Chapter Nine
Two minutes later, Kayti was brought back to the present as the secretary informed Murphy that Agent Kale would see them now. No sooner did they step through the door, the drill master attacked.
“By all that’s holy, why did you two destroy a bar, put two men in the hospital and tear away after some locals out for a joy ride?” Edna’s body language boded ill for whoever answered.
Arms crossed, Murphy stepped forward and took the heat. “The girl the locals dragged out of the joint was a Senator’s daughter called Misti. And she didn’t leave with them voluntarily. They hauled her ass out kicking and screaming. We need to question those idiots in the hospital.”
Before Kale could reply, her phone rang. She responded tersely. “Show him into my office.” She put the receiver down very carefully which made the nerves in Murph’s stomach pay attention. Christ, what now?
Kale pointed at them and gave one order, “Sit!”
Then she walked toward the door and waited. The first man who stepped inside appeared to be in his mid-fifties, his hair slicked to the side perfectly groomed, his suit looking as if he’d been ironed into it and his expensive shoes gleamed. If his tie hadn’t been askew, one could be forgiven for believing this man didn’t have a care in the world other than being the textbook Washington politician.
The younger dude in his wake appeared scared, slightly high and sicker’n a dog. He wore a dirty jacket zipped up, and if he’d mud-wrestled in his pants, it might account for the way they appeared.
The Senator shook hands with Edna and swung to the others in the room. He stared at Murphy and the power of his personality shone clearly. This man was no one’s fool. He reached out to shake hands and without hesitation, Murphy stood and let him. “Hi. I’m Senator Steve Bond.”
“Special Agent Murphy.”
Kayti followed his example and had her hand ready. “Special Agent Edwards. Do you have a daughter called Misti?”
Murph couldn’t believe she’d go against Kale’s unspoken but totally understood orders to keep quiet. His new partner was cruising for a bruising. He expected to see Kale’s disapproving glare and shock held him numb. His hard-ass boss wore a prideful smirk that shocked the shit out of him. He zeroed back in on Edwards and Bond.
The Senator hadn’t let go of her hand. He clung to it as if she’d driven a nail through his heart, and her hand was his lifeline. Eyes determined to get a response, he answered, “Yes. It’s why I’m here. She’s missing.”