Scattered Graves

you would. But I hope you see that I have to protect the museum. We can’t have our visitors or employees endangered and we can’t leave ourselves open for lawsuits when some gun-toting cowboy de cides he’s going to threaten a child.’’
‘‘You know I’ll make calls and inform people that you aren’t the person we are using as forensic anthro pologist,’’ said Mayor Jefferies. ‘‘You won’t have any thing to do in that big lab of yours.’’
Diane laughed. Jefferies first looked surprised, then angry. Diane could see he didn’t like being laughed at.
‘‘You think I’m joking?’’ he said, leaning forward.
Colin started to stand, but Diane spoke before he got to his feet.
‘‘I think you have a big job ahead of you,’’ she said. ‘‘You will have to call every county and city in every state in the United States. Then you will have to start calling cities and countries around the world. I don’t think you know how this business is done.’’
The mayor’s face flushed. He said nothing. But Diane could see he wanted to. He had forayed into an area he knew nothing about and he had made a mistake and an empty threat. He wasn’t going to do it again. Diane had no doubt he would look for behind-the scenes ways to sabotage her career.
‘‘I think,’’ said Colin, ‘‘we would consider that to be defamation and would act accordingly.’’
Diane stood up. ‘‘I think we have said all there is to say.’’
Jefferies, Peeks, and Bryce all looked as though they would like to climb over her desk and strangle her. Instead, they simply rose from their seats. They didn’t shake hands. Diane was glad. They would prob ably crush her fingers.
Peeks stared hard at her. ‘‘As soon as the investiga tion into Delamore’s death is complete, expect to be arrested. Start getting your affairs in order.’’
He turned and they all filed out of the room. Garnett glanced at her briefly, then turned and left with the others. The look in his eyes made her feel dou bly uneasy.
‘‘What was that about my osteology lab and Garnett?’’ she asked Colin after the delegation had gone.
‘‘I don’t know. That was strange and unexpected. They couldn’t hope to get away with claiming the fo rensic anthropology lab.’’ Colin shook his head. Some of his black hair fell in his face and he brushed it away with his hand. ‘‘The only thing I can figure is they were trying to tell you they are going to make it hard for you to get them out of here.’’
‘‘Do you think they will make a lot of trouble?’’ asked Diane. ‘‘The mayor was very angry.’’
‘‘They will make trouble, but I don’t know how much. If they take us to court, we’ll have to present proof and defend our position against their claims, warranted or not.’’ Colin stood up and stretched. ‘‘The idea of moving the crime lab next to the police station is a good one. Maybe they’ll take the suggestion and this will be over soon. I expect they won’t drag it out. We’ll see. I wouldn’t worry too much about Jefferies attacking you personally. That would put him in a world of trouble. And as for Peeks’ threat, I wouldn’t worry. He’s just trying to scare you.’’
‘‘Not if they own the crime lab,’’ said Diane. ‘‘Which they do. I have to tell you, I’m worried. What I don’t know is why they just didn’t go ahead and arrest me. I know they will.’’
Colin didn’t say anything for a moment. ‘‘They want you to reconsider moving the crime lab. It’s black mail.’’
‘‘I can’t give in,’’ she said.
‘‘I know. It if comes to you being arrested, you have a lot of pull too. Vanessa and her family will have a fit. And you know Vanessa when she is pissed,’’ he said.
Diane thought he was just trying to cheer her up, but she thought he was right about the blackmail part. Perhaps they saw that as leverage.
Colin left and Diane sat in her office for a long while thinking. She hadn’t voted for Jefferies. She hadn’t liked the way he came out throwing mud from the beginning, and she was surprised he appealed to so many people. He had a shoot-first-and-ask-questions later attitude about suspects that reminded her of third-world dictators. So far, the only official action he had taken that she agreed with was to approve new bulletproof vests for the police officers.
She wondered how much of her relish in going after Bryce, Peeks, and Jefferies came from her desire for payback. She