Blake Pierce - Kate Wise - 5 - If She Fled Page 2

  very long, serious talk. And there might be yelling. And as distant as he’s

  been lately, he and I both agree that we’re never going to yell at each other

  while there’s a child in the house.”

  “Is he…is he mistreating you?”

  “No, nothing like that.”

  Kate looked down at the car seat, slowly taking Michelle out. “Lissa, you

  should have called. Given me a heads-up.”

  “I did. I tried, about an hour ago. But it rang a few times and went to

  voicemail.”

  “Ah hell. I left it on silent after I went to the dentist today. I’m so sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry. I hate to ask you for this favor so last minute when you

  clearly already have plans. But…I don’t know what else to do. I’m sorry if it

  feels like I’m taking advantage of you, but you’re…you’re all I have, Mom.

  But lately, it feels like you’re moving on. You have Alan and your sort-of job

  with the bureau now. I feel like you’re forgetting about me…that Michelle

  and I are more of a nuisance than anything else.”

  It broke Kate’s heart to hear those words. She sat Michelle on her lap, holding her little hands and bouncing her lightly.

  “I have not forgotten about you,” Kate said. “If anything, I think I’ve been

  trying to rediscover myself. Through work, through Alan…through you and

  Michelle. You’ve never been a nuisance.”

  I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come over after you didn’t answer your phone.

  We can do this some other time, maybe a few days from now…does that

  sound good?”

  “No,” Kate said. “Tonight. Take tonight.”

  “But your date…”

  “Alan will understand. He’s grown pretty fond of Michelle, you know.”

  “Mom…are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  She leaned over and wrapped Melissa up in a hug. Michelle squirmed in

  her lap, reaching up with a free hand to clutch her grandma’s hair. “I was

  scared when Michelle was going through all of that hospital mess, too,” she

  said as they embraced. “Maybe Terry just never processed it. Give him a

  chance to explain. And if he gives you a hard time, remind him that your

  mother carries a gun.”

  Melissa laughed as they broke the hug. Michelle laughed too, clapping her

  chubby little hands together.

  “Tell Alan I said I’m sorry,” Melissa said.

  “I will. And if things get weird tonight, let me know. You’re always

  welcome to stay here if you need a break from it all.”

  Melissa nodded and kissed Michelle on the head. “You be good for

  Grandma, okay?”

  Michelle had no response to this, as she was currently slapping at one of

  the buttons on Kate’s shirt. Kate watched Melissa leave and could clearly see

  just how torn she was. It made Kate wonder if things were worse at home

  than she was letting on.

  Once the door was closed, Kate looked down at Michelle and gave her a

  smile. Michelle happily returned it as she reached up for her grandmother’s

  nose.

  “Is Mommy happy at home?” Kate asked. “Are Mommy and Daddy doing

  okay?”

  Michelle grabbed her nose and squeezed, as if reminding her of her duties.

  Kate grinned and stuck her tongue out, realizing that maybe watching Michelle could be a date in its own right.

  ***

  When Kate answered the door for Alan fifteen minutes later, he looked

  both happy and confused. His eyes were alight and sparkling as they usually

  were when they took in the sight of Kate. He then saw the ten-month-old

  baby in her arms, causing his eyes to narrow into confusion. He smiled

  regardless, as Kate had told Melissa the truth less than half an hour ago; Alan

  loved Michelle almost as much as Kate did.

  “I think she’s a little young to be serving as a third wheel,” Alan said.

  “I know. Look, Alan, I’m sorry. But there’s been a change of plans…like

  in the past half an hour. Melissa and Terry are going through a hard time.

  Terry is being really distant and weird. They have to work through some

  stuff…”

  Alan shrugged nonchalantly. “Am I still invited in?”

  “Of course.”

  He kissed them both—first Kate on the lips and then Michelle on the

  forehead—before stepping inside. Kate’s heart warmed toward him at once.

  First of all, he looked handsome as always. He’d dressed nicely for their date,

  but not too nice. He managed to always dress in a way that made it look like he could fit in at a cocktail patio on the beach or a swanky downtown

  restaurant.

  “You think they’ll be okay?” Alan asked.

  “I think so. I think Michelle’s health scare rocked Terry more than he

  knew. It’s just now starting to catch up with him and I think it might be

  affecting their marriage.”

  “That’s rough,” Alan said. He opened his hands to Michelle and she

  instantly reached for him. As he snuggled her close and she slapped at his

  cheek, Alan regarded Kate with what wasn’t quite concern, but something

  close.

  “Did she not even call?” he asked.

  “She tried and… damn. I still forgot to take it off silent. Went to the dentist for a checkup.”

  She took her phone out of her purse and switched the ringer back on. She

  saw at once where Melissa had indeed tried to call her an hour and twenty minutes ago.

  “Well, you know, we can have the date here,” he said. “We can call up

  some Thai food and watch a movie. And the ending part of it all could be the

  same.”

  Kate nodded and smiled, but her attention was still on her phone. She had

  missed another call as well. And the number had tried calling twice, having

  left a message the last time.

  It was a call from DC—from Director Duran.

  “Kate?”

  She blinked and looked away from the phone. She hated that she felt like

  she had been caught doing something bad.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s just…work called, too. About three hours ago.”

  “Return the call then,” Alan said. He was pretending to dance with

  Michelle and although he wore a happy face, Kate could sense some irritation

  lurking beneath. But she also knew that he’d only press her harder to go

  ahead and make the call if she refused.

  “One second,” she said, walking into the kitchen and returning Duran’s

  call.

  The phone rang only twice before it was answered. Even in something as

  simple as “hello,” Duran sounded pissed.

  “Kate, there you are. Where have you been?”

  “My phone was on silent. Sorry. Is everything okay?”

  “Well, when you didn’t answer the last time, I’ve sort of been scrambling

  around.”

  “Over what?”

  “There’s a case out in Illinois—two murders that seem related but there’s

  no hard link. It’s pretty much stumped the local PD, and the field office out

  of Chicago pointed out that you were familiar with the area…the Fielding

  case you cracked in 2002. They said they’re glad to put their own agents on

  it, but were asking if you’d rather take it. They’re kind of excited about the

  idea of getting you back out there.”

  “When
?”

  “I’d like to get you on a plane tonight. Get you and DeMarco out there

  nice and early in the morning.”

  “What are the details?”

  “I can send you what I have, but there’s still some stuff coming in. Police

  reports, forensics, all of that. Can I count on you?”

  Kate looked back over at Alan, still dancing with Michelle. She was

  bopping him on the nose and on the mouth while he sang a Bob Dylan song

  to her. If she took the case, she’d have to call Melissa back and tell her she

  couldn’t keep Michelle. Not tonight. And she’d also have to cancel plans

  with Alan.

  “What happens if I can’t?” she asked Duran.

  “Then I’m going to pass it over to the field office in Chicago. But I really

  think you’re the perfect match for this. All I need you to do is find some leads

  and get it rolling. After that, local agents can roll with it.”

  “Let me think about it?”

  “Kate, I need to know now. I have to let the local PD and the Chicago

  field office know what’s going down.”

  In her heart, she knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to take it. She

  wanted to take it very badly. And if that made her selfish, then…then so

  what? There was a huge difference between putting family first and denying

  herself the opportunities and the chance to live her own life. She knew if she

  turned this opportunity down just because she had stepped in to watch

  Michelle for Melissa at the last minute, she’d feel resentful toward them both.

  It hurt to admit it, but there it was, the honest and raw truth.

  “Okay, yes, count me in. Are there flight details yet?”

  “DeMarco is taking care of all of that,” Duran said. “She’ll be contacting

  you soon.”

  Kate ended the call, her eyes again traveling over to Alan and Michelle.

  The strained look on Alan’s face told her that he had heard the conversation.

  “When are you leaving?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. DeMarco is in charge of the itinerary. Sometime tonight.

  Alan…I’m sorry.”

  He said nothing, looking away as he sat down on the couch with Michelle.

  “It is what it is,” he finally said. “And don’t feel too bad…I still have a pretty hot date here.”

  “Don’t be silly, Alan. I’ll call Melissa and explain things to her.”

  “No. If they need the respite, let them have it. As you might know, I am

  fully capable of watching after this little one.”

  “Alan, I couldn’t possibly ask you to do that!”

  “And you never would. Which is why I am volunteering it.”

  Kate came over to the couch and sat next to him. She rested her head on

  his shoulder. “Do you know how incredible you are?”

  He shrugged. “Do you?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, sensing some resentment in his tone.

  “I mean, this thing with you and your work. It was supposed to be an

  every now and then thing, right? And honestly, to be fair, it has been. But

  when it’s on, it’s on. They want you to drop everything and come running

  when they call.”

  “It’s part of the job, though.”

  “A job you retired from two years ago. Did you really miss it that much?”

  “Alan…that’s not fair.”

  “Maybe not. I won’t pretend to know what kind of lure that job holds over

  you. But I’m on the same sidelines as Melissa and Michelle. There’s only so

  much more of this I’m going to be able to take.”

  “If you feel so strongly, I won’t take this one. I’ll call Duran back and—”

  “No. You need to take it. I don’t want you taking it out on me or your

  daughter if you let it pass you by. So, go. Take it. But coming from someone

  who is rapidly falling more and more in love with you, I feel I should tell you

  that you need to have some hard conversations when you come back. With

  me, your daughter, and maybe even yourself.”

  Kate’s first reaction was one of anger and resentment. But maybe he was

  right. After all, hadn’t she realized her decision was borderline selfish just

  several moments ago? She’d be fifty-six in three weeks. Maybe it was time

  she finally drew up some boundaries in terms of her work. And if it meant

  that her special little set-up with Duran and the bureau came to an end, so be

  it.

  “Alan…I need you to be honest. If me taking this is going to strain us…”

  “It won’t. Not this time. But I don’t know how much longer it can go on

  into the future.”

  She opened her mouth to respond but her phone rang, interrupting her. She

  checked the display and saw that it was Jo DeMarco, the young woman who

  had been serving as her partner for the last year, riding along on this little

  experiment between her and the FBI.

  “It’s DeMarco,” she said. “I need to get travel details.”

  “It’s okay,” he said. “You don’t have to clear it with me.”

  What she didn’t say but felt deep in her heart was: Then why do I feel like

  I have to?

  It was a question she did not feel like wrestling with at the moment. And,

  as she had been doing when presented with questions like this over the last

  few months, she turned her attention to work. With a sting of guilt, she

  answered the call.

  “Hey, DeMarco. What’s up?”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Both Kate and DeMarco had managed to grab a bit of sleep on the red-eye

  flight from

  DC to Chicago. But in Kate’s case, it had been a very broken nap at best.

  When she stirred awake during descent into Chicago at 6:15, she didn’t feel

  very rested. Her thoughts instantly turned to Melissa, Michelle, and Alan.

  The guilt slammed into her like a brick as she had watched Chicago appear in

  the soft light of dawn through the plane window.

  She spent that first moment in Chicago hating herself. It got better as she

  and DeMarco made their way through the airport and to the rental car desk.

  Now, as they drove into the small town of Frankfield, Illinois, the guilt

  was still there but little more than a ghost in her head, rattling chains and

  creaking floorboards.

  DeMarco was behind the wheel, sipping on Starbucks she had picked up

  in O’Hare. She glanced over at Kate, who was looking out the window, and

  nudged her.

  “Okay, Wise,” DeMarco said. “There’s a big fat elephant in the room and

  it stinks. What’s going on? You look miserable.”

  “We at the let’s-go-deep level yet?”

  “Weren’t we always?”

  Kate sat up and sighed. “I was babysitting Michelle when I realized I

  missed a call from Duran. I had to bail. Worse than that, I left her with Alan

  because Melissa and her husband are going through some stuff. It’s kind of

  eating me up.”

  “I’m glad you’re here with me,” DeMarco said. “But you could have just

  told him no. You’re not under a strict contract or anything, right?”

  “Right. But saying no isn’t as easy as you’d think. I fear I’m putting too

  much into this. I think it’s how I’m finding my purpose.”

  “Being a grandmother isn’t enough purpose?” DeMarco asked.

  “Oh, it is. I just…I don’t know.”

  She tra
iled off here and DeMarco let her have her silence…for a moment.

  “So, this case,” DeMarco said. “Looks pretty plain, right? You read the

  files?”

  “I did. And it does seem pretty cut and dry. But with no leads or clues or

  even the slightest suggestion from local law enforcement, it’s going to be a challenge.”

  “So…the latest victim was a fifty-four-year-old woman. At home alone

  two afternoons ago. No signs of forced entry. Discovered by the husband

  when he arrived home from work. Looks like it was brutal strangulation that

  cut deep into her neck.”

  “And that might be the smoking gun right there,” Kate said. “What the

  hell do you strangle someone with that has the ability to also saw into your

  neck?”

  “Barbed wire?”

  “There would have been more blood,” Kate commented. “The scene

  would have been beyond gruesome.”

  “And the reports say this place was pretty clean.”

  “So that explains why the local PD is having such problems. But there has

  to be some starting place, right?”

  “Well, let’s find out,” DeMarco said, slowing the car to a crawl and

  nodding ahead and to the right. “We’re here.”

  ***

  There was a single policeman waiting for them when they pulled into the

  U-shaped driveway. He was sitting in his patrol car, sipping on a cup of

  coffee. He gave Kate and DeMarco a polite nod when they approached his

  car. He was dressed in uniform, and the star-shaped badge indicated he was

  the sheriff. If Kate had to guess, he would not be holding that position for

  much longer. He was easily pushing sixty; it showed the most in his brow and

  the almost completely gray sheen on his hair.

  “Agents Wise and DeMarco,” Kate said, showing him her badge.

  “Sheriff Bannerman,” the aging policeman said. “Glad you could make it

  up here. This case has us baffled as hell.”

  “Care to walk us inside and give us the details?” Kate asked.

  “Of course.”

  Bannerman led them up the wide stairs onto the minimally decorated

  porch. Inside, the house was equally minimalist, making the already huge

  house look even larger. The front door opened onto a tiled foyer that gave

  way to a wide hall and a set of curved stairs leading to the second floor.

  Bannerman led them down the hallway and to the right. They entered a spacious den, the far wall occupied by a single enormous built-in bookcase.