“Of course, it slipped my—” She stopped. Nalchek had disappeared. “It appears he’s washed his hands of us for the moment, Margaret.”
“No.” Margaret was looking back over her shoulder. “He stopped when he reached the trees, and he’s watching us leave.”
“You can see him?”
“No, I can feel him. And the birds flew out of that tree where he’s standing only seconds ago. He’ll probably stay there until he’s sure we’re well on our way back to the highway.” She turned around and leaned back in the seat. “He’s very protective. It’s no wonder he’s in law enforcement. And when he lost those men in Afghanistan, it must have torn him apart. Even if he’s irritated with us, he can’t stifle that instinct.”
“You like him?”
“I think he’s one of the good guys. But that doesn’t mean he won’t cause us trouble.” She turned around and faced the road. “He likes to be in charge. He’s learned he can get hurt if he trusts other people. These days, he tends to bulldoze over anyone who gets in his way.”
“Like he bulldozed you?”
She chuckled. “He tried. But he was smart enough to step away when he had an inkling he was facing something he didn’t have a complete handle on. Not many people would do that.”
“Particularly when confronting you.”
“Yes.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “Do you think he’s gone back to that grave?”
“Sure; Nalchek is obsessed with everything connected with Jenny.”
“And so are you?” Margaret asked softly, her gaze on Eve’s face. “Not your usual M.O. where your reconstructions are concerned?”
“That FedEx driver was killed because someone wanted that reconstruction. That act throws ordinary out the window.”
“But that isn’t all?”
Eve shook her head. “I won’t lie to you. I’m like Nalchek, I feel … differently about Jenny.”
“So does that creature who was protecting her grave.” She smiled faintly. “Fascinating. I can hardly wait to learn more.” She shook her head as Eve opened her lips to speak. “No, I’m not going to nag you to tell me stuff you’re not ready to talk about. I can see that you’re hesitating. That’s okay with me. I’ve been there.”
“I’m sure you have,” Eve said dryly. “Does that mean you’ll help me?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have come if I hadn’t intended to find out what you want to know.” She grinned. “But it helps that everything is so interesting. When can I go back to the woods?”
“Tomorrow. You need to rest, and we need to let Nalchek adjust to your being here to help. You heard him—he doesn’t want us in his woods without him.”
“Which would probably not mean anything to you if you thought it was urgent.”
Eve nodded. “But I promised Joe I wouldn’t go off on my own without Nalchek until he could get here. Tomorrow is soon enough.”
“And you keep your promises to Joe Quinn.”
“Always,” Eve said as she pulled off the road at the driveway leading to a charming redwood building, overflowing with flower boxes filled with geraniums. “I was feeling guilty about running out in the middle of the night when Nalchek called me. That might not have met the letter of the promise I made to him.”
“Close enough.” Margaret grinned. “And it was a lifesaving operation. I was fading fast without that hot coffee.”
“Considering your affinity toward animals, perhaps I should have sent a St. Bernard to rescue you.”
“Nalchek wouldn’t have understood.” She opened the car door and looked up at the hotel. “Nice place. Cozy. But I don’t have any credit cards and only twenty bucks. You’ll have to lend me the money.”
“My treat,” Eve said as she came around the car. “I’m putting you on retainer. I wouldn’t expect you to do this for—”