“I know. But you just saw some of what he did to those victims. He can’t go on, Mom.”
“Then have someone else catch him.” She held Kendra still closer and then she released her and stepped back. “But you’re not going to do that, are you?” She cleared her throat. “We’ve had this argument before. Someday I’m going to win it.” She looked down at the photos and case histories lying on the floor. “But that’s not going to be today, is it? If he did all that, then he’s too hideous for me to budge you.” She drew a long, shaky breath. “Then I’ll have to try to find a way to help. I can do that. All your life I’ve helped you, haven’t I?”
“All my life.” All the years of care and love and understanding, of searching for a cure when everyone told her mother it was hopeless. And at every defeat never making Kendra feel that she would be loved any less if that cure was never found. No one could have been kinder or more patient to a special child, or any child, than her mother. “You’re terrific.”
“Yes, I am.” Deanna nodded brusquely. “You’re wise to realize that, Kendra. When you also realize that your mother always knows best, you will be totally perfect.”
“Almost always,” Kendra said gently.
“Perhaps. But not in this instance.” She hugged her again and then stepped back. “We’ll talk about this again and I don’t promise not to try to change your mind and the outcome.” She turned toward the door. “And now I believe I’ll go home and take a hot bath and then start thinking about how to do that. Lock your door behind me.”
“The condo is absolutely secure.” She followed her mother to the door. “Except against the people I love.”
“Then why did you hesitate before you came in tonight?” She looked over her shoulder. “Why, Kendra?”
A young man bleeding-out in a closet.
“I wasn’t expecting you.” She changed the subject. “And if you promise not to harass me, I’ll ask you to dinner later in the week. What about it?”
“I’ll let you know. I’m a busy woman and you’re probably going to be wary of me for a little while.” She opened the door. “You should be. I can be pretty formidable. Ask my students.” She smiled. “Remember to eat that Danish I brought. I bet you haven’t had dinner. It’s not nourishing, but it will have to do. And you always did like sweets.”
The door closed behind her.
But Kendra knew she was waiting until she locked the door before she moved toward the elevator.
She shook her head ruefully and then shot the lock.
Formidable, indeed. But she wouldn’t have her any other way. It was just that right now she had no desire or energy to battle people she cared about. There was a bigger battle shaping up on the horizon. She just wished her mother hadn’t seen the casualties that had already been inflicted.
Then she turned away, went back to her office, and started to gather up the photos and case histories scattered on the floor. There were still others pouring out of the printer onto the tray. She felt overwhelmed at the sheer volume. She felt again as if that damn murderer was standing there watching, smiling … waiting.
How many?
Her hands were shaking as she grabbed up the last of the photos on the floor and then whirled back to the spitting printer with fists clenched.
How many, you son of a bitch?
4:35 A.M.
The knot!
Kendra’s eyes flew open as she woke from a sound sleep.
Yes!
She’d been studying those case histories all night and had only gotten to sleep a couple hours ago. But her mind had obviously still been working on them because she’d been jarred fully awake.
The knot!
She turned on the lamp, swung her legs to the floor, and jumped out of bed. The next moment she was rifling through the files she’d left on the chair across the room.
Oxnard. Check.
Jacksonville. Check.
Washington, D.C. Check.
She quickly went through the other cities.
Yes.
Okay. She had a key. Now what did she do about it?
She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes.
Detach.
Concentrate.
Who could help her the most?
Lynch.
Of course she’d immediately thought of him. But not available. Dismiss him.
Griffin?
Maybe. But he was limited to official channels and might be stonewalled. With bodies falling in all directions, she didn’t want that to happen.
Who else?
Qualifications. Smart. Innovative. The right background. Contacts.
Jessie Mercado.
She jumped to her feet, flew over to the nightstand, and reached for her phone. Jessie Mercado, private investigator extraordinaire, who was not only her friend, but had all the qualifications Kendra needed to explore the clue that had emerged from those files. Jessie would probably kill her for calling at this hour, but she was going to do it anyway. If she didn’t, she’d be tossing and turning for the rest of the night. She’d find a way to make it up to her later.
She quickly dialed her number.
Jessie answered on the third ring. She did not sound pleased. “The last time you called me in the middle of the night I ended up on a jet to an undisclosed location, and I had to put my business on hold for weeks, Kendra. This had better not be a repeat.”
“It’s not; you know that was an emergency.”
“And this isn’t? It had better be. It’s four-thirty.”
“I know. And you have a right to be upset with me. Right now it’s only an emergency to me. I woke up and realized I needed help and that it had to be you. I hoped you wouldn’t mind if I woke you a little early.”
“More than a little.” She was silent. “You’re in trouble?”
“Not personally. I just thought I’d see if I could hire you to work on something that—”
“It sounds personal to me. I know you, too, Kendra. You wouldn’t call at this time of night if you weren’t pretty upset. You’re very cool and savvy. So let’s cut to the chase. I’m hearing hesitation. I want to see your face while you’re trying to persuade me to do this job for you. But I need a cup of coffee and a shower. I’ll have time to get them if you come to my office in LA instead of me coming to you. Okay?”
“Okay.” Kendra drew a deep breath. “Thanks.”
“I haven’t taken the job yet. You’re my friend, so you’ve got a good chance, but I try to keep friendship and business in separate compartments.” She added ruefully, “It doesn’t always work out that way. But I’m relying on the fact that you’d generally not involve me in anything that would hurt me physically or financially. Okay, then I’ll see you at my office in a couple hours.” She ended the call.
And Kendra would have to get her own coffee from Starbucks on the road. But that was fine, she had a chance to convince Jessie to help her untangle that knot. One step closer. She got to her feet and headed for the bathroom.