Part 29 (1/2)
”You sure?”
”Positive. Twenty minutes, tops.”
Tina turned to go, and turned back. ”At Ferd's house...” She half laughed and blinked back emotion. ”You were going to rescue me with that humongous knife? Awesome.”
Jo squeezed her hand. She felt herself smile.
Tina grabbed her in a rabid hug. ”I was so scared.”
”So was I.”
”Thanks.”
Jo smiled. ”I love you, too.”
Tina shot her a winsome grin and ran to the car. In a cloud of white exhaust, Dokie pulled away.
The Chevy Tahoe slowed, engine rumbling, and turned into the driveway. The driver's window came down.
Misty Kanan's eyes were wide and wary. ”Is it Ian? Have you found him?”
”Afraid not. I came to warn you. Two men broke into my house and rifled my files. They may have obtained your name and address.”
Misty turned off the engine and climbed out. Her face was tight. ”You mean they grabbed the information you've gathered on Ian?”
”Possibly. And I don't know if they've been caught.”
Misty gave her a strong look, unblinking. ”You presume this break-in has something to do with Ian. With me. Us.”
”I can think of no other reason two men would invade my house and rummage through my case notes and computer files.”
Misty stormed to the porch. She unlocked the door, headed in ahead of Jo, and flipped on a light.
”Why do you have it in for us?” she said.
Jo stepped back mentally. She recognized a paranoid question when she heard one.
”I'm here to alert you, not to grill you. Some dangerous people may have obtained your name and address. I think you should get out. Take Seth and go someplace safe until these men are under arrest.”
The house was cold. Only the single hall light was on. Misty stood between Jo and the rest of her home, arms crossed, keys clenched in her fist. Perhaps she was drawing into a sh.e.l.l to protect herself psychologically from chaos and fear. But with every second that pa.s.sed, Jo grew more suspicious.
”I know you're terribly worried about Ian. But people are dying.”
”Dying? Who?”
”Two people who were aboard his flight yesterday have been killed, and at least one other pa.s.senger has the same brain damage as Ian. Whatever injured your husband may be contagious.”
Misty drew back, frowning in disbelief. ”No.”
”And a man was stabbed to death in the marina this morning. They found him floating beside Somebody's Baby.”
”What?”
”The police have issued a warrant for Ian's arrest.”
”The police think Ian killed a man? No-that's... but he's sick. He can't be held responsible for his actions.”
Wow, Jo thought. Misty didn't deny that her husband might have stabbed a man to death. She didn't even try to deny the possibility.
”If it was him,” Jo said.
”Yeah. If it was him.”
The odor of sour milk wafted from the kitchen. Misty's att.i.tude smelled every bit as bad.
”Who was the victim?” Misty said.
”Man named Ken Meiring. Ring any bells?”
Misty stared blankly for a moment. She blinked and tilted her head to one side as though trying to crack a balky vertebra. ”No idea who that is.”
”Really?” Jo said. ”You sure? Ian stole his brother's Navigator this morning. It was spotted at the marina after that. And he chased me with it this afternoon.”
Misty's bearing changed. For a second Jo thought she was going to lunge at her.
”You saw Ian this afternoon?” she said.
”I saw the car he stole, coming at me down Valencia Street. Then he took off after Alec.”
A flash of heat in Misty's eyes. ”What does he want with you?”
”I don't know. Misty, the situation is critical and deteriorating. More people could die. Please help me. Tell me anything you know.”
”Where did Ian go? Why didn't you tell me this right away?”
”I'm telling you now.”
”Where's Alec?” Misty said.
”I don't know-we got separated. I can't get him on his cell or at the office or home. Do you have another way to reach him?”
”No. Wait.” She put up a hand. ”Let me think.”
Whatever Misty was hiding, she was doing a lousy job of it. The cold of the house sank through Jo's clothes.
”Why didn't you tell me Alec is Ian's brother?”
”You should have told me you saw Ian. You should have called me.” Misty's tone was icy.
”I did. Check your voice mail.”