by Frank Perry
government. With personal wealth, he was widely considered incorruptible, which played well with the electorate. He had been re-elected for a second four-year term and was now running for his third term. The elaborate five-thousand dollar-a-plate gala fund raiser was mostly for show and mingling with the elitists around Silicon Valley. The Mayor could afford to pay his own minimal campaign expenses and worked for only a one dollar salary, further expanding his popularity.
Sue Ann was in awe of the mansion as they drove inside the compound. Before she could move when the car stopped, the door was opened by a young man in a tuxedo, “Welcome, Ms. Kohl.”
She was speechless and just smiled as he offered his hand. She accepted and was further shocked when he offered his arm to escort her inside. She was part of a procession of mink coats and jewels that she could only dream about. Inside, Luca broke away from a discussion with someone she recognized from media coverage and came to her with his hand extended, thanking the escort. He gently pulled her closer and kissed her cheek, a courtesy she had not experienced before. “Sue Ann, it’s wonderful that you came. Come, let me introduce you to some people then we’ll find the guest of honor.”
The whole evening was a blur. When it was over, it was as though she had lived a Cinderella evening. The guests all started leaving around ten o’clock. She met many noted celebrities over the evening and was never far from Luca’s side. He felt responsible, as the chaperone, for the lovely young single girl amongst all the socialites of the city. His wife did not attend.
When it was over, Luca accompanied her home and walked her to her door. Her head was spinning from the surreal experience. He was beside her when she stuck the key in the door lock. “I hope you had a wonderful time tonight, my dear.”
She turned to face him, “Oh, Luca. It was incredible. I can’t imagine anything so special. I’ll remember tonight for the rest of my life.”
He surprised her by kissing her. “Let’s plan on more. Shall we?”
Without thinking about his marital status, she said, “I’d like that.”
He departed, leaving her feeling like the Princess of California.
The next Friday morning, Luca called her, leaving a message on her mobile phone while she was teaching. “Hi, it’s Luca. I’m taking the jet up to Tahoe tonight for dinner, and we could see a show if you’re up to it? Call me back.”
She checked messages on her cellphone in the teacher’s lounge at noon -- He has his own Jet! She could hardly believe it. She called him and accepted immediately. “Good, I’ll send my car at five-thirty. We’ll have dinner at seven and I’ll arrange a show. We should have you back home around one or two.”
“Oh, Luca. You’re unbelievable.”
Their liaisons continued to gain intensity over the next several months, with occasional longer “business trips” together when her teaching schedule permitted. Sue Ann never thought much about Luca’s family life, simply because it didn’t seem to interfere with his desires toward her and his lavishness. She was enthralled by his generosity. After their first weekend together in Las Vegas, he gave her a new BMW X3 as a gift. There were other gifts of jewelry, and he frequently let her use his credit cards for clothing and luggage when they travelled.
Throughout his whirlwind advances toward her, she never questioned his source of income. She knew he came from family wealth developed over generations and owned the largest privately-owned fishing fleet on the west coast, but she had no idea if this was the only source of income. She didn’t care. She was still in her early twenties when they started “dating”, and her life went on hold regarding any other possible entanglements. Deep down, she knew that Luca would never marry her; he loved his family. His wife seemed to tolerate his extramarital flings so long as he maintained her lifestyle. She didn’t raise questions and just savored the present.
After several months, Luca had suggested that Sue Ann spend some time with Lew Cornish as his escort to various public functions, which always ended in intimate overnight stays for her. The free-wheeling excesses of this rarified society were simply mesmerizing to her. She knew it was only temporary and just wanted to enjoy it while it lasted. Someday, when she was beyond her prime, she would be able to brag about her affair with the mayor and flying around with her boyfriend in his private Jet, her fancy cars and other gifts. She was living the life of a celebrity that no one she knew could imagine.
After several months, the relationship shifted when Peña became more serious and demanding. She found out that not all of his acquaintances and business partners were the pillars she met. She began to understand why Peña traveled with Ramon. She was certain that Peña was a legitimate businessman, but he had dealings with others that were probably on the fringe. She was personally conflicted when he began inquiring about her family, particularly about her cousin Claire. He explained that “some of his friends” in the philanthropic community and mayoral contributors were hopeful that the state would not rush to liberalize drugs. They saw a backlash effect that she couldn’t fully comprehend. She started finding out details about Claire’s progress for Peña, not understanding the gravity of his interest. It was really just some harmless insight that she could share with him as a kind of repayment for his kindnesses.
What she did not know is that the investigative and enforcement company that Peña used had identified Sue Ann as a “target” for influence when they first investigated José Rivera’s role in the state’s plan. Meeting her at the school function was not an accident. José had been the champion of reform for the state, the main driver behind the initiative. His wife Claire was his co-worker, but of unknown influence. After eliminating José didn’t stop the initiative, Peña needed to go after Claire, but she wasn’t alone. Claire had split Jose’s role with another man, coincidentally, her Border Patrol cousin, Hunter. After disposing of José and targeting Sue Ann, Peña had cultivated the relationship with her to the point that he didn’t need to risk another visible disappearance. He didn’t want to kill Claire Rivera and draw attention back to the drug trade – his trade. He had always been careful to avoid even circumstantial attention to his hidden business. He wanted to scare the family and kill the initiative in Washington as reported by Senator Jenson. His investigators confirmed that Sue Ann was cherished in the family like a younger sister. They would not risk losing her over the drug issue. He often reflected on how skillfully he had manipulated her, usually when he was taking his pleasure with her. It couldn’t be any sweeter. Pretty women were so easily manipulated.
Hunter was stunned when he saw her with Peña. He drove back to her apartment, unsure what to do next. He needed an explanation. The plane arrived back in San Francisco after midnight. The happy couple had celebrated the evening passionately on the fold-out bed in the plane during the return flight. Peña kissed Sue Ann goodnight in the hangar, then sent her home with his driver. Ramon used the auxiliary car to drive Peña home. She slept in the back of the limo during the ride. The combination of long day, robust dining, heavy drinking and exuberant sex had exhausted her. She wasn’t even aware when the car stopping and the driver opened the door. He gently nudged her awake. He didn’t want to be punished by Ramon for irritating the boss’s girlfriend. He guided her to the door, careful not to touch her in any offensive way and waited until she was able to unlock it. She said nothing as she closed it behind her.
Inside, she leaned against the door and removed her heeled shoes. She could barely stand with the cumulative effects of the evening. Before moving, she turned on the entry light and walked past the living room. She didn’t even see him sitting on the couch. “Hi, Sue Ann.”
She yelped, “Hunter. What! What are you doing here?”
He stood slowly, “Oh, I just thought I’d see what my little cousin does for amusement.”
She looked bewildered. “Did you come all the way from Washington to snoop on me?”
“That’s not why I came, co
us’.”
She moved closer and sat in a chair opposite him, brushing hair away from her face. “I don’t get it?”
“You want to tell me how long you’ve been with Luciano Peña?”
“How do you know about Luca?”
“Luca? He’s Luca?”
“Look, Hunter, he’s a very important business man in San Francisco. I’m just lucky enough to be his girlfriend.”
He looked at her for several moments before speaking. “You’re his girlfriend? After he nearly drowned you?”
She had an astonished look on her face. “What do you mean, Hunt?”
He stood rigidly. “You know, Sue Ann, I would have died for you. I would have killed to save you. How could you do this to the family?”
She acted dismissively. “I don’t know what you mean!”
He sat and looked at her calmly. “Sue Ann, I don’t think you intentionally got involved in the middle of this. I hope not.”
“Hunter! I want to know what you are accusing me of. Tell me!”
“How about a fake kidnapping?”
“No. No, it was real. What are you saying?”
“I’m saying your drug lord boyfriend got you to fake the kidnapping to throw me off track.”
She looked serious. “How can you say such a
