“I just knew you’d want to know,” he said softly.

“Thank you Frank. I appreciate it. I’ll handle it from here.”

“Is there anything—?”

“I’ll see you at seven. I’d go straight home, tomorrow will be a mess. No detour to the Blackfinn.”

He nodded once and stepped out, barely concealing his disappointment. He was obviously giddy with excitement to gossip with the other staffers still at the bar. They’d lean in, ties loosened or hair let down after long days at the hill. How did she react when you told her, Frank? Was she pissed?

Yes, Kate thought, sitting back in her chair. She is pissed.

A familiar twist came from her stomach. Do you know yet, Anne? I should call you, right now. He’s your son, after all. I know you and Chris must have been agonizing this year, and Brian and Greg too. Once Mom finds out, she’ll be so upset. Or is this just part of a plan—

No. Keep your distance. That’s the past. Focus on the present.

Her fingers toyed with the handle of her right-hand desk drawer. She pulled it open, fished around under a sea of pens, and found the business card, stashed where she’d put it a year ago, when she’d thrown the disgusting man out of her office.

She held up the card.

Flynn Hallow. Agent. Division of the FBI.

The rest of the FBI had no interest in locating the grandson of a deceased senator, who had vanished again, this time of his own accord.

As much as she hated it, she picked up the phone, quickly dialing the number. It was near midnight. There’s a chance he’d be asleep—

“Hello?” came an extremely alert voice, full of phlegm, which immediately broke into a cough.

“This is Senator Kate Roseworth. I’m assuming you’ve heard the news?”

“Of course. We dispatched our agents as soon as it came out. It’s good that you called—”

“It’s actually not.” She pivoted in her chair. “I don’t want to be making this call. I don’t want you to think I want anything at all to do with you. If this call is being recorded, I’ll have you sued. Let me remind you we are a two-consent state. And I do not give my consent. But I think you know what this phone call means.”

“I do.”

“I want this contained. Do you understand? I don’t want to see him on the news. I don’t want to see my family interviewed. I don’t want there to be a single dose of coverage beyond the fact that he was found. And more importantly, I want him safe. Can you absolutely guarantee to me that you can contain this and bring him in?”

“We will do our best, Senator.”