Assassination Authorized

by Erin Wade

  Kadence chuckled. “Of course.”

  Chapter 9

  Tom Reynolds sat silently at his desk. He had another session with Dr. Storm after lunch. He was glad she had agreed to see him on a Saturday. Although she had helped him cope with the disappearance of his family, she hadn’t stopped the aching loneliness he felt every time he returned home.

  He smiled as his mind’s eye watched his blonde daughters run to hug him at the end of the day. Mariam greeted him with the customary kiss and beverage of the season, her blonde hair hanging loosely around her shoulders.

  He would be the first to admit that he was a workaholic. He often felt guilty about the way he neglected his family to handle America’s business. In the grand scheme of things, he truly loved his wife and daughters.

  Daniel Devon was still calling for his arrest and circling the wagons around the Devon fortune. Tom didn’t want the Devon billions. He just wanted his family back.

  ##

  Tom took the back entrance to Dr. Storm’s office. He was immediately ushered into the psychiatrist’s inner suite.

  “Tom, it’s good to see you.” Reynolds briefly wondered if that little pinpoint of light in Dr. Storm’s blue eyes could cut glass.

  He nodded and sat down in the chair in front of her desk.

  “Let’s move to the sofa today,” Mecca said. “If you’re agreeable, I would like to try hypnosis with you.”

  Tom frowned. “I’d rather not.”

  Mecca sat down in the chair facing the sofa. “That’s fine. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. Please sit.” She motioned toward the sofa.

  “Something interesting happened to me today,” she said, her voice like honey and silk—smooth and relaxing. “I took a walk in the park. It’s a beautiful spring day. I’m so relaxed. The sound of the birds drove everything from my mind, and I found myself very sleepy. My eyelids began to get heavy. Why don’t you lie down on the sofa? It’s so soft.”

  Mecca smiled slightly as Tom Reynolds reclined on the couch.

  “Tom, can you take me back to July third of this year?”

  “Yes, I’ve had meetings all day.” He jerked as if something had surprised him. “I’m trying to clear my calendar, so I can take off next week.”

  “Did one meeting in particular disturb you?”

  “Yes. Imam Ali threatened me. He said if I didn’t change my stance on allowing Arabs into America, he couldn’t be responsible for what might happen to my family and me.”

  “Do you think he is responsible for what happened to your family?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Why didn’t you notify the authorities?” Mecca asked.

  “If I do, he’ll accuse me of lying, and I’ll be labeled a racist. That would effectively destroy my bid for the presidency, if this mess hasn’t already.”

  “Tom, did you have anything to do with your family’s disappearance?”

  “No!”

  “When you are president, Tom, I want you to always allow me free access to your office. If I request a meeting with you, you must arrange it immediately.”

  ##

  After Tom left, Mecca made a phone call. “I don’t understand why you sent me Tom Reynolds. He knows nothing about his family’s disappearance. He’s quite distraught.”

  “He has no idea who took them?” the person asked.

  “None whatsoever.”

  “There’s a reception at the White House next Friday. A courier will bring you an invitation tomorrow. Bring a date.

  “See if you can find out anything about Mariam Reynolds and her daughters. I need to know what has happened to them.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” she said.

  “Mecca this is of the utmost importance. Our nation needs Tom Reynolds as president. It is imperative we clear his name as soon as possible.”

  Chapter 10

  Dr. Kadence Pride took a quick look at herself as she passed her mirror. At 5’8” she was an imposing figure. Her thick blonde hair framed a gorgeous face, complete with laughing gray eyes and a cleft chin. Few things daunted Kadence, but she was a little nervous about Faith’s upcoming surgery.

  She never allowed herself to get close to a patient. It simply wasn’t ethical. But Faith had been so alone, a petite woman who was determined to live a normal life. It didn’t seem to faze her that her life was beginning in her thirties.

  Kadence double-checked to make certain her jacket looked good with the slacks and blouse she had selected. She hoped Faith would enjoy the musical comedy she was taking her to tonight.

  ##

  “That was wonderful,” Faith said, laughing as she clung to Kadence’s arm. She didn’t want to be separated from her in the crowd exiting the theatre.

  Kadence agreed. “How about dessert and coffee at Ellen’s?”

  “That sounds delightful,” Faith said. Her long dark hair fell across one side of her face, covering the worst of the scars.

  Kadence smiled. “You truly are beautiful, inside and out.”

  Faith hugged Kadence’s arm to her and shyly ducked her head.

  ##

  “What does your day look like tomorrow?” Faith asked as she stirred cream into her coffee.

  “I only have one surgery scheduled,” Kadence said. “I’ve reserved the entire day for that one patient.”

  “Must be someone important to you.”

  “You have no idea,” she said softly.

  “Dr. Pride, I—”

  “Please call me Kadence. I think we know each other well enough to be on a first-name basis.”

  “Kadence,”—Faith breathed her name as if it were a prayer—“I want you to know that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me . . . getting me out of the hospital, taking me to the theatre and to dinner. You’ve been wonderful. I . . . I thank you.”

  “It has truly been my pleasure.” Kadence placed her hand on Faith’s. “I enjoy your company. Who else would let me spend the entire evening talking about myself?”

  They both laughed.

  Kadence put a protective arm around Faith’s shoulders as they left Ellen’s Stardust Diner. The usual Saturday night partiers lined the sidewalk. She hailed a taxi and opened the door for Faith. On the way to the hospital they laughed and talked about the crowds of people filling the New York sidewalks.

  ##

  “This is almost like dating in college,” Kadence said as she walked Faith to her room. “Take out the girl then walk her back to the dorm and say goodnight.”

  “So, this is a date?” Faith smiled, as she turned to face her.

  “Consultation,” Kadence whispered. Faith stirred something deep inside her. Before she rationalized her actions, she leaned down and kissed Faith’s soft, full lips.

  Faith slipped her arms around Kadence’s neck and pressed against her. Strong arms encircled Faith’s small waist as she enthusiastically kissed her back.

  “Ahem. It’s about time you brought my patient home,” Dr. Teagan Storm said as she rounded the corner.

  Kadence blushed and stepped back from Faith. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she whispered.

  “You should wipe off her lipstick,” Teagan said, grinning at her friend.

  ##

  Alone in her room, Faith tried to make sense of her feelings for Kadence Pride. Feelings she knew were wrong. She had no idea who she was. She knew she was a mother. The doctors had informed her she had given birth. That meant she probably had a husband somewhere.

  Her feelings were simply deep appreciation for all Dr. Pride had done for her. She tried to convince herself, but the feel of Kadence’s lips on hers was a pleasant memory.

  ##

  The surgery was a complete success. Kadence had taken six hours to sculpt Faith’s face. She was very careful to minimize trauma to limit bruising and swelling. She kept Faith sedated for twenty-four hours to keep her as comfortable as possible.

  When Nikki and Teagan tiptoed into the room, Kadence was asleep in a hospital chair, her head res
ting on Faith’s bed. Teagan raised a knowing brow at Nikki, who only smiled and nodded. The two left the room.

  The first thing Faith was aware of was the hand holding hers. She lay still for a long time, enjoying the firm grip of the young doctor.

  She took a mental survey of her pain, which was minimal. She wondered how long she’d been out. She moved her head slightly and realized there was a small drain tube behind each ear. Kadence had explained the entire procedure to her. She knew the tubes were to drain off excess blood and fluids.

  Bulky bandages covered her entire face.

  Kadence stirred beside her, and Faith briefly wondered what it would be like to wake up beside Kadence every morning.

  Kadence smiled as she lifted her head and looked into Faith’s eyes. “Don’t try to talk. Just squeeze my hand twice for no and once for yes. Are you okay?”

  She squeezed her hand once.

  “Are you in any pain?”

  She squeezed her hand twice.

  Kadence beamed. “It’s Tuesday evening,” she informed her. “A little over thirty hours since your surgery. I’m going to remove your bandages and apply antibiotic ointment to your incisions.

  “You haven’t had any drainage in the last six hours, so I’m going to remove the drain tubes. I’ll replace your bandages.

  “Friday morning, I’ll remove your bandages and replace them with an elasticized facial sling. I will remove the stitches on Monday.

  “Here we go!” She smiled at Faith as she began to unwrap the bandages.

  “Very nice,” Kadence murmured as she unveiled her. “Oh, very, very nice. I think you’re my masterpiece, Faith.”

  ##

  At Faith’s request, Kadence had covered all the mirrors. She didn’t want to look at her face until the bruising and swelling had disappeared. The truth was, she wanted to put off knowing how she looked. She was scared.

  Kadence had been wonderful, only leaving her to shower and change clothes. She had not scheduled patients for three weeks, so she could devote herself to caring for Faith. She wanted to make certain Faith was perfect.

  ##

  Mecca had cleared her calendar so she could leave Thursday. She’d visit the hospital Wednesday to see how Faith was doing. She also wanted to ask Kadence to accompany her to the White House reception. It would give her a date and Kadence an opportunity to network. Kadence had done work on most of the older senators and their wives, so she would be a popular addition to the reception.

  ##

  “Don’t you have other patients to attend?” Faith asked Kadence, hoping she would say no.

  “I cleared my calendar so I could take care of you,” she said with a shy smile. “I have a reputation to maintain.”

  “Do you give all your patients such personal treatment?” She knew she was making Kadence uncomfortable, but she was so cute when she squirmed.

  The doctors Storm swept into Faith’s room before she could answer. “Oh, wow!” Mecca gasped.

  “Ditto,” Teagan said, grinning. “Very nice, Kadence.”

  “She’s nine days out of surgery, and there is very little swelling or bruising. What did you use on her, a Jell-O scalpel?” Mecca hugged her friend and then continued to examine Faith’s face. “She’s gorgeous.”

  Teagan looked around the room. “Still have all the mirrors covered, I see.”

  “Yes,” Faith said. “I want to be completely healed before I look at my face. I want to see what I will look like for the rest of my life.”

  “You seem to be in great spirits,” Mecca said. “When do the stitches come out?”

  “Right now.” Kadence brandished the sterile package containing her surgical scissors.

  She carefully cleaned and sterilized the stitches and the skin around them. “This might sting a bit,” she warned Faith.

  She removed the stitches, cleaned the area one more time, and covered the incisions with sterile tape.

  “There,” she said, smiling at her beautiful patient. “Now you only look as if you cut yourself shaving.”

  Everyone laughed. They chatted for a few minutes more, until the intercom interrupted them.

  “Dr. Teagan Storm, report to the nurse’s desk please,” the voice said.

  “Gotta run. Call me when you get back from DC.” Teagan hugged her sister and left the room.

  “You’re going to DC?” Kadence asked. “When?”

  “Tomorrow,” Mecca said. “I have to attend a reception at the White House on Friday evening. I was hoping you could go with me. I need a date.”

  Kadence didn’t miss the look of pure terror that crossed Faith’s face.

  “Any other time, I would love to,” Kadence said, “but I need to be here right now.”

  Mecca nodded and hugged her friend. “Another time.”

  Faith watched Dr. Storm leave her room. She didn’t know what had made her stomach turn over, the thought of Kadence leaving her alone or the thought of Kadence spending the night in DC with Mecca Storm.

  “You should go with her,” she said half-heartedly. “I’ll be fine.”

  Kadence laughed. “You aren’t getting rid of me that easily. I want to stay with you.”

  Faith repeated her words in her mind: I want to stay with you. Somehow, those words were extremely comforting.

  “Where is that book we were reading last night? Must be Murder, right? I’m dying to know the ending.” Kadence pulled her chair close to Faith and started reading.

  ##

  Jericho double-checked to make certain she had a hotel room next to Mecca while she was in DC. She felt uneasy about protecting her in the belly of the beast.

  Mecca had gone straight home from the hospital. Jericho’s stomach reminded her that the protein shake had disappeared long ago. Once she was confident Mecca was secure in her apartment, she walked to McGill’s Grill down the block and ordered her usual.

  The server had just placed a Dr. Pepper in front of her when Mecca stormed in. Without hesitation, she marched to Jericho’s table and sat down.

  “I’ll have whatever she’s having,” she told the waitress as she passed her.

  “How are you doing, Miss Friedman?” She smirked as she looked Jericho in the eye. “Don’t give me that German rubbish. I know English is your native language.”

  Jericho looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. She didn’t respond. She’d learned a long time ago that one learned more from listening than talking. She could see the anger in her eyes. Mecca Storm wasn’t a woman one could ignore. She wasn’t going away.

  “I know you follow me everywhere I go,” Mecca continued. She pulled out her cellphone and tapped something listed in her Favorites. Jericho’s phone began to ring and vibrate.

  “You should answer that.” A half smile curved Mecca’s lovely lips. “It might be me!”

  Jericho pulled her phone from her pocket and silenced it. She sat quietly watching Mecca.

  “Look,” Mecca said, “I have to go to DC tomorrow. We both know you’ll be following me, so why don’t we travel together? I need a date for a reception at the White House. My guess is that you already have the necessary invitation.”

  Mecca watched as a faint smile played around Jericho’s lips. She is truly gorgeous, Mecca thought. She didn’t want to admit it, but the woman made her feel safe.

  “What’s your real name?” she asked.

  Jericho sipped her cold drink and slightly raised her eyebrow. She wondered what her boss would say if she found out Mecca Storm had challenged her. She weighed the dangers of talking to the psychiatrist against the pleasure of having a conversation with her. She decided talking with her would be worth any reprimand she might receive.

  “I’m your invisible protector,” she said.

  Mecca jumped back as if she had slapped her.

  “Protector?” She bit her lower lip as she processed the information. “Why would I need a protector?”

  “I honestly don’t know,” Jericho said truthfully. “You seem qu
ite capable of taking care of yourself.”

  “For whom do you work?” she whispered.

  “I am not at liberty to say.”

  “General Carson?” Mecca asked.

  Jericho cocked her head slowly, as if contemplating her question. It was a movement she used to stall.

  Mecca’s blue eyes blazed. They reminded Jericho of the frozen blue icebergs she’d seen beneath the water in Alaska. The dark blue pupils looked as if they could cut the heart out of a woman. She wondered what it would be like to make love to her staring into those eyes.

  Tired of playing games, Mecca stood suddenly and left.

  ##

  Jericho pulled her black Escalade in front of the apartments, nodded to Paul as he opened the door, and went to Mecca Storm’s room. She had heard her call a cab, which Jericho quickly cancelled.

  Mecca’s eyes widened when she opened the door. Miss . . . whatever your name is, what are you doing here?”

  “I came to carry down your luggage.”

  Mecca eyed her wryly.

  “You did ask me to accompany you to DC,” Jericho reminded her.

  Mecca gestured toward the sofa. “There’s my hanging bag and suitcase. Let me get my purse and makeup bag.”

  Mecca followed Jericho into the hallway and locked her apartment. She was surprised when Jericho placed her luggage in the back of her vehicle. “I called a cab,” she said.

  “I cancelled it,” Jericho said, grinning mischievously. She opened the door for Mecca to get into the SUV.

  She’s very disconcerting, Mecca thought, but incredibly attractive.

  They had driven in silence for several minutes when Mecca realized they weren’t going toward the airport.

  “This isn’t the way to the airport,” she said uneasily.

  “I figured we would drive and get to know one another,” she said. “My name is Jericho Parker.”

  “Jericho Parker? You were on the Special Ops team that rescued Senator Cross and her wife when ISIS was holding them hostage.”

  “I was.” She smiled, pleased that Mecca had heard of her. “That was over five years ago. I’m surprised you know about that.”

  “I was read-in on the operation.” Mecca shrugged. “My handler thought I might be needed if your team failed. Fortunately, you succeeded and saved me from an unpleasant assignment, Miss Parker.”