Page 10 of State of Denial

Freddie got in the other side.

“Yes, ma’am.”

As the car pulled away from the crime scene, the older woman sobbed softly into a handkerchief that had crocheted edges. Sam was reminded of her grandmother Ella, who’d tried and failed to teach Sam and her sisters to crochet. They’d all sucked at it. The memory would’ve made her smile at any other time.

“Is there anyone we can call for you?” Sam asked her.

“My other son… Raphael. He’s in Richmond.”

“If you can provide the number to my partner, Detective Cruz, he’ll make the call for you.”

With trembling hands, the older woman withdrew her phone from her purse and recited the number, which Freddie wrote down.

Sam appreciated that she didn’t have to tell him to wait until the woman was out of earshot before he made the call. He understood such things without having to be told, which was one of many reasons he was the best partner she’d ever had.

“When was the last time you spoke to Marcel or his family?” Sam asked. Time was not their friend in cases like this, and there was no point in waiting to get to HQ to start the interview.

“Yesterday afternoon, and then nothing from any of them, which was why I came by today. It’s not normal to go that long without talking to them. The kids and I are in constant touch. They… They taught me to use an iPhone so we could text.” She broke down again. “How can they all be gone? My babies. My beautiful babies.”

Sam moved to the facing seat and put her arm around the woman, who leaned into the comfort she offered. “I’m so sorry for your losses.”

“My son didn’t do this. There’s nothing that could make me believe that. He was the most devoted, loving husband and father you’ve ever met. He recently cut back at work so he could spend more time with the kids as they got older and involved in more sports and activities.” She took hold of Sam’s hand and held on tightly. “Someonedid thisto them. It wasn’t him.”

“We’ll fully investigate every possibility,” Sam assured her.

“You should talk to Rory,” Graciela said with a bitter edge to her voice.

“Who’s Rory?”

“He was one of Marcel’s partners in the practice. Rory was furious when Marcel reduced his hours to spend more time with the family. Liliana told me the two men had a screaming fight over it. Rory accused Marcel of being selfish and thinking only of himself.”

Sam glanced at Freddie, who was taking notes.

“What is Rory’s last name and the name of their practice?”

“McInerny, and the practice is District OBGYN. The other doctor in the practice is Oriana Harvey.”

“Who else needs to be notified about their deaths before the names are made public?” Sam asked.

“Oh Lord, Liliana’s mother has terrible dementia. She and her sister, Esme, take care of her full time.”

“Do you know how we can reach Esme?”

Graciela withdrew her phone again and found the number, which she recited for Freddie. “I help them whenever I can, which is why I have her number.”

“Is there anything else you think we should know?” Sam asked.

She hesitated, as if debating whether she should share.

“Every detail, even the smallest thing, is relevant in an investigation of this sort.” She hesitated to refer to it as a homicide investigation until they were sure that Marcel hadn’t murdered his family before he took his own life. “If you know something, now is the time to tell us.”

“Marcel suspected that Liliana was having an affair.”

CHAPTER THREE

Christina and Terry were waiting for Nick when he arrived in the Oval Office by way of the East Colonnade, the only time he made it outside some days.

“We’ve got the statement ready, Mr. President.” Christina placed the sheet of paper on the Resolute Desk, which was clear of all other items.

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