Dead Hunt

mummy,
its case, and a collection of amulets that were probably
wrapped with him. It looks like a bigger exhibit because of the things we added to it, like the life-size
reconstruction Neva did of the mummy sitting crosslegged in the middle of the room, the dioramas with
models of Egyptian houses and pyramids, the computer three-D graphics of tombs and temples, the cubicles with computer tutorials on ancient Egypt. There’s
a lot to look at, but not a huge collection of antiquities.’’
‘‘Curious,’’ said Frank. ‘‘Neither problem makes
sense—the antiquities or your apartment.’’
‘‘No, and that’s why I need to get back to the museum and the crime lab. I need to know what my crew
found,’’ she said.
Frank stood and pulled Diane up with him. ‘‘It
won’t hurt you to wait a couple of hours. Take a nap.
You’ll think better after you’ve rested—and eaten
something. I’ll bet you haven’t eaten anything all
day.’’
She hadn’t, and until he mentioned it she didn’t
realize she was hungry. They went into the kitchen
and Frank made bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches. No one made BLTs like Frank—the bacon
was always crisp, the lettuce always fresh, and the tomatoes always vine ripened.
‘‘Don’t you have to go to work?’’ asked Diane after
her last bite.
‘‘I’m looking through computer files on a fraud case.
I can do it here. Neva brought some of your clothes
and girl stuff and put them in the guest room. Not
that you have to stay in the guest room,’’ he said,
smiling. ‘‘But that’s where I had closet space. Go take
a nap. Who knows, this thing may have resolved itself
by the time you wake up.’’
    Diane took a shower, the second within just a few hours. The guest bathroom had a large showerhead that made the water feel like rain. She stood under the warm water for a long time. When she was clean and dry she slipped on a nightshirt and lay on the down-filled mattress. Frank was right—what she needed was food and sleep. Things would be better when she awoke.
    As Diane stirred awake, she heard the muffled sound of Frank’s telephone ringing in another part of the house. She got out of bed, dressed, and put on a minimal amount of makeup. Neva definitely deserved a bonus, she thought, looking in the mirror.
    Frank was in the living room standing by the fireplace when she emerged. He kissed her cheek and took her hand—but didn’t smile.
    ‘‘Neva called,’’ he said. ‘‘The marshals want to talk with you again. It was Clymene O’Riley’s blood in your apartment.’’

Chapter 20
    Diane stood staring at Frank in disbelief, barely aware of how tightly he was holding her hands.

    ‘‘It was Clymene’s blood in my apartment?...
    How?’’ she said.
‘‘I don’t know. But Garnett arranged for the mar
shals to speak with you at the crime lab and not downtown,’’ said Frank. ‘‘They’re waiting for you.’’ ‘‘Why the marshals? If Clymene died in Rosewood,
jurisdiction now falls to Garnett,’’ said Diane. ‘‘Garnett will be there. So will the district attorney.
I imagine the marshals are just tying up loose ends
before they leave,’’ said Frank. He rubbed the back
of her hand with his thumb.
Tying up loose ends— like finding the body , she
thought. She could just see the headline now: CRIME
    LAB DIRECTOR BROUGHT IN FOR QUESTIONING IN MYSTE
    RIOUS BLOODY DEATH . She shuddered at the thought and silently thanked Garnett for scheduling the meeting at the crime lab.
    ‘‘Why is the DA going to be there, I wonder.’’ said Diane.
Frank shook his head. ‘‘I have no idea. I wouldn’t worry about it. However anyone wants to spin this, it still gets down to the fact that Clymene O’Riley was an escaped murderer who somehow got into your apartment in the middle of the night.’’
‘‘Just as long as they don’t think I invited her and we had a falling out,’’ said Diane.
Frank shook his head. ‘‘That’s a long stretch.’’ He looked at his watch. ‘‘I’ll drive you over. Neva said I should let you off at the loading dock at the side entrance to the museum. You are to go to Mike’s office in geology first,’’ said Frank. ‘‘And I would imagine avoid being seen if you can, though she didn’t say.’’
‘‘What? Did she say why I’m to be so mysterious?’’ Diane asked.
‘‘No, but apparently it’s important,’’ said Frank. He grinned. ‘‘I have a pretty exciting job, but around you it