“I’m glad you think so.”
“I do. Almost all the vision-impaired people I’ve known have developed their other senses to compensate. They know who’s in a room from the particular sound of each person’s footsteps. From a mere whiff, they can identify one of dozens of colognes, soaps, and even tobacco brands. They make themselves aware of their surroundings in a way that few other people can, just as a survival mechanism. I imagine that gives you quite an edge in the investigative arena.”
Kendra nodded. “I’ve found that most detectives only go by what they can see. They don’t pay enough attention to the sounds, the smells, and the textures. A lot of answers can be found there.”
“But I’m sure you also see things they don’t.”
“Sometimes. Because I didn’t have sight for so long. I now savor the things I see. I try to absorb every detail just because I can. I suppose that helps in the investigative work, too.”
He shook his head. “Like I said, extraordinary. Are you working on anything now?”
“No. I still haven’t quite recovered from my last case. It was a serial killer, probably the worst I’ve ever come across. I spent months trying to find him, and it took a real toll on me. As I said, it’s nothing I’ve ever asked for.”
“Then why do you do it?”
She thought for a moment. “When there’s a killer out there who can and will strike again, it seems wrong to refuse if I know I might be able to help catch him.”
Waldridge nodded. “You have a good heart, but you’re right to take care of yourself, Kendra.” He was silent a moment, gazing out at the ocean. “I’m sorry I even brought it up.”
“It’s okay.” But she wasn’t sure it was okay. There had been something odd about that hesitation. She shifted uneasily in her seat before changing the subject. “So what have you been working on?”
“I’m afraid I can’t talk about it.”
“Aw, come on. I practically bared my soul to you.”
He smiled. “And I felt honored by every word. But I really can’t return the favor. I wish I could.”
“I heard you abandoned your corneal-regeneration work.”
“I keep abreast of the latest developments, but I leave it to others to refine the techniques I pioneered. I get more satisfaction from exploring new frontiers.”
“Frontiers you can’t tell me about.”
“Not right now.”
She wrinkled her brow. “Now you have me curious.”
“There’s an old adage about a cat and curiosity. Drop it, Kendra.”
She stiffened. “I’m not a cat, and I’m uneasy about the idea that my being curious about what you’re doing now could cause me to be killed.”
“Of course it couldn’t. I shouldn’t have used that term.” His smile was full of charm. “I was merely trying to shift you away from interrogating me. You always were persistent. It’s really much better for you that we don’t discuss it.”
“Better for me?” Her gaze narrowed on his face. “What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “I suppose I’m just being overly dramatic. It’s really not all that interesting.”
“Everything you do is interesting. You’re a groundbreaker. Look what you did for me. You’re one of the finest minds in medicine.” Kendra studied him. “I don’t believe you. What’s going on, Charles?”
“Nothing. Just fund-raising meetings, as I said.”
“Where?”
“Downtown, Pasadena, Century City.”
“Anywhere else?”
“No.”
“Please don’t lie to me, Charles,” she said quietly.
Waldridge looked as if he was about to protest, but he caught himself. Then he looked away, then back. “Of course. What, exactly, do you know, Kendra?”
“You arrived here from London only in the last couple days. Since then you’ve been in the local mountains. Big Bear or Baldy, I would guess.”
Waldridge cursed under his breath.
“Am I wrong?” she asked.
“What else?”
She shrugged, then continued, “You drove straight from there to see me. You’ve spent a good deal of the day talking on the phone. You’ve been under an incredible amount of stress.”
“You don’t think asking foundations for money is stressful?”
“That isn’t what you were doing. You were telling Porter to stay out of sight until it was safe. Whoever the hell Porter is.”
He stared at her in shock. “How do you know all this?”
“Same way I always do. I pay attention.”