“I’m grateful for your responding to my SOS and getting us out of those mountains. Thank you, Nalchek.”
“I’d say you’re welcome, but I’m still pissed off that you didn’t involve me in the beginning,” he said grimly. “It might have turned out differently if I’d been there for backup.”
“We were playing it by ear.”
“And leaving me out.”
“Yes. We didn’t know what to expect.”
“That’s not going to happen again,” he said grimly. “You owe me. I want to know everything you know about Walsh.”
He was right, they did owe him. “I didn’t mean to exclude you. It just … happened.” She quickly filled him in on everything they’d learned or suspected about Walsh. “I agree that we have to share information. It’s only sensible.”
His lips twisted. “But you and Quinn are so close that you practically finish each other’s sentences. I can see it. I’ll have to watch you like a hawk to keep you from doing it to me again.” He met her gaze. “You need me. I should have been there for you. You’ll notice you didn’t seem to do too well if that—”
“Maybe not,” she interrupted. “We lost Walsh. But we got the reconstruction.”
“So you told me when you phoned. Where is it?”
“In a canvas bag at the administration office. I left it there when they checked Joe into ER.”
“I want it. Let’s go down and get it.”
“Not yet. I have to make a few minor repairs. Then I’ll hand it over.” She rubbed her temple. “Then I have to call Margaret. She has a right to know what’s happening.”
“I already called her.”
She glanced at him in surprise. “You did?”
“After we knew Quinn wasn’t going to die. I thought you’d want her to know.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“She said she’d be at the hospital as soon as you let her know you need her.” His lips twisted. “She’s probably planning on hitchhiking. I’ll see that she has a ride.”
“You’re being very cooperative.”
“Haven’t you heard? Margaret says I’m one of the good guys. Not with sterling qualifications, and I could fall from grace at any moment.” He shrugged. “So I have to work on keeping on her good side. She might set her coyote on me.”
“I doubt it.”
“I don’t doubt anything about what she might do. She’s one of a kind, and I’m not certain what kind.” He changed the subject. “How quick can you manage to repair that skull?”
“I should have her finished by this afternoon.” She paused. “But I want to know what news sources you’re going to go to with the reconstruction.”
“You don’t trust me?”
“I didn’t say that. But I lost her once. I don’t want that to happen again. I want to be able to control the distribution of her photo.”
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised if you’re being proprietary, but might I remind you that I’m the one who sent Jenny to you.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “You didn’t by any chance get a call from Margaret since you’ve been here at the hospital?”
“What?” She gazed at him in bewilderment. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re the one who told Margaret about Joe.”
He nodded curtly. “Just a thought. Margaret and I haven’t been on the best of terms since we met. You were prepared to trust me before.”
“Trust has nothing to do with it. I’d just feel better to be involved all the way through the process.”
“I could confiscate the skull.”
“Yes, you could. But then you’d have me on your back instead of by your side. You don’t want that.”
He didn’t speak for a moment. “No, I don’t.” He turned away. “Let me know where you’ll be working, and I’ll be there to pick it up this afternoon.”