by Becki Willis
“While you and I are gone, Hardin’s going to go over these photographs. If you’ll let him use your fancy computer program, he might be able to clear a few of the shots up a little better, see faces and places more clearly.”
“You’re going with me to the interview?”
“I’m not about to let you go alone.” Something about his sharp tone said the reason might have as much to do with Craven, as it did her safety. The Senator’s Chief of Staff was sure to be there.
She tried to hide her happy smile behind the mug, but some of the pleasure leaked out in her voice. “I’ll show Hardin how to use the program.”
“There’s something else we found,” Travis told her. “When I was looking through the contracts, I noticed one person’s signature on almost every single one of them. He was head of the committee that awarded grants to all those companies.”
“Who was it?”
“Harry Lawrence.”
Her smile died. Maybe it was about her safety, after all.
***
“You need to be on guard today,” Travis told Kenzie in the car.
They were traveling along the Kancamagus Highway, on their way to Lawrence’s mountain home. Neither took time to appreciate the scenic mountain vistas or sparkling mountain streams, but Kenzie made a mental note to do so on their return trip.
“Why?” She had her suspicions, but she needed to hear them verbalized.
“There are too many coincidences. Whose name was on the committee that awarded those grants and contracts to Modern Power? Harry Lawrence. Whose signature was on most of the papers your mother hid? Lawrence’s. Who was in one or more of the pictures she took? Lawrence. Who is a firm supporter of green energy and renewable energy sources? Again, Harry Lawrence. Who is the one person who can connect Lawrence to Modern Power? Joseph Mandarino. Who specifically requested Mandarino’s daughter as photographer? Lawrence. What US Senator feels he needs bodyguards for not only himself, but also his entire staff? Lawrence. Whose bodyguards were following you in Colorado? Lawrence’s.” He paused for effect. “But the real question is, who has the most to lose if the information hidden by your parents is revealed? Your father has been hiding for over twenty years, but suddenly someone wants to find him. There are a lot of careers at stake here, but whose status has changed recently? Who is at a crucial point in his career right now, seeking the nomination for Presidency?”
“Harry Lawrence.” Kenzie whispered the name along with him. A chill skittered down her spine.
“The more I think about it, the more I think you should cancel your appointment.” Travis’s foot faltered on the gas pedal.
“No!”
“Kenzie, if Lawrence really is the one behind this, you don’t need to be anywhere near the man.”
“But so far all we have is circumstantial evidence. Just because he was on those committees doesn’t mean he did anything wrong. And if I cancel at the last minute, he’ll know something is up. If he is the one after my father, we don’t want to tip him off.”
“You realize that if he is the one behind this, he is the one who sent his goons to your hotel room. Rooms, rather; the one they trashed in Colorado and the one they followed us to in Wyoming. That means he was the one who hired the mafia. The same mafia who has been watching you for months and who tried to kidnap Makenna, thinking it was you. And you’re about to walk into his home. I don’t like it one bit,” Travis growled.
“We don’t know any of that. The mafia may be involved because of their own connections to Modern Power and NorthWind.”
“Then why the re-newed interest all of a sudden? My gut tells me Harry Lawrence is behind all this. He simply hired the mafia to do his dirty work.”
“I still think I’ll be fine today. It’s not like I’ll be alone up there. Kate will be there, along with at least one or two technicians to record the interview. I’m sure Valerie Nivens and Bernard Franks and several other staff members will be there, as well as household staff. Maybe even Mrs. Lawrence.”
“And don’t forget Mr. Sweetie Pie.”
Kenzie rolled her eyes. “And yes, Mr. – oh, for Heaven’s sake! Now you have me calling him that! Yes, I’m sure Craven will be there.” She ignored his frown and flashed him a syrupy smile. “But more importantly, you’ll be there the entire time. What can go wrong?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kenzie was expecting a grandiose home as showy and pretentious as the man himself, but to her surprise, Harry Lawrence’s home was surprisingly warm and inviting. Nestled onto the wooded mountainside, the home was large and quite lovely, but far from fancy. Two and a half stories tall and wide enough to support numerous porches and decks, the multi-level home was crafted of logs and native stone. Entire walls of glass offered magnificent vistas from every angle, each view of the White Mountains as enchanting and stunning as the last.
Inside the home, the style was eco-friendly, done with a rustic flair of elegance. At least the Senator lived what he preached: completely powered by solar panels, the house was a fully functioning example of how alternative choices could provide an earth-friendly life of luxury.
As they approached the front door, Travis did a discreet scan of the area. “I see one bodyguard, well hidden along the tree-line,” he murmured lowly. “When you introduce me, don’t mention that I’m a Ranger.”
“What shall I say?”
“You could tell them we’re sleeping together. Unless you’re afraid Mr. Sweetie Pie will get jealous,” he goaded her.
Kenzie shot him a dark look, just as the door opened. A small woman with a neat gray bun smiled up at them. “Miss Reese, I presume?”
“Yes. And my friend, Travis Merka.”
“Please, come in. The Senator is expecting you.”
The woman led them through the impressive entryway, where the floor featured a creative pattern done in granite and hand-hewn maple planks. She deposited them into the study, an impressive room in its own right. A massive stone fireplace stood opposite a floor-to-ceiling window. Beyond was the stunning view of a mountain waterfall.
As Kenzie predicted, several people were already present. A technician for the magazine tested audio equipment, while another set up lights for her photography session. Valerie Nivens fluttered around the massive hand-carved maple desk, arranging and re-arranging each and every item on it to suit her sharp gaze. Someone was arranging chairs opposite Senator Lawrence’s throne of burgundy leather. Bernard Franks paced along a wall of leather bound books, a headphone and discreet mic attached to his balding head. Kenzie grinned, remembering what Craven had said; it did, indeed, look as if the efficient little man was talking to himself.
“Ah, Miss Reese. I’m so pleased you could join us.” Senator Lawrence’s smile seemed genuine as he held out both hands to grip hers.
“Thank you for including me. And for giving me this opportunity, Senator.” She put extra enthusiasm into her words for her boss’s sake. Kathryn Harrington stood beside the Senator, beaming like a proud parent.
“I always demand the best,” he assured her. His sharp gaze fell upon Travis. His smile remained intact, but his tone held a note of formality. “I didn’t realize you were bringing a guest. I must tell Gwyneth to set another plate for lunch.”
“I hope you don’t mind, sir, but I simply had to bring my friend along. He’s a staunch supporter of your bid for the Presidency.” Kenzie wrapped her hands around Travis’s arm, feeling him stiffen at her lie. She suspected he was a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, and knew for certain he was no fan of the Senator’s, but the words slipped out before she could stop them. It seemed as good an excuse as any as to why she brought a guest along on her job assignment. “Senator, my friend Travis Merka. Travis, allow me to introduce Senator Harry Lawrence.”
Travis disentangled his arm from her grasp, ever so subtly jabbing her with his elbow. Only Kenzie was aware of the intentional move or of the false enthusiasm in his voice as he pumped the Senator’s hand. “A pleasure, sir
, a true pleasure.”
“Well, I’m delighted to have you with us, young man. Any friend of Miss Reese’s is always welcome. But I’m afraid she is being a bit presumptuous.” He looked down at Kenzie with gentle reproach. “At this time, I am merely investigating a bid for the Candidacy.”
Kenzie had to bite her lip in order to squelch the tart comeback curdling on her tongue.
“Ah, sir, surely you know you have the Candidacy all but wrapped up,” Travis said smoothly. “It’s merely a matter of formality. You know how these things go. They have to rattle the closets for skeletons, air out the linens in front of the media. I’m sure you have nothing to worry about, sir. Your past speaks for itself.” Again, only Kenzie was aware of the double edge to Travis’s glib words. She moved a step closer to him, impressed by his smooth handling of the bait.
The flash in the Senator’s gaze was infinitesimal. Kenzie would have missed it, had she not been watching. He continued to smile, but it never reached his eyes. “After thirty years in politics, I know all about the hoops they make us jump through. But don’t worry. I know a few tricks of my own.” With a hearty slap on Travis’s back, Harry Lawrence untangled himself from his guests. “If you will excuse me one moment, I must speak to Franks before we get started.”
He slipped away without waiting for a response. Kathryn turned to look at Kenzie, then allowed her speculative gaze to skim over the tall man beside her. “My, my Kenzie, you’ve been holding out on us! I didn’t realize you had a boyfriend.”
“Oh, Travis isn’t my boyfriend,” Kenzie explained said with a glib smile. “We’re just sleeping together.”
The look on Travis’s face was priceless. As he choked and ducked his flaming face behind a fisted cough, Kathryn laughed throatily. Kenzie grinned mischievously and tucked her hands around his muscled forceps once again. “Travis Merka, meet my editor, Kathryn Harrington.”
“You have your hands full with this one,” Kathryn laughed. “If she wasn’t such a damn good journalist, I wouldn’t put up with half her antics.” She pointed her gaze back at Kenzie. “I’m expecting something fabulous, you know. Something worthy of sending the company jet out on a weekend.”
“Believe me, I’m working on a story that will knock your socks off!”
“It’s not my socks you have to worry about, my dear,” Kathryn said. As a technician called her name, she turned to walk away, but swiveled her head to look Kenzie straight in the eye. “It’s your job that’s on the line.”
The moment she was out of earshot, Travis hissed, “What is wrong with you? Why did you say that?”
“It was your suggestion,” she reminded him with a shrug.
“You enjoy it, don’t you?”
“Enjoy what?”
“Driving me insane.”
“Like you told me, it is rather fun. Now let me get to work. Nice job, by the way, with the skeleton in the closet jab. Did you see that flash of irritation in his eyes?” She whispered the words out of the corner of her mouth. They stood surveying the room, smiling as if intrigued with the activity around them.
“Irritation? Or fear? The man is definitely hiding something.”
“Hmm.”
“And thanks a lot for telling him I was a supporter.”
Kenzie grinned. “It seemed the least I could do.”
“You really do hold a grudge, don’t you?” he muttered beneath his breath. “You’re like a dog with a bone.”
“I heard that.” Kenzie wiggled her fingers in greeting when Bernard Franks glanced their way. He merely nodded in acknowledgment as he continued talking into thin air. “Don’t think of it as revenge. Think of it as motivation to change your answer. If I ever give you another opportunity, that is.”
Travis slid his arm around her waist, letting his hand settle low on her hip. His fingers moved in a slow and discreet caress. “Oh, you’ll give me another opportunity,” he said with confidence. He bent down so that his words were warm against her ear. “And you just might be surprised at my answer.”
Kenzie sucked in a sharp breath. The Senator was coming toward them again, so she only had time for one jeered word of rebuttal. “Cheater.”
***
The interview went as expected. Kathryn posed most of her questions to highlight the Senator’s efforts of conservation and green energy expansion, allowing him to expand on his personal agenda to save the world in which he lived. Kenzie clicked dozens of photos as he spoke, capturing his animated expression as he spoke passionately about solar panels and wind farms. When Kathryn turned the conversation toward his political aspirations, Kenzie snapped a shot that could only be described as the look of hunger. This man craved the power and influence afforded the office of President.
As the interview concluded, Valerie Nivens invited the small group for hors d’oeuvres on the adjoining deck while the Senator posed for a few last shots. As Kenzie moved to the lights staged near the fireplace, Travis carried her extra equipment for her.
“Young man, you go on out and have some of Gwyneth’s lemonade. I think you’ll find it very refreshing.” Harry Lawrence clapped Travis on the back as the others shuffled out of the room.
“I thought I’d stay behind and help Kenzie.”
“No, no, I wouldn’t think of keeping you. We only have a few shots to take, and then we’ll join you. You go on out,” the older man insisted.
Travis hesitated, sending a worried look to Kenzie. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her alone with the man.
The Senator smiled, a gentle cajoling in his words. “Ah, I know that look, young man. I used to look at my Leigh Anne the same way. You can manage a few moments without her, I’m sure. And you’ll be just outside these doors right here. You can even peek in the windows occasionally, just to make sure she’s still here. I promise to take good care of your special little lady.”
“Well…” He still looked uncertain, and more than just a little uncomfortable. Kenzie was not sure if it was because of the Senator’s assumption of his feelings for her, or if it was a security matter.
“Franks is anxious to speak with you about your interest in our campaign. And he’s not a man you want to keep waiting.” He leaned in for a conspiratorial comment. “The man is like a bulldog. If he has an idea, he wears you down until you adopt it as your own. Absolutely tenacious.” As if the matter were settled, Harry Lawrence clapped his hands together, rubbing them in anticipation. “Alright, Miss Reese, where shall we begin?”
For good measure, Kenzie stood on her tiptoes and kissed Travis’s cheek. “I’ll be fine, honey. You run along and talk to Franks.”
“If you’re sure.” His eyes probed her with a silent message. Be careful!
“Of course. Now run along. Senator, let’s get you standing in front of the mantel. That’s a gorgeous piece, by the way. Tell me about it.” As Kenzie brushed Travis away, he had little choice but to leave her alone with the older man.
The Senator told her an amusing story about the antique mantel and the efforts he and his wife went to in finding it. Kenzie snapped pictures as he talked, capturing his laugh and the look of fond memories playing across his handsome face.
“Tell me about your wife, Senator. How long have the two of you been married?”
“Forty six years,” he beamed proudly.
Kenzie hid her surprise as she snapped his proud smile. Obviously, he was older than she originally guessed. “Is she a native of New Hampshire?”
“Yes. It was difficult for her to move to Colorado. Even more difficult to move to Washington. We come back here as often as possible.”
“Let’s try a shot with you standing here. Yes, like that.” As Kenzie positioned him and stood back to survey the angle through her lens, she kept up the conversation. “I can see why. New Hampshire is a beautiful state and your home is absolutely lovely. Is this where you raised your children? You had four children, isn’t that correct?”
The smile faltered on his lips. “Yes. Three sons and
a daughter. Two of our sons are in politics, the other a lawyer. Seven grandchildren between the three of them.” He reached for a framed photograph on the mantel that boasted over a dozen smiling faces. “It’s quite a crowd when we all get together.”
Kenzie bit back the stab of envy that pierced her heart. It was a common reaction when she heard someone talking about their large and happy family. It was the one thing she wanted in life more than any other: a happy family of her own. Even though the Reagans claimed her as part of their family, it wasn’t the same. There was no history.
“I read you had a daughter?” she asked softly.
“Yes. She was killed in the early 90’s.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Kenzie said sincerely. Still, she captured the poignant look upon his face. “Did she leave behind a family of her own?”
There was no mistaking the pained frown that contorted his face. “Unfortunately, we were estranged from our daughter at the time of her death. We began losing her years before, when she insisted on marrying that man.”
Kenzie knew when to leave well enough alone. There was a hard edge to his voice, and it reflected in the stiff planes of his face. “Let’s try a few shots with you sitting down. Is your wife here, by the way? We could include her in some of the photos. Readers love to see couples.”
“No, Leigh Anne wasn’t able to join me this trip. Just my staff.”
“Speaking of staff, where is Craven? I thought he was going to be here.” She crouched down on her knees and took a shot from the lower level.
“He should be along any moment. He was detained in Concord, attending matters at the Capitol. He’ll be quite upset if he misses you.”
From the doorway, Craven’s voice floated out warm and jovial. “Indeed he would have been. Thank goodness that is not the case.”
“Craven!” Kenzie smiled brightly, genuinely glad to see her friend. “I thought you were going to miss this entire shoot. Senator, would you like a shot with your Chief of Staff?”