AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 76
I had todo something to keep occupied. I sat at the little writing desk in my hotel room. I gazed down at the eight file folders I’d created. Each held a different screwed-up pile of information. I shuffled them around for a moment and then felt a wave of relief when my phone rang. Not that I expected any answers from my friend William in the Tech Unit, it’s just that it gave me something to do.
When I looked at the phone, I was surprised to see it was Mary Catherine. A smile spread across my face as I answered, “Hello, beautiful.”
Mary Catherine said, “How are you doing today?”
“Trying to get things done. How about you?” I waited during a long pause on the other end of the line. Every second made me more apprehensive about what was coming.
Finally, Mary Catherine said, “I don’t know. I guess I’m lonely. I’m a lonely newlywed. Aren’t you lonely too?”
“When I stop for a moment, yes, I get down and lonely. But in the spirit of always speaking honestly with each other, most of the time things happen so fast here I can’t think of much. I’m on the move and concentrating.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Just hearing your voice cheers me up. Even if your voice sounds a little sleepy and scratchy this morning. Are you okay?”
“Just tired. Glad the kids are all at school. I will say I was a little queasy earlier. Now I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” My mind started to race with all the possibilities.
Mary Catherine said, “I ate some kind of breakfast sandwich Seamus brought over. It didn’t agree with me.”
“What did that old codger want?”
Mary Catherine giggled on the other end of the line. I could picture her beautiful smile. Dimples in both cheeks. Blue eyes flashing. God, did I miss her.
Mary Catherine said, “All Seamus needed was some sandpaper and a pair of your locking pliers for his project with Shawna.”
“Any idea what this super-secret project is?”
“None at all. And I don’t ask questions. It’s nice that your grandfather can get so committed to a kid’s project. We are really blessed to have him in our lives.” Mary Catherine sighed, and I could hear the exhaustion in the exhale.
I said, “Are you sure you’re okay? Say the word and I’ll be home in a few hours. I’ll come back home for good.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?”
“Of course I would.” I waited in silence to give Mary Catherine plenty of time to think about my offer.
Eventually, Mary Catherine said, “I know you’d come home. I know the kind of man I married. I also know you’d never hold it against me. But it’s important to do the right thing. Finding Emily’s killer is the right thing to do.” She paused for a moment and added, “As long as you don’t forget Trent’s ceremony with the mayor.”
“There is no way I’ll miss it.”
Mary Catherine said, “You stay in DC. I’ve got it nailed down up here.”
I had to smile. I knew she had it nailed down. I doubted if there was anything that could defeat Mary Catherine. And through it all, she was still supporting me. Supporting a job I didn’t have to be doing.
What a woman.
