“Appreciate it, sir.”
“I’ve got hearings up on the Hill again this afternoon, so it might be my assistant or the Boston office you hear from.”
“I’ll be on the lookout for the call. And good luck with the hearings.”
“Thanks.” Not an amused chuckle this time. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you Friday.”
Call ended, Nic was calmer than when he’d started, the deep dive back into work and protocol grounding. It helped as he rejoined Cam and his brothers gathered outside Edith’s room. Nic maintained a careful distance between them, close enough for friends and colleagues, nothing more. As it were, Keith was arguing strenuously and loudly against Cam and Nic speaking to his mother about the case. He understandably didn’t want to upset her. Cam understandably didn’t want her to think he wasn’t doing as she asked.
The lady herself made them both understand she was the one in charge. “Keith!” she called from inside the room. “Stop making trouble.”
The younger man scoffed. “Me?” he said, looking back and forth between them. “We wouldn’t be having this conversation at all if not for?—”
“That’s enough,” Edye cut him off. “Let your brother in.”
Nic couldn’t see her from where he stood but that voice left no room for argument. Realizing he’d lost this round, Keith blustered out, shoving Cam’s shoulder as he passed.
“We got him.” Bobby snagged Quinn’s sleeve and followed Keith into the elevator.
“Your father?” Nic asked, noting the older man’s absence.
“With my sisters-in-law in the cafeteria. Mom insisted he eat and take his meds.”
“And I insist you get in here,” she called from inside the room.
“I can wait out here,” Nic offered.
“No, I want you in there.” With me, unsaid but said. Until he added, “In case there’s something helpful for the case,” and Nic wondered if he’d imagined Cam’s true intention.
He nodded and stepped aside so Cam could lead them into the room.
Cam’s hand coasting across his lower back was enough of an answer for now.
Inside, Edith sat propped up in the hospital bed, book on her lap, dark eyes sharp behind a pair of reading glasses.
It was clear who ruled the Byrne family.
“Who is this gorgeous specimen?” she asked, eyes blatantly raking him up and down. It was also clear where Cam got his flirtatious streak.
“Mom,” Cam groaned, the picture of an embarrassed child as he pulled a second chair next to the bed.
Nic laughed out loud as he avoided the IVs and wires and gently shook Edye’s hand. “Nic Price, I work with your son in San Francisco.”
“You’re an FBI agent?”
“No, ma’am.” He lowered himself in the chair next to Cam, not wanting to loom over her. He braced his forearms on crossed legs and leaned forward, keeping up the rapport. “I’m a federal prosecutor.”
“He’s being modest,” Cam said, casting him a side-eye. “He’s second in command at the local US Attorney’s Office.”
She straightened a little, catching on. “Are you here to help Cam? To help me?”
“I’m going to do whatever I can. He’s made good headway.”
Her gaze shifted to her son. “What’ve you found?”
Cam updated her on his findings, fully as to the cold cases, then more generally as to the Murphy matter. Enough to give her hope but not enough to compromise the ongoing investigation.
“What about all the other girls? In the books?”
