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She then knew she had made the right decision to call Franklin.
“I’m worried about him,” she said. “He’s exhausted and stressed, and I think you can help.”
“Of course. Please tell me what’s going on.”
Madeline had thought long and hard about exactly what to say, because Franklin didn’t need to knoweverything, especially about how Madeline retrieved confidential files for Grant. She didn’t want to lose her joborher lover.
“Grant has been looking into some of the activities of Brock Marsh. He seems to think that they are more than a traditional investigative and security firm that we hire, but might be more of, what do we call them...fixers.”
“There’s nothing illegal about fixers. They solve problems. They don’t break laws.”
He sounded perturbed, and that was the last thing Madeline wanted.
“Of course, that’s not exactly what I meant. Grant has been looking into our clients who have hired themseparatefrom the law firm.”
“Why would Grant be doing such a thing?”
“Deputy US Marshal Tom Granger approached Grant three weeks ago.” She glanced down the hall to make sure her door was still closed. She kept her voice low. “Granger cast aspersions on Brock Marsh, enough to make Grant suspicious of their activities. I think I have dissuaded Grant’s fears, but in light of Deputy Granger being killed the other day, Grant has become paranoid. Granger had a lot of enemies in his line of work, but I worry that if his ex-wife talks to Grant—” She let her voice trail off.
“What are you worried about?”
She bit her lip. She didn’t want to betray Grant, but at the same time, she wasreallyworried about him. “Do you remember last year when Grant’s ex was positive that Hannigan didn’t kill Chase because of her job? That there was another reason?”
“Vaguely,” he said. “But the FBI determined that bastard killed Chase out of revenge.”
“Right. And Grant agreed with them. But I think it’s always been in the back of his mind that there might be something more. Regan just wouldn’t let up. When she moved it was the best thing for everyone involved.”
“What are you getting at, Madeline?”
“Just—I don’t think Grant should be talking to Regan. He’s already on edge, and she keeps calling, wanting to meet, and I can’t help but think it all has to do with Deputy Granger’s murder. She’s going to twist Grant all up again—that could very well be why he wasn’t himself during the meeting with the senator today.”
When Franklin didn’t respond, Madeline feared she’d said too much.
“You’re his best friend,” she pleaded. “I’d hoped you might talk to him, maybe listen? See what he has to say? Alleviate his fears? I’ve listened, but he needs more than I can give him right now. It pains me to say that, but it’s true.”
“I understand the sensitive situation, and it was very kind of you to call. I sensed that Grant was struggling with something, but I had no idea he still had unresolved questions about his son’s murder. Thank you, Madeline. I’ll certainly speak to him tomorrow and put this matter to rest.”
Twenty
Regan was pleased with how thorough the crime scene techs and sheriff’s deputies were at Tommy’s house. They didn’t leave until after midnight. Terri and Grace were long gone, and Charlie had stayed with her until after the police left. Together they secured plywood over the broken window.
“Are you sure you are comfortable staying here alone?” Charlie asked, not for the first time.
“Yes. I’ll set the alarm to alert me if anyone attempts to break in. I’m not a heavy sleeper. I know what you’re thinking, Charlie, and you’re right—they could return. But I won’t be caught unawares.”
“You must have rattled some cages.”
“They seemed to be looking for information—perhaps wanting to know whatIknew. The police dusted, but I don’t expect them to find anything suspicious, the intruder—or intruders—most likely wore gloves. They checked the perimeter. The perp didn’t drop his wallet or a cigarette butt or anything else that might lead to him.”
“You’re being sarcastic,” said her longtime friend.
“I’m being realistic.” She motioned for Charlie to follow her into the office, where she now started to clean the fingerprint powder with a dust rag. “There’s nothing here except Tommy’s computer—which he wasn’t using for this investigation. I took my notes with me to dinner tonight. All that’s here—well, it’s not important information, but could point to what I’m looking at.” She gestured to the file copies she had on the desk.
“Maybe it was a standard B and E.”
“And not take his television? Electronics? He had a couple twenties in the top desk drawer; still there.”
“What do you think?” Charlie asked like he knew the answer.
