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And he left the condo with that outrageous grin and a swirl of burgundy velvet.
***
7:55A.M.
Next Day
Pool Deck
“My God,” Tricia whispered. “I was hoping it wouldn’t be true. You’re sure?”
“I was there when she died,” Kendra said. “I was holding her hand. I couldn’t be more certain, Tricia. And she told me that she thought that you’d be targeted. We have to protect you. We’re trying to arrange for surveillance from the FBI. But you’re also living at a dorm and that could be chaotic. It would be hard to protect you. I’d like you to come and stay at my condo until we catch this killer.” She nodded at Lynch. “And Lynch has agreed to be present during your training during the day. He’s fully qualified and you should be absolutely safe.”
“Absolutely?” Her lips twisted. “I don’t know what that means any longer. I do know I should be safe with my friends at the dorm. They care about me.”
“But they wouldn’t always be with you,” Lynch said quietly. “They’re young and have their own lives. There would only have to be a shift of schedule and you’d have a problem. We’re trying to put you in a position where there would be no problem. But we have to have your permission to protect you.”
Tricia was frowning. “Look, do you think I’m not scared?” She turned to Kendra. “But right now, I’m going through the most intense training of my life. I can’t have anything interfere with it. I feel very safe at the pool. And I’m sure you’re very nice and well meaning, but going to live with you would upset whatever social life I’ve managed to salvage. I’d have to think long and hard about what I should do. You said I’d have the FBI keeping an eye on me anyway?”
“As much surveillance as we can arrange.” She paused. “It may not be enough.”
“I don’t want to be unreasonable,” Tricia said. “And Lord knows I don’t want to end up dead. Could we try to keep on my present schedule for a few days with the addition of those FBI guys and see how it works out?”
“It’s not the best solution,” Kendra said. “It scares me. It should scare you.”
“It does…a little. It’s not that I’m not grateful. But Barrett is dead, and we only have that woman’s word that she thinks I’ll be a target.” She was nibbling at her lower lip. “I’d like to just see if she might be wrong. Could we please?”
“A couple of days?”
She nodded. “I went through weeks of FBI surveillance after that attack by Barrett, and they seemed to keep me safe. If I see any problem, I’ll be knocking on your door.”
“We can’t force you to do anything,” Kendra said. “But we’ll be keeping an eye on you during that period. Get used to it.”
“No problem.” She headed for the door. “I’m sure we’ll work something out. I’ve got to get in the pool now. Thanks for everything.”
Kendra stared after her in despair as she murmured to Lynch, “I didn’t think it would be so difficult. I know she’s scared. Why won’t she listen?”
“She’s listening,” Lynch said. “But she’s young and she has a life. So far, it’s not been such a terrific one. She’s probably trying to desperately squeeze every bit of pleasure she can into it.”
“I just want her to stay alive,” Kendra said. “Last night after I went to bed, I was looking down at my hand and remembering the blood on it. I don’t want it ever to be Tricia’s blood. I realize what she’s feeling, but if she’ll just be patient…” She shook her head. “And I know the answer to that, too. People who live on the edge…” She shrugged. “Well, we’ll have to throw together a schedule to keep her safe.”
“Then we’d better talk to her coach and get me permission to take a look around this facility,” Lynch said as he started toward the door. “Since this seems to be her home away from home. Why don’t you call Griffin and see if he’s managed to pull together any preliminary info on Jackie Gabert?”
“He didn’t leave my condo until almost midnight.”
“I guarantee he wouldn’t do any of the grunt work himself, when he could get his team to do it, but the FBI is twenty-four seven.” He smiled. “And he knows that we’re going to keep on his ass.”
“He told me last night to be patient.”
“And that isn’t going to do any more good than you telling Tricia the same thing.”
He was gone.
And she was reaching for her phone.
“I think I owe you a sincere thanks,” Griffin said when she reached him.
“For what?”
