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“I’m not sure. There were a lot of gymnastics meets and parents involved. I don’t know any of them, but one couple was particularly vicious.”
Sam made a note to find those people. “How well did you know Marcel?”
“Pretty well. Our families spent time together.”
“How did he strike you?”
“He was the ultimate family man, from what we saw.” Kelly glanced at her husband, who nodded in agreement. “He was crazy about Liliana and the kids.”
“He struggled with how his work interfered with their family life,” Henry said.
“Can you elaborate on how he struggled?”
“His business was unpredictable,” Henry said. “Babies arrive whenever they’re ready, and often he’d get called away from family dinners, holidays, gymnastics meets, ball games. It was important to him to be there for his patients, too, but as the kids got older, the push-pull became a bigger problem for him. That’s why he decided to cut back at work. He said he didn’t want to look back and realize he missed all the important things with his kids.”
“Were you aware of any other issues either of them was having with anyone?”
Kelly shook her head. “I can’t think of anything that would lead to something like this.”
“Me either,” Henry said, tearing up. “Those kids were so sweet and well-mannered and smart as hell. I just can’t believe they’re all gone.”
“Would it be possible for us to speak to your son, Mica?” Sam asked.
Henry was shaking his head before she finished asking the question. “I’m sorry. I just can’t ask that of him today. He’s so distraught.”
“We understand, but as Eloise’s closest friend, he may have insight that will help our case,” Sam said.
“We’ll talk to him, and if there’s anything to be added, we’ll get in touch.”
Sam knew that was the best she was going to get from them under the circumstances. “We appreciate your insight at this difficult time.” She stood to leave and handed Henry her card. “If you think of anything else, even the smallest detail, please call me. My cell number is on the back of the card.”
“Liliana would’ve loved to have met you,” Kelly said softly. “She admired you and your husband.”
“That’s nice to know. Thank you. We’re sorry again for your loss.”
“We hope you figure out what happened to them,” Kelly said.
“We’ll do our best,” Sam said.
When they stepped outside, the weather had turned dark and stormy, as it so often did in March. Sam zipped her coat, jammed her hands in the pockets and dreamed of her and Nick’s upcoming trip to Bora Bora to celebrate their anniversary.
She checked her watch and saw they had time before the meeting with Trulo. “Let’s go see the partner he had the screaming fight with.”
Normal daysat the White House usually passed in a blur of meetings on a vast array of domestic and international concerns. Alliances were tended to and partnerships formed with industry and foreign leaders. Every day was different from the last. Nick faced decisions with enormous consequences for the environment, climate, economy and national security. Sometimes all those things were impacted by a single decision.
It could be overwhelming on the best of days.
Today was not the best of days. Hanging over every minute of the day was the shit show with his mother and her crimes. How much worse would it get before the full picture was known? The pit in his stomach was reminiscent of a childhood spent waiting for her to show up and often being disappointed when she blew him off. He could hear his grandmother saying things such as, “Why do you bother to get your hopes up?” and “She’s a selfish cow who doesn’t think of anyone but herself.”
All of that was true, but she was his mother, and he’d loved her despite her failings. Once out of every five or six times, she’d show up as planned, and they’d spend the day together at the park or ice skating. They’d always hit a toy store and McDonald’s, which his grandmother wouldn’t let him have. Ice cream topped off their time together.
Those days were the highlights of a childhood short on fun of any kind, except for that which he made for himself with friends, most of whom had since done time in prison.
Before she left, his mother would hug and kiss him, leaving her indelible scent on him. He would fight for days with his grandmother about taking a shower or washing the clothes that smelled like her.
“Mr. President,” Jennifer, one of the admins, said from the doorway. “Vice President Henderson is here for your weekly meeting.”
“Thank you, Jenn. Give me five minutes and then send her in.”
