‘‘We need to discuss the damage all this will do to the museum,’’ said Vanessa.
‘‘I don’t think it will do any damage,’’ said Diane. ‘‘Not in the long run. We have gotten a couple of calls from people who don’t want to contribute any longer, but I think all that will change as soon as this is straightened out.’’
‘‘Well, I think you are doing a terrific job,’’ said Kenneth Meyerson. ‘‘You seem to have won the FBI agent over to our side.’’
‘‘That’s hard to tell with law enforcement agents. The best thing right now is to be as straightforward as we can with him.’’
‘‘What about you?’’ said Harvey. ‘‘I’ve been reading in the paper that your home was invaded and you were attacked. Are you all right?’’ His white bushy eyebrows were brought together in a frown.
‘‘I’m fine, thank you. It’s an ongoing investigation so I’m not free to talk about it,’’ she said.
‘‘Is all this publicity going to affect the museum?’’ said Barclay.
‘‘It hasn’t yet,’’ said Diane.
‘‘You seem to have too many irons in the fire. I think we need to think about a new director,’’ he said.
They were all startled by the loud slap on the table. It was Vanessa.
‘‘That is not a topic for the board,’’ she said.
Her voice was up a few decibels and had such an I-mean-business quality to it that no one spoke. Not even Diane.
‘‘I’m just saying we should think—’’ began Barclay after a moment.
‘‘Diane is running the museum exactly as Milo would have it. That is why he gave the director so much power—to cut out nonsense. We are supposed to advise and assist. That’s the way it is.’’
‘‘Okay, Vanessa. I realize this is your museum, but things must be done right,’’ he said.
‘‘They are done right,’’ said Anne Pascal. ‘‘This is just the best place. If you will allow yourself time to go to each room and look, really look at the exhibits, I think you will see that. This is a repository of knowledge. You can’t run it like a bank.’’
‘‘Well said, Anne,’’ Kenneth said.
‘‘I agree,’’ said Vanessa. ‘‘That is what Milo envisioned—a repository of knowledge. If Diane will adjourn the meeting, we can let her get on with her work.’’
‘‘Okay, the meeting is adjourned. I’ll update you with e-mail as I find out more about the disposition of the artifacts.’’
Her cell rang and she fished it out of her pocket. It was Andie. Diane had a phone call from an estate attorney.
Chapter 38
Diane hurried to her osteology office on the third floor of the west wing. It was a quick trip from the thirdfloor boardroom. She sat down and took a deep breath before she picked up the phone.
‘‘Thank you for waiting,’’ she said into the phone. ‘‘I want you to know that was a wholly inappropriate message you left on the Estate Attorneys Listserv. That list is for discussing professional issues. It is not there to do your job for you.’’
‘‘Excuse me, and you are?’’ said Diane. Disappointment stung her throat. She thought it was the first hit in the search for Clymene. It was someone else who wanted to scold her.
‘‘I’m Attorney Emma T. Lorimer, and I want to know what right you have to plaster this woman’s photograph all over the Web saying she’s a criminal.’’
‘‘She is a criminal,’’ said Diane.
‘‘Has she been convicted?’’
‘‘Did you read the message? Yes, she has. Convicted, imprisoned for murder, and now she’s escaped from prison. This is a dangerous woman who preys on wealthy families. Do you know her?’’ said Diane. ‘‘No, I don’t know her. I called because I am incensed that you would use a private list in this way.’’
It was strange to Diane that someone would take the time to call her about what they felt was an unauthorized e-mail. There had to be something else going on.
‘‘The woman who is now going by the name Clymene O’Riley is very adept at getting people to trust her. Do you know who she is?’’
‘‘No. Why do you keep asking me?’’
‘‘Because you took the time to call. I appreciate your championing the innocent. There are more innocents accused of crimes than people realize, but this woman is not one of them. Do you know her or someone who looks like her? Her sisters look very much like her.’’
‘‘For the last time, no, I don’t know her. I’m just infuriated that you would spam my list and fill my mailbox with crap like this. It isn’t what estate law is about.’’
‘‘I didn’t spam the list. I asked permission from the list owner,’’ said Diane.
‘‘Well, he used bad judgment in granting it.’’
‘‘Maybe he just wanted to protect your clients from a predator.’’
‘‘Just don’t do it again.’’
The phone went dead with a loud click.
‘‘Well, hell,’’ said Diane.
Diane Googled Emma T. Lorimer to discover where she was from. She found an address for her in Richmond, Virginia. This was probably just someone with a strong sense of political correctness, but she also may be someone who recognized Clymene’s photo. Diane copied the information from her screen.
