As Wong and Kat prepared to leave, Kat turned to Matt and mouthed the words, “I’ll call you when I know something.”
He raised his hand in acknowledgment. Then he suddenly looked up the hill. Bright sunlight danced across his eyes for a moment, but he could swear that a strange cloud sat around Arlington House. He didn’t know if it was because of his talent, or merely something he wished to see, but there was Robert E. Lee, sitting on a rocking chair, and Mary, his beloved wife, at his side.
“What is it?” Adam asked quietly.
Matt turned to him and smiled. “I like to think that Lee’s up there,” he said.
“He was one of the most brilliant generals America ever produced—and sadly that genius probably prolonged the war.”
“But when it was over, no one worked harder for reconciliation and peace. Maybe he’s up there now and then, in the house he used to own, grateful that the country mended,” Matt said.
Adam shrugged, a wry smile on his weathered face. “And maybe he’s praying that politicians don’t mess it up again!”
Matt nodded.
He slid into the driver’s seat and followed Maddie’s chauffeur out of the cemetery.
*
Maddie gazed out the window, studying the cemetery as they left. She reached for Meg’s hand and clung to it.
“You’ve all gotten me thinking. I blamed myself for Garth’s death, you know. Oh, I didn’t let on to my children what I was feeling, but... I was in the house. I was humming away and baking, with salt-free salt and sugar-free sugar, thinking it was going to be such a treat for us both! And there he was upstairs—dying on the floor. In agony.”
“You two were truly a love match. Through all the years, the children—and politics!” Meg said. “That’s really beautiful.”
“It was,” Maddie agreed softly. “But...if you’re right, if his pills were switched... The thing is, he was with various members of congress all day. Not to mention aides, attachés, ambassadors and so on.” She turned to Meg. “If there’s some kind of drug in his system that shouldn’t be...will they ever figure out how it got there?”
“Maddie, there’ll be clues. The ME and Kat—they know what they’re doing. And I can’t help feeling that my missing friend might be able to tell us something—if only we can find her. She might point us in the right direction.”
Maddie frowned. “Am I in danger, Meg?”
“No. At least, I don’t think you are.”
Maddie looked out the window again. “I’ve been invited to accompany Ian and Kendra Walker to Gettysburg in a couple of days. Ian is due to give a speech—and he wants to use it as an occasion to honor Garth.”
“I’m sure they’re planning excellent security, Maddie. And actually, Matt and I were about to go up to Gettysburg. We’re following a...sort of trail my friend Lara and I used to take. When we were in college, we liked the usual nearby places—Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, Kings Dominion—but we were also broke a lot and loved to go to battle reenactments, old churches, historic homes, that kind of thing. She’s from Richmond and I’m from Harpers Ferry, so we’d often go to those two cities, and then Gettysburg, as well. Lara studied the events leading up to the Civil War, and during reconstruction. She maintains that politics lead to politics, that our country’s history influences our lives today.”
Maddie smiled. “You speak of her in the present tense. You obviously believe your friend is alive. And so do I.”
“I lose faith sometimes. In fact, for a while, I was sure she was dead. If she’s in hiding, I don’t understand why she hasn’t found a way to contact me yet. And if she’s been taken...well, why would she still be alive when so many other women are dead?” Meg asked.
Maddie patted her hand. “That’s why we have agencies like yours. To find out who, what, when, where and, above all, why. Have faith—until you can’t have faith anymore.”
“Okay.” Meg smiled at her.
“If I do go to Getttysburg, which I should, since the Walkers are dear friends, will you be there for me? I know I can clear it with Adam,” Maddie said.
“I’ll be there for you and with you,” Meg promised.
“Thank you, Meg.”
“My pleasure.”
They’d pulled up to Maddie’s house and into the horseshoe-shaped drive. Adam and Matt parked right behind them.
“Coffee and tea and tea cakes!” Maddie announced. She wagged her finger at Matt. “And don’t you worry that my tea cakes are delicate little lady things. I also have a lovely spread of sandwiches, and you’ll be quite full before we finish. I guarantee it!”
“I have no doubt whatsoever,” Matt said.
Maddie slipped her arm through Meg’s as they walked to the house. She drew her close and whispered, “I love to tease that one. I like him. He’s a keeper. That’s just my opinion, but I’m a good judge of people.”
“I’ll remember that,” Meg whispered back.