Page 22 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Fifteen

Stepping inside the Senator’s residence, Murphy shook off his ridiculous reaction to the woman at his side. Instead, he scanned his surroundings, and his first impression of the house was opulence. Then he reconsidered. More like comfortable opulence.

The Senator appeared relieved to see them and anxious to assist in any way he could. Politicians normally wore an aura of calm, polite interest, it became a manner they all perfected over the years of being a public servant. Senator Bond was no different. Except now, he resembled any man in fear for his daughter’s life. A man on the edge and helpless to take control.

After shaking hands, Murphy didn’t dodge the questions over what was happening to find his daughter. Once the Senator realized the answers were the same, he backed off. “Sir, every cop in the district is looking for the vehicle, and we’re scouring the city looking for Gina and Alex. We’ve pulled every video from the area and nothing gives us a facial description we can use. Every lead we have is being followed, even to putting out a request over social media and TV for anyone who’d been in that bar last night to step forward. No matter how small the tip, we’ll jump on it. But until you hear from the kidnappers, know their demands, there isn’t a lot more we can do that isn’t already being done.”

Senator Bond’s face fell, his expression of grief seeming to deepen until Murph had a hard time keeping eye contact.

“How’s Mrs. Bond? We’ll need to talk with you both.”

“Yes. I know. But she’s ahh… fragile. Her imagination is working overtime, and the stress is driving her mad. Come with me. We’re just having coffee in the den.”

Murphy, appreciative of Katherine’s instincts to let him do the talking, waved her before him. They followed the Senator into a smaller room, one decorated as a family area – a television with a huge screen opened over the fireplace and pearl gray leather couches in front with comfortable lounging spaces so a family can be together while being entertained.

A woman curled in a fetal position hugged a pillow at one end of the closest sofa, her luxurious dressing gown wrinkled, and coffee stained. At the other end of the room, their officers had cleared a section where they’d set up their equipment on a large table, and the two were quietly discussing something as Murphy and Katherine appeared.

“Hey, Black.”

Nodding at the one who’d used his nickname, Murphy questioned him with a raised eyebrow, got the negative shake he’d expected and ignored them for now. Instead, they moved over to where the Senator’s wife waited anxiously.

He saw Katherine give a small wave to their agents and wondered about that. Then shook off the interest. None of his business. He didn’t exactly know why his mood soured but didn’t have the time to look into either.

Katherine took the chair closest to the woman, reached out her hand to touch the other’s arm and spoke, her voice soft and encouraging. “Hello.” Only one word but it seemed to wake the woman from the coma-like state he’d noticed.

The Senator quickly stepped in to make the introductions. His voice took on the quality of a parent talking to a child, seemingly frightened to push her buttons. “Darling, this is Special Agent Murphy,” he motioned to Murphy. Then he gestured to Katherine. “And this young lady is the one I told you about, the one who last saw Misti, Agent Katherine Edwards. This is my wife, Francine.” He reached down to touch her shoulder. “They’re here to question us about her.”

The pathetic lady seemed to shake off whatever spell had overtaken her. She went to raise a hand, but as if it became too heavy, she let it drop before Murphy could shake it. “How do you do?”

Then she turned to Katherine, stared until her eyes filled. This time she reached out for comfort. “She’s my only baby.”

He watched Katherine move closer so she could make a connection. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Bond. Your daughter is very beautiful. She caught my eye in the mirror in the restroom and made a huge impression on me.”

A sob broke loose. The woman nodded. “People like her. I never had that ability. People just make me nervous, make me want to hide. So, I do. I drink.” She lifted the full wine glass she’d kept lowered and took a sip.

Murphy’s shock at the woman’s raw honesty stayed hidden. He had the ability to conceal those feelings. He also realized how very precarious her grip on control was, and sure as hell didn’t want to be the one to make her lose it.

He’d leave her to Katherine. Moving toward the Senator, he asked the question they needed answered.

“Sir, can you please show us your daughter’s phone?”

“Yes. It’s here. Ryan brought it with him last night when he came looking for her.” The Senator rushed over to a table where the phone waited, it’s pink rhinestone cover sparkling. “We’ve wracked our brains for the password and gave up. I hope you can break in without it.”

Katherine looked over and asked, “Did you try the house number?”

“No. We didn’t.” The Senator shook his head.

Mrs. Bond’s expression looked hopeful. “She wouldn’t forget that one, would she?”

“We tried birthdays, and variations of her phone number, anything that came to us. How could we have forgotten that?’

As if terrified of the reaction from one more failed attempt, his hands shook. He passed the phone to Murphy and seemed dazzled by the competence of one who handled the item constantly. When he saw the window open, his nod of affirmation to his wife made her cry out. She’d have spilled her drink if Katherine hadn’t grabbed for it.

It didn’t take long for Murphy to access the Fitbit app, find the Bluetooth link and get the info they’d need to find the apparatus. He passed it over to the pros who’d been watching them carefully. Within a short time, using the up-to-date equipment so easy for those in the know, they found the address that showed the watch’s location.

Hurrying from the room, Katherine right behind him, he spoke quickly to the officers. “Get us backup and have them hold up in the next block. Tell them to contact me when they’re ready to move. We’re not far away and should be there in ten.”

Senator Bond followed them to the door and grabbed Murphy’s arm, the question on his face not needing to be asked.

“Sorry, sir. This could be dangerous. I’ll get back to you as soon as we can.”

Deflated, the Senator let go and even gave the arm a push. “Right. Go. Bring her home.”

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