Sound of Darkness

Ten

Ragnar called when they were in the conference room going over everything they knew about Rory Ayers and Gary Boynton and their prospective project. The buildings they were planning would be state-of-the-art—cameras, screens, internet access, communications available at the highest level—with the highest possible security and shut-down systems that were instantaneous should any of their security ever be breached. Businesses—law enforcement and government—could trust in knowing who was where and when while knowing their secrets were safe.

Colleen watched as Mark answered his phone, putting it on speaker when Ragnar identified himself.

“We’re all out of the hospital. Both young women have been released. Cops are on Brant Pickering’s hotel; he and Sally both headed there. I’m watching Rory Ayers get in his car now. Gary Boynton is in the house along with Mrs. Ayers and Dierdre.” There was a silence. “I’m going to stay on this one myself.”

“Sounds good. Ayers is supposed to be on his way here,” Mark said.

“Well, he’s in his car. Want him followed?”

“Anyone undercover around?”

“I can arrange it.”

“Then, sure.”

“You’ve got it. I wish I could get into the Ayerses’ place.”

“I could get in,” Colleen assured them.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I’m just a woman checking up on another woman, just making sure she feels okay. I can be pretty nonthreatening.” She looked at Mark and shrugged.

“What do you think?” Ragnar asked.

“Ah, sure, take a run over,” Mark said. “I’ll talk to Ayers. I’m going to try to make it friendly.”

“Okay. I will need your car,” Colleen told Mark.

He nodded and produced the keys.

“I’m going. I’ll just check on things. Of course, none of us can watch them all the time now, but I’ll do my best to make sure she’s going to be all right.”

“I don’t think Gary Boynton—or anyone with half a mind—would attack Dierdre now, in her house and with her mother home,” Mark said. “But it won’t hurt for you to stop by and make sure they know we’re still paying attention.”

She nodded and said, “I’ll be back. Work comes first, but if we can, we’ll meet up with Megan.”

Mark watched her go, his hand on his dog’s head.

She was almost out the door when he called her back.

“Take Red.”

“What?”

“Take Red with you. He’ll keep you safe.”

“I have a Glock to keep me safe. I mean, I love Red—”

“So, make me happy. Take him along.”

“Sure.”

Colleen went to the door, calling to Red. The dog came obediently but only after he saw Mark nod.

She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen a more loyal creature of any kind.

She let Angela know what she was doing and exited the building. As she left, she saw Rory Ayers driving toward the building. Well, he was keeping his word so it seemed.

DC area traffic was DC area traffic, but she still managed to get to the Ayerses’ home in a little over thirty minutes. She didn’t see Ragnar’s car parked anywhere, but then it was Ragnar. He wouldn’t be parked where anyone might question a car in one place too long.

She had a feeling, however, he was close to the house. But she hadn’t intended on stopping to talk to him anyway.

She rang the bell at the door to the impressive Georgian home. It was answered quickly by a maid in uniform, a woman who talked to her through an intercom, asking her name and her business at the house.

“Special Agent Colleen Law, FBI,” she said, producing her credentials and angling them so that they could be seen through the door’s peephole. “Just here to make sure Miss Ayers is doing well. And Red is with me. He helped find Miss Ayers.”

The door opened. The housekeeper was a slim woman in her forties with a quick smile but a weathered face.

She wasn’t alone.

Mrs. Amelia Ayers was standing behind her.

She appeared to be in her midfifties and was attractive with a short but feminine haircut in platinum blonde.

“Special Agent Law—is anything wrong?” she asked worriedly.

“Oh, no, no—I mean, nothing more than has been. I heard Dierdre had been released, and I just wanted to stop by and see how she’s doing. I guess...” She winced. “I guess Red and I are invested in the case and with Dierdre.”

“Yes, thank God you found her,” Amelia said, her voice trembling. “Please, come in. We were all just in the kitchen nook. Red too, of course. Mariana makes the most delightful cookies,” she continued, complimenting the woman who had opened the door.

So, maybe just her husband was a jerk. She spoke about her maid as if she were speaking about a friend. Maybe that’s why Dierdre herself had turned out so giving and caring—if all Vince Monroe said about her was true.

So, how had her mother wound up with her father?

Opposites attracting?

“That would be lovely,” Colleen said, turning to Mariana. “I could go for a delicious cookie!”

Mariana welcomed her in, smiling.

Gary Boynton and Dierdre were seated at the kitchen table, laughing about something. Seeing Colleen, Gary immediately rose. Dierdre started to do the same.

“Sit, sit, please. This isn’t a formal visit. I just wanted to see you and make sure you are doing well,” Colleen told Dierdre.

“I’m delighted to be home and grateful, of course, you care enough to come by,” Dierdre said.