Murder Inside the Beltway - Margaret Truman [93]
“Maybe they got cold feet,” she suggested, “and are afraid of trying to put a ransom drop in place.”
“Maybe, but the abduction was too slick for somebody to chicken out. Kloss wants me to stay close to Rollins, see if I can pick up on anything.”
“Good,” she said.
“Did you see Hatcher?” Jackson asked.
“No—he caught the McMahon drive-by.”
Kloss interrupted to suggest that Jackson go home for a change of clothes. “Rollins says he’s leaving his office in a couple of hours and coming here. I’d like you back.”
Mary walked Matt to the rear door. “You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Hearing about Hatcher is… well, it’s good news.”
“I know. Hurry back.”
• • •
The waiting game continued in Foggy Bottom that night. The press contingent had thinned out somewhat in front of the house, but there were still plenty of reporters and cameras anxious to catch a glimpse of anyone, anything, to advance the story.
Rollins had arrived at six, followed closely by Jackson’s return. Jackson prompted conversation with him when it seemed appropriate, and the grieving father was receptive to those advances. From the young detective’s perspective, Rollins’s demeanor hadn’t changed. He was his usual cool and collected self, with rare moments of annoyance or impatience flaring up. Sue Rollins had settled into an almost fugue state, doing everything by rote, mechanical, without inspiration. Mary Hall stuck close to her, lending a hand in the kitchen or helping her do laundry—a wash in the midst of such personal anguish! There continued to be, of course, various phone calls for both the Rollinses. They handled them with aplomb, keeping them brief, stating the obvious, that the lines had to be kept clear. Everyone understood, of course, yet continued the conversations until Sue or Jerry had to be a little firmer and assure the caller that they appreciated the concern and would certainly let them know if there was anything to report. Sue’s mother called regularly and seemed to accept the need to stay away, and to depend upon her daughter and son-in-law for up-dates. She cried during some of those calls, which made it harder for Sue. But she maintained an even keel and didn’t allow her own tears to meld with her mother’s.
At eleven, Kloss, whose fatigue was showing, suggested that the Rollinses go to bed.
“What about you?” Jerry said. “You looked exhausted.”
“I’ll be fine on the couch here,” Kloss said. “I really doubt whether anyone will call tonight regarding your daughter. We’ll handle other calls and say you’re resting. You’ll accomplish nothing by sitting around with us.”
Sue didn’t argue. She walked heavily up the stairs and disappeared into the master bedroom. Jackson and Rollins sat at the kitchen table, hands cupped around steaming cups of black coffee.
“How did you enjoy your trip out to Maryland today?” Rollins asked.
“Pretty ride,” Jackson said. “You had a meeting.”
Rollins nodded.
“I guess with the campaign and all, life marches on.”
“Something like that. I met with Kevin Ziegler. He’s President Pyle’s advisor.”
“I know.”
“You follow politics, Matt?”
“Best I can.”
“Pick a winner yet?”
“I don’t know about a winner, sir, but I do intend to vote for Governor Colgate.”
“You’re not just saying that because you’re with me?”
“I wouldn’t do that, sir.”
“No, I suppose you wouldn’t. Mr. Ziegler and I will be meeting again day after tomorrow to iron out details for a debate in Miami.”
“I heard about that,” Jackson said, pleased that he had kept up with news of the campaign. “Always some sticking points.”
“Always. In a way, it’s good that these things come up. I don’t know how I’d handle this whole mess if it were all I had to think about. I feel bad for Sue in that regard.”
“She’s a strong woman.”
“Very strong.”
“Mind if I ask you something, Mr. Rollins?”
“No, and please call me Jerry.”
“All right, Jerry. I couldn’t help but notice the last time I went out back that you have an impressive machine sitting in the garage.”
Jackson’s observation brought a wry