The Face of Deception Read Free Page B

long driveway and out the front gates before he picked up the car phone and placed the call to the private number at the Treasury Department.

While he waited to be put through to Timwick, his gaze wandered to the Pacific. Someday he was going to have a house like Logans out on the Seven-teen Mile Drive. His house in Carmel was sleek and modern but nothing like the mansions here. The people who owned them were the elite, the kings of business and finance, the movers and shakers. That fu-ture wasnt out of Novaks grasp. Logan had started out with a tiny company and built it into a giant. All it had taken was hard work and the ruthlessness to forge ahead no matter what the odds. Now he had it all. Novak had worked for Logan for the past three years, and he admired him tremendously. Sometimes he even liked him. Logan could turn on the charm when he

Novak? Timwick was on the line.

Ive just come from Logans house. I think hes settled on Eve Duncan.

Think? Dont you know?

I asked if he wanted me to contact her. He said hed do it himself. Unless he changes his mind, shes a lock-in.

But he wont tell you why he needs her?

No way.

Not even if its a personal matter?

Novaks interest was piqued. It has to be per-sonal, doesnt it?

We dont know. According to your reports, the things he wanted investigated are a mixed bag. Some of them may have been red herrings to throw you off.

Possibly. But you thought enough of them to pay me a princely sum to find out more.

And youll be paid even more generously if you give us something we can use against him. Hes raised too much money for the Republican Party in the last six months and the election is only five months away.

At least you have a Democratic president. Ben Chadbournes popularity numbers are up again this month. You think Logan wants to make sure the Republicans take Congress again? They may do it anyway.

And they may not. We could take it all next time. We need Logan stopped in his tracks.

Sic the IRS on him. Thats always a good way to discredit.

Hes clean.

Novak had suspected he would be. Logan was too smart to fall in that trap. Then I guess you have to rely on me, dont you?

Not necessarily. We do have other sources.

But none as close to him as I am.

I said youd be well paid.

Ive been thinking about the money. I think Id rather trade in favors. Ive been considering running for lieutenant governor.

You know were backing Danford.

But hes not being as helpful to you as I am.

There was a silence. Bring me the information I need and Ill consider it.

Ill work on it. Novak hung up the phone. Nudging Timwick had been easier than hed thought. He must really be worried about the upcoming presi-dential election. Democrat or Republican, all those political insiders were the same. Once they got a taste of power, they became addicted, and the smart man used that addiction to move himself up the ladder to a place on the Seventeen Mile Drive.

He followed a curve in the road, and Logans Spanish palace on the hill was once again in view. Logan wasnt an insider; he was that rare commodity, a true patriot. He was a Republican, but Novak had even heard him praise the Democratic president on that negotiation with Jordan three years earlier.

But patriots were often unpredictable and could be dangerous.

Timwick wanted him brought down and, if he worked it right, Novak could parlay that need to the governors mansion. He had little doubt that what-ever task Logan wanted Eve Duncan to do, it was personal. He had been too secretive and on edge. Se-crets regarding skeletal remains were usually a pretty fair sign of guilt. Murder? Maybe. He had led a pretty rough life during the early days when he was trying to build his empire. It appeared that some-time in Logans checkered past, he had stubbed his toe big-time. He hadnt lied about his admiration for Eve Duncan. Hed always liked tough, take-charge women.

He hoped he wouldnt have to bring her down with Logan. Hell, maybe by bringing Logan