And would you kill too, Logan? she asked bitterly.
If the circumstances warranted it. And so would you, Eve.
She shook her head. Life is too precious. Theres no excuse for murder.
He shrugged. Excuse no, but reason is
I dont want to talk about it. She leaned back and stared out the window, shutting him out. I dont want to talk to you at all, Logan. Just leave me alone, okay?
Sure.
Of course hed agree. Hed turned loose a serpent and now was willing to watch it work its poison.
She wouldnt let him. She wouldnt let him de-stroy the trust she had in Joe. Logan was the out-sider, not Joe. She wouldnt brood and wonder and let his words eat at her.
Logan said softly, But its true, you know.
Its okay. Joe opened the car door for Eve and helped her out. The coast is clear. Kesslers alone. His assistant, Bob Spencer, was there, but I had Kessler get rid of him.
She picked up the case containing the skull. What did you tell Gary?
Not what was in the surprise package, but I filled him in on everything else. Youre right, hes cu-rious. He took the case from her and his hand closed on her elbow. Lets get him started on it.
Im beginning to feel a little de trop. Logan got out of the car. I trust you wont mind if I tag along?
I do mind, Joe said. But Ill put up with you as long as you dont get in the way. His pace quickened as he guided Eve across the parking lot. How long will this take?
Kesslers part wont take long if he can find a good source of DNA to extract. Its the lab work Im concerned about. DNA testing can take months.
You worry about getting a good sample, Ill take care of getting the DNA testing pushed through. Joe held the door to the building open for her. No problem. Im good at pushing. Its one of my His gaze suddenly narrowed on her face. Why are you looking at me like that?
She glanced away from him quickly. I dont know what you mean.
The hell you dont.
She shook off his hand and kept walking. Stop probing, Joe. Theres nothing wrong.
Maybe. His glance shifted to Logan. Maybe not.
She opened the door of the lab and saw Kessler sitting at his desk, eating a sandwich.
He looked up and glowered at her. I hear youre trying to get me tossed in the cooler. Thanks a lot, Duncan.
Theres mustard on your mustache. She took the case from Joe and went to stand before Kessler. She picked up the paper napkin on the desk and wiped his mouth and bristly gray mustache. Christ, you have to be the messiest eater on the planet, Gary.
Eating should be a pleasurable function when a mans alone. I shouldnt have to worry about a woman coming in and criticizing me. Particularly one whos come begging. He took another bite of his sandwich. What have you got yourself into, Duncan?
I need a little help.
If the hews reports are right, you need help from a lawyer, not me. He looked behind her. Youre Logan?
Logan nodded.
Kessler smiled slyly. I understand youve got a potload of money?
Enough.
Care to part with some? Things arent the same as when I was a young man. Its a sad fact that we bril-liant scientists need patrons these days.
Maybe we could come to an arrangement, Logan said.
Back off, Gary. Eve unfastened Bens case. You know very well that if youre interested enough, youll do the job for nothing.
You have a loud mouth, Duncan, Kessler said. Theres nothing wrong with a little greed. And, besides, I might have become more of a philistine since we last worked together. His tone was absent, his gaze fixed on the case. In spite of his words, she could sense his excitement. He re-minded Eve of a kid waiting to see what was in a Christmas package. And sending Quinn in ahead to try to rouse my curiosity is a pretty obvious ploy. I would have thought youd be a little more subtle.
She grinned. If something works, I dont fuss with it.
It must have been something pretty interesting that pulled you into a mess like this. His gaze never left the case. Youre not usually stupid.
Thank you.
She waited.
He finally said impatiently, So who is it?
She opened the lid and carefully lifted out the skull. You tell me.
