Shattered (Michael Bennett #14)(16)

It was my hope to get background, so I kept the interview more casual than official. If it felt like we were just chatting, Laura might come up with some morsel of information that would put everything into perspective. Maybe an old cabin the family used to visit. Or an old lover Emily might flee to if she was having problems.

I said, “Your home has a different atmosphere than your mom’s.”

“You mean the dogs? I had to stop her from calling them my brothers and sisters.”

Laura was all movement and nervous drumming of her fingers, more animated and fidgety than Emily.

When I felt like I was starting to gain her confidence, I asked, “Are you and Emily close?”

“You have any brothers or sisters, Michael?”

“Nope, I’m an only child.”

Her eyes opened in surprise. “Really? Considering you have ten children, I would’ve thought you came from a big family.”

She read the confusion on my face.

Laura smiled and said, “Relax, I’m not stalking you. Emily really likes you. She respects you. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her talk as well about anyone as she does about you. She even likes your fiancée.”

“Wife.”

“Really? When did that happen?”

“About two weeks ago.”

“I guess I haven’t talked to her much in the last few weeks. She’s been so busy.” Laura took a moment to wipe her red-rimmed eyes with a tissue. And she blew her nose. “Sorry, this has been hard. I took some time off work when Emily went missing. Mom is in denial, and my younger sister, Liza, calls every ten minutes. We told her to stay at Northwestern until we learned more. She’s in the audiology program.”

“She’s in what?”

“Good dad joke,” Laura said.

I looked Laura in the eyes and said, “Can I ask some personal questions about Emily? Embarrassingly personal.”

That made Laura smile. “Anything you want.”

“I didn’t see Emily judge people and I’m not going to do it to her. I just want to find my friend. And I don’t know what will help me.”

Laura solemnly nodded her assent.

“I’m hearing rumors that she’s dated powerful people. Like it’s a regular occurrence. Does she talk to you about that kind of stuff?”

Laura nodded again. “Emily was very quiet growing up. I’m sure my mom told you my dad could be tough. It wasn’t till Emily enrolled at the University of Virginia that she came out of her shell. She told me about dating a philosophy professor. She said knowing influential people made her feel like a star. She was giddy telling me about it.

“In the last year, since she’s been in DC quite a bit, she’s started to see a few different people. She’s told me about some, and others she says she can’t talk about.”

“Did she give you any names?”

“She dated some congressman from Delaware. I think his last name is Bryant. That’s all she really told me. She was a little secretive about him. I don’t know if he’s married or something else.” Laura looked off toward the corner of the room.

I could tell she was hesitating. I tried not to rush her.

Eventually she focused back on me. “I think there have been a few other politicians. And of course Justice Steinberg.”

“You say ‘of course.’ Why is that?”

“She talked to me about it like everyone knew. Everyone on the inside.”

“Do you think Steinberg’s wife knew? Did being married mean anything?”

“Not to him or Emily. I think his wife was even okay with it.”

I made a few notes on a pad mainly to cover my shock.

Laura said, “Not everyone is into traditional relationships. Like a man with ten kids.”

I held up my hands in surrender. “You’re right. But I’m not judging. Just surprised. I’ve spent a lot of time with Emily and never had any idea this was one of her interests.”

Laura shrugged. “You get used to it. Emily’s other qualities are more important. She’s bright, loyal, and caring.”

“And apparently secretive.”

Laura nodded. “And secretive.”

Secrets tended to make any investigation more difficult.





Chapter 20



Saundra Hyland liked taking her gifted third-grade class outdoors to discover the “hidden nature” in the DC area. She’d already taken the kids to two parks near the private school where she’d taught for almost six years.

Now they were in the southernmost area of Rock Creek Park. The green space was named after the Rock Creek tributary that joined with the nearby Potomac, but at this end of the meandering greenway, extending from the larger park farther north, it wasn’t particularly natural given the nearby connection between Interstate 66 and K Street.

While Saundra could hardly keep up with some of the children’s grasp of advanced mathematics, this was an activity in which she flourished. Her youth in Florida had trained her to appreciate nature. Her days at the University of Florida had taught her how to teach. That, and how to haggle for the cheapest bag of pot.

Now she stopped next to the smartest boy in the class—maybe the whole school. “What have you got, Jake?”