‘‘I really am sorry I haven’t been able to attend more meetings.’’

‘‘I can understand, with two full-time jobs. By the way, we do have a new member. One of your staff from your other job. Neva Hurley.’’

‘‘I’m glad she joined. I encouraged her to.’’

‘‘She seemed to feel a little out of place, but I think it’s because she’s the least experienced member. I have the plan for the cave we’re visiting. It’s a great cave, really. There’s an easy way and a wild way through it. I thought we’d start with the easy way and later take a trip back and explore the wild part of the cave. That section has to be explored on rope, so it’s not for beginners.’’

Diane ate and listened to Mike talk about the cave they were going to visit. She heard the low tone of her phone ring. She fished it out of her purse and answered without looking at the display.

‘‘I thought maybe we could finish our talk. I hope I’m not interrupting your dinner,’’ the voice on the phone said.

Chapter 27

‘‘Are you watching me?’’

The interior darkness of the restaurant that had been as comfortable as a familiar blanket now closed in around her. She searched the faces of the diners nearest her, but all she could see was flickering faces illuminated by the table candles. The diners just be yond were merely shadows with spots of light, the faces swallowed up by the darkness. Diane fished a pad and pen out of her purse and began scribbling a note to Mike, who looked at her, frowning.

Frank? he mouthed.

Diane shook her head.

‘‘I’m not a maniac,’’ the voice said. The sound was

urgent—as in ‘‘please believe me.’’ ‘‘It’s around a lot of people’s dinnertime. I thought you might be eating.’’ That sounded more rational.

Diane handed Mike the note and watched his eyes widen and jaw drop as he read it in the candlelight. He jumped from his seat and walked out of the restaurant.

‘‘What exactly do you want?’’ asked Diane. ‘‘I told you. I want you to understand.’’

‘‘You say that, but you never get to the point. What

is it that you want me to understand?’’

‘‘That the law doesn’t always work. Sometimes it can’t work. Sometimes the terrible things people do aren’t against the so-called law.’’ His voice was getting louder and his words were coming faster. The rational ity that he managed to grasp a moment ago was turn ing to a panicked anger.

‘‘Okay. I understand that in theory. Can you give me an example?’’

He hesitated so long, Diane thought he had hung up, then he spoke in a calm voice. ‘‘An example?’’

‘‘An example of a terrible thing people can do that isn’t against the law.’’

He paused for a long moment. ‘‘Oh, I could give you a hundred examples. Gossip comes to mind—and bullying, to name just two.’’

‘‘There are legal remedies to both of those.’’

‘‘Right. Not when you’re in school. Besides, legal remedies are expensive. For most of us, it’s a choice between a so-called legal remedy and a roof over our head. There’s no legal remedies for normal people.’’

‘‘So sometimes you have to make your own reme dies. Murder seems a harsh remedy for gossip and bullying.’’

‘‘Who said anything about murder?’’

‘‘You did. This conversation started from you ob jecting to my calling all murders evil.’’

He chuckled softly. ‘‘Yes, you’re right. I did. And you’re right that killing is too harsh for my examples, but they were just examples. It’s what you asked for.’’

‘‘Then perhaps I wasn’t specific enough. Give me a good example of a justified killing.’’

‘‘I have to go now. I’ll call again and we’ll talk some more.’’

Diane’s gaze eased around the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary, anyone leaving, some thing out of place. Everything looked right.

Mike returned a minute later, still wide-eyed, but with a serious look on his face. ‘‘That was . . . you were actually talking to the killer?’’

‘‘I don’t know. Were you able to get hold of Chief Garnett?’’

‘‘Yes. He said he’d get on it.’’

Diane wasn’t sure, but unless they were already on it they would miss the opportunity. Surely, they in cluded her cell in the surveillance.

‘‘What did the guy want?’’ asked Mike.

‘‘I think he wanted me to tell him he was right.’’

‘‘See, that’s why I’m attracted to you.’’

‘‘Mike, explain that to me. I confess, I don’t under stand why.’’

‘‘It came as a surprise to me too, I’m not usually attracted to older women. But you’re... interesting.’’

‘‘Interesting?’’

‘‘Yeah. Smart—not just intelligent, but clever. You’re adventurous, you do things, map caves, solve crimes— nothing scares you.’’

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