First Family (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 4)

“I told you if we had anything to report we’d be in touch.”

“So report.”

“The markings on Pam Dutton’s arms are a Native American language known as Koasati.”

Waters sat up straighter. “Do you know what it says?”

“‘One white woman,’” answered Michelle. “Something we obviously already knew.”

“That makes no sense,” said Waters.

“It was probably a clumsy attempt at a red herring because they’d messed up.”

“Messed up how?”

Sean said, “Guy panicked, killed the lady when he didn’t want to, and painted her arms to throw us off. I don’t think anybody was supposed to die that night. Tuck would’ve been the most obvious threat and even then they just knocked him out when they could’ve easily just pumped a round into him.”

“Okay, so tell me about this Koasati stuff.”

Sean relayed what they’d learned from Phil Jenkins about the Indian tribe.

“Well, maybe that narrows it down some,” Waters said doubtfully. “But some Indian tribe having a beef with the president to such an extent they grab his niece? Pretty far-fetched.”

“Second point,” said Sean. “Pam Dutton only gave birth to two kids. We think Willa’s adopted.”

“That one I know. ME gave us the heads-up after you two brought it to her attention.”

“We’ve talked to Tuck and he won’t say a word about it. Just says we’re nuts. The First Lady claims ignorance. Says the Duttons were living in Italy when Willa was born. Or supposedly born.”

“Maybe Willa’s not the adopted one,” said Waters.

“The other two look a lot like their parents,” Michelle pointed out.

“But the ME said only two, so, regardless of which kid it is, Tuck is lying,” said Sean. “You may have to lean on him to get to the truth.”

“Leaning on the president’s brother-in-law isn’t that easy,” noted Waters nervously.

“There must be some records somewhere that would definitively state that Willa is adopted. Either here or in Italy. The FBI can surely find that out.”

“You think if she was adopted it had something to do with her kidnapping?”

“How could it not?”

“But back up a minute,” said Michelle. “So what if Willa is adopted? Why would Tuck not want to admit that? It’s not like adoption is illegal.”

“It might make a difference if the mother’s identity is an issue somehow,” said Sean slowly.

“Or maybe the father’s ,” pointed out Michelle.

The three stewed on that for a few silent moments.

Waters finally spoke up. “And the First Lady didn’t know anything about this? Her own brother?”

“So she claims,” answered Sean.

Waters gave him a sharp glance. “But you don’t believe her?”

“I didn’t say that.”