A Face to Die For

Book 0: Eve Duncan

by Iris Johansen

Genres: Mystery; Suspense

Synopsis

Eve Duncan attempts to unearth one of history’s mostintriguing lost secrets in this adventure ripped from the pages of Greek mythology, by #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen.

Archaeologist Riley Smith has been obsessed with Helen of Troy since she was a small girl, trailing her professor father all over the world in search of the tomb of the world’s most beautiful woman. Professor Smith put his life on the line to prove that, instead of a myth, Helen had been a living, breathing queen.

Riley seeks the help of forensic sculptor Eve Duncan, who has the unusual skills necessary to recreate the face that launched a thousand ships—revealing Helen’s true appearance for the first time in history. But convincing Eve to take on the challenge will be difficult because her efforts could come at great personal risk to her and her family…

Tomb raiders have murdered Riley’s father, and now she is more determined than ever to reach the burial site first, avenge his death, and enlist Eve’s aid. Also on hand to help is dashing fixer and treasure hunter Michael Cade, but could he have his own secret agenda when it comes to finding Helen?

Now both Riley and Eve are in danger and in a race across one of the most remote parts of the world. All they have is their trust in each other and their belief in a dream as they hunt for Helen.

Release date: June 14, 2022

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Print pages: 400

Sample

Prologue

Ghana, West Africa
Twenty-Two Years Ago

The sun was going down!

And she was late again.

There was no way Riley was going to be able to get back to the camp before her mother and father returned from the trip to the village.

But she had to try.

She skidded down the bank that led from the creek. Then she was deep in the jungle and heading toward the hills in the distance. The night creatures had not come out yet, but the stillness told her they were there waiting in the shadows for their turn. She had caught sight of a panther earlier this morning…This time of day always excited her, and she instinctively slowed down to let the sensations flow over her, the fear, the eagerness, the curiosity. But then she reluctantly speeded up again. She had to be more careful after that last warning from her mother. She was running at top speed through the jungle now. She jumped over another creek and could see the camp a short distance ahead. She didn’t hear any sounds of cooking or conversation, but that didn’t mean Riley would get away with disobedience. It was fully dark now, and her mother didn’t like the night creatures the way Riley did. She always insisted that her father be back at camp before the end of the day.

Well, she could only hope that something had delayed the purchase of the artifact at the village. She ran around to her own tent that was in the rear of the encampment. She lifted up the back of the tent and rolled underneath the edge.

A beam of light speared her face in the darkness.

“You were told to stay in the tent, Riley,” her mother said coldly.

Caught!

Her mother lit the lantern on the table beside the bed and then gazed at her disapprovingly. “Not only disobedient, but you look like a filthy ragamuffin. I saw children in that village today who looked much cleaner than you.”

“I’m not filthy. I took a bath in a creek right before I came home.” Riley was careful not to mention that the creek had run through an underground cave and ended in a ten-foot waterfall. Her mother would not have understood. “And I finished the lessons you gave me before I took a walk. I didn’t think you’d mind. You always say I should get exercise.”

“You crept past the guard again. You know you’re not supposed to go anywhere alone. You’re eight years old. What if you got lost? Your father would blame me.”

“I never get lost.” She sat up. “I’m like Eleni. Remember all the stories you told me about her? She never got lost and she never got tired. She was a true warrior.”

“You’re not like Eleni,” her mother said between gritted teeth. “You’re just a disobedient child who causes me endless problems. And I’m sorry I ever told you about her.”

“I’m not.” Riley knew she should just be quiet and not argue, but she couldn’t accept those words. She lifted her chin. “I remember every one of those stories. Maybe I’m not like her, but I try to be.”

“You’re impossible.” Her mother shook her head. “Now clean up and then go to bed. And if you’ve lied to me and didn’t finish those lessons, you’ll hear from your father. I’ve told him that we should send you to a private school in Egypt. I shouldn’t have to handle you by myself.”

“I didn’t lie to you. I even did an extra lesson before I left for my walk. That should please him.” She changed the subject. “Did you get the artifact?”

“We got it,” she said curtly. “But it was hardly worth the trip. It was far too primitive and led us nowhere that we wanted to go.” She turned to leave. “I suppose he’ll want to know if you’ve had anything to eat.”

“Berries,” Riley said quickly. “Lots of berries. I’m not hungry.”

“Good. Then go to bed. I don’t want to hear anything else from you for the rest of the night. Your father and I have work to do.” She left the tent.

Yes. Riley jumped to her feet and ran over to the table and hurriedly washed up and brushed her hair. Then she was in her pajamas, turning off the lamp, and crawling into her sleeping bag.

She closed her eyes. Sleep. Forget everything her mother had said. Remember the jungle, the strange sound of the chimps high in the trees, the way her heart had pounded as she’d run down the path this morning after she’d left the encampment. Let everything else go so the dreams could come.

Freedom. Power. Eleni.

*  *  *

“You got in trouble again.” Riley heard Eleni laughing even before she saw her sitting on the stool beside the arched windows of the palace. She was dressed in a white tunic; her blue eyes were lit with amusement and her golden hair was short and shimmering around that wonderful face. “Won’t you ever learn, Riley?”

“That’s what I’m trying to do.” She didn’t care if Eleni was laughing at her. There was only humor and mischief and no hint of scorn or bitterness when Eleni came to her. “You kept bragging how fast you were, how none of the young boys of the city could beat you. But I had no one to teach me. I just had to do it on my own. I was very fast today.”

“Not as fast as me. Probably because they don’t let you run naked as I do sometimes.” Eleni tilted her head. “But you did well, and I was proud of you.” She was suddenly chuckling again. “And I’ll be more proud if you don’t make mistakes and cause your mother to be angry with you. I’ve warned you about that. Running a race is one thing, but handling the people who can hurt you is more important.” Her smile faded. “And your mother does hurt you.”

Riley couldn’t deny that. “Sometimes. She said she was sorry that she’d ever told me about you.” Riley frowned. “I had to tell her that—”

“No, you didn’t,” Eleni interrupted. “Because she did tell you about me, and that means you win no matter what she thinks now. When you close your eyes, I’ll always be with you.”

“She thinks you’re only a dream.” Riley scowled. “She laughed at me.”

“A dream?” Eleni nodded. “She could be right. But what does it matter? I’m here and you’re here and together we’re strong enough to shape the world to suit ourselves. Would you like that?”

“Yes.” Her eyes narrowed on Eleni’s face. “You’re different tonight. Why?”

She shrugged. “I can’t stay the same all the time. We all change, Riley. Sometimes life changes us. I just found out that I have to choose a husband and I’m not certain that pleases me.”

“Then don’t do it.”

She chuckled. “But what if I miss something interesting if I don’t? I’ve never been afraid of taking a chance. You mustn’t be, either.” She leaned back on her stool. “But we won’t talk about it now. Perhaps I’ll tell you how it worked out the next time we’re together. Or perhaps not, maybe I’ll have wonderful secrets that I won’t want to share.”

“You’ll tell me,” Riley said flatly. “How can we shape the world to suit ourselves if you keep secrets from me?”

“True.” Eleni was grinning again. “But for now you have to tell me your secrets. Start at the beginning of your day and tell me everything. How fast did you run? Did you see any new, wonderful creatures? What about your endurance? I’ve told you that’s just as important. Share with me, Riley.” Her smile was luminous as she coaxed, “And I promise I’ll always share with you…”

Chapter1

Azerbaijan Forest
Present Day

So much blood…

And Riley couldn’t stop it. It was too late. She knew it was too late, but she kept her hand on the pressure point. Her father was gasping for breath and staring up at her in desperation. “Hurry. Get…out of…here, Riley. They were right…behind me.”

“Hold on. Don’t give up. I’m not going to leave you.” Tears were pouring down her face and she impatiently wiped them away. “I don’t care about those bastards. I’ll hear them coming, and I’ll pick them off one by one. You’ve just got to hold on until I can stop this blood. Then I’ll get you out of here.”

“Hold…on? I regret…I can’t…help you there.” A trickle of blood was coming from the corner of his mouth. “You never did…do anything I told you. But I can’t allow it this…time.” He looked at Dan, who was standing behind her. “Your uncle Dan is…always more…reasonable, thank God.” He stared him directly in the eye. “You’ll never get…what you want if they…get their hands on Riley. You know…that, don’t you, brother dear?”

“I know it,” Dan said roughly. “But she might be able to get you out of here alive. I’ve seen her do harder things.”

“You were never good…at calculating odds. I always had…the brains in the…family. That’s why I have…all those degrees.”

“But I had all the fun. I’ve been thinking lately that wasn’t quite fair. All the more reason for me to let her try to help you.”

“Don’t throw…that in my face now. You know…what has to be done.” His gaze shifted back to Riley. “And so do you. Don’t let them…take you. And don’t…ever let them take her.”

“I can’t worry about that right now,” she said shakily. “It’s not too late. I think I might be able to cauterize this wound if Dan helps me.”

“Oh, Dan is going…to help you.” He looked back at his brother. “Aren’t you? Now, Dan!”

A blinding pain in her temple!

Darkness!

*  *  *

Robaku, Maldara
Central Africa
Three Months Later

Eve Duncan pushed back from her desk and gazed critically at the reconstruction she’d just completed. She was glad Gila was finally finished. Eve just hoped that her work would give back to the child’s mother a little of the joy and humanity she’d known before those guerrillas had broken into her daughter’s schoolroom and butchered her and her classmates. Only her mother had survived the attack on the village, and it was important that when Eve returned the reconstruction to her, she’d be able to see and remember all the love she’d known with her daughter. “What do you think, Gila?” she whispered. “Did I bring you home?”

“Sure you did,” said a voice from the doorway behind her. “You bring them all home.”

Eve whirled around in her chair to see Jill Cassidy leaning on the doorjamb and smiling at her. “Jill?” She jumped to her feet and ran across the space separating them. “I thought you were still in Egypt.” She gave her a hug. “When did you get in? What are you doing here?”

“What I do, wherever I am.” She grinned. “You know me. I’m a reporter and I always have a story to tell or one to investigate. When Novak called me in Cairo and told me you’d come back to do a few more reconstructions at the request of the local government, I decided that I should hop a plane and come and see you. The last I heard was that you’d gone back to your lake cottage in Atlanta and were refusing to budge.”

“Situations change,” Eve said. “And Joe and I decided to change with them. Michael was old enough to go to a wonderful school in Scotland that he’s crazy about. Jane and Seth Caleb have a house there and are keeping an eye on him.”

“And Joe?” Jill’s eyes were narrowed on her face. “You’ve left out Joe. And he would never allow that to happen.”

“Of course not,” Eve said. “Joe took a leave from his job so that he could spend more time at Scotland Yard and visiting Michael’s school, in between running over here to see me whenever he could.” She tilted her head. “So you can see we’re all accounted for and very content.”

“Are you?” Jill slowly shook her head. “You forget I got to know you very well when we were here together trying to survive that post-civil-war madness. You wouldn’t be content unless you and your family were together. What went wrong?”

“Nothing.” Eve looked her straight in the eyes. “Everything is going exactly the way we want it to. Back off, Jill.”

Jill studied her for a moment and then smiled. “Never mind. I’ll find out on my own, and then I’ll fix it for you. You forgot what a good reporter I am.”

Eve definitely had not forgotten that, she thought ruefully. Jill wouldn’t have won that Pulitzer before she was thirty if she hadn’t been super sharp. “I don’t want you to fix anything for me. All I want is to enjoy having you here, Jill.”

“That’s what I want, too.” She shrugged. “You know me, I tend to screw things up for myself when I see something not quite…right. It’s my journalistic instinct.” Then she made a face. “But I definitely don’t want you to be wary of me. That’s not why I’m here. Let’s start over.” She strolled over to the reconstruction on the table for a closer look. “She’s absolutely wonderful. What’s her name?”

“Gila. She was six years old when she was murdered. I just finished her today.”

“I thought you were finished with doing the reconstructions on the village children before you left here?”

“I did, but it was a terrible war. Those bloody mercenaries’ favorite sport was attacking the villages and killing innocent children. It didn’t end here in this village. But the government appreciated the job I did when I was here and asked if I’d come back and do several more reconstructions from a school in the northern province. I had the skulls brought to my studio here.” She gently touched Gila’s head. “She’s the last one they brought to me. I’m glad. I know it’s worthwhile, but it breaks my heart. I want it to be over.”

“I can see how you would. But there’s no way they’re going to let you escape without a good reason. Everyone knows you’re the best forensic sculptor in the world.”

“I have a good reason,” she said lightly. “As you’ve pointed out, I have a family that occasionally likes to have me around.”

“And that you’ve mysteriously been avoiding.” She suddenly chuckled as she saw Eve’s pointed glance. “Okay, sorry. Let’s grab a bottle of water and walk down to the creek. I’ll tell you all about my research into the Egyptian tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and you can tell me about Joe and Michael.” She was already at the fridge across the room and pulling out two bottles of water. “My research was fascinating. But I’ll bet you had more fun than I did.”

“No bet.” Eve took the bottle from Jill and headed for the door. “A walk will do me good. I’ve been working on Gila since dawn. I wanted to finish her.”

“And you did a great job.” Jill was looking straight ahead. “But you’re right, all those tragic kids might be too much for you. Maybe you need a change of pace.”

“What?” Eve turned to look at her. “Just what are you saying? That sounds suspiciously like the snow job you gave me to get me to come here and do those reconstructions a few years ago.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Jill asked cheerfully. “And I admit that was a snow job, but I only told you the sad story and let you choose for yourself. And in the end, I believe you found yourself agreeing that what we did was damn good for this entire country.”

“After you brushed the snow job aside and let me see what I really had to do,” she said dryly. “It took me a while to forgive you for that.”

“But you did forgive me, and I promised I’d never do it again.” Jill sat down on the bank of the creek and crossed her legs. “And I won’t, Eve.”

“But there’s a reason why you suddenly hopped a plane to see me when Novak told you I was here?”

“I had a few days before I have to fly to Paris to cover a conference.” She took another drink. “And I did want to see you. It’s been too long.”

“But?”

“It did seem to be a stroke of fate.” She smiled. “You were here, almost where I needed you, when I’d thought you were still in Atlanta. How could I not accept that we’d been brought together again for a purpose?”

Eve made a rude noise. “You’ve been spending too much time in those musty tombs.”

“Maybe.” Jill laughed. “But it sounded pretty good, didn’t it?”

“Of course it did. You were always a great storyteller.”

“And you just told me that Gila was your last reconstruction on this job.” She snapped her fingers. “Stroke of fate.”

Eve chuckled. “You’re impossible.” Her smile faded as she searched Jill’s expression. “But you’re only half joking, aren’t you? What are you up to, Jill?”

She didn’t speak for a moment. “I have a friend who is in trouble, and it’s a very complicated problem.” She paused. “And I need you to do the job that you do best.”

“Forensic sculpting?” She tensed. “Why? You know DNA always rules. Get someone else, Jill. I have enough complications in my life right now. The last time I agreed to help you, it almost started a revolution.”

“But it didn’t, and this isn’t the same thing. I promise. All I want you to do is listen to me and then let me introduce you to my friend.” She added coaxingly, “I’m not going to insist. But if you decided to do it, it will be something different for you, and you’ll be doing good for so many people.”

“That’s what you said when I came here to reconstruct those twenty-seven schoolchildren.”

“Did you regret it?”

“You know I didn’t.”

“Then listen to me.” She finished her water and got to her feet. “But not now. I can see you bracing to turn me down. I’ll give you until tomorrow to prepare yourself. Have dinner with me then. I’m going to dinner with Novak tonight. I’d have to talk to him about this anyway.”

“You do?” Eve repeated warily. Besides being Jill’s lover, Jed Novak was CIA, and he practically ran everything to do with the Company and law enforcement in Maldara. “Why?”

“I just want some advice.” Jill made a face. “And I haven’t seen him for over a month. He wasn’t able to get to Cairo as we planned. Juggling two careers can really suck in a relationship.”

“Tell me about it,” Eve said. “Try juggling two continents.”

“But you’ll have dinner with me tomorrow evening? You can always say no when I start my pitch.”

“And I probably will.”

“We’ll see.” She reached down and pulled Eve to her feet. “I’m going to offer you something absolutely unique. The least it will do is intrigue you. Think about that until we’re together again.” She was walking down the path toward where she’d parked her car. “And remember the good we managed to do when you gave in to me the last time.” She waved at Eve as she got into the driver’s seat. “Tomorrow!”

Eve shook her head ruefully as she watched Jill drive down the village road toward the main highway. She probably wouldn’t be able to stop herself from thinking about those weeks with Jill she’d experienced a few years ago. Everything she had said was true: She couldn’t regret it. But Jill’s profession as a reporter led her into situations that were both dangerous and sometimes bizarre, not to mention tragic. She didn’t need that in her life right now. She and Joe were having enough trouble making their actions appear understated and totally normal so they wouldn’t attract undue attention.

Which reminded her that it was almost time to call Joe now. She wasn’t looking forward to it. He wasn’t going to like the news that Jill was back in their lives again.

*  *  *

Jill waited until she’d reached the road to Jokan before she called Novak. “I’ve left Eve and I’m on my way to the hotel. I dropped a few teasers, but I’m holding off until tomorrow to talk to her. It doesn’t look promising.”

“I wonder why,” he said dryly. “She’s always had excellent good sense, and you knew it was iffy.”

“But I promised Riley I’d try to persuade Eve to at least listen to her proposition.” She added, “It might help if you volunteered to go along.”

“I told you that I couldn’t leave Maldara right now.” He stopped a moment, then said impatiently, “Okay. Okay. I’ll try to get someone else who might fit the bill. I’ll make a few calls. There’s one person who might be interested.” He added, “But I have no intention of discussing this anymore tonight. It’s been too damn long since I saw you.”

“That’s what I told Eve. I can’t wait. Make reservations at my hotel for dinner and give me time to change. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

He chuckled. “It’s a deal. I’m on my way.” He ended the call.

Jill smiled and instinctively pressed the accelerator. Time to forget everything but Novak and what she felt for him. She’d started the ball rolling today, but life was more than ancient artifacts and centuries-old tombs and she intended to explore every bit of it tonight.

*  *  *

What the hell!

Novak frowned impatiently but then fifteen minutes later he pulled his SUV over to the side of the road and reached for his phone. Okay, he’d told Jill that he wasn’t going to let her involve him with her attempt to help her friend at the moment, but he had an idea he was already involved. At any rate, he knew he wasn’t going to be able to put it out of his mind until he found a way to strike a balance that would keep Riley and Eve as safe as possible if Jill did manage to talk Eve into listening to her.

So get it over with and make the call. Cade could sometimes be difficult, and who knew where the hell he was right now.

He quickly placed the call to Morgan Cade and waited for him to pick up.

“Novak?” Cade’s voice was wary as he answered. “I haven’t heard from you since Nigeria. That was three years ago. Are you still in Maldara?”

“Yes. Where are you now?”

“My place outside London. But I’m leaving for Morocco tomorrow.”

“I don’t think so. I believe you’d enjoy Azerbaijan more.”

Silence. “I have a commitment in Morocco.”

“They’ll wait for you. Everyone always waits for you, Cade. You’re the golden boy.”

“Bullshit.”

“Of course you are,” he said mockingly. “One of the richest men on the planet. Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Famous environmentalist and archaeologist. We’re all in awe of you. Tell me, who did you have to bribe to get those elephants into the UK?”

“What do you want, Novak?” Cade asked bluntly.

“Just thought I’d touch base. Is Jon Kirby still with you? I have such fond memories of that son of a bitch.”

“He was only obeying my orders.” Cade repeated, “What do you want?”

“You owe me for Nigeria.”

“I’ll pay you when I get back from Morocco.”

“That might not be in time. I’m not sure what’s going down there.”

“Then you have no business trying to pull me into this.”

“But I thought of you immediately when I was told about the magnificent artifacts just waiting for you in Azerbaijan.”

“What artifacts?”

“Curious? Of course you are. Jewels and vases and ancient treasures that you’d find interesting. You wouldn’t even have to locate them yourself. Your partner has already done all the initial work.”

“Partner?”

“I’ll explain later. I’m sure that the project will intrigue you enough so that you’ll agree it’s worth your while.”

“I’m not intrigued yet.”

“Then I’ll have to add the pièce de résistance.” Novak waited a moment before saying softly, “Ralph Dakar is after the artifacts, too. He’s in Azerbaijan now. You’re bound to run into him at some point in the next few weeks.”

“Dakar?” Cade repeated. He muttered a curse. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. I’ve heard you’ve been searching for him. Now are you intrigued?”

“Talk to me,” he said harshly. “I want to know every damn thing.”

“I don’t have time. I have an engagement. I just wanted to catch you before you took off again for parts unknown. I thought you’d need time to prepare. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Cade was silent. Then he said, “You’re enjoying this.”

“A little. Those two nights in the jungle in Nigeria were hellish. You wouldn’t give up.”

“But I got what I wanted, and now you’ll get what you want. But not if you leave me hanging like this. I’ll walk away and head for Azerbaijan on my own.” He continued brusquely, “At least you’re going to tell me about this partner you’re wishing on me. Name?”

“Riley Smith. She has excellent credentials, and I’ve been assured she’ll be of value to you. Have Kirby check up on her. I’m hanging up now.”

“Go ahead. That will be enough to get me started. Call me tomorrow.” Cade cut the connection.

Mission accomplished, Novak thought grimly as he drove back onto the road. But bringing Cade into the picture might be a mistake even if he was lethal enough to handle Dakar. He’d learned just how intense he could be in Nigeria. Still, it was too late now to step back. He could imagine Cade exploding into action the minute after he’d hung up the phone…

*  *  *

Cambry House
Wildlife Harbor Sanctuary
Outside London

“Cancel Morocco, Kirby,” Cade Morgan said as he strode into the library. “We’re heading for Azerbaijan tomorrow.”

“Why the hell?” Kirby looked up from the tiger cub he was feeding. “I thought you wanted to zero in on that merchant in the bazaar. I was looking forward to it.” He gave the tiger’s throat a last affectionate rub and got to his feet. “What’s in Azerbaijan that’s worth canceling that scumbag Hamad?”

“Dakar.”

Kirby whirled to face him. “Shit! How do you know?”

“Novak. He wants payment for Nigeria.”

“I don’t blame him. It was rough as hell. But he waited long enough.”

“I knew it was only a matter of time. He wanted to make it worth his while.” He added grimly, “And he wanted to make sure he’d have something to dangle that would bring me into line. I wonder how long he’s known Dakar was in Azerbaijan.”

“We can eliminate Novak. I can trace Dakar for you now that we have a general direction.”

“No, I owe him. And he dangled not only Dakar but some exceptional artifacts that the bastard is going after.” He was suddenly grinning recklessly. “There’s nothing I’d like better than taking a prize like that away from Dakar before I cut his throat.”

“So what do you want from me?” Kirby asked.

“I’ve changed my mind, don’t cancel Morocco. I don’t want Hamad to be able to operate one more day either. Just get Brandwick to bring in his team to go after those poachers. Then get Lewis and the crew ready and secure the sanctuary.” He made a face. “And I want a report on a woman called Riley Smith whom Novak promises me will be just the partner I need. That’s all I’ll know about her until tomorrow morning. It would help if I knew if that artifact she’s going after is worth my while. Try to get ahead of the game. See if I can buy her out or find a way to neutralize her until I can get rid of Dakar.”

“You don’t want much,” Kirby said sourly.

“Stop complaining. Even Novak trusts you. He told me to have you check her out.” He glanced back at the tiger at Kirby’s feet. “And I told you not to make a house pet of that tiger. He’s getting too old for that. He’s happier outside.”

“He’s got a couple more months. He likes it in the house. He thinks this mansion just might be worthy of him,” Kirby added slyly as he was reaching for his phone. “And at least he’s not an elephant like that baby you brought back from Nairobi…”

*  *  *

Eve’s Workshop
Robaku

“Jill didn’t give you even a hint what she was going to ask you to do?” Joe asked Eve impatiently after she’d finished telling him about the reporter’s visit. “You should have pinned her down.”

“As you would have?” Eve asked. “She took me off guard. And okay, I was glad to see her again. It took me back to that time when we were fighting a c. . .