“I’m getting to that. It’s one of your partners in the software company.”
Edmund saw Mort’s jaw tighten. Even if he couldn’t shoot Carolyn himself, Edmund thought, he could load the gun and hand the weapon to someone else. If he could effectively neutralize Carolyn, then Warner would join the Council and return to his control. Divide and conquer, he thought.
He’d invested too much in Warner to be cut out now. Edmund believed he had a right to share in Warner’s success. A success in politics that he’d facilitated by grooming his son for years. Hell, he’d begun the Council for the boy. Pooling the resources of rich men in order to influence Warner’s political future in the country was no small feat. Even though the plan was simple. As a coalition, together they’d put Warner in the White House. In return, he would reward them with powerful government posts.
Edmund had promised these men that Warner endorsed the plan. But he’d underestimated Carolyn. The bitch. After Warner’s loss, she’d separated him from his true allies. Now, she dictated his campaign. The situation was intolerable, and Edmund held her responsible. He’d make her sorry she’d ever taken
“How do you know about the investors in the deal?” Mort asked after a moment of silence.
“My source informed me. The Council isn’t pleased that you neglected to inform us of your partnership with Carolyn. But that’s not my biggest concern.”
Mort’s gaze locked with Edmund’s. “Are you telling me that Carolyn is having me investigated?” Mort said the words smoothly, but Edmund could hear the anger building.
“I am.”
“And how would you know any of this?”
“My source is the investigator.”
“Why would the investigator tell you?”
“How do you think Carolyn ever came to hiring private investigators? These men were on my payroll first, and their first loyalty is still to me, and now the Council, of course.”
“So, what do you suggest?” Mort asked, his eyes wary.
“I suggest you screw her out of every penny. And do it immediately.”
“You know, I can’t do that.”
Edmund shrugged, but his meaning was not as benign as the gesture suggested. “You can do whatever you like, but the Council is going to demand an accounting of your actions. We trusted you. It looks like you’ve kept a secret. A very important secret. You’re going to have to make things right or this ain’t going to go so well with you.” Edmund took a sip of water.
“I struck that deal before the Council even existed.” Mort said. “She’s a small investor, anyway. I was simply doing her and Warner a favor.”
“You should have been forthright from the beginning. Secrets and surprises aren’t looked upon kindly. I talked to Warner about your little arrangement with Carolyn, and he had no idea you’d made it. She’s playing both of you like fiddles, and neither of you hears the music.”
Mort’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t like what you’re implying.”
“I don’t give a crap what you like. It’s time you wised up. You’re playing by my rules now.” Edmund said. “She’s ruining my son’s career. A career, I might add, that could benefit you greatly. But Warner’s pussy-whipped by the same whore that’s got her hooks into you.”
“That’s not what I hear.” Mort remarked. “He may be pussy-whipped, but it’s not Carolyn he’s sniffing around after.”
“Hearsay ain’t none of your regard,” Edmund said. “A man don’t know he’s been taken until the bitch leaves. And as far as I see it, you been helping her. It’s time she was shut down.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll cut her off at the knees. And I know just the man to do it.”
Edmund followed Mort’s gaze across the room. “Bill Rudly? How can he help?”
“The esteemed Senator Rudly has a suspicious nature. I think a few well-placed pieces of information will be just enough to set him on the warpath.”
“Now Mort, you’re jumping off into the deep end of the swimming pond. We don’t want Warner hurt in this. You go to Rudly about Carolyn, he’ll rain hellfire down on Warner. Our goal is to save Warner’s career, not destroy it.”
Without a reply, Mort rose.
Edmund grabbed his arm. “This isn’t about your fucking ego. Rudly’s a bad move.”
Mort turned and met Edmund’s glare.
“I’ve given you a chance to make things right here,” Edmund said. “Don’t make me sorry. I’d hate to have to act against you.”
Mort pulled his aim free, then walked away.
Edmund took a sip of his drink. “But I will,” he whispered. “I will.”
TWENTY-ONE
As Senator Bill Rudly drove home from the White Cross Charity Ball, he reviewed the night’s events. The evening had been uneventful until Mort Fields approached him for a private conversation. The dialogue had been vague. Bill thought, but if he’d been reading between the lines correctly, Mort had inferred that Warner and Carolyn had been trading political favors to feather their own nest. The more he analyzed the conversation, the more he realized that Mort had specifically incriminated Carolyn. Did Carolyn trade for equity in one of Mort’s businesses?
Bill grunted in disgust. After Warner’s airport project, the fact that the Lanes were using their political positions for financial gain didn’t really surprise him. But what would inspire one of Warner’s allies to expose Carolyn and Warner’s activities? There had to be a reason. What could possibly be motivating Mort Fields?
Bill knew that corruption wove through politics like the intricate pattern on a snake’s back. But would vipers sharing the same pit turn on each other?
It was twelve-thirty in Missouri, which meant two-thirty in Washington. D.C. Jack would probably still be up. Bill thought as he walked into the house. His job often kept him writing late into the night. Bill made his way into the kitchen, and picked up the phone.
Jack answered on the third ring.
“Were you asleep?” Bill asked.
“No. I just finished an article on government waste. Is anything wrong?”
“Not really. Just had an odd experience at a society event. It brought up some questions I thought you might be able to help me on.”
“What do you know about Mort Fields?”
“That’s a loaded question. There are a million facets to that man, but he keeps a low profile. There’s not a lot published about him. He’s one of the richest men in Missouri – in the country, for that matter, but you know that. What are you looking for?”
“I’m not sure.” Bill proceeded to relay the conversation he’d had with Fields about Warner and Carolyn. “Mort told me he’d get some paperwork to me I might find interesting. I’m worried about the ramifications to the party if the Lanes are in business with him.”
“Didn’t you already suspect graft?” Jack asked. “I mean, when I was home a couple of years ago, you told me you suspected they were involved in improprieties. This may be the break you were looking for.”
“Forget the break. I’d rather the Lanes were clean and I could save the party the embarrassment.”
“Doesn’t sound likely. And you may be getting in over your head. Dad. Why don’t you get some help on this?”
“No. I’m not saying anything about my suspicions until I have concrete evidence. It wouldn’t be fair to the Lanes or our party. And I’ll ask that you keep it confidential as well.”
“Sure. But why don’t you let me come down and help you? I’ll call some of my sources.”
“No. I don’t want anyone else involved. I don’t want this leaked. If I get anything tangible, I’ll let you know.”
