“You’ve been searching for a cure for me? I didn’t realize that, Diane.”
“You should have. You’re my daughter’s best friend, aren’t you?”
“Yes. No. I think you’re her best friend, but I come pretty close.”
“The relationship is completely different. She thinks I’m obsessive and possessive.”
“Are you?”
“Of course, but I make every effort to control it. And the love makes it palatable for her. I wouldn’t be that way with you.”
“Good. I’m relieved. Because I’ve no intention of being adopted by you in any shape or form.”
“Don’t be absurd, it wouldn’t be like that. Think about it. I’d be very good for you.” She hesitated. “Besides, I’d enjoy it. I like you.”
“I like you, too,” Olivia said. “But you could smother me.”
“Take the challenge. You’re stronger than that.”
Olivia lifted her chin. “Yes, I am.” She got to her feet and took the three steps to the balcony railing. “I’ll consider it. But don’t be surprised if I don’t agree to be your next pet project.”
“I will be surprised. We have issues to resolve, and this is one way to do it. In the end, we might shape a relationship that will be something extraordinary.”
“Diane, you’re impossible.” Olivia ruefully shook her head. “I took one innocent step, and you’re pulling me willy-nilly down the course to the finish line.”
“And what’s wrong with that? There’s always a prize waiting at the finish line.”
“True.” Olivia was laughing as she turned back to the forest. “But sometimes it’s a booby prize. Did you ever—” She stopped, her head suddenly lifting.
“Olivia?”
“Shh.” Olivia was silent a moment. “Diane, you said that this balcony faces straight out to the forest? That the hillside curves around on either side of us?”
“Right.”
“Then no one could be looking at us unless they’re in the middle of that forest down there. But that’s not likely at this hour.”
Diane straightened in her chair. “No. Why?”
Olivia didn’t speak for another instant. “Someone’s out there. Maybe in the woods. He may not be looking at us but he’s there.”
“Agent Nelson?”
“No, he’s guarding the front of the house.”
“It could be that Tad Martlin, the Special Forces person we met today.”
“Maybe.” She shook her head. “But I don’t think so.”
“You heard something?”
“No. Or maybe I did. I can’t be sure.” She tilted her head, listening. “I have very good hearing. Not as good as Kendra, and I can’t put things together like she can.” She looked out into the darkness. “I don’t think I heard him. I feel him.” She moistened her lips. “And it’s not a good feeling. Bad … it’s bad.”
Diane jumped to her feet. “Then let’s do something about it.” She grabbed Olivia’s arm and pulled her toward the French doors. “I doubt if anyone could get on this balcony, but we won’t take a chance.” She whisked her inside and locked the doors. “Call Agent Nelson and have him come inside. I’ll phone Tad Martlin and tell him to scour the woods on either side of the house.” She reached for her phone. “We’ll take care of it.”
Olivia was looking at her. “It’s only a feeling. I have no proof, Diane.”
“There’s always a theory before there’s proof. And some theories are based on feelings. As a blind woman, your instincts are finely tuned,” she said as she checked the number and started to dial. “So we won’t discount them. I’m in your corner, and we’re fighting this together. Now go call Agent Nelson and we’ll check it all out.”
CHAPTER
12
San Diego
9:05 A.M.
LYNCH FELT THE TENSION GRIP him as he saw the ID on his phone. Tad Martlin.
Not good.
He punched the access. “What’s the problem?”
“Nothing that I can tell. Diane Michaels called both of us late last night and told us to scour through the woods around the house.”
“She heard something?”
“No, she said Olivia sensed something.”
“Sensed?”
“That’s what she said.” Martlin paused. “And I’m not ridiculing her. You and I both know that instinct is a valuable tool. But no one can testify to accuracy.”
“What did you find?”
“Nothing last night. I went out this morning when it got light, and I still saw no footprints or marks of passing. If someone was out there, they were very woods-savvy.”