Beverly Connor - The Night Killer

“We saw it when we came in,” he said. “Did you have an accident?”

“Not exactly,” said Diane. “When you have time, I need you to have a look at the paint traces I collected. I locked them in the vault. I would also like you to check it from bumper to bumper and see if I missed anything that could be used to find the truck that hit me.”

“A couple of things,” said Izzy. “You know, you told these guys you wanted the information ASAP. And you asked me to do it when I can get to it. I’m feeling kind of left out of the drama here.”

“What’s the other thing?” said Diane.

“You said you didn’t exactly have an accident, but your SUV says otherwise, and it looks like you’re trying to identify a hit-and-run driver,” he said.

“The damage was done on purpose,” she said.

“Something’s happened,” said David.

“Yes, but I really don’t want to talk about it right now. I’ll tell you later.” Diane thanked them and turned to go. After a few steps she turned back to Hector and Scott.

“Have you gotten a call yet from Dr. Webber?” she asked.

“Yes,” they said together; then Scott deferred to Hector.

“She will be starting late this afternoon. We’re going to join her. She said there will be four bodies and it will take a couple of days,” he said.

Diane nodded. “Spence Barre must have gotten the Watsons’ children to give permission. That’s good,” she said, more to herself than to them.

“How about we all have an early dinner in the restaurant,” said David. “I’ll have information for you then.”

“Sure,” she said, nodding. She gave them a small smile. “Thanks. I really do appreciate the work you do.”

“We know,” said David.

“It’s always so exciting,” said Scott.

“I’d like to be able to tone down the excitement,” she said as she headed for the door.

Diane went back to her museum office, hoping Andie had brought her new beau to introduce him, and half dreading such a meeting. But Andie wasn’t in the office when she got there. There was a note from her saying she was having a meeting with the exhibit designers. Diane called to make sure.

“Hi, Dr. Fallon,” said Andie’s voice, and Diane’s heart stopped pumping so hard.

“How are you?” she said, and immediately knew she sounded rather stupid. “Did you have a good time yesterday?” she added.

“We had a great time,” she said in a low voice, and Diane realized she was still in her meeting.

“Come by the office when you’re finished,” said Diane.

That must have sounded rather strange too. Of course Andie would come by the office when she finished. Diane sat down at her desk to get some work done, but her mind was too filled with the stranger and what he was up to. She had a mind to go find him. She could go to Security and take a look at the monitors to try to locate him in the museum.

No, she would speak with Andie first. Diane dreaded it. Andie probably wouldn’t be receptive to any caution Diane might offer about him. In fact, she would see him as heroic. After all, he wasn’t guilty of anything at the moment, except coming to Diane’s aid.

She was still deep in thought when someone knocked on her door. It opened and Neva and Mike walked in carrying a flat package.

Neva was another member of Diane’s forensic team. She was sent to Diane from the Rosewood Police Department. A reluctant assignment for the young policewoman at first, but one Neva had grown into. When Diane discovered that Neva possessed considerable artistic skills, Diane introduced her to forensic art and taught her how to reconstruct a face from a skull.

Mike Seger was the curator of the geology collection and had built one of the best rock and mineral reference collections in the country. Students from several large university geology departments in the region had begun using the museum’s collection for research since he took over as curator. Mike also worked for a company that searched for and collected extremophiles, organisms that lived in the harshest environs on the planet. Mike and Neva were two of Diane’s caving partners and she enjoyed seeing them become a couple.

Diane rushed around her desk and hugged the two of them.

“I have missed you both,” she said.

They smiled broadly, returning the embrace.

“You look great,” said Diane, looking at each of them in turn. “Really great.”

From the relaxed look on their faces, they appeared well rested. Diane had feared they would be exhausted after such a busy trip. They actually looked energized by it.

Neva was wearing her brown hair a few inches past her shoulders with bangs across her forehead. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, and didn’t need any with her tan face, large, dark eyes, and full lips. Mike looked as rugged as ever, with a deep tan and his well-toned muscles. The two of them grinned at Diane and gripped the package between them.

“What do you have here?” asked Diane.

“A gift,” said Neva, beaming. “I think you’ll like it. I hope you like it.”

“Well, let’s see what it is.” Diane gently began tearing the brown wrapping off the package. “This is gorgeous,” she said when the gift was exposed.

“I thought the lone wolf in your forensic office could use some company,” said Neva. “We took a lot of photographs. I bought this panoramic camera for the trip.” She gestured with her arms wide. “And you won’t believe the wonderful pictures we got.”

The package was a huge, wide, framed photograph of an expanse of savanna with brown grass, umbrella trees, and an orange sunset. Looking closer, Diane saw a family of lions in the grass.

“I love this,” said Diane, not taking her eyes off the photograph. “It’s beautiful. It’s enthralling.”

“I thought I would do a painting of one of the photos we took, to hang somewhere in the museum,” said Neva.

“I imagine you have lots that would be terrific in the mammal room,” said Diane, looking up at her. “When did you get back?”

“Three days ago in the United States. We made a few stops before coming home. Kendel’s still in New York. She’s going to wait for our cargo and arrange for shipment here, then visit some friends while she’s in New York,” said Neva. “Speaking of friends, I met Andie’s new friend. Quite a hunk. Have you met him?”

“Andie hasn’t introduced him yet,” said Diane, looking at the photograph, touching the nonglare glass with her fingertips, tracing the lions.

“But have you met him?” asked Neva.

Diane looked over at her. She stood there, eyes slightly narrowed, studying Diane. There was a time when only Frank and David noticed when she didn’t answer the exact question that was put to her. Now most of her crew could. Neva and Mike waited for an answer with bemused expressions.

“It’s a long story,” said Diane.

“I’m anxious to hear it,” said Neva. “Is Andie serious?”

“She just met him a couple of days ago,” said Diane. “But she’s grown quite fond of him in that time. Apparently lots of chemistry.”

“And you haven’t met him yet?” pushed Neva.

“Not yet. He’s been busy,” said Diane. She believed he had been avoiding her. Not surprising.

“You know, I feel a mystery here,” said Neva.

“You have no idea,” said Diane. Her cell phone saved her from answering further.

“Fallon,” she said.

“Diane, it’s David. I have some preliminary information for you.”

“That was quick.” She looked at the clock on the wall.

“Like I said-preliminary. I just thought you’d like to know what I’ve found so far,” he said.

“Yes, shoot,” she said. She walked around her desk and sat down with pen in hand. She pointed at the chairs. “Have a seat,” she said to Neva and Mike.