Joe was a loner.
But being with him made her feel like she was in the place she needed to be. They got married and Emma, whod minored in education at college, got a job as a teacher.
She loved her new life in Big Cloud.
But being with him made her feel like she was in the place she needed to be. They got married and Emma, whod minored in education at college, got a job as a teacher.
She loved her new life in Big Cloud.
It was as if shed been reborn.
Joe was her rock and Tyler was their gift.
But now Joe is dead and Tyler is gone.
No!
Emma pulled her fingers into a fist and pounded the stand at her bedside, toppling the tray. The water jug splashed to the floor. She brought her fist down again, and the stand crashed against the wall and equipment cart.
Nooooo.
Emmas heart rate soared, the monitor beeped. Alarmed nurses rushed into her room.
Im sorry, she sobbed, its my fault! Her hands flew up to her mouth. Im the one who said we should drive to the river for a picnic. Its my fault!
No, its okay, Emma. The nurses lowered her head back. Its okay.
The next sedative put her down for hours.
Emma woke in dim light to several silhouettes.
Her aunt Marsha, her uncle Ned, Dr. Kendrix, a nurse and several other people were gathered in her room.
She heard the soft chink of keys, the leathery squeak of a utility belt then the whiz of a nylon club jacket and nervous throat clearing.
Emma, Kendrix said, you know Lyle and Darnell.
As her eyes adjusted, she recognized Lyle Spencer with the Big Cloud County Fire amp; Emergency Services and Darnell Horn, a deputy with the county sheriffs office. Both had made safety presentations at her school many times. She knew their wives, their children.
Yes.
They were both at the scene, do you remember?
No.
Were so damned sorry, Lyle said. Most of the guys at the department knew Joe. Theyre taking up a collection.
Ruthie sends her love, Darnell said. If theres anything we can do.
What have you done with my son?
Keys chimed. Darnell shifted his weight as he braced to explain.
Emma, Im so sorry but he didnt make it. Tyler and Joe didnt make it.
Youre a liar!
We were called to the scene. Darnell cleared his throat. We helped the highway patrol. Joe lost control. The guys at Joes site said hed been putting in long hours, we figured he drifted off.
No! Someone swerved into our lane!
There were no other witnesses, no skid marks. The people that stopped afterward to help you did not report seeing anyone.
Im your witness! A car was coming at us and Joe swerved.
Do you remember the color? The make?
No, dammit, it was all too fast!
Emma, some of the guys at Joes job site said that in the past few days he would sleep at lunch or fall asleep in his truck before heading home.
No.
He was working god-awful long hours.
Dont you dare blame him! You cant blame him, I was there!
Emma, Lyle said. The doctors said you had a concussion.
Why are you doing this?
Were trying to help you.
Youre all lying! Is it because of Tyler? Where is he?
Emma, sweetheart, her aunt said. Everyone understands this is a horrible time. Theyre only trying to help.
What did they do with my son? I saw someone rescue my son!
Kendrix sat in the chair beside her and positioned it nearer.
Sometimes, he started, Emma, sometimes the mind will create-fabricate-scenarios, such as rescue scenarios. Its a psychological defense mechanism, a means of coping with the unbearable. Perhaps your rescue scenario is representative of angels pulling Tyler free from being consumed by the fire, to give you solace.
No, no.
Kendrix nodded at Darnell.
Emma, Darnell said, you were thrown from your vehicle. Joe was partially ejected, then thrown clear by the explosion and fire. But Tyler- Darnell glanced at the others, and Kendrix urged him on -Tyler remained inside.
She started shaking her head.
Why are you doing this, Darnell? Why, Lyle? You knew Joe. Youre both fathers. I know your children. I know Joe died. I felt him die. But why are you lying to me about Tyler?
No one is lying, Lyle said. This is the hardest thing Im going to have to tell you. The fire was intense. Lyle paused. It consumed Tyler. The heat was so ferocious he was incinerated. Im so sorry, there was nothing left.
Nothing left?
Lyle brought out a small brown paper bag from his pocket and placed it in her lap.
This is all we recovered.
Emma stared at it.
It weighed nothing. It was a new lunch bag. She wondered if Lyle brought it from his home. When she opened it, it crackled, exhaling a whiff of smoky air as she peered inside at two small shoes.
Tylers little sneakers.
Charred.
Its proof, Emma, Kendrix said.
She touched them to her face, and her tears streaked over the toes, making tracks along the scorched canvas.
12
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Frank Archer was pacing with his cell phone against his ear when the Rio police returned Gannon to the bureau.
He just walked in. Well set it up in two minutes. Archer turned to Luiz. Go ahead, set up the call.
Archer tossed his cell phone on his desk and put his hands on his hips.
Dammit, Gannon. What the hells going on?
It was a misunderstanding with police.
They arrested you.
They wanted to talk to me-its been cleared up.
Good. Do you have your passport? Luiz is booking you a flight back to New York. George agrees, having you down here is a liability.
Wait, Frank-I think Ive got some leads.
What leads?
It might not be a narco hit. Theres a disgruntled employee who made threats, and theres also a chance the bombing is linked to financial troubles the cafe was having. And theres the mystery woman Gabriela was supposed to meet.
Weve been through those theories. Our contacts say this was an act of narco terrorism.
Have you confirmed Gabrielas source?
Gabrielas anonymous source never showed. According to what Porter and Sally got from their police contacts, Gabriela was alone at her table.
The sense I get is that the lead investigators have not exactly confirmed that Gabriela was alone. Theyve got conflicting reports that a woman may have been with her.
Are you kidding me, Jack? Collectively, Hugh, Sally and I have worked in South America covering coups, earthquakes, drug wars, for nearly twenty years. Youve been here about twenty minutes and youre going to tell me you have better inside police information?
Calls ready, Luiz said from the meeting table nearby where hed entered the required codes on the telephone console for an urgent WPA teleconference call. The phones speaker hissed with static.
George Wilson was on his cell phone at Sao Paulos airport about to make his connection for Marcelos service. Melody Lyon was in Miami for Gabrielas funeral and was calling from her hotel room.
Its Luiz in Rio. Everybodys ready?
Is Gannon there with you, Frank? Wilson asked.
Im here, Gannon said.
Not for long, Wilson shot back. Frank, give Melody an update.
We no longer need Jacks help. Sally, Hugh, the stringers and I have got this covered. We appreciate that Jack rushed down here, but were good.
Dont sugarcoat this, Frank, Wilson said. Mel, I dont want to say I told you so, but Gannons screwed up royally.
Jack, Lyon said, I heard you got into trouble. What happened?
There was a misunderstanding with police and its been cleared. Now, I have a few leads on tracking down who might be behind this.
Oh, for Christs sake, Wilson said. Gannon, admit you messed up. You get yourself on Brazilian TV, get your picture in the papers, then you get arrested for tampering with evidence at the crime scene.
I did not tamper with evidence. I was outside the scene. I just got back after talking to one of the detectives on the case. Hes fine, he let me go.
Youre embarrassing the WPA at a difficult time, Wilson said. Mel, I want him out of there.
Wait, George, Lyon said. Jack, how solid are your leads?
Gannon thought of the document in his back pocket, the diagram of where the cafe victims were seated at the time of the blast. Estralla agreed to share it with him in confidence.
Theyre good leads.
Mel, send him back to New York. He needs more experience on the national desk, Wilson said. This was a narco hit and our people were caught in the crossfire.
Give me a few more days, Gannon said.
Frank- Melody came on the line -are you, Sally and Porter attending any of the services? We hear the Rio Press Club has arranged something there?
Yes, were going to a memorial today. Then Im flying to Miami tonight. John asked me to go with him. Sally and Porter are going to meet George for Marcelos service. The stringers are standing by and will file any breaking news to New York.
Okay, Lyon said. Jack youre staying in Brazil.
Thank you, Gannon said.
For now, Lyon stressed. You and Luiz will mind the bureau while were down for the next few days. And you will stay out of trouble and keep me up to speed, is that clear?
Yes.
After that, well see where the story is and decide your assignment, Lyon said. Are you good with that, George?
Its your call, Mel. I have to go.
Thank you, everyone, Lyon said.
As he tightened his tie and slid on his jacket, Archer stared at Gannon.
I have to meet Sally and Hugh at the church in Copacabana for the memorial service. Luiz will give you the spare keys. Lock up if you go out.
Thanks.
Archer shook his head.
Youre a piece of work, Gannon.
Archer left, the tension in the office eased and Luiz went out for pastries, leaving Gannon alone. He exhaled slowly as he studied the seating diagram Estralla had given him.
There had to be something more to this.
Who was Gabrielas source? According to Estralla, a woman appeared to have met Gabriela at the cafe but then disappeared. Maybe she went to the restroom?
He grabbed the Jornal do Brasil and reviewed the faces and bios of the victims. The diagram allowed him to consider who they were and where they were situated at the time of the blast. He pondered it and the pictures until Luiz returned.
Gannon had given little thought to the fact he was sitting at Marcelos desk until he absentmindedly gazed at all of the notes framing his computers monitor, then at some of the photo equipment.
That was when it hit him.
Luiz, help me out here. Marcelo accompanied Gabriela to the cafe to meet the source, we know that much.