Page 100 of Facing the Enemy
“Your brother was killed last summer, right?”
I gave her a slight nod and filled my tone with sincere compassion. “The driver intended to hit me, and we believe Luke and my brother were killed by the same man.”
Mrs. Reardon’s mouth quivered, and she visibly fought to maintain composure. “Then you understand how I won’t rest until the murderer is found. I ... I told the other agents all I know.”
“Agent Patterson and I have your testimony. We’re here for two reasons, to express our condolences in person and to ask you a few questions of our own.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best.” She closed her eyes and touched her stomach.
“Nauseous?” I said.
“Yes. It never stops.” She captured my gaze. “I think I’ll hurt forever.”
“It feels that way. A doctor gave me a prescription for nausea, but the memories haunt me of how my brother died ... identifying his body and the horror of it all. I’ll tell you the same thing a good friend told me.” I took a quick glimpse at Gage, and he gave me a slight nod. “‘The fire won’t burn forever, but it may feel like it. Those who care for you will see you through.’” I had no idea why I never forgot his words until now. “I encourage you to seek counseling.”
“My sister recommended I visit with the pastor who married us.”
“Excellent.” I reached into my shoulder bag and gave her my card. “You can call me anytime.”
Mrs. Reardon clutched the card and thanked me. “Excuse me if I close my eyes while I talk. It helps me focus.” She reached for a tissue on the coffee table. “Monday morning at breakfast, Luke received a call and went outside to talk. He was gone no more than five minutes. When he returned, he covered his plate of half-eaten pancakes with plastic wrap and set it in the fridge. I asked him if something was wrong, and he said an informer needed to meet with him right away.” She paused. “Now I wonder if he lied to protect me, but that’s what he claimed. He kissed me and left. On his way, he called. He said he loved me and would call later from the office.” She dabbed her eyes. “I never heard from Luke again. I remember him saying he was glad he didn’t work violent crimes against children any longer.”
Gage spoke. “We know this is extremely difficult. Luke’s current case in the civil rights division doesn’t seem tied to a violent crime.”
“No, sir. He wanted a break from violent crimes against children because too many of the cases gave him nightmares. The horrific situations affected him too much. Though he liked working with Agent Bradford.”
“Did he mention any of the nightmares’ contents?” Gage said.
She sighed. “One in particular rattled him repeatedly. I don’t know if it involved a case or all of them. He said babies were crying for their mothers, but their mothers were dead. In the nightmare, Luke couldn’t get to the babies or the mothers in time to save them.” She bit her lower lip. “Sometimes he’d cry out and shout, ‘Stop.’ My Luke would wake up in a cold sweat unable to go back to sleep.”
Were Luke’s nightmares a sign of deep emotional involvement? Or had he gotten in too deep with the wrong people? If only Jack could give us information.
“I’m really sorry,” Gage said. “Did he ever mention any of the cases in particular?”
“As a rule, no. Except ...”
“You can tell us,” Gage said. “Nothing’s being recorded. Agent Jacobs and I simply want to learn the truth and bring justice to these crimes.”
Gage spoke with the grieving woman in his familiar soothing tone. Such a dear man.
Mrs. Reardon swiped beneath her eyes with a tissue. “Luke and his partner arrested a doctor who persuaded pregnant women to sell their babies. The doctor was found guilty, but Luke also believed someone higher up ran the operation. He couldn’t find the evidence, and his partner didn’t support him. They argued, and I don’t think Luke ever got past it. He said the case had more moving parts. Combined with his nightmares, he resigned from working crimes against children.”
“Had he talked to Dr. Zonner since his sentencing?”
“I have no idea. Do you think the case is related to how he died?” Mrs. Reardon said.
“I wish I knew.” Gage turned to me. “Agent Jacobs, do you have any more questions?”
“Just one. The agents investigating Luke’s death mirrored his work and personal devices. Nothing there appeared to indicate danger or suspicions. However, he had two dates highlighted on his calendar, and we confirmed these were dates he and Jack interviewed Anna Wright at Houston Healing and Hope and the second involved the arrest of Dr. Zonner. Have you located anything else?”
She shook her head. “If he had notes, I’m not aware of any, and I’ve searched through everything here in the house. Yesterday I went to our safe-deposit box. Nothing existed there to help you.”
I thanked Mrs. Reardon and gave her a hug. “If something comes to mind, please contact one of us.”
“I’m sorry I’m not more help. I should have pressed Luke to talk about his work. Maybe things would have been different.”
I ached for her. “I’m sure he did his best to protect you. I do encourage you to move forward with counseling.”
If Luke Reardon had been a part of the baby ring, he took his guilt to the grave. But with his stellar record and the recurring nightmares, he might have been on the right track. Maybe if he had shared with his wife where he’d gone last Monday, he’d be alive today.
