Dead Secret

of her depth. She hadn’t a clue how to treat the woman.
    “I understand that your husband betrayed you terribly. But that wasn’t Mike’s fault; nor was it the museum’s. Is there anyone I can call for you? A friend or family member?”
    Dr. Lymon shook her head.
    “Why don’t you stay here and collect yourself before you go home.”
    “Why did you give him this job?”
    “I need a curator, and he had an excellent proposal with several good ideas for the museum.”
    “I’ll bet that was the reason. I know about you and him.” Her eyes glittered as she stared at Diane.
    Stay calm, Diane said to herself. It doesn’t do to exchange barbs with a madwoman. Nor is it a good idea to become defensive. Diane ignored Lymon’s remark and took her own cell phone, dialed the nurses’ station on the first floor of the museum and asked them to send a nurse up to the geology lab.
    “Dr. Lymon, I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone in a state like this, and I’m ill equipped to give you what you need. I’ve called one of the nurses and she is going to stay with you until you are ready to go home. She’ll drive you, and I’m going to ask one of the security guards to follow in your car.”
    Dr. Lymon didn’t say anything. Diane hoped that meant she agreed.
    “Can I have your car keys?” Diane held out her hand.
    “My keys?” Lymon looked at her as if she’d asked for a frog.
    “Your car keys. For the guard. You don’t need to be driving home. I’m having someone take you.”
    Dr. Lymon still had her keys in her hand from when she had arrived and saw Mike. She handed them over without a fuss. When Diane heard the nurse enter the lab, she got up and met her with a great deal of relief. It was Mrs. Pierce. She was a very motherly woman with a knack for comforting children. In a low voice, Diane told her the problem.
    “It sounds like she’s had a break with reality, doesn’t it?” said Mrs. Pierce. “I’ll stay with her until she’s ready to leave, then take her home. Don’t you worry.”
    “Thank you. I’ll have one of the security guards follow in her car.”
    Diane led the nurse into the office and introduced her. Glad to be out of there, she walked to Shelly’s office to fetch Mike. She felt like taking one of his ears and pulling him down to his car.
    “Look, Doc. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know she would be here. She hardly ever comes to the museum.”
    “One of the nurses is taking her home.”
    “One of the nurses?” said Shelly. “How about the police?”
    “She’s confusing Mike with her husband at the moment. I’m trying to get her some help right now.”
    “You mean she’s totally flipped?” said Shelly.
    Diane called museum security, explained the situation to Chanell, her head of security, and asked that a guard be sent to escort Dr. Lymon when she was ready to leave.
    “Damn,” said Mike. “Did she think I was him when—”
    “No. I think it’s rejection that’s sending her over the edge right now. Anyway, Mike, while she’s in the office, I want you to come with me. I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to see you.”
    Mike followed her out, and Diane resisted the urge to grab his ear.

Chapter 34
    “I’ve really pissed you off, haven’t I, Doc?” said Mike when they were alone in the elevator on the way to the third floor. “I had no intention of getting into it with Dr. Lymon, especially in front of visitors.”
    “That wasn’t your fault. What I’m concerned about is your being out so soon. Does your doctor know?”
    “You’re worried? Really?”
    “Yes, and so is Neva.”
    “If it were up to her, she’d tie me to the bed—not that that doesn’t hold a certain appeal—but really, if I’m going to get stronger, I have to be up and about.”
    “Driving? Coming to work? Look, Mike, this is really none of my business, but as a friend, I do worry that you are pushing it too soon.”
    The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out into the lobby in front of the staff lounge and headed toward the osteology lab.
    “I know my limits.”
    “No, you don’t, Mike. You don’t know your limits until you exceed them. And that’s what I’m concerned about.”
    “It’s just that I have so many ideas. Shelly and I have talked about a lot of things, but Dr. Lymon never wanted to listen. There are so many ways we can really improve the geology exhibits.”
    “And I’m looking forward to hearing those ideas. I’m also looking forward