more impressive face to face, warm and open. Then the smile died. “I guess we’re both here, whether we want to be or not.”
Karen signaled to the officer at the police line, and he raised his hands to get the reporters’ attention. Once Grant’s bags were in his car, she accompanied him to the cordon. A flurry of shouted questions greeted them, but she merely looked on in stony silence until they quieted.
“As you’re aware,” she began, “Abigail Reese was murdered in the residence of Senator Grant Lawrence last night. Ms. Reese lived in the residence, and had lived and worked with the Lawrence family for sixty years. This is obviously an ongoing investigation, and I’m not going to discuss details, except to say that we have a number of leads and we are pursuing them. Senator Lawrence has agreed to say a few words, but please understand that he will not discuss the details of the case, either. And keep it brief. His family is grieving, and he’d like to get back to them.”
She turned to him. “Senator?”
The change was almost palpable. He was still the same wounded, somber man who’d walked into the house a few minutes before. But he was also Senator Grant Lawrence. He spoke with calm, quiet dignity.
“Abby Reese was at the very heart of my family. When my parents had to be away on location, Abby was there. Whenever I had a heartache or a joy, Abby was there. She was there when I graduated high school and college. She was there when I married Georgie. She was there when my children were born. She was there when Georgie died. And the very last thing my daughters did, before going to bed last night, was to call Abby to say good-night. There are no words to describe our loss. And frankly, I’d rather not have to find them. Suffice it to say that I have lost a lifetime mentor, friend, surrogate mother and companion. And I will miss her always.
“I will, of course, cooperate fully with the Tampa Police Department in their investigation of this brutal and senseless murder. I have no doubt that they will find the person who did this terrible thing. And now I’ll try to answer a few of your questions, but as the detective said, my family is grieving and I want to get back to them.”
“How was she killed?”
Karen spoke up. “Again, I won’t discuss details of the investigation at this point. The medical examiner and criminalists are still gathering and reviewing evidence.”
“Was it a burglary?”
“It’s too early to tell,” Karen said. “Burglary is one possible motive we’re looking at, yes.”
“Senator, will this affect your intention to run for the presidency?”
She saw him bristle. “I haven’t announced any such intention yet. And that’s the furthest thing from my mind right now.”
“Will you hire another black housekeeper?”
Now his nostrils flared. “There would be no way to replace a lost family member.”
“And that’s enough,” Karen said.
“Is this related to your wife’s death?”
The senator drew a breath, as if calming himself, then locked eyes with the reporter. “I won’t even dignify that with a response. My wife died in an auto accident.”
“That’s enough,” Karen said again, slipping an arm in front of him to drive the point home. “The department, and I’m sure the senator, will discuss further developments as they arise. Thank you.”
She pivoted on her heel and drew him toward the car. “I’m sorry, Senator.”
He nodded. “I’m used to it. It is, unfortunately, part of the price of holding public office. And perhaps, in some way, part of the beauty of the American system of government. Secrets are dangerous things.”
“Maybe so. But so are ugly rumors.”
As he was about to climb into the driver’s seat, he looked toward a small knot of people gathered under a tree. He turned to her. “May I have a moment, please?”
“You’re a free man, Senator.”
“Thank you, Detective Sweeney. For everything.”
She watched his shoulders sag a bit as he stepped toward the group of neighbors.
Grant needed a familiar face, and he found it in Art Wallace. He extended his hand as Art walked toward him, leaving the other neighbors behind as he crossed the cordon.
“I’m terribly sorry for your loss,” Art said.
“Thanks, Art. The jackals don’t make it any easier, but I guess I have to deal with them.”
Art nodded, then angled his head toward the detective. “Do they know anything?”
“Not a lot. It looks like a burglary.” Grant closed his eyes for a moment. “Jeez, Art. She probably died for some files that anyone could have had for the asking.”
Art shook his head slowly. “I don’t know what to say, Grant. If there’s anything I can do, anything at all…”
“Actually, I came over to ask, are your daughters home with you?”
Art nodded. “Yes. My ex is getting married again, so I’ve got them for three months.”
Grant reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Art.”
“It was bound to happen.” Art’s wife had left him just over a year ago, and his pain was a palpable thing, even though he never referred to Elizabeth in any other way than as his ex. “So yes, I’ve got the girls for a few months. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for that.”
“I can imagine.”
Art nodded, then smiled. “We should be grateful for our blessings as they come. Now, what can I do to help you out?”
“This is going to be hell for the girls. They need a few days to adapt, but then they’re going to need to get back in school. And I don’t know how long it’ll be before they’ll give me the house back. Or how long it’ll take to…” He couldn’t speak the words. They stuck in his throat.
“They’re welcome to stay with us, Grant. They’ve always been welcome. You know you don’t need to ask.”
“I know, Art. It shouldn’t be for long. I hate to impose.”
Art took his hand firmly. “Grant, we’ve been neighbors for ten years. You’re not imposing. I’d be glad to help, and you know Lucy and Jessie love your daughters like sisters.”
Grant managed a chuckle. “And they fight like sisters.”
“That’s part of the package,” Art said, smiling. “It’s not a problem. Really. That’s what friends do.”
“You’re good people,” Grant said. “Look, I need to get back home. I’ll call you when I think the girls are ready to get back to school.”
“We’ll look forward to it,” Art said. “Take care of your family.”
Grant
