“But since the other entry was after that,” Matt began, “she really might’ve gone somewhere. Maybe she was preparing to leave, in case things didn’t go the way she thought they should. Do you think she might’ve tried to follow that trail? I’m assuming you did make that journey at some point?”
Meg nodded. “As you know, she was from Richmond, and I was from Harpers Ferry. I still have a home there, a lovely old place.” She looked up at him. “Stonewall Jackson never stayed there, but one of his physicians did. My grandfather owned it and his family before him. Lara’s aunt loved to come to Harpers Ferry during the summers. She was a river-tubing enthusiast. That’s where Lara and I became friends. Anyway, once we were eighteen, we’d head out every summer from Richmond, where we went to college together. We’d go back to my place—or rather, my grandfather’s. He left it to me when he died a few years later. Then we’d go to Sharpsburg and Gettysburg.”
Matt looked interested enough that she was encouraged to continue. “Lara studied the Civil War. She could give you whole biographies of both Union and Southern commanders, and she was ardent about Lincoln. She believed that old politics really do influence new politics, that there’s a connection. And she was always frustrated with the way politics are now. For example, she used to tell me that when our Founding Fathers finished serving their terms, they went back to their original jobs. They weren’t supported forever. They were equal with the people they served. Lara knew that neither the senate nor the house would ever vote to give money back, but she still believed that there were people out there who wanted to serve rather than find a cushy career.”
She realized she was telling him far more than necessary; she just needed him to understand what a principled person Lara was.
She lowered her head. She knew she’d seen Lara in the mirror. Once again, she was convinced that Lara was dead. She had to be.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to get carried away here. But yes, we both loved the trip. We went to museums, reenactments, churches, graveyards—all over. Oh, in Colonial Williamsburg, she was crazy about the old taverns. Thought they were so much fun. We loved to go up to the Harpers Ferry cemetery up on the high hill. Sometimes we just enjoyed the view of the Shenandoah and the valley below, and sometimes we made up stories about the names we could read on the graves.” Meg stopped speaking.
“I’m not sure we’ll be able to find her, even if we attempt the journey,” he said. “For now, though, I think we’ve discovered everything we can here. I should go back and check in at the office. I’ll get you to your car first,” he told her. “We’ll call to let you know what’s next.”
“I’m going to take this and read through it,” Meg said, indicating the journal.
“Good plan,” he said simply. When he turned and headed out, she followed him, locking up. When they returned to Adam’s house, she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. She started for her car.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Quantico,” she said. “I have to be out of cadets’ quarters by the end of the week.”
“We can help you move. You need to come back and report to Adam first. I’ll go see what Jackson and the Krewe have uncovered, but you need to see Adam.”
When they arrived at the office, she walked in ahead of him, afraid Adam would announce that they hadn’t found a thing to suggest that anything had happened to Lara Mayhew.
But she was wrong; Adam had them both come in.
“Do we have anything? Anything that’ll justify spending taxpayers’ money?” he asked immediately.
“Lara isn’t at her apartment,” Meg answered. “And I don’t believe she’s gone anywhere. The suitcase she always uses is there and none of her clothing seems to be gone.” She waited, still and stoic, for Matt to speak.
To her surprise, he proved to be an effective advocate. “There’s something odd going on. What it is, I don’t know. Today Walker attempted to show us what a wonderful family man and good all-around guy he is. I’m not saying he isn’t, but he admitted to an argument over the way to pursue a bill he’d been working on with Congressman Hubbard. Apparently, Walker’s determination to stand strong died along with his friend.”
Adam nodded. “What else do you have?”
“What do we know about the death of Garth Hubbard?” Matt asked.
Adam looked slightly taken aback. “We know there were questions. There always are. But from what I’ve read, it was all aboveboard. He did have a heart condition. His own physician was there and unsuccessfully tried resuscitation. There was an investigation, and nothing was found other than that he had a heart attack.” Adam paused, then said, “Still, something about it bothers me.”
Matt went on to describe their visit; he discussed each of the men who worked for the congressman, Ian Walker, Kendra Walker, the children and everything that had happened, everything that had been said. His memory and his ability to relay details were impressive.