“Is everything alright, John? Loren says you have to cancel for tonight.”
“Joe called me into his office this morning. The great-Aunt that Whitaker went to see was murdered a few days ago, and Whitaker’s gone missing.”
“Oh, god! Do they think something’s happened to her too?”
“No, they have video of her leaving the scene and they want to talk to her. For whatever reason, Whitaker’s dropped completely off the radar and no one knows where she is. A German police officer asked for me to go back with them and help find her.”
“They don’t seriously think Loretta was involved with her aunt’s death, do they? Joe should know her well enough to know that isn’t who she is.”
“No, he doesn’t, but the Germans don’t seem sure. They made it a point to tell me she was only a witness, but the whole thing smells bad. Whitaker had a good reason to go dark. I’ll help them as long as it keeps me in the loop, but that’s it.”
“Please let me know what’s happening. I know the Chancellor a bit and might have some pull.”
“I think it’s best if I don’t go straight to the big guns, but I’ll keep that in mind. Besides, you have a race to run, and you don’t need me getting you involved in another scandal, especially this close to the election.”
“While your last big splash pushed me five points ahead in the polls, you know me well enough to know that isn’t a consideration. I still owe you for that business in Russia and I consider both you and Loretta friends. Even if I think it’ll cost me, I’ll still be there to help.”
Taylor had no doubt she would also think of a way to turn the facts to benefit her no matter what they were, but he knew she meant what she said. Senator Caldwell was nothing if not a believer that loyalty was a two-way street.
“Do you want me to look in on Kara while you’re in Europe?”
“Please. I’m calling her next, but I’d appreciate you keeping an eye on them. I’m nervous enough about her living on her own, even if it is officially under Mary Jane’s supervision. If this wasn’t about Whitaker being in trouble, I’d find a way to put it off or let someone else handle it.”
“I understand completely. Don’t worry, the girls will be in good hands, I promise.”
“Thank you, Senator.”
“Of course. Okay, I have to run. Please keep me updated on what’s happening over there.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Taylor said.
His next call was to Kara, who surprisingly picked up just after the first ring.
“What, are you sitting beside the phone waiting for me to call?”
“Besides phone, yes. Waiting for you, no.”
“Who are you waiting for, then?”
“No one, I am just next to phone. I did bet Mary Jane that you would call me today. I tell her you worry like old woman.”
“Only about you and Whitaker.”
Taylor could see her expression in his head. The way she hung her head down to let her curly red hair cover her face to hide her embarrassment, but which didn’t quite hide the smile she couldn’t suppress. Over the last several months, their relationship had only strengthened. The first month after Whitaker left had been really tough on both of them. Not that Whitaker had pulled away from Kara the way she had with him. She had worked hard to maintain a good relationship with Kara, trying to limit the damage her and Taylor’s separation would do to the teenager.
While Kara might not have lost Whitaker, she did have to deal with seeing the pain Taylor was in. He had tried to hide it from her, but she knew him well enough now to see past the brave face he tried to maintain.
Kara still did not like for most people to touch her. She had pushed past that completely with Taylor making sure to give him hugs every time they were forced to be apart. Her shrink said that was a manifestation of her own fears that this new life was temporary and she would end up back in the hell he had pulled her out of and that Whitaker’s leaving had intensified those fears. She had said Kara’s desire for physical contact was a way of reassuring herself that Taylor would not leave her too.
While he felt ashamed that the impasse he and Whitaker had ended up at had caused Kara more pain, he was glad that her way of coping with it helped him over his own pain. He had made sure to spend as much time as he could with her even with his busy schedule and talk to her every day regardless.
Which made him worry a little bit about how the latest news would hit her.
“Are you checking to make sure we have no big parties?”
“No, although now I am.”
“I joke. Mary Jane say no parties.”
“Good. No, I wanted to let you know that I have to fly to Germany today. Senator Caldwell has agreed to look in on you two while I’m gone.”
“You have job?”
Taylor thought for a moment of not telling Kara what was actually happening, but that moment passed quickly. He had made it a point to never lie to her. Trust was the one thing Kara had lost the most of over the years, and Taylor planned on never giving her a reason to not trust him. He wanted to avoid that even if the lie came with the best of intentions.
“Something’s happened with Whitaker. She might be in trouble.”
“Is she hurt?”
“I don’t know. She’s missing. I’m going over there to find her and bring her back.”
“Good. I know you will find her.”
The total confidence with which she said
