First Family (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 4)

A few minutes later the door opened and Michelle walked in.

“Did you find your dad?” he asked, rising from the table.

“Yeah, he was where I’d thought he’d be.”

“At the farmhouse?”

She gazed darkly at him.

“I’m a detective,” he said gamely. “It’s what I do.”

“Sometimes I wish you didn’t do it so well, particularly when it concerns me.”

He studied her. “Have you been crying?”

“Tears are sometimes good. I’ve been finding that out lately.”

“Did you hash things out?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“Did he come back with you?”

“No, he went over to see Bobby.”

She looked at the piles of binders. “Sorry I walked out on you. Any revelations?”

“Not yet. I’ve hit it hard for the past four hours, but got zip. However, judging from the number of investigations, apparently desertions are becoming a real problem for the Army. I did hear from Betack.” He filled her in on the conversation.

Michelle made a pot of fresh coffee and poured out cups for her and Sean. They both sat down at the kitchen table. “That would explain why she’s been so high-strung. And why she’s been playing things so close to the vest.”

“You mean obstructing justice?”

“That too.”

She reached out her hand. “Give me a binder and let’s find that kid.”

Two hours later they were still there.

“Six more to go,” said Sean as he stretched out and then handed another binder to her.

They read slowly, looking for any clue that might allow them to lift their butts from these chairs and plunge into action once more. Their intensity levels were as high as if they were taking a college final exam. There was no room for mistakes. If there was a clue buried in all this, they knew it was probably going to be a subtle one and they could not afford to miss it.

“How about some dinner?” Sean finally said. “I’m buying. And we can keep reading.”

They drove to a local restaurant.

“So you really think things are okay with your dad?”

She nodded. “I think so. I mean, we both have to work at it. I haven’t been the most loving, attentive daughter in the world.”

“Or sister,” he pointed out.

“Thanks for reminding me.”

As they ate she eyed him nervously. “Sean, about what happened back at my father’s house.”

“What about it?”