by Cara Putman
“I seem to remember Emilie saying you could turn on the Wesley charm and people would jump.”
“Ouch, McCarthy. I thought you were in my corner.”
“I am. You’d better get busy. I’ll help tonight.” She considered telling him Leigh and the other girls would help, but decided to wait until she could talk to them and explain the event and why it mattered. “We’ll do this. We’ve got a week.”
“A whole week.” He blew out a breath. “You really think we can do this?”
“We’ll do it for Em.”
CHAPTER 45
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Andrew slouched in the uncomfortable chair next to Emilie’s bed. His cousin’s usually perfect blond hair looked like a rat had taken up residence in it, and a deep bruise discolored her face, but she still appeared beautiful to him. The monitors beeped and clanged in their annoying way, but he was relieved there was something to assess.
“Come on, Em. I need you to wake up and tell us what happened.”
The police had remained largely silent about her accident, telling him only that she’d gone off the road on Rock Creek Parkway. The road twisted and turned, but it didn’t make sense that Emilie would be out there in the first place.
The last forty-eight hours had been long ones he didn’t want to repeat. He rubbed his hands over his head, then his stubbled face. “I have to leave soon to make sure Maricel is okay. It’s been crazy while you’ve been sleeping.” A tiny cough caught his attention, and he looked up.
Her eyes locked on his. “Water.”
“Yes.” He hurried to push the nurse button. “I’d about get you anything you want, but we have to clear it with the nurse.”
He breathed a prayer of thanks as he turned back to his cousin and grinned. Time to figure out what had happened and fix it.
An hour later Emilie was slowly telling an officer what had happened while Andrew waited in the hallway. He’d called Hayden and updated her. Other than a killer headache and a plea not to make her cough or laugh, Emilie would be okay, if very sore.
He left long enough to get Em her favorite chocolate milkshake, and when he returned the officer was gone.
“Tell me what happened.”
She gestured for the glass of water beside her bed, and he held it for her to take a sip.
“I got home to find a man destroying my room. I turned and ran for my car. But another car followed me, so I panicked and found myself across the river and then on the parkway.” She swallowed as she rubbed her temple. “Then some hunter shot the car, and I lost control. At least that’s what the officer said.”
“No one stopped to help?”
“Not that I know of. But I must have blacked out.”
Andrew’s gut tightened at the thought of his cousin having to handle that all alone. “What were you calling me about when I was in Texas?”
She looked at him blankly. “I didn’t call you.”
“Repeatedly. Then you stopped leaving messages.”
She screwed her face up as if thinking hard, then shook her head before putting a hand to her temple with a grimace. “I don’t remember.”
“Did it have something to do with your article?”
“Article?”
“The one that came out Friday.” At her blank look, he continued. “It was good, Em, and focused on a young man who was murdered while detained in Texas.”
“I don’t know. I talked to Uncle Wesley and his staff about the murder. They were going to do something.”
“Who did you talk to?”
“That catty woman.” Emilie’s face scrunched up. “I can’t think.”
“Okay.” He let silence fall between them, knowing she meant Lilith.
Maybe thirty minutes later, Em stirred with a groan. “Where’s Hayden?”
“She’ll come as soon as she can. She’s filing the Rodriguez case.”
“That poor boy.” Emilie eased toward him, and there was a look in her eye that warned him she was about to ask something he wouldn’t like. “How’s it going with Hayden?”
“I like her, but I’m not sure about us yet.”
Emilie raised an eyebrow.
He laughed and put his hands up. “Fine. She’s fascinating. Frustrating. Intriguing. Makes me wonder why I didn’t notice her earlier.”
“Want me to tell you what I told her?”
“Sure. What pearls of wisdom do you have?”
“You weren’t any more ready for her than she was for you.” Emilie reached for his hand with a slight wince, and he inched forward on his chair. “You had a few wild oats to sow.”
She tightened her grip as he opened his mouth to protest.
“Not the ones the media would have everyone believe, but you’ve been as skittish as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs about having a family of your own. Your cartooning feeds that side of you. The New Beginnings kids remind you that you can make a difference and break out of your family’s mold.” She loosened her grip. “Hayden does that too.”
“When did you get so wise?”
“It’s easy to see what others need.” She looked away. “Not so easy to see what I need.”
His eyes widened as he studied her. “You’re ready for a relationship?”
“Don’t look so surprised.” She gestured toward her face. “It’s not like I have to worry about it too soon, if I look as battered as I feel.”
“It’s not bad. You just need a little makeup to help hide that color show.”
She wrinkled her nose at him and then yawned.
“Ready for a nap?”
“Maybe.”
He leaned onto her bed. “Emilie, this was serious. You were almost killed.”
“No.” She shook her head and tried to smile. “You don’t think a hunter mistook my car for a deer?”
“Rock Creek Parkway is not usually a shooting gallery at twilight.”
“It is overpopulated.” A shudder rippled her thin shoulders. “What if it’s tied to one of my cases or an article?”
“The police will figure it out.”
She nodded, but refused to look at him. He reached over and tipped her chin up so he could see her eyes.
“I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Besides, I’m pretty good at looking after myself.”
He hated how cynical she sounded. “Hayden and I won’t let you be alone.”
She rolled her eyes, but before she could say anything snarky his phone rang. He pulled it out and frowned. “It’s Dad.”
“You should never keep a senator waiting. Important advice my mom gave me.” She shooed him away. “I’ll take a nap.” Her eyes were already closing as he stood and walked out of her room.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Son. Are you with Emilie?”
“Yes sir.”
“How’s she doing?”
“Trying to convince the doctor she can go home, but it will be at least another night.” He stepped out of the way of an orderly pushing a wheelchair. “What’s up?”
“Your mother asked me to remind you about the fund-raiser. She hasn’t heard about your date.”
“I’ve got it covered.”
“Exactly what I told her, but you know how she is. Determined to confirm every detail.”
Andrew took the stairs rather than risk losing his dad’s call in the elevator. “Why’d you really call?”
“I’ve heard some disturbing rumors.” The congressman let his words sit out there as if that would entice Andrew to break his silence. “The kind I want to immediately dismiss, but Lilith and Dan tell me it would be unwise.”
Andrew took a stabilizing breath as he pushed out of the stairwell and into the hospital’s sterile lobby. With its dark wood and tall windows, it should look clean and artsy, but the pharmaceutical, sterile smell ruined the visual effect. “Sir, there’s going to be an article in the Times today.”
“About?” The word lingered in the ai
r between them.
“My editor is revealing my alter ego.” Andrew stepped out into the sunshine and tipped his face to the rays. Maybe exposing this secret could warm him the same way. “I’m political cartoonist Roger Walters.”
“The one who did that great caricature of me?” His dad chuckled. “Son, I’ve known you were Walters since college. If you wanted to keep your secret, I figured it was okay. I liked seeing how you thought about politics. In spite of all your protesting, when I saw the cartoons I knew you were thinking deeply about the issues.”
Andrew tried to absorb his words as he walked across the parking lot. “You knew all along?”
“Sure. Your mom wasn’t happy, but I didn’t care.” There were a few beats of silence. “I wish you’d told me you were ready to come clean so I could help you set the stage.”
“Dad, it wasn’t my idea. Someone’s been blackmailing me—threatening to destroy your campaign by revealing the information. We haven’t found whoever it is, so Hayden suggested the best defense is a good offense. The article runs tomorrow.”
“I don’t like the idea that someone thought they could use it to hurt me. The FBI might be interested in that information.”
“Maybe. I’ve got to survive that article and then the New Beginnings Fair.”
“Your mother said to let you know we’ll come for a while. We’re trying to hold the day free from campaigning—at least an hour or so.”
“Thanks.” Andrew leaned against his Jeep. The knowledge that his father had known all along and let him keep his secret stirred something uncomfortable inside. “I’m sorry I kept it a secret, Dad.”
“We all have our secret endeavors we keep close to our chests.”
Andrew could almost see his dad’s wry smile, the one the cameras loved.
“It’s part of the human condition. I never saw the harm in it. Your perspective was usually insightful . . . though I don’t think my nose is as big as you drew it.”
“Caricature, Senator.”
“Almost.” They shared a laugh, and then hung up. Andrew stood taller than he had for weeks. Now to find Hayden and let her know the incredible turn his fears had taken.
APRIL 17
Rafael adjusted the headphones plugged into his phone. The device allowed even the simple listening devices he’d left in the man’s home to pick up conversations, while he listened in the comfort of his car in a parking lot over the hill. The community was big enough, giving him plenty of places to hide without becoming noticeable to residents.
Miguel’s brother had stayed hidden, and Rafael hadn’t seen them at home since Miguel’s mother was released from the hospital.
How he wanted to explain to Maricel that it had brought him no pleasure to hurt her. He wasn’t a man who took delight in inflicting his power on those weaker, but he’d had specific instructions. She had insisted she didn’t have what el jefe demanded. When he heard the police sirens he’d slipped out the back of the building while tires squealed to a stop in front. He’d been careful, but el jefe always knew . . . he had a network that rivaled a great country’s.
All seeing.
All knowing.
Like a god to defy at one’s own risk.
As he listened to the conversation about balloons and inflatables, he knew Jorge would be at the event they were describing. In that place, with the milling crowds and activity, he could pull Jorge aside and find out if he had the device. If the child did not know, then his search would return to the attorney.
She may have moved offices, but her new one would be easier to breach than the first. Changing desks would not prevent him from finding the device. Only then could he use his new identity to melt into the vastness of this country.
CHAPTER 46
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
Hayden stood in front of her mirror wishing Emilie were home to help her dress for the fund-raiser. After all that had happened in the last few days, this day with Andrew had more importance than merely helping him with an event. They’d talked on the phone since returning to Virginia, but missed each other while she filed the lawsuit and he worked on the fair while helping the doctors keep Emilie in the hospital.
Hayden’s wardrobe consisted of black suits that worked for the courtroom, but not for a political fund-raiser. Emilie had several sheaths that were great for her roommate’s willowy and athletic frame. Finally she decided on a navy sheath with a lace overlay. It wasn’t courtroom approved, so she prayed it would be okay for the fund-raiser.
Andrew knocked and was about to knock again when the door swung open. Hayden stood there, wearing a dress that looked a lot like one Emilie had worn to a family wedding last spring, and his breath about died in his chest. It had to be Emilie’s dress, but his cousin hadn’t filled it out in all the right places and he had to work not to stare. Hayden looked amazing all the way down to her heels. She wobbled a moment, then her lips curved in a stiff smile.
Time to set her at ease. “Ready to steal the show?”
“Actually I was thinking about hiding by the back door.”
His phone vibrated, and he snagged it from his sport coat pocket. Lilith again. He thumbed in a message, then deposited the phone back in his pocket. “Shall we?” He held out his elbow, and Hayden placed her arm in his.
“Thank you.” She grimaced as she tripped down the stairs. “I’m out of practice.”
“No problem. I’ve helped enough women to know most don’t wear shoes like that on a regular basis.” And those who did often had the knee problems to go with the crazy heels. He helped her into his Jeep, then headed the vehicle toward Great Falls. “Thanks for coming.” Andrew glanced at her as the spring sunshine filtered over her. He could get used to having her around.
“Anything I need to know or make sure I don’t do?”
“Nope.” He spent the thirty-minute drive filling her in on the people he knew would be there. He hadn’t received an advance list so he winged it, knowing some of the standards who would show up with a check and a wish.
Hayden stiffened as they turned into the long driveway. She’d gotten quieter as they started passing the larger estate homes, but now that they joined the line of Jaguars, BMWs, and the occasional Porsche, she froze. “This is already worse than I expected.”
Andrew tried to see the event through her eyes, eyes unjaded by years of events and scores of interactions with the attendees. Valets ran to meet the cars and park them on the side lawn. Not even the weather would think of ruining his mother’s event, so only an occasional cloud marred the cyan sky.
Andrew pulled his gaze from the drive long enough to grab Hayden’s hand and catch her attention. “Hey, remember, they’re all just people—maybe they have a little more cash than some of us, but you belong here as much as they do.”
She nodded, but he could feel the moisture on her palm as he squeezed her hand, then let go. Hayden stared out the windshield as she drew in a breath and blew it out very slowly. Then she pulled her shoulders back, lifted her chin ever so slightly, and stilled her hands. She nodded and turned to him. “I’m ready.”
And she was. Just like that.
Two hours later, Hayden was ready to pitch the demon shoes over the cliff into the Potomac somewhere below. She also felt like a plastic smile had affixed to her face and her cheeks felt frozen like Tour Guide Barbie at the end of Toy Story II.
Andrew had stayed with her for a while, then his father and chief of staff pulled him aside. He’d apologized when he returned, only to be tugged aside again, this time by the beautiful Doreen Wesley, who seemed highly unsure of this woman her son had brought to the event. She’d spent half an hour taking Andrew around while Hayden nibbled crab cakes and hors d’oeuvres. A waiter had kept her supplied with sweet tea until she was sure she could buzz home from the sugar.
The event was flooded with lobbyists and special interest representatives who all wanted their moment of time with the almost-senator from the Commonwealth. Hayden wondered what it would be like t
o move in such circles, even run for office. But as the event wore on, she found that idea dying. It was the epitome of boring as she spoke with more strangers. Then she’d frozen as Jason Randolph approached, looking a bit overdressed in a tuxedo and slicked-back hair.
“Interesting to see you here, McCarthy.” Randolph swirled his mixed drink as he studied her. “Isn’t this event a bit rich for your taste?” The stiff aroma wafting from his words made it clear this wasn’t his first drink.
She tipped her chin and met his gaze. “I enjoy events like this.”
“Party crashing. I didn’t think you were the type. But there’s a lot about you I didn’t know.”
“Like what?”
“Climbing to the top on the shoulders of someone better than you. What on earth did Gerard ever see in you? You weren’t his first mistake, though it seems you were his last. He got everything he deserved.”
The cold in his words froze her.
Andrew slid up behind her. “Everything all right?”
She forced a smile as the warmth of his hand found the small of her back, and she introduced the men. “Andrew, this is Jason Randolph, one of the partners I worked with at Elliott & Johnson.” And the partner who seemed to have a finger in each element that had gone wrong at the firm: Angela’s termination, Gerard’s death, Hayden’s forced leaving, and probably a dozen other things.
Randolph’s smile looked reptilian as he stepped forward and shook Andrew’s hand. “Your father and I share an interest in immigration reform. I’m a great admirer of the congressman and would hate for anything to inhibit his move to the Senate.”
Andrew’s face froze. “That’s an odd thing to say.” He took a step toward Randolph, but the older man’s cocksure grin never budged.
“Not as odd as what you’ve been doing.” Randolph smirked and then turned as Lilith strolled over wearing a gown with the elegant cut of Audrey Hepburn’s from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. She even had a small tiara nestled in her upswept hair. “Andrew, your father wants you to join him on the dais as he thanks everyone for coming.” She turned, and her eyes widened as she saw Randolph. “I’m so sorry. Am I interrupting something? You all look so serious.”
