Page 72 of Facing the Enemy

Jack’s attack could be woven into it.

Luke’s murder was to deter me from the investigation.

How many other lives had been destroyed because of something I’d done or knew?

God, help me. I’m afraid.

I wiped my mouth with a wet paper towel, rinsed my mouth, and flipped on the disposal. The rumbling sound increased the pounding in my head.

“Risa,” Darlene said. “What can I do?”

I turned to the woman who’d offered compassion and friendship. I’d never forget the depths of caring in her dark-blue eyes. “Darlene, please, I’d like the box of baking soda in the refrigerator.” I refused to look at her with the disgust and contempt that must be written in her features.

She handed me the box, and I dumped half of it down the drain.

“When I learned about what happened to Luke,” Darlene said, “I asked SAC Dunkin if I could accompany Agent Kendall.” The sound of her sweet voice was like a gentle breeze.

“Thank you. Glad you’re here.”

“Of course. If your stomach has settled, we can sit in the living room. The ASAC is waiting there.” She reached out for my hand, and I grasped it.

“Where is my strength?” I whispered.

“It’s there. Take a deep breath. I’m not leaving you.”

Thank You for bringing the right people into my life.“Thank you for being here today and for saying the right words at Trenton’s service.”

“Risa, I’m sorry for all you’ve been through. But you will get through this. You are the strongest woman I know.”

Darlene’s words, an echo from Gage, reassured me that God had my back. He had all of me—my weakness and my fumbling. I closed my eyes to clear my swimming head, then opened them and nodded at her, finally able to face the woman who’d seen my reaction to such horror. “Yes, I will, and I’ll help find Luke’s killer.” I moistened my foul-tasting lips. “You need info from me. We’ll sit, like you suggested, and I’ll go over the details leading up to finding Luke.” I straightened and let her walk me to the sofa. ASAC Kendall greeted me and asked Darlene to handle the interview.

So often I comforted and encouraged people in anguish, but being on the receiving end seemed wrong ... just like at Trenton’s funeral.

“I saw ginger ale in the fridge,” Darlene said. “Would that settle your stomach?”

“Maybe later. When we’re finished, I’ll try a little.”

“Ever independent. That’s one of your most admirable traits.”

“Tell Gage. He’ll love it since I just broke down on the phone with him.”

“He misses you,” Darlene said. “With Jack in the hospital, Gage wanders through the office as though you might suddenly appear.”

“I didn’t resign but took a personal leave. I’d hoped to find my brother’s killer, but nothing surfaced.” I pointed to her phone.“Record our conversation so you will have it word for word. The idea of repeating any of this makes me ill all over again.”

Darlene pressed Record, and I began. “I left my apartment around ten thirty this morning after learning Jack could have a five-minute visitor. The doctor had prescribed medication to make him sleep, and rest is what he needs. Jack barely spoke until he drifted off, and my five minutes reached its limit. I talked to the SAC and drove home. It was eleven forty-five when I walked in. Everything appeared in order, and the lock on my door hadn’t been tampered with. I made a pot of coffee and worked for a little over an hour on my laptop. I took a break to unpack my overnight bag ...” I finished the story. Odd, my head seemed to clear but I still trembled. “I called 911, the SAC, and Gage.”

“Have you spoken to Luke since last July?”

“No. I learned he returned to civil rights, and Jack needed a partner, which turned out to be Gage.”

Darlene paused. “I have a tough question.”

I lifted my chin. “Yes, I believe ... I know why Luke was murdered and why ... he’s here.”

“Does the SAC know your thoughts?”

“Yes, and Gage too.”