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He heard pride in her voice when she said, “I designed the clothes and came up with that motto for Extreme Australian Adventures, my uncle’s business. Every one of Uncle Leo’s clients buys them for themselves and all their relatives. That photo is of Burleigh Headland, right on the ocean. Whenever Uncle Leo and I just wanted to be lazy, we’d go on the easy trail. If you’re lucky you can see whales migrating and lots of parrots and lizards.”
“It looks beautiful,” he said.
Kirra pointed to another photo. “This tough-looking guy with the machete in his belt is Jawli. He’s Aborigine, one of the team, with his wife, Mala. Jawli taught me how to use a boomerang. I swear Mala could take on a pissed-off crocodile and turn him into a delicious meal, or a pet.”
“And that’s you in scuba gear at the Great Barrier Reef, right?” At her nod, Griffin said, “I was there with a friend five years ago. Amazing diving and everyone looked out for everyone else. I’ll never forget it.”
“It’s an unwritten rule, what with unexpected currents out there. Uncle Leo’s house is in Port Douglas, on the northern coast, as you probably know. When we were home and not on expeditions with clients, I’d drink coffee at sunrise and stare out over the reef.” She sighed. “I haven’t been home in three months, and it’s time. It’s like half my heart is there.”
He paused in front of a group photo. Kirra said, “I had my seventeenth birthday party on that outing. We were leading three couples to the Blue Mountains. They made me a cake using the camp stove. It was awful, and the best birthday ever.”
Griffin looked up and around the living room. “This is a good space, a comfortable space. I like the high ceilings. They’re maybe a bit higher than mine.” He nodded toward a big easy chair in front of a huge TV, much like his own. “And you’re such a guy.”
She grinned. “Even though I’m something of a dag, I love American football and basketball.”
“Dag?”
“Sorry, Aussie for a nerd. You know, Griffin, it’s nice having someone here with me to talk to, after all that’s happened.”
“I can imagine it can’t be a good time for you to be alone. As I said when I got here, it looked like you’d had a rough night. Makes sense; after all, someone just tried to kill you. I bet it brought back some frightening memories.”
Kirra looked up at him, saw understanding and real concern, and it broke her. Her voice shook. “I can’t seem to let go of what happened to my parents. I keep remembering hearing what one of the men who killed my parents shouted when he was trying to kill me. It comes back to me, even during the day. I can’t see what he looked like. I don’t even remember what he sounded like. It’s always just out of reach, and it doesn’t leave me alone. It’s like I’m always trying to remember, and I can’t.”
She must have been struggling with that all by herself for so long she finally had to tell someone. Griffin wanted to give her comfort, to hold her and reassure her, but of course he couldn’t. He was a professional. She was an assignment. She was looking at him with haunted eyes. To hell with it. He pulled her against him, rubbed her back, up and down, slowly, lightly. She was stiff, then slowly, she eased, leaned into him. He said against her hair, “You want to remember what happened that night, don’t you? It’s been weighing on you a long time. I know we’ve just met, Kirra, and I wouldn’t suggest this unless I was sure. I know just the person to help you. His name is Dr. Emanuel Hicks. He’s a psychiatrist who works for the FBI and is one of the foremost hypnotists in the country. He’s great at helping people we’ve worked with remember traumatic events, even after many years. He’s a magician, eases you right into it.”
Kirra stiffened, obviously wary, and drew a deep breath. “My mom believed hypnosis was dangerous. Why would you let someone monkey around with your brain, and who knows what could come of that? So I refused hypnosis years ago, even though Jeter thought it might help me remember more of what happened that night.” She pulled away from Griffin and paced back and forth. She paused a moment, straightened a picture. Finally, she turned back to him. “You promise it’s safe?”
“I promise. Dr. Hicks will be able to help you go back to that night your parents were murdered. He’ll help you remember details you believe you’ve forgotten. It’s very possible you’ll find things out to help find your parents’ killers. If you choose to go forward with hypnosis, I’ll give him a call.”
An hour later, Griffin walked out the door in front of Kirra. When he was out and he’d looked up and down the street, he nodded to her, and she locked it.
“Let’s go in my Range Rover, she’s nearly brand-new, still has that just-bought leather smell.”
“Fine by me. My rental RAV put in a hard afternoon yesterday, not to mention a dent in the back fender. And to be honest, the last thing I want to do today is drive.”
When Kirra fastened her seat belt, she breathed in. “Yep, love that new smell.”
Once Griffin was on the highway, and she’d checked to make sure no one was following them, she said, “I hope you brought your Glock even though it’s a Saturday.”
“I sleep with my Glock,” he said, “so, as you say, no worries, right? You know, I didn’t expect Dr. Hicks to agree to see you right away, particularly on a Saturday, but he said it sounded like you needed to put this behind you, no need for you to worry about it all weekend.”
She swallowed, hugged her purse closer, and didn’t say a word.
Griffin was aware Kirra Mandarian was checking for anyone following them until they reached Quantico. He didn’t blame her. He thought again of Sherlock and prayed.
