Dead Hunt

‘‘Why did you guys vote him in?’’ asked Diane.

‘‘I didn’t. You know Vanessa, Laura, and Madge. They are old Rosewood just like Barclay. Laura thinks he’s just a gruff avuncular bear. Hell, he’s good to his own kind. And Vanessa thought we could use a banker. I don’t think they were pleased with his performance, to tell you the truth.’’

‘‘I certainly wasn’t,’’ said Diane. She wished Kenneth and his wife a pleasant evening and left hoping she wouldn’t run into anyone else. But as she exited the restaurant she ran into Vanessa and Laura leaving at the same time. Normally she enjoyed visiting with them. But not today. She stiffened as they said hello.

Chapter 27

‘‘Diane,’’ said Vanessa, ‘‘Laura and I have been trying to get in touch with you since ...well, the board meeting . . . and now the papers. Someone invaded your home? Are you all right? Can we talk?’’

Vanessa and Laura looked like they were going to the same concert as the Meyersons. They glittered and shined in flashy evening clothes.

‘‘Aren’t the two of you going to be late somewhere?’’ asked Diane.

‘‘We have time,’’ said Vanessa.

Both were staring at Diane’s forehead.

‘‘You’re hurt,’’ said Laura.

‘‘Not much,’’ said Diane. She looked at her watch. ‘‘I really have to go...’’

‘‘Diane, please,’’ said Vanessa. ‘‘Take a little time and talk to us?’’

Diane shrugged. ‘‘Very little time.’’

She led them across to the mammals section, unlocking the door with her key. She called security and asked them to keep the day lighting on until she told them otherwise, but to keep the museum locked down. Then she called Andie, who was still at her desk.

‘‘Is Jacobs still interviewing Kendel?’’ she asked Andie.

‘‘Yes. I put them in your conference room.’’

‘‘Okay, just checking. Call me on my cell if you need me,’’ she said.

Diane led them through to a seating area in the Pleistocene room and they sat down near the giant sloth.

‘‘Someone is interviewing Kendel,’’ said Laura. ‘‘Is that about the Egyptian artifacts?’’

‘‘Yes. An FBI agent from the art theft division is here. That’s why I don’t have much time.’’

‘‘Are they stolen?’’ whispered Laura.

Out of the corner of her eye, Diane thought she saw the flicker of a shadow near the flora around the Smilodon, the saber-toothed tiger, across the huge room. She stared a moment. Nothing. She was beginning to become frightened of shadows. Get a grip, she told herself firmly and turned her attention back to her two friends.

‘‘The artifacts aren’t what we purchased. The FBI is looking into it. It’s a long story and I’ll brief you when I have more information and more time.’’

‘‘Diane,’’ said Vanessa, ‘‘you’re angry, aren’t you?’’

‘‘I’m just weary, Vanessa. And yes, I’m still angry with Madge and Barclay.’’

‘‘Madge meant well,’’ said Vanessa. ‘‘She just didn’t understand the implications.’’

‘‘Meant well . . .’’ Diane shook her head. ‘‘No one seems to understand the harm she did. This will follow Kendel and the museum forever. You can’t get rid of accusations. Had Madge just referred the reporter to me rather than confirming something she had no idea was true or not, the museum could have come out of this looking like a hero rather than appearing as if it has something to hide. Did you see the paper today? Director backpedaling? I’ve done nothing of the kind. They just attributed Madge’s recant as coming from me.’’

‘‘What if the accusations against Kendel are true?’’ said Laura. ‘‘I know you don’t want to consider that —’’

‘‘Of course I have to consider it. But whether or not they are true doesn’t make what Madge did right. If Kendel turns out to be guilty it will just make matters worse because Madge’s behavior will be reinforced, and the next time a reporter calls her they might be accusing Kenneth of illegal business practices, or me of embezzling, or you, Laura, of unethical conduct with patients. And Madge will just confirm whatever the reporter says because she likes her name in the paper and, after all, things turned out just swell the last time.’’

‘‘Nothing like this is likely to happen again,’’ said Laura.

‘‘Why not? The reporter knows who to call to get a confirmation about anyone connected with the museum. Her duty is done. She checked out her story with an authoritative source and now she can print it,’’ said Diane. ‘‘After all, Madge is a board member and an upstanding citizen.’’

Vanessa and Laura exchanged glances.

‘‘We do see your point,’’ said Vanessa. ‘‘And we really do see the harm that has been done by this. I’ll do everything in my power to fix it.’’

Diane glanced at her watch again.

‘‘I can see how this is upsetting,’’ said Laura, ‘‘but—’’

‘‘Upsetting? Laura, I’m tired and my day isn’t nearly over. Clymene O’Riley escaped from prison yesterday and the U.S. marshals are talking to me because I was her last visitor. Someone broke into my home and killed her on my living room floor last night. At least they had the good manners to drug me so I wouldn’t wake up in the middle of it. While I was in the hospital examining room in one of those ghastly insufficient gowns with my bare butt hardly covered, someone tried to kill me. I don’t know if it had to do with Clymene or the artifacts. Riddmann tried to arrest me for Clymene’s murder, but fortunately Garnett stepped in.’’