But before Matt ended the call, he received further instructions from Jackson. They were to stop by the office for Adam. Killer would stay with Jackson; the rest of them were on their way to speak with Martha Hubbard, widow of the recently deceased congressman.
He looked over at Meg. “We have to be at our most persuasive. This could be our most important move, a way we can finally get to the truth.”
“I’ll beg and plead as soulfully as I can,” she promised.
Her tone was sarcastic but he knew she actually meant what she’d said. Matt looked straight ahead again as he drove and wondered if she realized just how far her sincerity went. She was definitely the right one to be on this mission.
Angela was waiting with Adam Harrison in front of the office. She scooped up Killer while Adam slid into the car.
“Press conference is in thirty minutes. Jackson will do the speaking,” she told them.
Matt waved and moved back into the traffic.
Meg turned around to speak to Adam. “Do you know Mrs. Hubbard?” she asked.
“Yes. We’re old friends. I was a huge supporter of Congressman Hubbard. He had a platform that was socially inclusive and fiscally smart. He was...political magic, and he never reneged on a promise he made to his constituents,” Adam said.
“Maybe you should’ve gone to see Mrs. Hubbard alone,” Meg murmured.
“Oh, no, my dear. You’re going to be an asset, I’m certain.” Glancing in the rearview mirror, Matt saw that Adam was impeccable as always in a soft gray suit, blue shirt and darker tie.
As he neared Congressman Hubbard’s home, Matt saw something that made him slow and then pull over.
“What are you doing?” Meg asked. He pointed down the street. The congressman’s house was in a neighborhood of sweeping lawns and they had a decent view of the horseshoe drive in front of the house.
“Someone’s just leaving,” Matt said.
A large party was about to drive off in two black sedans. Matt saw that it was Congressman Walker, his wife and his retinue. Ian and Kendra were getting into a black limo driven by Joe Brighton, his ex-marine campaign manager. The other two men—handsome and charismatic Ellery Manheim and Nathan Oliver—were entering a second car. Peering closely, Matt saw that the two little granddaughters were already in the car that Ian and Kendra Walker were stepping into, which explained the need for two cars.
“Company who got here before us,” Adam said thoughtfully. “How interesting—or maybe not.” He went on to say, “The families have been close for years. Walker and Hubbard were on a number of committees together.”
“Still, what timing,” Matt said. “We’ll wait a minute.”
“And hope they drive in the other direction,” Meg added.
They did. Matt wondered if he let out an audible sigh of relief. A few minutes later, he drove down the street and into the horseshoe drive.
The Hubbard house wasn’t as big or as opulent as the Walker house, Matt observed. Not that he knew much about interior design. It was homey, simple. Martha Hubbard was as warm and welcoming as her home.
She greeted them herself when she opened the door, stepping into Adam’s arms and hugging him warmly, tears filling her eyes. “So good of you to come, Adam. I’ve been trying to catch up—to reach everyone—since the funeral. But the children were here, and I’m in the middle of making various decisions. I have to decide whether to keep this home or not... So many details that must be handled.”
“Maddie, Maddie,” Adam said soothingly. “I wouldn’t be bothering you now if I didn’t think it was important. May we?”
They were still standing in the foyer.
“Of course, forgive me!” Maddie Hubbard looked past Adam and tried to smile brightly at Matt and Meg. “Come in!”
The parlor was in the front of the house. There was an inviting hearth, the mantel covered with family pictures. A throw over the sofa might have been knitted by the widow herself.
Adam introduced them. “Agents Matthew Bosworth and Margaret Murray.”
“And I’m Martha Hubbard, although I’m better known as Maddie,” she said. “Sit down. The Walkers were just here with their little ones, so I’m in a bit of disarray.”
Meg laughed softly. “What a lovely home, Mrs. Hubbard. I only wish I had one as warm and charming as this.”
“Well, thank you, dear, and please, I’m just Maddie.”
They sat down; Adam looked at Matt and he knew that meant he was to begin.
He folded his hands as he faced her. “We’re sorry to bother you today,” he said. “I’ve been a fan of your husband and your family for years. I can only imagine how painful your husband’s loss is to you. But we’re here to ask for a favor that will be very hard to give. And while we can’t tell you the particulars, we have good reason to believe that your husband’s death might not have been...natural.”