Political Murder

by Emma Lathen

  “Now, the Democrats had a mess on their hand and had more incen- tive to take her out and get a replacement. But killing her? Seems way too risky. DC has seen these one termers before. They go away. Just wait them out. And she voted straight Democrat so they didn’t lose that way.”

  “So no one liked her but no one really seemed to have a motive to get rid of her except to replace her in office. But, and this is a big but, she would vote with them and clearly was getting nowhere with the bankers so why would the opposition want her replaced? Take it from there Jack.”

  Jack mulled this over. Dan had put the case well He always did and Jack felt the police were singularly unimpressed with side issues so would leave his thoughts on that part out.

  “One tip that might help, Dan. We arranged for Elizabeth to leave with escort so as not to give the Junior Senator a chance to speak with her informally in order to have a phantom conversation to be- smirch her. Elvira has done that many times before, and, I must say, has gone to that well too often. We even said Elizabeth would attend the little soiree afterward so we could escape on that note, and flee as you know we did.”

  “Our Security Chief was with us to be a witness that Elizabeth went straight out of the building without talking to Elvira or any other inquisitor. I have signed affidavits to that effect indicating how con- cerned I was about that happening. We were lucky to have such cast iron alibis. In detective fiction, Poirot or some such person would be able to break our alibis. But in real life the obvious is usually true.”

  “Exactly,” Dan chimed in as if on cue. “But I do have one surmise, Dan. Elvira went to an outside bath - room in the hearing room she rarely uses according to others. I would bet she was looking for Elizabeth, thinking that’s one place none of us Sloan men could protect her in. Elvira was right about that of course. But, the killer knew that and undoubtedly beat her to the punch and, to extend the metaphor, punched her out. Find that person; most probably a woman, but not necessarily since a man could hide in a stall.”

  “Sounds right,” Dan thought. “But how in the world will we nail that person?”

  Dan, glad it is not my job, said, “I certainly don’t know. Let me know what I can do to help.” “I am told this Elizabeth is one shrewd cookie. One of the Court police on hand said she knew when to hold em and when to fold em, when to freeze and when to run, as the old country songs say.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Jack, you don’t impress easy. Why were you impressed with her, which you clearly were and are?” “She didn’t need to have her say. She didn’t try to persuade anyone of anything. She knew why she was there, like a team with a big lead that tries to run out the clock. She just let Elvira and me do the talking. As I recall she didn’t say anything at all other than take the oath. And I’ll bet Elvira was so into herself she had no idea that she had not gotten one word of testimony out of Elizabeth.”

  “Shrewd of her indeed. My sources confirm what you said, Jack. The presiding Senators and Congress people always seem to sink themselves by talking too much and trying to sound smart or rel- evant. They want to be the big shots. So do most of the witnesses. They bray on even when they have everything to lose by doing so, and often do, because of their desire to have their say. Elizabeth just had her eye on the clock from what I’m told, Jack. She knew that she had the lead and was running out the clock; and that’s exactly what happened. Thanks to you of course, Jack. But unlike most of your clients, she didn’t mess it up.”

  “Quite right. Well put. I’ll have to think more about that.”

  “Jack, we have no grounds to even ask the Sloan lady anything. But if she is half as shrewd as my guys observed, and you seem to believe, I’d like her take on things. From her performance here I am not going to get anything out of her. You might. Could you?”

  “Dan, that’s really putting me on the spot.”

  “Yes, but it is my job Jack.”

  “It is indeed. I’ll see what I can work out.” “Thanks, and the department is paying for our Heart Attack din - ner of steaks, fries, and bourbon, just to show you we can!” And they both laughed and moved on to other things such as why the Redskins were losing again.

  The Chief dropped Jack off at his apartment. Jack was long and happily divorced, Dan knew. As Jack had said, he had too many bad habits for women and wasn’t pretty enough to keep them around anyway. That sounded good but was nothing to do with the truth; women loved Jack; he just liked to be independent and not have to answer to a wife. Jack might eat heart attack meals with Dan; but that was as far as he went. Jack was svelte. He was a master at fitting in.

  After their conversation, Jack thought Elizabeth probably knew. She wouldn’t have the proof of course; but she would know where to look. What should he do about it, he pondered.

  That night at 3 AM Jack woke up, having sorted through it in his dreams. The answer was simple. Ask Elizabeth. He would text her and keep her up to date on the news. He knew she was on vacation with her electronics shut off. But this was the way she liked to be notified. So, he would follow through as his client wanted and let Dan wait a bit, which he seemed prepared to do without stirring the dust for Jack. Good he thought and went back to sleep.

  Chapter 15

  The Silver Star

  Elizabeth had watched Uncle Ev and Uncle Charlie lean into each other in the limo ride and lunch on the way back to the Devonshire. The new organization had made them closer to each other, which was all to the good. They were gradually working together rather than enjoying the sparks that flew in the old days.

  Age can mellow or make people more cranky, she thought. They needed age balance in this business and were starting to get it with Ken and her now in senior positions. Charlie was young at heart as was her father, in fact. Young people would have stomped around about their Hearing victory etc. and so on. Older folks were smart enough to just leave with their victory. Elizabeth was pleased to be influenced by both.

  She thought about this again when she was on her way to the Silver Star, which would leave at 3:05 PM so she thought it best to have the quiet lunch she had planned and then go to the Amtrak Club to await departure.

  To celebrate but still remove herself from the daily goings on and news she thought better of her quiet lunch plan and picked up a Chef Salad to go and 2 bottles of Petite Syrah for her trip. This was no time to run out on her next two days on the train.

  She knew as a woman that it was better to drink on one’s own than with others since consciously or subconsciously people were suspi- cious of women who drank, especially other women.

  She had sent all her bags on to the elegant high end cruise ship for her trip around the Caribbean. The ship was scheduled to leave at 7:30 PM tomorrow night, if everyone was on board. Otherwise they would wait until they were or Midnight at the latest. The cruise line liked to leave before sunset to show off the leaving to the passen- gers; but they didn’t want to leave any passengers behind either.

  The Silver Star was scheduled to arrive next door to the ship at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale so she could just walk over. It seemed a perfect retreat. She was glad not to need a wine opener so as not to have to ask for one or carry one with her. She also knew that her first pop would really be the beginning of her vacation. She was more than ready for it.

  Elizabeth had selected the Navigator from Seven Seas Cruises for her trip from Fort Lauderdale. It held 490 passengers, enough but not too many, two dining rooms, private rooms with a butler in at- tendance so she could retreat as desired and explore when interest- ed. A perfect combination.

  The trip would be great. Afterward she planned to fly to St. Martins and stay at the Belmond La Samanna for a month. All of this would give the Sloan time to execute on the new plan without her med- dling. She would be right about that.

  She used her real passport but booked under her middle names, Martha Perkins, so as to have a different name onboard but stay legal. This had her appearing under Pnot T for Thatcher. It had been en
ough in the past. It would be again this time.

  When she boarded the Star the Conductor and several waiters re - membered her from before, her tips, her niceness, humor, and stun- ning good looks. The Conductor remembered her comment when he told her how much people liked her on the train for being so nice. She had responded, “I have a lot so have every reason to be nice. I don’t know why others in my situation aren’t?”

  Neither did the Conductor. He passed the comment around and the staff pondered over it. She had always been an interesting lady the Conductor thought, in addition to everything else. He also knew that if a spot of trouble came up with a passenger they could ask for her subtle support as they had before.

  She had dealt well with a difficult man and got him to leave the train under her pressure. That was something. He was off and the train moving before he even knew what had happened. She imme- diately wrote up a report that the guy would never want publicized. The Conductor said it wasn’t necessary; she had said, “Possibly not. But a good thing to have for dry powder. Best file it as a passenger report.”

  The Conductor was a marksman from his Army days and liked the image. She had been right. There had been an inquiry but the Con- ductor had already filed her report and no, the guy didn’t want the bad rap. They had not had to give up her name and didn’t.

  There were a few other minor things, but that was enough. She had been traveling on the route since being a little girl with her father, Mr. Thatcher, who was a fine gent.

  These long trips were fun and much desired by the staff. Most peo - ple got closer on the trip; sitting together randomly in the dining room helped; lots of new friends were made that way.

  A lot of poor Southern people were forced to take the train to save money versus other means of travel, though the bus was always cheaper. But the long distance travelers tended to be well off. Many had become regulars or semi-regulars over the years. It was a nice assignment and the staff bid for it.

  With those thoughts pouring through his mind he delivered Eliza - beth to her bedroom, a large one as always. She gave him an enve- lope with the usual $100 bill. She liked giving it and he liked receiv- ing it, unlike with many passengers making him feel it was a bribe rather than just a goodwill gesture. She gave him a second envelope of $100 for the Steward for her room and a third with $200 for the kitchen and wait staff.

  He had said to her once, “That is a lot of money.” “Not really, I only do it once a year. And you guys don’t make enough.” He liked that; everyone liked her and the self-respect her money gave them. It was going to be another good trip with her on board.

  She decided to have dinner in her room, something the staff ac - commodated her about. She had looked tired, a rarity, so they were happy to help out. They served her the $15 meal and got a $100 tip.

  She was usually up and about. Not this time. He thought she seemed like a bear hibernating, getting back her strength from some ordeal or pressure. Well, the staff was fine with that and happy to help out. Men usually paid a lot of attention to her which she handled well. But this time she didn’t seem to want that attention, or any other kind for that matter, so room service solved the problem.

  She asked the waiter to let the Steward know she would like her room made up. When the knock came, she said hello to Josh, chatted a bit, and left to take a little walk to the sitting area for the sleeping car people. There were a number of people there so she walked back to her room and just went into the bathroom.

  Josh was done a minute later and just said, “Good Night, Miss Eliz - abeth” on his way out. She repeated it back and that was that until breakfast.

  At breakfast she was there at the opening bell, had a quick meal, and left to go back to her room. They figured she didn’t want company so made an exception in her case and let her eat by herself.

  At lunch she repeated the plan as did they. There was no dinner de - spite the train getting to Ft. Lauderdale at 5:47 PM and still having time to go on to Miami.

  When she got off she seemed much revived, which she was. The Conductor and staff were pleased about that. Elizabeth thought back on the train trip, considering it a detoxifi - cation trip. She had been wound up so long with Sloan evacuation plans that she had to let loose and permit herself to relax. There was no better place than on the Silver Star which was so familiar to her. She was delighted to see her favorite conductor and many of the train staff she had known for years.

  She rarely asked for special privileges but did about dinner in her room. She was happy they seemed to welcome their ability to pro- vide that service in her time of recovery, which they clearly knew from knowing her since she was a little girl.

  Unlike most times, she didn’t want to mingle with people. She didn’t trust herself to do so. She didn’t want to ask for special favors at breakfast or lunch but went at the first bell so as to eat promptly and be on her way back to her room. She appreciated them letting her have an out of the way table to herself though she didn’t stay long. It just felt long.

  The rest and hibernation had done her a great deal of good. She seemed refreshed on getting ready to depart. She would have tipped again but thought that would be insulting in some way, which it would have been.

  They all waved her off. She got off and walked the short distance to the cruise line. She was locked and loaded, as she thought. Now she would be ready to spread her wings a bit and deal with people again.

  Chapter 16

  The Navigator

  Elizabeth got off Amtrak and followed the path to the cruise em - barking area where the Navigator would be. After a few hundred yards she saw it looking sleek and elegant. It was very satisfying for her to see it that way.

  She boarded and was greeted by the Captain who had been alerted by the photography group taking pictures of boarding passengers, a favorite memento of cruisers. The Captain seemed prompted by greeting her by name, “Hello Elizabeth, welcome back.”

  In fact he wasn’t prompted. He remembered this gorgeous woman from a few years before who was fun, not a narcissist like so many beautiful women, and easy on everyone on board. In fact, her ani- mation was what made people consider her beautiful more than her actual appearance.

  He said, “Join me for dinner tomorrow night at 7?”

  She smiled and said, “Delighted. I’ll let you get back to the others while I get settled in my cabin.” The Captain knew it was a generous step back statement; it was like her to downplay her importance. Good for her and the cruise in general, he thought. She would brighten things up which she had always done before. He said, “Be sure to come back for some cock- tails tonight on deck.”

  “Will do and she was off. The butler on the floor met her and helped her get set up in her suite. He said, “Several crew members have traveled with you before and wanted to be sure I passed along their hellos.”

  “Isn’t that nice,” She said. “I’ll go down to the cocktail party about 8,” so he could pass the word if he was expected to, which he was. When she got there the Captain announced over the microphone, “Everyone is on board so away we go,” and the engines started rum- bling. He liked to make that announcement because it underscored how personal this cruise was--they just left when everyone was there like a family gathering which, in a way, it was with so many repeat customers.

  There was always something more exciting about leaving then arriv - ing. This voyage out of the harbor was no different. She got a glass of wine and started to look out over the harbor. Afew men looked at her; she wasn’t ready for that tonight. She spotted an obviously gay guy who was handsomely turned out as she had found only gay men were. She went up to him and started talking.

  He was very polite but clear, “It is so nice of you to come over to me. I have been alone over here being gay; I didn’t want to fly under false colors with you.”

  “Of course,” she smiled, “What other man would be so well turned out,” which got a big smile from him. “As long as you know, and my parents are already excited over
there because a beautiful woman is talking to me. They remain forever hopeful,” he commented with a very slight tone of bitterness.

  “Well, let’s extend that hope and have some fun together on the cruise. No pressure; nice times; we can protect each other from un- wanted attention, with women for you and other men for me!”

  “Done, I feel better already. My name is Dan Thompson and I am essentially a trust fund baby who is not so young anymore but wise enough to leave the trust alone. And you?”

  “Martha, wise enough to stick with my first name!” “Glad to meet you Martha. Why don’t we do dinner now? That will shock my parents, be companionable, and we can take it from there.” “Sounds grand,” and they were off and running for the rest of the cruise. They became lifelong friends.

  They partied, danced, drank, and ate together for a few days. On the night before St. Martins, Don said, “Martha, why not have a bi-sex- ual moment with me? I would like it if you would.”

  She nodded on the dance floor and had a warm, cuddly, and happy night of it. They both woke up happy and revived. Today would be St. Martins. He said, “Thank you; I’ll stay on the ship; you are wel- come to stay or go as you please.”

  She smiled and said, “Thank you as well. I am going on shore to look around, etc. and so on.”

  “Enjoy,” he said and she was off.

  Chapter 17

  Paper

  Getting off at St. Martins she didn’t follow the rest of the cruisers around. She stopped at her hotel-to-be in about a week and set up her stay. They were pleased and she was delighted.

  In the lobby she saw a copy of the New York Daily News with the screaming headline, “Senator Granola murdered.” Well, she would have to face the fact that the Sloan would be roped in. She had better break her pledge to be disconnected and read what Jack had to say.