Read Online An Accidental Woman by Barbara Delinsky - Free Book Online Page B

like standing in a Currier and Ives scene. Look around”—he demonstrated—“and you can still see Christmas lights and wreaths. The air is quiet and crisp. If there’s a highway somewhere out there, you can’t hear it. And the snow here is white, still, three days after falling. This is a rare treat for those of us who live in the city.” He touched his earpiece, frowned briefly, then said, “I’m told we have something more now. While we await word from the superior court in West Eames on the fate of Heather Malone, we have a satellite hookup with Randall Hughes, the FBI agent who cracked the case. Back to you, Ann Marie.”
    Griffin’s smile disappeared. Slowly, he straightened. Ann Marie was a beautiful woman, but his awareness of her had absolutely nothing to do with her looks and everything to do with his brother’s appearance—live, vivid, revealing —on the screen. Horrified, he watched.
    â€œFor those of you just joining us,” the anchor explained, “Randall Hughes is a member of the FBI’s cold case squad. Agent Hughes, it’s been fifteen years since Robert DiCenza was killed, and the FBI has been looking for Lisa Matlock ever since. You are being credited with finding her. Can you tell us how it happened?”
    â€œI didn’t find her myself,” the agent modestly replied. “The apprehension of Heather Malone was the result of a unified effort by the FBI, the Office of the Attorney General of California, and the Lake Henry Police Department.”
    â€œWhat gives you reason to think that Heather Malone is Lisa Matlock?”
    â€œI’m afraid I can’t comment on that at this time.”
    â€œWhat led you to Lake Henry?”
    â€œA tip. That’s how most cases are solved.”
    â€œA tip?” Griffin shouted at the screen. “That was no tip! It was a blunder, which you unconscionably took advantage of!”
    Calmly, Ann Marie said, “We understand that this tip came from a member of the press corps who was in Lake Henry last fall covering the scandal that involved a woman there and Cardinal Francis Rosetti of Boston. Is this true?”
    Randy was a second longer in answering this one. He had the good grace to respond with a simple, “Yes.”
    â€œIs it safe to guess that a member of the press corps recognized her?”
    â€œNo.” Again, a pause. “No, but a remark was made that led us to another investigation, and that investigation led to Ms. Malone.”
    Griffin simmered.
    â€œWhat was that remark?” Ann Marie asked.
    â€œI’m not free to comment on that at this time, either.”
    The anchor was unfazed. “Is it fair to say that if it hadn’t been for the Rosetti scandal, the DiCenza case would still be unsolved?”
    â€œNo,” Randy said promptly. “Something else would have come up. The past can only be hidden so long before bits of it start to leak. The government employs a cold case squad to be alert for those leaks and to track them down when they occur.”
    â€œCan you tell us how Heather Malone—Lisa Matlock, if the charges are correct—is alleged to have traveled from California to New Hampshire without being caught?”
    â€œNo. I cannot.”
    â€œWe understand that she has been living with a widower named Micah Smith and taking care of his two young children.”
    â€œThat is what the agency believes.”
    â€œIs Micah Smith considered to be an accomplice?”
    â€œI can’t comment on that.”
    â€œHave you been in touch with the DiCenza family?”
    â€œI talked briefly with a representative of the family. They’re pleased that there may be action in this case.”
    â€œDo you believe that Heather Malone will be returned to California to stand trial?”
    â€œI believe that justice will prevail.”
    Sensing the interview was over, Griffin was trying to gauge the damage,