Текст книги "Sight Unseen "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

CHAPTER

11

“INTERESTING TECHNIQUE,” Lynch said, as they exited the building and walked down the sidewalk to his car. “Bust him on some little stuff, create anxiety, then move in for the kill.”

“Spoken like the true puppetmaster you are.”

“So how did you know about his Friday evening drive to La Mesa?”

“The pizza box on the counter. The box itself was generic, but the laser-printed label on the side told me it was D’Agostino’s Italian restaurant. The label also had David Warren’s name and phone number and showed that it was a pickup order phoned in at 10:37 P.M. Friday. D’Agostino’s is just a few blocks from one of the most notorious drug neighborhoods in the city. Since I had already smelled three distinct types of weed in that apartment, it wasn’t a stretch to think that he had gone over there for a late-night fortification run. It would also explain why he hadn’t wanted to tell us about it.”

“And what about his guests last night?”

She shrugged. “There were two drinking glasses in the sink, and they each had slightly different shades of lipstick on their rims. The glass top of the coffee table showed fresh rings that matched the size and contours of those two drinking glasses, but no others I could see. Clearly, the women sat on the couch, and Warren sat in the chair facing the two of them.”

Lynch smiled. “Clearly.”

“The couch reeked of weed, enough that I figured they were there drinking and smoking for a couple hours.”

“Even I could smell that. But how do you know it was last night and not today?”

“Because the stench wasn’t on Warren. Not on his clothes or hair, meaning he had changed and showered between then and now. That tipped the odds in favor of last night. Also, the lipstick on the drinking-glass rims was dry and cracking. It probably wouldn’t look that way after only a couple of hours.”

“Dazzling as usual.”

“Are you being sarcastic?”

“No, I wouldn’t presume. I’ve always known exactly what your capabilities are. However, you still manage to occasionally surprise me. But all this still doesn’t place him at or away from the murder scenes.”

“You’re right, but it did allow me to exert pressure and get more from him than we might have otherwise. All I know for sure is that he’s not the man I saw at Corrine Harvey’s house. That still doesn’t eliminate him as having played a part. Griffin should have his people flash Warren’s picture around at the club.”

“I’ll make sure he does.”

Lynch’s phone vibrated, and a second later the text chime sounded on Kendra’s. She glanced at her screen.

CONTACT GRIFFIN ASAP.

She showed it to Lynch. “You too?”

Lynch showed her his phone with the identical message. He punched Griffin’s number, and it was answered immediately. “Lynch, is Kendra there?”

“Yes, right next to me. I’m on speaker.”

“Good. Kendra, we just hit the jackpot on those numbers you picked up from the envelope in Colby’s cell.”

“It was a usage account?”

“Yes. It was a five-hundred-minute talk time refill from Lightwire Communication, a regional mobile carrier that sells disposable mobile phones and pay-as-you-go account cards. You usually see them at discount stores, price clubs, and gas stations. The card was activated in a mobile phone about three weeks ago.”

“We need to subpoena those records,” Lynch said. “I have a contact in the Justice Department who can help push that through in a hurry. If you give me the—”

“It’s already done, Lynch.” Griffin sounded annoyed. “I don’t need your contacts. Believe it or not, my position comes with a fair amount of influence.”

“Of course. Just trying to help.”

“Anyway, within the hour, we should have information on everyone who was called by this phone.”

Kendra’s hand tightened on the phone as excitement gripped her. “And there’s a good chance one of them is Myatt.”

“That’s the way we see it,” Griffin said. “We’ll immediately pull photographs on them, and we’ll send agents out to round up as many as we can. You two should probably be here for this.”

“Do you think we’d miss it?” Lynch took Kendra’s elbow and nudged her toward the car. “We’re on our way.”

*   *   *

THE MOMENT KENDRA STEPPED off the FBI office elevator and entered the second floor “war room,” she immediately sensed a different energy than on her other visits. There were more agents and support staff, now numbering approximately thirty, and they moved with greater purpose and barely contained excitement. They spoke louder and more quickly, and even the clicking of computer keyboards seemed to be supercharged.

“Can you feel it?” Lynch squeezed her arm. “It’s called optimism. You did this.”

“I just hope it pays off.”

Across the room, Griffin motioned for them to join him. Reade and a few other agents were at the long tables at the front of the room.

“The reports came in from the phone-service carrier,” Griffin said. “Every call originated from the tower that covers the prison.”

Kendra looked over his shoulder at one of the report copies. “What about the call recipients?”

“He called nine different numbers. We already have six identified. Three are here in Southern California, two in New York, one in Chicago. Most appear to be journalists. We’ll try bringing them in for questioning and see what they discussed. I’ve already alerted offices in NYC and Chicago.”

“What about the other three numbers?”

Reade waved a printout. “As far as we can tell, they’re throwaway phones with no names registered to them. Two of them are registered with the same mobile network as the prison phone, and our warrant was broad enough that the company also gave us information on those. The only time those two phones were ever used was to receive calls from the prison. We’re still tracking down the carrier for the third throwaway phone.”

Lynch nodded. “That’s it. One or all three of those has to be Myatt’s.”

Kendra was quickly studying the report that Griffin was still holding. “Where were those two phones? Does the report tell you that?”

“Yes,” Reade said. “Both here in San Diego County. One pinged a tower north of the city, another one due east.”

Kendra nodded. “What about the timing of the calls? Do they line up with the homicides?”

Reade shook her head. “I was just working that out when you came in, but it doesn’t look like it. The calls almost always came a day or two later.”

“Assuming that the local-call recipients don’t lawyer up or otherwise refuse to come in, we’ll conduct their questioning in the interview rooms upstairs,” Griffin said. “The two of you will be able to observe and send in questions, if you have any.”

“Good,” Lynch said. “You can bet there will be questions.”

“Welcome back, Kendra.” Metcalf had emerged from a crowd of agents with a small stack of color printouts. He smiled and gestured toward the busy war room behind him. “Look at all the overtime your observations are costing the U.S. taxpayer. I hope you’re happy with yourself.”

“I’ll be happy when we catch this guy.”

“Speaking of which…” Metcalf spread the photo printouts on the table. “Here are photos of the six people we’ve identified as having received calls from Colby’s prison phone. Five men and one woman. Are any of the men a match for the guy you saw at Corrine Harvey’s house the other night?” He watched as she grabbed the printouts and scanned them at lightning speed. “Take your time and—”

“No.” Disappointment sharpened her voice. “It’s none of them.”

“Okay, I’m glad you took your time.”

She shrugged. “No sense in wasting your time or mine. These aren’t him.” She turned to Griffin. “I was hoping … but evidently it’s not going to be that easy. But we’ll get there. And I’m very interested in seeing their interviews. When do we start?”

*   *   *

MUCH OF THE INITIAL enthusiasm—and staffing level—had evaporated by the time the last local interview was completed at 10:16 P.M. All of the local-call recipients were indeed journalists of some sort, with whom Colby had shared disgusting details of his crimes that he presumably didn’t want recorded by the prison on their internal phone system. Kendra joined the other agents in listening to the interviews conducted in Chicago and New York. Two of those were also journalists, and the third was a woman in Manhattan who had actually pitched Colby on the idea of a Broadway stage musical based on his life and crimes. Kendra sat in horrified amazement as they listened to excerpts of several songs the woman had written for the endeavor.

Griffin nodded to the assistant, who cut the connection with the New York FBI office.

“My God,” Metcalf said. “We really have to find a reason to arrest that woman. Agreed?”

Kendra nodded, sick. “Absolutely terrifying.”

“Obviously, we’ll check out all of them,” Griffin said. “But right now our focus should move to those disposable phones.”

Reade looked down at her printout. “Assuming at least one of these belongs to Myatt, he may have already tossed it and moved on to another one.”

“It’s possible,” Griffin said. “And if it hasn’t happened yet, it could happen at any time. We need to work fast.”

Lynch leaned forward. “A coordinated ping?”

Griffin nodded. “Tomorrow morning. 10:30 A.M.”

“Good idea.”

Kendra frowned as she looked first at Lynch, then at Griffin. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Lynch turned toward her. “A coordinated ping. One way or another, we’re going to force those phones to ping their local towers. Sometimes, the wireless carrier can do it with a remote command, but these burner phones are often so simple that we may have to do it the old-fashioned way: picking up the phone and calling them. If the phones have power, we can narrow them down to a limited area.”

“I’ll have response teams standing by,” Griffin said. “Once we get a fix on the signal, they’ll swarm over the area and put up roadblocks, go door-to-door and do whatever we need to try and find whoever’s using that phone.”

“Can you really narrow down the area that much?” Kendra asked.

“It depends,” Griffin said. “But if it’s hitting two or even three towers, we can get very close. If Myatt is using one of those phones to stay in touch with Colby, we’ll find him. If he’s discarded it, we may still have a place of contact to start searching.”

“Don’t say that.” Kendra got to her feet. “I’m going to believe that we’ll find him. We’re coming so near to getting him.” She could feel a flush heat her cheeks as she stared fiercely at the agents at the table. “Your coordinated ping is going to pay dividends. I know it.” She turned toward the door. “Come on, Lynch. Let’s get out of here. We can’t do anything until tomorrow, and Griffin is beginning to depress me.”

“Heaven forbid,” he murmured as he followed her from the room. “And this case is so bright and cheery.”

*   *   *

“WE’RE CLOSE,” KENDRA SAID as she preceded Lynch into the living room. “For the first time, I feel as if I’m not up against a blank wall. We’re getting close to that bastard, Lynch. I feel it.”

“There’s hope, at least.” Lynch shut the door. “But I’m surprised you’re so optimistic. You’re usually so pragmatic.”

“Pragmatic is boring. I want to be giddy. I want to believe that everything will come up roses. I want to catch Myatt and put him away for the rest of his life. I want Olivia and Mom to be able to come home.” She came forward to stare up at the giant photo of Ashley. “I bet you understand, Ashley. You look like a woman who looks on the bright side. Of course, it could be that bikini you’re wearing. But you need to talk to Lynch about his attitude.”

“I usually keep her too busy to discuss my character flaws. Of course, I don’t have that many.” He went to the mahogany bar against the wall. “Would you like a drink?”

She nodded. “Red wine.”

“Right.” A few minutes later, he crossed the room and handed her the glass. “Enjoy.”

“I will.” She sipped the wine. “It’s excellent. I believe I’m beginning to appreciate your good taste.”

“Don’t. I’m only a peasant who likes his beer and hard liquor. So I have an expert keep an eye out for good vintages and send them to me.” He glanced down at his glass of beer. “For the pleasure of my guests.”

“Ashley?”

“She likes vodka on the rocks.” He looked up at the photo. “Why do you keep talking about her?”

“She’s hard to ignore.” She lifted her glass in a toast to the woman in the poster. “To Ashley.”

His gaze never left Kendra’s face. “To Kendra. I like you giddy. I just wish it was for some reason other than Myatt.”

“Take what you get.” She took another sip of wine. “And you probably only want me giddy because you think I’ll be easier to manipulate. You have that—”

Her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket.

She stiffened. “Griffin.”

“So much for giddy,” he murmured. “Crashing down to earth.”

“Maybe he’s found out something more about—” She punched the access button and turned up volume. “Griffin? What’s happening?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you,” he said hesitantly. “Believe me, I’m not insensitive to what you went through at the prison. You may think that I’ve been—”

“Stop stuttering.” She tensed. She didn’t like this. “Just tell me why you’re calling.”

“I just received a call from Warden Salazar at San Quentin. He had a request and decided to go through me.” He paused. “Colby wants to talk to you one more time before the execution.”

“No!”

“I told Salazar that would be your answer. He said it was his duty to make the request from a condemned prisoner. Colby dies tomorrow night, you know.”

“I could hardly forget.”

“Salazar said he refuses to see any family members but he’s been spending a lot of time with the chaplain during the last few days. A couple times he’s even requested to be taken to the chapel for prayer.”

“What?”

“Well, you know the old saying about there not being any atheists in a foxhole. Colby may be running scared.”

“Or he may be playing games.”

“Possibly.” He hesitated. “But what if he’s had a true change of heart? This might be an opportunity.”

“Or it might be a chance for him to rip me to pieces one last time.”

“That could be true.” He lowered his voice. “But do you want to refuse, then later wonder if you’d done the right thing? There’s a lot in the balance.”

“Leave her alone, Griffin,” Lynch said roughly. “You saw what he did to her before.”

“Hello, Lynch,” Griffin said. “It’s her choice, after all. Stay out of it. Kendra?”

“I’m not going to fly up there and let him—”

“That wouldn’t be necessary,” Griffin said. “Salazar has arranged a Skype with your computer. Colby is waiting for the connection. Just a few minutes of conversation, then you can hang up. You’ll be in total control.”

“No one is ever in total control with Colby. He only waits until you turn your back, and he springs.” She was starting to shake at the thought. She made an effort at control. “He wants to see if he can make me afraid.” Oh God, and she was afraid. “It’s all a big con game.”

“Then the answer is no?”

“Of course it’s—” She closed her eyes. Don’t give in to him. Stand your ground.

“Don’t do it,” Lynch said.

“Shut up.” She opened her eyes. “Dammit, I have to do it. Because there’s a million-to-one chance Griffin might be right. I have to let Colby take one more shot at me to make sure.” She spoke into the phone. “Set it up. Give me five minutes.” She hung up.

“You’ll regret this,” Lynch said.

“Probably.” She drank the rest of her wine in two swallows. She wished she had another one. She was probably going to need it. No, she had to have a clear mind. “But it has to be done.” She sat down on the couch and took her computer out of her bag and set it up on the coffee table. “So either be quiet or sit down in that chair across the room and commune with your humongous poster of Ashley while I get this over with.”

He stood looking at her for a moment, then went across the room and sat down.

She sat there, taking deep breaths, waiting.

The computer sounded. She accessed the call.

Salazar’s face filled the computer screen. “I appreciate your consideration in doing this, Dr. Michaels. I know how difficult it is for you.”

“No, you don’t. But that’s okay, I agreed to do it.” She shook her head wearily. “God knows why. Hope springs eternal. Griffin asked if I might regret saying no, and I couldn’t answer him. I know that you’re only doing your job, Warden. But do you honestly think Colby has seen the light?”

“I have no idea,” Salazar said. “He’s certainly been displaying the signs of a man seeking salvation. I’ve seen other condemned men who have searched desperately for forgiveness during these last few days. It’s not my place to judge.”

“And whose place is it?”

“It seems it’s yours, Dr. Michaels. Are you ready to speak to him?”

“No. Yes. Go ahead.”

The next moment, Colby’s face replaced Salazar’s on her screen. “Hello, Kendra. It’s kind of you to take the time to speak to me. I know you must be very busy.” His small, pointed teeth showed in a smile. “While I’m not busy at all. I’m taking the time to look back and inward.”

“Either way, you’re seeing nothing but a horrible festering.”

“Is that any way to talk to a man who is seeking forgiveness for his sins?”

“Bullshit.” She drew a deep breath. “Why did you ask to speak to me?”

“Why, you were the one who stopped me from committing even more sins. I wanted to thank you.” He leaned forward, and said softly, “We’ve been together on a great journey. I somehow feel that even after the good warden shoots me with his poison that we’ll still be together. Our story will continue into the afterlife.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I think about you all the time. Do you know what I remember most? That gully and your hitting me with that stone.” He chuckled. “I want you to remember the gully, too, Kendra. It’s important.”

“It’s the past, and I’ll forget it as soon as they put you to death.”

“No, don’t do that. As I said, it’s important.”

“The only thing that’s important is that you tell me where I can find that bastard you sent out to do your murders. If you’re repentant, give me his name.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He smiled. “I can hardly be blamed for some copycat trying to best my record. If you find out who he is, have him call me, and I’ll tell him the error of his ways.”

“I might do that.” She stared him in the eye. “Because we’re very close to getting him, Colby. It might even be before they execute you. I’d like you to know that your pupil will be following you to the grave. Your legacy will be over.”

“Are you bluffing?” His face was without expression, but she could sense a minute change in his demeanor. “It doesn’t matter if you are or not. After all, tomorrow night this talk of legacies will be settled one way or the other. I’ll have gone on to that other place.”

“Hell.”

“It’s possible, if hell exists.”

“If it didn’t, God would create one for you.”

“But what about forgiveness?”

His tone was solemn, but she knew he was mocking her. “I’m done with talking to you, Colby. I’m hanging up.”

He nodded. “I’m ready for you to do that now. I just had to see you one more time and speak to you. It was important to me. Important to both of us.”

“The only thing important is that after tomorrow, I’ll be able to erase you from my life.” She hung up.

She was shaking. She turned off the computer and shoved it across the coffee table, rejecting it. She wanted a total disconnect. She felt somehow that he was still there, waiting for her to open the laptop so he could pounce.

“A total waste.” Lynch was suddenly beside her on the couch, pulling her into his arms. “Salazar should have told him to go screw himself.”

“He couldn’t do that.” Her voice was muffled against his shoulder. “Don’t you know we have a merciful justice system even to those who don’t know the meaning of mercy?” She should push him away, but she wasn’t going to do it. She needed his strength right now. “Salazar had to go by the rules. I’m the only one who could say no to Colby. I didn’t do it.”

“I hate to say I told you so. But if I don’t, you might ignore my sage advice again.”

“Bastard.”

“All Colby wanted to do was taunt you, to get his final jab before he bowed out.”

“Maybe. I don’t know. I guess that was what he wanted. He’s crazy, and he’s obsessed with me. He kept talking about the gully … But he didn’t really do anything but reminisce and—you heard him.”

“Yes, I heard him.” His arms tightened around her. “I wanted to kill him. I didn’t want him to have even twenty-four hours more of life.”

“Neither did I,” she whispered. “I know that I couldn’t be safer with him shut away in that prison, but he frightens me. He’s always frightened me. Do you know, it’s said everyone has a nemesis. If that’s true, Colby is mine.”

“Not true. A nemesis is unconquerable. You’ve conquered Colby.”

“Have I? He doesn’t think so.”

Lynch cursed low and fluently. “That’s because he’s trying to use Myatt against you in some way. It won’t do him any good. We’ll get Myatt soon, and Colby will die tomorrow night. No more nemesis.”

“I can almost believe you.”

“Dammit, don’t give me that almost bullshit. Believe me.”

“Yes, sir.” She laughed and pushed him away. “And you’re right, I’m being an idiot. Colby seems to have that effect on me. Thanks for the comforting shoulder to lean on. I seem to be using it ad nauseum. I’ll watch it from now on.”

“How disappointing.” He grinned. “I’m beginning to look on it as a fringe benefit of working with you.”

She could feel her pulse begin to pound, and she hurriedly looked away from him. “That would be exceptionally humiliating for me. I’d hate for anyone to think I was that weak.” She got to her feet. “And now it’s time for me to get to bed.”

His brows rose. “Is it?”

She felt the heat sting her cheeks at the subtle sexual intimation. Ridiculous … and immature. “Yes, it’s going to take me a long time to get to sleep after that damn Skype call. Tomorrow, we’ve got to hit the ground running.”

“You’re sure you wouldn’t like me to come and—” He shook his head as he saw her expression. “Just offering comfort, nothing else. I’ve officially appointed myself guardian against all nemeses attacking you.”

“Yeah, sure. You could be a pretty rough nemesis yourself. Thanks anyway.” She looked up at the poster of Ashley. “And I’m sure she wouldn’t approve. Good-night, Lynch.”

“Good-night, Kendra.” He got to his feet as she left the room. He glanced up at the Ashley poster, and murmured, “And good-night, Ashley. I’m beginning to think I may have to do something about you…”

*   *   *

SHE COULDN’T SLEEP, DAMMIT.

As Kendra had told Lynch, she had known that it would be a lost cause.

After two hours, she gave it up and went out on the balcony for air.

It was only eleven thirty, she realized with surprise. It was going to be a long night. She supposed she could work on her files. It was better than sitting around thinking about Colby.

Or Myatt. He was the threat.

Which reminded her that she hadn’t heard from her mother since early this morning.

Call her? Why not? She was a night owl and never got to sleep before one or two.

Besides she wanted to hear her voice. She wanted to hear sanity and intelligence and goodness. She wouldn’t dump on her, but she just wanted to know that those qualities survived because Diane was in the world.

Diane answered the phone in two rings. “What’s wrong?”

Oh, shit. “Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you. How is everything there?”

“Boring. Olivia has been working on her computer all day and that FBI person, Nelson, has been drifting around being solemn. He tries not to be obvious, but I think he has a thing for Olivia.”

“Very observant.”

“But I’m not sure about Olivia. I’ve never really been able to read her. Even as a child, she was something of an enigma.”

“Not to me.”

“She was your best friend. She kept me at a distance.”

“But you liked her.”

“That doesn’t mean I understood her.”

Kendra changed the subject. “Is everything quiet up there?”

“As far as I know. Tad Martlin, that Special Forces friend of Lynch’s, came by today and introduced himself and gave me his cell-phone number. Very polite. Cold eyes. I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side. Lynch chose well. But then he knows about things like that, doesn’t he?”

“In spades. He knows about a lot of things.”

Her mother was silent. “But evidently he doesn’t know how to keep you from worrying and feeling bad.” She repeated, “What’s wrong?”

So much for trying not to dump her troubles on her mother. Diane wasn’t about to give up. She sighed. “Colby. I had to talk to him today, and I’m having trouble shaking it off.”

“I can imagine. He dies tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” She said grimly, “I’m tempted to go up to San Quentin and watch it happen. I remember when you had to deal with that monster. It nearly killed you.”

“It was a pretty terrible time.”

“But you fought your way through, like you always do. You wouldn’t talk about it, but you were strong, and I was proud of you.” She paused. “As I’m proud of you now. Maybe I don’t tell you that enough. I couldn’t have a daughter I respect more or that is more deserving of love.”

“Hey.” Kendra had to swallow to clear her tight throat. “I didn’t call you to hear that, but I’ll take it.”

“You called me because you knew that I’d fight the battles that you’d never think of asking me to fight. You called me because I always understand you even though I don’t always approve.” She added, “And you called me because you know I’m here to heal your wounds. It’s my job and my privilege.” She went on brusquely, “Now that we’ve got that settled, do you want to hang up and try to go to sleep, or shall we talk?”

“Talk, please.”

“Okay, but nothing to do with that son of a bitch at San Quentin or why I’m stuck up here on this mountaintop. Instead, I’ll tell you about my weird ultraliberal class at the university and some of the stories that Dean told me about his time in the service. He really has a unique sense of humor and I enjoy…”

*   *   *

IT WAS MORE THAN FORTY MINUTES LATER that Diane hung up the phone after talking to Kendra.

It had been good to hear her voice, she thought, but she didn’t like the fact that Colby had been able to put Kendra on edge. She’d be glad when the bastard was dead and permanently out of all their lives.

She stared out at the moonlight shimmering on the forest below. But even with Colby dead, there would always be another killer, another case, putting Kendra at risk. Like this Myatt who had thrown her and Olivia together on the top of this damn cliff. No matter how much she tried to persuade Kendra it was going to be a—

“Was that Kendra?”

She glanced at the French doors and saw Olivia standing there. Dressed in a high-fashion striped-silk turquoise caftan, she looked like an exotic Asian princess. “Yes. Nothing was wrong. Just chitchat. Come and sit down. The chair is six feet forward and two feet to your left.”

“I know.” She glided forward. “It was kind of you to show me where everything was located, but I have it now. As long as you leave everything in place, I’ll be fine.” She dropped down in the rattan chair. “I may not be as good as Kendra was before she had her operation, but I’m very, very good. And I’ve had more time than Kendra to practice. She had a miracle that interfered.”

“And does that bother you?” Diane asked quietly.

“Am I jealous? Of course I am. I’m not perfect. But I love Kendra, and I’m happy for her.” She inhaled deeply. “It’s wonderful out here. The pines and the fresh breezes…” She turned to Diane. “I know you’re impatient being here. So am I. But there are a few good things about it.”

“Tell me about them.”

Olivia was silent, then smiled. “I get to have Kendra’s mom to myself for a little while.”

She hadn’t been expecting that answer. “What?”

“Another thing I was jealous about. I always envied Kendra her relationship with you. It’s pretty wonderful, you know. Oh, I had my father, and he loved me, but it was different. Dad’s a high-powered businessman and he has a new wife every few years. Most of the time, he left my care to qualified schools and nannies. Then I met Kendra at school, and everything changed. She became my good friend and invited me home with her. I saw how different it could be to have someone not only in your corner but on hand to back you. You never stopped Kendra from doing anything that she thought she could do, but you were always there for her. And when you did step in for her, everything turned out all right.” She chuckled. “I desperately wanted a Diane of my own.”

“I’m … surprised. You never showed me. You seemed to be so absorbed with Kendra. She was your friend, and sometimes I felt in the way. Around me, you were always very reserved.” She paused. “I tried to be friends with you. Should I have tried harder?”

“No, you were wonderful to me. It wasn’t your fault that I couldn’t be at ease around you.”

“It was my fault. I was the mother of a blind child, and I should have looked beyond her to try to solve the problems of her best friend, who was also blind. I was just so involved with Kendra that everything revolved around her.”

“I know that,” Olivia said. “I’m not giving you a guilt trip, Diane. We worked our way through it, and we’re friends now.” She added softly, “But there’s no true friendship without honesty. I want that for us. I couldn’t be honest with you when I was growing up. I had too many hang-ups.” She made a face. “Not that I don’t now, but my problems and hang-ups don’t have anything to do with you.”

Diane gazed at her for a long moment. “You need some help dealing with them? I’m damn good at solving problems. Even you have to admit that, Olivia.”

“Hell, yes.” Olivia smiled. “But you know that wouldn’t work. We’re both too independent these days.”

“I could be tactful … maybe.” She nodded, thinking. “Sure. Why not? Kendra obviously won’t let me run her life and keep her happy and safe. I have plenty of time and energy to spend on you. Yes, it’s an excellent idea. I’ll take you under my wing, and it will be good for both of us. Think about it, Olivia.”

“I am thinking about it,” Olivia said warily. “And it’s scaring me.”

“Coward. You wanted someone in your corner, here I am.” She smiled. “I may be a little late, but look at all I’ve learned in that time that can benefit you. I’m a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. For instance, I don’t believe you’ve been pursuing medical ways to cure your blindness with enough dedication. I’ve been doing a good bit on my own, but I left it up to you. Maybe I shouldn’t have done—”