Page 18 of Letting Go
“That’s an impressive and big job for someone so young, Dr. Lane,” I observe. Dr. Lane looks like she could maybe be twenty-five years old but would still get carded at any bar.
“Yes, indeed I’m young for my field, but it helps when you graduate high school at twelve years old and have a doctorate before you are eighteen. I also like to think my mother gave me the best genes when it comes to aging well,” Harlow replies with a smile and more kindness than my tone probably deserved.
“That’s all quite remarkable, Dr. Lane. And I’m sorry, but honestly, I have to ask, isn’t there a chance this was all just random?” I ask. I’ve asked the Chicago detectives this before but they never give me a straight answer. “It’s not as though Chicago is a crime free city by any means and random shootings do happen.”
“Of course that’s always a possibility, although at this point, we don’t think it was. While my team and I haven’t connected all the dots yet, I assure you that I’m very good at my job, Mrs. Stone. I also have a very talented, intelligent team,” Special Agent Bennett responds looking over at Dr. Lane. “My gut tends to be right and whatever the reason was, I don’t believe your husband’s murder was an accident and I think it’s somehow related to our other cases.”
A chill runs down my spine. “Are you sure? You don’t think it was random? I just assumed it was another senseless shooting in Chicago,” I say as my heart rate starts accelerating.If it wasn’tby chance, what does that mean? Who would want to kill Trent on purpose?
“Typically, random shootings aren’t committed by a lone bullet from a long-range sniper rifle, ma’am,” he replies softly as he leans forward and shifts in the chair. “The other cases also involved a .300 Winchester magnum shot from a M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle. The bullet from Trent’s case matched the forensics of the other cases we are investigating, although there doesn’t appear to be any obvious connections between any of the victims. We are exploring all options at this point, and I will let you know we are also including the possibility that this could have been a professional job.”
My eyes snap up from focusing on the throw pillow on my lap to meet his mahogany eyes. “A professional job? What does that mean? Wait, like a hitman?” My anxiety sweeps through my body and propels me toward a full-blown anxiety attack. “Are we safe? Is this person going to come after me or Eloise next?”
Special Agent Bennett reaches over, places his hand on my arm, and for whatever reason, my panic instantly starts to calm down. “Take a deep breath, Mrs. Stone,” he says as he tries to help soothe me. His touch once again sends a warm feeling up and down my arm. It is the oddest sensation, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt something like it before today.
“Vivian. Call me Vivian,” I say just above a whisper as I close my eyes and try to slow my breath. I guess witnessing me spiraling into a panic attack puts us on a first name basis.
“Okay, Vivian. Try to take another deep breath,” Walker’s deep and calm voice feels like a warm blanket. “There you go, take another one. Okay? Listen, I have no reason to be concerned for your safety or your daughter’s safety, alright? If this is connected to the other cases, they were all single incidents within the cities where they occurred. No other family members or known associates havebeen involved and whatever the reason Trent was the target, I don’t think it extends to you.”
“Maybe I need to call my brother Liam and keep him included in any developments with the case,” I wonder out loud.
“Does your brother work in law enforcement?” Walker asks.
“In a way, kind of. He works with a variety of law enforcement agencies, and I’m not trying to be evasive, but to be honest, none of us know exactly what he does other than he knows a lot of people in law enforcement leadership,” I explain.
“Oh really? What is your brother’s name?” Harlow asks.
“His name is Liam Callahan and his company’s is LC & Associates,” I respond.
The corners of Harlow’s lips slightly turn up as she responds, “What a small world. That’s interesting, Vivian. I actually know Liam Callahan but didn’t make the connection with your married name.” She turns and gives Walker a look that I don’t understand. “I think the team would be comfortable keeping him in the loop whenever we have updates for you, but of course that is ultimately up to Walker. Our team agrees if this was a professional hit, the victims were the only targets to our knowledge thus far, not their loved ones or surrounding community. We don’t believe there is a threat to the general public at this time,” Harlow says.
My heart rate starts to calm down a little at that. “But if that changes, you would let me know, right? The detectives in Chicago didn’t say anything about us being in danger, but maybe they just don’t know what the hell is going on.” I’ve always felt like I had more questions for them than they did for me, which rubs me the wrong way when they are the ones investigating Trent’s murder.
“Absolutely. In fact, my team and I are based in Nashville so if anything comes up, I can be here relatively quickly but honestly, Vivian, I don’t expect there to be any reason for me to come back to Forrest Falls other than to interview you further or share anysignificant updates about the case,” Walker assures me. I look over to the doorway and see my sister blatantly listening to our conversation and no longer trying to stay hidden. I give her a slight nod and Savannah takes a few steps into the room to make her presence known to the agents as well.
“In the meantime, if you have any details or information that you recall, even if it seems insignificant, we would appreciate it if you let us know. Sometimes the subconscious can pick funny times to remember things. If anything comes to mind relating to your husband’s life or social circles that you haven’t already discussed with either the detectives in Chicago or with us, it could be helpful. You might do something that triggers a memory or makes a connection you didn’t think of previously,” Harlow adds. “I do have one more question for you before we let you get on with your day, and it may seem random, but I’m wondering when the last time was you or your husband traveled anywhere on the East Coast?”
My eyes shutter as I realize what she may be asking about. I open my eyes, muster my courage, hold my head high, and push my shoulders back as I answer, “Trent regularly traveled to Boston for what I thought at the time were medical conferences, but in light of his involvement with Dr. Bishop, I don’t know if that’s why he was really visiting or if he was just there to see her.”
How many times did I call expecting him to be in his hotel room and not be able to reach him while he was traveling? How many times did Eloise try to video chat with her daddy only to have her call declined? Was he in a hotel room with Bianca Fucking Bishop or were they on a romantic dinner date? Did he ever have a conference in Boston or was it all a lie every time he flew out there?
How many times did he pick her over us? Even in his death, Trent’s affair keeps adding to my humiliation.
“And outside of Boston, did either of you travel anywhere else on the East Coast in the last few years?” Harlow asks.
I don’t understand what our travel history has to do with anything, but I try to think of any trips that may have been to the East Coast. My eyebrows furrow together as I rack my brain. “I think Trent had a conference in New York City last fall maybe in September or October, or at least that’s what he told me at the time. We were both back at Georgetown with our daughter for an alumni fundraiser event last summer, but otherwise I don’t think I’ve been to any other cities on the East Coast since I lived in DC, or not that I can recall right now anyway,” I reply.
Harlow looks over and gives a small nod to Walker who takes the cue and stands from the chair.
Walker takes a card out of his pocket and writes something down on the back before handing it to me. “This is my card, and I put my direct cell on the back. If you think of anything, or anything else strange happens, even as minor as someone mentioning Trent’s murder in a weird way, I would like you to let me know. If your gut thinks it sounds off, I would appreciate you telling us. It may seem like a minor detail, but I’ve found sometimes the biggest breaks come from the smallest tips.”
I take the card and look at his handwritten cell number. His penmanship is bold, uniform in size, and slightly slanted to the right. “Thank you, Agent Bennett.”
“Walker, please. Call me Walker, Vivian,” he insists. His small smile is far more comforting to me than it should be for someone I just met let alone someone I’m discussing the details of my husband’s murder and affair with. But there’s something about Walker that puts me at ease and makes me feel safe. Harlow’s presence only added to my comfort, and I wonder if that was the point in her coming with him all along.
“Okay then, Walker. And I’ll call you if I think of anything. Do you both have my contact information in case y’all don’t want to drive all the way out here next time?” I ask as I try not to focus on how good Walker smells now that I’m standing closer to him again.
“Honestly, I don’t mind the drive but if you wouldn’t mind sending me a text real quick so I have your cell number too in case anything else comes up, that would be helpful,” he says. I reach into my pocket and pull out my cell, sending a simple text that saysVivian Stone’s cell number. I hold my phone up to show him as his cell vibrates.
