Night Watch (Kendra Michaels #4)(72)

Kendra gazed at her in surprise. The tone was flip, but the remark was more personal than she would have thought Jessie would toss out. “Irreplaceable?” she asked.

“Yeah, you know.” Jessie was suddenly grinning. “Like my motorcycle.” She disappeared into the kitchen.

Kendra was smiling as she went into her bathroom. She should have known that Jessie would never venture close enough to be accused of intimacy. She might be amusing and brimming with vitality, but she kept her distance, and any approach had to be initiated by her.

Kendra gazed in the mirror as she washed her face and hands. Actually, she looked better than Jessie’s motorcycle. However, she could have used some of its power right now. She was feeling sad about Rye, disturbed about Lynch, and frustrated and worried about Waldridge. But at least she wasn’t alone, and Jessie had made her smile. So maybe it wasn’t the worst day she’d lived through.

But Jessie might not want to compare her to her beloved bike after she ran what she had in mind past her. The only thing she could do was talk to her and see if she would be on board. If not, she had worked alone before. She wasn’t going to stop if she had no Lynch or Jessie to go down that path with her. She tossed the towel on the vanity, turned, and headed for the kitchen.

“I like these automatic coffeemakers,” Jessie said as she turned away from the Keurig and handed Kendra a cup of coffee. “It’s called Black Magic. It sounded like the kind of brew you’d need today.”

“Thanks.” Kendra dropped down in the kitchen chair and cradled the cup in her two hands. “You’re not having anything?”

“Nah, I was at Starbucks when I had the idea that I should drop in on you. Maybe I’ll have something later.” She sat down opposite her. “Talk to me about battering rams.”

“When we were talking earlier about how Charles Waldridge and Night Watch always made sure everyone knew what a terrific advancement this stem-cell surgery was for the world, I remembered something from that last conference I attended in Monterrey.”

“And that was?”

“There was a man who followed me on the tour. I saw him in at least three cities. I never met him, but Waldridge said he was an important supporter of Night Watch.”

“Why would he be following you?”

“I don’t know. I assumed it was part of the publicity and other financial support they were trying to generate.” She made a face. “I wasn’t being very gracious after the first six months. The man was just part of the wallpaper that was making me very impatient. I wanted out.”

“But he was noticeable enough that you remembered him even though you were never introduced?”

“Not him personally. At least I don’t think so. It was the way Waldridge deferred to him. I even remarked on it that night in Monterrey. He was important to Waldridge. It annoyed me. Charles Waldridge was the most significant person in my world at the time. He was that essential to a hell of a lot of people, and he shouldn’t have had to take a backseat to anyone.”

“Whew, do I detect a case of king-size hero worship?”

“Maybe.” She was tired of denying it even to herself. “He deserves it. You only met him once. You’d have to know him, Jessie.”

“I look forward to it.” Her gaze was narrowed on Kendra’s face. “How does Lynch take all this?”

“He understands. He’s an intelligent man after all.”

“Yes, intelligence is important, and Lynch impresses me as being way above the ordinary in that department. I’m sure that he understands quite a bit more than you might want him to about Waldridge.” She waved a dismissing hand. “Anyway, you were uneasy about this man who appeared to have some kind of authority over Waldridge. Why?”

She shrugged. “I thought that he might have something to do with sending me all over the country to show off Night Watch’s wonder operation. I was feeling kind of used.”

“And you wouldn’t let yourself blame Waldridge.”

“He wouldn’t have done it.” She grimaced. “Okay, he might have persuaded me to do a few speeches and public appearances, but he wouldn’t have made me do anything that would make me unhappy. There had to be pressure.”

“Did he know you were unhappy?”

“I didn’t hide it.”

“But you didn’t discuss it. Because you didn’t want to disappoint him.”

“Sharp.” She took a swallow of coffee. “Are you grilling me, Jessie?”

“It’s how I make my living. I’m a P.I. who’s trained to look below the surface. I’d say most of the time you’re very clear and honest with yourself and everyone around you. This time, you’re doing a cover-up because you’re not certain you want to see.” She leaned back in her chair. “If Waldridge is as brilliant as you say, then he knew what you were feeling and was avoiding a confrontation. Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know.”

“Honestly?”

“Look, there was no way that Charles Waldridge would feel the same gratitude and emotion that I felt for him. I was the one receiving gifts. But he liked me, he felt pride in me. He’s a decent human being, and he wouldn’t want me to be unhappy. So I can only guess that Night Watch was putting pressure on him to keep me on that lecture circuit. It was important to them, and I have no idea why.” Her lips twisted. “Perhaps if I’d been a little more mature, I’d have probed or noticed more about what was going on around me. I was just a kid who wanted my freedom and a chance to go out and explore the whole damn world.”