The Heart

by Iris Bolling

  He walked back as he heard her ask. “Why can’t we blow up the swing set?”

  Dressed in trousers and buttoning his shirt, Joshua frowned as he walked back into the room. He sat on the side of the bed putting on his shoes. “It’s not time for the swing set to die.”

  “Why?”

  “Well,” Joshua thought. “Is the swing set bad?”

  Samantha shook her head. “No.”

  He ruffled her hair. “Uncle Joshua only blows up bad things.”

  “Oh.” She replied, as Joshua continued dressing. Thinking real hard she looked up at him again. “Can we blow up Jazzy? Mommy said she is bad.”

  That question caused him to look down at the child. She was standing there all smiles and bright eyes expecting an answer from him. That’s when he realized she had no idea what she was asking. “You have to stop repeating what your Mommy and Daddy say.”

  “Why?” Samuel asked from the doorway.

  “Daddy,” Samantha ran and jumped into her father’s arms.

  “Hello, Angel. You’re do what Mommy told you and keeping Uncle Joshua company?”

  Joshua shook his head laughing. “I should have known Cynthia sent her in here.”

  “Daddy, Uncle Joshua said he only blows up bad things. The swing set wasn’t bad so he can’t blow it up. But Jazzy was. Can we blow her up? Please Daddy?”

  Samuel looked from his daughter to Joshua. “What have you been telling my daughter?”

  “Me?” Joshua questioned. “It was your Angel that wants to blow up her friend.”

  “Can we, Daddy?”

  Samuel put his daughter down. “Go ask your mother.”

  “Okay,” the child happily ran from the room.

  Samuel turned back to his brother. “You can’t talk about blowing up things around children.”

  “Your wife started it.”

  “Cynthia wasn’t the one that blew up the garage.”

  “That was ten—twenty years ago.”

  “And you are still blowing things up.”

  “Hey, what can I say? I’m good at it.” He picked up his phone to check the messages. “Is there a point to this visit?”

  “Glad you asked. Brian called. There may have a connection between the assassin and the itinerary.”

  Joshua grabbed his jacket and started walking towards him. “Who?”

  “The McClintock’s.”

  Joshua stopped dead in his tracks. He hit the button on his cell phone and reread the message from Monique. “My sources have the same connection.”

  Samuel grinned, but it disappeared quickly when Cynthia appeared at the door.

  “Which one of you Neanderthals, told my daughter she could blow up Jazzy?”

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  It was bright and early Tuesday morning when Monique sat at her desk in her closet-size office when Joshua and his brother Samuel showed up. Her office was the first one on the left when they walked in. She almost had a heart attack at the sight of seeing Joshua there.

  “Excuse me.” He said to her. “Could you tell me where I can find Senator Jeremiah McClintock’s office?”

  She pointed, “Right through there.”

  “Thank you,” he replied.

  Monique stood in the doorway watching the two as Anna greeted them. “May I help you gentlemen?”

  “Yes. We need to speak with Senator McClintock.” Joshua stated. “Is he available?”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  Joshua pulled out his ID badge. “This is our calling card.”

  A strange look came to Anna’s face. “One moment gentlemen.”

  “Who is that?” Brandi, another intern whose office was across from Monique’s, asked.

  Monique shook her head, “I don’t know.”

  “I could do both of them.”

  Monique stared at the Malibu Barbie look alike as if she had lost her mind. “They are brothers.”

  “And what, I’m not supposed to be down with the brothers. Hmm, you better get a clue, girl.”

  “Alright now,” Monique smiled. Once Anna escorted the men into the Senator’s office and closed the doors, Monique and Brandi ran to her desk. “Ok Anna, who are they?”

  “Ladies, this is a professional office and you are to conduct yourself as such.”

  “Cut the crap, Anna—gives?” Brandi huffed.

  Anna looked around to ensure no one was listening. “I’m not sure. But one of them flashed an FBI badge.”

  The two women looked at each other. “FBI?”

  Anna nodded. “That’s all I’m going to say on the matter. Now, go back to your desks and get to work.”

  Monique and Brandi returned to their individual offices as instructed.

  Inside the Senator’s office things were going a little less cordially. “Gentlemen, my secretary indicated you are from the FBI. I’m always willing to help the bureau. Have a seat. What can I do for you?”

  Joshua took a seat, while Samuel remained standing. “Senator McClintock,” Joshua extended his hand. “I’m Special Agent Lassiter.” He pointed to Samuel. “He’s ex-Special Agent Lassiter. We have a few questions regarding a possible assassination plot against Governor Jeffrey Harrison. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that—would you?”

  “Gentlemen, what possible reason would I have to harm Governor Harrison?”

  “He is running against your son for the Presidency.” Samuel stated.

  “According to the recent polls, Harrison is leading your son with double digits.”

  “Then it would be my son that would have reason, not I. However, I can’t believe my son would have anything to do with this so-called plot.” He sat forward in his chair. “Is the fact that my son is running against Harrison your only reason for assuming he is a part of this?”

  Joshua got the distinctive felling that the Senator was fishing. “Not really,” he replied before Samuel could. “It’s a political campaign. The Bureau’s first instinct is to check out the opposition. So, here we are.” He stood, “Frankly Senator, I believe this is a waste of our time. There is no way a family as well connected and established as yours would take such a risk. However, my brother here works for Harrison. When this issue came to his attention, your son was the first name he contemplated. If I hadn’t at least looked into this situation he would have told our mother and that’s a whole other can of worms you don’t want to open.”

  The Senator laughed and stood. “I understand Agent Lassiter.” He extended his hand. “I do hope this plot is nothing more than a political ploy from the Harrison camp.”

  “No one in the Harrison camp plays political games Senator.” Samuel declared. “We’re leading. We don’t have to.”

  “For now Mr. Lassiter—for now.”

  “Senator,” Joshua shook the man’s hand. “I hope you understand we will have to speak with your son.”

  “And your father,” Samuel added with a scowl.

  “I encourage you to speak with either. I’m sure it will put your mind to rest. In fact, I’ll give them a call to let them know you will be stopping by.”

  Joshua gave his brother an, I told you so look. “I would appreciate that Senator.”

  Samuel stared intently at the Senator before following Joshua out the door. When they walked down the hallway Joshua spoke. “He was searching to see how much we know.”

  “He’s definitely involved,” Samuel stated as they strutted out of the door.

  Senator McClintock called his father. “I just had an interesting visit from the FBI. It seems they received a tip about an assassination plot against Harrison. I’m flying in tonight. We’ll talk then.”

  Chapter 15

  Al decided he wanted to make Ryan a permanent part of his life. However, before he could do that it was his duty to speak with her father. Knocking on the door of the Williams’ home, he wondered how the reception would be. It wasn’t long before he found out.

  “Mr. Williams. My name is Al Day. I was wonderin
g if I could have a moment of your time.”

  Frank Williams could not believe the audacity of this criminal standing on his front porch. “What could you possibly have to say to me?”

  The attitude towards him was clear. “It would be much easier to answer the question if you would be kind enough to step outside.”

  “Easier so you can have one of your thugs to gun me down.”

  “I have no reason to do that Mr. Williams. I would like to talk about your daughter.”

  “Who is it, Dad,” his oldest son Devin asked as he walked to the door. “Al,” Devin stepped out the screen door and extended his hand. “How’re you doing man?”

  “I’m good, Detective. How about yourself?”

  “I can’t complain. What are you doing here?”

  Al looked through the screen door at Mr. Williams. “I was hoping your father would give me a minute of his time.”

  Devin looked from Al to his father, whose face clearly showed displeasure at the thought of talking to Al. “You two have met?”

  “I don’t socialize with criminals,” his father replied. “I lock them up.”

  “Dad?” Devin questioned.

  “Mr. Williams, I was a criminal. I paid my debt to society and have made amends for my past. I’m standing here today as a man that cares deeply for your daughter. I’m here to ask you for her hand in marriage.”

  “What?” Devin exclaimed, surprised at the statement. “You and Ryan?”

  Al just held Mr. Williams’ surprised glare. “Mr. Williams?”

  “My daughter stopped asking my permission to do things years ago. She definitely doesn’t need it now.” He angrily replied.

  “She may not need it sir, but I do.”

  “Hmm, don’t you usually just take what you want? What’s different now?”

  “The difference here is your daughter loves you very much.” Al explained. “She would not do anything deliberately to disrespect you.”

  “Now that’s funny.” He smirked. “She disrespected me when she began working with your street gang. She’s disrespecting me now by being involved with you.”

  Al’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “I’m sorry you feel that way. But just so you know, Morgan came to work for my organization to help dismantle it. It was her job to limit the loss of life on either side during the transition. At no point in time was she ever involved in any illegal activity. Your daughter has worked for the Attorney General, the Governor and now works for the man that will be President of this country.” He took a step closer. “Now I understand why she is such an over-achiever. She could never do enough to satisfy you. Any other man would be proud of a son or daughter that’s accomplished what she has.” He took a step backwards. “I thank you for giving me a moment of your time.” Al turned and walked off the porch.

  “Hey Al, are you really going to ask Ryan to marry you?” Devin asked smiling.

  Al looked over his shoulder at Mr. Williams’s angry face, still standing in the doorway. “Not without your father’s permission.” He continued to his vehicle and pulled off.

  Devin turned to his father. “You better say an extra prayer tonight that mother forgives you for what you just did.” He walked in the house leaving his father at the door.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Al wasn’t able to join Ryan on the campaign trail as he’d planned. It was taking him a while to deal with the thought of not making Ryan his wife. He simply couldn’t do anything to widen the gap between her and her father. He wanted to make her life easier, not cause her more heartache. The same thought kept nagging at him. How could a man turn his back on his only daughter? Since his own mother had turned her back on him, he wondered if talking to Lena would help. But was he ready to open Pandora’s box? Was he ready to deal with decades of hurt? Would it be worth it? For a full day, Al pondered the questions. The next afternoon when all of Ryan’s brothers appeared at his front door he had his answers.

  Standing on his porch was Devin, who was the oldest and the one who took the lead. “I would understand if you didn’t let us in. However, this concerns Ryan and you may want to hear what we have to say.”

  Al looked from one brother to the other. “Are you carrying?”

  “Of course,” Devin replied.

  “I can’t have guns in my house.” He raised an eyebrow. He knew Devin and Donnell, but not the two middle sons. They could be there to set him up.

  Jarrell, the next to the oldest looked at Al as if he had lost his mind. “You know damn well we are not going to leave our weapons outside.”

  “Will you let us handle this,” Donnell insisted. He turned back to Al. “Come on, man. You know Devin and me would not set you up. Besides we need to talk about Ryan.”

  Al opened the door and assessed each as they walked in. There was nothing threatening about them. In fact, they seemed rather at ease around him. They stood in the foyer giving him the once over. The way none of them bothered to hide what they were doing amused him. Al walked to the back of the house. “Anybody want a beer?”

  “A beer would be a good start, but you have to come with more than that if you want to marry my sister,” the one named Scott said as he walked past Al into the kitchen.

  Al watched in wonder as the others followed. Donnell stopped where Al stood. “My mother really did house break them.” He shook his head. “There is no excuse for them.”

  He wanted to laugh as they reached into the refrigerator to determine what they would grab first. “Hey, you have any mustard?” Jarrell asked, holding an array of cold cuts in his hand.

  “Here it is,” Scott answered as he tossed the plastic container across the room. Devin caught it mid-air. “Hey.” Scott protested.

  “The man said a beer.” Devin frowned, “Put that back.”

  Jarrell and Scott looked at Al with pleading eyes. Al shook his head. “Help yourself. Just hand me a beer.” Scott smiled and flipped a beer to him. “Okay,” Al looked at Devin and Donnell. “What do you two and the stooges want?” Al asked as he sat on a stool at the counter, where the making of mega sandwiches commenced.

  “Hey,” Jarrell and Scott exclaimed in unison.

  Devin and Donnell sat next to him on either side. “We seem to have a dilemma.” Donnell spoke.

  “That we do,” Al nodded.

  “Donnell and I know you. Neither of us have an issue with you and Ryan.”

  “Morgan.” They all looked at him confused. “Her name is Morgan, not Ryan. She’s a woman, a damn fine one at that. You all treat here like she is one of you and she’s not. She is a woman through and through. Believe me—I know.”

  “Hey, hey, hey. That’s our sister. We can do without the visual,” Scott grunted as he took a bite of the sandwich that he could barely fit into his mouth.

  “Look, I thought I was doing the honorable thing going to your father. He shut me down. What do you want from me?”

  “We want you to marry our sister.” Jarrell stated. He took half of the sandwich in one bite.

  “Yeah, we do,” Scott added. “I know it seems like we are unorthodox, but there is one common thread amongst us. We love our little sister.”

  “She deserves to be with someone that loves her for her.” Jarrell offered as he swallowed the other half of the sandwich. “You know what I mean?”

  “That won’t happen unless your father agrees.”

  They all froze. “Ryan---um Morgan agrees with that?” Jarrell asked.

  “Morgan has no idea I went to see her father.”

  All the men in the room looked at each other, then roared with laughter. “You went behind Morgan Ryan’s back to talk to Dad. Man, Dad isn’t the one you have to be concerned with.” Scott snickered.

  “Ryan is going to kick your ass when she finds out,” Donnell laughed. “I’m going to make sure I’m there to see it.”

  “Morgan doesn’t scare me.” Al said. Everyone was quiet for a moment, then Al laughed and the others joined in. The group sat and talked for hours. Lea
rning more about Ryan’s childhood was not only hilarious, but also touching. While none of them could fully explain their father’s attitude towards Ryan, they each had their own thoughts on the matter. All of them shared. By the time the Williams’ brothers left his home, Al was more than convinced that what Ryan needed in her life was love. She needed him. That was enough to convince Al that having Ryan in his life was worth any sacrifice.

  The next morning Al set out to talk with Lena. The conversation was years overdue, but a necessity if he wanted Ryan in his life. Lena sat on the veranda of her home waiting for Al. The call indicated he wanted to talk. The question she had to answer before he arrived was if she would tell him the truth, or what he expected to hear. The truth would make her a victim and she hadn’t been that in over forty years. A lie would fuel her son’s hatred for her.

  “Lena.”

  She looked up from the chaise lounge to see Al standing in her home. It was his first time there. “Have a seat Al.” God had given her beautiful children. Her son had the longest lashes that naturally curled. He looked so much like his father. Al’s father was the first man she ever loved. People thought she was a whore. That couldn’t be the furthest thing from the truth. “You wanted to talk.”