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Eve thought.

Margaret must have gone to bed. Youll meet her in the morning. I think youll find everything you need in your room.

I want to see my lab.

Now?

Yes. You may not have equipped it properly. I may have to supplement it.

Then by all means come with me. Its one of the added rooms in the back. I havent seen it myself. I had Margaret get you everything she thought youd need.

The efficient Margaret again.

Not only efficient. Exceptional.

She followed Logan across a huge living room with a fireplace large enough to walk into, plank floors covered by woven hemp carpets, and oversized leather furniture. It looked like a lodge, she decided.

He led her down a short hall and then opened a door. Here you are.

Coldness. Sterility. Gleaming stainless steel and glass.

Oops. Logan grimaced. This must be Mar-garets idea of scientific heaven. Ill try to warm it up for you.

It doesnt matter. I wont be here that long. She strode over to the pedestal. It was sturdy and ad-justable. The three video cameras on tripods next to it were top-notch, as were the computer, mixer, and VCR. She moved over to the workbench. The mea-suring instruments were high-grade, but she pre-ferred the ones she had brought with her. She took the wooden box from the shelf above the bench, and sixteen sets of eyes stared up at her. All variations of hazel, gray, green, blue, brown. Blue and brown would have been sufficient, she said. Brown is the most prevalent eye color.

I told her to get you everything you could pos-sibly need.

Well, she did that. She turned to look at him. When can I start to work?

In a day or two. Im waiting for word.

And Im supposed to sit here and twiddle my thumbs?

Would you like me to dig you up one of the Bar-retts to practice on?

No, I want to finish the job and go home.

You gave me two weeks. He turned away. Come on, youre tired. Ill show you to your room.

She was tired. She felt as if a thousand years had passed since she had walked to her lab that morning. She had a sudden pang of homesickness. What was she doing here? She didnt belong in this strange house with a man she didnt trust.

The Adam Fund. It didnt matter whether she be-longed here or not. She had a job and a purpose. She came toward him. I meant what I said. I wont do anything criminal.

I know you meant it.

Which didnt mean he accepted it. She flicked off the overhead light and moved past him into the hall. Are you going to tell me why you brought me here and why I should do what you want me to do?

He smiled. Why, its your patriotic duty.

Bull. Her gaze narrowed on his face. Politics?

Why do you assume that?

Youre known for your activities in public view and behind the scenes.

I suppose I should be relieved that you no longer think Im a mass murderer.

I didnt say that. Im exploring all options. Politics?

Possibly.

A sudden thought occurred to her. My God, are you trying to smear someone?

I dont believe in smear campaigns. Lets say things arent always what they seem, and I believe in bringing the truth to light.

If its to your advantage.

He nodded mockingly. Of course.

I dont want to be part of it.

Youre not part of ithellip; unless Im right. If Im wrong, you go home and we forget you were ever here. He was preceding her up the stairs. What could be more fair?

Maybe his reason didnt involve politics. Maybe it was entirely personal. Well see.

Yes, we will. He opened her door and stood aside. Goodnight,Eve.

Good night. She went inside and closed the door. The room was country comfortable with a canopy bed with a rust and cream quilt, simple pine furniture. The only thing in it that interested her was the telephone on the end table. She sat down on the bed and dialed Joe Quinns number.

Hello, he answered sleepily.

Joe, Eve.

His voice lost all trace of drowsiness. Is every-thing okay?

Fine. Im sorry to wake you, but I just wanted to tell you where I am and give you my phone number here. She rattled off the number printed on the