Page 44 of An Impossible Love
Chapter Nineteen
With Duke’s blessing, Emmy went to Princeton under the guise of seeking information about Max Neal and his connections there. The Dean was open and friendly and gave Emmy all the information he had—which was the same as the agency had already gathered.
They were sitting in the cafeteria when Emmy casually brought up Kevin McKee. “I understand he was the valedictorian in his year?”
“Oh yes, an outstanding student and a credit to this institution. He mentored the younger students, even, I believe he also helped out some of the poorer students financially.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes.”
Emmy sipped the coffee he had offered her. “Dean, I understand that secret societies are banned at Princeton? I only ask because I know sometimes there can be great financial benefits to membership in one of these groups.”
The dean nodded. “You heard right, Agent Sati. We do not tolerate secret societies. Not that there aren’t plenty of open societies, of course.”
“Was Max Neal involved in any?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“How about Martin Karlsson?”
The Dean’s face grew sad. “Martin was another star student. Perhaps too easily led, but he had a kind heart. I was terribly sorry to hear about his death. Horrible. Just horrible.” His eyes flicked to Emmy’s forehead, still bruised. She had tried to cover it with makeup, but the dark black bruise was still vivid.
“Did Martin and Kevin know each other?”
The Dean shook his head. “I don’t think so. There was a few years between them, not that Kevin didn’t, and hasn’t, stayed closely tied to the university.”
“He still comes back to visit?”
“At least once a month.”
That surprised her. “Once a month?”
The Dean smiled. “Yes, that is unusual for alumni, but Kevin has always been aware of his privilege, even I think sometimes embarrassed by it and wants to give back. As if serving his country wasn’t enough.”
“As the president’s advisor?”
“And before, of course, in Iraq.”
Wait…what?There was no record of military service in Kevin’s file or in his public biography. Why would he hide it? Emmy simply smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
The Dean glanced at his watch. “I hope you will forgive me, Agent, but I do have to get back to work.” He stood, and Emmy shook his hand.
“Thank you for your time, sir. I do appreciate it.”
“My pleasure. Feel free to wander around the campus, Agent, and if there’s any other information you need, I shall tell my personal assistant to let you have it.” His eyes drifted towards the bruises again, and he took her hand in both of his. “Thank you for your service, Agent. Take care of yourself.”
The Dean was a sweetheart, Emmy decided, as she wandered around the campus. Her loyalty to Harvard didn’t distract from the sheer joy of being back on a college campus. The beautiful buildings, the scurrying students heading between classes and seminars… if she decided to change direction, Emmy thought how much she would like to return to education, maybe take on a PhD.
She even talked to a few students, asking about afterschool clubs and societies, but now, in her mind, she wanted to explore Kevin McKee’s expunged military career. She couldn’t for the life of her understand why he would want it erased from his personal narrative.
Driving back to Washington, Emmy didn’t notice the black sedan following her at first. It wasn’t until she was crossing to Georgetown that it registered with her. She took an alternative route to her home, down side streets and even doubling back but the vehicle stayed resolutely behind her.
Shit.
Emmy gave up on going home and turned the car around, driving to the White House. As she turned onto Pennsylvania Avenue, the car tailing her peeled off and disappeared. “Bastard.”
She had managed to catch half the registration and was processing it as Duke came to find her. “How’d it go?”
