And Im tired of you mourning me.
Then go away and forget me.
Thats not an option, Mama. The remembering goes on forever, just like the love does. I just want you to be happy again.
Imhellip; content.
Bonnie sighed. Go to sleep. I guess theres no talking to you until youre ready.
Eve closed her eyes. Where are you, baby? she whispered I want to bring you home.
I am home, Mama. Whenever Im with you, Im home.
No, I need you to
Hush, go to sleep. Thats what you need right now.
Dont tell me what I need. What I need is to find out where you are so that I can bring you home. Maybe then I wouldnt have these crazy dreams about you.
Theyre not crazy and youre not crazy. Youre just stubborn.
And youre not?
Sure, Im your daughter. Im entitled. Go on to sleep, and Ill just stay here and keep you company for a while.
So I wont be alone?
Yes, so you wont be alone.
SEVENTEEN
NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
7:45 A.M.
'I am hurrying, Lisa. Scott Marens hand tightened on the phone. For Gods sake, I have to be careful. Youve got media crawling all over this place. Ive switched the teeth X rays, but its not going to be as easy to switch the DNA samples.
But you can do it? Lisa asked. Youve got to do it, Scott.
Ill do it, he said wearily. I told you Id take care of you.
Do you think Im worried only about myself? Its you. I feel so guilty that I let you help me. No one must know.
Its not your fault. I bought into it. He had bought into it over twenty years ago, when Lisa had come to his apartment and theyd become lovers. She hadnt been married to Ben then, and their affair had lasted only a year, but the short duration hadnt mat-tered. Hed loved Lisa since theyd met that first year at Stanford. In spite of the nightmare shed brought into his life, he loved her still. The pattern was set and couldnt be broken. It will be all right.
I know it will. Youve never failed me.
And I never will.
Let me know when its finished. She paused. Im very grateful, Scott. I dont know how to repay you.
I didnt ask to be repaid. But Lisa had made sure that he had benefited after Bens death. Honor, fame, money. But they werent enough. When she left the White House he would see that she came to him as she should have all those years before. She didnt realize that they were bound closer now than they had ever been before.
I dont know what I would have done without you, Scott.
Lisa in bed. Lisa laughing at his jokes. Lisa with tears in her eyes as she told him she was going to marry Ben. Ill let you know when I have news for you.
Good-bye, Scott. She hung up.
Dr. Maren?
He turned around to see a red-haired young man in an orderlys uniform standing in the doorway. Yes? Am I wanted?
Not that I know about. The young man came into the office and closed the door. My name is Gil Price. Id like to talk to you.
BAINBRIDGE
8:40 A.M.
Chris Tellers laboratory was located in a small building on the outskirts of Bainbridge. Its clapboard walls were covered with ivy and it looked more like a Yale fraternity house than a science lab. Even the sign on the lab was so small, Eve would have missed the building entirely if she hadnt been closely fol-lowing Gary.
Teller Laboratories.
This is the home of state-of-the-art science? Logan murmured.
Everything isnt the way it appears on the sur-face. Gary trusts him, so I do too. She parked beside Garys Volvo in the parking lot and waited. When Gary got out of his car and came toward her, she asked, Do you want us to go in with you, Gary?
