Free A Ghost of Justice by Jon Blackwood

But scientific deduction stops there.  This is a damn big tourist trap.  He could really be here and we may actually see him and not know it.  Got any ideas?"
    Emily shook her head.  "Not a one."
    "Well."  Eric sighed with resignation.  "Let's find somewhere to park.  We're going to have to get out among the crowd to find him if he's here."
    Not far from the old red Smithsonian Castle, they found a parking garage.  Eighty-five dollars an hour made Eric grumble, but they used it anyway.
    "We only need it this once," he rationalized.  "Can take the Metro after today."
    Matching his swift pace leaving the garage, Emily thought the weather wasn't too bad for now.  As long as the wind didn't blow too much and it didn't rain, then she simply felt cold versus chilled to the bone.  The fast walk helped to warm her.
    They headed for the Capitol Building.  Two large crowds waited at its steps.  In one were a couple of school groups, easily identified by the holographic flags above both teachers and children.  The blue class would soon enter, while the yellows passed time with various activities.  She thought she could hear teachers shouting for order.  Soon a comparative calm came over the yellow group.
    It didn’t last.  By the time she and her father reached the steps she could plainly hear individual teachers screaming again.
    The other crowd was restive, made of a motley mass of people.  More signs were among this group, saying many of the same things she saw earlier.  Police stood close to this one, the officers' eyes darting about nervously.
    Emily forced her attention away from the two groups.  There was work for her here.  It occurred to her that the distraction caused by the students and protesters was perfect for a pickpocket.  Maybe…just maybe.
    Four hours later they had covered the eastern end of the Mall, including the inside of the Capitol, the Supreme Court building and the Library of Congress.  Nothing to show for it but feet and legs wanting a rest, bodies wanting warmth.
    Emily couldn't even remember much of the interiors of the famous structures.
    Just an endless search for scruffy male faces, all studied to see if they were the right age, size and general appearance to be John Hardy.  One she remembered clearly: a man she lingered on for a moment because he was rather distinguished in profile and of uncertain lineage.  Then he turned, saw her staring and blushed.  She had quickly turned away, as embarrassed as he.  She decided she had probably been ogling some lawyer or congressional staffer.  Or worse, maybe some young ambassador from an emerged African or Arab nation.  Now he'll go home and complain about how rude the poor American women are.
    "Come on, Em," Eric said, looking up.  "Those clouds are getting heavy again and it's going to be dark soon.  Let's go bail the car out."
    Emily checked her watch.  "I've got a better idea.  We're going to get charged for another hour anyway, so why don't we stop at that McDonald's on the way.  I'm starving and I need to sit down for a while."
    Eric thought for a second.  "Okay.  But if we get caught in a storm, it's on you."
    "Deal.  Meals don't cost that much."
    "I mean the parking fee."
    "Isn't there some consideration for ability to pay?"
    "Nope.  Your idea, your bill.  I figure you want to miss out on a supper offered by Wally's wife, then you must be willing to pay the price."
    "Wait a minute.  You never said anything about home cooking.  That changes everything."  She picked up the pace.  "Let's get the car."

 
     
     
    15
     
     
    They pulled up to an elegantly modest Arlington town home.  A straight-forward, three-story affair, with the lowest level sunk to the sills, it was surfaced with vari-tone brown brick, glistening under its Gen-paint.  The overall effect was pleasing; certainly better than any hotel.
    Inside it rather reminded her of their home in Greensboro.  The furniture had age, but was still good.  She