Mr. Timwick asked that a check be made.
Then you already suspected that Jamal was at Barrett House.
When the President goes anywhere, we have to make sure the situation is secure. You all know how fanatically determined Logan has been to see that the President is not elected to a second term. When Mr. Timwick discovered that Mr. Logan may have had contact with Jamal on his last visit to Japan, he asked Bethesda to run a check on Jamal. He held up his hand. No more questions. The President wishes me to assure you that under no circumstances will this threat interfere with his attendance at the funeral of his good friend, nor with the execution of his duties as president. Jim Douglas turned and walked out of the room.
There was a final shot of the President in the Rose Garden, which must have been taken at some other time. He was smiling down at Lisa Chadbourne and she was smiling back with just the right amount of support and concern.
My God. Eve turned off the set and turned to Kessler. How hard are they looking for Logan?
Theyve pulled out all the stops. Hes a prime suspect. Kessler added, And you too.
She crossed her arms over her chest to keep from trembling. Now Im a terrorist as well as a murderer?
Youve been downgraded. Youre just an acces-sory. Logan is the murderer. They believe he had a falling-out with Jamal about the terms of the assassi-nation and killed him.
And burned down the house to hide it.
Correct.
Its completely preposterous. No one could believe a story like that. Logan is a respectable businessman. Why would he become involved with terrorists?
Im not so sure they wont believe it, Gary said slowly. The average person sitting before a televi-sion set has a tendency to accept what the authorities tell him, and people in general have no liking for big business. Havent you heard that the only way to get someone to accept a big lie is to tell some little truths along with it? Youll notice that Douglas stressed two points. Logans political fanaticism, and his visits out of the country. Theyve started with basic provable facts and layered in DNA science and the average Americans fear of foreign terrorists. Its a pretty complete package.
Complete enough to make it impossible for Logan to surface without danger of being shot on sight. She had it all planned. Eve still found it hard to believe. That was why, when that body was found in Barrett House, Detwil issued a statement praising Logan and revealing that hed planned to go there that weekend. We thought she was trying to have Maren switch the DNA to prove the body was Logans. Instead, she was setting this up.
He nodded. Identifying that body as Jamal makes your situation a hell of a lot more difficult.
Difficult. It made it a nightmare. Logan will be a target of every law enforcement body in the country.
Maybe he was already dead. Why hadnt he called her?
No, the media would have picked up on Logans capture or death. She suddenly remembered the press secretarys last words. What funeral? What was he talking about?
Scott Maren. He was killed in an automobile ac-cident last night. They just announced that the fu-neral would be two days from now.
The words struck her like a blow. What?
A truck broadsided his Corvette.
Where? Near where Gil was supposed to meet him?
No, only a few blocks from the hospital. They think something was wrong with his brakes.
Murder.
Gary shook his head. Not as far as the officials are concerned. Theyre investigating, but they think its just an accident. Respected doctor, liked by everyone. No motive.
It was murder. It was too coincidental. Lisa had gotten rid of Maren because shed been afraid hed become a liability. Which meant Maren had told her about Gil approaching him.
They set a trap for Gil. And Logan had walked into the trap with him.
Its possible. But we dont know. We have to wait and see. In the meantime, I think it would be a good idea if you stayed away from the testing lab, Kessler said. Logan would like you to stay here with Tellers security guard.
No, Ill go with you.
To protect me? He made a face. What can you do sitting in a car in the parking lot? I appreciate the effort, but I can care for myself. Besides, its only ten minutes from here. I promise Ill phone if I need you.
Ill go, dammit.
What about Logan? Have you heard from him?
No.
He touched the circles beneath her eyes. And youre worried. Shouldnt you stay here and wait for him? Hes the one who is in danger.
I cant help him. I dont even know where he is.
Hes a bright young man. Hell come back. He turned to leave. I have to get to the lab. Chris prom-ised me those results late today, but he works better with a little subtle browbeating.
She tried to smile. Theres nothing subtle about you, Gary.
