the staff. We want your impressions.”
Kendra’s expression didn’t change, Eve noticed. Was she actually considering it?
“In the meantime, we’ll also be looking for a way to access the computer medical records on Beth Avery. We want to see if she had a reason to run away from that hospital. We want to verify that the patient they’ve produced that they claim is Beth Avery is a ringer. We want to know everything we can find out about her in the quickest amount of time.”
“You’re not going to find all that in her medical records.”
“Exactly,” Joe said. “That’s why we need you.”
Kendra smiled, and, for the first time, Eve glimpsed the faintest hint of the warmth she had shown her student. But only a flash; and then it was gone. “I’m glad I impressed you on our last case, Quinn, but I’m not a miracle worker. I can’t see what’s not there.”
“If you tell me there’s nothing, then I’ll believe there’s nothing. But I’ll only believe it if you give it a shot and tell me that.”
She was silent. “It better not take long. I don’t have time to waste on this.”
“You’ll do it?” Eve asked.
“I didn’t say that. I’ll consider it. I’ll let you know.” She turned away. “Now please get out of here. I have to study my notes on my next patient.”
“You need to let us know soon,” Eve said. “There may not be much time to—”
“If you’re pushing me for an immediate answer, then it’s no,” Kendra said sharply. “I said I’d think about it, which is more consideration than I give 90 percent of the people who want me to leave my work to help out on their cases. I’m more aware of time constraints than you are. I have an appointment with Justin day after tomorrow that I’ve got to keep. I’m not even sure going to that hospital isn’t a complete waste of time.”
“And I’m not sure that bringing you in to help isn’t a complete waste of time,” Eve said with equal sharpness. “You’ll have to show me. But if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right. Stop dithering.” She turned toward the door. “Come on, Joe.”
“I don’t dither .” Kendra’s hands were clenched at her sides. “And I’m never a waste of time. Show you? Where the hell do you get the nerve to demand that I perform like some Vegas acrobat?”
“I didn’t demand anything,” Eve said as she opened the door. “I just displayed some good old American skepticism. Call us when you get around to making up your mind.”
“Wait.” Kendra was glaring at Eve. “If that was your attempt to goad me, don’t bother. Hardly a day goes by that some detective or federal agent doesn’t interrupt my workday to beg for my help, then insult me by saying I probably couldn’t have helped them anyway. As if that will somehow make me desperate to prove myself.” Kendra leaned against the table. “But you … You’ve annoyed me just enough so that I’m going to get the last word even though it’s quite clear to me that’s something you’re not accustomed to.” She paused. “Just as it’s clear to me you two are sleeping together.”
Eve tried not to let the surprise register on her face.
Kendra crossed her arms across her chest. “Although I don’t believe you slept together last night. You were in Atlanta, weren’t you, Eve? You flew here this morning, but Quinn wasn’t with you. I’m guessing he picked you up at the airport just a short while ago. Don’t you live together?”
“We do, but I’ve been here in California for a couple days,” Joe said.
“Ah, that explains it. You’re a little out of your element on this case, aren’t you, Eve? You’re much more accustomed to talking to the dead. Or, I suppose, letting the dead talk to you.”
Eve inhaled sharply. How in hell … The dead? Bonnie? Was she talking about Bonnie? Her gaze flew to Joe’s face. “You told her about—”
He was shaking his head and mouthing a silent “no.”
“You’re a
Kendra’s expression didn’t change, Eve noticed. Was she actually considering it?
“In the meantime, we’ll also be looking for a way to access the computer medical records on Beth Avery. We want to see if she had a reason to run away from that hospital. We want to verify that the patient they’ve produced that they claim is Beth Avery is a ringer. We want to know everything we can find out about her in the quickest amount of time.”
“You’re not going to find all that in her medical records.”
“Exactly,” Joe said. “That’s why we need you.”
Kendra smiled, and, for the first time, Eve glimpsed the faintest hint of the warmth she had shown her student. But only a flash; and then it was gone. “I’m glad I impressed you on our last case, Quinn, but I’m not a miracle worker. I can’t see what’s not there.”
“If you tell me there’s nothing, then I’ll believe there’s nothing. But I’ll only believe it if you give it a shot and tell me that.”
She was silent. “It better not take long. I don’t have time to waste on this.”
“You’ll do it?” Eve asked.
“I didn’t say that. I’ll consider it. I’ll let you know.” She turned away. “Now please get out of here. I have to study my notes on my next patient.”
“You need to let us know soon,” Eve said. “There may not be much time to—”
“If you’re pushing me for an immediate answer, then it’s no,” Kendra said sharply. “I said I’d think about it, which is more consideration than I give 90 percent of the people who want me to leave my work to help out on their cases. I’m more aware of time constraints than you are. I have an appointment with Justin day after tomorrow that I’ve got to keep. I’m not even sure going to that hospital isn’t a complete waste of time.”
“And I’m not sure that bringing you in to help isn’t a complete waste of time,” Eve said with equal sharpness. “You’ll have to show me. But if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right. Stop dithering.” She turned toward the door. “Come on, Joe.”
“I don’t dither .” Kendra’s hands were clenched at her sides. “And I’m never a waste of time. Show you? Where the hell do you get the nerve to demand that I perform like some Vegas acrobat?”
“I didn’t demand anything,” Eve said as she opened the door. “I just displayed some good old American skepticism. Call us when you get around to making up your mind.”
“Wait.” Kendra was glaring at Eve. “If that was your attempt to goad me, don’t bother. Hardly a day goes by that some detective or federal agent doesn’t interrupt my workday to beg for my help, then insult me by saying I probably couldn’t have helped them anyway. As if that will somehow make me desperate to prove myself.” Kendra leaned against the table. “But you … You’ve annoyed me just enough so that I’m going to get the last word even though it’s quite clear to me that’s something you’re not accustomed to.” She paused. “Just as it’s clear to me you two are sleeping together.”
Eve tried not to let the surprise register on her face.
Kendra crossed her arms across her chest. “Although I don’t believe you slept together last night. You were in Atlanta, weren’t you, Eve? You flew here this morning, but Quinn wasn’t with you. I’m guessing he picked you up at the airport just a short while ago. Don’t you live together?”
“We do, but I’ve been here in California for a couple days,” Joe said.
“Ah, that explains it. You’re a little out of your element on this case, aren’t you, Eve? You’re much more accustomed to talking to the dead. Or, I suppose, letting the dead talk to you.”
Eve inhaled sharply. How in hell … The dead? Bonnie? Was she talking about Bonnie? Her gaze flew to Joe’s face. “You told her about—”
He was shaking his head and mouthing a silent “no.”
“You’re a
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