Until Dark - Mariah Stewart [102]
“Nothing’s wrong,” the man replied, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, “but I promised Miss Brennan that I’d let you know that she called earlier, looking for you.”
“Selena called?” Her face brightened.
“Yes. I’m sorry, I called around, but I guess you didn’t hear me.” The young man lowered his eyes apologetically. He was so soft-spoken that Kendra had to strain to hear him.
“Did she leave a message?”
“Yes. She said to tell you that she got your message, but that she was tied up this afternoon. She asked me to tell you that she’d meet you at your house around five.”
Kendra looked at her watch. It was four-thirty.
“Well, then, I guess I’d better get moving. Thanks. Peter, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Peter.” She started in the direction of her car, then stopped and turned back. “Will you tell Father Tim that I stopped by? Henry said he was in a meeting this afternoon.”
“Sure thing.” Peter nodded from the doorway, then waved as the Subaru made a U-turn.
“Thanks again,” Kendra called as she drove past.
“The pleasure was all mine,” he said softly.
* * *
The yellow crime scene tape still marked the back porch and almost seemed to glow in the last bit of daylight. Several cars remained in the drive when Kendra and Will arrived, though Selena’s was not one of them, and it appeared that most of the investigators were heading in the direction of the cars or packing equipment in the back of the vans.
“Looks like they may be wrapping up,” Will said as they got out of the car. “Want to wait here?”
“Sure,” she shrugged and leaned back against the car.
Will approached the small gathering of officers and agents who were still chatting in a loose group. Kendra hoped that her new “guardian” was among them. Though he’d been patient all afternoon while she had found useful means of passing the time, Kendra sensed that Will was anxious to get back to check on Miranda’s progress.
She glanced at her watch and realized it was a little after five. Selena should be there any time now. Surely she’d be all right for a few minutes alone so that Will could get a ride back to the hospital with one of his fellow agents. She was just debating this when she looked up and saw a man in a dark suit and dark glasses approaching, his hair closely cropped into a dark crew cut.
“Hi,” he called to her. “Kendra Smith?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “Are you my new bodyguard?”
“I am,” he nodded, touching a finger to his mustache.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she smiled back. “I was just thinking that maybe I should try to talk Agent Fletcher into leaving, that I could wait alone. I think he’s in a hurry.”
“Not a good idea.” The man shook his head. “But it doesn’t matter, does it, since I’m here now.”
“Kendra,” Will called out as he walked toward them.
“It’s okay, Will, you can go,” Kendra called back.
“Joe Clark?” Will asked as he drew closer.
“Yes.” The newcomer held out his hand.
“Just in the nick of time.” Will shook the hand that was offered. To Kendra, he said, even as he backed away, “I’m getting a ride back with one of the others. You have my cell phone number—it’s on the card I gave you—so feel free to call if you need anything.”
“I won’t. I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “Now go. Everyone’s ready to leave. Give Miranda my love.”
“Will do,” he called back as he hurried across the drive to a waiting car. “Clark, good to meet you.”
“Am I allowed to go into the house?” Kendra asked Agent Clark. “I’d like to get a few things to take to Selena’s.”
“They’re done now.” The agent nodded agreeably. “They won’t be back. Go on in, get whatever you need. I’ll wait out here for you.”
“I won’t be a minute,” she told him as she turned for the house, noticing for the first time that he wore brown shoes. He must be new, she thought to herself. Most of the agents she knew dressed pretty well, and probably wouldn’t wear brown shoes with a black suit. Old brown shoes at that.
“Take your time,” he smiled and strolled down toward the stream.
The fashion eccentricities of her new companion forgotten, Kendra entered the back of the