The Sixth Man (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 5)

“Sean?”

He turned around. “Yeah?”

“Don’t die!”

He smiled. “I’ll do my best.”

Only when he was out of sight did Michelle put the Toyota in gear and drive off. But she was clearly not happy about separating from him again.

CHAPTER

39

DURING HER DRIVE back to Machias, Michelle had gotten a call from Sean at the airport. The man was on a six a.m. flight to Dulles Airport in northern Virginia with a connection in New York City. Sean had booked a ticket on the same flight.

“I caught a glimpse of his tickets. He’s in the third row on both legs. I snagged a seat in the back on both flights. The first is a Delta, the second a United. I’ll call you when we get in a little before noon.”

“Did you see the name on the ticket?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

He’d clicked off and Michelle had continued her drive. Around four in the morning she pulled into the dark parking lot of Martha’s Inn. Guests had a key that opened the outer door. She stopped in the kitchen and got a snack, then headed up the stairs. She stopped on the second landing when she saw a light on in Megan’s room. She knocked on the door. “Megan?”

The door opened a crack and Michelle eyed her. “Anything wrong?” she asked.

“I heard you drive up. I thought we could talk.”

“Okay.” Michelle parked herself in a chair by a small pine bureau. “What’s up?” she asked.

Megan was in green surgical scrubs, which she obviously used as pajamas. “Where were you guys? You just disappeared after we spoke this afternoon.”

“We had some sleuthing to do.”

“I thought you said you were going to protect me, but all you do is go off and I don’t hear anything until you come back.”

“Look, Megan, you have a point, but we’re doing the best we can with the limited resources we have. In fact, Sean is running down a lead now, but he sent me back here to keep an eye on you.”

“A lead where?”

“D.C., apparently.”

Megan sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry. I know you all are doing the best you can. It’s just…”

“Scary?”

“I didn’t really intend to do any criminal defense work when I came to work for Mr. Bergin. This case just got dropped in my lap.”

“But Sean is a terrific lawyer and he’s done lots of criminal cases.”

“But he’s not here right now. I’m trying to draft these motions but it’s not easy.”

“Well, I’m afraid I can’t help you there.”

“Murdock came by to see me again.”

“What the hell did he want?”

“He seemed particularly interested in what you and Sean were up to.”