“Meaning?” Erin asked.
“The married ones,” Mrs. Murphy replied. “I did tell your grandfather about that, but it wasn’t in his notes. When she got pregnant, I asked her if her fella had a name. Her answer stayed with me forever.”
“What did she tell you?” Erin asked.
“She said, ‘Let’s just call him Mr. Virginia’,” Mrs. Murphy continued. “When I pressed her, she told me he was leaving his wife for her and that her man might end up in the big house one day.”
Erin grimaced. “Prison?”
“No,” said Mrs. Murphy. “She was talking about the White House.”
“So, he was a politician?” Carly jotted everything down.
“Might have been. I don’t know.” Mrs. Murphy shook her head. “I’ve kept this secret for almost forty years. Someone has gotten away with murder. I hope you find the son of a bitch who killed my sister.”
“That’s the plan,” Carly said. “Erin, can I get a DNA sample from you? I use a lab in Arlington that’s known for their discretion. Your profile won’t be entered into any databases, but it will be checked for any matches to those currently in them.”
“Sure,” Erin said. “Whatever you need. How long will that take?”
“About a week.”
Erin held up her water bottle. “Will this work?”
“Sure will.” Carly pulled out latex gloves from her satchel, along with a plastic baggie. Erin drained the bottle and dropped it in. “Mrs. Murphy, do you have a photo of Rose?”
“I gave Pierce her picture.”
“I didn’t see it. That’s not like him to lose things.”
Mrs. Murphy asked her daughter to retrieve her wallet. “It’s in my—”
Rising, Erin smiled. “I know where your purse is, Mom.”
“I’m so sorry to hear of your grandfather’s passing,” Mrs. Murphy said. “Was he ill?”
“He took a bad fall down a flight of stairs.”
Hurrying back in, Erin handed her mom the wallet. Mrs. Murphy extracted a small photo. “I’ve been carrying this with me for years.” She showed Erin.
“Hard to believe she’s my mom.”
Mrs. Murphy passed the photo to Carly. “I’m afraid that’s my only photo, so I can’t give it to you.”
“Do you mind if I take a picture of it?”
“You young people are so smart with technology.”
Rose Aurora was petite with bright blonde hair and a big smile. Carly snapped a shot. “Your sister was very pretty.”
“She was bursting with energy and full of life. I hope you find something.”
“Thank you for calling me,” Carly said to Mrs. Murphy. “Erin will be my point of contact going forward.”
“I understand.” Mrs. Murphy extended her wrinkled hand. “If I think of anything else, I’ll tell Erin.”
Erin escorted Carly to the lobby. “I’m going to need weeks to process what I’ve learned today.”
“I admire how well you’re handling the news.”
