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Okay, I wont try to persuade you right now. Just think about it. He rose to his feet. And remember Kessler and Joe Qui
I havent been thinking about anything else.
Thats not true. I dont believe you can think of anyone but Bo
She wasnt listening to him anymore. She was looking down at the skull case but he didnt think she was seeing that either.
She was only hearing the siren call that Lisa Chadbourne had sung.
And she was seeing only Bo
TWENTY-TWO
Lisa Chadbourne called at seven on the dot the next morning. Well?
Eve drew a deep breath. Ill do it.
Im glad. Believe me, its best for everyone.
I dont care about everyone. If I did, I wouldnt be dealing with you. Listen to me. I want you to set me and my mother up somewhere out of the country, as you promised. I want you to call off your dogs after Logan and I want you to leave Joe Qui
And you want Bo
Oh, yes. Her voice was shaking. You have to find her and bring her to me. Thats absolutely non-negotiable.
Ill find her. I promise you, Eve. Ill arrange for Timwick to pick up the skull and then
No. I dont know if your promise is good enough. Im taking a big chance. Whos to say you wont go back on your word once you have the skull?
Youll still have the DNA records. You know they could cause me a great deal of trouble.
Perhaps not enough without the skull.
Then, what are you asking?
Im not asking, Im demanding. I want to see you. I want you to pick up the skull.
Thats not possible.
Its the only way Ill deal.
Look, a woman in my position cant move around freely What youre asking is impossible.
Dont lie to me. A woman who can kill her hus-band and get away with it can find a way to meet me. Im putting my life on the line and Ive got to use what I can to survive. I dont have many weapons, but Im an artist. Ive made a study of facial expressions and Ive also studied you. I think Ill be able to tell if you intend to keep your word.
A pause. Youll bring the skull with you?
It will be hidden close by. But I guarantee you wont be able to find it if you decide to set a trap for me.
And what if this is a trap for me?
Take what precautions you like as long as they dont pose a threat to me.
And where do you suggest we meet?
Somewhere near Camp David. It would be easiest for you to go there for the weekend. Particularly since youve supposedly suffered the loss of your friend Scott Maren. Just state Camp David as your destination and have the pilot set down before you reach there.
It seems to be a reasonable plan. What about Logan?
Hes out of it. I took the skull and papers and left him during the night. He told me I was crazy. He thinks youll betray me.
But youre not listening to him?
Im listening. He may be right. Her hand tightened on the phone. I have to do it anyway. You knew I would, didnt you?
A silence on the other end of the line. This meeting isnt a good idea. It would be safer if you drop the skull off where Timwick can pick it up.
Safer for you.
Safer for both of us.
No, I have to see your face when you tell me youre going to find Bo
Believe me, its not a good idea.
Take it or leave it.
Give me a moment to think about it. Another silence. Very well. Ill meet you. But you can under-stand that Im going to bring Timwick.
No.
Timwick can fly a helicopter and hes Secret Service. That means Ill be able to eliminate both my guard and the pilot without suspicion. Lisa paused. And he has equipment that will be able to tell me if either you or the area is wired. I do have to protect myself.
And whos going to protect me from him?
Ill send Timwick away once Im assured you havent set a trap for me. I wont come without him, Eve.
She gave in. Okay. No one else. If I see any sign of anyone else, I wont meet you.
Fair enough. Now tell me where you want to meet.
Ill call you when youre in the air and near Camp David.
Caution. When do you want me to leave?
Tomorrow. Eight A.M.
Very well. Remember, it takes thirty minutes to reach Camp David from the White House. She paused. If I cant talk you into a drop. It would really be safer for both of us.
I said no.
Then tomorrow. Lisa hung up.
Eve pressed the end button. It was done. Logan had called it a terrible mistake, but shed rolled the dice anyway.
She needed transportation to get to Washington today, and there was one more thing she had to do be-fore she left. She dialed her mother. Hows Joe?
I just finished talking to the hospital. Hes out of intensive care.
Eve closed her eyes as waves of relief washed over her. Hes better? Hes going to live?
He regained consciousness during the night. The doctors are being cautious, but all the signs are promising.
I want to see him.
Dont be crazy. You know thats not possible.
But it didnt stop the desperation she was feeling. Who could guess what was going to happen at Camp David? She needed to see Joe. Okay. I need some help. Will you rent a car for me and pick me up?
What happened to the car Logan had?
Weve parted company. Theyre searching for him harder than they are for me, and theres probably an order to shoot on sight.
Im glad youre not together. I didnt like the idea of the two of you
Mom, I dont have much time. Im in a womens rest room at the Gainesville Recreational Park. Its deserted at this hour, but I cant stay here very long. I hate to ask it of you, but will you pick me up?
Im on my way.
Mom was on her way. Eve would drop Sandra off back at the condo and then she would be on her way too. She sat down on the floor, put down her handbag next to Bens case, and leaned back against the con-crete block wall. Breathe deep. Try to relax. She was doing what she had to do.
Tomorrow: eight A.M.
Tomorrow: eight A.M.
Lisa stood up and moved over to the window.
Tomorrow she would have Bens skull and the primary threat would be over.
It could be a trap, but Lisas gut instinct told her she had played the one card that Eve Duncan couldnt resist. The woman was obsessed with finding her daughter, and Lisa had played on her torment and brought the woman to her knees. She supposed she should feel triumphant.
She didnt feel triumphant.
She wished shed been able to convince Eve that a meeting wasnt necessary. She had honestly pla
Or had she? she wondered wearily. Shed thought she knew herself, but shed never dreamed she would do the things she had already done.
She just wished Eve hadnt set up the meeting.
NEAR CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK
THE NEXT DAY
8:20 A.M.
The helicopter was approaching from the north.
Eve made the call.
Im in a glade one mile from route 77 by Hunting Creek. Set down in the glade. Ill come to meet you.
As soon as we do a sweep of the area and make sure its secure, Lisa Chadbourne said. Timwick likes to be cautious.
It was Lisa who liked to be cautious, Eve thought. But Eve had been cautious too. Shed made very sure the surrounding area was all clear before shed made the call.
Hands nervously clenching and unclenching she watched the helicopter circle the clearing.
One person. Timwick pointed at the infrared blur on the LCD screen. The nearest other heat source is at the diner on route 77 , three miles away.
Electronics?
Timwick checked another screen. Nothing in the area anywhere near Duncan.
Youre sure?
Of course Im sure. Its my ass too.
Lisa felt a tinge of sadness as she looked at the solitary blur on the screen and realized Eve was down there alone and unprotected. Then lets go down and see if we can save it, James.