“I can almost believe you.”
“Dammit, don’t give me that almost bullshit. Believe me.”
“Yes, sir.” She laughed and pushed him away. “And you’re right, I’m being an idiot. Colby seems to have that effect on me. Thanks for the comforting shoulder to lean on. I seem to be using it ad nauseum. I’ll watch it from now on.”
“How disappointing.” He grinned. “I’m beginning to look on it as a fringe benefit of working with you.”
She could feel her pulse begin to pound, and she hurriedly looked away from him. “That would be exceptionally humiliating for me. I’d hate for anyone to think I was that weak.” She got to her feet. “And now it’s time for me to get to bed.”
His brows rose. “Is it?”
She felt the heat sting her cheeks at the subtle sexual intimation. Ridiculous … and immature. “Yes, it’s going to take me a long time to get to sleep after that damn Skype call. Tomorrow, we’ve got to hit the ground running.”
“You’re sure you wouldn’t like me to come and—” He shook his head as he saw her expression. “Just offering comfort, nothing else. I’ve officially appointed myself guardian against all nemeses attacking you.”
“Yeah, sure. You could be a pretty rough nemesis yourself. Thanks anyway.” She looked up at the poster of Ashley. “And I’m sure she wouldn’t approve. Good-night, Lynch.”
“Good-night, Kendra.” He got to his feet as she left the room. He glanced up at the Ashley poster, and murmured, “And good-night, Ashley. I’m beginning to think I may have to do something about you…”
* * *
SHE COULDN’T SLEEP, DAMMIT.
As Kendra had told Lynch, she had known that it would be a lost cause.
After two hours, she gave it up and went out on the balcony for air.
It was only eleven thirty, she realized with surprise. It was going to be a long night. She supposed she could work on her files. It was better than sitting around thinking about Colby.
Or Myatt. He was the threat.
Which reminded her that she hadn’t heard from her mother since early this morning.
Call her? Why not? She was a night owl and never got to sleep before one or two.
Besides she wanted to hear her voice. She wanted to hear sanity and intelligence and goodness. She wouldn’t dump on her, but she just wanted to know that those qualities survived because Diane was in the world.
Diane answered the phone in two rings. “What’s wrong?”
Oh, shit. “Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you. How is everything there?”
“Boring. Olivia has been working on her computer all day and that FBI person, Nelson, has been drifting around being solemn. He tries not to be obvious, but I think he has a thing for Olivia.”
“Very observant.”
“But I’m not sure about Olivia. I’ve never really been able to read her. Even as a child, she was something of an enigma.”
“Not to me.”
“She was your best friend. She kept me at a distance.”
“But you liked her.”
“That doesn’t mean I understood her.”
Kendra changed the subject. “Is everything quiet up there?”
“As far as I know. Tad Martlin, that Special Forces friend of Lynch’s, came by today and introduced himself and gave me his cell-phone number. Very polite. Cold eyes. I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side. Lynch chose well. But then he knows about things like that, doesn’t he?”
“In spades. He knows about a lot of things.”
Her mother was silent. “But evidently he doesn’t know how to keep you from worrying and feeling bad.” She repeated, “What’s wrong?”
So much for trying not to dump her troubles on her mother. Diane wasn’t about to give up. She sighed. “Colby. I had to talk to him today, and I’m having trouble shaking it off.”
“I can imagine. He dies tomorrow, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” She said grimly, “I’m tempted to go up to San Quentin and watch it happen. I remember when you had to deal with that monster. It nearly killed you.”
“It was a pretty terrible time.”
“But you fought your way through, like you always do. You wouldn’t talk about it, but you were strong, and I was proud of you.” She paused. “As I’m proud of you now. Maybe I don’t tell you that enough. I couldn’t have a daughter I respect more or that is more deserving of love.”
“Hey.” Kendra had to swallow to clear her tight throat. “I didn’t call you to hear that, but I’ll take it.”
“You called me because you knew that I’d fight the battles that you’d never think of asking me to fight. You called me because I always understand you even though I don’t always approve.” She added, “And you called me because you know I’m here to heal your wounds. It’s my job and my privilege.” She went on brusquely, “Now that we’ve got that settled, do you want to hang up and try to go to sleep, or shall we talk?”
“Talk, please.”
“Okay, but nothing to do with that son of a bitch at San Quentin or why I’m stuck up here on this mountaintop. Instead, I’ll tell you about my weird ultraliberal class at the university and some of the stories that Dean told me about his time in the service. He really has a unique sense of humor and I enjoy…”
* * *
IT WAS MORE THAN FORTY MINUTES LATER that Diane hung up the phone after talking to Kendra.
It had been good to hear her voice, she thought, but she didn’t like the fact that Colby had been able to put Kendra on edge. She’d be glad when the bastard was dead and permanently out of all their lives.
She stared out at the moonlight shimmering on the forest below. But even with Colby dead, there would always be another killer, another case, putting Kendra at risk. Like this Myatt who had thrown her and Olivia together on the top of this damn cliff. No matter how much she tried to persuade Kendra it was going to be a—
“Was that Kendra?”
She glanced at the French doors and saw Olivia standing there. Dressed in a high-fashion striped-silk turquoise caftan, she looked like an exotic Asian princess. “Yes. Nothing was wrong. Just chitchat. Come and sit down. The chair is six feet forward and two feet to your left.”
“I know.” She glided forward. “It was kind of you to show me where everything was located, but I have it now. As long as you leave everything in place, I’ll be fine.” She dropped down in the rattan chair. “I may not be as good as Kendra was before she had her operation, but I’m very, very good. And I’ve had more time than Kendra to practice. She had a miracle that interfered.”
“And does that bother you?” Diane asked quietly.
“Am I jealous? Of course I am. I’m not perfect. But I love Kendra, and I’m happy for her.” She inhaled deeply. “It’s wonderful out here. The pines and the fresh breezes…” She turned to Diane. “I know you’re impatient being here. So am I. But there are a few good things about it.”
“Tell me about them.”
Olivia was silent, then smiled. “I get to have Kendra’s mom to myself for a little while.”
She hadn’t been expecting that answer. “What?”
“Another thing I was jealous about. I always envied Kendra her relationship with you. It’s pretty wonderful, you know. Oh, I had my father, and he loved me, but it was different. Dad’s a high-powered businessman and he has a new wife every few years. Most of the time, he left my care to qualified schools and nannies. Then I met Kendra at school, and everything changed. She became my good friend and invited me home with her. I saw how different it could be to have someone not only in your corner but on hand to back you. You never stopped Kendra from doing anything that she thought she could do, but you were always there for her. And when you did step in for her, everything turned out all right.” She chuckled. “I desperately wanted a Diane of my own.”
“I’m … surprised. You never showed me. You seemed to be so absorbed with Kendra. She was your friend, and sometimes I felt in the way. Around me, you were always very reserved.” She paused. “I tried to be friends with you. Should I have tried harder?”
“No, you were wonderful to me. It wasn’t your fault that I couldn’t be at ease around you.”
“It was my fault. I was the mother of a blind child, and I should have looked beyond her to try to solve the problems of her best friend, who was also blind. I was just so involved with Kendra that everything revolved around her.”
“I know that,” Olivia said. “I’m not giving you a guilt trip, Diane. We worked our way through it, and we’re friends now.” She added softly, “But there’s no true friendship without honesty. I want that for us. I couldn’t be honest with you when I was growing up. I had too many hang-ups.” She made a face. “Not that I don’t now, but my problems and hang-ups don’t have anything to do with you.”
Diane gazed at her for a long moment. “You need some help dealing with them? I’m damn good at solving problems. Even you have to admit that, Olivia.”
“Hell, yes.” Olivia smiled. “But you know that wouldn’t work. We’re both too independent these days.”
“I could be tactful … maybe.” She nodded, thinking. “Sure. Why not? Kendra obviously won’t let me run her life and keep her happy and safe. I have plenty of time and energy to spend on you. Yes, it’s an excellent idea. I’ll take you under my wing, and it will be good for both of us. Think about it, Olivia.”
“I am thinking about it,” Olivia said warily. “And it’s scaring me.”
“Coward. You wanted someone in your corner, here I am.” She smiled. “I may be a little late, but look at all I’ve learned in that time that can benefit you. I’m a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. For instance, I don’t believe you’ve been pursuing medical ways to cure your blindness with enough dedication. I’ve been doing a good bit on my own, but I left it up to you. Maybe I shouldn’t have done—”
“You’ve been searching for a cure for me? I didn’t realize that, Diane.”
“You should have. You’re my daughter’s best friend, aren’t you?”
“Yes. No. I think you’re her best friend, but I come pretty close.”
“The relationship is completely different. She thinks I’m obsessive and possessive.”
“Are you?”
“Of course, but I make every effort to control it. And the love makes it palatable for her. I wouldn’t be that way with you.”
“Good. I’m relieved. Because I’ve no intention of being adopted by you in any shape or form.”
“Don’t be absurd, it wouldn’t be like that. Think about it. I’d be very good for you.” She hesitated. “Besides, I’d enjoy it. I like you.”
“I like you, too,” Olivia said. “But you could smother me.”
“Take the challenge. You’re stronger than that.”
Olivia lifted her chin. “Yes, I am.” She got to her feet and took the three steps to the balcony railing. “I’ll consider it. But don’t be surprised if I don’t agree to be your next pet project.”
“I will be surprised. We have issues to resolve, and this is one way to do it. In the end, we might shape a relationship that will be something extraordinary.”
“Diane, you’re impossible.” Olivia ruefully shook her head. “I took one innocent step, and you’re pulling me willy-nilly down the course to the finish line.”
“And what’s wrong with that? There’s always a prize waiting at the finish line.”
“True.” Olivia was laughing as she turned back to the forest. “But sometimes it’s a booby prize. Did you ever—” She stopped, her head suddenly lifting.
“Olivia?”
“Shh.” Olivia was silent a moment. “Diane, you said that this balcony faces straight out to the forest? That the hillside curves around on either side of us?”
“Right.”
“Then no one could be looking at us unless they’re in the middle of that forest down there. But that’s not likely at this hour.”
Diane straightened in her chair. “No. Why?”
Olivia didn’t speak for another instant. “Someone’s out there. Maybe in the woods. He may not be looking at us but he’s there.”
“Agent Nelson?”
“No, he’s guarding the front of the house.”
“It could be that Tad Martlin, the Special Forces person we met today.”
“Maybe.” She shook her head. “But I don’t think so.”
“You heard something?”
“No. Or maybe I did. I can’t be sure.” She tilted her head, listening. “I have very good hearing. Not as good as Kendra, and I can’t put things together like she can.” She looked out into the darkness. “I don’t think I heard him. I feel him.” She moistened her lips. “And it’s not a good feeling. Bad … it’s bad.”
Diane jumped to her feet. “Then let’s do something about it.” She grabbed Olivia’s arm and pulled her toward the French doors. “I doubt if anyone could get on this balcony, but we won’t take a chance.” She whisked her inside and locked the doors. “Call Agent Nelson and have him come inside. I’ll phone Tad Martlin and tell him to scour the woods on either side of the house.” She reached for her phone. “We’ll take care of it.”
Olivia was looking at her. “It’s only a feeling. I have no proof, Diane.”
“There’s always a theory before there’s proof. And some theories are based on feelings. As a blind woman, your instincts are finely tuned,” she said as she checked the number and started to dial. “So we won’t discount them. I’m in your corner, and we’re fighting this together. Now go call Agent Nelson and we’ll check it all out.”