<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">"If you keep talking like that," Cat murmured, "I'm going to start calling you the Shadow.  Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of men?" she asked lightly.  <br/>
<br/>
Sliding out of the car, she straightened her jacket and nodded once.  This was her least favorite part of the job, even above being shot at.  It was a nice suburban home, with a dark green door and bright azaleas in pots next to it.  Too pretty for the darkness she was about to bring it.  She knocked, marshaling her strength as she waited.<br/>
<br/>
An older woman opened the door -- and Cat saw the moment she realized they were law enforcement.  Grief and resignation flashed over her face.  "You're here to talk to Mandy?"<br/>
<br/>
"I am," Cat agreed, dipping her head respectfully.  "May we come in?"<br/>
<br/>
They were ushered to a painfully neat living room, and in short order the older woman had fetched Kade's wife -- widow.  She was pale, sickly thin.  Her mother fussed at her as she was seated, and the young woman waved her away.  "Mom said you needed to see me, but I can guess.  It's about Lou, isn't it?"<br/>
<br/>
Cat nodded solemnly.  "Ma'am -- Missus Kade -- I regret to inform you that your husband, Lou Kade, was found dead this morning."<br/>
<br/>
Mandy's only sign of grief was a quivering chin, quickly stifled.  "I see."  She plucked at the fabric of the blanket her mother had wrapped around her.  "Are you with his precinct?"<br/>
<br/>
"No ma'am."  Cat wanted to kick herself.  Introductions first, Catherine -- that's rookie shit.  "My name is Special Agent Catherine Gabledon.  This is Agent Gabriel Sullivan.  We're with the FBI."<br/>
<br/>
"I see," Mandy repeated.  Her eyes closed briefly and she murmured something that Cat couldn't hear.  "Go ahead and ask your questions.  I'm sure you have some."</span></span>