“But it wasn’t.” Kendra pushed her away and smiled at her. “And now we’ve put the bad guys down and saved the school we both love. It’s all good, Olivia.”
“Is it? We’ll see.” She grimaced. “At least, you did one thing right. You didn’t let them hurt my dog.”
“I can’t take the credit. He was phenomenal. Your dog helped save the day.” She tilted her head. “And do you realize these days you always refer to him as your dog?”
“Of course I do.” She bent down and caressed Harley’s head. “But it’s not because you conned me into accepting him as a service dog. I’d get along just fine without him. It’s just that I realized no one else is capable of training and taking care of him. He’s an extraordinary dog and it takes an extraordinary person to bring out his fine points. So we’ll hang out together unless he runs into someone else who can do it better than I can.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Kendra said solemnly. “Does that mean I don’t have to take care of him at night any longer?”
“You didn’t do a great job anyway. He was beginning to have a discipline problem.”
“I won’t even address that charge.” She moved toward her car. “But in gratitude for sparing me, I’ll take the two of you back to your condo and let you bad-mouth me to Jessie.” She gazed at the burning embers of the helicopter lighting Lynch’s face as he talked to Griffin while they walked toward the administration building. Listening. Intent. Absorbed. She paused for a moment, feeling a little lonely that she wasn’t there with him after all they’d gone through together. What foolishness. She opened the driver’s door. “It’s all good,” she repeated. “But now I’m very tired and all I want is sleep. Everything else can wait until tomorrow. I’m just glad it’s all over…”
* * *
Allison’s Office
Next Day
“I came to return your books.” Kendra handed Allison the four volumes she’d borrowed. “They came in very handy, as you’ve probably heard.”
“Everyone on the planet has heard,” Allison said dryly. “The story’s been blasting from every TV in the civilized world.” She added sourly, “Unfortunately.”
“I agree. The reporters have been all over the property and there wasn’t anyone here to stop them but the FBI.” Kendra made a face. “And they even tried to take their photos, too. I’m glad you’re back to take control.”
“I’m not,” Allison said curtly. “I’m just here to pack up my belongings and bring the accountants up here to settle any wage disputes the employees might have for their termination.”
“Termination?” Kendra’s eyes widened. “You’re closing down? But Dietrich’s been killed. That tunnel will be sealed again. Everything can go back to normal now.”
“I’m not closing it. Maxine Rydell has withdrawn her support and that means she’s closing it. We won’t be able to pay the bills after the next thirty days.”
“Then talk her out of it,” Kendra said desperately. “Persuade her how wrong that would be for the kids.”
“I tried, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“Then go out and get other supporters.”
“That all sounds so easy,” Allison said wearily. “We’re dealing in charity here, Kendra. You can’t be that naive. Or maybe you can, you’ve always been too idealistic.” She leaned back in her chair. “I can’t really blame her for withdrawing her support. Donors always want their dollars to be spent on crystal-clean projects of which they can be proud. There have been murders and thefts and even hints of drug use here at Woodward during the last weeks. And last night was pure chaos. Any money contributed here would be considered tainted. It would be a joke to expect anyone to contribute.” She added bitterly, “And we would be the joke if we asked them.”
“It’s no joke,” Kendra said fiercely. “How can you say that? It’s no joke to those kids. No one knows better than you how much they were given and how much would be taken away if we let them be cheated like this. That son of a bitch, Dietrich, would win if we let that happen.”
“Do you think I want it to happen?” Allison asked. “I just don’t know how to stop it. I’ll try and keep on trying, but it’s not going to do any good.”
“Yes, it will. Don’t say that. We just have to figure out how to do it. Just give me a little time and I’ll…” She had to stop a moment as her voice