Thats terrible, he said, sounding genuinely shocked. Is itwell, with two women in such a short amount of timedo you think its a trend? A serial?
We dont know quite yet, Mackenzie said. We were hoping you might be able to fill in the pieces. I saw on the college website that there are only two academic advisors for the political science department, and that youre one of them. I also happen to know that both Jo Haley and Christine Lynch shared the same advisor. Would that happen to be you?
There was a tense nervous chuckle from McMahons end of the phone. No. And actually, this is one of the primary reasons I have such a heavy workload right now. The other academic advisor within our department, William Holland, quit his job about three days before winter break. I got the majority of his studentsand Ill likely be handling that load until they find a replacement. We have an assistant that is helping where I need it, but Ive been swamped.
Do you have any idea why Holland quit?
Well, there were rumblings that he had gotten involved with a student. As far as I know, there was never any evidence to support this, so I thought it was just a rumor. But when he just simply quit like that, out of nowhere, it made me wonder.
Yeah, that makes me wonder, too, Mackenzie thought.
As far as you know, did he ever do anything else that might have been shady? Was he the type of man where news like this shocked you?
I cant answer with any certainty. I meanI knew him only because we worked together. But I didnt know him much outside of work.
So Im going to assume you have no idea where he might live?
Sorry, no.
While I have you onMr. McMahon, when was the last time you spoke with either Jo or Christine?
I never did. I was assigned them both when I was handed Hollands students, but the most I ever communicated with them was a mass email that was sent to all of the affected students. He paused here and added: You know, given the nature of all thats happened, I could probably get Hollands address for you. I just need to make a few calls.
I appreciate that, Mackenzie said. But theres no need. I can get that information as well. But thank you very much for your time.
With that, she ended the call. Ellington, sitting on the edge of the bed with one shoe off and the other on, had been listening the entire time.
Who is Holland? he asked.
William Holland. She filled Ellington in on all she had learned via her brief conversation with McMahon. As she did, she also sat down on the edge of the bed. She didnt realize just how tired she truly was until her feet were off of the floor.
Ill make a call to get his information, he said. If he works at the college, the chances are pretty good he lives around here somewhere.
And if he is our guy, Mackenzie said, my calling and leaving a message has probably freaked him out.
Then I guess we need to act fast, then.
She nodded and realized that she had once again placed her hand on her stomach. It was almost habitual now, like someone chewing on their nails or nervously popping their knuckles.
Theres life in there, she thought. And that life, if the books are right, is feeling the same emotions Im feeling. Its sensing my anxiousness, my happiness, my fears
As she listened to Ellington hunting down a physical address for William Holland, Mackenzie wondered for the first time if she had made a mistake in keeping the pregnancy from McGrath. Maybe she was taking a huge risk by remaining an active agent, out in the field.
Once this case is over, Ill tell him, she thought. Ill focus on the baby and my mew life, and
Her thoughts had apparently snagged her full attention, because Ellington was looking at her now, as if waiting for a response.
Im sorry, she said. I was somewhere else there for a minute.
He smiled and said, Thats okay. I got an address for one William Holland. He lives here in town, in Northwood. You feel up for a visit?
Honestly, she didnt. The day had not been overly grueling but coming into a case directly off of a trip to Iceland and not sleeping much in the past thirty-six hours, it was all starting to catch up to her. She also knew that the growing baby inside of her was sucking some of her energy away and the thought of that actually made her smile.
Besides, even if the guy was capable of questioning or taking into custody, it probably wouldnt take that long. So she put on her best go-get-em face and stood back up.
Yeah, lets go pay him a visit.
Ellington stepped in front of her, making sure they were looking eye to eye. You sure? You look tired. You even told me less than half an hour ago that you felt a little wiped out.
Its okay. Im good.
He kissed her on the forehead and nodded. Okay, then. Im going to take you on your word. With another smile, he reached down and caressed her stomach before heading for the door.
Hes worried about me, she thought. And hes already so in love with this child that its overwhelming. Hes going to be such a good father
But before she could latch on to that thought, they were out the door and headed for the car. They moved with such speed and purpose that it served as a reminder that she would not be able to truly focus on thoughts about their future together until this case was solved.
CHAPTER SEVEN
It was shortly after seven p.m. when Ellington parked their car in front of William Hollands house. It was a small house tucked away on the outer edges of a nice little subdivision, the sort of house that looked more like a misplaced cottage than anything else. A single car was parked in the paved driveway and several lights were on inside the house.
Ellington knocked on the door in an almost assertive way. He was not being rude about it by any means, but he was making it clear to Mackenzie that while he was worried about her health, he would be taking the lead in just about every facet of the case: driving, knocking on doors, and so on.
The door was answered by a well-groomed man who looked to be in his late forties. He wore a pair of trendy eyeglasses and was dressed in a blazer and khakis. Based on the smell wafting out of the door from behind him, he was enjoying Chinese takeout for dinner.
William Holland? Ellington asked.
Yeah. And who are you?
They both showed their badges at the same time, Mackenzie taking a single step forward as they did. Agents White and Ellington, FBI. We understand that you left your job at Queen Nash recently.
I did, Holland said with some uncertainty. But Im confused. Why would that warrant a visit from the FBI?
Can we come in, Mr. Holland? Ellington asked.
Holland took a moment to think before conceding. Sure, yeah, come on in. But I dontI mean, what is this about?
They entered the doorway without answering. When Holland closed the door behind them, Mackenzie took note. Hed shut it slowly and firmly. He was either nervous or scaredor, more likely, both.
Were here in town investigating two murders, Ellington finally answered. Both Queen Nash students, both females, and, as weve learned today, both advised by you.
Theyd entered Hollands living room by then and Holland wasted no time in plopping down into a small lounge chair. He looked up to them as if he truly did not understand what they were telling him.