'What about notifying the MacKennas? You said they had to be invited? Right?'
'When I know the time, I'll call them, though I doubt any of them will show up.'
'Why did Compton want them there?'
'He didn't say, but I think it was out of spite. Perhaps he wanted to rub their noses in what they had lost.'
'Let's try for tomorrow at seven, and if I can't make it happen, I'll call you to reschedule.'
Dylan realized he was making decisions without Kate's input. He would have to run his plans by her and get her approval.
He disconnected the call and then went through the rest of his voice messages. Nate had called four times trying to find him. With each message he became angrier. Dylan understood why. Nate felt responsible for Kate's well-being, and not knowing where she was would naturally infuriate him. Dylan didn't particularly care how angry he was. The fewer people who knew her whereabouts, the better.
He knew he couldn't avoid Nate much longer. He got two sodas out of the machine, popped the tab of one, and took a drink. And then he called Nate.
And got his voice mail. 'Okay, I'm calling you back. So call me on my cell phone.'
That ought to piss him off, Dylan thought.
Kate was in the chief's office. Dylan decided she had had enough time to talk to Drummond about the weasel problem, and went downstairs to join them.
She was stuffing papers into her briefcase when he walked in and handed her the other can of soda. Drummond was making notes on his legal pad.
'I'll get right on this,' he promised. He looked at Dylan and said, 'Kate wants to stay the night at home. I think we could make that happen. Don't you? I could get some men to sweep the house and get a couple more to patrol the grounds. She lives in a cul-de-sac, and that will make the job easier.'
'Did you put him up to this?' Dylan asked Kate accusingly.
'I might have mentioned that I would like to be able to sleep in my own bed tonight.'
'You did a bit more than mention it to me,' the chief countered. 'You out and out begged me to get Dylan to agree.'
She closed her briefcase and placed it on the floor. 'I don't beg,' she said. Turning to Dylan, she asked, 'Did you know that Chief Drummond was a detective in Los Angeles? He retired after twenty years of service and moved here because he got tired of all the traffic.'
'I think she's trying to convince you that I'm qualified for the job.'
'We've already talked, Kate,' Dylan answered. 'He knows all about my background, and I know a considerable amount about his. I think the chief knows how much I respect his experience.'
Kate stood. 'Then I can go home now.'
'Sit right back down,' the chief ordered. 'You aren't going anywhere until your house has been swept. And the street,' he thought to add. 'Is the attorney going to bring the papers here for Kate to sign?'
Dylan had previously talked to Drummond about the possibility. 'No. It was nonnegotiable. If Kate agrees, we'll try for seven o'clock tomorrow evening. That should give us enough time to get organized.'
'In Savannah?' the chief asked.
'Yes.'
'That's too bad. You're going to have everyone but me taking charge then.'
'Everyone?' she asked.
'Savannah's in another state,' he reminded her. 'The FBI isn't going to be left out. This really should be their case. And then you've got Charleston PD wanting to stay in charge. The first explosion did take place in their jurisdiction, and now you also have to include Savannah PD, especially if you think something might happen.'
'The Savannah police? Why would you want to involve them?'
'Because you'll be in their yard,' the chief said. He looked at Dylan and added, 'Think how they're gonna feel if there's gunfire or something gets blown up and they're not consulted.'
Dylan nodded. 'We'd never hear the end of it.'
They were joking… weren't they? If all those people showed up, there wouldn't be enough room inside the Smith and Wesson building.
And then it hit her. If there was gunfire or a bomb-which did seem to be the favored weapon of destruction- some of those people could die.
'No,' she blurted. 'I don't want anyone to go to Savannah with me. I'll go alone.'
'I'll let you handle this,' the chief said to Dylan as he pushed his chair back. 'I've got things to do.'
After Drummond left, Dylan leaned against the desk waiting for Kate to explain.
She was waiting for him to argue with her. When he remained silent, she demanded, 'Did you hear what I said?'
'I heard.'
'And?' she was frowning up at him.
What had set her off? 'Sure,' he said. 'If you want to go alone, you can go alone.'
She immediately became suspicious. This was too easy. 'Thank you.'
'How are you going to get there?'
'I'll drive.'
'Wasn't your car blown up?'
How could she have forgotten that? 'I won't drive my car.'
'I guess not.'
'I'll rent a car.'
'Kate, what's this about?'
You, you big dummy. You're what this is about. You could get killed. Oh, God, she couldn't even think about that. And what about all the other detectives and policemen? All of them could die in one big boom. She shook her head, letting him know she wasn't willing to explain.
He didn't take the hint. 'What's this about?' he repeated.
She gave in. 'It just struck me. People could die protecting me…'
Tears pooled in her eyes. Dylan must have seen them because he pulled her to her feet and hugged her. 'It's okay. You're just a little overwhelmed.'
'I guess I am,' she said. She waited for him to give her a few words of comfort, to say something, anything, that would make her feel better.
He didn't seem inclined to do more than hold her, and after a moment she realized that was all she really needed.
Chapter Thirty-two
Kate lifted her head from Dylan's chest. 'What about Carl?'
'What about him?'
She put some space between them. 'Are you convinced that he had nothing to do with any of this?'
'Yes, I'm convinced.'
'Then he can go home?'
'No, not yet. He's going to have to convince some other people first.'
Two FBI agents and another detective from Charleston PD who were helping Nate out arrived at the police station an hour later and took turns questioning Carl. After they had finished with him, they let him go home. He kissed Kate on the cheek, squeezed her hand, and whispered, 'Be brave, darling.'
They questioned her next. She was weary of having to go through every little detail again, starting with that first explosion, but she cooperated and answered every question as thoroughly as she could. By the time they ran out of questions, she had run out of patience.
Drummond came to get her. 'Come on, Kate. It's time to go home. Your house has been searched from top to bottom, and is clear.'
