The Face of Deception by Iris Johansen Page A

her. Display?

You sent so much honey flowing toward Mom that she couldnt move.

I was merely being polite.

You were being charming.

Ive found it greases a few wheels. You object?

Its all lies. I hate it.

Why do He paused. Fraser. I was told he was a Ted Bundy type. Dammit, Im no Fraser, Eve.

She knew he wasnt. No one was like Fraser ex-cept Lucifer himself. I cant help It just reminds me of It annoys me.

Since well be working together, thats the last thing we need. I promise Ill be as blunt and rude as I know how.

Good.

Not so good. Ive been known to be pretty ugly on occasion. He started the car. Ask Margaret.

From the way you describe her, I doubt if shed put up with it.

True. She can be much nastier than me. But I do try.

Where are we going?

Where did you tell your mother we were going?

I didnt tell her. I said youre based on the West Coast and she assumed thats where were headed. She and Joe Quinn have my digital number in case of an emergency. She repeated, Where are we going?

Now? The airport. Were taking my plane to my place in Virginia.

Ill need equipment. Most of my stuff was de-stroyed. He missed only a few instruments.

No problem. Ive already equipped a lab for you.

What?

I knew youd need a place to work.

What if Id turned you down?

I would have looked for second best. He smiled and added in a melodramatic growl, Or kidnapped you and locked you up in the lab until you did my bidding.

He was joking. Or was he? she wondered suddenly.

Im sorry. Too light? Just testing your sense of humor. By the way, you failed miserably. Is that rude enough for you?

Yes, I have a sense of humor.

I havent seen it. He drove down the exit ramp onto the freeway. But dont worry, its not required for the job.

I wasnt worried. I dont care what you think of me. I just want to get this job done. And Im tired of going at this blind. When are we

Well talk about it when we get to Virginia.

I want to talk about it now.

Later. He glanced at the rearview mirror. This is a rental car and not secured.

At first she didnt realize what he meant. You mean its bugged?

I dont know. I just dont want to take a chance.

She was silent a moment. Are your cars usuallyhellip; secured?

Yes, since I sometimes do business as I move from place to place. Leaks can be costly.

I imagine they can be. Particularly when you play around with something like a buried skeleton.

Im not playing. He glanced at the rearview mirror again. Believe me, Eve.

It was the second time in seconds he had checked the mirror, and the traffic wasnt that heavy. She glanced over her shoulder. Are we being followed?

Maybe. Not as far as I can tell.

Would you tell me if we were?

It depends on if I thought it would scare you off. He glanced at her. Would it?

No. I gave you my terms and Im committed. The only thing that would make me back away now would be if I thought you were lying to me. I wont stand for that, Logan.

Point taken.

I mean what I say. You hobnob with all those politicians who talk out of both sides of their mouths. Im not like that.

My, how sanctimonious you sound.

Think what you like. Im being up-front with you. I just dont want you to make any mistakes about me.

Point taken. I assure you, no one could mistake you for either a politician or a diplomat, he said dryly

I take that as a compliment.

And I take it you dont like politicians.

Does anyone? These days we all seem to have to choose the lesser evil.

There are some people out there who want to do a good job.

Are you trying to convert me? Forget it. I dont like Republicans any more than I do Democrats.

Who did you vote for in the last election?

Chadbourne. But not because he was a Demo-crat. He convinced me hed be a decent president.

And you think he has?

She shrugged. He got the aid to dependent children bill passed even though Congress had him gridlocked.

A gridlocks like a logjam. Sometimes you have to toss in something explosive to break it up.

Those fund-raisers youve