The Maze

try to run me down again?"

    "I don't know what you're talking about. As for you," she continued, looking at Savich, "you're blind. Douglas was too, but just for a little while. Now he realizes what she is." Can-dice gave them a triumphant smile and sat down on the beautiful sofa. "Well?"

    "Well what, Mrs. Madigan?"

    "Will you have the FBI stop following my husband?" Savich sighed. "Sure, Mrs. Madigan. The thing is, though, we have an agent following him in order to keep him safe. Marlin Jones is still on the loose. It's possible he plans to go back to California. It's possible that he would want to see Douglas, maybe even kill him. That's why we have an agent on him, ma'am, to protect him."

    "That's crazy," Candice said slowly. "There's no reason in the world why Douglas would be in any danger from Marlin Jones."

    "Oh? Are you really so sure about that? Didn't Douglas tell you about Mrs. Sherlock seeing Marlin kissing Belinda in front of the house? Who the hell knows what's going on in Marlin Jones's mind these days? But who cares, when all's said and done? Sure, I'll call off the FBI. Douglas can be on his own, no problem." Savich calmly picked up the phone and dialed a number.

    "Do you really think he could be in danger?" Savich ignored her, waiting. Then he said, "This is Dillon Savich. Please connect me with James Maitland. Thank you." "What if this creep is after him? What if he does manage to get to San Francisco? Douglas needs help. You can't just leave him alone like this. It's inhuman."

    "Sir, Savich here. Yes, we need to call off the protection on Douglas Madigan in San Francisco. Yes, I'm sure. There's no more need."

    "No, don't call it off! What if this Marlin Jones goes after Douglas? No, don't!"

    "Yes, that's right. No need any longer. Thank you."

    Savich hung up the phone in time to block Candice Madigan from shoving him into the fireplace.

    "That's it," Lacey said. She roared toward Candice, grabbing her arm and pulling her around. She sent her fist into Candice's jaw.

    "Ow! That hurts, you mean little bitch!" Sherlock hit her again, then groaned herself at the pain in her knuckles.

    Candice looked at her, astonishment written clearly on her face, and slumped to the floor.

    "Are you all right, Dillon?"

    She was standing there rubbing her knuckles, asking him if he was all right. He could only shake his head. "Thank you for protecting me," he said, laughing.

    She'd rushed in to protect him. Life with Sherlock would never be boring. He hoped she hadn't hurt her hand.

    "Could you come and kiss me, Sherlock? I'm feeling a little shaky."

    "Sure," she said, smiling sweetly at him. She kissed his chin, ran her fingertips over his eyebrows, kissed his nose. "You're better now?"

    "Getting there," he said, and kept kissing her.

    They stopped only when they heard Candice say from the floor, "If the two of you make out in front of me, I'm going to call the police. Then you'll both be arrested."

    Lacey began to laugh; she couldn't help it. Savich said, "Would you like a cup of coffee before you leave, Mrs. Madigan?''

    "What I want is for the FBI to protect my husband."

    "But you flew all the way here to get us off him."

    "Look, I know I haven't been really nice to either of you, but Douglas, he's different. He needs me. Please, if you truly believe he's in danger, protect him."

    Savich walked to the phone, dialed, then said, "Reinstate the surveillance on Douglas Madigan. Yes, that's right. Thank you." He hung up, then turned to Candice. "It's done."

    "Thank you," she said. "Really, thank you very much." Then she turned to Lacey. "As for you, you're nothing but trouble. You're going to bring trouble to this very nice man who doesn't know you at all. Stay away from Douglas!"

    With that, she was gone.

    Savich stood there, looking toward the front door. "She is one strange woman," he said. "I guess she didn't want coffee."

    "Did you really have surveillance on Douglas?"

    "Oh yes."

    "Did you take it off then put it back on?"

    "Nope. Douglas is a suspect. I want an eye kept on him. Hey, if it protects him as well, so be it."

    "She loves him," Lacey said. "She really truly loves him."

    "The two of them deserve each other. I hope they live happily ever after. Now, if you're ready for bed, I'll race you."

    She'd been so depressed, then she'd wanted to srpot Can-dice, but now, looking at Dillon Savich, she felt relief pouring through her. "Let's go."

32

    MARLIN JONES WAS STILL free on