And it was a conversation about his mother? Kate asked.
Pretty sure. I sort of teased him about it when he came back in but he wasnt in a joking mood.
Do you know anything about his parents? Kate asked.
No. Like I said, Jack was a great guy, but I wouldnt really call him a friend.
Where are you headed right now? DeMarco asked.
I was going to go grab some flowers for his family and drop them by their house. I met his wife and kids a few times at Christmas parties and company barbecues, things like that. A great little family. Its a damned shame what happened. Makes me a little sick, you know?
Well, we wont keep you any longer, Kate said. Thank you, Mr. Craft.
Back in the car, Kate backed out of Jerrys driveway and said: You want to grab Jacks mothers information?
On it, DeMarco said a little coldly.
Kate again found herself fighting to stay quiet. If DeMarco was going to draw out her little irritation about last nights events, that was her choice. Kate sure as hell wasnt going to let it affect her progress on this case.
At the same time, she also found herself having to bite back an ironic smile. She had spent so much time wrestling with whether or not her new position was keeping her away from her family yet here she was, working with a woman who reminded her so much of Melissa at times that it was scary. She thought of Melissa and Michelle as DeMarco was bounced back and forth along the departments within the bureau, searching for information on Jack Tuckers mother. She thought of how Melissa had behaved and acted the first time she, Kate, had been so enthralled in the Nobilini case. That had been eight years ago; Melissa had been twenty-one, still slightly rebellious and pretty much against anything her mother wished of her. There had been one stretch of time where Melissa had tried out coloring her hair purple. It had actually looked quite good but Kate had never been able to bring herself to say it out loud. It had been a trying time in their lives, even when Michael, her husband, had still been alive and there to help her do the parenting as Melissa had gotten older.
Thats interesting, DeMarco said, pulling Kate out of her trip down memory lane. She was setting her phone down and looking ahead with an excited little sparkle in her eyes.
Whats interesting? Kate asked.
Jacks mother is one Olivia Tucker. Sixty-six years old, lives in Queens. A squeaky clean criminal record, but with one minor ding.
Whats the ding?
She had the cops called on her two years ago. The call was placed by Missy Tucker, on the same night Olivia Tucker was trying to force her way into their house.
They shared a look and in it, Kate could feel some of that tension between them start to melt away. Good leads, after all, had a tendency to bring even the most estranged partners together.
Feeling as if she was finally getting somewhere, Kate turned the car around and headed toward Queens.
CHAPTER FIVE
Olivia Tucker lived in a basic run-of-the-mill apartment in Jackson Heights. When Kate and DeMarco arrived, she was being visited by a local preacher. It was the preacher who answered the door, a tall black man who looked very somber and sad. He regarded the agents skeptically and sighed softly.
Can I help you ladies?
We need to speak with Mrs. Tucker, DeMarco said. Who might you be?
Im Leland Toombs, the pastor of her church. And who might you be?
They went through the usual routine of showing their IDs and introducing themselves. Toombs took a tentative step back and gave them a disapproving look.
You understand she is in a very distressed state, right?
Of course, Kate said. Were trying to find her sons killer and we are hoping she might be able to shed some light to help.
Who is that? a shaky voice called from elsewhere in the apartment. A woman stepped into view from another room and started for the door.
Its the FBI, Leland told her. But Olivia, Id suggest you take a moment to think about if you are ready to speak with them.
Olivia Tucker came to the door looking an absolute mess. Her eyes were bloodshot and it looked like she was even having trouble walking. She looked at Kate and DeMarco and then placed a reassuring hand on Toombss shoulder.
Yes, I think I need to, she said. Pastor Toombs, would you give me a moment?
I think maybe I should be here when they speak with you.
She shook her head. No. I appreciate it, but I need to do this part on my own.
Toombs frowned and then looked at Kate and DeMarco. Please be kind. She is not taking this well. He then gave Olivia one final look and stepped out of the door while calling over his shoulder, Please call me if you need anything, Olivia.
Olivia watched him go and then slowly closed the door behind her. Please, come on into the living room.
Her voice was soft and ragged and she still walked as if her legs werent quite sure what they were doing.
Did you know, she said as they entered the living room, that the cops called me and told me what had happened a full six hours after his body was found?
Why so long? Kate asked.
I suppose they assumed Missy would call and tell me. They told her first, of course. But it was later, after Missy had refused, that the police finally called.
Are you sure she refused? DeMarco asked. Given the nature of what happened, do you think she simply forgot?
Olivia shrugged, but not as an I dont know gesture. It was more of an I dont care.
Do you mean to tell me that you think Missy would have done something like that on purpose? Kate asked.
Honestly, I just dont know. The woman is vindictive as hell. I wouldnt put much of anything beyond her. She probably forgot so she wouldnt have to speak to me or, God forbid, see me.
Want to tell us why you seem to dislike her so much? DeMarco asked.
Oh, I never liked her, not really. She was quite charming at first, when she was trying to earn my good graces. But the moment Jack put that engagement ring on her finger, she became some other person. Controlling. Manipulative. She has never appreciated the plush little life she has. She may have loved Jack deep down in some sick, twisted wayI dont doubt that. But she never appreciated him.
Can you explain that a bit more? Kate asked.
She was always wanting something elsewanting more. And she made no secret of it. Everything she had, no matter what it waskids, wealthy husband, beautiful house, you name itit was never enough. Nothing Jack ever did was good enough for her.
Kate noticed the look of absolute venom in Olivias face as she spoke. She believed every single word she was saying. But from the little bit of time Kate had spent with Missy Tucker, she found it all very hard to believe.
Do you know if Jack felt this way about her?
God, no. He was so blinded by it all. By her and her little act.
So youd comfortably rule out the idea of him being involved in an affair?
Her look of shock was all the answer Kate needed. But Olivia had some choice words, too. Given what Ive been through the last few hours, how dare you ask such a stupid question? Are you trying to be insensitive and rude?
I ask only because that would at least give us somewhere to start looking. If he was involved in something like that, it would give us a series of leads to pursue. Because quite frankly, as of now, we have no witnesses and no suspects.