strings, Eve pointed out.
He probably wouldnt have it any other way. Hes used to strings and they can make some men feel secure.
Then I gather hes not a weak link for her.
He might be nervous at times but not when shes anywhere near him, and shes not about to let him out of her sight. Shes probably made herself the most important thing in his life.
Important enough to kill Chadbourne for her?
Logan shrugged. She probably wouldnt risk in-volving him in the actual crime. He wouldnt have the backbone.
If she did kill him. You have no proof he was murdered.
I was hoping you might help us there.
She had known that was his intention, but she wasnt about to commit to any more right now. She needed time to digest everything she had been told and decide if it could be the truth. I bet you are.
You have little choice.
Bullshit.
Well, not any other decent ones.
