The Face of Deception Read Free Page B

you'd 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. “You're sure she's the only one?”
    “She's the best. I told you that she— What's bothering you?”
    “Nothing.” It wasn't the truth. The whole damn prospect of having to choose Eve Duncan bothered him. She was a victim already. She didn't 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 already made. Hell, the woman herself had made it for him when she'd 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 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 Logan's out on the Seventeen 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 future wasn't out of Novak's 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.
    “I've just come from Logan's house. I think he's settled on Eve Duncan.”
    “Think? Don't you know?”
    “I asked if he wanted me to contact her. He said he'd do it himself. Unless he changes his mind, she's a lock-in.”
    “But he won't tell you why he needs her?”
    “No way.”
    “Not even if it's a personal matter?”
    Novak's interest was piqued. “It has to be personal, doesn't it?”
    “We don't 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 you'll be paid even more generously if you give us something we can use against him. He's 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 Chadbourne's 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. That's always a good way to discredit.”
    “He's 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, don't you?”
    “Not necessarily. We do have other sources.”
    “But none as close to him as I am.”
    “I said you'd be well paid.”
    “I've been thinking about the money. I think I'd rather trade in favors. I've been considering running for lieutenant governor.”
    “You know we're backing Danford.”
    “But he's not being as helpful to you as I am.”
    There was a silence. “Bring me the information I need and I'll consider it.”
    “I'll work on it.” Novak hung up the phone. Nudging Timwick had been easier than he'd thought. He must really be worried about the upcoming presidential 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