Claire Gulliver #06 - Carnage Goes Coastal

by Gayle Wigglesworth

  It was a perfect day for a wedding. It was sunny with a moderate temperature, even the usual brisk breeze was still. The sun reflected off the houses and shops lining the streets in the Richmond District, highlighting the charm of San Francisco. The limousine pulled up in front of the church her mother had attended for years, and Millie hurried Claire into the vestibule outside the small chapel where they found Lucy waiting for them.

  “Oh, you both look beautiful today. Claire, where did you find that dress? It reminds me of one Jackie Kennedy wore in the early sixties. Is it a retro?”

  Claire shrugged. “Mom found it. I didn’t have time to go shopping and if I had, I doubt I would have found anything as perfect as this. I have to say I love it. And it makes me feel like a bride. But I think it looks like something Doris Day wore in A Touch of Mink. I love this warm ivory color and the elegant feel of the raw silk.” She adjusted the little box like jacket with three-quarter length sleeves, and a boat neckline. It buttoned up the front with large pearl buttons, turning the simple sleeveless sheath dress underneath into an elegant suit.

  Millie nodded proudly. “I knew it was the one as soon as I saw it. There was only one and I ignored the price when I saw it was Claire’s size. I got it at a wedding shop in Cow Hollow.”

  “What do you think of this little veil thing, Lucy? Is it too much at my age?” Claire had an anxious look on her face as she adjusted the veil attached to a tiny pillbox hat covered with beads and pearls which perched on her head.

  “Too much? Are you crazy? You’re the bride. You’re entitled to wear little froufrou things. It’s perfect! And here are your flowers. I think I got it just right.” Lucy handed Claire a bouquet of creamy white orange blossoms and then pinned a lovely corsage on Millie’s shoulder. “Jack already has his boutonnière on and he’s waiting in the chapel with the minister. Are you both ready?” At their responding nods, she hugged each of them. “Now, give me a minute to get down the aisle before you come in; I want to have my camera ready.”

  Claire stood in the doorway, her mother at her side, waiting for the music to start. As the first note sounded she froze. “Oh, my God,” she thought, “what am I doing?” She was surprised to see so many people there, not realizing how the small number of guests would look in such a small chapel. Her heart was racing in her chest and she felt like she couldn’t breath. Then she saw Jack step up to the side of the minister. He turned his gaze on her. She felt the love shining from his eyes and she smiled radiantly at him. She was getting married; she straightened her spine and eagerly moved forward. She was marrying Jack. Right now!

  The minister was experienced enough to keep the ceremony short while still making it meaningful. Soon Mr. and Mrs. Rallins were in the midst of their laughing, hugging, crying friends. Shortly after that everyone proceeded to their cars to follow the limousine to a lovely luncheon held at a prestigious club sitting on the edge of the golf course near Lake Merritt.

  Even though the ceremony was held on a Monday with very little prior notice, in fact Millie had personally called each of the twenty some guests with an invitation, everyone who had been invited was there. These were the friends, neighbors and colleagues Claire had grown up with. Each of the guests was pleased to see her so happy, and to meet the man who had finally won her love. It was a very festive afternoon with glasses of champagne raised in heartfelt toasts to the bride and groom. And when the time came for the happy couple to leave on their honeymoon, Claire was very pleased Jack had the foresight to have arranged for a limo, so they didn’t have to worry about the effect of all that champagne.

  When the limo pulled away from the club amid the cheers and waves and smiles, Claire sat back beaming. “So where are we going? I hope I packed the right clothes.”

  “Not far, and whatever you packed will work perfectly.”

  Claire had been eagerly watching out the window but soon found Jack had his own idea of how they should spend the time while the chauffeur dealt with the traffic. It was a while later before they came up for air in response to the friendly honks of other motorists, and Claire noticed they were heading towards downtown via Bush Street. She smiled at Jack, holding tightly to his hand. “Well Mr. Rallins, you don’t look any different. Do I?”

  Jack looked at her carefully and then nodded. “You look very beautiful and very happy. I hope I can keep you feeling this way for the rest of your life.”

  “Oh, Jack.” She leaned in for another kiss. “I feel so giddy I’m afraid I’ll just float away. If I had known how wonderful it would be, I would have married you in Venice.” Then her eyes twinkled. “Oops, but you hadn’t asked me then, had you? At least not to marry you.”

  Jack laughed. “No, I was a proper fool then, wasn’t I?”

  The limo slowed down and Claire looked out at a small building which, except for the brass plaque near the door saying “Petite Auberge”, looked like all the other apartment buildings and houses lining both sides of the street for blocks. The driver opened their door and Claire followed Jack out of the backseat. She looked questioningly at Jack and then followed him up the half flight of stairs to the door that opened magically in front of them to reveal a charming reception hall decorated in country French. Their driver handed their luggage to the bellman before he left. Claire was amused to see that Jack had actually packed a bag for this trip, forsaking his favorite backpack. She stood smiling to herself while her husband signed them in and they followed the bellman into the small elevator and ascended to the third floor. They were both properly impressed with the large room, the fireplace which sprang to life with a flick of a light switch, and the windows which revealed a spectacular view down the hill to the financial district of the city.

  “Claire, would you like him to bring us some champagne?” Jack asked before dismissing the bellman.

  She shook her head. “If I have any more champagne I’ll be asleep before you know it. Thanks anyway.” And as soon as the door closed, “Jack, this place is wonderful, how did you find it?”

  He twirled an imaginary mustache and leered at her. “We CIA agents have our ways, my dear.”

  They both laughed and hugged. “Jack I love the thought of honeymooning in San Francisco. It will be so fun exploring the city with you. Thank you for arranging it.”

  So for two days and nights they put aside their worries about Karen, and their responsibilities to their jobs, and enjoyed each other as they honeymooned in San Francisco. They rode the cable car and enjoyed Irish coffees at the Buena Vista Cafe near Fisherman’s Wharf. They wandered through the shops, and paused to watch the musicians and street artisans perform as they wandered at will. The second night Jack surprised Claire with dinner reservations at the exclusive Masa’s, which turned out was only two blocks down the street from their hotel. She had heard about it for years, but had never been there. It was so expensive and so hard to get reservations that she had never even thought to eat there. And it surpassed its reputation. It wasn’t just a meal, it was an event.

  And when they explored Chinatown, not the touristy Grant Street but the real working Chinatown stretching along both sides of Stockton Street, she showed Jack the pharmacy which sold exotic herbs, the sausage company with hundreds of varieties of links hanging from the ceiling, the fortune cookie factory and the tea shop. They explored the crowded green grocers where they saw a myriad of fruits and vegetables they didn’t recognize and had no idea what they were used for. They pushed their way into the packed butcher shops where they watched an old Chinese woman argue over a frozen fish she banged angrily against the side of the crate. They didn’t understand what the problem was, but were entertained by the passion of the exchange. They examined the cooked ducks hanging by their necks to drain in the deli and Claire insisted they have a dim sum lunch at her favorite restaurant.

  They wandered through the South of Market area that had recently been renovated and enjoyed San Francisco’s modern art museum. The weather continued to be grand, but unfortunately time was pass
ing. Finally they retrieved their luggage and the shopping bags of souvenirs they purchased and climbed on one of the buses which dropped them only a block from Millie’s house. There they climbed into the Cadillac and headed for home and reality, only stopping long enough to drop the announcements off at the Post Office to be mailed.

  Jack Rallins and Claire Gulliver

  Announce their marriage:

  Monday, September 15, 2003

  At Christian Church of the Redeemer,

  San Francisco,

  The Reverend Pickings presiding

  The couple will be residing at their home in

  Bayside, California

  They wish to share the joy

  of this momentous occasion with you.

  No gifts please, your good wishes are

  all they need.

  CHAPTER 19

  Jack stepped off the escalator and separated himself from the crowd turning toward the baggage area. Instead he headed directly for the exit. He saw Steve immediately and swerved to join him. They grasped hands before Steve slapped him on the shoulder where Jack’s backpack hung casually.

  “Good to see you, man. It’s been a long time. I was surprised, but pleased to get your call.” He nodded toward the crosswalk. “My car is over there. Let’s go someplace where we can talk.”

  Jack nodded following Steve as he moved with the crowd surging across the street. It had been a long time since they worked together. Their former association had come to an abrupt halt when Steve announced he was leaving the Company all those years ago.

  At that time Jack had been surprised and perhaps a little envious. Steve had made the decision in favor of his marriage and family. He said he couldn’t have both the family and a career in the Company, so he chose his family.

  Now Jack examined Steve closely. He had gained weight in the intervening years, but he still looked fit. Steve was at least ten years younger than Jack, but he looked to be in his thirties instead of his actual forties. Jack wondered if the life Steve now led, one lived without constant danger, accounted for his more youthful look, or if it was just genes.

  When they were seated in the ordinary blue sedan, Steve, while fastening his seat belt, said, “I belong to a group of security directors who work for businesses in this area. We meet monthly to keep up on what’s happening in the neighborhood, so to speak. I contacted my counterpart at the Crown Plaza and set up a meeting with him this afternoon at one. Is that okay with you?”

  “That’s great. But look Steve, while I appreciate your help, I don’t want to impose on you. I know you have your own job to do.”

  “Are you kidding? My job is mostly reports and meetings. I miss being in the field, so this will be a fun break of routine for me. That is if you don’t mind my getting involved, and if I can help.”

  Jack nodded. “Thanks, pal.” He assumed it had been quite an adjustment for Steve to go from the field work he was doing for the Company to the corporate environment of the large manufacturing corporation he was now working for. Not that his position wasn’t important, it just was a different pace and it certainly had a different level of personal risk involved.

  “I thought we could take a look around the hotel, and grab a bit of lunch before the meeting. Okay with you?”

  “Let’s go.”

  By the time they arrived at the large corporate headquarters where the Crown Plaza’s Security Group was located, Jack and Steve were both anxious to learn whether or not the hotel retained their security tapes long enough to help them. Their exploration of the Crown Plaza where Karen and Claire had met identified several camera positions they felt sure would have captured on camera some of the images Jack wanted.

  Over lunch in the Crown Plaza’s coffee shop they discussed strategies for identifying Karen’s stalker. Steve immediately felt a connection to Jack’s problem, identifying too closely to the fear that sometime, somehow his “job” would endanger one of his own children. He was almost as anxious as Jack to identify the men who were tracking Jack’s daughter.

  CHAPTER 20

  “Senator Ellington, welcome to Washington, sir.” The young, earnest man held out his hand to grip Scott’s. “I am Hal Myers and I’ve been the office manager for Senator Grayson for the past five years. This is Alaina Carmichael, who was Senator Grayson’s senior assistant for twenty years. Would you like to step this way? We thought we could meet in the conference room as we’re still packing up Senator Grayson’s office and it’s a bit messy in there just now.”

  Scott nodded and gestured Alaina to precede him before following Hal into the large, attractive conference room. When they were all seated, and Scott had declined an offer of coffee, an awkward silence fell. Scott took a moment to look carefully at each of them and then offered, “I’m so sorry to be meeting with you under these circumstances. I know it was a shock for each of you, as it was to the rest of the world. Senator Grayson was a respected and important figure in our government and his demise is a blow to the country as well as to his family and friends.”

  He paused a moment to assess how his words were effecting Hal and Alaina. Then he plunged through the gloom in the room with the sales pitch he and Phoebe had discussed. “I know this is a difficult situation for you and frankly, it’s difficult for me. This office is going from supporting a knowledgeable senior senator to a newbie, the most junior in the senate. But I assure you my intentions are honorable. Not only do I want to continue to support the bills and campaigns Senator Grayson was championing, but I’m committed to the fight to bring them to a successful conclusion. I need your help to accomplish these goals. It will be very difficult to get up to speed on these issues without your support and counsel, perhaps impossible. I came here today to ask you to consider staying on to work with me as you did Senator Grayson, to continue this fight to legislate the issues on Grayson’s and our state’s agenda. Will you do that? Can you consider that?”

  He paused, watching their eyes to see how they were taking his plea, hoping he got the tone just right. He saw immediately the relief on Hal’s face. Scott had heard that Hal was a whiz at managing the office as well as the issues and the requests that came into the office continuously. And while Hal could be replaced, someone new would not have the knowledge of the history, of the people, and of the requests that were currently active. He wanted Hal to stay at least until he was able to get grounded in the issues currently on the table.

  Alaina was different. She had worked personally for Senator Grayson since prior to his being elected senator. Her reputation was impeccable. She didn’t need to worry about a job. People in Washington had undoubtedly approached her about joining their teams as soon as the news about Grayson was out. But he wanted her to stay. He respected her abilities and felt with her guidance and oversight he could hit the ground running. He could only hope her commitment to the issues Grayson was working on was stronger than her concern about furthering her career by joining another more seasoned politician.

  He waited patiently a moment longer. “Well, Hal? Can you promise me you’ll stay at least for the next year?” He smiled that boyish smile he did so well, watching Hal intently.

  Hal nodded. “Certainly Senator Ellington. I’m flattered you want me.”

  “Of course I do. You’re reputation precedes you. Thank you, I know I’ll enjoy working with you.”

  He turned to look directly into Alaina’s eyes. She wasn’t as susceptible to his charm having already spent too many years amongst the movers and shakers of the government. She was immune to the posturing and flattery commonly used to get things done.

  But that cynicism, that experience just made her more valuable to Scott. He looked intently into her eyes, willing her to agree.

  Alaina looked boldly back. Then, she blinked and looked away, shrugging slightly. “I’ll think about it.”

  He didn’t dare smile at her audacity; he kept his face serious, nodding his head. “Of course. I’ll be waiting for your decision. Perhaps we can discuss this
again, soon.” He sat back in his chair, relaxing for a moment before taking charge of the meeting once again. “I will need a list with a time line of the issues this office is working on. I understand that Grayson was sitting on several committees, including Energy and Natural Resources, Budget, Rules and Administration, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and a Select Committee on Ethics. Can you prepare a list of agenda items on each of those committees’ dockets? Also, I’d like a brief explanation from each of you about any items you feel need my immediate attention. After I’ve had a chance to examine all this material I will need to meet with each of you separately to discuss any of your concerns and get your opinions on the status of each item. Will that be agreeable?” He looked at them warmly, trying to convey his respect for them. It worked. He could see they were flattered.

  “All right, anything else we should discuss right now?” He stood up. “Well, I’ll get out of your hair now as I know you have lots to do.” He gathered up the pile of papers Hal had placed on the table when they sat down. “This should keep me busy for a few days.” He grinned. “I will be back on Monday and will expect to start work then. Please keep my morning schedule clear so I can meet the staff and talk to both of you before getting down to normal business.” Then as he headed for the door, “By the way, you can expect a visit from my wife soon. She’ll want to check out my office and the conference room for decorating needs. She has her own ideas about making the office suitable for me to work in.”

  Scott glanced at his watch as he made his way to the front of the Russell Office Building. The car and driver Phoebe had hired for their visit to the city was due to pick him up in four minutes. So far his schedule was holding up. After a quick visit to the house Phoebe had selected for their purchase, he had a series of appointments scheduled before meeting his father-in-law and a few of the party guys for drinks.