Law of Five

by Robin Mahle

  “Agent Scarborough did mention he would be returning here for the service, along with his team. But I suspect you’ll hear from him sooner than that. He holds you with great regard, Katie.”

  “Thank you, sir. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to pack up Marshall’s things now.” Katie stood up and turned towards the door. “When is his mother scheduled to arrive?”

  Hearn glanced at his watch. “She should be here in a couple of hours.”

  “Okay.” Katie disappeared behind the door.

  ***

  She waited with Captain Hearn at the airport and tried to think of what to say to Vivian. The woman had lost her son and it seemed impossible for her to imagine what that must be like. But then, she had lost a child; a child that would never have come to be, but a child nonetheless. It was only now that the full impact of that loss was coming to surface. Along with so much pain she had already suffered and was continuing to suffer, this was one more thing.

  Stop. Katie reminded herself that this wasn’t about her, not right now. This was about Marshall’s mother. Her thoughts turned to her own mother, whom she hadn’t yet told. It had hardly been a day yet and so many things still needed to be done. She would need her parents now and was grateful to still have them. They were all she had left in this world.

  A woman who appeared to be lost in the distance caught Katie’s eye. She’d seen pictures of Vivian, of course, even if those pictures were somewhat dated. She still recognized the small woman who had begun her approach.

  “That’s her.” Katie raised a hand and stepped towards the woman. She had managed to catch her attention.

  The captain followed closely behind. “Mrs. Avery.” He reached for her small suitcase. “Let me get that for you. I’m Captain Hearn.”

  She smiled at the captain, but quickly turned her gaze to Katie. “Kate.” She moved in for an embrace. “How are you, sweetheart? I’m so sorry we have to meet like this.” Vivian’s lips quivered, but only for a moment as she seemed to quickly regain composure.

  “I’m okay, Mrs. Avery. I’m glad to meet you.” Katie held on to the woman who was a few inches shorter and a little full around the middle. Still, she was very beautiful; her hair, short, tapered at the neck, fully grey, no attempt to conceal it. Her face was heavily lined, those lines only enhancing her caring eyes. Katie noticed the pink tint and mild swelling still visible in them from hours of shedding tears.

  “Let’s get you two back to the car. I’ll drop you at home.” Captain Hearn ushered the grieving women out of the terminal.

  ***

  “I’ll stop by in a few hours to see if either of you need anything.” Captain Hearn stepped towards the door of Katie and Marshall’s apartment.

  “Thank you, sir,” Katie replied.

  “You know, I haven’t been here since he first bought this place.” Vivian wandered around from room to room. “Of course, that was well before you came into his life.”

  “When he lived here with his fiancée.”

  “Yes. But I knew that would never last. Marshall was never the type to walk away, even if it was the best thing for him. Eventually, she did and then he met you.” Vivian moved to the dining chair where Katie was now sitting. “You were the best thing to ever happen to him; you know that, right? He always said that to me.”

  Katie hadn’t known how often Marshall had conversed with his mother. She was ashamed not to have known.

  “I suspect you had no idea that he and I often spoke of you. Marshall was a very private man, even with those whom he loved the most. My dear, you were everything to him. I’d never heard him speak of a woman the way he spoke of you. That was how I knew you were the one for him. It took him a while, but he finally found you.”

  Katie could feel her eyes begin to sting. She could not let herself break down in front of Vivian. She could not make this about her. Vivian had already lost a husband and now a son. She deserved strength.

  “I loved him very much, Mrs. Avery.” Katie raised her hand to wipe the tear that threatened to spill.

  “Oh.” Vivian leaned in and took hold of Katie’s hand. “I hadn’t realized he had already proposed. He said he was waiting for your anniversary in a few weeks.” She eyed the ring and ran her index finger over the diamond. “I never took this off, not for several years after Marshall’s father died. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

  She leaned back and smiled. “I offered to give it to him when he wanted to get engaged the first time, but he insisted that I keep it, that Dad had given it to me. But when he mentioned he was going to ask you to marry him last month, he asked if he could have it.”

  Katie had no idea of any of this. How could she have not known? “I want him back so much.” There was no point in trying to keep it inside. The emotions were too strong.

  “I know you do, dear.” Vivian grasped Katie’s hands inside hers. “So do I.”

  25

  THE STATION WAS quiet, except for a skeleton staff holding the place down. Most of the employees – officers, technicians, and administrative support – were still working their way home from the service.

  Marshall’s brother and his family had returned to their hotel with Vivian and her sister, Marshall’s aunt. They would stay another night, then return home to Chicago and Vivian to Florida. Her own parents had come down, but she’d asked them to wait for her at the apartment after the service. She needed to be alone, if only for a short while.

  It was over now. So many people had turned out to honor him. Katie couldn’t help but show a hint of a smile on a face that hadn’t done so in more than a week. She was proud, so proud of him, and he was loved by everyone in this department.

  She sat alone in his office. His personal effects were now gone. In fact, as she looked around, it didn’t feel like his office anymore.

  “Hey.” Gibbons leaned into the doorway. “Can I come in?”

  “Of course.”

  “I didn’t expect to see you in here. Thought you’d be home by now,” Gibbons said.

  “I guess I’m not ready to let this office go just yet. I know the captain’s gonna put someone in here next week.”

  Gibbons dropped into the chair across from her. “How you holding up?”

  She managed a shrug of her shoulders.

  “Yeah,” Gibbons replied. “Nice of Agent Scarborough and his team to come, though. I haven’t seen him in a while. Did they already take off?”

  “No. He said he was going to stop by the apartment and bring me dinner tonight. I think he’s heading out tomorrow, though. Still cleaning up from the case, I hear.”

  “You know, Avery was right about Shalot. From what Scarborough told me, he had recruited several people. They were already lining up their next five victims. Jennings, one of ‘the five,’ gave the Feds everything they needed. Branson’s going down and so is Hudson.”

  Katie turned away.

  “I’m sorry.” Gibbons seemed to pick up on the fact that this wasn’t the time. “You don’t need this right now. I was just…”

  “It’s okay. Really. There was nothing Marshall wouldn’t do to protect me or anyone else, for that matter. It was his job.”

  Gibbons nodded, his lips pressed tightly together. “You planning on finishing up your schooling?”

  He hadn’t intended to make her uncomfortable, she knew that, but she really wasn’t ready to talk about any of this stuff. Not now, hours after she had buried her fiancé.

  Katie twisted the ring again. It was becoming habit now. “I haven’t thought about it much, but I don’t think so. I’m not really sure what I’m going to do now.” It was the first time she’d actually admitted as much. What was she going to do now? Without Marshall by her side, without him guiding her, teaching her, loving her. She hated herself for ever wanting him to stop protecting her so much.

  “Well, I know he’d be damn proud if you decided to swear in. Work towards detective.”

  “I don’t know. I just don’t know what
I’m going to do.” Katie felt the familiar chills that came whenever her emotions were about to get the best of her. She took a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry, Katie. I got no business. It’s just… Well, maybe we can talk another time. I’ll let you be.”

  She watched him leave, a final turn to smile at her, and he was gone.

  ***

  Katie pushed around the food on her plate as she sat down for dinner with her parents back at the apartment.

  “I wish you’d try to eat just a little, honey. I can see how thin you’ve gotten. Please. You need your strength,” Deborah pleaded with her daughter.

  She picked up a forkful and placed it in her mouth.

  “Thank you.”

  After managing a few more bites, Katie excused herself and landed on the couch, curled up in her usual position. She turned on the television, almost immediately regretting the action.

  “Slain veteran officer of the San Diego Police Department, Detective Marshall Avery, was laid to rest today after a full honors service where nearly ten thousand people, including officers from several other California police departments, fire departments, and civilians attended.”

  A helicopter had flown over the streets during the service, where people lined up to watch the procession. A few close-up shots showed officers saluting as the cars passed by. A brief shot of Captain Hearn at a podium near the burial site appeared. Fortunately, the cameras didn’t catch her, or if they did, didn’t show her. They did, however, show Vivian accepting the American flag. Katie closed her eyes.

  “Detective Avery was gunned down in an altercation with a suspect in the Highway Hunter investigation who we now know was the ring leader of the cult and directed the murders of five innocent woman. Their calling card, a roman numeral five carved into their victims’ chests.

  Detective Avery leaves behind his mother, brother, two nieces and his girlfriend, Katie Reid, whom you’ll recall was involved in the child abduction case that captured our attention just last year.”

  Katie pressed the off button on the remote, tossing it next to her.

  “I thought they weren’t supposed to mention you by name?” John asked. “Goddam media.”

  “It’s okay, Dad. It’s not like everyone didn’t already know that we were together. I guess I was just hoping they’d let it go this time.”

  “Yeah, well, sons of bitches don’t need to keep rehashing old news.” John set his plate down in the kitchen and walked towards Katie. “Do you need anything right now?”

  “No, Dad. I’m fine, thank you.”

  A knock on the door sounded.

  John jumped to attention. “That better not be some damned reporter wanting to ask you questions.” He stepped purposefully towards the door, peering through the peep hole. “Oh.”

  “Who is it?” Katie asked.

  “It’s that FBI Agent Scarborough. You expecting him?”

  “Yeah. I forgot he was stopping by. He was gonna bring dinner. It’s okay to let him in.”

  John opened the front door where Nick stood with two plastic bags hanging from his hands.

  “Mr. Reid. It’s good to see you again. I’ve come to see Katie and bring her some dinner.” Nick cast a glance around the side of John’s stout figure. “Oh, I see you’ve already eaten.”

  “I’m sorry, Nick. I forgot that you were stopping by. My mother made dinner for us. But, please come in.” Katie walked to the breakfast bar, leaning against it. Her mother was right. She’d grown weak and felt very lightheaded from the quick rise to her feet.

  “Well, I’m sure this will keep until tomorrow.” Nick set the plastic bags on the table. “It’s Chinese. I hope you like Chinese.”

  “I’ll just put this in the fridge,” Deborah said. “Nice to see you, Agent Scarborough.”

  “Please. It’s Nick.”

  “Come sit down,” Katie said, leading him to the sofa. “You hungry? Wanna eat some of that Chinese you brought?”

  “No, no. I’m fine.” Nick hiked up his dress pants and lowered himself down.

  “You know,” Deborah began, “I think your father and I will go and walk off this dinner. It’s a lovely evening. We’re not used to it being so warm this close to Thanksgiving.”

  Katie turned to her mother, grateful for the suggestion. “You should take your sweater anyway, Mom. It still might be a little chilly.”

  Katie and Nick waited for her parents to leave. She had only spoken to him briefly since everything happened. If she was being honest with herself, she’d admit it was because she had held some anger towards him. It was unfair and he didn’t deserve it, but she felt it just the same.

  The door closed and Katie returned her attention to Nick. “They said my name.”

  “What’s that?”

  “On the news. The anchorwoman said my name. They were talking about the funeral and just happened to bring up last year.”

  “Dammit.”

  “It’s okay. I guess it doesn’t really matter. I’ve been ignoring their calls all week. I’ll just keep ignoring them. I’ve talked to Marc a couple of times, but not once did he ask me about what really happened.”

  “Listen, Katie. I—I don’t know really what to say here. I feel responsible for what happened. If we’d just—”

  “Don’t. It’s not your fault. Marshall did what he thought he had to do. End of story.” Katie surprised herself with her ability to hold firm. “I’m just glad you took ‘em down. All of them. And I’m glad Shalot’s dead.” She started to feel the stinging in her eyes again, but pressed on. “So when are you and your team heading back to Virginia?”

  “Tomorrow.” Nick rested his elbows on his knees and began rubbing his hands together. “Are your parents staying with you for a while?”

  “I’m actually going home with them. Taking some time off. The holidays are coming and Captain Hearn thought it’d be a good idea.”

  “He’s right. You know, Katie, you’ve been through more than your fair share.”

  That was an understatement. “Yeah. I guess you could say that.”

  An awkward silence fell between them. What was there left to say? He’d done his job and now he would move on to the next case. As far as she was concerned, her life was as up in the air as it ever was. She couldn’t stay in this apartment, that much she knew. It was just too painful. Too many reminders. Vivian had broached the subject in a roundabout manner, but didn’t say it outright. Katie knew she wanted to keep some of her son’s things.

  She began twisting at the ring again.

  Nick watched the absentminded gesture, noticing the ring for the first time. “Is that—new?”

  Katie hadn’t realized she’d been spinning it again. “Yeah. I guess you could say that. I found it in Marshall’s nightstand a few days ago in a blue velvet box. Guess he was planning on us getting engaged. Imagine that. It’s the ring his dad had given his mother.”

  Nick’s shoulders dropped, his face turned down at what should have been wonderful news. “He was going to ask you to marry him?”

  “Yes.” Katie drew in a deep breath. “Vivian said I could keep it, if I wanted to. Said Marshall would have wanted it that way.”

  “Of course. It’s very beautiful,” Nick replied.

  “Did you know his dad was murdered back in Chicago when he was a kid?”

  “No. I didn’t,” he whispered.

  “Stabbed on the L. Never caught ‘em.” Katie looked Nick straight in the eyes. “That’s why he became a cop.”

  Nick reached for Katie and pulled her in close. She began to weep and he stroked her hair to comfort the woman who had lost so much.

  ***

  The New Year had arrived and Katie prepared to go back home to San Diego. The suitcase lay open on her bed in the room her parents kept for her whenever she came home. The rain still came down as she pulled the curtain back to reveal the great oak trees in front of her family’s home. December had already soaked them through and it seemed January wouldn’t fare
much better. She was almost glad to get back to the nice weather she’d left behind.

  Katie had been allowed peace and privacy up here and wondered if that would last once she got home. The story, of course, had died down. They always did. Nick sent her a few emails since she’d been away, checking up on her. Only occasionally did she actually sit down and check her emails. A few trickled in from Marc Aguilar. One or two from Marshall’s brother, but that was about it.

  Deborah had taken to washing and folding all of Katie’s clothes, placing them neatly on the bed, ready to simply set inside the suitcase. It felt good to have her parents by her side. After the long-time strained relations, she needed them now more than ever.

  Katie was not looking forward to walking back into the apartment though. Marshall’s apartment. She’d asked the super to check in on it once in a while to air it out, but it had been empty for almost two months.

  Marshall’s will named her to take ownership, but she could not remain there. Instead, on her return, she would put it up for sale, find someplace else to live. A place that held no memories of her past, but the packing remained to be completed. That would be the worst part; putting his things in boxes. Most of it would be donated. She would keep a few things and take some to Vivian. That would be her next task, one she wasn’t quite prepared for.

  ***

  Katie knocked on the door of the small home where Vivian Avery lived with her sister. The flight into Tampa had been long and the cab ride to St. Petersburg even longer, it seemed. But she was here now, holding a box of Marshall’s belongs she would give to his mother.

  The door opened and although Katie couldn’t see through the thick mesh screen door, she knew it was Vivian on the other side.

  “Hello, dear.” Vivian pushed open the screen. “Please come in.” Stepping aside, she waited for Katie to enter, watching her drag a suitcase behind her and holding a box against her chest. “How was your flight?”