The Naked Eye

by Iris Johansen

  “Why are you sorry? You’re feeling bad that you can’t take me to the zoo, Sea World, and Museum Row? Puleeze.”

  “I wanted us to be able to spend time together.”

  “Who says we won’t?” Beth shrugged. “It looks like you might need me on this.”

  “What?”

  “Well, you said you’re going rogue on this case. I’ve been studying rogue for a long time.”

  “Going rogue? You make me sound like a vigilante.”

  “That’s kinda what you are.” Beth tilted her head. “Isn’t it?”

  “No, I mean…” Kendra turned to Olivia. “Help me out here.”

  Olivia nodded. “Definite vigilante.”

  “Thanks a lot.”

  “It’s not an insult,” Beth said. “Just the opposite. But you shouldn’t be going it alone. You’re used to having backup from all those cops and FBI agents.”

  Kendra’s lips twitched. “So you’re my backup now?”

  “Hey, I’m bringing the muscle.”

  “Whoa-whoa-whoa. Tracking a man like Colby is a chess game, not a boxing match.”

  “Fine. You play chess, but it’s still good to have a friend in your corner.”

  “You’re using boxing metaphors again.”

  “I don’t know how to box. Maybe I should learn.”

  “That didn’t seem to matter to the guy you put in the hospital this week.”

  “Exactly. Proof that I’m an excellent person to have by your side.”

  Kendra smiled at her. Beth was definitely different than the unsure young woman who had ventured back into the world only a few short months before. Different, yet the same. That determination had always been there, even when her grim situation offered little hope. “Your sister will kill me if she finds out I’ve pulled you into one of my investigations.”

  “Leave Eve to me. Besides, this is one thing I think she might understand.”

  “For herself, yes. But she’s fiercely protective of the people she loves. If she thinks I’m putting you in danger, she’ll never forgive me.”

  She grinned. “You’re now on record as trying to talk me out of it. Olivia, you’re her witness.”

  Olivia held up her hands. “Leave me out of it. This isn’t a game or a match. Kendra, if you’re right about this being Colby, this is different than your other cases. He’s had you in his sights ever since you put him away.”

  “That’s why I have to do this.”

  Olivia shook her head. “No. You don’t.”

  “I can’t sit back and just let this play out. He’ll keep killing until he’s stopped.” She added bitterly, “And at the moment, I’m the only one who believes he’s out there.”

  Olivia sighed resignedly. “Okay.” She moved into the adjoining living room, which was dominated by a large, L-shaped desk where she spent most of her waking hours. “I know better than to try to change your mind, so I want you to do something for me.”

  “What’s that?” Kendra asked warily.

  Olivia picked up a box and carried it back over to Kendra. “Take this. I know you’re not fond of guns, but maybe one of these things will work for you.”

  Kendra peered into the box. “What is it?”

  “I just reviewed some self-defense products for my Web site. Some of these might come in handy for you.”

  Beth reached in and pulled out a chrome, cylindrical-shaped object. “Self-defense products … as in weapons?”

  “Yes. Tasers, pepper spray, flesh-colored brass knuckles, among other things. But whatever you do, don’t touch the silver tube.”

  Beth froze.

  “I’m kidding.” Olivia chuckled. “It holds pepper spray refill cartridges. I heard it roll around when you picked it up.”

  “I’m going to get you for that.” Beth returned the cylinder to the box. “Very funny.”

  “I kinda thought so. By the way, did you know Ohio actually issues handgun carry permits to blind people?”

  “Is that another joke?” Beth asked.

  “I wish it were. I just found out about it when I was writing the piece for my Web site. I’m all for equal rights for the vision impaired, but that’s one I hope California doesn’t pick up.”

  “You and me both,” Kendra hefted the box. “Thank you, Olivia, but this really isn’t necessary.”

  “Take it. There might be something in there you can use.”

  “Sure.” Kendra gingerly picked up a small black handgrip with two prongs at the top. “I feel like James Bond getting my gadgets from Q Branch.”

  “James Bond is indestructible. You’re not. I think this is a great time for you to get away from here. I don’t suppose I can talk the two of you into joining me at the Hawaii Hot Springs Spa and Resort on the big island for the next week or two? Balmy breezes and wonderful scents.”

  “Later,” Kendra said. “I promise.”

  “Beth? You still have a chance to be the sane one.”

  Beth laughed. “You do know I’ve spent the last few years in a mental institution, right?”

  “Here’s your chance to convince me that you still don’t belong there.”

  “Most people tap-dance around that subject with me. Not you.”

  Kendra moved toward the door. “Don’t expect anything else. Olivia is the most direct person you’ll ever meet.”

  “I’m beginning to see that.” Beth hugged Olivia. “And appreciate it. Rain check on that spa vacation?”

  “We’ll see.” Olivia smiled faintly. “Depends on if I can round up some more sensible friends to go with me instead.”

  After the door slammed behind them, Kendra and Beth walked down the corridor. Beth glanced back. “She’s amazing.”

  “That’s the word I usually use for her.”

  “Was she born blind?”

  “No. She lost her sight in a car accident when she was a child. We’ve known each other since we were seven years old. She helped me through some tough times.”

  “I’m sure you helped her, too.”

  “Maybe. I think she was always the stronger one, though.”

  “You’ve gotten your sight back so completely … Is there nothing that can be done for her?”

  “Not so far. I lost my sight from a degenerative corneal disease in the womb. A stem-cell procedure basically grew my cornea back for me. Olivia has different issues that medical science can’t tackle yet. She’s hopeful, though. We all are.”

  “Has she ever shown any resentment?”

  Kendra smiled. “Never. Not once. She knew I had never seen colors, the sky, or a person’s face, and she was thrilled for me when it finally happened. The problems were on my end. I felt guilty for leaving her behind in the dark. She sensed that, and she pulled away from me for a while. She thought I needed room, and I guess I did. That was the start of my wild days. But now we’re closer than ever.”

  “That’s great.” She was silent for a moment. “I haven’t reconnected with my old friends yet, but I will. I was sent to that mental hospital when I was only seventeen and just starting to make firm friendships and memories. Most of the people I grew up with have moved on and probably forgot I existed.”

  “Maybe not. Perhaps there’s someone out there who would like to hear from you.”

  “That life all seems so far away. The only thing that seems real are the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made since I left Seahaven. The past holds a lot of pain and bewilderment. I’m just not ready yet, you know?”

  Kendra nodded. “I know. I just wanted you to think about it. I don’t want you to be cheated of anything that might be out there for you. No pressure. It’s good to take time for yourself right now.”

  They stopped in front of the stairway that would take them back to Kendra’s floor.

  “Well, now that we’ve bonded and settled my immediate personal issues, isn’t it time we got down to business?” Beth asked with a grin. “So where do we start with this case of yours?”

  “You’re not serious
.”

  “Of course I am.”

  Kendra shook her head. “I was hoping that you’d just drop it. And that’s your idea of taking time for yourself?”

  “Absolutely. Look, I know there’s no way you’re going to let me get near Colby. You try to leave me free, but you’re almost as protective as Eve. But there’s no reason I can’t help and sort of skate around the edges while you keep me from breaking through the ice. If I get in your way, tell me to get lost. But, as long as you’re not investigating in an official capacity, why can’t I help?”

  “I … don’t have an immediate answer for that.”

  “Good. Don’t search for one. Where do we start?”

  “I’ll start by looking at Sheila Hunter’s call logs and phone directory.”

  “You really have those things?”

  “Yes. Don’t ask how. Anyway, that will give me an idea where to go next.”

  Beth nodded. “I’ll head back to the hotel and grab a few hours sleep. I’ll see you back here at seven thirty tomorrow morning.”

  She was probably making a mistake, Kendra thought. But if she sent Beth away, there was no telling if she would be back on her doorstep anyway. Beth could be very determined. And Beth had been right, Kendra would never put her into a position where she would be in danger.

  So let her help and keep her skating around the edges?

  Surely Kendra could tolerate that amount of participation if she never let Beth too close.

  Maybe.

  She looked away for a long moment. What the hell. “Sure. See you here.”

  “Right.” Beth flashed a bigger and more brilliant smile than Kendra had ever seen from her.

  Then she turned and practically flew down the stairs.

  CHAPTER 6

  AFTER RETURNING TO HER CONDO, Kendra spent forty-five minutes searching the recent phone numbers in Sheila Hunter’s incoming call log. She pulled together a preliminary list, separated by the known and unknown callers. Her office accounted for the vast majority of calls, followed by a man named Robert Schultz. Probably a boyfriend, judging from the length and late hours of their conversations. There were still several others that needed some follow-up, but that could wait for the morning.

  She leaned back in her desk chair. Lynch’s illegal tech skill had finally come to be of some use to her. A hell of a lot more useful than anything she had been permitted to see at the crime scene, that was for sure.

  Lynch. As he had done so many times before, he had swept into her life with gale force, whipped everything into a frenzy, then vanished. She had no idea when she would see him again. Days? Weeks? A year?

  Why did she care? Yes, she always felt as if life took on more brilliant hues, that his mind was always in sync, that in a world where she’d opted to stand alone, she could lean on his strength … if she chose.

  Not that she would choose.

  It was just that life was always a little emptier when he left her. It was strange to think that she couldn’t reach out and call him when she had a thought, or needed to tap him for information or influence.

  No matter. There was no doubt she could handle everything by herself without help from Lynch. She had enough to occupy her without—

  GIVING UP SO SOON?

  The words appeared on her laptop screen, one letter at a time, right in the middle of her document.

  How the hell…?

  The cursor jumped to the next line. Again, words appeared one letter at a time, as if being written by an invisible typist: SURELY YOU’RE NOT GIVING UP, KENDRA …

  Of course.

  She typed furiously. NOT FUNNY, TOO FAR, LYNCH.

  The answer came back immediately, again in her in-progress Word document: I’M NOT WHO YOU THINK I AM.

  She froze, then typed: WHO IN THE HELL IS THIS?

  SOMEONE WHO’S BEEN WATCHING YOU.

  She stared at the words on the screen, then typed: WATCHING ME WHERE?

  EVERYWHERE. I’VE BEEN WATCHING YOU FOR A LONG TIME, KENDRA.

  She instinctively glanced around, feeling that there were eyes on her at this very moment. She typed: WHO IS THIS?

  TIME FOR THAT LATER.

  Her mind raced. Sheila Hunter’s story had just gone online that day. Had some sicko read the story and hacked into her computer?

  She was just about to type a response when more words appeared on the page: I SAW YOU AT THE MARINA TONIGHT.

  Kendra went still. She typed: WHY WERE YOU THERE?

  YOU KNOW WHY.

  She typed: TELL ME.

  FOR SHEILA HUNTER. YOU’LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW SHE WAS SCARED OUT OF HER FREAKING MIND.

  Kendra’s hands shook as she moved her fingers over the keyboard. YOU KILLED HER.

  MY GIFT TO YOU. DON’T PRETEND. I KNOW YOU WERE HAPPY.

  She stared in disbelief at the unfolding dialogue on her computer screen: NO, THAT’S NOT TRUE. WHO IS THIS?

  YOU KNOW WHO. YOU’LL NEVER BE DONE WITH ME, KENDRA.

  Her breath left her.

  “You’ll never be done with me, Kendra.”

  Colby’s last words to her, just days before his scheduled execution.

  NOW YOU KNOW.

  She used her index finger to punch her reply one key at a time: COLBY.

  Ten seconds went by. Then fifteen.

  YOU NEVER STOPPED BELIEVING, KENDRA. TOUCHED BEYOND WORDS.

  It was him.

  After all these months of wondering, of watching over her shoulder … He was back.

  She flexed her trembling fingers over the keyboard. Stay cool.

  Detach. Concentrate.

  WHY SHEILA HUNTER?

  His reply was immediate: DID SHE NOT DESERVE IT?

  She replied: NO. NO ONE DESERVES THAT.

  Except Colby, she thought.

  EXCEPT ME. THAT’S WHAT YOU WERE THINKING, WASN’T IT? I KNOW YOU, KENDRA. TOO WELL.

  He did know her, she realized. All those years in prison, he was studying her, making his sick plans. She felt another surge in the pit of her stomach.

  Hold it together.

  She typed: THEN YOU KNOW I’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU.

  He fired back: OF COURSE. I’VE BEEN COUNTING ON IT.

  She believed him. He did know her too well.

  YOU NEVER DISAPPOINT, KENDRA.

  She held her shaking hands over the keyboard, weighing her next move. Bold, decisive strokes were the only things that ever worked against Colby, but did she want to go this far? She finally typed: I’M THE ONE YOU WANT, COLBY. BRING IT ON. NO ONE ELSE NEEDS TO SUFFER FOR WHAT I’VE DONE TO YOU.

  Long pause. Had she thrown him off balance? He finally responded: I’VE ALREADY BROUGHT THE FIGHT TO YOU, KENDRA. YOU JUST DON’T KNOW IT YET.

  REALLY?

  He shot back: OH, YES. I LEFT YOU A PRESENT INSIDE SHEILA HUNTER’S HOUSEBOAT.

  She went still. She could only imagine what constituted a present from Eric Colby. She made herself respond: IF YOU WERE REALLY THERE, YOU WOULD KNOW I COULDN’T GET NEAR THE PLACE.

  I SAW. YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO TRY HARDER, KENDRA. I HAVE FAITH IN YOU.

  Before Kendra could reply, he quickly signed off: ENOUGH. YOU HAVE WORK TO DO. PLEASANT DREAMS, KENDRA. I CAN’T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I ENJOY THEM.

  The document went blank. A moment later, her laptop screen went blank and the fan shut off.

  She stood and backed away from the computer, still trembling.

  He was back.

  Her first instinct was to turn the computer back on, but she stopped herself. Best to leave the system undisturbed until she could get this thing to an expert who could figure out how in the hell Eric Colby had tapped in.

  Which expert?

  She wasn’t about to involve Lynch, and if she tapped the FBI forensic computer specialists, it would probably mean boxing up her laptop and shipping it to D.C. There was always a backlog for anything except national-security issues, and Colby’s future victims didn’t have the luxury of time.

  Kendra stared at the lapto
p. She did know someone who could outgeek the FBI experts any day of the week. He was based in San Francisco, but his talents were sought after by clients all over the world. Even the Defense Department had their agents keep an eye on him because he was so valuable in protecting their sites from foreign hackers. But even if he was in the country, there’s no telling if he was available to help her.

  One way to find out.

  She picked up her phone and punched a number. Within seconds, her ear was blasted by blaring rap music and the sound of a boisterous crowd.

  “Kendra!”

  She recognized Sam Zackoff’s voice immediately even though he was shouting into the phone. The tension in her body eased slightly. It was good to be reminded that there was a happy and carefree world out there, far from the grim reality that had suddenly pummeled her.

  “Sam? Where the hell are you? A dance club?”

  “No, better. I’m at a video-game trade show, and one of the companies is throwing a killer party. Free booze and dozens of hot young ladies dressed like the scantily clad characters in their new game. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “You don’t have to. You can always join me.”

  “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Where in the world are you right now?”

  “I’m at the E3 computer-game trade show.”

  “That’s supposed to mean something to me?”

  “Sorry, I forgot you’re not as big of a geek as the rest of the people in my social circle.”

  “That’s a relief for me and very depressing for you.”

  “The E3 show is always in L.A. I’m at the convention center downtown.”

  “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. I need to come see you.”

  “It’s getting loud in here. Did you say you needed me?”

  “I said I need to see you.”

  “Okay, I heard you that time. You need and crave me with every fiber of your being. Got it.”

  “God, you’re a geek.”

  “Sorry, the connection dropped out for a second. Did you just say I was a god?”