The Face of Deception by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page A

figure it out yourself, he said bluntly. I was afraid it would tip the scales against me. This was meant to frighten you, and it did.

Yes, she had been frightened. She had been scared and sick and saddened. Besides the destruction of property, Tom-Toms life had been taken and Mandys identity had been forever stolen.

And all of it had been done to manipulate her away from a certain path. Fury burned through her as she remembered Mrs. Dobbinss face that morning.

Damn him. Her voice was shaking with anger. Damn him to hell.

Ill vote for that. Logans gaze was narrowed on her face. I hope theres some significance to the fact that youre damning him and not me.

Vicious bastard. She strode out of the lab. She couldnt ever remember being so enraged except the day Fraser had been caught. She wanted to kill someone. He didnt care. People should care. How could he She knew how he could do it. He was probably a crazy freak like Fraser. Cruel and cold and without mercy. I want him to pay for it.

Then Ill find out who it is for you, Logan said.

She whirled on him. How can you do that? Did you lie when you said you didnt know who he is?

I dont know him but I know who probably hired him.

Who?

He shook his head. I cant tell you, but Ill find out who did this. He paused. If youll come with me.

Tell me who hired him.

Youll find out yourself if you come and do the job. Why not? It will take time to set up a new lab. Youll just be spinning your wheels now. Ill up the money for the Adam Fund another two hundred thousand and throw in the son of a bitch who did this to you.

A sudden thought occurred to her. Maybe you had this done to push me into going with you.

It would have been too chancy. You could just as well have jumped the other way. Besides, I dont kill helpless animals.

But youre willing to take advantage of whats happened.

You bet I am. Is it a deal?

She looked around the bloodstained room, and once again rage rushed through her. Ill think about it.

What if I raise the

Stop pushing me. I said Id think about it. She picked up a box from the floor that had once con-tained printer paper and began to put Mandys skull fragments inside. Her hands were still shaking with anger, she noticed. She had to be calm. Go away. Ill call you when Ive made up my mind.

I need to move fast on

Ill call you.

She could feel his gaze on her and expected him to continue to try to persuade her.

Im at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. He paused. I shouldnt tell you this. It compromises my bar-gaining position. But Im a desperate man, Eve. I have to have your help. There isnt anything I wouldnt do to get it. Call me and give me your price. Ill pay it.

When she looked up, he was gone.

What would make a man like Logan that des-perate? If there was any desperation in him before, hed kept it well hidden. Maybe the confession of vulnerability had been a ploy.

Well, she would consider that later. She needed to get back to the house so her mother wouldnt come looking for her here. She picked up the pictures and Mandys box and started for the door. She could try to put the skull back together. Even if she couldnt get a completely accurate structure, it might be enough for computer imaging

Another wave of helpless fury washed over her as she realized that couldnt happen. Joe had told her they had no idea who Mandy could be, so how would they find a photograph? Her only hope had been of building the face and using that face to lead to someone, anyone, who could identify her. That hope had been crushed by the bastard who had deliber-ately smashed the skull to warn her off.

Eve? It was her mother walking toward her down the path. That was the insurance company on the phone. Theyre sending a claims adjuster out right away.

Are they? Evidently Logans Margaret had pre-vailed. Hows Mrs. Dobbins?

Better. Do you think we should get her a little kitten?

Not for a few months. Let her get over the first hurt.

Sandras gaze went to the lab. Im sorry, Eve. All your