Dead Secret

assault. David pulled up a list of five known associates on the screen. None matched Frank’s list.
    “Go to each of Valentine’s associates and pull up their associates,” said Frank.
    They got nothing on the first one, but the second had a name that was on Frank’s hacker list.
    “Randy MacRae,” said Frank. “He was busted for hacking into some corporate systems when he was a teenager. I’ll contact the arresting officer and get the info for you.”
    “Okay, we’re getting somewhere,” said Diane, rubbing her hands together.
    She looked at Frank and saw how fresh he looked. She ran her hands through her hair. “I don’t suppose I can get a shower?” she asked.
    “If it’s very—and I mean very —quick. There’s not much water.”
    “I can do quick. I had to take quick showers in the jungle all the time.”
    “Oh,” said Frank. “I thought those jungle waterfalls ran day and night.”
    “Cute,” she said.
    Diane got in the shower, let the water run over her for a second, then shut it off. She lathered up her body and hair and rinsed almost as quickly. She dried off and put on fresh clothes that she’d gotten from her car. Neva was just waking when Diane finished touching up her face.
    “Hey. Are they finished?” Neva sat up and yawned.
    “I’m about to find out. I’m going over to see what they turned up,” said Diane.
    “Wait. Do you have some scissors?” asked Neva, grinning at her.
    “In my purse. They’re small; will that do?”
    “Yes. Jin’s not real good at hairstyling. Let me kind of trim you up. Good thing you wear your hair short anyway.”
    Neva took the scissors and evened up the sides of Diane’s hair. She stepped back to take a look, then made a few more snips. “There. That’s better.”
    Diane looked in the mirror. “Yes, that does look better. Thanks, Neva. I must have looked a fright all day yesterday.”
    Neva didn’t say anything, and Diane laughed. Neva started giggling. Her staff probably thought she was nuts for sure.
    “Neva, I’d like to get these cases finished up. Let’s go ahead and send your drawings of Caver Doe and Plymouth Doe to the newspaper and the TV stations. Ask Canfield and Burns first; we can’t cut them out. On second thought. I’ve already told them that’s what I might do, and they okayed it. Let’s not give them a chance to say no.”
    “Why would they?”
    “I don’t think they would, but I’m just feeling a little paranoid. Go down and take care of it this morning, will you?”
    David cleared his throat. “If you don’t mind a little helpful advice,” he said.
    Diane stared at him with a question on her face. “What?”
    “There is no need in this modern day and age to actually go down to the newspaper,” he said, pointing to his computer.
    Diane and Neva looked at each other. Both of them started to laugh again. Diane was starting to feel giddy. That happened when she didn’t get much sleep.
    David and Frank looked at each other and shrugged.
    “We must all be very, very tired,” said Neva.
    “Of course. Neva, scan your drawings of Caver Doe and Plymouth Doe as soon as we can get back into the lab.”
    “I’ve already scanned them. They’re on my computer in the crime lab.”
    “I can get them through the network connection from here,” said David. “Why don’t I write a press release, then e-mail it and Neva’s drawings to the Rosewood paper, the AJC , and all the Atlanta TV stations? It’ll probably get picked up by the AP and be on every TV screen in the state by noon, and every newspaper in the country by tomorrow. You’ll be famous, Neva.”
    “And,” said Diane, “if there is anyone alive who knows these victims from so many years ago, there is a strong chance they’ll see the drawings and make the connection. Good thinking, David.”
    “Oh, nothing special,” he said. “Am I getting paid extra now for being the crime lab publicist?”
    Diane started to respond when her cell phone rang. It was Garnett telling her they were finished.

    Diane had a chill in her gut as she walked to the Pleistocene room to meet Garnett and his team. He was waiting by the mammoth, still looking well dressed in his tailored suit, even after being up all night. She’d have to ask him how he did it. She ran a hand through her own hair, glad Neva had trimmed it for her.
    Sergeant Remington and his shepherd stood beside Garnett. Remington was playing with his dog. Some of the search teams were there; others