Page 70 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Forty-three

When they arrived, it was to find the Senator and Special Agent in Charge, Edna Kale going over a newly constructed plan.

Murphy led the way to the house but stood back for Kayti to enter first. He followed and shook hands with the Senator. “Sir. Looks like the wait is over. They’ve made contact. Did you ask to speak to Misti?”

“I did, just like you told me to. He said no.”

“And…”

“I told him the Bill was scheduled for later today, and it had the votes to pass.”

Bud spoke up, “He was believable, Murphy. Went on about his duty to the country. How they’d worked on getting this Bill to the Senate for years, and unless he had absolute proof that his daughter was alive, he wouldn’t believe them.”

The Senator admitted, “It’s from your coaching I was able to stay focused and not blubber like a baby, begging for mercy. Thank God, it worked.”

“They let you speak with her?”

“All she said was Daddy, but I’d know my little girl’s voice anywhere. Broke my heart. I could tell they muffled her mouth after that.”

“What terms did they insist on?”

“A public announcement that because of Linda Nelson’s car accident, we would be passing on the Bill during this session in the Senate.”

Agent Kale added, “We got word from Boston that Senator Nelson survived her latest operation and will be out of ICU very soon.”

Senator Bond’s complexion paled. “Thank God. The woman doesn’t deserve this treatment. She’s been through so much lately, what with her husband’s illness for years and then losing him in the spring. She’s suffered enough.”

“No doubt, Steve. I’ll admit that life as a widow takes some getting used to. I’m glad she has a powerful job to keep her busy. My work was my savior when Trevor passed.” Edna Kale spoke from experience. Murphy wondered why Kayti didn’t appear surprised at the personal information. It was almost like she already knew Kale was a widow.

He’d have sworn Kale told very few people. That he was one, always shocked him, but then a few months ago, he’d caught her in a weak moment. He’d walked into a bar, one of the worst days of his life, took a stool and when the person next to him turned his way, it was Kale.

They’d ended up having drinks together, and when she lifted her glass to toast, she said it had been a year since her husband had died. Not knowing what to say, he’d drank with her and kept quiet. Yet he always had a feeling that she was there more as support for him. Weird…

“Bud, can you replay the call.”

“Sure, Murph. We’ve been trying to hear any background noise but there’s nothing. They used a voice distorter, so we have no idea if it’s a man or woman calling, or if they have accents.”

Murphy and Kayti listened closely. The message was brief and the threat basic. “Call a press conference at three p.m. Explain that Bill 539 has been pushed forward to next year due to Senator Nelson’s car accident. Once we see the broadcast, we’ll drop off your daughter somewhere safe. She’ll call you to pick her up.”

Kale took Murphy aside. “What do you think?”

“If she’s seen their faces, they won’t let her go.”

“Then let’s hope we find them before that. We have five hours.”

“That’s the son of a bitch. We have no clues to follow. Have there been any legit sounding public calls come in, anything to follow up on?”

“None that made sense, and I’ve had agents screening every prank call so far. I’ve got to head back to the office. Keep me posted. In the meantime, work on that speech with the Senator. He’s a mess, and we need him to stay focused. I’ll take Agent Edwards with me to Headquarters, and you can meet up with her there.”

“Right.” Murphy didn’t like being separated from his partner, but his boss had the upper hand, and he really had no rebuttal.

***

The minute they were in the back seat of Kale’s car being taken to her office; she switched from boss to auntie. “What’s this, you sleeping with Agent Murphy.”

Shock burst in Kayti.Holy hell, the woman knew! How in the world did she find out?“Who told you?”

“Told me what?”

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