“And does that bother you?” Diane asked quietly.

“Am I jealous? Of course I am. I’m not perfect. But I love Kendra, and I’m happy for her.” She inhaled deeply. “It’s wonderful out here. The pines and the fresh breezes…” She turned to Diane. “I know you’re impatient being here. So am I. But there are a few good things about it.”

“Tell me about them.”

Olivia was silent, then smiled. “I get to have Kendra’s mom to myself for a little while.”

She hadn’t been expecting that answer. “What?”

“Another thing I was jealous about. I always envied Kendra her relationship with you. It’s pretty wonderful, you know. Oh, I had my father, and he loved me, but it was different. Dad’s a high-powered businessman and he has a new wife every few years. Most of the time, he left my care to qualified schools and nannies. Then I met Kendra at school, and everything changed. She became my good friend and invited me home with her. I saw how different it could be to have someone not only in your corner but on hand to back you. You never stopped Kendra from doing anything that she thought she could do, but you were always there for her. And when you did step in for her, everything turned out all right.” She chuckled. “I desperately wanted a Diane of my own.”

“I’m … surprised. You never showed me. You seemed to be so absorbed with Kendra. She was your friend, and sometimes I felt in the way. Around me, you were always very reserved.” She paused. “I tried to be friends with you. Should I have tried harder?”

“No, you were wonderful to me. It wasn’t your fault that I couldn’t be at ease around you.”

“It was my fault. I was the mother of a blind child, and I should have looked beyond her to try to solve the problems of her best friend, who was also blind. I was just so involved with Kendra that everything revolved around her.”

“I know that,” Olivia said. “I’m not giving you a guilt trip, Diane. We worked our way through it, and we’re friends now.” She added softly, “But there’s no true friendship without honesty. I want that for us. I couldn’t be honest with you when I was growing up. I had too many hang-ups.” She made a face. “Not that I don’t now, but my problems and hang-ups don’t have anything to do with you.”

Diane gazed at her for a long moment. “You need some help dealing with them? I’m damn good at solving problems. Even you have to admit that, Olivia.”

“Hell, yes.” Olivia smiled. “But you know that wouldn’t work. We’re both too independent these days.”

“I could be tactful … maybe.” She nodded, thinking. “Sure. Why not? Kendra obviously won’t let me run her life and keep her happy and safe. I have plenty of time and energy to spend on you. Yes, it’s an excellent idea. I’ll take you under my wing, and it will be good for both of us. Think about it, Olivia.”

“I am thinking about it,” Olivia said warily. “And it’s scaring me.”

“Coward. You wanted someone in your corner, here I am.” She smiled. “I may be a little late, but look at all I’ve learned in that time that can benefit you. I’m a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. For instance, I don’t believe you’ve been pursuing medical ways to cure your blindness with enough dedication. I’ve been doing a good bit on my own, but I left it up to you. Maybe I shouldn’t have done—”

“You’ve been searching for a cure for me? I didn’t realize that, Diane.”

“You should have. You’re my daughter’s best friend, aren’t you?”

“Yes. No. I think you’re her best friend, but I come pretty close.”

“The relationship is completely different. She thinks I’m obsessive and possessive.”

“Are you?”

“Of course, but I make every effort to control it. And the love makes it palatable for her. I wouldn’t be that way with you.”

“Good. I’m relieved. Because I’ve no intention of being adopted by you in any shape or form.”

“Don’t be absurd, it wouldn’t be like that. Think about it. I’d be very good for you.” She hesitated. “Besides, I’d enjoy it. I like you.”

“I like you, too,” Olivia said. “But you could smother me.”

“Take the challenge. You’re stronger than that.”

Olivia lifted her chin. “Yes, I am.” She got to her feet and took the three steps to the balcony railing. “I’ll consider it. But don’t be surprised if I don’t agree to be your next pet project.”

“I will be surprised. We have issues to resolve, and this is one way to do it. In the end, we might shape a relationship that will be something extraordinary.”

“Diane, you’re impossible.” Olivia ruefully shook her head. “I took one innocent step, and you’re pulling me willy-nilly down the course to the finish line.”

“And what’s wrong with that? There’s always a prize waiting at the finish line.”

“True.” Olivia was laughing as she turned back to the forest. “But sometimes it’s a booby prize. Did you ever—” She stopped, her head suddenly lifting.

“Olivia?”

“Shh.” Olivia was silent a moment. “Diane, you said that this balcony faces straight out to the forest? That the hillside curves around on either side of us?”

“Right.”

“Then no one could be looking at us unless they’re in the middle of that forest down there. But that’s not likely at this hour.”

Diane straightened in her chair. “No. Why?”

Olivia didn’t speak for another instant. “Someone’s out there. Maybe in the woods. He may not be looking at us but he’s there.”

“Agent Nelson?”

“No, he’s guarding the front of the house.”

“It could be that Tad Martlin, the Special Forces person we met today.”

“Maybe.” She shook her head. “But I don’t think so.”

“You heard something?”

“No. Or maybe I did. I can’t be sure.” She tilted her head, listening. “I have very good hearing. Not as good as Kendra, and I can’t put things together like she can.” She looked out into the darkness. “I don’t think I heard him. I feel him.” She moistened her lips. “And it’s not a good feeling. Bad … it’s bad.”

Diane jumped to her feet. “Then let’s do something about it.” She grabbed Olivia’s arm and pulled her toward the French doors. “I doubt if anyone could get on this balcony, but we won’t take a chance.” She whisked her inside and locked the doors. “Call Agent Nelson and have him come inside. I’ll phone Tad Martlin and tell him to scour the woods on either side of the house.” She reached for her phone. “We’ll take care of it.”

Olivia was looking at her. “It’s only a feeling. I have no proof, Diane.”

“There’s always a theory before there’s proof. And some theories are based on feelings. As a blind woman, your instincts are finely tuned,” she said as she checked the number and started to dial. “So we won’t discount them. I’m in your corner, and we’re fighting this together. Now go call Agent Nelson and we’ll check it all out.”

CHAPTER

12

San Diego

9:05 A.M.

LYNCH FELT THE TENSION GRIP him as he saw the ID on his phone. Tad Martlin.

Not good.

He punched the access. “What’s the problem?”

“Nothing that I can tell. Diane Michaels called both of us late last night and told us to scour through the woods around the house.”

“She heard something?”

“No, she said Olivia sensed something.”

“Sensed?”

“That’s what she said.” Martlin paused. “And I’m not ridiculing her. You and I both know that instinct is a valuable tool. But no one can testify to accuracy.”

“What did you find?”

“Nothing last night. I went out this morning when it got light, and I still saw no footprints or marks of passing. If someone was out there, they were very woods-savvy.”

“What did you tell Kendra’s mother?”

“The same thing I’m telling you. She’s sharp, and she deserves the truth. What’s more, she can handle it. She accepted my report and asked only two things. One, that I keep alert and assume there was someone out there last night. Two, that I not tell her daughter that there was a possible problem. Since it didn’t pan out, she didn’t want her worried.”