Dead Hunt

say.’’
‘‘Why was that important?’’ asked Drew. This time he directed his question to Kingsley.
‘‘Because she shows signs of being a serial killer that we know almost nothing about. She appeared seemingly from nowhere and killed in a very calculated fashion. We don’t even know her true identity,’’ Kingsley said. ‘‘We’re searching for clues.’’
‘‘What does that mean?’’ asked Merrick. ‘‘She’s not Clymene O’Riley?’’
‘‘We don’t know who she is. The murder investigation found no record of her existence prior to her marriage to Robert Carthwright—the husband who died in a tragic accident before she married Archer O’Riley,’’ said Kingsley.
The two deputy marshals exchanged worried glances. Diane understood—they just realized the object of their hunt was a lot more sophisticated than they had imagined and their job was going to be much harder than they expected.
‘‘No match on her prints, I assume,’’ said Merrick.
‘‘None,’’ said Diane. ‘‘She was run against every available database.’’
‘‘I see,’’ said Merrick. He looked around the room, then back at Diane. ‘‘Let’s back up for a moment. I’m aware that the crime scene unit is in this building and you are director of the unit. Why are we in the main office of the museum? Do they give you a key?’’ ‘‘Yes, they do,’’ said Diane. ‘‘I’m director here too.’’
Merrick raised his eyebrows. ‘‘We thought you were just having dinner here.’’ He smiled for the first time. ‘‘Is there anything you can tell us that might help us apprehend Clymene O’Riley? Any place she might have mentioned that we could look for her? Any person she might turn to? Do you think she will go to see this guard’’—he looked at his notes—‘‘Grace Tully?’’ He seemed to be asking either of them.
‘‘I don’t know,’’ said Diane.
Kingsley was shaking his head. ‘‘No. I don’t think she would.’’
‘‘Why?’’ asked Drew.
‘‘Because you would think to go there. Clymene is a planner. She’s probably been planning this escape since she was incarcerated and got a good look at her prospects. She already knows where she is running to, and it isn’t anyplace we are likely to know about.’’
‘‘You’re saying she’s smart,’’ said Merrick.
Kingsley nodded. ‘‘Yes. Very high IQ. And very detail oriented. That’s one of the things that makes her so dangerous.’’
‘‘She’s fluent in French and Spanish,’’ said Diane.
‘‘That expands the possibilities,’’ said Drew. ‘‘Anything else?’’
‘‘Yes,’’ said Kingsley. ‘‘I’m guessing she’s a master at disguises.’’
‘‘You guess?’’ said Drew.
‘‘I don’t know very much for sure. It was whatI... we were working on—finding out about her. We believe that Archer O’Riley was not her first victim.’’
The two marshals were quiet for a moment. Diane guessed they were absorbing the information— thinking about their next move.
‘‘You’ve given us some leads to work with,’’ said Merrick. ‘‘We thank you for your time.’’ He put two business cards on the table. ‘‘If you think of anything helpful, call us.’’
They were rising to leave when Drew turned and asked, ‘‘What do you think she will do if she’s cornered?’’
‘‘Give up to fight another day,’’ said Kingsley.
‘‘You don’t think she’ll want to shoot it out?’’ said Merrick.
‘‘No. She would always have the hope of escape, I think. Clymene is very pragmatic,’’ said Kingsley. ‘‘If you do find her, your biggest problem will be to not be seduced by her.’’
‘‘What?’’ said Drew. The two of them gave slight, derisive laughs. ‘‘What do you mean? I’ve seen her mug shot. Not what I’d call a babe.’’
‘‘The mug shot isn’t representative of her looks. But it’s not just her looks. She has a special gift,’’ said Kingsley. ‘‘She knows how to appeal.’’
‘‘What do you do?’’ said Merrick. ‘‘Wear tin foil on your head when you go see her?’’
Diane laughed. Deputy Marshal Chad Merrick had a sense of humor after all.
Kingsley smiled and scratched his head. ‘‘We get special training,’’ he said.
‘‘Sure you do,’’ said Drew.
‘‘If all you have is the mug shot,’’ said Diane, ‘‘the local paper will have photos from the trial.’’
‘‘Have you spoken with Rev. Rivers, the counselor at the