Lucy hadn’t minced words, and that was one of the things he valued about his mentor. From the day they’d met when he was still in college through his two campaigns for mayor, David had been grateful not only for her advice but for her trust, and one of the ways she’d shown it was by being direct.
“Do you know how many phone calls I needed to personally make to keep Alex Sheldon’s visit to your office off the front pages this morning?”
“Lucy, there was no reason for anyone to know about it. The only people I told about the meeting were Martin and my secretary, and neither of them went to the press.” Martin Shepard, his chief community affairs liaison, wouldn’t normally be in a meeting like the one he’d had with Sheldon, but he’d been instrumental in getting information David needed.
“I see,” Lucy said coolly. “And did you invite Martin because you wanted to see what he would do?” Martin was also her niece Jessie’s fiancé, and David knew he held Sheldon personally responsible for the misery she’d endured as a teenager. From what David had heard from Zainab and Emily, he was sure Martin was right.
“I invited Martin because he’s the one who got confirmation that Sheldon asked Cervino to keep me in the dark about the FBI investigation into the trafficking ring. And I had Martin do that because his source is working for Martin’s old—”
“Stop.” David bit his back teeth together. “Did you want to talk to Alex because you want someone held to account for what happened to that poor young woman, or because you wanted someone held to account for what happened during the election?”
The first time David had run for mayor, it had been against the long-serving, world-famous mayor Angelo Cervino. Only Cervino had made sure he’d never made it past the primary, and not just because he’d worked to undermine him during the campaign. David would never be able to prove it, but he had several sources who knew Cervino had tampered with the election results so David would get knocked out early.
And Alex Sheldon used to be one of Cervino’s biggest donors.
“Why can’t it be both?”
“David, Cervino not only isn’t in Boston, he isn’t in the country. You have the job—”
“Because he thought I finally should.”
“You have the job,” she repeated, “so act like you want it. You didn’t call those reporters? Then do you think they magically appeared?”
David was taken aback. “Why would Sheldon alert them about that meeting? So he could make it easier for people to find out that he’s connected to a kidnapping and attempted murder, not to mention organized crime?”
“That’s one way of looking at it. Another is that he’s well-positioned to take on a green politician and he’s not afraid to do it.” She picked up her drink. “And the fact that said politician is connected to me makes it all the more attractive for him.”
“You think he’s going after me?”
She inhaled. “I’m not sure, but it’s a possibility.”
“Lucy, is there something you want to tell me?”
“Yes. The next time you need information from the man, get it through your intermediaries, and don’t summon him to City Hall just because you can. That’s sloppy. I don’t have to know the details to know you did that only because you were so angry you couldn’t think straight. Don’t make that mistake again.”
“Right,” he said after a moment. “Anything else you’d like to share?”
“I’ll just remind you of something: he hates me about as much as I hate him. He will do anything he can to destroy me, and that has included going after people he thinks I’m invested in. I can’t say I wouldn’t consider the same thing, but he has never cared about anyone as much as he does himself. Do with that what you will.” Before David could follow up, Lucy looked at her watch. “Now where is Joanna? I was hoping we could have an early dinner tonight, and these days it’s very difficult to coordinate Zainab and Richard’s schedules.”
—
Zainab Hendrickson was almost used to dinner at her mother-in-law’s. She had been taught at an early age how to put people at ease and how to make good conversation in various social settings. Because her expectations for Lucy were always just that—not familiar—she could conduct herself comfortably. Between the latest university gossip from Joanna and business news from Lucy, there was always something to talk about.
It was harder for Richard. He tried so hard to be genial with his mother and polite to Joanna, but the strain was palpable. Sometimes it helped him to talk about his work so he could slip on the character he was used to, but sometimes it helped more if he spoke as little as possible.
Now that Zainab and Richard were expecting their own baby, Lucy invited them over more frequently. Please, Zainab found herself thinking, let Richard make peace with them before the baby comes.
David—and sometimes his girlfriend, Kasi Panchal—were infrequent guests, but he usually lightened the mood. (Jessie and Martin didn’t show up as often, and even less when David was there.) But tonight David was...off, and Zainab couldn’t pinpoint why.
“Tough day at work, Your Honor?” Zainab teased at one point. “What are you fighting with the City Council about this time?”
“Every time one of those councilors opens their mouths about the public school budget...frankly, I’m shocked,” Joanna interjected. She shook her head of medium brown hair in disapproval. When she wanted to be, she could be as formidable as Lucy. “If any of those initiatives had been suggested by people who worked with children or their teachers, I might understand, but that’s clearly not the case. Do they ever talk to people who worked with children before?”
David’s laugh was a mixture of relief and discomfort. “Are you volunteering, Professor Hazlett?”
Joanna laughed. “Who, me? I don’t know, do college students really count as children?”
Zainab smirked as she cut into her chicken. “I did for most of it.”
Richard squeezed his wife’s hand. “You were just enjoying your youth,” he said playfully, but she saw Lucy swallow at that. “Which seems to be a luxury right now. We’re asking way too much of these kids. No wonder they’re all so stressed out.”
Joanna sighed. “Do you know what it takes to get into college these days?” She looked at Richard, then David. “They all have to be super kids now, and that’s just to get into state schools. That’s something I’d really like to see Boston address.”
David relaxed. “You know I’m trying, Professor,” he said as he raised his glass to Lucy, the sponsor for the scholarship program he began years ago. “But there is only so much funding we can free up for those programs.”
“Aw, dig deep, Dave,” Zainab said, relieved that the mood had lightened. “I bet you can root out some more fat cats to foot the bill.”
David nearly choked on his wine. “Sorry,” he said hoarsely as Richard handed him some water.
“Obviously,” Richard said as David gulped down his water, “this is the real reason you’re not supposed to talk about politics at the table.” Everyone laughed, but out of the corner of her eye, Zainab saw David and Lucy exchange a look, and out of the other corner she saw Joanna observing the same thing.
—
“Everything alright?” Joanna asked after the guests left and they were in their living room.
Lucy shrugged. “We didn’t end up choking the mayor to death, so I’d say this went well.”
Joanna smiled. “I can’t help but think you know what David was really upset about.”
“If I did and I haven’t told you, then it’s because I can’t.”
Joanna had always thought Lucy was adorable when she tried to be in control. “I’m a grown woman, Luce. You don’t have to protect me.”
Lucy reached for her hand and Joanna squeezed it. “That’s good then, because you know what a lousy job I’ve done of protecting anyone.”
Joanna kissed her. “I know you did your best, and so does your son.”
“It would be nice if he didn’t
feel like he was dying whenever he was around us.”
“The fact that he is around us at all is a good thing, so let’s be grateful. And as soon as the baby comes, he’ll be too distracted to be resentful.” Joanna grinned conspiratorially. “And as I said, you don’t have to protect me. We both know if I weren’t here, he’d be very pleasant.”
Lucy sighed. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. It’s not fair to you.”
“Someday,” Joanna said, not altogether convincingly. “And in the meantime, I’ll start inviting people to dinner who can’t stand you so we’ll be even.”
Lucy groaned. “One at a time, please. I don’t think the cook can handle that many people at once.”
Chapter Five
The next week
Robert was greeted at the door to Hannah’s—Josh and Mariela’s—apartment by Mariana. “Well, hi there,” he said, bending down to the little girl’s level. She was a miniature version of Hannah, with the same golden hair and eyes. “How do you like your new place?”
Josh came to the door before Mariana could answer. He put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Detective,” he said tersely. “Thanks for coming.”
Robert rose. “I hope this isn’t a bad time.”
“Josh, is that Detective Teague?” Robert heard Mariela softly call through the half-opened door.
“Yep,” Josh said as he opened the door for Robert to enter. “Right this way.”
Robert followed Josh and Mariana inside. He’d been in there once, but even so, he could appreciate the dramatic change. When Hannah had been the only person staying there, she’d kept the furniture white and at a bare minimum. Now the apartment was more inviting: the living room walls had been painted shades of blue and yellow, and there was a light blue rug underneath a light wood table that already had coloring books, crayons, paper, pencils, game books, magazines, and books. They were surrounded by two comfortable green and blue couches on opposite sides of the table.
Hannah had done all of this in less than a week, while running back and forth to the hospital and his place. Robert was impressed.
Mari was sitting at the dining table between the living area and the kitchen. She wasn’t as pale and gaunt as she had been the day they’d found her in the warehouse, but she was still frail. She seemed to brighten though when she saw Robert. “Thank you for coming,” she said softly.
“My pleasure,” Robert answered sincerely. “I'm glad to see you're out of the hospital.”
“I didn't want to stay away from these two any longer than I had to.”
Josh came around to Mariela's side and took her hand. “But you still need your rest,” he said gently.
Mariela smiled up at him, and Josh softened. “You worry too much about me.”
Josh rubbed her hand with his thumb. “No such thing.”
Hannah came through the door carrying two heavy bags of groceries. She stopped when she saw Robert. “What are you doing here?”
He smiled as he walked over to her. “I got a message that Mariela wanted to see me. Here, let me help you with those.”
Hannah turned away from him and walked toward the kitchen. “I've got it,” she said firmly.
“Detective.” Robert turned around to see Mariela smiling and Josh frowning over her. “Thank you for coming out all this way. I just wanted to thank you—” She swallowed. “—for everything. I owe you my life.”
Robert stepped closer. “Please don’t thank me. I was doing my job.” He looked at Hannah, who was unpacking groceries in the kitchen. “Hannah’s the one who did most of it.”
Hannah looked up and shot him a warning look. “Robert’s being too modest. He did all of the dangerous parts.”
Mariela chuckled. “Sure, Hannah. I know you’d never do anything dangerous.”
“Or stupid,” Josh muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Mariana ran into the kitchen before Robert could say anything to Josh. “Aunt Hannah, will you come into my room again?”
Hannah exhaled. “You bet. And then we can talk about anything I need to bring over so it’s the perfect room.”
“It already is,” Mariana said shyly.
“Can I come, too?” Mariela asked. “Or are no mothers allowed?”
“Sweetheart—” Josh began as Mariela rose.
“I can make it across the hallway,” she said before she gave him a kiss on his cheek. “I’m not going to break, I promise.” She joined Mariana and Hannah, and for a moment, Hannah seemed like the happiest person in the world.
“You’re a lucky guy,” Robert said to Josh once the door to Mariana’s room was closed. So stop acting like a prick.
“I am lucky that they are alive,” Josh said.
So that was what was underneath the snapping and glaring... “Time to enjoy them.” Robert tried to sound sincere, but somehow his arms had folded themselves in front of his chest.
“And then I can stop blaming Hannah?”
Robert whistled and put his hands in his pockets. “That, and maybe you can also stop blaming yourself.”
Josh looked at Mariana’s door. “I missed everything,” he said. “Helping Mari when she was pregnant, being there when my baby was born. Watching her first steps, hearing her say ‘daddy’ for the first time.” He touched the wall and looked at the floor. “And they missed that too.”
“But there’s a lot more to come,” Robert reminded him. “I’ve seen kids adopted when they were teenagers and the men in their lives became their fathers in every way that mattered.” He raised an eyebrow. “And you know as well as I do that your mother’s sperm donor has to do more than sit in the same room with you to be your father.”
Josh leaned against the wall and rolled his head back. “I am never going to be the kind of man my father was.”
“So go make up for lost time now.”
“I’m going to.” It was the first time Robert had seen Josh smile. “Mari and I are getting married this week.”
“Great,” Robert said, jingling the change in his pocket. “Is Hannah invited?”
Josh glared at Robert. “Mari invited her.”
“Uh huh,” Robert said instead of grabbing Josh by the shoulders. “Is that why Hannah decked out the place?”
Josh shrugged. “Ask Hannah. I didn’t say I wanted anything.”
“Are you kidding me? You don’t have to look at her and she’ll still risk her life for you. You think she won’t make a big deal about your wedding?”
Josh inhaled. “I’m trying.”
Try harder.
—
Hannah was trying not to focus on the fact that Josh didn’t want to look at her during their visit. She tried to focus instead on Mariana’s delighted expression when she found the blue and purple cellphone hiding under her pillow and the relief that seemed to revive Mariela.
“Thank you—” Mariela had begun before Hannah stopped her.
“I don’t want you to thank me.” She had tried to keep tears from welling up again, unwilling to let Mariana and Mariela listen to Josh lecture her about making them upset. “This is nothing.”
“This is everything,” Mariela had said softly. “This is safety. This is home.” She had taken Hannah’s hand. “This is family.”
She felt Robert’s hand on her back when they were outside of the building and it shook her back to the present. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
He crossed his arms. This was a new look on him. Was he...irritated? “When were you going to tell me that your brother and Mari were getting married?”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh. You don’t think that’s, I don’t know, worth mentioning?” He paused. “Or being invited to?”
She looked at the sidewalk. “I didn’t think you’d want to come. It’s going to be small, but Mariana really wanted Hellie to be there, which means Mitch and Emily are going to be there, and I know they’re not your favorite people.”
“You invited them to your brother’s wedding, but not
me?”
She still couldn’t look at him. “And the mayor’s going to be performing the ceremony, because he and Mitch and Emily went to school together or something like that, and I know you’re not a big fan of his, either.”
“Uh huh.” She looked up at his face and realized what his expression was: hurt. “You didn’t think you could ask me and I could decide?”
“Robert...” Why did she have to say it? “How much time do you need to watch Josh wish I wasn’t there?”
“Oh, Hannah—”
“Don’t.” She looked away. “If Josh had his way, I wouldn’t be there, either. He’s still angry with me, and he has a point.”
“No, he’s got nothing.” She looked up to see him a step closer. “Does he know everything you did to find his family?”
“They’re my family, too.” She didn’t look away, even when she saw the pity in his eyes. “Don’t do that, okay? Yeah, I know how he feels and it feels like hell, but I can get through it. I just don’t want you to have to—I don’t know—watch it.”
“That’s all the more reason why I should be there.” He put his arms around her, and she felt herself warm up to his touch yet again. “And if it makes you feel better, I don’t think Josh likes me, either, so at least you won’t be alone.”
“Misery, company, blah blah blah?”
“Something like that. So why don’t I bring Baptiste as my plus one to even the odds a little bit?”
Hannah didn’t think Baptiste liked her very much—not that she blamed him—but at least that would give Robert someone to talk to. “Sound like a plan, Detective Teague.” She kissed him again. “I’ll text you with the details tonight.”
He grabbed her hand as she moved away. Her palms and face tingled. “And where do you think you’re going?”
She didn’t pretend to resist as he pulled her back. “The lease on my place in Dorchester isn’t up yet, so I thought I’d hang out there until I can find a new place of my own. You know, one I haven’t gotten by blackmailing some pedophile or to take down some creepy pimp.”
Justice, Mercy and Other Myths (The New Pioneers Book 7) Page 4
