Simple Genius (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 3)

“We have time to prep at least. We’ll need some things.”

“I’ve already called in for them.”

“So Joan didn’t ask questions?”

“I didn’t use Joan, because I don’t trust her, at least not with this.”

“I don’t want to hear any more of this,” Horatio said, pretending to cover his ears. “I’m already an accessory before the fact as it is.”

“Not to worry. Like I said, if we’re caught we won’t rat you out.” He grinned. “Unless we can cut a better deal by selling your ass down the river.”

“What I did to deserve friends like you I don’t know.”

Sean said, “Horatio, we do need to follow up with Viggie. Codes and blood. You’re right, that’s got to mean something.”

“I can do another session with her,” Horatio said.

“I’ve gotten pretty close to her,” Michelle said. “Let me try.”

Horatio looked at her. “Did she say she liked you?”

“Yes. And she said she doesn’t like you.”

“Your sheer enjoyment in communicating that fact is duly noted,” the psychologist commented blandly.

Sean said, “The other thing that’s puzzling is that if I’m right and Rivest was killed, no one saw anyone leaving his cottage. His place is on the main drag. Someone had to see something.”

Horatio said, “You’re sure your sheriff buddy is asking the right people the right questions?”

“I assumed he was. Maybe that assumption was wrong. Maybe we should do it ourselves.”

“So what do I do while you two are preparing to be slaughtered?”

“Does that mean—” Sean began but Horatio cut him off.

“Yeah, I’m staying. I must be as nuts as you. But the good news is I’ll have plenty of time for counseling inside the big house after we’re all busted. So give me an assignment before I come to my senses, jump on my Harley and ride like hell away from you two psychos.”

“You can go and talk to a guy named South Freeman over in Arch, Virginia. He runs the newspaper there and has a good handle on the local history. Tell him we sent you. Learn everything you can about the area from him.”

As the meeting broke up Horatio whispered to Michelle. “Thought any more about the hypnosis?”

“I’ll make a deal with you. If I come back alive I’ll let you hypnotize me.”

“Just the fact that you two are seriously contemplating this means you’re both certifiable. You know that, right?”

“Wish me luck, Horatio.”

As she closed the truck door, he said grudgingly, “Good luck.”

CHAPTER

57

EARLY THE NEXT MORNING Michelle went on a walk with Viggie, eventually straying down by the river where they sat on the boathouse dock and put their feet in the water. She attempted several times to lead the conversation around to codes and blood, but Viggie just as cagily danced around those attempts.

“Can we go out on the kayak again?” Viggie asked.

“Sure, would you like to go now?”