Free Blood Silence by Roger Stelljes Page A

him, and he supposed, for her as well. What kinds of feelings did he really still have for his ex-wife now that she was in serious trouble? “I honestly don’t know, but I don’t really want to find out, you know what I mean?”
    “Yeah, you don’t want to see her suffer,” Sally answered reasonably, but she wanted to hear more.
    “Suffer like this?” Mac shook his head. “No, even I’m not that vindictive. However, I do appreciate the fact that Sterling ran around on her. I told her that would happen. It was entirely predictable.”
    “Karma?”
    “Karma is one angry bitch,” Mac replied. “But Sally, this?” He shook his head slowly and sighed, looking away. “I don’t want Meredith to spend the rest of her life in prison. I was bitter, but I wasn’t
that
bitter, especially the way things have worked out,” he answered, reaching for Sally’s left hand and running his thumb lightly over her engagement ring and the large diamond.
    Sally smiled, now reassured. She leaned in, and he kissed her.
    “She won’t get life, Mac. Lyman won’t let that happen,” Sally suggested, relaxed back in her chair now but still letting Mac hold her hand. “Lyman will take good care of her.”
    “Yeah, but no matter what, her life will end up ruined.”
    “Mac,” Sally replied, getting up from the table, “she has only herself to blame for that.”
    Mac finished loading the dishwasher with their breakfast dishes and pans and put away the other food, drinks and condiments. They had to be at the airport at 4:00 P.M. for the flight back to Washington. That left the late morning and early afternoon for them to relax. Sally planned on doing some work. As for Mac, the Vikings were kicking off at noon against the Lions, and he planned on parking his butt on the sofa and taking it in.
    The doorbell rang, and Sally yelled, “I’ll get it.”
    Mac set the dishwasher to start its wash cycle. He turned around and sipped his coffee while watching the FOX football pre-game show.
    “Mac, there’s someone here to see you,” Sally called from the front of the house.
    He picked up his coffee cup, took a quick sip, and walked into the living room and stopped in shock. Standing in his foyer was Lyman Hisle along with Ann and Edmund Hilary.
    “Mac, can we talk for a bit?” Ann asked.
    Lyman and the Hilarys explained what they wanted.
    “You’ve got to be kidding,” Mac said, dumbfounded, looking to an equally stunned Sally, who was sitting next to him on the couch. “I’m not a private investigator. I don’t even live here. Hell, I live in Washington. My life is in Washington, not here. I’m sorry. I have to pass.”
    “Look, Mac, I know this is a lot to ask…” Edmund started.
    “You’re damn right it is, Ed. I have spent four years putting everything behind me. I’ve moved on, I’m happy, I have a great life. I’m sorry about Meredith, I really am. I hate seeing this happen to her, but what you’re asking …”
    “We’re not asking you to give that up, Mac. We would never do that. But …” Ann’s lip trembled. “Our daughter’s life … we’ve always loved you, Mac. What Meredith did to you was wrong, and I know what it did to you.” Ann looked at Sally. “I’m so happy Mac found you. We’re so happy for you both. I wouldn’t dare intrude on that, but …” Ann’s eyes watered, and she looked down. “But Meredith needs help. Mac, she needs your help. You’re so good at this.”
    “Look, Ann, I appreciate how hard it must be for you to come here, but …” Mac started when Sally grabbed his hand and turned toward him.
    “Can I talk to you for a second?” Sally asked, nodding toward the kitchen.
    “O… kay,” Mac answered, a little surprised, not sure what Sally had in mind. He looked at Lyman and the Hilarys. “If you’ll excuse us.”
    Sally led him to the three-season porch in the back of the house and closed the sliding door.
    “I’m sorry about this, Sally. I had no idea that