First Family (45 page)

“What else did the letter say?”

“That was the most troubling part.”

“Troubling how?” Sean said warily.

“I’m not sure this whole thing is related to the Duttons. I think it might have something to do with the First Lady.”

“You mean the kidnappers want something from the president?”

“No. The letter said that the next communication she got would reveal all. And that if she let anyone else read it, that it would all be over for her and everyone she cared about. That there would be no way out then for her. Her only chance to survive would be to keep the letter away from everyone else.”

“It actually said that?”

“Not word for word, but that’s the clear intent. Sean, you obviously knew her way back when. I’ve only been around her during this term. What could the person be referring to? Something in Mrs. Cox’s past?”

Sean thought back to the first time he’d met Jane Cox, while awkwardly carrying her newly minted U.S. senator and drunken husband into their modest house. Yet nothing had come of that.

“Sean?”

“Yeah, I was just thinking. I’m coming up with zip, Aaron.”

He heard the other man sigh. “If I just risked my career for nothing.”

“I don’t think you did. What that letter said changes things, Aaron. I just don’t know how.”

“Well, if this does involve the First Lady and the shit hits the fan, right in the middle of a campaign, I don’t want to be within a thousand miles of that fallout.”

“We might not have a choice.”

“Anything on your end?”

“Just trying to follow up some leads along with Waters.”

“How’s Maxwell? Heard her mother died.”

“She’s doing okay. Best as can be expected.”

“For what it’s worth I thought you both got raw deals at the Service.”

“Thanks.”

Aaron clicked off and Sean went back to his binders after spending a few minutes fruitlessly racking his brain about anything in Jane Cox’s past that could explain the current situation.

A few minutes later the door opened and Michelle walked in.

“Did you find your dad?” he asked, rising from the table.

“Yeah, he was where I’d thought he’d be.”

“At the farmhouse?”

She gazed darkly at him.

“I’m a detective,” he said gamely. “It’s what I do.”

“Sometimes I wish you didn’t do it so well, particularly when it concerns me.”

He studied her. “Have you been crying?”

“Tears are sometimes good. I’ve been finding that out lately.”

“Did you hash things out?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“Did he come back with you?”

“No, he went over to see Bobby.”

She looked at the piles of binders. “Sorry I walked out on you. Any revelations?”

“Not yet. I’ve hit it hard for the past four hours, but got zip. However, judging from the number of investigations, apparently desertions are becoming a real problem for the Army. I did hear from Betack.” He filled her in on the conversation.

Michelle made a pot of fresh coffee and poured out cups for her and Sean. They both sat down at the kitchen table. “That would explain why she’s been so high-strung. And why she’s been playing things so close to the vest.”

“You mean obstructing justice?”

“That too.”

She reached out her hand. “Give me a binder and let’s find that kid.”

Two hours later they were still there.

“Six more to go,” said Sean as he stretched out and then handed another binder to her.

They read slowly, looking for any clue that might allow them to lift their butts from these chairs and plunge into action once more. Their intensity levels were as high as if they were taking a college final exam. There was no room for mistakes. If there was a clue buried in all this, they knew it was probably going to be a subtle one and they could not afford to miss it.

“How about some dinner?” Sean finally said. “I’m buying. And we can keep reading.”

They drove to a local restaurant.

“So you really think things are okay with your dad?”

She nodded. “I think so. I mean, we both have to work at it. I haven’t been the most loving, attentive daughter in the world.”

“Or sister,” he pointed out.

“Thanks for reminding me.”

As they ate she eyed him nervously. “Sean, about what happened back at my father’s house.”

“What about it?”

“It won’t happen again.”

“But if it did happen again, I’d be there for you, okay? There are few guarantees in life, but there’s one of them.”

“I’d do the same for you. I hope you know that.”

“That’s why we’re partners, right? So any little hiccups that come along, we’ll deal with them. Okay? Together.”

“Okay.”

He slid a binder across to her. “Now let’s get back to work.”

Before she opened the binder she leaned across and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“And that was for what?” he asked.

“For dealing with the hiccups so damn well. And for not taking advantage of a lady when you could have.”

C
AN
I
SEE
the daylight?”

Quarry had flown his plane up to the mines and was now watching Willa as they sat in her room.

“Why do you want to see the daylight?”

“Because I haven’t seen it in a while, that’s why. I miss it. I’m a sun person.”

“You can’t get away. There’s no one to yell to for help.”

“So there’s no reason not to let me see it, then,” she answered reasonably.

“What’d you and the lady talk about the other day?”

“Just things. I like her.”

“You’ve never seen her before, have you?”

“Why would I have?” Willa asked, her large eyes squarely on Quarry.

“I guess seeing the daylight will be okay. Come on.”

“Now?”

“Why not now?”

She followed him out. As they walked down the long passage she said, “Can Diane come too?”

“I guess so.”

They retrieved Diane and the two ladies followed the tall Quarry toward the exit. Willa’s eyes darted left and right, taking in all details, while Diane simply trudged along, her gaze only on Quarry’s back. Behind them Daryl walked along, his face still bruised from his fight with his father. His mood seemed to match his injuries.

One thing Willa picked up on was the cables running along some
of the passageways that she did not remember seeing before. She didn’t know what they were for, but intuitively concluded that their presence did not portend anything good.

Quarry unlocked the door and they all stepped outside, blinking to adjust to the light.

“Right nice day,” said Quarry as he led the little group outside.

And it was. The sky was a light blue and cloudless. The breeze from the west was warming but gentle. They sat on a large rock and gazed around. Willa looked interested, Diane Wohl indifferent, and Daryl just scowled off into the distance.

“Where’d you learn to fly?” said Willa, pointing at the little Cessna parked on the grassy strip.

“Vietnam. Nothing like a war to teach you how to fly real good. ’Cause you don’t fly real good in a war, the problem ain’t that you don’t arrive on time, it’s that you don’t arrive at all.”

“I’ve been on a plane,” said Willa. “We went to Europe last summer. Me and my family. And I’ve flown to California. Have you been on a plane?” she asked Diane.

She said nervously, “Yeah, I travel a lot for work. But not planes like that one,” she added, pointing at Quarry’s ride. “Big ones.”

“What sort of work do you do?” asked Willa.

“Look, Willa, I’m not exactly in the mood to chitchat, okay?” she said, eying Quarry warily.

“Okay,” the girl said, apparently unperturbed by this. “Can I walk down there?” she asked Quarry, pointing to the grassy strip.

Quarry gave Daryl a look and then nodded at Diane.

“Sure, let’s go.”

They made their way down the short slope, Quarry holding on to Willa’s hand. When they got to level ground he let go and they walked side by side.

“Is that your mountain?” she asked, pointing behind her.

“More of a hill than a mountain, but yeah, I guess it is mine. Or at least it was my granddaddy’s and it got passed down to me.”

“You sure you told my family that I’m okay?”

“Sure I’m sure, why?”

“Diane said she didn’t think you had contacted her mother to let her know she was all okay.”

“Is that right?” Quarry looked back up Diane, who sat on a rock looking as miserable as she no doubt felt.

Willa said quickly, “Don’t be angry at her, we were just talking.” She hesitated. “Did you call her mother?”

Quarry didn’t answer. He just walked on. Willa had to hurry along to keep up with his strides.

“How’s your daughter?”

Quarry stopped walking. “Why all the questions, girl?” he said darkly.

“Why not?”

“That’s just another damn question. Answer mine.”

“I don’t have anything else to do,” Willa said simply. “I’m alone almost all the time. I’ve read all the books you brought. Diane doesn’t say much when we’re together. She just mostly cries and hugs me. I miss my family and this is the first time I’ve seen the sun since I tried to get away. I’m just basically trying to hold everything together. Would you rather I like screamed and ranted and bawled my eyes out? Because I can if you want.”

Quarry started walking again and so did she. “I got two daughters, actually. Lot older than you. All grown up.”

“I meant the daughter who doesn’t read anymore. How is she doing?”

“Not too well.”

“Can I ask some more questions? Or will you get mad?”

Quarry stopped, snagged a rock off the ground, and tossed it about twenty feet. “Sure, it’s okay.”

“Is she really sick?”

“You know what a coma is?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s what she’s in. Has been for over thirteen years. Longer than you’ve been alive.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too.”

“What happened to her?”

“Somebody hurt her.”

“Why would they do that?”

“Good question. Turns out some people don’t care who they hurt.”

“Did they ever catch the person?”

“No.”

“What’s your daughter’s name?”

“Tippi.”

“Can you tell me
your
name?”

“Sam.”

“I know you can’t tell me your last name, Sam.”

“It’s Quarry. Sam Quarry.”

Willa looked stricken.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“You just told me your whole name,” she said shakily.

“So? You asked.”

“But if you told me your whole name, I could tell the police, but only if you plan on letting us go. So that means you’re not going to let us go.” She said this last part in a hushed voice.

“Why don’t you think about that again? There’s another answer. You’re smart, go for it.”

Willa stared up at him with a strange look on her face. Finally she said, “I guess it could be that you don’t care if I tell the police your name.”

“Hell, I expect lots of folks will know my name soon enough.”

“Why’s that?”

“Just will. You know, speaking of names, there’s a little black boy that lives with me called Gabriel. Almost as old as you. And he’s about as smart as you too. He’s a real good boy. Nice as they come.”

“Can I meet him?” she said quickly.

“Not right now, no. See, he doesn’t know anything about this and I intend to keep it that way. But what I want you to do is make sure that folks know him and his ma, Ruth Ann, didn’t know nothing about this. Not a thing. Will you do that for me, Willa?”

“Okay, sure.”

“Thanks. Because it’s important.”

“Is he your son?” Willa was now looking back at Daryl.

“What makes you say that?”

“You have the same eyes.”

Quarry stared up at Daryl. “Yeah, he’s my boy.”

“Did you two get in a fight? I heard stuff in the mine. And his face is all messed up. And your mouth too.”

Quarry touched his injured lip. “Sometimes people don’t see eye to eye ’bout things. But I still love him. Just like I love Tippi.”

“You’re a very unusual kidnapper, Mr. Quarry,” she said bluntly.

“Just call me Mr. Sam, same as Gabriel does.”

“Will it be too much longer? All this?”

Quarry drew a deep breath and let the air rustle around inside his lungs before expelling it. “Not too much longer, no.”

“I think you’re sorry you had to do this.”

“In one way yes, in another way no. But this is the only way I had.”

“Do we have to go back in yet, Mr. Sam?”

“Not yet. Soon. But not yet.”

They sat on the ground and enjoyed the warmth of the sun.

When they went back inside later, Quarry let Diane and Willa spend some time together in Diane’s room.

“Why are you being nice to that guy?” Diane said as soon as Quarry had locked the door and walked off.

“There’s something strange about him.”

“Of course there is, he’s a psycho.”

“No, I don’t think he is. But as far as being nice to him, I’m trying to stay on Mr. Sam’s good side.”

“Assuming he has one. God, I could use a cigarette.”

“Cigarettes can kill you.”