“Come on, Will,” she coaxed, “even if the alarm system had been working perfectly, any system can be disengaged if the kidnappers know what they’re doing, and Megan’s kidnappers knew what they were doing.” She frowned.
Sam verbalized her thought. “But they didn’t know the system was broken. They should have tried to disengage it.” He looked at Hank. “You check downstairs. I’ll look outside.”
They disappeared.
Susan, who had been standing on the far side of the room with her arms wrapped tightly around her middle, called, “Savannah? Can I talk with you for a minute?” As soon as Savannah had joined her, she murmured, “This isn’t going to work. I’m not doing a bit of good here.”
“Sure, you are.”
“I cook. That’s it.”
“You soften things up just by being here. It’s a woman’s touch.”
“I’m not helping Will. He’s a zombie. The main thing I’m doing is arguing with Sam.”
“Why does he bother you so?”
“I don’t know, but he does.”
“I’ve always liked him.”
Susan frowned and dropped her gaze. Focusing on one glossy pink fingernail, she asked, “Are you interested in him?”
“Interested? Sure. Sammy and I have been through a lot together. I care about him.”
“Do you date him?”
“No.”
“Have you ever?”
“No.”
“But you invited him to the party at the house last year.”
“Him and about sixty of my other friends and colleagues.”
Susan looked up. “You’ve never slept with him?”
“If I’ve never dated him, how could I have slept with him?”
Susan looked back down at her nail. “You said it yourself, you’ve been through a lot together. Sometimes things just… happen. You could be working on a case late at night, you’re both tired and tense, you need an outlet.”
“Sammy and I have never used each other that way.”
“You’re sure?”
Savannah gave a soft laugh. “Of course, I’m sure. Susan, what is this? I’d tell you if I had a thing for the man, but I don’t. I think he’s intelligent and sensitive and very attractive, but he doesn’t turn me on that way. And I don’t turn him on that way. Neither of us is suffering. Believe me.”
Susan was quiet for a minute. Then she said, “So you think he’s attractive?”
“Yes.”
“Even with that hair?”
Savannah nodded. “He’s an individual. I respect that.” She paused. Susan was looking sadly across the room. “What is it, Suse?”
But Susan didn’t answer. She stared at that distant wall, then shook her head and shrugged. Before Savannah could pursue it, Sam and Hank returned. They said nothing until they reached her side.
