Kendra’s main studio. “We’re on the clock. Let’s get moving.”
Eve followed him into the studio. “By all means.”
“Hello, Quinn.” Kendra looked beyond him to Eve. “Who is she? My appointment was with you.”
“But the job that we’re asking you to do is for her. Eve Duncan, Dr. Kendra Michaels.”
“I’m very glad to meet you,” Eve said. “Joe seems to think that you can help us. I’d be very grateful if you’d try.”
“No, it’s not going to happen,” Kendra said. “Quinn knew the answer before he even brought you here. In our last encounter, he backed me into a corner and manipulated me to get what he wanted. In the end, it was for a good cause, but it’s not going to happen again.”
“You haven’t heard what we want,” Eve said. “And if Joe manipulated you, he had good reason.” She met her gaze. “You must have thought the same thing, or you wouldn’t have allowed it to happen. Joe said you’re tough, but you weren’t tough enough to let a serial killer be free to kill and kill again. I watched you with that little boy, and I don’t think that you’re as hard as you’re pretending. Joe seems to believe you can do what we need, but I have my doubts. It all sounds pretty bizarre. Now listen, and I’ll tell you the situation and what we want from you.”
Kendra held Eve’s gaze for an instant, then she glanced at her watch. “You have twenty minutes. I’ll hear you out but I’m sure my answer won’t change. I’m incredibly busy with my work.”
She wasn’t budging, Eve thought with frustration. “In the end, that’s your decision.” She briefly and concisely outlined Sandra’s story and what they’d found out about the hospital and Beth’s mental impairment and the Avery connection.
Kendra looked at Eve without expression after she’d fallen silent. “That’s everything?”
“Yes.” Eve wasn’t about to bring up the dreams she’d had about Beth running for her life. It would just be another reason for Kendra to refuse. “And it should be enough for you.”
“It’s enough for me to see why you’re so concerned. But you don’t really have much to go on.” She glanced at Joe. “You’re not talking much. I’m surprised you’re leaving it all up to her.”
He smiled at Eve. “She can handle it.”
“Can she?” Her glance shifted back to Eve. “The answer is still no. Sorry.”
Eve felt a rush of irritation mixed with pure anger at the woman’s stubbornness. “Why not, dammit? Listen, we just want you to go with us to the hospital and take a look around. If Joe is right about you, you could be a big help up there, especially if we can manage to see her room. No big deal. It shouldn’t take you long just to try.”
“It would be a day away from my students, and that can seem a lifetime to some of these kids. I’m near a breakthrough with two of them. Justin’s very close.” She added fiercely, “Do you know that he hasn’t smiled or cried in three years? He’s been locked in an emotional vacuum. I’m not going to let him take a step back just because you want me to play your game.”
“Your game,” Joe corrected. “You set the rules, Kendra. Most of the time, I can’t even see through your hijinks to where you’re going.”
“It’s not hijinks. It’s just observation,” Kendra said impatiently. “And I don’t have time for it. I have a passion in life, and it’s the work I do here. I never wanted to play at being a detective. That’s your passion in life, Quinn, not mine.”
Eve was getting impatient. “Joe, this is ridiculous. I refuse to beg her to do something I don’t even have faith she can do. Is she really worth it?”
Joe nodded. “She’s worth it.”
She was silent a moment before turning back to Kendra. “Okay, then you’ve got to do it.”
Kendra’s brows rose. “Really? And how are you going to ensure that?”
“You’ll do it because you have no choice. Everyone responds to their own personal drummer. You may be as tough as Joe says you are, but you did what was right about helping him track down that killer because he struck the right note. You couldn’t stand the thought of helpless children being possible victims. And you have a career that enables you to protect helpless children from their own disabilities.”
“And your point is?”
“You can’t resist fighting for those who are young or helpless, it’s part of your