to know about Woodward Academy. But I didn’t know any of the details about the cliff path because it was considered too dangerous for the students to go up there. That means there might be other things about the school that Dietrich knows but I don’t. There are several classroom outbuildings, and the chapel, and the greenhouse Mr. Kim used in the winter. Probably a few others that were built after I left. Dietrich probably knows all about all of them in detail.” She pulled up the page on Woodward Academy. “I’ll find out everything I can on the computer and then when the school opens, I’ll go to the library and ask Allison to get me more details.” She made a shooing motion with her hand. “Go. Talk to Jessie.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His lips were quirking as he opened the door. “And it will be the very first question…”
* * *
Lynch called Kendra thirty minutes later. “I’m still in my car, but I phoned Jessie to get your answer. You see how obedient I’m being? Jessie found out quite a bit about him. She thinks that he’s the one who rented the room where Hayes was killed as well as another room for himself in another wing. But no one has seen him since he blew Hayes away, and Jessie thinks the chances are that he’s done with the Pacific Arms. She’ll keep checking, but she’s looking for other leads.”
“You still haven’t told me how long Dietrich has been here.”
“I was getting to it. From what she can gather, Jessie thinks at least eight weeks.” He paused. “And that means a man as sharp and accustomed to research as Dietrich would have had time to practically memorize the entire property.”
Kendra muttered a curse. “And that’s probably what he did. Which means I’ll be on my way to see Allison first thing this morning.”
“Not finding anything on the computer?”
“Not much. I’m going to go to another site after this and keep trying. But the library at the school will have much more, and I vaguely remember seeing some reference books on the shelves in Allison’s office.”
“Then we’ll go to the school.” He added emphatically, “You notice I used the plural. After your lecture on Dietrich’s knowledge of the place, I’m not about to let you go up there alone. I’ll be unobtrusive, but I’ll be there, Kendra.”
“I’m not arguing. I’ve been thinking about the school—it can be like a rabbit warren. It might be comforting to have someone handy to negotiate all the twists and turns with me.”
“Haven’t you heard I’m famous for my ability with twists and turns? I’ll pick you up in the morning and tell you if I find out anything else from Jessie. Try to at least get a nap tonight.”
She ruefully shook her head as he hung up.
She’d had her nap for the night before Dietrich’s call. There wasn’t any way she could relax enough again after he’d tossed abuse and threats at her. Admit it, there had also been an element of fear. She’d felt as if everything was escalating at top speed and she couldn’t stop it.
But all that negative bullshit had also brought a positive result. It had made her think and move and start to put facts together, and that was always a good thing.
She just had to keep on doing it.
She changed to a San Diego historical website and typed: Building and construction of Woodward Academy.
* * *
10:15 A.M.
Woodward Academy
Office Reception Area
“I’m in a hurry, Kendra,” Allison said impatiently. “I don’t have time for this. I shouldn’t even be here talking to you. I not only have to greet and apologize to every parent picking up their child, I have to beg them to return when we can assure them it’s safe.”
“I won’t keep you long. I know it’s inconvenient now that you’re temporarily closing the school.” She met her eyes across the desk. “But I’m glad you’re doing it. Get everyone out of here as fast as you can. Then you go, too.” She smiled with an effort. “I know you’re like the captain staying with a sinking ship until the last minute. But don’t let it be the very last minute, and make sure you have someone with you until you drive out the gates. This man is dangerous, he’s unpredictable, and he knows this academy very well.”
“You mean it.” Allison’s impatience vanished as she stared at Kendra. “Actually, I’m sure every captain prefers to get off his ship