shoes, though, are spotless. And unless he’s in a crime scene, I know for a fact that he’s not too careful where he walks. He strides through the world as if he owns it. Even before I caught a whiff of your scent, I figured he came from someplace else this morning.”
“Impressive,” Eve murmured.
“What else? Oh, yes, your profession.” Kendra walked over to Eve, took her hands, and spread her palms open. “You have faint stains on both of your hands. Dye from a polymer-based sculpting clay.”
“How do you know I’m not a rising star of the art world?”
Kendra studied Eve’s hands for a moment longer with an intensity that was vaguely unsettling to Eve. She was a private person, and she didn’t like feeling this transparent to another individual. What else was this woman going to find out about her? Yet she couldn’t deny that the revelations were totally fascinating. And so was Kendra Michaels.
“At first glance, I considered the possibility,” Kendra said. “But I rejected it when I saw that you almost exclusively use flesh-colored clay. That fact tilts the scales quite a bit. But I also noticed the tiny callused nubs, on each hand near the tips of your thumb and forefinger. Too small for pen, stylus, or almost any other tool. But just the right size and placement for those spherical-headed spacer pins you’d use in facial reconstruction. I once worked a case with a forensic sculptor here in San Diego whose hands looked very similar, Patrick Chicoin.”
“I’ve met him,” Eve said. “He’s very good.”
“So I’ve been told.” Kendra dropped Eve’s hands and her gaze slid away from her. “That’s all. We’re done.”
Eve stiffened. “No, we’re not. There’s something else besides calluses and clay stains, isn’t there?”
Kendra raised her gaze to Eve’s face. “Yes, sometimes you have to go beyond the purely physical evidence. There’s a darkness inside you that’s visible for anyone to see. It all fits together.” She shrugged. “I didn’t expect you to be perceptive enough to catch that particular nuance. No offense. You asked.”
“Yes, I did.” Eve smiled with an effort. “And I beg to differ. I don’t believe I’m that transparent to everyone. You’re fairly incredible.” She turned to Joe. “You were right.”
“Of course I was.”
“My student will be here any minute,” Kendra said. “I’ve wasted enough time. Will you just leave me to my work?”
Eve turned back to Kendra. “Okay, we’re going. But there’s no way I’ll leave you alone now. You’re amazing, and you can be useful.”
“If I change my mind—and I don’t think I will—I know where to find you.”
“Yes, you do,” Joe said. “How did you know about the Docket Cove Hotel? I stayed there last night, but I know I didn’t tell you.”
Kendra walked across her studio and opened the door for them. “It’s the only hotel in the area that insists on giving their guests those long brass door keys. Some of my clients have stayed there. I’m sure the hotel thinks those keys are more charming than plastic keycards, but they’re much less secure.” She pointed to Joe’s pants pocket. “The key is clipped on your rental-car key ring, which I saw you put away as you walked in here.”
Eve smiled faintly. “Now you’re just showing off.”
“Maybe a little.”
Eve stared her directly in the eye. “I can be as determined and stubborn as you are, you know. You’ll get tired of saying no to me. We’ll work it out.” She turned and walked out of the studio before Kendra could answer.
“I feel as if I’ve gone through a tornado.” Joe was chuckling as he fell into step with her as they went out to the car. “Though I should have expected it when I brought two strong women together and set them against each other.”
“And then stepped back and let me handle the battle,” she said dryly. “Why?”
“I thought you had a better chance with her. She was already antagonistic toward me.” He opened the car door for her. “And you did well.”
“Sparks. Lots of sparks.” She added thoughtfully, “But she’s astonishing. She could help us, Joe.”
“That’s what I told you. And that was a minor demonstration. I’ve seen her do things that were positively stunning.”
“And she’ll be difficult.” She gestured impatiently. “But that doesn’t matter. You’re right, Joe, she’s worth it.” She looked back at the studio. “Look, we have some time. I’m going to go to the hotel to shower and wash my hair. Then we’ll—stop laughing, Joe.”