“I’m not sure how much help I can be. I don’t remember all that much, Laura.”
“Temporary amnesia. You’ll probably get it back.”
She put on her jacket. “I have to go. Somebody’s got to keep Middleton County safe for the rich and famous while you’re counting sheep in here.” She smiled. “Don’t make a habit out of this, Seth. We were really worried we might have to hire a new detective.”
“Where would you find someone as nice as me?”
Laura laughed. “Your wife will be back in a few hours. You need to get some rest anyway.” She turned to go to the door.
“By the way, Seth, what were you doing at the Farragut West Metro at that time of night?”
Frank didn’t answer right away. He didn’t have amnesia. He recalled the night’s events clearly.
“Seth?”
“I’m not sure, Laura.” He closed his eyes and then re-opened them. “I just don’t remember.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll come back to you. In the meantime, they’ll catch Graham. That’ll probably clear everything up.”
After Laura left, Frank did not rest. Jack was out there. And he had probably initially thought the detective had set him up, although if Jack had seen the paper he would know that the detective had walked blindly into the ambush that had been laid for the lawyer.
But they had the letter opener now. That’s what was in that box. He was certain of it. And without that what chance did they have of nailing these people?
Frank again tried to struggle up. There was an IV in his arm. The pressure on his brain caused him to immediately lie back down. He had to get out of here. And he had to get in touch with Jack. Right now he had no idea how he would accomplish either.
“You said you needed my help? What can i do?” Kate looked directly at Jack. There were no reservations on her features.
Jack sat on the bed next to her. He looked troubled. “I’ve got some real serious doubts about getting you anywhere near this. In fact I’m wondering if calling you was the right thing to do.”
“Jack, I’ve been surrounded by rapists, armed robbers and murderers for the last four years.”
“I know that. But at least you knew who they were. This could be anybody. People are getting killed left and right, Kate. This is about as serious as it gets.”
“I’m not leaving unless you let me help you.”
Jack hesitated, his eyes turned away from hers.
“Jack, if you don’t, then I’m going to turn you in. Better you take your chances with the cops.”
He looked at her. “You’d do that, wouldn’t you?”
“Damn straight I would. I’m breaking all the rules by being here with you now. If you let me in on it, then I forget all about seeing you today. If you don’t...”
There was a look in her eyes that, despite all the horrific possibilities he was contemplating, made him somehow feel fortunate to be here at this exact moment.
“Okay. You need to be my contact with Seth. Outside of you he’s the only one I can trust.”
“But you lost the package. How can he help?” Kate could not hide her dislike of the homicide detective.
Jack stood up and paced. Finally he stopped and looked down at her. “You know how your dad was a freak for control? Always have a backup plan?”
Kate said dryly, “I remember.”
“Well I’m counting on that quality.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That Luther had a backup plan on this one.”
She stared at him, open-mouthed.
“Mrs. Broome?”
The door opened another notch as Edwina Broome peered out.
“Yes?”
“My name is Kate Whitney. Luther Whitney was my father.”
Kate relaxed as the old woman greeted her with a smile.
“I knew I’d seen you before. Luther was always showing pictures of you. You’re even prettier than your photos.”
“Thank you.”
Edwina jerked the door open. “What am I thinking about. You must be freezing. Please come in.”
Edwina led her into the small living room where a trio of felines were cloistered on various pieces of furniture.
“I just made some fresh tea, would you like some?”
Kate hesitated. Time was short. Then she looked around the narrow confines of the home. In the corner sat a battered upright piano, thick dust on the wood. Kate looked at the woman’s weakened eyes; the pleasures of a musical pastime had also been taken from her. Husband passed on, her only daughter dead. How many visitors could she possibly have?
“Thank you, I would.”
Both women settled into the old but comfortable furniture. Kate sipped the strong tea and she began to thaw out. She brushed the hair out of her face and looked across at the elderly woman to find a pair of sad eyes upon her.
“I’m sorry about your daddy, Kate. I really am. I know you two had your differences. But Luther was as good a man as I’ve come across in my life.”
Kate felt herself growing warmer. “Thank you. We both have had a lot to deal with in that regard.”
Edwina’s eyes drifted over to a small table next to the window. Kate followed the gaze. On the table numerous photographs displayed a small shrine to Wanda Broome; capturing her in happy times. She strongly resembled her mother.
A shrine. With a jolt Kate recalled her father’s own collection of her personal triumphs.
“Yes indeed.” Edwina was looking at her again.
Kate put down her tea. “Mrs. Broome, I hate to jump right into this, but the fact is I don’t have much time.”
The old woman leaned forward expectantly. “This is about Luther’s death, and my daughter’s too, isn’t it?”
Kate looked surprised. “Why do you think that?”
Edwina leaned forward even more, her voice dropped to a whisper. “Because I know Luther didn’t kill Mrs. Sullivan. I know it as if I’d seen it with my own eyes.”
Kate looked puzzled. “Do you have any idea who—”
Edwina was already shaking her head sadly. “No. No, I don’t.”
“Well how do you know my father didn’t do it?”
Now there was definite hesitation. Edwina leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. When she finally reopened them, Kate had not moved a muscle.
“You’re Luther’s daughter and I believe you should know the truth.” She paused, took a sip of her tea, pressed her lips dry with a napkin and then settled back into her chair. A black Persian drifted across and promptly went to sleep in her lap. “I knew about your father. His past, so to speak. He and Wanda got to know each other. She got into trouble years back and Luther helped her, helped her get back on her feet and get settled into a respectable life. I will always be grateful to him for that. He was always there when Wanda or I needed anything. The fact is, Kate, your father would never have been in the house that night if it weren’t for Wanda.”
Edwina spoke for some minutes. When she had finished Kate sat back in her chair and realized she was holding her breath. She let out a loud gasp that seemed to echo around the room.
Edwina didn’t say anything but continued to watch the young woman with her large sad eyes. Finally she stirred. A thickly wrinkled hand patted Kate’s knee.
“Luther loved you, child. More than anything.”
“I realize that...”
Edwina slowly shook her head. “He never blamed you for the way you felt. In fact he said you were entirely right to feel that way.”
“He said that?”
“He was so proud of you, your being a lawyer and all. He used to say to me, ‘My daughter is a lawyer and a damned fine one. Justice is what matters for her and she’s right, dead right.’ ”
Kate’s head began to swirl. She was feeling emotions she was ill-equipped right now to deal with. She rubbed the back of her neck and took a moment to look outside. A black sedan pulled down the street and then disappeared. She quickly looked back at Edwina.