Private Detective: BENNINGTON P.I.: A thrilling four-novel political murder mystery private detective series...

by D. W. Ulsterman

  “Man, that bath was just what I needed. How’s that Keith Richards line go? ‘Wasn’t looking too good but I was feeling real well.’ “

  Bennington paused in front of his closet mirror as he pulled his gut in and held his breath while smiling back at his own image.

  “Well hell, just look at me! I’m looking as good as I feel!”

  Colin couldn’t help but laugh at Bennington’s jovial mood, even as he wondered if it was medicinally enhanced.

  “Were you with someone last night Frank?”

  Bennington winked and nodded.

  “Oh yeah, spent most the night hanging out with Silia. Mmmmm…now that’s a pretty girl. Those Brazilians…mmmmmm.”

  Colin cleared his throat.

  “Did she just leave you in here by yourself then?”

  Frank Bennington shrugged.

  “Suppose she did. Can’t blame her for that. Some big, sweaty old half dead guy passed out between her legs. I’d a run out of here too.”

  Bennington paused as he looked back at Colin and then snapped his fingers, remembering a question he had intended to ask earlier.

  “Hey! What did you need to see me about anyways?”

  Colin O’Shea’s face grimaced slightly as he too remembered the original reason he had come to Bennington’s apartment.

  “It’s the congressman – he’s taken Kat. Had the big Russian guy who’s over at Ivanka’s all the time take her. We were out at a club last night, it was Jo’s idea, and----“

  Bennington interrupted.

  “Wait a minute. You went out last night with the staff and didn’t invite me?”

  Bennington’s face looked like a scolded basset hound. When Colin attempted an explanation, Bennington waved it away laughing.

  “Just messing with you kid. Now tell me what the deal is with the congressman and the Russian girl. You say he took her?”

  Colin nodded.

  “Yeah, at gunpoint just outside the club.”

  Bennington sat down at the end of his bed, no longer appearing so jovial as a long, low whistle escaped his pursed lips.

  “Son-of-a-bitch. The Russian pulled a gun on you? Was the congressman there when it happened?”

  Colin shook his head.

  “No, just the Russian. He threw Kat into his car and drove off. There was a scuffle. Jo broke her wrist.”

  Frank Bennington lowered his head as his hands bookended both sides of his face.

  “Oh, God. On second thought, I’m glad I wasn’t there. I’ve already been on the receiving end of that Russian asshole Arman.”

  “I left you a voice mail. I called your from the club.”

  Bennington pushed himself up from the bed and walked out to the kitchen where his phone sat on a counter. A moment later he had the phone to his ear and was smiling as he listened to Colin’s earlier message.

  “You were drunk as hell Colin. Good God man!”

  No sooner had Bennington placed his cell phone into his pants pocket, when its ring tone sounded.

  “I’ll be damned. It’s the devil himself.”

  Bennington put the phone back to his ear.

  “Good morning Congressman. Yes, I’m up and at it already. Been up for a while actually. That’s right, later this afternoon. Tracy should have your notes ready at your office. Jo might not be in today, she had, uh, an accident with her wrist. Yes, she’s ok. That’s right. I’ll see you in the office then at 11:00 Congressman. Very good.”

  Colin could feel himself tensing, wanting to know what the congressman said.

  “What did he want?”

  Frank Bennington was already heading out his front door.

  “He has a Violence Against Women fundraiser to attend later today. Supposed to say a few words and wanted to make sure we had something ready to go for him. Be a few other high ranking Democrats there wanting to make sure their names are attached to the event, so the congressman wants to make a good showing that will play well to the Mendez camp.”

  “What about Kat?”

  Bennington shrugged as he stood in the entranceway to his apartment.

  “I’m sure she’s fine Colin. The congressman has an obsession with her, but that’s how he gets sometimes. I’ll talk him down today, refocus him, and you can find out how she’s doing if you’re still worried about her. Ok?”

  Colin moved across the apartment until he stood directly in front of Bennington.

  “It’s more than an obsession Frank – he scares her. Bad. This can’t go on like it has been. The congressman, he’s messed up. Either you do something about this, or I will.”

  Frank Bennington nodded.

  “I get it, ok? I’ll have another talk with him, and we’ll get this thing, whatever the hell it is with that girl…I’ll get it squared away, ok? And I don’t want you watching over her anymore – that’s messing with the entire office. From now on, you just do your job in the office, and I’ll handle the congressman and the Russian girl.”

  Colin shook his head.

  “Too late for that Frank – I’m involved already. I care about Kat.”

  The political operative’s eyes blinked rapidly as his head tilted to the side.

  “She spends time with men for money Colin. Don’t forget that. I love women as much as the next guy, but I also know there are certain women where it will never be anything more than a business arrangement. You understand?”

  Colin could feel his face flushing as anger began to overtake him.

  “It’s not like that. She’s…Kat’s different. She’s not just another whore.”

  Bennington offered a pity filled smile.

  “Geez kid, she’s got herself all up in your head as much as the congressman’s. You need to understand something, that girl, I don’t care how nice she appears, the fact is she does what she does, and works with a particular group of people who nobody wants to be on the wrong side of. Now I need you to listen to me carefully here Colin – you stay away from the Russian girl for now. Give me some time to sort it out between her and the congressman. We don’t want to blow this opportunity with the Mendez campaign. The White House is right there, man! I can taste it! So keep your head screwed on, and keep your dick in your pants, until I say otherwise. Got it?”

  Colin’s eyes narrowed as his jaw clenched tightly.

  “If he hurts her Frank…I don’t care who he is. Congressman or not, it’ll be the last time he hurts anyone in this world.”

  Bennington let out another low whistle.

  “Man, whatever that girl is selling must be good. Give me a couple days, and I’ll have the congressman back on track and putting Kat in his rearview mirror, ok? Just a couple days is all I’m asking.”

  Colin held up his right hand and extended two fingers.

  “Two days Frank. And he better not hurt her.”

  32.

  That afternoon, Congressman Joseph Latner stood before an audience of three hundred of Washington D.C.’s most wealthy and politically connected to deliver a brief speech outlining his support of anti violence against women efforts both in D.C., and across the nation.

  The congressman’s face had a number of scratches put there by Kat as she had attempted to pull him away from choking the life out of Daneeka the night before. A thick layer of stage makeup hid the scratches from view.

  “As most of you know, I’ve placed the protection of women as a personal priority of mine throughout my political career. Women’s rights is something that must remain non-negotiable in a just and fair society. This war on women our political opponents seem so willing to participate in must come to an end. Women, all women, from all walks of life, are to be revered and honored, for they are the mothers and wives, and sisters of this great nation.

  It is my honor to be here with all of you today as we continue the fight to defeat the societal scourge that is violence against women. Violence of any kind, in any form, cannot and will not be tolerated!”

  The audience applauded loudly at the congressman�
��s words as he nodded back at them smiling.

  “As a son, a father, and a husband, I know the importance of women. I know their strength, their dedication…how important they are to the fabric of our society. Without them, we have nothing! Without them, we do not exist!

  So to all of you tonight, especially the women, I say thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything you do to make this a better world.

  God bless you all!”

  Again the audience applauded loudly as Colin O’Shea and Frank Bennington watched from the side of the auditorium stage. Bennington glanced up at Colin, his eyebrows rising slightly as he did so.

  “The guy knows how to deliver a speech, and that’s about all it takes these days. Make ‘em feel good about themselves, and the votes will follow.”

  Colin wasn’t nearly so admiring of the congressman’s performance. He was instead, desperate to know of Kat’s safety. She wasn’t answering her phone, and Colin grew increasingly concerned for her throughout the day, despite Bennington’s repeated assurances everything was fine.

  Congressman Latner strode confidently off the stage, stopping twice to give a brief bow of appreciation for the audience’s approval of his speech. When he reached Bennington, Congressman Latner’s smile broadened as he clapped his chief of staff on the back.

  “Nice speech you gave me Frank. Now make sure the Mendez people get word of it.”

  The congressman walked past Colin without acknowledging him.

  Bennington pushed Colin forward.

  “C’mon, we got work to do back at the office. I’ll give Ivanka a call and make sure Kat’s ok. I need you and the others to get word to the media about the congressman’s speech today. We want sound bites hitting the airwaves.”

  Congressman Latner had stopped to speak with an attractive older woman. She was holding the congressman’s hands as she stood in front of him. Bennington leaned into Colin and whispered who she was.

  “That’s Margaret Finton – big money donor for the Democrats.”

  “I just wanted to say thank you for your words Congressman. I lived with abuse for nearly twenty years before finally getting the courage to say enough. If we had more leaders like yourself speaking out on the issue of violence against women, perhaps more will say enough as well.”

  The congressman hugged the woman tightly, his face a convincing mask of sincerity, though his eyes remained vacant of all emotion.

  “I couldn’t agree more Margaret, and thank you for your support.”

  As Margaret Finton, a survivor of two decades of domestic abuse smiled up at Congressman Joseph Latner, the congressman’s mind was already yearning for when he could soon return home to see Kat, who remained bound to his bed.

  Gonna make that bitch scream.

  The congressman grew excited at the thought of feeling Kat struggle against her bonds, tasting the terror on her skin, and seeing the panic in her eyes. The desire to return home overcame Congressman Latner as he turned back toward Bennington.

  “I’m done for the day Frank. Feel a headache coming on. Will touch base again tomorrow. Oh, and Frank – sorry about yesterday. You didn’t deserve that.”

  Bennington nodded.

  “Sure thing Congressman, you’re under a lot of pressure. I understand.”

  Colin watched the congressman’s departure as he disappeared into an adjoining hallway, the sense of something not right returning with even greater intensity.

  Margaret Finton paused in front of Frank Bennington and smiled.

  “You have someone new working in the congressman’s office Mr. Bennington?”

  Frank smiled back and then held his left hand outward toward Colin.

  “Yes we do Ms. Finton. This is Colin O’Shea, who comes from the congressman’s own home state of Ohio. A very bright young man with a great future ahead of him.”

  Margaret Finton smiled warmly up at Colin, placing her right hand on his left forearm. Her overly sweet perfume dominated the immediate surroundings, causing a brief sense of sickness to rise up from Colin’s stomach.

  “You are very blessed to be working with such a wonderful congressman Mr. O’Shea! He’s not like these other politicians. Congressman Latner truly cares about people!”

  Colin could only muster the faintest of smiles as a response.

  33.

  Colin, Tracy, and Jolene sat together inside of the conference room of Congressman Latner’s congressional office awaiting the arrival of Frank Bennington. Tracy was looking over the plastic cast that encased Jolene’s broken right wrist. Jo was telling the other two that she had suffered what the doctor termed a Scaphoid fracture, which would need at least six weeks to heal.

  Despite her injury from the night before, Jo appeared to be in good spirits, sharing her excitement at the prospect of being part of a presidential campaign.

  Tracy, dressed in an immaculately tailored dark blue suit, white dress shirt, and red tie, appeared less enthusiastic, his face indicating concern for what had happened the night before, and what would become of Kat.

  “Has anyone gotten a hold of her since last night?”

  Colin shook his head.

  “Not yet. We’ll check in after the meeting.”

  Jo leaned forward onto the conference table while reaching out to Tracy with her left hand.

  “She’ll be fine. Kat’s a tough girl, and the congressman might be an asshole, but it’s not like he’s gonna kill her or anything. He just has some weird obsession. Kind of like you seem to after meeting her.”

  Tracy’s eyes flashed anger at Jolene’s remark.

  “You should be worried too Jo. Look at you – that guy broke your damn wrist and you’re sitting here like it’s nothing. All you can think about now is the possibility of us working on a presidential ticket. And what about you Colin? Why are you waiting to find out how she’s doing? Bennington is already late – we could be waiting here who knows how long, before he finally shows up.”

  Frank Bennington’s smiling face poked into the room, followed by the rest of his body.

  “I heard that Tracy. C’mon now, we got to stick together inside this office. Big things are coming for us – big things!.”

  Tracy folded his arms across his chest, looking annoyed at Bennington’s cheerful mood. Bennington in turn, was looking down at Jolene’s broken wrist.

  “Man, so that happened last night huh? The big Russian fella?”

  Jo nodded.

  “Yeah, a real charmer that one. Grabbed poor little Kat and off they went. Tracy thinks we should be checking in on her right now, and I have to admit, I agree. She looked pretty scared Frank.”

  Frank held up his hands as he sat down at the head of the conference table.

  “That’s gonna be done as soon as we wrap up our meeting here. I’m also gonna ask that there be no more late night parties among staff? Don’t need cops showing up and your names getting out there and then linked back to the congressman, understand?”

  Tracy’s right palm slammed onto the table.

  “You got to be kidding me Frank! You’re lecturing US about keeping a low profile around here? YOU? The congressman is out of control. Everyone inside this room knows it, even if you don’t want to admit it.”

  Frank Bennington sat looking back silently at Tracy for several moments before responding.

  “I’m going to be checking on the situation with the Russian girl after this meeting Tracy. I don’t care who your mommy and daddy are back home in Ohio, in this office, on MY staff, you’ll shut your goddamn mouth and do as you’re told or there’s the door. We understand each other? Get your mind off of that damn Russian girl, and focus on the fact that all of us have an opportunity to be a part of something historic. Right?”

  Tracy looked toward the door, seeming to contemplate Bennington’s offer of quitting. Eventually he looked at both Jo and Colin, before his eyes settled back on Frank Bennington.

  “You promise you’re going to check in on her? On Kat?”r />
  Bennington rolled his eyes as he gave his head an exasperated shake.

  “YES! Ok? I’ll check in on that girl. I’m pretty sure I could drop dead in this office right now and your first concern would be over that damn prostitute!”

  Tracy remained silently looking back at Frank – that silence indicating Bennington was right.