The Sixth Man (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 5)

“What did the FBI want to know?” he asked.

“Everything. But I told them zip. I’m Roy’s legal counsel. They can’t bully me around even though they tried.”

“Good for you,” said Michelle.

“I called Murdock, sort of read him the riot act,” added Sean.

“I know. He was not happy about that. That’s why he let me go. The jerk.”

“And we found out who the client is,” said Michelle.

“Who?”

Sean answered, “Roy’s half sister, Kelly Paul. She’s an interesting lady. Haven’t quite figured her out yet. But she’s a force to be reckoned with.” He stopped talking and led Megan over to a bench under a tree in front of the inn. “Sit.”

“Why?” She looked up at him with a fearful expression.

“We’ve got some bad news. Another death.”

They both could see Megan grip the seat of the bench so tightly her fingers turned white. “Who?”

“Hilary Cunningham.”

Megan managed not to cry. At least for a few seconds. Then she bent forward and started to sob into her hands.

Sean looked desperately at Michelle, who muttered, “Sorry, not good with this stuff.”

Sean sat down next to the woman and patted her back awkwardly. “I’m very sorry, Megan.”

Finally the young woman sat up, wiped her face dry with the sleeve of her jacket, and said, “How?”

“She was shot. And her body was left at Bergin’s home.” He glanced at Michelle, who said, “I was there when it happened.”

Megan looked up at Michelle. “Why would anyone want to kill Hilary? She was just a nice old lady.”

Sean answered. “She worked for Bergin. Bergin represented Roy. That seems to be enough in this case for certain people.”

Megan caught a breath. “So that means, what, I’m next?”

“We’re not going to let anything happen to you,” said Michelle. She sat down on the other side of the young lawyer.

“Maybe I should have stayed with the FBI,” said Megan, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Is that what you want?” asked Sean.

“Not really, no.” Her voice grew firmer. “What I really want is to find out who did this.”

“That’s what we want too.”

“So where do we go from here?”

“To see your client.”

“But you said he doesn’t talk.”

“You still have to see him. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Sean and Michelle showered, changed their clothes, and ate. After getting clearance from Carla Dukes at Cutter’s Rock, they drove to the facility. If possible, the security was even tighter. Finally, Michelle had had enough when one guard was too enthusiastic in his search of her.