“Believe what you want, but the truth is that I’m not comfortable discussing this with you, or anyone, until I have concrete evidence. If I need your help, I’ll ask for it. Let’s leave it at that.” Bill backed the car out of the parking space. “I don’t want to fight with you over the Lanes. They cause me enough grief as it is.”
Jack met his father’s gaze, hesitated, then nodded. Years of diplomatic service had ingrained his father with discretion. Jack had seen this stance before, and knew there was no point in pushing. Bill Rudly would talk when he was ready. But what the hell was going on? His father had never refused to discuss political matters with him before.
After five miles of silence, Jack spoke. “I’ve gotten a job offer.”
“Is it more sane than your current position?”
“Probably by your standards. It’s with
“What about your special assignments for the CIA?”
“That would be over.”
Bill Rudly smiled. “Take it.”
“I was hoping for more of a discussion, like: Have you considered the change in lifestyle? Are you ready to settle down? Will you miss the excitement of cutting-edge news?”
“Domestic issues can be cutting-edge.”
“You know what I mean. The AP’s been good to me.”
“Your job at the AP was meant to prepare you for an opportunity like this.”
“I know. This is a plum job, the pay’s extraordinary, it’s packed with prestige, and it’s the right career move. But I feel like I’m selling out, leaving the front lines of journalism for a cushy position in the States.”
“You’re not selling out, you’re glowing up. With a job like this you could find a nice girl, settle down, and start a family. It’s the responsible thing to do.” Bill glanced over at Jack. “Whatever happened to that girl you were dating?”
“Katherine Seals?”
“That’s her.”
“It didn’t work out.” Pain caught in his throat. He was surprised that losing her still hurt. Or maybe it was the circumstances that didn’t sit well. She thought he was a bastard, and maybe she was right.
“What happened? If I remember correctly, you were quite taken with her.”
“You know my hack record.” A bitter note crept into Jack’s voice. “When it comes to women, I’m a screw- up.”
“Like your marriage?”
“I don’t want to talk about this.” Jack clenched his jaw.
“She got drunk and wrapped herself around a tree. How’s that your fault?”
“Dad!”
“That was more than ten years ago. It’s time you got over it.”
“Let’s drop it.” This was not the conversation he’d envisioned. His father had a knack for digging up truths that were better left buried. Of course, he’d heard the same complaint about himself.
“You were both just kids. you shouldn’t have gotten married in the first place. And now you harbor some distorted sense of guilt.”
“It was my job to help her. I was her husband, for God’s sake.” Jack stared out the window. He’d been selfish. He’d been concentrating so hard on making a name for himself in journalism, he’d ignored her drinking problem. He’d let her down. And he’d never forgive himself for it. “Some things you never get over.”
“So you chase bullets on these insane assignments,” Bill shook his head.
Jack glared at his father. “My guilt has not directed my career.”
“The hell it hasn’t. And it’s about time you recognized it and got on with your life for the right reasons.”
SEVEN
Warner mingled with the crowd, adrenaline pumping through his veins. This was his specialty, and he savored the adulation.
He focused on the people reaching for his hand. gave each a firm grip and a light shake, adding, “Thanks for coming out today. It’s good to see you.” These were people who, in their adoration, made him feel confident that he would win his bid for re-election.
He patted the shoulder of a young constituent. “Nice to meet you.” Warner spotted Carolyn, then lost her in the crowd. He liked her to witness his popularity with the voters. He was a star. Their star. By God, he thought, this was just the start.
He caught another glimpse of Carolyn.
Accompanied by a trooper, she was talking to the governor’s wife.
Warner turned as Harry Masterson, the trooper who’d driven them to the fairgrounds, approached. Together, they made their way out of the crowd and over to the side of the stage.
“ Mrs. Lane asked me to tell you that she’s going home with the governor and his wife. She said, she knows you’ll want to stay longer,” Harry reported.
“That’s fine,” Warner replied. They often split up at events. He also knew Carolyn would take this opportunity to schmooze with the Governor. Politics was about relationships and no one understood this better than Carolyn. “Stay with her until she leaves.”
“Certainly, sir.”
Warner moved back into the crowd, shaking hands and conversing a bit more before working his way to the backstage area. The crowd dissipated, and a police officer escorted Warner to his car in the VIP parking area. Warner relaxed in the front seat, leaning his head back and closing his eyes while waiting for Harry to return. He reached into the breast pocket of his sport coat. Son of a bitch, the note from Cindy was gone.
He heard someone try the door handle and turned to see who it was. Carolyn.
Shit, Warner thought. Had she found the note when she laid out his clothes that morning? It would be like her to wait to discuss it. He opened the door. “I thought you’d left.”
“I did, but I came back. The governor and his wife have invited us to have dinner with them this evening.”
“Fine, fine.” He looked out the rear window of the car. The parking lot was empty, except for the governor’s car, which idled by the gate.
“What time is good?”
“Anytime you want.” He felt like a sprinter, his heart pounding harder with each passing second.
“Let’s see.” She looked at her watch. “It’s five-fifteen now, and it’ll take an hour to get home. I’ll tell them seven-thirty.” Carolyn studied his face. “Are you okay? You look shaken. I hope Dunfey isn’t getting to you.”
“No, no. Dunfey’s nothing. I can handle him. I appreciated your support though. That hand-holding thing you did was perfect.” He wondered if she knew about the affair.
“Hey, if you can’t count on your wife, who can you count on?” she smiled.
Warner saw the emotion lurking behind her bravado. Apprehension turned to pain and embarrassment. She knew.
“It’s been so long since we’ve talked,” Carolyn said. “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll go home with you and send them on without me.”
“Harry’s going to be awhile. He’s talking to some buddies. I told him I didn’t mind waiting, but I don’t want to hold you up. You go on ahead, and I’ll see you at seven-thirty.” He ran his fingers through his hair. His hand was shaking. He didn’t want to deal with this now.
Carolyn’s gaze dropped to the floorboards. “I, I need to talk to you. Please.”
Damn, he never dreamt that it would come to this. “Fine.”
Carolyn told the driver of the governor’s car she’d changed her plans, then took the seat beside Warner.
“I found the note.”
His throat constricted in pain. Words were lost to him.
