Fiske tensed. �Here, as in at the nursing home?

Yes. Just last week. Thursday no, Friday.

The day he disappeared.

I remember because he usually comes on Saturday.

Fiske shook his head clear. What are you talking about? Mike didnt visit Mom.

Sure he did. I mean, not nearly as often as you did.

You never told me that.

Didnt I? Well, I guess if you have to know, Michael didnt want you to know.

Why in the hell didnt he want me to know? Im sick and tired of people not telling me things about my brother.

Im sorry, John, the woman said, but he asked me not to say anything and I honored his request. Thats all. But now that hes gone, I . . . I didnt think it would hurt for you to know.

He saw Mom on Friday? Did he talk to you?

No, not really. He seemed a little nervous, actually. I mean, sort of anxious. He came really early and only stayed about a half hour.

So they talked?

They met. I dont know how much they actually talked. Gladys can be difficult sometimes. When do you think you might stop by to see her? I mean, she couldnt possibly know about Michael, but still she seems very depressed for some reason.

It was clear to Fiske that the woman believed a mothers link to her children could trump even the grip of Alzheimers. Im really busy right Fiske broke off what he was saying. It would be a miracle if his mother could remember anything of any conversation she might have had with Mike that could possibly help them. But if she did?

Ill be right over.

Fiske hung up the phone, picked up his briefcase and stuffed the stack of mail in there.

Your brother visited your mom on the day he disappeared? McKenna asked. Fiske nodded. Then she might be able to tell us something.

McKenna, my mom has Alzheimers. She thinks John Kennedy is still president.

Okay, what about somebody who works there?

Fiske wrote down an address and phone number on the back of one of his cards. But leave my mom out of it.

Youre going to see her, arent you? How come?

Shes my mother. Fiske disappeared out the door. Hawkins looked over at McKenna. You ready to leave? Because I want to lock up. Dont want anybody else coming in here and stealing any more stuff.

The way Hawkins said it made McKenna blink. The guy couldnt know that he had taken the gun, could he? Still, he felt guilty about it. But he had bigger things to feel guilty about. Far bigger. ["C54"]CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Sara was stopped at a red light on her way to Fiskes office when she saw him drive through the intersection heading west. She didnt have time even to blow her horn. She thought about flagging him down, but a glimpse of his tense face stopped her. She turned right and followed him. Thirty minutes later she slowed as Fiskes car turned into the parking lot of a long-term care facility located in the West End of Richmond. Sara had been here once before, with Michael, to visit his mother. She kept her car hidden behind a broad-leaved evergreen next to the entrance and watched as Fiske stepped out of his car and hurried inside. Fiske met up with Anne, the woman who had just called him, who apologized again and led him to the visitors lounge, where Gladys sat docilely in her pajamas and slippers. When Fiske appeared, she looked up and silently clapped her hands together. Fiske sat down across from her, and Gladys put out her hands and tenderly touched his face. Her smile broadened, her eyes wide and catching absolutely nothing of reality.

Hows my Mike? Hows Mommas baby?

He gently touched her hands. Im fine. Doing good. Pops good too, he lied. We had a nice visit the other day, didnt we?

Visits aresonice. She looked behind him and smiled. She often did that. It was hard keeping her attention. She was an infant now, the cycle complete. She touched his cheek again. Your daddy was here.

When was that?

She shook her head, Last year sometime. He got leave. His ship went down. Japs done it.

Really? Hes okay, isnt he?

She laughed long and loud. Oh yes, that man is A-okay. She leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, Mike, honey, can you keep a secret?

Sure, Mom, Fiske said hesitantly. She looked around, blushing. Im pregnant again.

Fiske took a deep breath. This was a new one. Really? When did you find out?

Now, dont you worry, sweetie, Mommas got enough love to go around for all of you. She pinched his cheek and kissed his forehead. He squeezed her hand and managed a smile. We had a good talk the other day, didnt we? She nodded absently. This was crazy, he thought, but he was here and he might as well try. I had a good trip. You remember where I went?

You went to school, Mike, just like every day. Your daddy took you on his ship. She frowned. You be careful out there. Lot of fighting going on. Your daddys out fighting right now. She punched a fist in the air. Get em, Eddie.

Fiske sat back and stared at her. Ill be careful. Looking at her was like watching a portrait that was fading daily under unforgiving sunlight. Eventually, he would come to visit and all the paint would be gone, the only image left would come from his memory. And so life goes. I have to get going. Im, uh, Im late for school.

So pretty. She looked past him and waved. Hello, there. Fiske turned around and froze as he saw Sara standing there.

Im pregnant, honey, Gladys told her.

Congratulations, was all Sara could think to say. *����*����* Fiske stormed down the hallway to the exit, Sara trailing him. He threw open the door so hard it smacked against the wall.

John, will you stop and talk to me? she pleaded. He whirled around. How dare you come and spy on me.

I wasnt spying.

Its none of your damn business. He pulled out his keys and got into his car. She jumped in.

Get the hell out of my car.

Im not budging until we talk about this.

Bullshit!

If you want me out, throw me out.

Damn you! Fiske shouted, before climbing out of the car. Sara followed him. Damnyou, John Fiske. Will you please stop running away and talk to me?

Weve got nothing to talk about.

We haveeverythingto talk about.

He pointed an unsteady finger at her. Why the hell are you doing this to me, Sara?

Because I care about you.

I dont need your help.

I think you do. I know you do.

They stood there staring at each other.

Cant we go somewhere and talk about this? Please. She slowly walked around the car and stood next to him. Touching his arm, she said, If last night meant half as much to you as it did to me, we should at least be able to talk. She stood there, convinced that his response would be to climb in his car and drive out of her life. Fiske looked at her for a moment, dropped his head and wearily leaned against his car. Saras hand slipped down to his and tightened around it. Fiske looked beyond her to a car parked on the road and the two men inside. Well have the Feds along for a ride. His manner and tone were now resigned. At least it wasnt McKenna back there.

Good, Ill feel very safe, she said, her gaze refusing to leave his, until finally she saw she hadnt lost him, at least for now. They climbed in their cars and Sara followed Fiske to a small shopping mall about a mile away, where they sat at an outdoor table and sipped lemonade in the heat of the late afternoon.

I can understand how you could hold that against your brother, although its not his fault, Sara said.

Nothing was ever Mikes fault, Fiske said bitterly.

Its not like your mother can help herself. It could just as easily be that she called Michael by your name.

Yeah, right. She chose not to remember me.

Maybe she calls you that because you visited her a lot more than Michael did and thats her way of reacting to it.

Im not buying that.

Sara looked angry. Well, if you want to be jealous of your brother even now that hes dead, then I guess thats your right.