“A total waste.” Lynch was suddenly beside her on the couch, pulling her into his arms. “Salazar should have told him to go screw himself.”

“He couldn’t do that.” Her voice was muffled against his shoulder. “Don’t you know we have a merciful justice system even to those who don’t know the meaning of mercy?” She should push him away, but she wasn’t going to do it. She needed his strength right now. “Salazar had to go by the rules. I’m the only one who could say no to Colby. I didn’t do it.”

“I hate to say I told you so. But if I don’t, you might ignore my sage advice again.”

“Bastard.”

“All Colby wanted to do was taunt you, to get his final jab before he bowed out.”

“Maybe. I don’t know. I guess that was what he wanted. He’s crazy, and he’s obsessed with me. He kept talking about the gully … But he didn’t really do anything but reminisce and—you heard him.”

“Yes, I heard him.” His arms tightened around her. “I wanted to kill him. I didn’t want him to have even twenty-four hours more of life.”

“Neither did I,” she whispered. “I know that I couldn’t be safer with him shut away in that prison, but he frightens me. He’s always frightened me. Do you know, it’s said everyone has a nemesis. If that’s true, Colby is mine.”

“Not true. A nemesis is unconquerable. You’ve conquered Colby.”

“Have I? He doesn’t think so.”

Lynch cursed low and fluently. “That’s because he’s trying to use Myatt against you in some way. It won’t do him any good. We’ll get Myatt soon, and Colby will die tomorrow night. No more nemesis.”

“I can almost believe you.”

“Dammit, don’t give me that almost bullshit. Believe me.”

“Yes, sir.” She laughed and pushed him away. “And you’re right, I’m being an idiot. Colby seems to have that effect on me. Thanks for the comforting shoulder to lean on. I seem to be using it ad nauseum. I’ll watch it from now on.”

“How disappointing.” He grinned. “I’m beginning to look on it as a fringe benefit of working with you.”

She could feel her pulse begin to pound, and she hurriedly looked away from him. “That would be exceptionally humiliating for me. I’d hate for anyone to think I was that weak.” She got to her feet. “And now it’s time for me to get to bed.”

His brows rose. “Is it?”

She felt the heat sting her cheeks at the subtle sexual intimation. Ridiculous … and immature. “Yes, it’s going to take me a long time to get to sleep after that damn Skype call. Tomorrow, we’ve got to hit the ground running.”

“You’re sure you wouldn’t like me to come and—” He shook his head as he saw her expression. “Just offering comfort, nothing else. I’ve officially appointed myself guardian against all nemeses attacking you.”

“Yeah, sure. You could be a pretty rough nemesis yourself. Thanks anyway.” She looked up at the poster of Ashley. “And I’m sure she wouldn’t approve. Good-night, Lynch.”

“Good-night, Kendra.” He got to his feet as she left the room. He glanced up at the Ashley poster, and murmured, “And good-night, Ashley. I’m beginning to think I may have to do something about you…”

*   *   *

SHE COULDN’T SLEEP, DAMMIT.

As Kendra had told Lynch, she had known that it would be a lost cause.

After two hours, she gave it up and went out on the balcony for air.

It was only eleven thirty, she realized with surprise. It was going to be a long night. She supposed she could work on her files. It was better than sitting around thinking about Colby.

Or Myatt. He was the threat.

Which reminded her that she hadn’t heard from her mother since early this morning.

Call her? Why not? She was a night owl and never got to sleep before one or two.

Besides she wanted to hear her voice. She wanted to hear sanity and intelligence and goodness. She wouldn’t dump on her, but she just wanted to know that those qualities survived because Diane was in the world.

Diane answered the phone in two rings. “What’s wrong?”

Oh, shit. “Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you. How is everything there?”

“Boring. Olivia has been working on her computer all day and that FBI person, Nelson, has been drifting around being solemn. He tries not to be obvious, but I think he has a thing for Olivia.”

“Very observant.”

“But I’m not sure about Olivia. I’ve never really been able to read her. Even as a child, she was something of an enigma.”

“Not to me.”

“She was your best friend. She kept me at a distance.”

“But you liked her.”

“That doesn’t mean I understood her.”

Kendra changed the subject. “Is everything quiet up there?”

“As far as I know. Tad Martlin, that Special Forces friend of Lynch’s, came by today and introduced himself and gave me his cell-phone number. Very polite. Cold eyes. I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side. Lynch chose well. But then he knows about things like that, doesn’t he?”

“In spades. He knows about a lot of things.”

Her mother was silent. “But evidently he doesn’t know how to keep you from worrying and feeling bad.” She repeated, “What’s wrong?”

So much for trying not to dump her troubles on her mother. Diane wasn’t about to give up. She sighed. “Colby. I had to talk to him today, and I’m having trouble shaking it off.”

“I can imagine. He dies tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” She said grimly, “I’m tempted to go up to San Quentin and watch it happen. I remember when you had to deal with that monster. It nearly killed you.”

“It was a pretty terrible time.”

“But you fought your way through, like you always do. You wouldn’t talk about it, but you were strong, and I was proud of you.” She paused. “As I’m proud of you now. Maybe I don’t tell you that enough. I couldn’t have a daughter I respect more or that is more deserving of love.”

“Hey.” Kendra had to swallow to clear her tight throat. “I didn’t call you to hear that, but I’ll take it.”

“You called me because you knew that I’d fight the battles that you’d never think of asking me to fight. You called me because I always understand you even though I don’t always approve.” She added, “And you called me because you know I’m here to heal your wounds. It’s my job and my privilege.” She went on brusquely, “Now that we’ve got that settled, do you want to hang up and try to go to sleep, or shall we talk?”

“Talk, please.”

“Okay, but nothing to do with that son of a bitch at San Quentin or why I’m stuck up here on this mountaintop. Instead, I’ll tell you about my weird ultraliberal class at the university and some of the stories that Dean told me about his time in the service. He really has a unique sense of humor and I enjoy…”

*   *   *

IT WAS MORE THAN FORTY MINUTES LATER that Diane hung up the phone after talking to Kendra.

It had been good to hear her voice, she thought, but she didn’t like the fact that Colby had been able to put Kendra on edge. She’d be glad when the bastard was dead and permanently out of all their lives.

She stared out at the moonlight shimmering on the forest below. But even with Colby dead, there would always be another killer, another case, putting Kendra at risk. Like this Myatt who had thrown her and Olivia together on the top of this damn cliff. No matter how much she tried to persuade Kendra it was going to be a—

“Was that Kendra?”

She glanced at the French doors and saw Olivia standing there. Dressed in a high-fashion striped-silk turquoise caftan, she looked like an exotic Asian princess. “Yes. Nothing was wrong. Just chitchat. Come and sit down. The chair is six feet forward and two feet to your left.”

“I know.” She glided forward. “It was kind of you to show me where everything was located, but I have it now. As long as you leave everything in place, I’ll be fine.” She dropped down in the rattan chair. “I may not be as good as Kendra was before she had her operation, but I’m very, very good. And I’ve had more time than Kendra to practice. She had a miracle that interfered.”