Page 87 of Fatal Strike
“Impressive. Are the adopted siblings related?”
“Some.”
“Your parents must have big hearts,” he said.
“They’re great people.”
Her dry comment hinted at family issues. “Are you close?”
“They live in Brooklyn.”
“I bet holidays and family get-togethers are loud and fun.”
“Yes to the loud part, but it’s been years since I’ve been home.” She tilted her head. “My fault. I think because I never understood the adoptions or many of their actions.”
“Families have their problems, Leah. I’m listening.”
She told him how her parents had chosen to adopt hard-to-place children, their expectations for her, and how she’d resented and rebelled against them when life seemed unfair. “Looking back, I can see my faults more clearly ... and have a better understanding of what they were thinking.” She glanced away, then back to him. “But the night I graduated from high school, I packed my suitcase and made sure my parents knew I hated them for adopting my siblings. I left and never returned. Worked hard to do well in college, applied to Quantico, and here I am, a loner filled with regret.”
“Ever try to contact them?”
“Many times, but I always hung up instead of talking. Except the day of Judge Mendez’s prayer service. I talked to my dad. Apologized.” She sighed. “It ended badly.”
“That took guts.” His new faith mere hours old, Jon had experienced only a small taste of the power of prayer. He didn’t have the credentials to speak about God until he had a little more experience. But a nudging pushed him forward anyway. “God helps.”
“If I thought so, I’d have a room full of preachers.”
His phone summoned him with an incoming call, an unfamiliar number. “Jon Colbert.”
“This is Ross Kempler. We need to talk.”
55
JON SENSED LEAH STUDYING HIM.“Sure, Mr. Kempler. We can talk now.” He tossed his attention to Leah, who’d obviously picked up on the name by her focus.
“I would prefer a face-to-face meeting.”
“I’ll be in Galveston in the morning.”
“Is it possible to meet tonight? At your office?”
“I’m at Houston Methodist with Agent Riesel.” Jon kept his eyes on Leah. At her go-ahead, he explained the situation. “She’s receiving treatment for a rattler bite.”
“Veneno attack?” His voice rose.
Jon touched her cheek. His partner’s encounter with a rattler had scared him. “Something like that. But they underestimated her.”
Kempler blew out air. “Agent Colbert, I’m able to provideinsight into this case. This is about my relationship with Judge Mendez.”
“Let me know when you arrive. Agent Riesel is here under an assumed name.”
“Look for me in about an hour.” Kempler clicked off.
Jon moved to the window and gazed at the lit parking lot.
“What’s going on?” Leah said.
“The tides are turning.” He turned to her. “Kempler’s driving here to talk about Judge Mendez.”
