“She would if it was part of her job. I imagine she does lots of things that would scare most people off. Call her. I could use that cup of coffee.”
He hesitated. “She’s not going to appreciate a call in the middle of the night. She probably just checked into her hotel.” He started dialing. “What the hell. She’s the one who sent you and started all of us spinning in circles.”
“Spinning? That’s a good word. Yes, she did, didn’t she?” She crossed her legs Indian fashion. “Tell her that I would have called her, but I wanted to have something to tell her before I made contact.”
“Tell her yourself.” He spoke into the phone as Eve answered. “John Nalchek. I apprehended a young woman in the woods tonight at the crime scene. She identified herself as Margaret Douglas. I assume you’re familiar with her?”
“Margaret?” Eve repeated. “I didn’t know she was on her way. Apprehended? That sounds … is she okay?”
“Do you mean did I hurt her? No, but it could have happened when I caught her snooping around that grave.” He added deliberately, “She had no business there.”
“Where is she now?”
“We’re still in the woods.”
“Tell her to bring coffee,” Margaret said, “I’m freezing.”
“She wants coffee,” Nalchek said sarcastically. “I guess she expects you to provide it.”
“I’ll be right there.” Eve hung up.
“She verified your identity,” Nalchek said as he hung up. “So now we sit and wait.”
“You could take me to your car. It would be warmer.”
“No, I think that we’re fine here. You shouldn’t be trekking through the woods in nothing but that hoodie if you’re worried about the cold.”
“Punishment?” She shrugged. “Fine. But I thought that I’d be moving around and be able to keep warm.” She got to her knees. “Will you take off the cuffs and let me do that? I’m not going to run away.”
“How do I know—” He muttered a curse and reached behind her and unlocked the cuffs. “Stay close. I’ll be with you every step.”
“Okay.” She moved toward the grave and fell to her knees. “Just keep out of my way.” She picked up the soil and began to sniff it. She put out her tongue and delicately tasted it.
“What are—”
“Hush.” Then she got to her feet and moved into the surrounding brush. “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to escape the unfriendly arms of the law. You can come along.”
“Thank you.” His eyes were narrowed on her. “But I can’t ask questions?”
“You’re not ready. And you disturb my concentration.” She finally stopped beside a huge oak tree. “Here. He likes it here.”
“Who?” Nalchek snapped.
“I don’t know his name or if he has one.” She sat down beneath the tree. “If you’ll be quiet, maybe I can find out.”
Nalchek opened his lips to speak, then closed them again.
Watch.
Listen.
Collate all information.
She might be a screwball. She might be some kind of con artist. But he wouldn’t know if he didn’t stop protesting and start analyzing.
He dropped down beside her and focused on her every move.
CHAPTER
6
“Margaret!”
“That’s Eve.” Margaret got to her feet. “It’s only been thirty minutes. Her hotel must have been close.” She moved out of the forest toward the grave. “Here, Eve. Did you bring my coffee?”
“Yes.” She handed her the paper cup. In the process, she touched her hand and gave a low whistle. “You’re ice-cold. Why didn’t you wait in Nalchek’s car?”
Margaret gave Nalchek a glance. “I was so busy, I didn’t notice the chill. Neither did the sheriff, or I’m sure he would have offered to bring me out of the cold.” She chuckled. “Or is that an espionage term?” She took a sip of coffee. “That’s so good. I’ve spent so much time in the islands that my body temperature tends to plummet. I was fine as long as I was in Southern California.”