As she started the engine and pulled out of the garage, Kate tried to focus on the positive aspects of the case.They'd caught a serial killer before she could claim more victims and had reached out to those who might potentially still be in danger, making sure they remained alive as well.
But the image of Sarah Holloway kept intruding on her thoughts.A young woman seeking help from her mother, cut down by the very violence she was trying to escape.The cruel irony of dying so close to safety, so close to the love and support that might have helped her rebuild her life, was almost sickening.
Kate found herself thinking about Melissa, about how precious and fragile the relationship between mother and adult child could be.In Margaret's twisted logic, she had been sparing parents from inevitable disappointment, but Kate knew the truth was far more complex.Adult children sometimes struggled, sometimes failed, sometimes made choices that broke their parents' hearts.But they also grew, learned, succeeded, and built lives that brought joy and meaning to their families.
The traffic on Broad Street was light for a Friday afternoon, with most commuters already headed home to their weekend plans.Kate navigated through the familiar intersections, her mind still processing the emotional toll of the interrogation.Margaret's breakdown when discussing Sarah had been genuine, her grief raw and devastating even after a month of living with the loss.
What if something happened to Melissa… some awful, unseen accident that yanked her right out of existence?The thought struck Kate with unexpected force, causing her chest to tighten with sudden anxiety.Her daughter was twenty-eight years old, married, with a child of her own.She lived a stable, responsible life with no dangerous boyfriend to flee from, no addiction struggles or mental health crises that might put her at risk.
But accidents happened.Life was unpredictable.People could be taken away in an instant, leaving behind only grief and regret.And just like that, the weight of the case she and DeMarco had just wrapped came slamming down on her.
Kate felt tears begin to blur her vision and quickly pulled into the parking lot of a small strip mall, finding an empty space near the back where she could compose herself without attracting attention.She sat in her car with the engine running, wiping at her eyes with a tissue from her purse.
The tears came harder now, fueled by the accumulated stress of the day and the haunting image of Margaret Holloway's daughter dying alone on a rainy road.Kate thought about all the times she'd been too busy with cases to call Melissa, all the family dinners she'd missed, all the small moments she'd sacrificed in the name of professional duty.
She pulled out her phone and scrolled to Melissa's number, pressing the call button before she could talk herself out of it.
"Mom?"Melissa answered on the second ring, her voice carrying a note of concern."Is everything okay?"
Kate struggled to keep her voice steady."Hi, honey.I'm fine, I just...I wanted to call and check on you."
"Check on me?Mom, you sound like you've been crying.What's wrong?"
"I'm okay," Kate said, though her voice cracked slightly on the words."I just finished a difficult case, and it got me thinking about family… about how much you and Michelle mean to me."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Kate could imagine Melissa processing this unexpected emotional conversation."Mom, you're scaring me a little.Are you sure you're okay?"
Kate took a deep breath, trying to find the right words."I think sometimes I take our relationship for granted.I get so caught up in work that I forget to tell you how grateful I am to have you in my life, how proud I am of the woman and mother you've become.I know it has to be a lot… to be a daughteranda new sister to Michael.God… the life I’ve led… it couldn’t have been easy on you.”Kate felt fresh tears starting."I know I've missed a lot of dinners and bedtimes and ordinary moments because of my work.I know it hasn't always been easy having an FBI agent for a mother."
"Oh, Mom."Melissa's voice softened."Where is this coming from?"
"Like I said… just a hard case.”
"Maybe not always easy, but I've always been proud of you,” Melissa said.“Of what you do, of how you help people and solve cases that other people can't solve."Melissa paused."And honestly, seeing you with Michael, seeing how present you are with him now, it shows me that you've learned from those experiences.You're finding the balance."
Kate wiped her eyes, feeling some of the tension in her chest begin to ease."I love you, Melissa.”
"I love you too, Mom.And I know that.I've always known that."There was a brief pause, and Kate could hear voices in the background."Listen, I hate to cut this short, but Terry and I are about to have a guest over for a late lunch.Michelle's been napping, but she should be waking up soon."
"Of course, I don't want to keep you.I just needed to hear your voice."
"Are you sure you're okay?You don't sound like yourself."
Kate managed a more genuine smile."I'm okay, sweetheart.Just had a stressful morning, and it left me feeling emotional.But I'm fine now.Allen and Michael will be there to cheer me up when I get home, too."
"Okay, but call me later if you need to talk more.Or come by this weekend.Michelle would love to see her grandma, and I'm sure Allen and Michael would enjoy spending time with Terry."
"That sounds wonderful.We'll figure out a time that works for everyone."
"Good.And Mom?Thank you for calling.It means a lot to know you're thinking about us."
"Always, honey.Always."
Kate ended the call and sat in her car for a few more minutes, letting the conversation settle into her heart.The parking lot around her was quiet, with only a few customers coming and going from the small businesses in the strip mall.The late afternoon sun slanted through her windshield, warming the interior of the car.
She felt better now, more grounded and less overwhelmed by the emotional weight of the case.Talking to Melissa had reminded her of what really mattered, of the love and connection that made all the professional challenges worthwhile.She thought about Michael waiting at home, probably playing with his toys or helping Allen prepare dinner.At twenty-two months old, he was becoming more interactive every day, developing his own personality and preferences.Soon he would be old enough for longer conversations, for shared activities, for the kind of relationship Kate was building with Melissa, but from the very beginning.
She put her car back in drive and pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward home with a lighter heart.The case was closed, Margaret Holloway was in custody, and potential future victims had been warned about contaminated medications.She had done her job, and now it was time to focus on her family.
