* * *
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—”