"Long enough to see that Frankie's okay," said Henry. "Mom and Dad don't travel well, and we need to tell them in person that he's going to be all right."

"Please come to the museum. It's not open to the public yet, but most of the exhibits are in place. I'd love for you to see it. We're very proud of it."

"Yes, do," said Cindy. "We've seen some of it."

"That would be nice." Ava looked at Kevin. "Maybe we can go by later on." Kevin nodded.

"The herpetology curator installed some live exhibits yesterday. You might enjoy seeing those. Snakes and lizards," she added.

"Yeah," said Kevin. "Cool."

"I hope," said Diane, and they all laughed, a bit disproportionately to the actual humor of her statement. It was a laugh that gave a small bit of relief from worry.

"I need to get to the museum. It was very nice meeting all of you." She stepped away, wanting to leave before they could think of any more questions.

"I'll walk you to your car," said Linc.

Chapter 32

She wasn't going to be able to make a clean getaway from Frank's family. She smiled, pleasantly, she hoped.

"Are you all right?" Linc asked after they were out the door. "You're pale, and I noticed you're limping."

"Limping? I hadn't noticed."

"Slightly favoring your right side. The others may not have noticed."

Diane remembered that one of Frank's brothers was a doctor specializing in sports medicine.

"You're the doctor?"

"That's me."

She briefly described her injuries, downplayed her pain and added that she was fine.

"You should be home resting. I'm serious."

"I can't now. There's too much to do." She suddenly felt overwhelmed and tired, and the day was just starting. "This is my car." She took the keys out of her jacket pocket and clicked the lock open.

"I wanted to talk to you about Frank away from Ava and the others. I sense that there's more to this. All the police said was that he was held up at an ATM just outside the hospital here."

She pointed to the bank machine to the left of the entrance.

Linc looked the most like Frank, especially the eyes. Frank's eyes were dreamy, amused, s.e.xy, angry, reflecting perfectly whatever mood he was in. Right now, Linc's eyes wanted answers.

"Yes, that's what they believe."

"But you don't."

"No. But I have no proof."

"I know about his friends being killed. Now he's shot and you're attacked. This all seems a little too much for coincidence."

"It does to me too." Diane hesitated.

"Is Frank still in danger?"

"I don't know. But if someone could always be with him for a few days until I can get someone to guard his room . . ." She let the sentence hang.

Linc took a breath and stepped back. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"I'm serious. I just don't know if I'm right. This may be nothing, and I may just be paranoid."

"You've both been seriously attacked. It gives your paranoia credibility. I need to know more about what's going on. Let me take you to dinner."

Diane thought for a moment, trying to organize her day in her mind. "Meet me at the museum this evening-around six thirty or so. We'll have something delivered." She scribbled her cell phone number on the back of one of her museum cards before she handed it to him. "Tell the guard on duty to give me a call when you get there."

He thanked her and opened the car door. Frank had a nice family. She envied him.

"Diane," said Andie. "How is Frank? We just heard. My G.o.d, first you, and now him. What's happening?" Andie's perpetual happy smile was turned down in a frown. She stood behind her desk, holding a folder to her chest like a shield.

"Frank's doing well," said Diane. "He's still in intensive care. How are things here?"

Andie's face switched from concern to horror. "One of the snakes is missing."

"d.a.m.n. How did that happen?"

"They don't know. He just wasn't in his terrarium or whatever that thing wrapping around the room is. They're looking for him, but the snake guy said he could be holed up between the walls and we may not be able to find him for months."

"What kind of snake?"

"He said a black snake. That's a good kind isn't it?"

"Yes, at least there's that. d.a.m.n. Tell him to find that snake. I don't want it showing up and scaring visitors."

"Jonas called. I told him about Frank. He said they had some trouble at the site last night."

"What kind of trouble?"

"He didn't say. He wants you to call."

"What else?"

"That's it for now."

Diane started for her office. "Oh, Andie. Frank's two brothers and sister are in town. I told them they could come see the museum if they had time. I think they may come and bring Kevin. If I'm not here, give them the grand tour."

"Sure thing."

"Have you seen Melissa or Alix?"

"Not today. You want me to find them for you?"

"No. I just wondered if they came by."

"No."

"I'll be in my office. I need some privacy, so if you'll screen the calls?"

"Sure. Why don't you work from home for a couple of days? Have you had any rest at all?"

"I had a good night's sleep. I'm fine."

Diane went to her office and looked up the phone number of Serena Ellison, Star's lawyer. Before she could dial the phone, there was a knock on her door.

"Yes?"

Korey came in and dropped in the chair by her desk. "Can I talk to you?"

Diane had an idea what it was about. "Sure."

"You doing OK? Andie just told me about you getting mugged."

"I'm fine." Diane felt like making up cards about what happened so she could pa.s.s them around and not have to answer questions. People are simply concerned, People are simply concerned, she chided herself. she chided herself.

"I'm sorry about that guy you're dating. I hope he's going to be all right."

"I think he will be." She fingered the pages of the phone book on the desk.

"The police came to see me here. They think I shot him."

"No, they don't. They're just floundering around. You're black and have dreadlocks. That's it. I'm so sorry, Korey. I know this is unfair. I've already talked to them once when they asked me about you, and I didn't think they would come talk to you."

"The museum security came to talk to me about it."

"The museum security? Why? They don't have any jurisdiction. . . . You mean Jake?"

"Yeah."

"He was doing his day job with the police department. Apparently, the chief of detectives put him on the case. I would have thought Jake would know better."

"This really p.i.s.ses me off."

"I know. I'll write a letter complaining to the chief of detectives. They had no reason at all to question you. I don't believe the perp was even black."

"They said he was."

"Some of the witnesses said he was, but there's another witness-that they are discounting-who says he wasn't. She said the dreads weren't real, they were braids, and he didn't move like a black man."

"Didn't move like a black man? What's that supposed to mean? He didn't have rhythm, he couldn't jump?"

"I don't know what it means."

"Why are they discounting her?"

"She's nine years old and black. Not only do they think she's too young, they think she's being protective. But she's very credible and I believe her. I think it was a white man in disguise."

"Some racist." Korey sounded bitter.

"No, I don't think it was that. He just wanted to appear opposite of what he was."

Korey eyed her a moment. "There's something else going on here, isn't there?"

"I think so. But I have no proof."

"I don't like being accused."

"I don't blame you. I don't like it either, and if they try spreading anything around, I'll put a stop to it."

"Fortunately, I was here with three of my staff at the time of the shooting."

"You don't have to give me an alibi, Korey. In my wildest imagination I can't see you holding up automatic teller machines."

Korey almost smiled as he rose from the chair. "Thanks."

He left calmer than when he came in. Izzy certainly wasn't making any points with Diane, and she was really disappointed in Jake.

She dialed Serena Ellison, who agreed to look in on Star at the jail and make arrangements for Diane to visit. Diane emphasized the need to hurry. With Frank in critical condition, Star's fragile emotional state could collapse again.

With that taken care of, Diane changed into jeans, a tee shirt and sneakers.

"You're not going out to the site, are you?" said Andie, looking at Diane going out the door.

"Yes. Call me on my cell if anything comes up. And tell the herpetologist to find that snake!"