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Sure thing.
Because it wouldn’t get any easier if he put it off, Gonzo dialed Caroline Fortier’s number and waited for her to pick up.
“Hello?”
“Mrs. Fortier, this is Sergeant Gonzales in Washington.”
“Do you know what happened to my daughter?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “We do.”
As he told her the story, she broke down into sobs. “We told her to go to the police about the harassment, but she didn’t want to be involved with it. She said the ex-girlfriend was no threat to her, so what did she care?”
“By all accounts, your daughter was a wonderful person. Everyone in the dorm said the nicest things about her. I was struck by her roommate, Harley, saying they got off to a rough start that lasted all of a week because you couldn’tnotlove Rachel.”
“That sounds about right,” she said, sniffling. “You said Tori hired someone. Will that person be charged, too?”
Gonzo closed his eyes as he said, “We’re working on that part. I wanted to tell you about Tori, though. She was the mastermind.”
“What does it say about me that I’m heartbroken for her parents, too?”
“It says you’re a good person who didn’t deserve to lose your wonderful daughter in such a senseless way.”
“Thank you for that. It’s very kind of you. We’re not sure how to go forward from here.”
“It’s not the same thing at all, but I lost my partner on the job more than a year ago. All I can tell you is it’s a one-day-at-a-time journey.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“Thank you. Another thing I’d tell you is to be careful relying on any sort of medicinal relief. That didn’t work out well for me at all.”
“Are you doing better now?”
“Much better, and grateful that my wife and colleagues stood by me during the struggle.”
“I appreciate you sharing that with me. It helps.”
“I know you’re not local, but my boss—”
“You mean the first lady?”
“Yes,” he said with a chuckle, “that’s her. She and our department psychiatrist have started a grief group for the families of violent crime victims. I’ll confess that at first I was skeptical, but I’ve been a few times, and it’s helped. If you’re interested, I could send you information about when and where the meetings are.”
“I’d appreciate that. At some point, we’ll have to come there to recover Rachel’s belongings. Perhaps there’ll be a meeting while we’re there.”
“Please feel free to get in touch any time, and I’ll keep you apprised of the hearings, too. There’ll be one coming up for the judge to approve the plea agreement.”
“I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Your mother must be very proud of you, Sergeant. Thank you again for your kindness to us during this terrible time.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, touched byherkindness.
As he always did after closing a case, he marveled at the examples of incredible grace and resiliency he witnessed from victims’ families. If someone killed his wife or son, he wouldn’t respond with grace. That was for sure.
He shuddered at the mere thought of such a thing. He’d barely survived losing his partner. There was no way he’d survive losing Christina or Alex. And now there was a baby girl on the way who’d probably make him her bitch. He couldn’t wait.
The thought of Christina made him want to talk to her. After he put through the call, he winced, realizing she was probably asleep.
“Hey,” she said, sounding sleepy and sexy.
