Page 79 of Special Agent Murphy

“Not really. The Senator’s conference is set for four-thirty. Who’s in the car with you?”

“How did you know?”

“I can hear someone sniffling.”

“It’s Mark. He has a cold from sleeping outside last night.”

“Mark?”

“The kid whose dad held up Vinnie’s. It’s a long story. Did you figure out where they might be holding Misti? The time is running out. It’s after two.”

“Tell me about it. We broke down the snowed-in-area to a radius of about forty miles but have no specific spot for us to focus on. I’m almost at Fairfax. I’ve reached out to the Fairfax Police Department, and they will be collaborating with us. Why did you bring the kid?”

“He showed up at my apartment to return my phone. I brought him here with me because his uncle owns a fishing store nearby. It’s in a small town north of Great Falls, which is where they had the worst of the snow. I wanted to question the man. See if he might have any idea about a cabin close to the lake that’s secluded. I’ll show him Draper’s… I mean Serge and Viktor’s photos. Maybe we can catch a break. It shouldn’t take me long.”

“Keep me in the loop.”

“Will do.”

“I mean it. Don’t go rogue.”

“Why would you say that? You’re my partner.”

“Don’t you forget it, doll.”

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