Chapter Fifteen
Caroline
June
Caroline had been delayed after a committee hearing and was late for a meeting with her staffers. She hated tardiness. Her employees understood it, given the random nature of her position, but she still found it unprofessional. She now deeply regretted her decision to wear three inch heels that morning. She should have gone with the kitten heels. She knew she’d be running around all day. Why hadn’t she gone with the kitten heels?
She huffed her way into her office, giving a regretful glance to her receptionist. “I’m sorry, Laura. Running late, again. Please tell me Jen isn’t ready to strangle me.”
Laura smiled at her. “Jen rescheduled your meeting for later this afternoon. But I think she still wants to chat with you about something.”
Her expression was a little unreadable but Caroline wasn’t going to pursue it. “Okay.” She marched into her office. Jen and Kathleen were sitting on the couch whispering to each other, and straightened up when she walked in.
“Hi,” Caroline said.
Jen grinned. “Hello, Congressperson.”
Caroline gave her a quizzical look. She was a big fan of gender neutral language but hated that term with the burning passion of a thousand suns. “Is there a reporter hiding in the room?”
Kathleen laughed. “Not hardly.”
Jen walked over to the door and shut it. She spun around. “Spill it.”
Now Caroline was thoroughly confused. “Spill what?”
Kathleen gestured toward the corner, flouncing down in one of the chairs facing Caroline’s desk. “This should be so good.” She settled in as Jen took the seat next to her.
There was a tasteful arrangement of at least three dozen roses of various colors and sizes on Caroline’s desk. A huge teddy bear now occupied her leather chair.
“Shit.” She grabbed the card from the bouquet. It was still sealed. Good.
“Nice for them to come addressed to Congressperson Gerard,” Jen observed. “I can’t remember the last time anyone’s called you that.”
“It is technically a proper title for me,” Caroline said indignantly. “Even if I find it annoying.”
“Did a lobbyist send you flowers and a giant stuffed animal?” Kathleen was still trying not to laugh, as she joined Caroline behind the desk. “I would have thought you’d hold out for more, what with your high ethical standards and all.”
Caroline frowned at her and held the card out of her reach. “I don’t like you.”
Jen forced herself to keep a neutral expression, which would have impressed Caroline at any other time. “What’s the card say?” she asked.
Caroline opened it, batting Kathleen’s hand away. “You’re being obnoxious,” she said, trying not to laugh.
Kathleen laughed at her. “I want to see it.”
“No way,” Caroline said, pulling out the card and keeping it away from Kathleen’s prying eyes.
Thank you for a wonderful weekend, my sweet Caroline. I thought your staff would get a kick out of the envelope. This bear would look spectacular in your office. Dinner tonight? And perhaps some close, personal, clothing optional time at my place?
Jack
PS: Jen and Kathleen, if you’re reading this, don’t tell your boss.
“Come on. What’s it say?” Kathleen said.
Caroline quickly stuffed the card back in its envelope, putting it in the lockable center drawer in her desk, hoping Jack had a discreet florist. “None of your business.”
“I have a key to that drawer,” Kathleen said casually. “You might want to pick another one.”
Caroline took the card out and put it in her purse.
“Better take that with you if you go anywhere this afternoon,” Kathleen said, sitting back down.
“You are mean and I still do not like you,” Caroline retorted.
Jen smiled. “Maybe we should lay off her, Katie. She’s bright red already.”
“Yeah,” Caroline said. “Be nice.”
“So, who are the flowers from?” Jen pressed.
“I thought you were going to lay off.”
“On the teasing about the card. Not on the pursuit of the facts.”
Caroline put the teddy bear on the floor and sat down. “Who do you think they’re from?”
Kathleen raised her hand. “Ooh, ooh, let me guess!”
Caroline leaned back in her chair. “How much caffeine have you had today?”
“Oh, far too much,” she said. “You want to do it pseudo-Twenty Questions, or maybe play some charades? I’m bored and you need to entertain me.”
“Hold up, Katie. You might not want to guess right away,” Jen said. “She did go to Christine’s fundraiser this weekend. Although giant teddy bears don’t really seem her style.”
Caroline crossed her arms and glared at them both. “You’re going to force me to say it, aren’t you?”
Kathleen laughed. She never got sick of giving Caroline a hard time. “You’re so funny when you’re defensive. Give it up, Caroline. We know.”
Jen smiled. “Doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. He’s been doting on you for months. I’m surprised it took this long.”
“Was it that obvious? Does the entire office know?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Jen assured her. “They might suspect something now, though.”
“He’s totally rich,” Kathleen said. “Was there money in the envelope?”
Caroline rolled her eyes. “You are so uncouth, Katie.”
Jen gave Kathleen a knowing glance. “The big gift’s around her neck.”
Caroline brought her hand up to the diamond necklace. She’d forgotten she’d put it on that morning. “I’m starting to figure out why no one takes us seriously.”
“They take me seriously,” Jen said. Which, thankfully, was true. “Not my fault you and Katie are so jolly all the damn time. Spill it, sister.”
“Jack escorted me to Christine’s fundraiser,” Caroline said. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Of course it’s a big deal,” Jen countered. “You cleared your calendar for a reason. You spent the entire weekend with him.”
It was a statement not a question, and Caroline sighed. This was her punishment for being close friends with her two most important staffers.
“I did,” she acknowledged.
“And he gave you that rock?” Kathleen was practically jumping out of her chair.
“He did.”
“So, how was it?” Jen asked.
“Are you asking me what I think you’re asking me?”
“I meant the fundraiser,” she said innocently.
“Like hell you did.”
“We’re glad you’re happy.” Jen smiled. “And I was kidding, we really don’t need details.”
“He looks really good with his shirt off,” Caroline said distractedly, gazing down at the teddy bear.
Kathleen glanced over at Jen. “She wants to tell us so much more than that.”
Jen grinned. “I don’t know if I really want to hear it.”
“You think I do?” Kathleen asked. “Unless she’s referring to that cute stuffed animal and not her new boyfriend. In which case I think we have bigger issues to worry about. I really don’t want to have to quash rumors that my boss is a Furry.”
Caroline snapped her head back toward them. “I’m sorry. Were you two talking? I was concentrating on something else.”
Jen chuckled. “Or someone else. Stop daydreaming, Caroline. You were totally aglow when you walked in this morning. I suspected something was up.”
“Oh, you did not,” Kathleen broke in. “I was the one who figured it out first.”
“Because of our special mind meld?” Caroline asked.
“No,” she said. “Although that is the most disturbing part of our employment relationship. McIntyre is just…into you. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I figured it out last. Is that what you’re telling me?”
“You kne
w but you weren’t ready.” Jen gave Caroline a concerned look. “Are you ready now?”
Caroline rocked back and forth in her chair. “I wasn’t expecting it. It happened faster than I’d anticipated.”
“Think it’s going anywhere?” Jen asked.
“I hope so. I don’t do casual. You know that.”
Kathleen gave her the same look of concern that Jen had. “What about him?”
“I don’t know. He’s so much different than I thought he would be. We had such a good weekend. But I worry that we’re not that compatible. Am I crazy? I must be crazy, right?”
Jen frowned. “You’re not crazy. I didn’t think you’d ever date another member of Congress, much less a Republican, but you’re not one to make stupid decisions. Clearly there’s something that makes you trust him.”
“I do trust him,” Caroline said. “But objectively this looks odd. Or is that my imagination? Are we going to get bad press over this? Should I be worried?”
Jen laughed. “You have never, ever been concerned about bad press except for the gratuitously nitpicky junk. Why would you change now?”
Her chief of staff had a much different impression of her ability to handle unfavorable opinions than Caroline did. Maybe because she was always giving her boss the benefit of the doubt. Caroline generally accepted the legitimate criticism she received for her policy positions but hated when people crossed the line and made particularly odious, unfairly personal attacks.
She had always declined to use her daughters as props during her campaigns and made limited appearances with her entire family. In part because Nicky didn’t like the glad-handing game, but mostly because she wanted to keep her husband and children away from judgmental eyes. She recognized that any image of her as a loving wife and mother would score her points in the long run, but she didn’t think it had any bearing on whether she was qualified for office.
“It’s my private life,” Caroline grumped. “And you know how I feel about that. Close to the vest. My business.”
Kathleen pursed her lips. She enjoyed giving Caroline a hard time, but she adjusted once she realized it was time to be serious. “It may not be private for long. I’m sorry, boss. We can try to minimize but the gossip rags will be all over you once they figure it out. The backstory is too compelling.”
Caroline glanced at the bear in the corner. “Ostentatious gifts probably don’t help.”
Kathleen relaxed. Just a little. “That thing is ginormous. Are you going to take it home?”
“No, Katie. I’m going to leave it here so that every other legislator can comment on it and constituents can ask me where it came from.”
“You’d better put it someplace where he can see it,” Jen said. “Perhaps in your dining room.”
“Or facing your bed.” Kathleen chuckled. “That wouldn’t be disturbing at all.”
“Does Rockville have a burn ordinance?” Caroline asked.
Jen and Kathleen laughed.
“I was just curious,” Caroline said. “Totally unrelated question.”
“Were you going to build a bonfire in the backyard?” Kathleen asked.
“I think it’s too big to accidentally toss into a lit fireplace.” She looked over at the bear again. It was tacky and tasteless and if she really admitted it, downright hilarious. “He got the most obnoxious thing on purpose.”
Jen grinned again. “That might be why he’s a good fit for you. Did you tell him how you feel about clowns?”
Kathleen giggled. “You’d better, or you’re gonna end up with some creepy nightmares once a humongous Bozo doll ends up in your house.”
Caroline shuddered. “We do not speak of clowns in this office. You know that.”
“What do Marguerite and Sophie think of all of this?” Jen asked.
“Mo told me to go out with him when I dropped her off at camp. I guess she sensed something too. Christ, was I the last one to figure it out?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Kathleen said. “As long as you’ve gotten around to it now.”
Caroline rubbed her forehead. “Chrissy doesn’t like him.”
Kathleen shook her head. “That figures. She needs to pull that stick out of her-”
Jen cut her off. “I’m sure she’ll take a liking to him eventually. How are you feeling about it? Seriously?”
Sometimes making eye contact with her chief of staff was hard. “I didn’t think I’d be ready for this so soon. I still don’t know if I am. And I might not know what I’m getting myself into.”
“Give yourself more credit,” Jen said. “And give him a little bit too.”
“Nick would want you to move on,” Kathleen said quietly, and Jen threw her a nasty look.
Caroline waved her off. “It’s okay, Jenny. She’s right. He’s indulging me even though he’s no longer here.”
Jen’s smile was slow to develop, but stayed. “Indeed he is.”
“I still feel torn,” Caroline whispered. “Like I’m cheating on him or something.”
“Don’t dwell on that,” Jen said. “He’d want you to be happy. You can’t stay in a rut forever.”
“You’re only saying that because I haven’t yelled at you in months.”
“I’m saying it because I care about you and it’s nice to see you this way. Last year was hard.”
Although both staffers had always been attached to her family, Jen was much more measured and reflective than Kathleen when it came to relationships. She still struggled with Nicky’s death. Jen liked him a lot and knew from the beginning that he was the foundation of Caroline’s stability and poise.
“I know,” Caroline said. “I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t mean for us,” Jen said. “I meant for you. We dealt with it.”
“Speak for yourself,” Kathleen said. “Caroline was a straight up bitch for a while. Drove me fucking crazy.”
“Thank you, Katie.” Caroline stood up and crossed her arms. “You’re really building up my self-esteem.”
Kathleen looked chagrined. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. But it’s so much better when you’re the way you’re supposed to be. It was quite depressing when I was the only joker around here.”
“I was able to get a lot more work done when you were the only joker around here,” Jen said.
“Now, girls. There’s plenty of work for all of us. And there are always pranks to be had.” Caroline felt her stomach growl. “Want to grab some lunch?”
“Isn’t that Jack’s job now?” Kathleen asked. “To feed you, I mean.”
“He’s got some caucus thing over the noon hour. And he’s taking me to dinner. I’m yours for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Great,” Kathleen said. “Let’s order a pitcher of margaritas and pester Jen about Eric and his inability to make a permanent commitment. And I guess we can listen to you talk more about that Republican’s sexy body.”
“Sounds fantastic.” Jen headed toward the door. “Maybe you can give me some ideas so that I end up with three dozen roses, a giant teddy bear, and a marriage proposal after four years.”
Caroline grabbed her purse, making sure the card from Jack was still tucked safely inside an inner compartment. “Let’s roll.”
Chapter Sixteen
Maureen sat in her car, her hands shaking. The young man at the corner store had eyed her a little strangely, but since she paid cash for the phone and the money was good he didn’t really care about any reasons she might have for buying it. He simply activated it and sent her on her way.
She had driven to a park in Alexandria far away from her house in Silver Spring, and was sitting in the deserted parking lot. She frowned at herself, still somewhat upset that she was turning into an extremely anxious woman. She knew it was unflattering. But she also knew she had good cause to be worried. With a trembling hand, Maureen dialed the number at her parents’ home in Brownsville. Her father picked up on the first ring.
“Hi, Dad,” Maureen said.
“Reenie!
” he exclaimed. “How are you?”
“Eh, I’m okay.” She knew his phone routine, and asked the question before he had a chance to speak again. “Are you going to tell me what the temperature is down there?”
“It’s a balmy 88 degrees here in south Texas today,” her father said. “What’s it like in Washington?”
Maureen scowled at the giant piles of snow at the edge of the parking lot. “Don’t ask.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” her father asked.
“Don’t sound so surprised that I called.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt for my only daughter to call a bit more often, but I understand how busy you are.” He laughed. “I can put your mother on the phone if you’d like her to spell it out a little more colorfully.”
Maureen chuckled. “No, that’s fine. Hey, you’ve got that referendum next week. How’s that working out for you?”
Her father made a rude noise. “I’m voting for secession. Fuck Santos.”
“Dad-”
“Don’t start, Reenie. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m just fine with us leaving. We’ll be all right on our own.”
“But-”
“Bastard wants everything a working man has,” her father spat. “He wants my guns? My land? My money? Come and take it!”
Maureen grimaced. “Daddy, really. Don’t talk that way. You’re not at the Alamo, for God’s sake.”
“Ah, I don’t want to talk about this. Makes me upset. Why don’t you do us both a favor and change the subject.”
She was more than willing to do that. “I was thinking about taking some vacation time to visit you and Mom. Hang out by the pool, buy some cheap stuff in Mexico, the whole relaxing works. Maybe head over to South Padre, swing up to Galveston. Make a grand trip of it, you know?”
Her father’s voice brightened considerably. “We’d love that, darlin’. When are you coming?”
“I thought maybe some time next week, if that’s okay.”
“You’re always welcome here.”
“Is it okay if I bring someone?”
He would make assumptions about who that might be, but she wasn’t going to say too much to him. Not on the phone.
Dissident (The Bellator Saga Book 1) Page 15
