“I’ll do it. He’s going to be disappointed. He’s got this terrarium built that just about encircles the room.”
“I know, I’ve seen it. But I don’t want any more live animals. I’m having enough problems with the people.”
Diane went back to her desk and pulled out the new computer that Dylan Houser brought from Kenneth Meyers. Fairly soon he’d want a report about it. The computer was a model he called ToughLove DLX. Tough love. She couldn’t imagine how guilty Louise and George must have felt, how they must have regretted asking Star to leave home. In her wildest imagination she couldn’t see tossing Ariel out. But she had to admit, she’d never walked in the Boones’ shoes. But still. .
She focused her attention back on the computer. She took it out of its case and opened it up. Kenneth said it was designed for field work. He wasn’t kidding. A 3.2 gigahertz processor, shock-protected 120 gigabyte hard drive, global-position satellite receiver, dust-and water-resistant, a ton of software, sleek black, and all in a hardy magnesium case. She turned it on. Fast boot up. She liked it. Kenneth knew how to tempt a woman. She’d have to show this to Frank.
She looked at several of the programs Kenneth had installed-word processing, graphics, maps. There was plenty of room to put her specialized software on it.
She heard Andie talking to someone in her office. She didn’t recognize the voice, but someone wanted to see her and they weren’t taking no for an answer. She got up to see who it was.
Chapter 39
“I’m sorry, Dr. Fallon,” said Andie. “I told him you didn’t want to be disturbed.”
Dylan Houser stood in front of Andie’s desk, arguing with her. “Dylan,” said Diane. “I don’t have time to talk about the computers now. I realize I’ve been putting you off for. .”
He stood with his hands in his pockets, looking sheepish. It was not a look she imagined he had very often. “It’s not about that. It’s personal. I am sorry, but it won’t take long.”
“All right, come in.” Diane stood aside as he entered. She closed the door behind him. “What’s this about?” She hadn’t meant to sound short, but she was feeling the need to get some work done.
“It’s about Alix and Melissa.”
Diane sighed, deeply regretting getting involved. “That’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have interfered in the first place.”
“Perhaps,” said Dylan. “Or perhaps not. I just want to set the record straight about Alix. She’d never tell you herself.”
Diane waited.
“I know all this sounds strange.” He shook his head. “And I know Lacy and Emily told you their version. Maybe they believe it and maybe they don’t. Frankly, I don’t know them very well.”
Diane was wishing he would get to the point, but she didn’t say anything, just waited, unconsciously twirling a pen through her fingers.
“Emily and Lacy are friends, just like Alix and Melissa. The four of them have known each other forever, but they aren’t that close and there’s some jealousy on Emily and Lacy’s part.”
“Jealousy?”
“You know how some girls-women-are. Anyway, that’s the only reason I can figure they told you a story about Alix. Alix isn’t abusing Melissa. The very thought is ludicrous. Melissa’s doing it to herself.”
“What?”
“Have you ever met Melissa’s parents? They’ve mapped out her life ever since she was born. Parents don’t know the kind of pressure they put on a kid. My dad’s a great guy and is so proud of me, but I’m telling you, just that amount of pride is hard on me sometimes. Melissa’s parents always expected perfection, and they were very controlling. Her response was to abuse herself. She hits herself with things, she’s cut herself, sometimes she bites herself-she actually leaves teeth marks. The last thing she did was cut off her hair. Alix trimmed it for her, trying to make it look like that’s what she intended. Alix has always been Melissa’s protector. And she’s really upset that you think she’s the one hurting Melissa.”
“I don’t think anything at the moment,” said Diane. “The whole thing is too confusing.”
“I agree with you there.”
“I was told that Alix hit you.”
“No. Was that Lacy and Emily?” Diane didn’t respond. “She didn’t. I don’t know why they said that. Maybe they thought they were protecting Mike. I know you thought it was him.”
“He thinks it’s her father.”
“I know. Melissa needs to get help. I don’t think she understands how many people she’s drawn into all this. Alix is afraid you’re going to fire her.”
“As long as she does her job, I have no reason to fire her. I’ve already made the mistake of suspecting Mike. I don’t intend to compound it. I intend to stay out of it.”
“Alix will be relieved. It’s not like she needs the job, but she really likes it here. She didn’t have an easy childhood either. Her parents were always gone and too busy to pay any attention to her. She was raised by a long string of housekeepers, or stayed with Melissa. I guess that’s why they’re so close.”
“Tell her not to worry.”
“I will. I see you’re using the computer. How do you like it?”
“So far it’s great. I haven’t done much. But it’s a really nice model.”
“It is, isn’t it? I’m not fond of the name, but it’s a great machine. Do you know you can drop it as far as four feet and it won’t sustain any damage?”
“That will be good for field work.”
He stood up. “Look, I promised not to talk about computers, so I’ll be going. I just wanted to put in a word for Alix.”
“Thank you for coming in.”
Diane watched him leave. She shook her head. This was what, the third story? Intervention is tricky business. The best she could say about the mess was that she’d learned a lesson.
She pushed her new computer aside and looked at the reports Ben Florian had brought her. Her theory on the plastic had panned out. The plastic was from the kind used for soda bottles. The gunpowder residue on the inside surface was a strong indicator that a plastic bottle was used as a silencer. Frank would be glad to hear it.
She looked at the bloodstain report and compared it to the autopsy reports. No blood except George’s and Louise’s. Too bad; she’d love to have had some perp DNA.
She matched the identification of George and Louise’s bloodstains to the sets of medium-velocity spatters on the walls to see which blow struck George and which one struck Louise. She double-checked it with the autopsy report of the number of times each were struck. It matched with the scenario she laid out for Frank.
She had a lot of information, neatly organized, neatly fitting together, but not enough to clear Star. There was nothing to do now but wait to see if anything came of the missing persons inquiry.
She was about to stop and have some lunch and visit Frank when Andie announced Chanell Napier. Chanell, dressed in a dark green suit, came in and sat down in the chair in front of Diane’s desk, clasping her hands in front of her.
“Thanks for coming,” said Diane.
Chanell smiled and looked as if she didn’t quite know what to say.
“I wanted to know if you’re interested in the job as head of security here at the museum. It would mean a substantial raise in pay. It would also mean taking some classes we’d set up for you.”
Chanell put her hands to her face. She looked like she’d just won the lottery.
“I take it you’re interested,” said Diane.
“Yes, oh, yes, ma’am. I’m interested.”
“Good. Andie will give you the details and tell you where to go to fill out some forms.” Diane stood up and
