“Of course they are. But they’ll be even more devastated if we don’t find Willa.”
Two Secret Service agents were outside Tuck’s hospital room, but they had been notified of Sean and Michelle’s visit and the pair was quickly allowed in. Tuck was sitting up in bed looking groggy. An IV stand was next to the bed with a unit of meds hanging on it and a line running to Tuck’s arm.
Sean introduced Michelle and put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry about Pam,” he said.
Tears slid down Tuck’s face. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
“We just saw John and Colleen.”
“How are they?” Tuck sat up straighter in his anxiety.
“As best as can be expected,” Sean said diplomatically.
“And Willa? Any news?”
Sean glanced at Michelle and pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed. “No. What can you tell us about that night?”
Michelle drew closer. “Just take your time. Don’t rush it.”
As it turned out, Tuck could not tell them that much. He’d been in the bedroom when he’d heard a scream. He’d rushed to the door and then something hit him in the head hard.
“Docs say I have the mother of all concussions but no permanent damage.”
“What time did it happen?”
“I’d gone upstairs to change. I’d been at a meeting out of town. I got home late.”
“How late?”
“A little bit after eleven.”
“We got there at 11:30,” said Sean.
Tuck looked confused. “You were there?”
Sean took a minute to explain. “Where were you coming in from?”
“Jacksonville.”
“You drove home in your Mercedes?”
“That’s right. How’d you know?”
“You drove straight home? No stops?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Well, if someone were following you, you might have noticed something if you stopped.”
“Why would someone be following me?”
“Sean’s point is that whoever attacked your family might have followed you home.”
“You mean it was random?”
“They see somebody in a late-model Mercedes, it’s not unheard-of Tuck.”
Tuck put a hand over his face. “Jesus, I can’t believe this.”