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just so I could contemplate the error of my ways. Bottom line, Archer, I’m up to my boobs in work. I’m asking you to take a deep breath on this.”
    “Oh, come on.” Archer rolled his eyes. “This is Hermosa Beach. How much work can there be?”
    “Hey, hey.” Liz waggled a skinny little finger. Archer saw that she bit her nails. “Don’t give me that shit. I’ve got two assaults, major vandalism down on Twenty-Second Street, and an armed robbery two nights ago at The Mermaid. Oh, and a couple of domestic complaints that would make your head spin. And that’s just my case load.”
    “What hat have you been keeping this crime wave under?”
    “No publicity means those property values stay up. Be reasonable buddy. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours. Besides, Josie’s an Amazon. She can take care of herself.”  Seeing he needed more convincing, Liz sat up straighter, a move that really didn’t add to her stature.
    “Archer, if Josie fell down and hit her head and had amnesia anybody within a twenty mile radius would know to bring her to Hermosa. Heck, anyone in the nation considering the coverage of her last few cases. Since I don’t think she’s got amnesia, that tells me she had something to do and she’s doing it.”
    Archer’s fingers drummed the arm of the chair. Liz was down to cooing just to get him out of her office so she could get to work. It wasn’t like she wouldn’t want to spend some time with him, but she would prefer it to be after hours. Even before Josie, Liz figured out nothing would never happen between them, but that didn’t keep her from wanting it – or from doing her job.
    “Aw, look. You know the drill. We’ll give priority when it’s called for. There just isn’t anything for me to sink my teeth into right now.” Liz’s finely shaped brows arched high over her eyes. Archer always found those brows disconcerting. They were so elegant on such a pedestrian face. She dismissed him as she pulled a report in front of her.
    “My gut is telling me this is solid, Driscoll.” Archer put his hands on her desk and leaned close. It was a posture that put lesser humans on notice.
    “You’re trying my patience, Archer.” She flicked her gaze his way. When she saw his face, she took pity. “Will you leave it alone if I unofficially call for a look-see on the Jeep?”
    Archer pushed off, stood up, and picked up the crumbs she was dropping.
    “Call me as soon as you hear anything.”
    “Vice-versa, buddy.” Liz picked up the pencil and then had another thought. “Archer. What about the kid? You want me to have child protective services catch her until Josie’s back?”
    Archer opened his mouth, hesitated and finally said:
    “She’ll be okay.”

CHAPTER FOUR:
    The California Mountains
     
    He sunned himself like a lizard, laid back against the broad face of a boulder despite the fact that the sun was barely up.  The work had been harder even though this one was smaller and softer than the first one. The pallet had seemed clumsier and the path rockier.  Maybe he was tired because this part was over. There had been so much planning. So many little details to attend to. Now with the first phase not only complete but also absurdly successful, he was quite let down. That was natural, of course. Any first year student of psychology or theology or physiology or any of the ‘ologies’ could tell you that. And hadn’t he just known enough psychologists and psychiatrists and priests and ministers to make his head spin?
     Recognizing this truth, allowing the second thoughts to run through his mind, he acknowledged the physical drain. Acknowledgment of a downturn made one stronger.  Even God said that. The trick was to stay on track and keep his eyes on the prize. For exactly five days he would anticipate that which could not be anticipated. He would choose the time and place of communications. Then he would lead the world here, they would recognize him as a superior human