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“What was her name? Connor’s partner, I mean.”
The senator smiled. “Hisname was Ian Gordon. They met in college. And I believe it was serious.”
Dan let out a breath. “NowI understand that cryptic remark Connor’s father made.”
Gary gave him a puzzled glance. “What remark?”
“Don’t you remember? He said that with Connor’s death, the family line had come to an end, but then he added that had Connor lived, the result would have been the same. If Connor was gay…. Someone from his father’s generation might believe that meant no children. Not that it does nowadays, of course.”
“Senator, why didn’t you mention this Ian Gordon the last time we saw you?” Gary asked.
“Because I assumed you’d already looked into him, just as Iassumedthere was a record of my findings in the notes. This is apparently not the case.”
Gary glanced at Dan. “We’ll take a look tomorrow.” Dan nodded. Gary returned his attention to the senator. “Thank you, sir. And regardless of what one of my former colleagues might or might not have done with the information you uncovered, rest assured, wewilllook into it.”
Senator Cain smiled. “Then I’m glad I brought it up.”
They finished their tea, and Dan asked questions about some of the paintings he’d seen upstairs.
Mrs. Cain reappeared. “I’ll just take all this away.” She loaded all the cups onto the tray, then carried it from the room.
The senator watched her leave with a shake of his head. “Della clearly likes you, gentlemen. She isn’t usually so attentive to my guests.” He smiled. “Of course, she’s eager to get back to Nantucket.”
“Thank you again, Senator. We must be going too,” Gary informed him.
He showed them to the door, and they headed for the car.
As Gary drove away from the house, Dan twisted in his seat to glance back at the senator standing at the front door, waving.
“So… what were your impressions?” Gary inquired.
“He cared a great deal for Cheryl, and he’s a man of integrity. He’s also capable of strong emotions, but I sensed he was keeping a lid on them.”
“You might have learned more if you’d shaken his hand,” Gary suggested.
“True, but asking to take his hand would have seemed strange, especially now we know what those hands look like under the gloves. Eczema can be really painful.”
“I’ve been thinking about what he told us. Either I missed it completely, or there was no record of him giving Ian Gordon’s name to the department.”
“Is it possible the detective he spoke with back then didn’t make a note because he or she didn’t think it was worth following up?”
“It’s possible, sure.”
Dan gave an emphatic nod. “Then we add Gordon’s name to the list of suspects.” He reached into his pocket, withdrew his phone, and pulled up Google Maps. “We pass close by Springfield, don’t we?”
“Fairly close, yes.”
Dan’s heartbeat raced. “Then I have a request.”
There was silence for a moment. “Please don’t ask me to take you back to the park where Brad died. I don’t think I could face that.”
Dan’s gut clenched. “No. I wouldn’t ask that of you. But I did think you might… take me to meet your parents.”
Panic rolled off Gary and crashed over Dan, and he instantly regretted the request.
“I’m not talking about you coming out to them, okay? But… I’m a psychic, remember? I’m just another avenue to try. After all, they’ve consulted psychics before, you said.”
Gary glanced at him. “You just want to get a feel for Brad?”
