I need to do that.” Her hand touched the suitcase he had thrown on her lap. “And it’s brought us to this. One step closer.” She had a strange, tingling feeling in her palm. The skull was here, separated from her only by the sleek hardcover leather of the case. Was it the head of the monster? “How could I not be here, Novak?”
His glance shifted back to her face. “You couldn’t,” he said. “Because you don’t see things like other people. But do me a favor and don’t try to save me again. Okay?”
“You didn’t listen to me.” She changed the subject. “Swanson was nervous tonight. Do you think he’ll be able to hold himself together until we can get the skull back to him on Monday? What’s to keep him from going on the run before that? That would trigger instant suspicion.”
“I only gave him half of his money. He’ll be motivated to keep cool and do everything right until he gets the other half Monday. After that, I don’t care what he does. One way or the other, we’ll have our answer by then.” He paused. “Provided Eve comes through for us.”
“Yes.” Her hand tightened on the case. “After tonight it will all be up to Eve.”
* * *
“Everything went well?” Eve carefully moved her reconstruction of Mila to the cabinet she’d cleared in readiness. “No problem?”
“It depends on how you look at it,” Novak said as he placed the case on her worktable and opened the snaps. “And also how you look at this skull. I don’t think Swanson had the guts to double-cross me, but you’ll have to tell me.” He opened the lid of the suitcase. “Check the ID number on the skull interior below the left-ear cavity before you go any further. It should be 1066.” He gave her a small vial. “One drop should bring it out.”
She carefully took out the skull and put it on the dais. “This is like something from a James Bond movie,” she grumbled. “Ridiculous, Novak.”
“The CIA is much more advanced than 007 these days,” he said dryly. “But the Brits did work out a way to guarantee the authenticity of this skull. It’s foolproof.” He watched as Eve put a minute drop of liquid on the back of the ear bone. It fizzed, and four tiny numbers appeared—1066.
“Though it’s a bit showy,” Novak said. “I could have done without the sound effects.”
“But you’re always understated.” Jill took a step closer. “This is the skull they took from the helicopter? We’re certain?”
“The Brits would be insulted. The skull had almost a guard of honor before the French forces turned it over to the scientists the Brits flew in to tag it,” Novak said. “And I was there in the lab watching as they did it. I’m naturally suspicious, and I wanted to be sure. I stayed with it through the entire ID process until they put the skull in the vault.” He turned to Eve. “This is the skull taken out of that helicopter. Now can you find out if it’s Varak’s?”
“I can find out what this man looks like. If it’s a strong resemblance to Varak, then it should be fairly simple,” Eve said. “If it’s not, you’ll have to prove whether or not he’s Varak to your satisfaction. But I told you, the DNA specimen taken from that back molar was judged absolute proof.” She frowned as she examined the skull. It was badly burned, and it was no wonder that other DNA was not available. It was going to be very difficult to do the reconstruction. “I can’t promise anything else.”
“We can’t expect you to do anything but your best,” Jill said. “I’m grateful you’re going to do it at all.” She grimaced. “Particularly since you have a perfect right to tell me to go to hell.”
“Yes, I do.” Eve was securing the skull to the dais. “But then I’d never know if Varak is down there ready to greet you.” She shrugged. “So I guess I’ll have to forgive and forget until I find out for sure. After that, we’ll go into it again.”
“Works for me,” Jill said. “I suppose you’re going to start on him tonight? A little rest would do you good.”
“I’ll get some sleep tonight. I’m going to need it. But I’ll work on repairs for a few hours before I go to bed.” She turned to Novak. “But now I talk to Joe. Did you get my phone?”