Kendra cocked her head and looked up at the sky. “Uh-oh. Hear that?”
The engine of a helicopter roared in the distance. But soon she could see it on the horizon.
“It looks like the copter Cambry leased from the airport before,” she murmured. “He didn’t wait long to get back to the hunt.”
Jessie jumped to her feet. “Let’s get under those trees.”
Kendra followed Jessie at a dead run to the spot where she’d stashed the motorcycle. They crouched and listened as the helicopter slowly crisscrossed the valley.
“He’s obviously not hunting for Lynch,” Jessie said. “He’s looking for you.”
“He can look all he wants,” Kendra said harshly. “I don’t work for him or any of his bosses. Until I know I can trust him, I’m more comfortable looking for Lynch on our own.”
Jessie nodded. “So am I.”
They listened for another few minutes as the helicopter circled. Finally, it moved away.
Kendra’s phone vibrated in her hand. “It’s Dr. Waldridge.”
“Charles,” Jessie corrected with a grin.
“Right.” Kendra answered her phone. “Surely you don’t have an answer for me yet.”
“Yes and no,” Waldridge said.
“What does that mean?”
“According to the manufacturer, that prosthetic hand has never been implanted.”
“Seriously? There’s no record of it?”
“Oh, they know it exists. The serial number checks out. It just hasn’t been placed with a patient. It was purchased by a surgical center in Glasgow but never actually used.”
“Aren’t things like this usually custom-made?”
“Usually. But it’s not uncommon for surgeons to try a few different types to see which ones the patients are most comfortable with. Then they order a customized model for permanent placement.”
“I see.”
“Well, I don’t. But I’m interested in pursuing the matter. So . . . Are you going to tell me what this is all about?”
“I will. I promise. Just not now, okay?”
He sighed. “Soon. I insist.”
“Do you have an address for this surgical center?”
“Of course. I’ll text it to you. It so happens that I’m familiar with the doctor who runs this place. His name is Palmer Nolan. He’s a brilliant kinesiologist. World-renowned. He helped develop several prosthetics that are used all over the world.”
“Interesting.”
He was silent for a long moment. “Kendra, I have to admit that I was concerned about you, and when I found out Nolan’s involvement, I tried to contact him to ask him to cooperate.”
“That was very kind of you to bother. I didn’t mean to—”
“I couldn’t reach him, Kendra,” he interrupted. “I talked to Carstairs, his assistant, and he told me that he hadn’t shown up for a few weeks at the office and he didn’t answer his phone. I asked if they’d contacted the police, but they said Nolan is a very private man and they don’t want to disturb him. It’s not the first time he’s gone off without giving notice. He’s so good, he’s allowed special privileges. Still, I found that lack of discipline very peculiar.”
Naturally he would feel that—no one was more disciplined than Waldridge. “Yes, it is,” Kendra agreed. She was almost in shock herself. “But I don’t know him so I can’t confirm any of this. All I can do is thank you for your effort. And apologize for bothering you.”
