Double Blind--A Novel Read online

  Kendra felt tears stinging her own eyes. First Hollingsworth and his missing daughter, now this couple. It had been a hell of a day.

  Keith’s phone buzzed and he looked at the screen. “Elena’s ride is here.”

  “Elena’s ride?” Kendra asked.

  “Her transport to the airport. We arranged it through the funeral parlor back home.” His hand tightened on his wife’s. “Ready, honey?”

  “You’re flying home now?” Kendra said.

  Metcalf shrugged. “The ME released the body.”

  “That sounds so … cold,” Cynthia said unevenly.

  “They don’t mean it like that,” Keith said. “They didn’t know her.” He looked at Kendra. “I’m sorry we couldn’t help you. This has us all confused. It doesn’t make any sense. If you think of anything else you need to ask, you can call us.”

  “I’ll do that.” She reached out and shook his hand. “But you can never tell what pieces will come together to make a picture. You might have told us something that will be very important. It was very kind of you to take the time.”

  “It wasn’t easy.” He swallowed and cleared his throat. “But there must be a reason why my Elena was reaching out to you. My wife goes to church every Sunday and believes in angels and saints and all that business. I never believed in much of anything.” His voice broke. “But this is all wrong. There has to be some reason.” Keith stood up and helped Cynthia to her feet, slipping his arm around her waist to support her. “We do hope with all our hearts you find whoever did this to her,” he said as he turned his wife toward the door. “But right now we just want to take our little girl home.”

  * * *

  KENDRA WATCHED AS THE door shut behind them.

  “What do you think, Lynch?” Metcalf’s gaze had also been following the Meyers. “Is it Saint Kendra or just a minor angel we have in our midst?”

  “What I think is that you’ve just made a huge gaffe,” Lynch said, his gaze on Kendra’s face. “Not the time, Metcalf.”

  “You’re damn right it’s not,” Kendra said unsteadily. She jumped to her feet. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

  “Right.” Lynch was already opening the door. “See you later, Metcalf.” He followed Kendra down the steps and out the front door. “He wasn’t being insensitive, you know,” he said quietly. “He just doesn’t have a clue on how to handle situations that emotional.”

  “Neither do I.” Kendra was looking straight ahead as she strode toward his car. “I don’t want to talk right now, Lynch.”

  “No problem.”

  Fifteen minutes and a traffic jam later, Kendra still felt sick to her stomach, waylaid by the grief and confusion she’d seen in that conference room. She slumped in the passenger seat of Lynch’s car, her gaze fixed on the traffic up ahead. “How do you do it?”

  “Do what?”

  “Sit there talking to people on the worst days of their lives without falling apart yourself? I’m amazed at the way you and Metcalf were able to hold yourselves together.”

  “So did you.”

  “Barely.”

  “But you did it. Because you know you’re not helping these people if you can’t hold it together. Metcalf and I feel the same way.”

  “It seems … easier for you.”

  “It probably is. I suppose I’ve built up some emotional calluses in the past few years. That’s what happens when you watch enough friends die right in front of you, especially when you feel there was more you could have done to save them.”

  “That’s horrible.”

  “It was. And still is, no matter how many years go by. But everyone faces grief and loss. It’s just life.”

  There was something deeper, something below the surface of that philosophic statement that aroused her curiosity. Kendra let a moment pass before wading into a territory she knew might be uncomfortable for Lynch. “You’ve lost someone closer than just a friend haven’t you?”

  He kept his eyes on the road. “Who told you?”

  “No one told me anything. I don’t ask questions about you. I would never interfere with your business. I don’t know why that question popped out. If you’d rather not talk about it—”

  “I’d rather not. At least not right now, okay?”

  She studied Lynch. However stoic he may have been with Elena Meyer’s parents, this was another matter entirely. She couldn’t recall ever seeing him so troubled, so sad.

  “Okay. As I said, it’s not my business. I’m sorry that I asked.”

  “I’m not.” He smiled. “I like the idea of you delving into all my secrets. But I protect them well and I have to warn you that when you delve too deep, you might run across a trap or two. On the other hand, traps, if properly constructed, can be entertaining.”

  “That sounds like far too much trouble. I’ll just muzzle any curiosity I have,” she said wearily. “I wouldn’t have asked you anything if I hadn’t been a little shaken up about that interview with the Meyers. One thing led to another.”

  “Yes, it did.” He was gazing at her face. “And you still don’t look in great shape. I’ll take you home. You can probably use the rest.”

  Home.

  We just want to take our little girl home.

  “Kendra?”

  She slowly shook her head. “Actually … I’d rather you drop me somewhere else, if that’s okay.”

  1412 Sundance Place

  La Jolla, California

  This was probably a mistake, Kendra thought as she pressed the doorbell. She should have called ahead instead of just having Lynch bring her here. It wasn’t as if she could expect—

  The door was thrown open and her mother stared at her with a frown. “What the hell are you doing here, Kendra? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, Mom.” She should definitely have called ahead, Kendra thought ruefully. Her mother was a highly regarded professor at UC San Diego, and she was as busy as Kendra with her classes and extracurricular activities. It was a miracle that she’d even caught her at home. “I was in the neighborhood and I thought I’d take a chance on you being here. Want to give me a cup of tea?” She smiled as she looked her mother up and down. Dr. Deanna Michaels was barefoot and wearing tights and a black exercise tank that made her look vigorous and youthful and more like Kendra’s sister than her mother. “No classes today?”

  “One at eight this evening.” She was still frowning. “You’re never in the neighborhood unless you plan to be. And you always call me.”

  “Does that mean I can’t come in?” Kendra asked solemnly. “Did I interrupt something … interesting? You don’t look as if you’re dressed to receive masculine company.”

  “I was on my Pilates machine.” She opened the door wider. “But I guess I can spare the time to give you a cup of tea.” She looked over her shoulder with a grin. “And haven’t I taught you never to take anything for granted? In this day and age a gymnasium can be as exciting as any bedroom. But as it happens, I prefer to compartmentalize.” She padded barefoot to her library, which was the center of her living space. It was also Kendra’s favorite space in her mother’s house. The stucco bungalow was barely medium sized with a red-tiled roof and appeared vaguely Spanish to blend with the other houses in the neighborhood. Deanna had bought it because the gardens surrounding it were overflowing with fragrant flowers. But she’d made the interior completely different, and it might have been mistaken for an English country house. And this room had always been special to Kendra. She had known every inch of it by heart. Bookshelves filled with leather-bound books, a stone fireplace, French doors that led out to a charming small verandah. Over the years this had been a library filled with students, professors, celebrity guest lecturers, and all of them had been perfectly at home here. Because Deanna’s charm and enthusiasm had drawn them to her and made them feel as if this was their home. “I like this room.”

  “I know you do.” Her mother was standing at the serving cabinet choosing which tea to put in the beautifully craf
ted Yixing teapot. “You always did. Even when you were blind, you always liked to feel the leather covers of the books in your hands. Braille can be wonderful, but it lacks the ambience of a well-worn book.” She put the chosen tea into the pot. “And then there was the feel of the fire, the scent of smoke and wood, and crackle of the burning logs. All very sensory…”

  “Yes.” And Kendra could remember when she was a little girl sitting cuddled with her mother in that leather chair by the fire while she read to her, surrounded by scents and textures and her mother’s soft voice making the stories come alive. Making certain that Kendra didn’t miss one bit of the experience because of the darkness. Memories … “I’m glad you kept the house after I left home. I thought you might find it more convenient to move closer to the university once I was off your hands.”

  “Why on Earth would I do that? This is my home. Convenience doesn’t replace what I have here.” She was pouring hot water from the electric tea kettle over the tea. “I’ll never get rid of it.” She slanted Kendra a smile. “I can’t tell when you might be in the neighborhood and want to drop in for a cup of tea. One must provide for the needs of one’s daughter.”

  “You always did.” Kendra dropped down in the chair beside Deanna’s exquisite card table that she’d purchased in an antiques store in London when she’d taken Kendra for her stem cell operation. The top was painted with a landscape of an old castle surrounded by flowers that were blowing in the wind. Her mother had usually been careful to make certain any furniture she chose had carving or raised art work, but she’d deliberately not done it on that trip. She’d told Kendra that wasn’t going to be necessary any longer, that she had faith that the operation would work and Kendra would be able to see. But Kendra must also have faith.

  And so it had come to be. Kendra’s index finger gently outlined the smooth turret of the castle.

  “Wake up, Kendra. Help me with this.” Her mother was standing beside the table with the tray in her hands. “You take the cups.”

  “Sorry.” Kendra quickly took the cups, saucers, and napkins. “You usually like to do everything yourself.”

  “Because I do it so well.” Deanna poured the tea. “But I wanted to give you your tea so that you wouldn’t have an excuse to avoid my questions.” She sat down opposite Kendra. “Now tell me why you’re here. What’s wrong?”

  “What a suspicious woman you are.” She lifted her cup to her lips. Lychee Black from Ceylon, she identified as the scent swept over her. Her mother knew she’d always loved it. “Why would you think that?”

  “You didn’t happen to be in the neighborhood. Your car wasn’t out front. Who brought you?”

  “Lynch dropped me off.”

  “Lynch?” Deanna went still. “You haven’t seen him for a while. Why now?”

  “Why not?” She shrugged. “He was teaching me some martial arts moves. No one’s better at that than Lynch.”

  “I’m certain that no one is better at making any kind of moves on you than Lynch,” her mother said dryly. “As you know, my attitude toward him is ambivalent. He’s a very dangerous man. His only saving grace is that there are times when that’s been a plus where you were concerned. Why didn’t you invite him in? I wouldn’t have bitten him.”

  “I didn’t feel like it.” She took a sip of her tea. “Lynch tends to dominate and for once I wanted to relax here with you. I’ll take a Lyft back to my condo. Now tell me what you’ve been doing.”

  “After you tell me what you’ve been doing,” Deanna said. She was gazing at her probingly. “Other than karate moves. A new case? Interesting?”

  Kendra nodded slowly. “It’s hard to tell. But you might say that it had my name on it. The victim was trying to reach me when she was killed.”

  Deanna frowned again. “I don’t like that.”

  “Neither do I. That’s why I’m involved.” She changed the subject. “But let’s not talk about that. Let me tell you about the breakthrough with my autistic kids this afternoon…”

  Yes, talk about triumphs and hope and remember all the joys that she had experienced with her mother through the years. No one could have been a stronger or more loving mother than Deanna. Kendra wanted to reach out, touch her, and relive those years that had bound them together in the darkness and in the light.

  As Elena Meyer must have felt when she’d left her parents that last time.

  And, like Elena, before Kendra walked out that door today she was going to take her mother in her arms and hold her very, very tight …

  * * *

  THE SUN WAS GOING DOWN when Kendra left her mother’s house and got into the Lyft car that would take her back to her condo. She tried to settle back and relax but that wasn’t going to happen. Olivia was right, she was always on edge when she was on a case. The only respite she’d had was working with her kids today. Being with her mom had been good, but even with her, Kendra had been aware of a constant wariness. Forget it. She was going home. She’d take a hot shower and maybe that would help her unwind. However, she was only half way home before her phone rang.

  Lynch.

  “I’m on my way home, Lynch,” she said as she accessed the call. “I told you I didn’t need you to pick me up. It’s not as if I can’t take care of myself.”

  “Don’t shoot the messenger. I’d never interfere with your personal space … well, almost never. I just received a call from Deanna and she raked me over the coals. Evidently you were too uncommunicative about this case for her taste. By the time she got through with me, she knew everything that you’d been dodging all afternoon.”

  Kendra muttered a curse. “And you had to spill every detail. You told me once you had to withstand torture on some of your jobs for Justice. And you couldn’t hold out against my mom?”

  “I could. But that would make my relationship with her harder. I’m already walking on eggshells around her. I have to pick my battles.” He paused. “Besides, I took the heat off you. She would have kept digging until she had the entire story. Now she does and she believes she’s done as much as she can toward solving the problem.”

  “Just by putting you through a third degree?” she asked warily.

  “No, by giving me orders that I’m to make certain that nothing of which she would not approve happens to you. I humbly acceded to all demands.” He chuckled. “She really is remarkable, isn’t she?”

  “Of course she is,” she said tartly. “She took care of a special child and made every day of my life an adventure. That takes more guts and ingenuity than you can dream.”

  “And she’s still trying to take care of that special child,” Lynch said quietly. “I don’t mind being appointed deputy, Kendra.”

  “Well, I do mind. I’m sorry she went after you with guns blazing. I didn’t handle it well.”

  “I’m not sorry. I regard it as an opportunity. By the time we have this case sorted out, Deanna will be considering me not only an asset but totally irreplaceable.” He paused. “And we both know that you weren’t thinking of anything but what happened at that medical examiner’s office today. That’s why I didn’t ask you any questions when you asked me to drop you off.” He added teasingly, “I looked upon it as you going back to the womb.”

  “Ugh. What a disgusting observation. And Mom would definitely give you a failing grade if she heard it.”

  “I can take it. Now, get something to eat and go to bed. Deanna said she only gave you tea while you were with her.”

  “And are you also in charge of nutrition?”

  “I believe that may be included under the deputy bylaws. We’ll discuss it when I pick you up in the morning. Goodnight, Kendra.” He cut the connection.

  She slipped her phone back in her pocket. She should have known that Deanna would make a move as soon as she had left the house. Her mother was too intelligent not to realize that Kendra was upset and did not wish to discuss the reason. So she had spent the hours in casual conversation and let Kendra relax and have that time she needed. She had
probably been plotting and planning all afternoon what her next course of action would be.

  And she had settled on Lynch.

  There was no use confronting her mother directly. It would only cause a brouhaha; Deanna had already made her play and would not back down. Lynch would probably not either since he had made up his mind there would be some benefit to him.

  So she would just ignore both of them and go her own way. Let them plot and scheme all they pleased. She was still the “special” individual her mother had loved and nurtured all these years, but she was no longer a child. They would have to learn that a woman could be just as special and also run her own life.

  But taking a suggestion or two would do no harm.

  Because she suddenly realized she was perfectly ravenous. As soon as she got back to the condo, she would go rummage in the kitchen and see what she could raid in the refrigerator.

  * * *

  SHE CLIMBED OUT OF THE Lyft car with her house keys in her hand only a short time later. She quickly strode the short distance from the curb to the building’s vestibule and front door.

  But her path was suddenly crossed by a French bulldog on a leash, cutting her off. An elderly woman was walking the animal and as she moved past, the leash’s retractable cord sliced across Kendra’s hand.

  “Ow!” Kendra stepped back, but the woman continued briskly on her way. Rude, Kendra thought with annoyance. She was all for age having privileges, but the woman should also realize she still had responsibilities. That leash had stung. Kendra looked at her wrist. There was a red line, and after a few seconds she realized the skin had been broken.

  Dammit! Kendra looked down the street to call after her.

  The woman and her dog were gone.

  Where in the hell had they—?

  Kendra’s mouth went dry and her eyes stung.