Capital Offense

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 Today news magazine. I’d be a senior correspondent here in the States.”

“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.”