Bloody Politics

by Maggie Sefton

  “Hey, Bobby. You guys put up a good fight. But the other guys had some beasts under the basket.”

  Bobby grinned and gave me a schoolboy nod. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Malone.” He started to turn away, then paused. “Oh, yeah, Mom … Coach cut practice short because of the game, so I went home to grab some new sweats. And this guy was coming out of our house. Some computer guy. Truck said ‘Geeks, Inc.’ Told me you had problem with the computer and he came to check on it. What’s up with that?”

  Loretta’s eyes popped wide. “What the—? He was coming out of our house!”

  “Hey, Bobby! Get down here!” A guy in a Gonzaga jacket waved his arm, beckoning Bobby back on the court.

  “That’s Coach. See you later, Mom.” Bobby leaped over the bleachers like a gazelle, heading for the court.

  “Who in the hell would be in my house?” Loretta demanded, clearly outraged.

  A cold feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. Oh, my God! This guy was checking Loretta now!

  “Loretta, you’re going to have to get a security system installed at your house right away! I never told you this, but someone got into my house last summer and went through my computer files. I could tell because he left the back door partly ajar. Who knows how he got in. I had security put in that very afternoon.”

  Loretta turned to me, dark eyes wide. “What was he looking for on your computer?”

  “I had files on flash drives of Karen’s research, and Celeste’s too. And someone broke into Celeste’s apartment last spring. But he deliberately left signs that he’d been there. He moved things on her desk, opened closets, stuff like that.”

  “Someone went into Celeste’s place?!?” Loretta looked truly shocked.

  “That’s what really drove her out of D.C. and her job. She told everyone else the office politics were driving her out, but she confided to me the break-in spooked her so she didn’t feel safe anymore. She gave me flash drives with her research on them. Now I’m worried that’s the same person who broke into your house today.”

  Loretta stared at me. “Now you’re scaring me, Molly.”

  “That’s exactly how I felt when I came back from Senator Russell’s one morning and found my computer running, the chair pushed back, and the desk drawers open.” I looked into Loretta’s eyes. “And I think someone’s been following me. If that’s true, he’s seen the two of us together. He’s seen us pass papers to each other. Maybe that’s why he broke into your house. He wanted to look at your files.”

  She looked skeptical. “Just because someone got into your house doesn’t mean he’d be following you, Molly. You’ve been watching too many movies.”

  “This guy has sent me a package with photos of people. People I know. That told me he was watching. That’s when the security company started monitoring me. They were at the Irish pub the other night, and they were at the library when I met with George.” I glanced out into the gym, only a third filled with fans. “And they’re here now. They’re sorting through faces, looking for people who would show up at all three locations.”

  Loretta stared out into the gym. “Good Lord … you think someone followed you here?”

  “The security firm says they’ve made some matches already, so they’re hoping to narrow it down after tonight. After all, how many people who went to the Irish pub also went to Arlington Library and Gonzaga gym tonight?”

  “What are they going to do when they find a match?”

  “Danny says they’ll catch him. He’s convinced.”

  “Danny’s this guy you’ve been seeing, right? The former Marine?”

  “Yeah. And I believe him.” I realized I meant it. Now, I had to let Danny know. “Anyway, I feel responsible, Loretta, that this guy has started checking you too. So I want to make sure you’ve got the same kind of security I’ve got. This firm will make sure no one gets into your house again who isn’t supposed to.”

  Loretta frowned. “I don’t know, Molly. Maybe Bobby was mistaken. Maybe this guy was just trying the doorknob or knocking on the door. Maybe he wasn’t really inside.”

  “Whatever. I’ll feel better if someone comes with us to check your house. And I know exactly who.” I slipped my phone from my purse and found Casey’s number in the directory. “Casey Moore is the security guard for Senator Russell. Former military with lots of experience. Plus he knows what happened at my house. He can take a walk through your house with us, just to be safe.”

  “What!” Loretta screwed up her face. “I don’t want some strange man going through my house!”

  “He’s not going through your house, he’ll just be there to make sure that …” I wasn’t sure how to put it.

  “What’s he going to do? Check to make sure there’s no one hiding under the bed?” Loretta looked aghast. “Molly, I have to tell you, I think your imagination has totally gotten hold of your good sense.”

  I admitted it did sound outrageous. Casey’s voice came over the phone then. “Hey, Molly, what’s up? How’s the basketball game?”

  “Gonzaga’s not doing so well. Listen, Casey, can you get away from Senator Russell’s for about an hour? I’d like you to meet Loretta Wade and me at her house. Her son saw a guy coming out of the house this afternoon when he came home from school. The guy told him Loretta called with computer problems. Of course, Loretta says—”

  “No such thing! I didn’t tell anybody to go to my house!” Loretta enunciated close to the phone.

  “Is that her?” Casey asked.

  “Yes. So, given what happened at my house, you can understand why I’m concerned. My antennae are going off, Casey, and you know what that means.”

  “Yeah, Molly. I’ve learned to pay attention to your antennae. Let me check with Peter. Everybody’s still drinking and talking with the senator and will be for hours it looks like. I probably could slip away for a little while. I gather she’d like me to go through the house with her.”

  “Yeah, I think Loretta needs someone to check out the house, and—”

  “Loretta does not!” she said sharply.

  “Okaaaaay. Sounds like she’s not really buying that, but I agree with you. It wouldn’t hurt to have a look around.”

  “Good. I’m also trying to convince her she needs security installed.”

  “Good idea. What’s her address?”

  “Loretta, what’s your address?” I asked her.

  Loretta frowned, obviously debating whether she wanted to reveal that information or not. Finally she recited it and I repeated the Potomac Avenue location to Casey.

  “Okay, I’ll leave in a few minutes if it’s okay with Peter. See you there.”

  “We’ll wait outside. Is that okay, Loretta?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Tell him to park at the Harris Teeter across the street. We’ll meet him inside the store.”

  “I heard that. See you soon.” I recognized the amused sound in Casey’s voice.

  _____

  I took another sip from the Styrofoam cup of coffee as Loretta and I hung out in the café-like area near the front of Harris Teeter grocery store. I was perched on a chair stool at one of the tall, round tables. Loretta, on the other hand, was pacing back and forth in front of the windows looking out onto Potomac Avenue. At nine thirty at night, there weren’t any others seated around us. Only the cashiers looked at us strangely. And the uniformed security guard, who was stationed near the front door. He glanced at us from time to time. He’d recognized Loretta when we first entered, so she told him we were waiting for someone. We’d been waiting for five minutes and Loretta had paced the entire time.

  “Senator Russell is entertaining at home tonight so I’m sure that’s why Casey is delayed,” I said, glancing toward the door again.

  “Hmmmph!” was Loretta’s reply. She’d “hmmmphed” several times already.

  Just then, I saw Casey push
open one of the glass doors and hold it open for an elderly woman to enter ahead of him. “There he is,” I said, trying not to sound relieved as Casey glanced our way.

  “That’s him?” Loretta asked looking toward the door. “Hmmmph.”

  She stood, hands on hips, as Casey walked our way. I stood up, too, just in case. I could sense from the tilt of Loretta’s chin and her tone of voice that she was going to make sure Casey knew she was none too pleased with the situation.

  “Hey, Molly,” Casey greeted me with a smile, then looked at Loretta. “You’re Molly’s friend, Loretta Wade, I take it? I’m Casey Moore, security for Senator John Russell.” He extended his hand.

  Loretta glanced at his hand, then back to Casey’s face. She’d already given him the once-over as he’d approached. Loretta pursed her mouth for a second, then gave Casey’s hand a quick shake. “I’m not going to say I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Moore, because I’m not. I’m not the slightest bit happy with the idea of having two strange men traipse through my house today.”

  “I totally understand, Ms. Wade. I’m sure—”

  “Don’t Ms me. I don’t like it. It’s Mrs. Wade or it’s Loretta.” Chin even higher.

  “As you wish, Mrs. Wade, I’m sure you felt that your privacy was invaded—”

  “You’re damn right!” she flashed. “Who is this cretin anyway? Prowling around respectable people’s houses.”

  “Molly’s security firm, Prestige Systems, is working on uncovering this man’s identity. And I agree with Molly that you need to have your house secured—”

  “I do not want to have a whole team of men prowling around my house, attaching wires or what-have-you everywhere!”

  I let Casey try to explain the procedure to the highly annoyed Loretta while I simply stood and watched this tennis match in progress. I must have looked like those spectators at Wimbledon, nothing moving except their eyes, as the ball flew from one side of the net to the other.

  “I understand, ma’am—”

  “Don’t you ma’am me!” Loretta snapped, clearly indignant. “You’re the same age I am.”

  To Casey’s credit, he never flinched; he simply listened to Loretta’s indignant replies, recalibrated, and ventured forth again with another point in the security argument.

  I decided I wasn’t watching a tennis game at all. Hell, this was a fencing match. Thrust, parry. Point. Fascinating.

  “I promise to respect your privacy, Mrs. Wade. Molly and I simply want to make sure your home is safe. Is your house nearby?”

  “It’s right across the street. How long will this take?” she challenged. “My son will be home from having pizza with the team by ten thirty and I don’t want him to see you here. I don’t want him worried.”

  Casey held up both hands. “Twenty minutes, no more.”

  “Well, then, let’s get it over and done with,” she ordered as she grabbed her purse and headed for the front doors.

  Casey and I followed dutifully behind. I kept my mouth shut and deliberately did not try to catch Casey’s gaze. However, the older security guard—who’d been watching this exchange with great interest—spoke up as we approached the door.

  “Good to see you, Casey,” he said with a bright smile.

  Casey glanced his way and broke into a grin. “Hey, Sam, I didn’t see you there. How’s it going?” He grabbed Sam’s hand for a hearty shake.

  “Just fine. Thanks again for that reference.”

  “Glad to do it.”

  “You helping out Miz Wade?” Sam nodded toward Loretta, who was standing in the open doorway watching this exchange.

  “Trying to, Sam. Take it easy now.”

  I followed Loretta through the open door, Casey right behind.

  “How do you know Sam?” Loretta interrogated while she quickly walked across the wide Harris Teeter sidewalk.

  “He and I served together in the Marines. Sam was in one of my platoons in Desert Storm.”

  Loretta paused on the curb as a truck passed by on Potomac Avenue. “My husband Gabe was in the Marines. He died in Somalia.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Loretta sped across Potomac Avenue toward the row of townhouses that lined the other side of the street. Several houses were still alight since it was not yet ten o’clock at night. However, Loretta headed for the gate of one that was completely dark.

  Casey stepped up and opened the chain-link gate to the front yard and walkway. “Do you always leave all the lights out when you leave?” Casey asked.

  “No, I don’t. But then I usually arrive before dark,” Loretta said as she pulled keys from her purse and sped up the steps, quick as a rabbit. Casey and I hopped up the steps in her wake.

  The front porch was wide and had a wrought iron and cushioned-chair set and table. The two-story brick was the same vintage as the other townhouses along that stretch of the street—1920s or 1930s. Maybe older. Prime properties in the eyes of real estate developers and investors.

  Loretta unlocked the glass-paneled front door, reached inside, and snapped on the lights. A polished walnut hallway stretched beside the staircase leading upstairs. High ceilings all around. Loretta tossed her purse onto a nearby foyer table and hurried into the living room. A desktop computer sat atop an old-fashioned mahogany desk in a corner.

  Casey and I both walked into the living room. Casey glanced all around while I admired the obviously original house molding in the cornices and surrounding the fireplace. Probably early 1900s, I guessed. Highly sought after.

  “Loretta, how have you and your neighbors kept these houses? Real estate investors must be knocking on your doors.”

  “It hasn’t been easy. One landlord owns most of these houses. I own mine.” She bent over the computer and moved the mouse. The desktop monitor brightened immediately, revealing a screen half-filled with icons. “Damnation!” She jerked her hand away from the mouse as if it were hot. “He’s been in my computer! I never leave the monitor on!”

  “Do you think your son might have left it on?” Casey asked as he approached the desk.

  “Bobby never uses the desktop. He only uses his laptop. And he uses it down here where I can keep an eye on what he’s doing.” She made a face. “That cretin was in my house!”

  “Would you like me to check the rest of your house, Mrs. Wade? Just to make sure nothing else is disturbed.”

  “Yes! Who knows where that … that freak prowled around! Disgusting!”

  I pulled my phone from my purse. “You two go on and check the house. I’m going to call Danny and ask him to contact Prestige Systems right now. Maybe they can come out tomorrow and get your house secured.”

  “Good idea, Molly. Lead the way, Mrs. Wade.” Casey gestured toward the hallway.

  “It’s Loretta. We’ll start in the kitchen.” She stalked away, Casey in her wake.

  I pressed Danny’s name on the phone directory. He answered on the third ring. “What’s up? Prestige escort said he let you and Loretta Wade out at the Harris Teeter grocery store. Then Casey showed up and all three of you went across the street into Mrs. Wade’s home. Casey already updated me on the intruder situation. Did he actually enter her house?”

  “Looks like it. Loretta checked her computer and it’s still running. I’ll bet the bastard did that on purpose just to let her know someone was there. Loretta did not take it well. Casey’s walking through the house with her now to make sure nothing else was disturbed. Do you think Prestige Systems could come out tomorrow to install security here? Loretta’s really freaked out.”

  “I’ll check with them right away. Considering who we’re dealing with, they’ll probably move Loretta to the top of their list.”

  “Are you guys getting any closer to identifying this cretin, as Loretta calls him?”

  “Yeah, as a matter of fact. After the basketball game tonight, they w
ere able to separate out some faces that showed similarities to ones who showed at the pub and the library. Appearances are all different, though. Clothes, hair color, stuff like that. This guy obviously uses disguises. But it’s harder to conceal facial shape. Beards can disguise to a point, but not completely.”

  “It sounds like you’re really making progress. What happens when you finally find out who he is?”

  “Then it’ll be a cat-and-mouse game. We’ll have to draw him out into the open somehow.”

  Loretta and Casey came down the stairs. “I’m going to get those antiseptic wipes and clean every inch of that computer. In fact, I’m going to wipe down everything in here,” Loretta said before heading for the kitchen.

  “Casey’s here, did you want to talk to him?”

  “Yeah. Listen, Molly, once we narrow these faces down to three or four, I’d like to show them to you. See if you recognize anyone. Would you mind if I came by tomorrow night after you’re home? It won’t take more than a few minutes.”

  “Sure. No problem. Here’s Casey.” I’d wanted to say more but didn’t know what exactly. I couldn’t think fast enough. As Casey approached, I handed over the phone. “It’s Danny,” I said and stepped back while Casey and Danny discussed plans on what to do next.

  I already knew what I had to do. I had to stop the cretin and his associates. And there was only one way to do it. As soon as I got home, I was going to copy the files I’d compiled of Eric and George’s information onto multiple discs, and tomorrow I’d get it out to people who would throw the white-hot glare of publicity onto every past activity Edward Ryker and his cohorts engaged in. Expose every nook and cranny where they thought they could hide their secrets. No more.

  _____

  “Is that security guard still in there with them?” Raymond asked as he stretched out on his living room sofa. The television was turned low, the local weatherman was running through the weekly forecast. Sunshine for several days.

  “Yeah, the lights went on upstairs so I figured the security guard took a walk-through with Wade,” Trask said. “Checking if anything’s out of place.”