Deadly Politics (A Molly Malone Mystery)

by Maggie Sefton

  “Yes, we did,” I said, allowing some of those pleasant memories to surface and dance before my eyes. “That was a long time ago, Aggie. Another lifetime, it seems.”

  “‘Hace se luvia mucho,’ as the Cubans say. A lot has happened since then,” Aggie replied, the Spanish tripping easily over her tongue.

  That brought me out of the past quickly. “You must work a lot of diplomatic parties, Aggie. Your Spanish is quite good,” I said, curious as to the Cuban reference.

  “I had a Cuban boyfriend years ago. Back when I was a blond,” Aggie said with a wink before she blended into the crowd again.

  I sipped the light wine, watching Aggie ply the Midwesterners with drinks and keeping an eye on Karen and Jed Molinoff in the corner. I could tell by the set of Karen’s shoulders and the expression on her face that she was getting angry. That firm Grayson jaw was set. Molinoff was gesturing again, leaning closer, and I sensed the temperature of their conversation was increasing rapidly. Once again, I had to squelch all thoughts of rescue.

  Then, all of a sudden, Casey the security man sidled up beside Molinoff and spoke to him. Molinoff looked slightly startled by Casey’s appearance. That, plus the fact that Casey was a lot taller and broader than the slender congressional aide, seemed to get Molinoff’s attention. I figured Casey had observed the stormy exchange and decided to tell Molinoff to keep it discreet. Politely put: Back off. I liked Casey already, and I hadn’t even spoken to him yet.

  Karen said something and started to walk away, but Molinoff reached out and grabbed her arm, clearly angry. I was about to leave my perch when I saw Casey put his hand on Molinoff’s arm while he spoke. Storm clouds darkened Molinoff’s face, but he released Karen. Karen caught sight of me from across the room and headed my way. Molinoff, meanwhile, glared after a retreating Casey, then grabbed a drink from Aggie’s tray.

  “You okay?” I asked when Karen drew beside me. “It looked like it was getting hot over there. I gather Molinoff didn’t want to call it quits.”

  Karen took a deep breath. “God, no. He hit the ceiling when I told him this afternoon, and he’s still raging. He kept accusing me of letting him down, and all this garbage.” She shook her head. “That’s when I got mad. All I could feel coming from Jed was how I was messing up his life. So I told him how I felt. How I really felt. And he didn’t like it.”

  “I could see that from over here. And so could security.” I nodded toward Casey who’d gone back to patrolling the rooms again.

  “That was probably after I reminded Jed of his wife and kids. I’d had it with his telling me I’d let him down. So I let him have it.”

  “Right between the eyes, huh? Good girl. Sounds like he deserved it.”

  “He was furious.” Karen snatched a glass of white wine from Aggie’s passing tray.

  I noticed Molinoff glance our way, still scowling. I purposely caught his eye and sent him a raised-eyebrow “Do you want something?” look. He glanced away.

  “Why don’t you stay with me until the party winds down, Karen?” I suggested. “That way Molinoff won’t hit on you again. I figure we can probably leave in an hour or so.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t think Jed will give me any more trouble tonight. The security guy really scared him. I could tell. Jed went white as a sheet when the guy showed up.” Karen slipped her BlackBerry from her purse. “I’m going to go outside and make some phone calls, in my car if I have to. I need privacy.”

  “Who’re you calling?”

  She looked at me with that clear Grayson gaze of conviction. It brought back memories of Dave. “I’m quitting Jackson’s office. I can’t work with Jed anymore, and I told him so this afternoon. That’s the real reason he’s so mad.”

  “Whoa, that’s a gutsy move, but shouldn’t you wait until you can find another position on the Hill?”

  “That’s what I’m doing. Several friends have told me they would open a spot for me on their congressional staffs anytime I asked. Well, I’ve decided to ask. I need a position where I can move up. This experience has taught me that. Jed has kept me by his side for more reasons than the obvious. I made him look good.” A frown darkened her face.

  “Karen, I’m so proud of you,” I said, delighted to see her spark return. “This is a sticky situation, and you’re handling it with class, even if Molinoff isn’t.”

  “Thanks,” she said, a smile peeking out. “Give me a hug for good luck.”

  “Always.” I wrapped my arms around my niece and squeezed, sending as many good thoughts as I could with my embrace. “You’re so talented, Karen. Any congressman would be lucky to have you on staff.”

  Karen squeezed back. “I can’t tell you how glad I am you’re here.”

  Sensing tears in her voice, I released her before moisture weakened her focus. “Now, go get ’em. Make those calls. Casey and I will keep watch over Molinoff.”

  “Thanks, Molly. Maybe we’ll turn Nan’s brunch into a celebration tomorrow,” Karen said before she headed down the hallway.

  Glancing about the room, I noticed Molinoff staring after Karen. I sent an “I’m watching you” look his way. I wanted Jed to know that I’d observed his earlier behavior. Molinoff glanced away and left the living room.

  I walked up to Casey, extending my hand to the middle-aged security guard. “Casey, I’m Molly. I want to thank you for noticing the heated discussion in the corner. And especially for intervening in it. That was my niece, Karen Grayson, who was trying to extricate herself from the congressional staffer’s sweaty grip.”

  Casey gave my hand a firm shake. “Just doing my job, Ms. Malone. Some folks get a little excited at times. Usually a quiet comment calms them down.”

  “Call me Molly, okay? We’re all working for Senator Russell, so let’s keep it casual. You work for Russell full-time?”

  “That’s right,” he said before turning his attention to the room again. Back on duty.

  “It’s a scary world when a senator needs full-time security,” I commented. “I’m guessing you’re former military. Which service?”

  Casey glanced my way again. “Marine Corps. Retired First Sergeant. And don’t worry about your niece, Molly. I’ll keep an eye on Molinoff.” He glanced around the room again. “Where is she? She was with you a minute ago.”

  “She went outside to make some phone calls in her car. She needed more privacy than a room filled with paranoid politicians affords.”

  “Okay. I’ll check on her in a few minutes. Meanwhile, I just spotted Molinoff on his phone near the patio doors.”

  I glanced down the long hallway. “Is there a gate or something from the garden that leads to the front? I’m still so new here I don’t know the lay of the land yet.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t worry. There’s no gate. That way no one uninvited can get in unless they climb over a six-foot brick wall.” Casey started to back away, back to the perimeter. “Enjoy the rest of the evening, Molly.”

  “Thanks, Casey, I will.”

  Ryan reappeared then, and I accepted another appetizer from his tempting tray. I was about to find something more substantial than appetizers, when Peter Brewster approached.

  “The senator wants to introduce you to the Kansas contingent,” Peter said, indicating a group of congressmen by the fireplace. “Oh, and great outfit, by the way. Looking good, Molly.” He gave me a wink. “Don’t let that reporter scare you.”

  I glanced to the multi-hued long silk jacket I’d found in the trendy shop near Capitol Hill. One of several “finds” from my afternoon shopping excursion. I prayed my salary would arrive before the credit card bill.

  “Actually, it wasn’t her that scared me, it was the photo,” I said, accompanying Peter as we wove a path through the guests. “I looked like a funeral director.” I checked over my shoulder. “Thank goodness, I haven’t spotted a
ny photographers tonight.”

  “I haven’t either. They’ve probably gotten bored with our large receptions. No reporters will be around for the smaller dinners. The senator likes to keep them as private as possible.”

  “How many of these receptions has he done already?”

  “We started earlier this month, so there’s only been four so far. Mostly twice a week.”

  My inner accountant flinched at the thought. “Good Lord, Peter, I’m almost afraid to see those accounts on Monday.”

  He laughed. “Don’t worry, we have a budget. Honest.”

  “Uh-huh.” I looked around at the congressional staffers chowing down at Senator Russell’s well-laden table. “Is he really planning to work his way through the entire Congress? How many more of these receptions are scheduled?”

  “I’ll have a folder on your desk Monday, along with the budget,” he promised with that boyish smile.

  “Can I at least take a peek at the list tonight so I can put the dates on my daytimer? Pretty please, Peter?” I spotted Russell glance our way.

  “I love your work ethic. Okay, I’ll put the folder on the desk in the library. Just leave it there when you’ve finished,” he said quietly as we drew near the fireplace circle. Then, raising his voice, Brewster announced, “Gentlemen, let me introduce Molly Malone, our newest addition to Senator Russell’s staff.”

  I looked around at all the new faces and called up my brightest “meet-the-client” smile. Showtime.

  _____

  “Ryan, I’m dying for some coffee. Those Midwestern congressmen talked me dry,” I said, snatching a sausage-stuffed mushroom from his tray. “Could you bring me some in the library, please? Peter left a list for me there that I need to go over.”

  “Sure thing, Molly. Be back in a sec,” Ryan said, scurrying toward the kitchen.

  I was about to head to the library when I spotted Casey coming from the kitchen. “Is there any real food left, Casey? All I’ve had is appetizers between politicians, and I’m starving.”

  “They’re starting cleanup now, Molly. There may be something in the storage boxes. Lots of coffee, though,” he said as he headed back to the fast-dwindling group of guests in the living room. Suddenly, he stopped and turned. “Oh, I checked on your niece outside half an hour ago, and she was fine. Talking on her cell phone in her car like you said. Earlier, I made it a point to walk Molinoff outside myself. Since you told me your niece was in her car, I wanted to make sure he didn’t head in her direction. So I escorted him to the sidewalk and pointed toward Wisconsin Avenue in the opposite direction. It was obvious he was pissed I was standing there and telling him where to find a taxi. I watched him walk all the way down the street.”

  I had to smile. “That was really good of you, Casey. At least you got Jed away from Karen. Thanks for that.” I looked around the room but didn’t see Karen. Still making phone calls, I figured, as I checked my watch. Nearly eleven o’clock. “When will these people leave?” I whispered to Casey.

  “Sometimes you wonder, Molly. I just had to help two staffers into cabs and another into the upstairs bathroom to throw up. Be glad you’re just talking to them.”

  “Whoa, thanks for sharing,” I said and laughed all the way to the library. Ryan caught up with me at the doorway.

  “I spied a few cookies, so I grabbed those, too,” he said as I gratefully accepted the ceramic mug of coffee. Steam wafted off the black brew, tickling my nose.

  “Thanks, Ryan, you’re a lifesaver,” I said, snatching the cookies as well. “When do you get to go home?”

  “Oh, in another half hour, probably. See you later, Molly.” He was already halfway out the door.

  There was Peter’s folder on the desk, so I took a deep drink of coffee and pulled my phone from my pocket. I stood, paging through Senator Russell’s dinner schedule and munching cookies, while I dutifully entered the dates on my electronic calendar.

  I did notice that, with the exception of this weekend, Russell did the majority of his entertaining during the week, clearly leaving weekends free for return trips to Colorado. I’d been impressed with his regular attendance to his home state and constituents. Smart man.

  “We’ll keep you busy, Molly,” Brewster said, strolling into the library. “You’ll be earning your salary for sure.”

  “I can see that, Peter. My dance card is practically full. I notice Russell leaves weekends open. Back to Colorado, right?”

  Peter nodded, sipping from a square-cut crystal glass. It looked like Scotch. “Absolutely. Gotta keep in touch with the people who sent him here.”

  I flipped through the pages again, this time noticing the suggested guest lists. Several names jumped out at me, faces appearing. More faces and names coalesced as I went through the pages. “You’ve done a good job of arranging these lists, Peter. Did you do it, or does Russell pick and choose?”

  “A little of both. Incidentally, if you see any potential conflicts in the guest lists, I’d appreciate your input. We can always move people around in the interests of congeniality.”

  I smiled as I read. “Congeniality, huh? I never pegged you as an optimist.” Spotting a couple of names, I said, “Now that you mention it, you might want to separate these two.” I pointed to the names of two Western congressman.

  “Why’s that?” Peter asked, peering over the list.

  “He had an affair with his first wife years ago,” I answered, pointing to the names. “You might want to invite them to separate dinners. In the interest of congeniality.”

  Peter chuckled. “Thanks, Molly. See, you’re a great help already. Senator Russell has a lot of plans—”

  I didn’t hear the rest of Senator Russell’s plans. Another list had caught my attention and another name. I stared at this name. Congressman Edward Ryker. I didn’t have to search for this face. It rocketed from the back of my mind and out of the past. The past I’d tried so hard to bury. Old memories seared through me, cutting off my breath. Finally, Peter’s voice pierced the fog.

  “Molly? Are you all right?”

  I blinked, then shook off the past to meet Brewster’s confused gaze. “I … I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

  Peter peered at me. “Never mind. I’m more interested in what you saw that transfixed you so. You didn’t even hear me.”

  “Old memories from the past, that’s all.”

  “Old memories or old enemies?”

  I held his gaze. “Both. I’ve got a lot of history in this town, Peter. And a lot of ghosts. It’s only inevitable they start creeping around.”

  “If there’s any function you don’t care to attend, just let me know. The senator will understand. And so will I.”

  I saw that he meant it. “Thanks, I’ll bear that in mind.”

  The insistent ring of a cell phone sounded then, and Peter reached into his pocket as he headed toward the doorway. “Excuse me, Molly.”

  “At eleven thirty, I hope that’s a girlfriend,” I said, following after him. I’d had enough of schedules and lists and names for tonight.

  “Don’t I wish,” he said with a grin as he flipped his phone open. “Peter Brewster.”

  I drained the last of my coffee as I headed down the hallway and glanced about the nearly empty living room. No sign of Karen. Was she still making phone calls? Good Lord. That girl had one heckuva contact list. I glanced into the kitchen and saw a remnant of the catering staff finishing up. Wiping down the counters. The evening was wrapping up at last.

  Spotting Casey assist a wobbly gentleman down the hall, I waved as I walked to the front door. “I’ll be back in a minute, Casey. I want to let Karen know the party’s over. Time to go home.”

  “Yes, indeed,” Casey said, walking slowly to match the elderly man’s stride.

  Lamplight and lanterns cast enough light to i
lluminate the yard, and I raced down the steps, shivering in the chill spring night as I headed for the gate. Summer’s heat had yet to come. My luscious silk jacket felt cold against my skin, and I rubbed my arms while I walked, wishing I’d chosen the new suit for tonight.

  Reaching the outside sidewalk, I searched the narrow residential street for Karen’s car, but most of the cars looked the same in the dark. I walked along the sidewalk, peering into the vehicles, expecting to see Karen sitting in her Honda, still negotiating on the cell phone.

  Albert’s voice startled me from behind. “Are you looking for your niece, Molly?”

  I jumped around. There was Albert, escorting a middle-aged couple to their car. “Yes, I am. Karen was making phone calls in her car. Have you seen her?”

  “About an hour ago. Her car’s a little farther down, Molly,” Albert said as he assisted the woman into the passenger seat.

  I kept walking and peering into the darkened cars. Georgetown streets were treelined and shady. Great during the day, but dark during the night. Tall streetlamps cast shadows as well, tricking you into thinking you saw someone in a car when you didn’t.

  Finally I spotted Karen’s car, and there she was, sitting inside. She must still be talking and negotiating. Talk about a work ethic. Just like all of the Graysons.

  I waved at her behind the wheel as I approached. She didn’t appear to be on the phone. Excellent. We could leave now. “Hey, Karen. We can finally go home,” I called. “I’ll be riding with you, since I didn’t drive over here. Albert brought me.”

  For some reason she didn’t answer me, so I leaned over and knocked on the window to get her attention. She was looking straight ahead.

  “Karen, did you hear me? We can—”

  That’s when I saw it. The blood. Blood on her face. On her hair. On her clothes. I stared at the blood. At Karen. Sitting so still, looking out the windshield. I blinked. The night shadows were still playing tricks on me. That couldn’t be blood.

  I knocked on the window again. “Karen! Are you asleep? Wake up, honey,” I demanded in a voice that didn’t sound like mine.