“Professor,” she had said, “I really like you and I think that you like me. Why don't we go out on a real date?” She had even batted her eyes while she asked the question.
Jackson was caught completely off guard and thoroughly taken with her forwardness and her beauty. That day, she was wearing his favorite outfit of hers: a cream colored turtleneck and jeans. The jeans fit snugly on her hourglass figure. He did not know how to respond.
“Come on, Jackson,” she continued, purposely calling him by name for the first time. “I am twenty-three years old, and graduating this year. Don't you like me?”
Jackson recovered, leaned forward on the desk separating them and said, “Amy, yes, I am attracted to you. But I will not have a relationship with a student. I just can't. I will help you...”
Amy cut him off and matched Jackson's body language by placing her chin in her hands and propping her elbows on the desk. She was face to face with Jackson, less than two feet away.
“Okay, I know what you are going to say, but that is not what you want to say. Can we at least see each other somewhere off campus? We can be friends without a relationship and figure it out from there.” Her green eyes sparkled as she suggested the arrangement. She was smiling.
Jackson leaned back and sat upright in his chair. Then, he started to laugh.
“Let me say this. I think you are the one who should be offering me career advice. I am convinced that there is nothing I can teach you.” He regretted the statement as soon as it came out.
Amy did not miss a beat. She crossed her arms across her chest, tilted her head forward suggestively and purred, “Oh, I am sure there are some things that you can teach me, professor.”
He laughed good-heartedly in response – her forward nature was disarming, but relaxed him as she laughed along with him.
For the next several weeks, Jackson and Amy became close friends. He talked to her several times a week and saw her off campus frequently. But, the relationship remained platonic. Whenever she pushed the issue, he consistently demurred, reminding her that they could not go to the next level while she remained a student. Jackson also limited their off campus meetings to coffee shops, visiting museums, and casual food joints. He kept his distance, but was slowly allowing her into his life and was enjoying every minute he spent with her.
Frankly, Jackson's pent up guilt about the break up of his marriage a few years earlier had catapulted him to the world of a recluse. Amy Duncan was opening up something in him that had been closed for a long time.
A few days before the tragic night, they were sitting at a Starbucks on Wisconsin Avenue when Amy proclaimed, “Jackson, you know that I am graduating in December, just a couple of months from now. Plus, Friday is my birthday. How about that real date?”
Jackson studiously considered what she had said, thinking of a way to challenge her statement. In reality, he had been fooling himself. Over the previous few weeks, they had been on many 'dates'. They had an initial attraction for each other, which had only grown as they spent more time together. The only thing missing in their relationship was physical intimacy.
Both knew that by agreeing to have an official date, they were crossing the line and going to the next level. As had been the case throughout their acquaintance, Amy continued to call Jackson's bluff. She was raising the stakes, and controlling the game. Jackson looked at Amy and relented, realizing that he was all in, hook, line and sinker.
“Alright,” he responded. “I have the perfect place. Let's meet Friday night.”
Amy smiled broadly as she got up from her seat to squeeze in next to Jackson and give him a bear hug. That Friday night dinner was just three days ago, but to Jackson it felt like an eternity.
Jackson’s thoughts were disrupted when the bus driver jammed hard on the brakes and swerved a little to the left apparently to avoid an accident. The bus passengers remained stoic and unmoved, each immersed in their own worlds. Jackson went back to his musings, listening intently to that voice from deep inside his head. I hope that you are okay, Amy. Please be alive. Please be alive. He whispered the words repeatedly to himself, not letting go of his hope that Amy Duncan was still alive.
TWO
Earlier that day
Idaho Senator Rex Duncan enjoyed the rare moments of quiet time in his senate office. The longtime Chairman of the powerful Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, Rex cherished sitting in his high back chair, putting his boots on his desk, and leaning back and thinking, without any distractions. His staff knew that their lives were better when they were able to give the senator that kind of space. Of course, it has been increasingly difficult for the senator to have any uninterrupted time with himself these days, not since the implosion of President Barry Coleman.
Now with the family insider trading scandal virtually making the sitting president unelectable, Republican leaders had been aggressively looking for the right candidate. More and more, the focus was zeroing in on the senior senator from Idaho. Rex was getting closer and closer to making his decision on whether to run. For weeks, everyone had been consumed with whether he would pick up the mantle and rescue his party from a badly battered and damaged Coleman Administration. Updates on the status of his decision were on all of the news channels every day, even when there was nothing to report.
Interestingly though, while he was as ambitious as any politician, Rex had never really coveted the job of president. His ambivalence towards the position along with his easy-going Westerner demeanor, had made him even more appealing as a candidate. As an added asset, he was on good terms with and respected by many Democrats, a far cry different than the current situation with President Coleman. As the upcoming presidential election neared closer, Senator Rex Duncan's ambivalence was waning. Being politically fawned over can be overwhelmingly intoxicating. Rex Duncan was slowly beginning to warm to the idea of running for president of the United States.
One strong positive from Rex’s standpoints was his family life. His wife Reba was completely on board with a presidential run and his daughter Amy was even more open to the idea. He would often shake his head when thinking about Amy. She had a wild streak and there was a period of time a few years back when he thought he had lost her for good. Drinking, doing drugs, hanging out with the wrong crowd. Rex and his wife were at their wits’ end. The relationship between the family members was even more complicated because of the ongoing fragile health of their oldest child, Kyle, who was born with cerebral palsy. Amy had always felt left out as a child and she had rebelled in response. Seeing her turn her life around had been the biggest blessing in Rex's life.
Amy was going to join them in their Kalorama home for dinner that evening and Rex couldn’t wait to see her. Even though she was in her senior year at American University less than a couple miles away, he didn’t see his daughter much. She lived in an apartment near the campus and, well, was living her own life. He was always happy to see her.
Suddenly, the senator's quiet time was interrupted by his executive assistant's ringtone. “Yes?” Rex barked.
“Sorry to interrupt you, senator, but I just wanted to remind you that Steve Mills and Bill Merchant are scheduled to have dinner with you tonight. Do you know where you want to meet them?”
Rex wanted to scream, but caught himself. He had forgotten about the dinner with two major Republican donors. Mills was a hedge fund billionaire and Merchant was the CFO of, a leading U.S. technology company. They had raised untold millions for Coleman and their willingness to sign on with Rex early would send a powerful message.
“No problem, Rita. Tell you what, Amy is coming to the house for dinner tonight. Please tell Steve and Bill that dinner will be with me, Reba, and our daughter at our home. Be sure to let my wife know that she should prepare for a couple more settings at dinner. Afterwards, Reba and I can spend some quality time with Amy.”
“Yes, sir. Will do,” said Rita, in a voice that sounded relieved over avoiding a potentia
l scheduling issue.
Rita then called Steve Mills’ assistant to confirm the dinner plans.
Steve Mills was pleased and could hardly contain himself. He was having a great day. His assistant had just informed him that dinner with Senator Duncan was confirmed. But he was also especially excited to hear about the progress of the scientists hard at work in the Pennsylvania mountains. For months, the scientists were struggling with how to apply their poisonous agent for its maximum targeted effect. But now they were close. Mills could hardly sit still. This really will happen, he thought to himself. He leaned back in his high-back chair in his D.C. Connecticut Avenue office, and looking to the ceiling, he exhaled loudly.
In addition to being arguably the most successful and respected hedge fund manager in America, several years ago Mills, along with Bill Merchant, had organized the exclusive, clandestine group that developed the plan. Recruiting allies and refining strategy had been a tedious, painstaking process. Other members of their group had hired the scientists, who had been struggling with their mission. But now, even they were making headway. Getting an unknowing Rex Duncan in the White House would seal everything.
“Soon, there will be a new day in America,” he mused, smiling to himself. “Very soon.” He picked up his phone to call Bill Merchant.
For Mills, the rest of the day continued to go well. That afternoon, he treated himself as Sarah, his able and reliable assistant mixed his favorite afternoon cocktail. The vintage scotch and water drink was prepared to perfection.
____________
Amy Duncan was in good spirits as she drove her beat up Cabriolet to her parents for dinner. Happy as she was to be seeing her parents, all she could think about was Jackson Lowery. She kept thinking about their dinner and how sweet it was. Amy remembered their long passionate kiss, smiling throughout. I should have gone home with him right then, she thought. Yes, Amy was going to have Professor Lowery, age difference be damned.
She had wanted Jackson since she first walked into his U.S. History class and patiently waited until he was comfortable with the relationship. Amy could see herself settling down with Jackson. During their time together, even the coffee shop meetings, she felt a level of comfort that she had never felt with anyone else. In spite of her looks, Amy had always been a loner with very few friends. Having a well-known politician for a father did not help.
To Amy, it seemed as though what little free time that her parents did have was invested in her brother Kyle, who needed constant care because of his Cerebral Palsy. Amy had always felt guilty about being jealous of her brother's time with her parents and in high school, she started dating a drug dealer and quickly became an outcast at school. A caring teacher stepped in and helped Amy see the value in herself. While Amy was not sure what she wanted to do after graduation, she had plans to graduate with a major in American History and a minor in African American History. Amy was considering grad school, but she just wasn't sure. Things were going to get a lot more complicated if her dad chose to run for president. But that would be okay. She and her parents had made their peace. She loved them dearly and adored Kyle. Right now, however, her attention was on Jackson Lowery.
In the meantime, Amy was looking forward to seeing her parents for dinner. It had been a while since they had been together. Too bad Kyle wouldn’t be there. Amy sure hoped that he was doing better with some of his treatment in Boise. Kyle spent most of his time in Idaho and stayed there with Reba's mother, Lucy. The doctors all agreed that Kyle needed a stable and secure environment, something not possible in many D.C. political households.
Pulling into the driveway of her parents’ Kalorama estate overlooking Rock Creek Park, Amy noticed two other cars in the driveway. Knowing her dad, he could be finishing another meeting. Amy rarely went into the house through the front door and seeing that other guests were there, she certainly was not going to do so on this evening. Amy walked around back and entered by way of the side door leading to the kitchen. As soon as she walked in, she heard whispering voices. Not wanting to interrupt, Amy began to tip-toe across the kitchen, hoping to make it to the door on the other side of the room that led to a back stairway to the upstairs. If her dad was going to be tied up for a bit with his other guests, she could possibly have a little time with her mom.
She was going to tell her mom about Jackson, she thought to herself. She had talked to both parents a lot about how great a teacher he was, but Amy had no idea how they would react to her romantic interest in a man twice her age. The way she felt now, she did not care. She was going to be with him and her parents would understand.
As she got halfway across the room, one of the whispering voices got louder.
“I'm telling you, he doesn't need to know about everything or be onboard, we just need him to be there to keep things on track. Chances are he won't sign off on our plan, but it is going to happen anyway. We are so close to finally being able to exterminate a generation of dark and brown babies and no one will see it coming. Not even Rex. We just need to stay the course and keep connected to him.”
On hearing those words, Amy gasped loudly. Before she could get out of the kitchen, two men came into the room, saw her, looked at each other and walked toward her.
“Well, hello, Amy. I am Steven Mills and this is Bill Merchant. We are joining you, your dad, and your mom for dinner.”
Both men extended their hands, but Amy refused to shake them. In fact, she was still in a state of shock. Her first instinct was to run upstairs and tell her father to stay away from these men no matter how much money and power they had. Then, she thought about begging off like she was sick and find a way to talk with her mom. But while standing there watching these ghastly men look at her expectantly, she felt herself start to get sick. She wanted to throw up and she could not be in the same house with them for another minute - even her parents’ home. She ran past the men and went out the kitchen door.
Crying uncontrollably while backing out of her parents’ driveway, she called the one person she knew she could trust. He would know what to do, she kept telling herself as she called Jackson Lowery.
_____________
Steve Mills did not become successful by panicking whenever something went wrong. Indeed, he had built one of the most lucrative hedge funds in the world by deliberately assessing any problem that arose and specifically removing it. Still, he had to admit, since he had been the one leading the conversation, it was a little intemperate of him to speak so frankly while in the senator's home. After all, anyone could be listening - like the senator's daughter. His friend and fellow co-conspirator, Bill Merchant had to state the obvious. “You got a little too carried away, Steve. Now what do we say to the senator and his wife when they come back downstairs?”
“First, I just put the word out on our network. They will find her and deal with her. Unless you disagree, we cannot have any loose ends.”
“How do we explain her leaving so quickly,” Merchant pressed on.
“Let's think about this, Bill. She was upset, right? Let's say we introduced ourselves and then she got a phone call. Though we could not hear the conversation, we could tell it was getting heated. Then she hung up, told us to tell her parents she was sorry, but had to take care of something and would call them later.”
“I don't know Steve. What does that buy us?” Merchant said, uncertain of the approach.
“This is what it is buys us, my dear friend. There is no question when she got into that car, she called someone she felt she could trust. More than likely, it was a boyfriend or close friend. Whoever it was, we will find out and will have her phone log any minute now. If we can make it look like she was fighting with her friend while she was walking out the door, we have the perfect fall guy.”
Finally, Bill Merchant saw the insight in Mills' thinking. “Let's hope we get that name soon. We can even mention hearing her call the name out as she was heading out the door.”
“Exactly, my friend,” Mills nodded
knowingly. “Exactly!”
Merchant then thought about their colleagues. “Shouldn't we let Roger know?” Merchant was referring to Roger Tyler, one of the plan collaborators.
Mills recoiled a bit, but quickly recovered, saying, “Of course, but in due time. We are both here, in the here and now. As a result, we are in the best situation to assess and fix this problem. Plus, we really do not have time to let this spin out of control, do we?”
“I get it,” Merchant acknowledged. “We are getting so close, though, I want to make sure everyone is in the loop.”
“They will be, Bill. I guarantee it.”
All at once, Reba and Rex Duncan bounced into the dining room. Reba, a slender attractive woman with green eyes and an hourglass figure looked radiant. Bill Merchant could not help but think that she would present well as a First Lady. Reba also matched well with her husband, Rex. He was a wide-berthed man, well over six feet and more likely to play a center or offense tackle than a skilled position in football. Both had broad, infectious smiles.
Reba immediately apologized. “We are so sorry we were detained. We were talking with my mother in Boise about our son Kyle. He has had a few more challenges lately and we needed to fully understand where things stood. Again, we apologize.”
Steve Mills responded. “No need to apologize at all. We are honored that you actually invited us to your home. That is very generous of you. Bill and I are humbled by the request.”
Rex then asked, “Did either for you see Amy come in? We thought we heard her old car and were expecting her to join us upstairs.”
Again, Mills took the lead. “Oh, yes. What a lovely girl! She did come in and was actually heading upstairs when she received a phone call. She stepped away a bit and was in the middle of a rather heated conversation. She then hung up the phone, headed for the door and told us to tell you both that she had something to take care of and would call you later.”
The Plan (The Jackson Lowery Trilogy Book 1) Page 2
