Sight Unseen(85)
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…”