Dont talk to me about decency.
I believe its time to turn on the radio, Logan murmured. Why dont you try to nap for a while? Ill wake you when we get to North Carolina.
He switched on the radio, and strains of Griegs Peer Gynt Suite filled the car.
Oh, my God. Gil huddled in the corner. Eve, tell him to turn it off and save me. I think Im having a relapse.
Save yourself. The music was soothing her raw nerves. I havent noticed you being particularly so-licitous regarding my needs. Not if they got in the way of what Logan wanted.
Ouch. Gil grimaced. Forget I asked. I can get used to classical. In fact, by the time we get to the beach house, Ill probably like old Grieg better than Reba Mclntyre.
TWELVE
'Youre sure its been done, James? Lisa Chadbourne asked Timwick. For Gods sake, it took you long enough. I cant have any more mistakes.
Barrett House is in flames right now. The delay was only because it took a while to make sure the cause looked like faulty wiring.
And you have a team on the way to retrieve the body? I dont want the fire department paramedics to get there first.
Im not a fool, Lisa. Theyll whisk it away and take it to Bethesda.
He sounded pissed. She had obviously been too authoritative. Everyone else was easy, but it was al-ways more difficult to strike a good balance with Timwick. In public he was properly respectful and subservient, but in private he never let her forget they were partners. She softened her voice. Im sorry, I know youre doing everything you can. Im just frightened. I feel a little helpless.
As a king cobra.
She felt a ripple of shock. It was the first time Timwick had ever used sarcasm with her. Not a good sign. Shed been noticing how nervous and on edge hed been lately, and now he was taking it out on her. Do I deserve that, James? We agreed it had to be done, and Ive always been honest with you.
A silence. I didnt expect this to happen. You told me everything would go smoothly.
Dont get angry. Look at the big picture. She needed Timwick. He had his job just as she had hers. She kept the irritation from her voice. Im doing my best. She reminded him gently, It was you who didnt wait long enough at the funeral home. There wouldnt have been a problem if youd made sure Donnelli had done his job.
I sat there and watched him burn. I thought it was safe to leave. How was I to know it took so damn long to burn a body?
She would have known. She would have re-searched and found out all she needed to know. She had been a fool to trust Timwick to do the same. I know. Its not your fault. But now we have to cope with ithellip; and Logan. You found no trace of the skull?
There were signs that the Duncan woman had been working, but no skull. If shes as good as re-ported, we have to assume shes completed the work.
Lisa felt the muscles of her stomach tighten. It will be fine. Her work alone proves nothing. We just have to make sure theyre discredited in the media before they get more proof. We took the first step today. Your job is to find them and make sure that no other damage is done.
I know my job. You just keep Detwil in line. He was a little too boisterous at the last press conference.
She was handling Kevin perfectly. Timwick had deliberately added that dig to get back at her for criti-cizing his handling of Donnelli. You think so? Ill watch it, James. You know how I rely on your judgment. She paused. What about the Duncan woman? So far weve aimed most of our efforts against Logan. She may prove as difficult.
Im keeping my eye on her, but Logan is the power player. Hes calling the shots.
Whatever you say. But could you give me a more complete report on Duncan?
It is complete. What else could you want to know?
More about her professional background. Theyll try for a DNA match and shes bound to have contacts.
After tomorrow theyll know how dangerous it is to surface. With any luck well catch them before they can get anything else done.
Wed be foolish to rely on luck, wouldnt we?
For Gods sake, how much DNA could be left after its been through a fire?
Ive no idea, but we cant take the chance.
And, like I said, Logan will be calling the shots. They cant just walk into a DNA lab with that skull. We know where theyll be going for help. Ive already got Ralph Crawford at Duke staked out. If we dont get them right away, theyll walk right into our
Please, James, she said gently.
Okay. She could hear the impatience in his voice. Ill get it.
Good. And let me know as soon as the body ar-rives at Bethesda. She hung up the phone, got up, and strode toward the bedroom.
Logan will be calling the shots.
She wasnt so sure. Her file on Eve Duncan re-ported a strong, intelligent woman who wouldnt walk behind any man. Who should know better than Lisa how a strong woman could shape situations to suit herself ? Timwick, as usual, was underestimating the opposition. She would have to be the one to keep an eye on Eve Duncan.
