Shattered (Michael Bennett #14)(6)

“Who’s spreading these stupid rumors?”

Roberta said, “A couple of the local rags ran stories about her personal life. Politicians and judges, none of them named, are said to be part of her social circle. Again, these are the local, fringe newspapers. Nothing the Post would ever touch.”

“Do you think the local papers have a reliable source?”

“I doubt it. I could quiz the editor. But they usually don’t say shit.” Roberta laughed and said, “Unless you’re holding them by their balls.”

“You mean figuratively.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever.”





Chapter 7



My call with Roberta Herring convinced me. I couldn’t ignore a friend like Emily when she was in trouble. I felt like I needed to go to DC and look for her myself. Not that I doubted the FBI would be able to handle it. But if I was in DC, I might do things the FBI couldn’t.

The kids were at school, Brian at work, Juliana out with some friends. Mary Catherine and I were alone in the kitchen. She had shuffled in to grab a cup of coffee, still in her bathrobe. Even in terry cloth printed with a family photograph and a message from the kids—WE LOVE YOU, MARY CATHERINE—she looked like a model of beauty and grace.

Her blond hair hung loose down her back and created a halo effect around the top of her head. She had to be on board with this plan because there was no way I could go against her wishes.

We sat on the couch together. Then she realized something was up.

I reached across and held both of her hands.

“What’s wrong, Michael?”

“Emily Parker has disappeared in Washington, DC.”

“Oh, my Lord, that’s terrible. Do the police have any leads?”

I told her everything I had learned so far. Then I leaned in and said, “I feel like I should go down there and help look for her. I have no idea if the FBI will even talk to me. But Roberta Herring said she’d find me a liaison if I wanted to try.”

Then I waited. All I really wanted was to hear how Mary Catherine felt about the idea. She took longer than I thought. I felt surprisingly anxious, but then I remembered the depth of Mary Catherine’s compassion. She could no more ignore a friend in need than she could ignore one of the kids. She might have had reservations about my getting involved, but she knew I had to do something.

Then Mary Catherine looked me in the eyes and said, “If you really think you can help, you have to go to Washington. Emily’s an effective FBI agent, and she’s been too much help to this family for us to ignore her when she’s in trouble.”

There it was. One of the reasons I’d married her. Support. She didn’t hesitate to highlight that we were in this together. As a family. Helping people who needed help.

Emily and I definitely had a history, and Mary Catherine knew every detail, including that we almost took a shot at romance years before. Plus, she had eyes. She could see Emily was beautiful.

Even though I considered Mary Catherine in a class by herself, I couldn’t testify to her own insecurities. But that was one of the reasons I loved her. She didn’t believe in running away from problems.

All Mary Catherine asked was “How long will you be gone?”

I shrugged. I had no idea.

She said, “Please try to be home for Trent’s ceremony. I’ve never seen that boy so excited.”

I leaned across and kissed her on the lips. This was a woman who got me. Who could ask for anything more out of life?





Chapter 8



I talked to the kids as soon as they were all home. It was harder telling them than it had been talking to Mary Catherine about leaving. All I told them was that I had to help a friend in Washington, DC, for a few days.

Trent immediately said, “Don’t forget the ceremony at City Hall.”

“There is no way I would miss it, buddy. I guarantee I’ll be back for that.” Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Jane. She didn’t look happy about the ceremony. I didn’t want to get into it just now. Jealousy between siblings could get ugly.

I wasn’t the kind of guy who was going to shoo away his children, so it was hard having a proper good-bye with my new wife. I had to settle for a hug and a quick kiss.

I whispered in her ear, “I’ll make this up to you.”

“You already have.”

The ride down the elevator was one of the toughest I’d ever taken.

Hopping Amtrak to DC was an easy choice. At Penn Station, there would be no waiting around for two hours, like at an airport terminal. And I could bring my gun without anyone asking questions. I didn’t think I’d need it, but I like to be prepared. I grabbed a cab.

On the ride from New York to DC, I looked out at the dreary autumn afternoon and thought about my life and the odd turns it had taken, grateful for what felt like a second chance. I was pretty sure leaving town less than two weeks after marrying Mary Catherine made me a complete and utter jerk. I missed her even before the train had left Penn Station.

As guilty as I felt about leaving Mary Catherine with all the kids, I was also envious. One by one, the kids would be heading off to college. The idea that my time with my family was finite made me miss them even more.

All that reinforced how important it was that I go to DC. I was going to find Emily Parker. Or, at the very least, find out what happened to her.