Dead Guilty

now. I’ll call again and we’ll talk some more.’’
Diane’s gaze eased around the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary, anyone leaving, some thing out of place. Everything looked right.
Mike returned a minute later, still wide-eyed, but with a serious look on his face. ‘‘That was . . . you were actually talking to the killer?’’
‘‘I don’t know. Were you able to get hold of Chief Garnett?’’
‘‘Yes. He said he’d get on it.’’
Diane wasn’t sure, but unless they were already on it they would miss the opportunity. Surely, they in cluded her cell in the surveillance.
‘‘What did the guy want?’’ asked Mike.
‘‘I think he wanted me to tell him he was right.’’
‘‘See, that’s why I’m attracted to you.’’
‘‘Mike, explain that to me. I confess, I don’t under stand why.’’
‘‘It came as a surprise to me too, I’m not usually attracted to older women. But you’re... interesting.’’
‘‘Interesting?’’
‘‘Yeah. Smart—not just intelligent, but clever. You’re adventurous, you do things, map caves, solve crimes—nothing scares you.’’
‘‘Lots of things scare me.’’
‘‘Maybe, but you have it under control. Like just now when that guy called. You were so calm.’’ He grinned a boyish grin that deepened his dimples. ‘‘You look good, too. So how about it—will you go out with me again?’’
‘‘Again? This is not going out. It’s eating together at the museum. And no, I can’t go out with you. We can go caving together, but we can’t date.’’
‘‘Why?’’
‘‘Three reasons. I’m dating someone else, I’m your boss and I’m older than you are—by too many years. Any one of those reasons, for me, is a nonstarter. All three—well, it isn’t going to happen.’’
He put a hand on his chest. ‘‘You’ve broken my heart.’’
‘‘I doubt it. It’s the hunt you like. Besides, the antic ipation is often better than the reality.’’
‘‘You know, for guys that isn’t true.’’
Diane laughed. She had been so tense, all her mus cles were still ready for fight or flight. She relaxed. The release felt good.
The remainder of the meal, Diane asked Mike ques tions about the cave he had arranged for them to visit.
‘‘You say it hasn’t been mapped?’’ That information excited her. She loved cave mapping.
‘‘None of the wild sections have.’’ Mike pushed his plate to the side and tried to talk Diane into dessert.
‘‘You’ve tried to tempt me enough, I think.’’
‘‘We could share.’’
‘‘Definitely not. Who in the caving club has mapping experience?’’ she asked.
‘‘I think most everyone has done a little traversing. If you’re talking serious mapping, you’ve had the most experience. I’ve had some, and there’s Stan. I know several would like to learn.’’
‘‘Maybe that can be one of our goals.’’ Diane pushed her plate back and gave the waitress her credit card as she appeared at the table.
‘‘I’ll get it,’’ said Mike, putting his wallet on the table.
‘‘No. I appreciate the information on the diamonds.’’
‘‘Then let me leave the tip.’’ He fished out several bills and left them under his tea glass. ‘‘If you can get the woman to come in, I’ll have a look at her diamond.’’
‘‘I’m not sure how I’d manage that.’’ Diane signed the receipt the waitress brought back, and stood up, retrieving her purse. ‘‘I do appreciate the information, and I’m sorry about the phone call.’’
Mike’s smile disappeared. ‘‘That was strange. Do you think he’s watching you? I’ll walk you to your car.’’
Diane shook her head. ‘‘I’m going to my office first and give Garnett a call. I’ll be fine. I’ve given security a heads-up.’’
They threaded their way through the tables. As they passed the trellis garden, an outdoor part of the res taurant, Diane heard her name called from the dark ness. She turned, peered into the flickering shadows and made out Izzy Wallace. He sat at a small table on the terrace, dressed in slacks and a short-sleeved shirt, across from a woman that Diane guessed was his wife. She tried to recall her name, but she couldn’t remember what Frank said it was.
‘‘Izzy. How are you?’’
He stood and introduced his wife, who nodded and patted her mouth with her napkin.
‘‘We just love this restaurant. Such atmosphere,’’ she said.
‘‘We’re very proud of it. You should come in the