“Dr. Fallon, one can’t get a photograph from an analysis of . . .”
Diane shot a look at Scott. She had learned to tell them apart without noticing what color shirts they had on—Hector, the older one, always wore a shirt with a color of higher wavelength than Scott. Of course, their names on their lab coats helped.
“She’s speaking in hyperbole,” said Hector.
“Oh,” said Scott.
Diane looked back at Jin. “I want a complete genetic profile,” she said. She encompassed both David and Jin with her gaze. “And I want it three days ago.”
“Wow,” said Jin. “Whose glass is this?”
“That is what you are going to tell me,” she said, and stood up, still unconsciously drumming her fingers on the table. “I have to get back to the museum. Is everything running smoothly here?”
“Slick as can be,” said David.
“Izzy, I left my SUV in the impound lot,” she said.
“We saw it when we came in,” he said. “Did you have an accident?”
“Not exactly,” said Diane. “When you have time, I need you to have a look at the paint traces I collected. I locked them in the vault. I would also like you to check it from bumper to bumper and see if I missed anything that could be used to find the truck that hit me.”
“A couple of things,” said Izzy. “You know, you told these guys you wanted the information ASAP. And you asked me to do it when I can get to it. I’m feeling kind of left out of the drama here.”
“What’s the other thing?” said Diane.
“You said you didn’t exactly have an accident, but your SUV says otherwise, and it looks like you’re trying to identify a hit-and-run driver,” he said.
“The damage was done on purpose,” she said.
“Something’s happened,” said David.
“Yes, but I really don’t want to talk about it right now. I’ll tell you later.” Diane thanked them and turned to go. After a few steps she turned back to Hector and Scott.
“Have you gotten a call yet from Dr. Webber?” she asked.
“Yes,” they said together; then Scott deferred to Hector.
“She will be starting late this afternoon. We’re going to join her. She said there will be four bodies and it will take a couple of days,” he said.
Diane nodded. “Spence Barre must have gotten the Watsons’ children to give permission. That’s good,” she said, more to herself than to them.
“How about we all have an early dinner in the restaurant,” said David. “I’ll have information for you then.”
“Sure,” she said, nodding. She gave them a small smile. “Thanks. I really do appreciate the work you do.”
“We know,” said David.
“It’s always so exciting,” said Scott.
“I’d like to be able to tone down the excitement,” she said as she headed for the door.
Diane went back to her museum office, hoping Andie had brought her new beau to introduce him, and half dreading such a meeting. But Andie wasn’t in the office when she got there. There was a note from her saying she was having a meeting with the exhibit designers. Diane called to make sure.
“Hi, Dr. Fallon,” said Andie’s voice, and Diane’s heart stopped pumping so hard.
“How are you?” she said, and immediately knew she sounded rather stupid. “Did you have a good time yesterday?” she added.
“We had a great time,” she said in a low voice, and Diane realized she was still in her meeting.
“Come by the office when you’re finished,” said Diane.
That must have sounded rather strange too. Of course Andie would come by the office when she finished. Diane sat down at her desk to get some work done, but her mind was too filled with the stranger and what he was up to. She had a mind to go find him. She could go to Security and take a look at the monitors to try to locate him in the museum.
No, she would speak with Andie first. Diane dreaded it. Andie probably wouldn’t be receptive to any caution Diane might offer about him. In fact, she would see him as heroic. After all, he wasn’t guilty of anything at the moment, except coming to Diane’s aid.
She was still deep in thought when someone knocked on her door. It opened and Neva and Mike walked in carrying a flat package.
Chapter 32
Neva was another member of Diane’s forensic team. She was sent to Diane from the Rosewood Police Department. A reluctant assignment for the young policewoman at first, but one Neva had grown into. When Diane discovered that Neva possessed considerable artistic