The Face of Deception Read Free Page A

for all it was worth.

Bonnie Duncan. The little girl was dressed in a Bugs Bunny T-shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. Her red hair was wildly curly and there was a smattering of freckles on her nose. She was smiling at the camera and her face was alight with joy and mischief.

Logan felt sick. What kind of world was this in which a monster could kill a kid like that?

Novaks gaze was fixed on his face. Cute, huh?

Fast-forward.

Novak pressed the button and the scene was back outside the prison.

How old was Duncan when the kid was killed?

Twenty-three. The little girl was seven. Fraser was executed two years later.

And the woman went bonkers and became ob-sessed with bones.

Hell no, Novak said curtly. Why are you being so rough on her?

Logan turned to look at him. Why are you being so defensive?

Because shes not Shes got guts, dammit.

You admire her?

From her head right down to her toes, Novak said. She could have given up the kid for adoption or gotten an abortion. She kept her instead. She could have gone on welfare like her mother and repeated the pattern. She kept the baby in a United Fund nursery during the day while she worked and did cor-respondence courses at night. She was almost fin-ished with college when Bonnie disappeared. He looked at Eve Duncan on the screen. That should have killed her or sent her spiraling back where she came from, but it didnt. She returned to school and made something of her life. She has a degree in fine arts from Georgia State and is certified as a computer age progression specialist at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Arlington, Vir-ginia. She also received advanced certification for clay facial reconstruction after training with two of the nations foremost reconstruction artists.

Tough lady, Logan murmured.

And smart. She does forensic sculpting and age progression as well as computer and video super-imposition. Not many people in her profession are experts in all those areas. You saw the clip from 60 Minutes on how she rebuilt the face of that kid who was found in the Florida swamps.

He nodded. It was incredible. His gaze re-turned to the video. Eve Duncans tall, thin body was clothed in jeans and a raincoat and appeared terribly fragile. Her shoulder-length red-brown hair was soaking wet and framed a pale, oval face that held agony and desperation. The brown eyes behind her wire-rimmed glasses reflected the same desolation and pain. He looked away from the screen. Can we find anyone else as good?

Novak shook his head. You asked for the best. Shes the best. But you may have trouble getting her. Shes pretty busy and she prefers to work on lost-children cases. I dont suppose this has anything to do with a child?

Logan didnt answer. Money is usually pretty persuasive.

But it may not mean that much to her. She could be making a lot more money if she took a university appointment instead of working freelance. She lives in a rented house in Morningside, an area close to downtown Atlanta, and she has a lab in a renovated garage in the back.

Maybe a university hasnt made her an offer she couldnt refuse.

Maybe. Theyre not in your league. He raised his brows. I dont suppose youd like to tell me what you need her to do?

No. Novak had a reputation for integrity and was probably trustworthy, but there was no way Logan could risk confiding in him. Youre sure shes the only one?

Shes the best. I told you that she Whats bothering you?

Nothing. It wasnt the truth. The whole damn prospect of having to choose Eve Duncan bothered him. She was a victim already. She didnt need to be put at risk again.

Why was he hesitating? No matter who got hurt, he had to go through with it. The decision was al-ready made. Hell, the woman herself had made it for him when shed become tops in her field. He had to have the best.

Even if it killed her.

Ken Novak tossed his briefcase on the passenger seat of his convertible and started the car. He waited until he was past the