Sight Unseen(12)
Olivia’s lips tightened. “You and I both know you’re going to open that envelope. And I know you’re going to help out on that investigation, even if you don’t.”
“So you’re clairvoyant now?”
“I don’t need to be. We’ve known each other most of our lives.”
“But I turn down cases all the time.”
“Most of them, yes. But as much as you say you’re not interested in this one, you can’t help yourself. It’s intriguing you. Even though you know it will probably put you through the ringer. I think it’s possible some of those cases—maybe even most—would have gone unsolved without you, and maybe you know that. So it could be that it would tear you up more not to do it. But if that’s true, that’s really screwed up. Is that the reason?”
“No.”
“Then do you even know the reason?”
Kendra leaned back on the sofa, still clutching the manila envelope. “I love my job, dammit. There’s nothing I love as much as my music-therapy work. I really do think I’m helping those people.”
“Of course you are.”
She waited.
“Okay. But sometimes I go weeks, months, without seeing signs of improvement in any of them. It goes with the territory, but it still makes me feel … powerless.”
Olivia half smiled. “And taking on these FBI cases makes you feel powerful?”
“Not really. Sometimes just the opposite.” She thought about it, trying to find an answer for herself as well as Olivia. It was time she stopped hiding and faced those reasons. “But those cases are finite problems with clear-cut solutions. I don’t often get that in my day job.”
“But your day job won’t get you killed.”
“I love life. I’m very careful, Olivia.”
“Sometimes, that’s not enough.”
“I know. Believe me, I usually leave the dangerous stuff to the people with guns.”
“Usually. That’s not very reassuring.” Olivia stood up. “Well, your psychosis will have to wait because I’m throwing you out. An Australian newspaper is calling me for an interview in a few minutes.”
“Whew.” Kendra grinned. “Saved by the bell.”
“This conversation isn’t over,” Olivia said sternly.
“Warning duly noted.” Kendra stood up and hugged her. So many years fighting the darkness together, so much love, so much friendship. “And I know it’s only because you care.”
“Damned right,” she said gruffly. “You’re my best friend, and I refuse to do without you.” She released her and turned away. “Now get out of here.”
* * *
KENDRA WALKED UP TO HER third-floor condo, let herself in, and tossed her keys onto the small foyer table. She was about to toss Lynch’s envelope next to them when she stopped.
Olivia was right. No way in hell she wasn’t opening it.
She tore open the envelope and unfolded the small sheaf of papers inside. After less than a minute, she froze. “Shit,” she whispered.
She let the papers and photo printouts fall to the floor.
She stood there for a long moment, trying to process what she had just seen.
What in the holy hell?
After another few seconds, she picked up her mobile phone and punched a number.
Lynch answered immediately. “Hello, Kendra.”
“You son of a bitch. You knew I’d look, and you knew I’d call.”
“Yes. All of the above.”
Kendra realized that her hands were shaking. “I need to meet Griffin and everyone else at the Bureau working on this.”
“I just set up a meeting between you and the entire team. They don’t want to wait until Monday. I told them I’d have you at the FBI field office at nine tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at eight thirty.”
Eight thirty in the morning. It could be five o’clock for all she cared. She knew she wasn’t getting much sleep tonight.
“See you then.” She cut the connection.
* * *
AT EIGHT THIRTY THE NEXT MORNING, she was out in front of her condo and waiting when Lynch roared up in his Ferrari. “Good God, are you still driving that ostentatious piece of junk?” she said as she got into the passenger seat. “Did it ever occur to you that most men don’t require that kind of ego building?”
“I don’t either, but I love great pieces of machinery, and I’m willing to pay for them.” He glanced at her. “Bad night?”
“Rotten. But I’d still think this luxury cruiser was unnecessary if I’d slept like a baby.”
“But you wouldn’t be so rude as to tell me so.” He suddenly grinned. “Correction. You probably would. What was I thinking?”