She awkwardly entered the room and went directly to Deb. Without allowing Deb enough time to get out of the chair, Kate leaned down and hugged her.
Im so sorry, Deb, she said.
Deb was clearly drained from crying, managing to only nod into Kates shoulder. Thanks for coming, Deb whispered into her ear. Do you think you could meet me in the kitchen in a few minutes?
Of course.
Kate broke the hug and gave little nods of acknowledgment to the few other faces in the room that she recognized. Feeling out of place, Kate made her way to the end of the hallway which emptied into the kitchen. There was no one there but there were empty plates and glasses from where people had been not too long ago. There were a few pies sitting on the counter along with ham rolls and other finger foods. Kate set to cleaning up, helping herself to the sink to start washing the dishes.
Several moments later, Jim Meade made his way into the kitchen. You dont have to do that, he said.
Kate turned to him and saw that he looked tired and impossibly sad. I know, she said. I came by to show my support. It seemed like things were pretty heavy in the living room when I came in, so Im supporting you guys by washing dishes.
He nodded, looking like he might nod off right then and there. One of our friends said she saw a woman come in a few minutes ago. Im rather glad its you, Kate.
Kate saw another person coming toward the kitchen behind him, looking equally tired and heartbroken. Deb Meades eyes were puffy and red from crying. Her hair was in disarray and when she looked at Kate to try on a smile, it seemed to fall right off of her face.
Kate put down the dish she was washing, quickly dried her hands on a hand towel by the sink, and went to her friend. Kate had never been much for physical touch but knew when a hug was needed. She expected Deb to start weeping in the midst of the hug but there was nothing, just her sagging weight.
Shes probably all cried out for now, Kate thought.
I only just heard this morning, Kate said. Im so sorry, Deb. Both of you, she said, casting her eyes to Jim.
Jim nodded his appreciation and then looked down the hall. When he saw that no one else was lurking there, the slight murmur of their company still in the living room, he stepped closer to Kate as Deb broke the hug.
Kate, we need to ask you something, Jim said in a near-whisper.
And please, Deb said, taking her hand. Let us get it all out before you shoot us down. Kate felt a little tremble in Debs grip and her heart broke a little.
Sure, Kate said. Their pleading eyes and the overall weight of their sorrow hung over her head like an anvil that was sure to drop at any moment.
The police have absolutely no idea who did it, Deb said. Suddenly, her exhaustion morphed into something that looked closer to anger. Based on some things we said and some texts they found on Julies phone, the police arrested her ex-boyfriend right away. But they held him for less than three hours and then let him go. Just like that. But KateI know he did it. It has to be him.
Kate had seen this approach multiple times before during her time as an agent. Grieving families wanted justice right away. Theyd look past logic and a sound investigation to make sure some sort of vengeance was taken out as soon as possible. And if those results werent speedy, the grieving family assumed incompetence on the part of the police or FBI.
Debif they released him so quickly, there must have been some very strong evidence. After allhow long has it been since they dated?
Thirteen years. But he kept trying to connect with her for years, even after she was married. She had to get a restraining order at one time.
Stillthe police had to have a good alibi for him to have released him so quickly.
Well, if there was, they arent telling me about it, Deb said.
Deblook, Kate said, giving Debs hand a comforting squeeze. The loss is too recent. Give it a few days and youll start to think rationally. Ive seen it a hundred times.
Deb shook her head. Im certain of it, Kate. They dated for three years and not once did I trust him. Were pretty sure he hit her at least on two occasions but Julie never came out and said it. He had a temper. Even hed tell you that.
Im sure the police are
Thats our favor, Deb interrupted. I want you to look into it. I want you to get involved in the case.
Deb, Im retired. You know this.
I do. And I also know how much you miss it. Katethe man that killed my daughter got nothing more than a little scare and some time in an interrogation room. And now hes at home, sitting comfortably while I have to plan to put my daughter in the ground. Its not right, Kate. Pleasewill you look into it? I know you cant do it on an official basis butanything you can do. Id appreciate it.
There was so much heartache in Debs eyes that Kate could feel it passing between them. Everything within her was telling her to stand firmto not allow any false hope to enter into Debs grief. But at the same time, Deb was right. She had missed her work. And even if what was being proposed was just a few basic phone calls to the Richmond PD or even to her former co-workers at the bureau, it would be something.
It would certainly be better than obsessively reflecting back on her career with lonely trips out to the gun range.
Heres what I can do, Kate said. When I retired, I lost all of my pull. Sure, I get calls for my opinion here and there, but I have no authority. More than that, this case would be completely outside of my jurisdiction even if I were still active. But I will make a few calls to my old contacts and make sure the evidence they found to free him was strong. Honestly, Deb, thats the best I can do.
The gratitude was evident in both Deb and Jim right away. Deb hugged her again and this time, she did weep. Thank you.
Its not a problem, Kate said. But I really cant promise anything.
We know, Jim said. But at least now we know that someone competent is watching out for us.
Kate wasnt comfortable with the idea that they were looking to her as an inside force to assist them, nor did she like that they assumed the police didnt have their backs. Again, she knew it was all about their grief and how it was blinding them in their search for answers. So for now, she let it slide.
She thought about how tired she had been near the end of her careernot really physically tired but emotionally drained. She had always loved her job, but how often had she come to the end of a case and think to herself: Man, am I tired of this shit
It had happened more and more often in the last few years.
But this moment was not about her.
She held her friend close, puzzling over how no matter how hard people tried to put their pasts behind themwhether it was relationships or careersit somehow managed to always limp along not too far behind.
CHAPTER THREE
Kate wasted no time. She returned home and sat at the desk in her small study for a moment. She looked out of her study window, into her small backyard. Sunshine came in through the window, laying a rectangle of light on her wooden floors. The floors, like most of the rest of the house, showed the scars and scabs of its 1920s construction. Located in the Carytown area of Richmond, Kate often felt out of place. Carytown was a trendy little section of the city and she knew shed end up moving elsewhere fairly soon. She had enough money to get a house just about anywhere she wanted but the very idea of moving exhausted her.