The Face of Deception

Shes going to confess?

Bo

Ill know the moment to quit and step asidehellip; just like Ben did, Lisa had said.

Dont think about it, Bo

It shouldnt. She did terrible things.

Youre having a hard time because she wasnt like Fraser. It frightens you to know that the best of inten-tions can spawn evil. And what she did was evil, Mama.

I think she would have found you, baby. I think she would have kept her promise.

And killed you.

Maybe not. Maybe I could have found a wayhellip; Im sorry, Bo

Will you stop it? I keep telling you thats impor-tant only to you. It doesnt matter.

It does matter. She swallowed I thought when you didnt come to I mean when I didnt dream of you that you might be angry. Because I hadnt chosen to bring you home when I had the chance.

For goodness sake, I was glad you didnt knuckle under to her. But all that agonizing you did afterward was a great disappointment to me. Joes right, youve taken your first step. You chose life instead of a pile of bones, but you still have a long way to go.

Eve frowned I havent heard from Joe lately.

You will soon. I think hes located Timwick.

Another court case.

Bo

What do you mean?

Hes not going to want you upset, Mama. Timwick will probably just disappear. She tilted her head and studied her. Youre taking that very well. Youve accepted that side of Joe.

I dont like it, but its better than blinding myself to it.

I think youd accept almost anything if it means keeping Joe in your life. Everyone else could slip away, but Joe has to be there. Have you ever asked yourself why?

Hes my friend.

Bo

She smothered the leap of excitement. And how do you know? You heard it on the wind, I suppose. Or maybe it came to you in a clash of thunder in that storm we had last night.

You know, Joe is a little like a storm. Full of lightninghellip; He kind of swoops sometimes and then he quiets down again. Interesting. Arent you glad hes coming?

Glad? Oh, God, to see Joe againhellip; How can I be glad about something I dont know is true? Im probably just doing guesswork about why I havent heard from Joe.

Its true. She frowned down at her castle. I wish I had a flag for the battlements. Remember that tiny flag you made for my castle in Pensacola? You tore a piece off the red beach towel.

I remember.

Oh, well, I guess its fine as it is.

Its a wonderful castle, she said unevenly.

Now, dont get soppy.

Im not getting soppy. Actually, your castle could use at least one more turret. And wheres your drawbridge?

Bo

Youre going to stay here?

As long as you stay. But youre already getting bored

I am not. Im perfectly content

Have it your own way. She jumped to her feet Come on, Ill walk partway back to the house with you. Logans pla

If Im napping beneath this palm tree, how am I going to stroll back to the house with you?

You can do anything in a dream. Im sure youll rationalize it as sleepwalking or something dumb like that. Come on, get up, Mama.

Eve got to her feet, brushed the sand off her shorts, and started down the beach You are a dream, baby. I know it.

Do you? Tomorrow when you come back here the tide will have washed away my sand castle. She smiled at Eve. But you wont risk coming back tonight before that happens, will you?

I might

Bo

Is that supposed to thrill me? Id really be bad off if

Look at that sea gull. Bo

I dont know. Rachmaninoff? Count Basie?

Isnt he beautiful, Mama?

Beautiful.

Bo

I dont know what you mean.

Mama.

Its not right. I have to bring you home.

You know what my answer will be. Someday youll not ask me and Ill know youre healed She tossed another shell into the sea before turning to smile lovingly at Eve. But I realize you have to do it now, so ask me, Mama.

Yes, ask the question.

Ask a ghost. Ask a dream.

Ask of love.

Where are you, Bo

Dear Reader:

As I came close to the end of The Face of Deception , I knew there had to be another Eve Duncan book.

When I first created Eve, she was just a forensic sculptor with no personal history. But she quickly took on a life of her own, a life of sadness and tri-umph, and emerged one tough lady. She learned to endure every parents worst nightmare: the loss of a child. Because Im also a mother, I can imagine Eves torment. Its too wrenching for me to leave her be-hind right now, not with her search for Bo

So Im creating another story. In her quest to bring Bo

I hope youre looking forward to finding out the answer.

Warmest wishes,

Iris Johansen

The End