the museum. I know you have security guards and they
have guns, but they will be very reluctant to use them
around visitors. Just let me leave and then you can
try to find me,’’ she said. ‘‘If I see any of you coming
after me, I will fire the gun. Now, I really hate to run,
but I gotta go.’’
Diane nodded. ‘‘You’re free to go.’’
‘‘I’m glad we have an agreement.’’
Rikki closed the door as she backed out. Diane
heard her say good-bye to Andie as she left. When Rikki was gone, Diane started for her com
puter in her office.
‘‘You want us to go after her?’’ said Izzy. ‘‘No,’’ said Diane. ‘‘She had me pegged right. I
won’t take a chance on her firing a gun in the
museum.’’
When Diane was at her computer, she called up a
program that allowed her to see the security camera
feeds on her monitor. Four screens came up, each in
its own window. Diane caught sight of Rikki as she
was going out the door. Diane switched to the park
ing lot cameras
Geo and drive
parking lot.
and watched her get in an orange down the hill, leaving the museum
Diane picked up the phone and called the police. ‘‘And you just let her go with the numbers?’’ said
Janice.
‘‘She had a gun,’’ said Diane. ‘‘There are too many
innocent people who could have been hurt. I’m sure
you understand.’’
‘‘Yes, I suppose so. You say she’s in an orange Geo.
Did you get the plates?’’
‘‘No, that will take a little finesse with the comput
ers. I thought you would want to know right away.
She can’t have gotten far.’’
‘‘Of course,’’ said Janice. ‘‘We’re on it right now.’’ ‘‘Tell them to block all the exits to the museum,’’
said Frank.
‘‘Hold the phone a minute,’’ she said to Janice.
‘‘She’ll be gone by then.’’
‘‘Maybe not,’’ said Frank. He took the phone from
Diane. ‘‘Quicker this way,’’ he said, smiling. ‘‘Warrick,’’ he said. ‘‘This is Frank Duncan. She
may be changing cars before she gets off museum
property. There are several access roads around the
museum. Have your people get to those roads—
quickly. Diane will have her security on the way too.’’ Diane called her security and told them basically
what Frank had relayed to Janice. She put down the
phone and looked at Frank.
‘‘What makes you think that’s what she’s going to
do?’’ said Diane.
‘‘She said she had a plan,’’ said Frank. ‘‘What’s that
movie that always cracks you up—
is it about a plan that guy says that you just love?’’ ‘‘ ‘Running’s not a plan; running’s what you do
