Blind Alley - Iris Johansen [100]
It was his time.
SEVENTEEN
You went to pretty elaborate lengths to make this look authentic,” Eve murmured to Trevor as she watched the students carefully placing the coffin on the table in the large, high-ceilinged library. “It wasn't easy for them to get that coffin up that ladder.”
“Not as hard as it would have been if Sontag hadn't made sure that the opening would accommodate large art items.”
“As far as I can see, you only did one thing wrong,” Eve said. “If those tunnels underneath this villa location are supposed to be such a big secret, won't those students talk?”
“Not if they want to keep their internship with Sontag. He'll give them their walking papers if they exchange even a passing remark with anyone. I told you he wasn't a very nice guy. But in this case, it serves us well.” He turned to Jane. “It's starting. Last chance to back out.”
“Don't be ridiculous.” She moistened her lips. Why couldn't she take her gaze from that coffin? It was a fake, a con. There was no reason to be disturbed. “What's in the coffin?”
“A skeleton.”
Her gaze flew to his face. “You're joking.”
He shook his head. “I don't know how close we're going to be observed by Aldo and I didn't want to take any chances.”
“Where did you get it?”
“I visited a small museum outside Naples and borrowed it from them. It took some pretty fast talking and I made a hell of a lot of promises in Eve's name to get it.” He turned to Eve. “The woman's skeleton was one of the bodies found in the marina.”
“You want me to do an actual reconstruction?”
He nodded. “Everything should give the appearance of being absolutely authentic. You told me once that you had to be careful not to see any photographs because you were afraid your hands and mind would betray you. This time I want that to happen. Think Cira. Or Jane. I've set up a pedestal and bought supplies for you. How about it?”
“It depends on what promises you made in my name.”
“I promised after we finished with the skeleton that you'd erase the Cira face and do a true reconstruction. The museum's poor as dirt and your name would be a great drawing card. It didn't seem too unreasonable. Will you do it?”
Eve nodded slowly, her gaze on the coffin. “What do you know about her?”
“She was young, somewhere in her teens. She had a broken shinbone. The museum thought from the lack of nutrition evidenced by her bones that she was working-class. They call her Giulia.” He smiled. “And that's all I know. It's all they know.” His glance went to Joe and Sontag, who were ushering the students from the room. “I'd better go and be sure Sontag doesn't make any major foul-ups. He takes a firm hand.”
“Then I'm sure he'll get it.” Eve was moving toward the coffin. “Where is this studio you set up for me?”
Eve's tone was absent and Jane could tell she was already absorbed in the project to come. “Can you wait until you unpack and have dinner?”
“The study,” Trevor said. “And I'll bring the skull and set it up for you after I talk to Sontag.”
“I want to look at her now.”
“Go ahead. There's no lock on the coffin.” Trevor strode toward Joe and Sontag.
Jane followed Eve across the room. “Why are you in such a hurry? She's not one of your lost ones, Eve.”
“If I do her reconstruction, she will be. Not only that, I'm going to take liberties giving her your face and I want to get to know her.” She lifted the lid of the coffin. “What did the people at the museum call her?”
“Giulia.”
She gently touched the skull. “Hello, Giulia,” she said softly. “We're going to get to know each other very well. I have nothing but respect and admiration for you and I'm eager to see who you are.” She stood for a moment looking down at the skeleton and then closed the lid. “That's enough for now.” She turned away. “I couldn't work on her without introducing myself.”
Jane nodded. “I know you couldn't. I've seen you do it with the lost ones.