Diane was wishing he would get to the point, but she didn’t say anything, just waited, unconsciously twirling a pen through her fingers.
“Emily and Lacy are friends, just like Alix and Melissa. The four of them have known each other forever, but they aren’t that close and there’s some jealousy on Emily and Lacy’s part.”
“Jealousy?”
“You know how some girls-women-are. Anyway, that’s the only reason I can figure they told you a story about Alix. Alix isn’t abusing Melissa. The very thought is ludicrous. Melissa’s doing it to herself.”
“What?”
“Have you ever met Melissa’s parents? They’ve mapped out her life ever since she was born. Parents don’t know the kind of pressure they put on a kid. My dad’s a great guy and is so proud of me, but I’m telling you, just that amount of pride is hard on me sometimes. Melissa’s parents always expected perfection, and they were very controlling. Her response was to abuse herself. She hits herself with things, she’s cut herself, sometimes she bites herself-she actually leaves teeth marks. The last thing she did was cut off her hair. Alix trimmed it for her, trying to make it look like that’s what she intended. Alix has always been Melissa’s protector. And she’s really upset that you think she’s the one hurting Melissa.”
“I don’t think anything at the moment,” said Diane. “The whole thing is too confusing.”
“I agree with you there.”
“I was told that Alix hit you.”
“No. Was that Lacy and Emily?” Diane didn’t respond. “She didn’t. I don’t know why they said that. Maybe they thought they were protecting Mike. I know you thought it was him.”
“He thinks it’s her father.”
“I know. Melissa needs to get help. I don’t think she understands how many people she’s drawn into all this. Alix is afraid you’re going to fire her.”
“As long as she does her job, I have no reason to fire her. I’ve already made the mistake of suspecting Mike. I don’t intend to compound it. I intend to stay out of it.”
“Alix will be relieved. It’s not like she needs the job, but she really likes it here. She didn’t have an easy childhood either. Her parents were always gone and too busy to pay any attention to her. She was raised by a long string of housekeepers, or stayed with Melissa. I guess that’s why they’re so close.”
“Tell her not to worry.”
“I will. I see you’re using the computer. How do you like it?”
“So far it’s great. I haven’t done much. But it’s a really nice model.”
“It is, isn’t it? I’m not fond of the name, but it’s a great machine. Do you know you can drop it as far as four feet and it won’t sustain any damage?”
“That will be good for field work.”
He stood up. “Look, I promised not to talk about computers, so I’ll be going. I just wanted to put in a word for Alix.”
“Thank you for coming in.”
Diane watched him leave. She shook her head. This was what, the third story? Intervention is tricky business. The best she could say about the mess was that she’d learned a lesson.
She pushed her new computer aside and looked at the reports Ben Florian had brought her. Her theory on the plastic had panned out. The plastic was from the kind used for soda bottles. The gunpowder residue on the inside surface was a strong indicator that a plastic bottle was used as a silencer. Frank would be glad to hear it.
She looked at the bloodstain report and compared it to the autopsy reports. No blood except George’s and Louise’s. Too bad; she’d love to have had some perp DNA.
She matched the identification of George and Louise’s bloodstains to the sets of medium-velocity spatters on the walls to see which blow struck George and which one struck Louise. She double-checked it with the autopsy report of the number of times each were struck. It matched with the scenario she laid out for Frank.
She had a lot of information, neatly organized, neatly fitting together, but not enough to clear Star. There was nothing to do now but wait to see if anything came of the missing persons inquiry.
She was about to stop and have some lunch and visit Frank when Andie announced Chanell Napier. Chanell, dressed in a dark green suit, came in and sat down in the chair in front of Diane’s desk, clasping her hands in front of her.
“Thanks for coming,” said Diane.
Chanell smiled and looked as if she didn’t quite know what to say.
“I wanted to know if you’re interested in the job as head of security here at the museum. It would mean a substantial raise in pay. It would also mean taking some classes we’d set up for you.”
Chanell put her hands to her face. She looked like she’d just won the lottery.
“I take it you’re interested,” said Diane.
“Yes, oh, yes, ma’am. I’m interested.”
“Good. Andie will give you the details and tell you where to go to fill out some forms.” Diane stood up and held out her hand. “Congratulations.”
Chanell took her hand and shook it. “Oh, thank you, Dr. Fallon. I’ll do a really good job for you. I will.”
“I’m sure you will. You can start today.”
As she was congratulating Chanell, Diane heard Leonard Starns in Andie’s office through the crack in the partially open door.
“Payroll called and said I had to pick up my check from you.”
“Yes,” said Andie. “This way.” She led him into Diane’s office.
“How you doing, Leonard?” said Chanell.
He looked from Diane to Chanell. “What’s this about?”
Diane picked up the envelope with his check in it. “I’ve just made Chanell head of security. One of the things she’ll be investigating is who’s been forging my name to order over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of supplies and exhibits.”
Andie and Chanell were both completely caught off guard. But not Leonard. He stood, stiff and frowning, in front of Diane’s desk.
“Was anything actually stolen?” he managed to say.
“An attempt was made to steal over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars from the museum through fraudulent purchases. That carries with it more impact than simple mischief. I intervened in the middle of one attempt and prevented it. I suspect the purpose was actually to deprive me of my job.”
“Do you have my paycheck?” Leonard’s lower lip stuck out like he was about to pout. Diane smiled. “You think that’s funny?” he said. Leonard was becoming belligerent.
“Considering I was paying you to guard the place, yes, I do. Were you also involved in the break-in of the conservation lab?”
“You can’t prove anything.”
“I just sent a set of fingerprints off to the crime lab.”
Leonard grinned broadly. “You can’t prove anything.”
To Diane, that was like an admission of guilt. But, unfortunately, an inadmissible one. She opened a drawer to her desk and pulled out a pair of surgical gloves and pulled one on over her hand and held it up.
“What I think, Mr. Starns, is that you made those fake orders, and you did it for your son, who works for Mark Grayson. Were you helping him get some brownie points?”
Leonard’s attention was focused on the gloved hand.
“I think you were involved in the break-in,” said Diane. “You used the master key to let whoever it was in. If you were alone, you wouldn’t have bothered to wear these gloves. You could just say you were checking things out if we found your prints. Was it your son?”
“You can’t prove anything.” He was sounding like he was caught in a loop.
“Did you know that this kind of glove fits so tight it can leave fingerprints through the latex? I lifted some from the break-in, didn’t I, Chanell?”
“She sure did. Nice clear prints too.”
Leonard’s smug expression started to collapse.