I had returned to Washington, and was taking a much needed day off. Why not? I hadn’t seen enough of the kids lately, and it was Saturday after all.
Damon, Jannie and I went to the Corcoran Gallery of Art that afternoon. The little creeps fiercely resisted the museum at first, but once they were inside the Palace of Gold and Light they were completely entranced. Then they didn’t want to leave. Typical of them.
When we eventually got home at around four, Nana told me I was to call Tim Bradley at the San Francisco Examiner. Give me a break.  This case wouldn’t stop. Now I was supposed to call Jamilla’s buddy?  ‘It’s important that you call. That’s the message,’ Nana said. She was baking two cherry pies. Reminding me how good it was to be home.
It was one o’clock in California. I called Tim Bradley at his office.
He picked up right away.’Bradley.’
‘It’s Detective Alex Cross.’
‘Hi. I hoped you’d call. I’m a friend of Jamilla Hughes.’
I knew that much already. I interrupted. ‘Is she okay?’
‘Why do you ask that. Detective? She went to Santa Cruz yesterday.
Did you know about that?’
‘She mentioned she might go. Did somebody go with her?’ I asked. ‘I suggested she take company.’
His answer was curt and defensive. ‘No. Like Jamilla always says, she’s a big girl. And she carries a big gun.’
I frowned and shook my head. ‘So what’s going on? Has something happened? Is something the matter?’
‘No, not necessarily. She’s usually careful, precise. I just haven’t heard from her, and she promised to call. Last night. It’s been another four hours since I first called you. I’m a little concerned. It’s probably nothing. But I thought you would know best. . . about this particular case.’
‘Does she do things like this often?’ I asked.  ‘Investigate a case on her day off? Yes. That’s Jam. But she would definitely call me if she promised to.’
I was worried now. I thought of my last two partners. Both Patsy Hampton and Betsey Cavalierre had died, and neither of the victims had had justice. The Mastermind claimed to have killed Betsey. And also detective Maureen Cooke in New Orleans. So what about Inspector Jamilla Hughes?
‘I’m going to call the local police in Santa Cruz. She gave me a name and a number. I think it was Conover. I have it written............