“Back off, Griffin,” Lynch said. “She’s done a hell of a lot already.”
“I agree,” Griffin turned toward Kendra. “We’ll be on United flight 498 to San Francisco at 7:00 A.M. tomorrow. We’d like you to be with us. A reservation has already been made in your name, and a boarding pass has been e-mailed to you.”
“How efficient.” Kendra picked up her phone from the couch armrest. She glanced at the screen and clicked on an e-mail. “You’re right. It just came in.”
“Then will you do this for us?”
She glanced at Lynch. His eyes were narrowed on her, and she knew exactly what he was thinking.
Screw ’em. You don’t owe these assholes anything.
Tell ’em to shove this case up their asses.
Kendra stood up and gestured toward the front door. “I need to think about it.”
Griffin was definitely not pleased. “When can we expect your answer?”
“At 7:00 A.M. tomorrow. When you’re on the plane, look over at seat 4D. If I’m there, take that as a strong indication I’m coming with you.”
“Okay.” Griffin stood up. “But just remember something, Kendra. This wouldn’t be like the last time you saw Eric Colby. This time there would be all of us and a squad of armed guards between you and him.”
“She knows all that,” Lynch said. “She said she had to think. Let’s all get the hell out of here so that she can do it.”
“I’m going,” Griffin said testily. “I don’t need you to tell me what to do.” He motioned for Metcalf and Reade to join him and he glanced at Kendra as he turned toward the door. “I hope to see you tomorrow.”
Kendra watched Lynch open the door as they exited and exchanged words with the guard outside.
Lynch turned back toward her. “Me, too?”
She nodded. “Thank you,” she silently mouthed.
He shrugged and stared at her for a long moment. “If you need me, call.” He turned and followed the other agents out of the condo.
She did need him. She didn’t want to be alone with the memories that were bombarding her. But if he stayed, she would reveal weakness, and she didn’t want Lynch to see her like that. She had to be strong. That was another time, another place. She wouldn’t let Colby beat her now.
But oh, dear God, those memories …
Four Years Earlier
Carlsbad, California
10:40 P.M.
“HOW MUCH FARTHER?” Kendra asked.
FBI Special Agent Jeff Stedler eased off the accelerator as their car hit a dense patch of fog. “Almost there, Kendra.”
A thick, soupy marine layer had descended on the coastal town of Carlsbad, thirty-five miles north of San Diego. The town’s tourist brochures touted the family-friendly resorts and expansive state park, but there was nothing inviting about this dark, lonely stretch of road in a long-abandoned industrial corridor. Large signs proudly trumpeted the cookie-cutter housing developments that would soon wipe the area clean.
“I don’t know why you think I can do this,” Kendra said tensely. “You should take me home.”
“Please. Just give it a shot.”
“I’ll be wasting your time.”
“I don’t think so.”
Kendra studied him. Of course he didn’t think so. His belief in her and everyone else in his life was unwavering, if a bit naïve. But she couldn’t dispute the fact that his confidence in people did seem to bring out their best. And that included her. In the seven months she’d been living with Jeff, he’d helped her finally find her truest, best self that had eluded her in those chaotic years after gaining her sight.
But tonight was still a mistake.
He glanced over at her. “Did you read the file I gave you?”
“Yes.”
“And…”
“It made me ill.”
“I’d be worried if it didn’t.”
He’d given her excerpts from the case file of a current FBI serial-killer investigation. It consisted mainly of descriptions and photos of nine grisly crime scenes that had one thing in common: each of the victims was decapitated, with no trace of the head left behind.
She shuddered. “Those photos were horrible. All those people … Even children.”
Jeff nodded. “Two little kids. I talked to the mother of one of them just yesterday. She kept telling me how much she wishes it was her.”
“I’m sure she does. I can’t imagine how someone goes on from that.”
“I can’t, either.”
She was silent. “Looking at those pictures, at first I just felt sick. Then I was depressed. Then I just got angry. I’m pretty much stuck at angry.”