by Donna Hill
“Vaughn, you don’t have to act like everything is alright. We both know that it isn’t. Remember, I’ve been there too.” For the first time since Vaughn had heard the news, Crystal thought she saw a flicker in her dark eyes. But just as quickly, her look became veiled and unreadable. The Iron Maiden, Crystal thought, suddenly overcome with sadness. “I’ll be home if you need to talk,” she said, as Vaughn stepped out of the cab.
“Thanks.” She walked down the path to her door. She felt as if her feet had been weighted down in cement. If she could just make it to the other side of her door, she silently prayed. Once inside, she closed the door quietly behind her. And in that instant, all of the agony she’d withheld since her return washed over her in a nauseating wave. All of her anguish and loss over the years seemed to magnify one-hundredfold. “This couldn’t be happening again. Not again,” she cried. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around her body in a futile attempt to shield herself from the onslaught of pain that pummeled her mercilessly. Slowly, she slid down the surface of the door. Resting her head on her knees, she finally gave in to the wracking sobs that fought for release.
“What could they possibly have on her?” Sean asked.
“Trust me, if released her chances for this election or any other are zero.”
Justin stretched out his legs and let his eyes slide shut. “I just need to talk to her. She’s got to know from me what this is all about, and then I want her to explain.”
Sean used the remote control to turn on the television.
“…This just in,” the newscaster was saying. “Congressional candidate Vaughn Hamilton was met at Dulles Airport this evening and questioned…”
Justin sprang up in his seat. His eyes were riveted to Vaughn’s face on the screen, and what he saw made his gut twist. “Oh, no,” he breathed. He got up and grabbed his coat. “I’ve got to go to her.”
Sean was instantly on his feet. “Bad move, buddy. The press will probably be all over you. We don’t need any more publicity. I’m telling you, stay put and hope that she calls you.”
Justin heaved a sigh. “I know Vaughn. She won’t call.” He began to pace as the interview continued.
“There was never anything between us,” he heard her say. And the moment he heard her utter the words, he knew that she meant it.
Vaughn spent her weekend expending her pent-up energy and frustration. She jogged, and played tennis until she fell into bed at night exhausted. Too tired to dream. Too tired to think about Justin. In one fell swoop he’d erased all of the joy of their relationship. He’d made her doubt herself and her ability to judge character. He’d made her feel unworthy, undeserving of true love. All of the insecurities she’d harbored about her womanhood he rekindled as expertly as he’d stoked the fires of her heart.
She’d refused to answer her phone or respond to the countless messages that flashed on her answering machine. Her father had called, feigning indignation. But the tone of his voice seemed to say, “I told you so.” Her mother was beside herself with worry. But Vaughn called neither of them.
More times than she’d dared to count, she was tempted to answer Justin’s phone calls. But what could he possibly say to explain his treachery?
Her father had been right all along and that reality made her ill. Even Paul had tried to warn her. But more than anything, once the shock had worn off, she became angry. She wanted to hurt him, to humiliate him as he’d hurt and humiliated her. His betrayal fueled her desire to win—at any cost—and she would. She would control her destiny.
When she arrived at her office on Monday morning, the office was a flurry of activity. Phones were ringing incessantly. Staff members were racing up and down the hallway and, as usual, Crystal was in her spot in the alcove behind Vaughn’s door. As soon as Vaughn walked in, Crystal jumped up.
“Where the devil have you been? I’ve been worried sick. Every newspaper in the state has been calling.”
Vaughn gave her a cool smile. “That’s exactly what we need,” she said calmly. “Did you set up the press conference?”
“Tomorrow at 3 P.M.,” Crystal said haltingly, completely taken aback by Vaughn’s icy demeanor.
“If Justin Montgomery wants a fight, then he’s got one on his hands. I’m in this thing to win,” she said, a hard edge to her voice.
“He’s called from the courthouse several times already this morning.”
“Good. Let him keep calling. You talk to him the next time he calls and tell him we’ll see him at the run-off election and not a minute before.”
“Vaughn.” Crystal stepped closer. “What’s happening to you? This isn’t like you. Why won’t you at least listen to what he has to say? Maybe there’s an explanation.”
Vaughn rounded on Crystal so quickly, Crystal’s next comment stuck in her throat. “Listen, let’s clear this up now. He called this war and I’m not in it just for the skirmish.” Her voice rose. “He used me, damn it! Just like Paul, just like…Brian. I’m not interested in his reasons why,” she spat.
Crystal blinked back her shock, then nodded. “You’re right. I just thought…”
“Let’s get prepared for this press conference. I have my text prepared.” She unsnapped the lock on her briefcase and pulled out several sheets of typed paper. She handed them to Crystal. “I need you to take a look at this and see if it needs revising.”
Crystal took the papers and stared at Vaughn’s rigid form, at the hard eyes and the mouth tight around the edges. She took a cautious step forward. “I’m sorry, Vaughn, about everything,” she said quietly.
“Don’t be. This is just what I needed. I’d begun to take this whole campaign thing too lightly. This is for real. It’s like my father said, I’m going to have to be tougher. And I will be, Crystal.” She looked at her with determination burning in her eyes. “Justin Montgomery taught me some valuable lessons. Trust is something that doesn’t exist. Love is for fools. And no one is above deceit.” She swallowed. “Even those who profess to love you.” She turned away and blinked back the tears that scorched her eyes. “I need that speech back as soon as possible,” she said softly.
“What does all of this mean for the law firm?” Simone asked Chad over her cup of tea.
Chad shook his head slowly. “I don’t really know. I’m still in shock. Justin said he was having a staff meeting this afternoon.” He shook his head again. “I mean, I know Justin has all of the qualifications to run for office, and he’d make a damned good candidate. I just never knew he was interested in politics—at least not to this extent.” He took a swallow of his Pepsi.
Simone leaned slightly forward across the table and spoke in a hushed voice. “Actually, I kind of got the impression that Mr. Montgomery and Ms. Hamilton…” She let her thought hang in the air.
Chad smiled crookedly. “I had the same impression. I guess we were both wrong.”
Melissa Overton had worked throughout the weekend on Simone’s case. She knew she was close. In her work she’d discovered the name of the woman who had placed children in and around Atlanta during the time that Simone was born. She hoped that the woman would be willing to talk with her. What Melissa didn’t know was that her boss, Elaine, was also working on the case on Justin’s behalf.
Elaine’s heart thundered in her chest as she read the report she’d accessed from Melissa’s computer. Although the circumstances allowed for the remote possibility that Justin was Simone’s father, the facts before her showed otherwise.
Elaine sighed. The information was rather curious. Everything pointed to Atlanta and a midwife. She put more names into the computer, using Simone’s last name in the hope that Simone’s mother had used that name at some point. The computer hummed and buzzed. Moments later, it produced a massive list of women whose last name was Rivers.
Meanwhile, Melissa had the same idea. She scanned her list, compared all the other variables: race, age, place of birth, proximity to Atlanta. She narrowed down the list to forty names. She knew she was on the threshold of disco
very. Her palms began to sweat. Her fingers flew over the keys as she entered the commands: profession, married or single, deceased. She was certain that whoever Simone’s mother was, she had had money and connections even nineteen years ago.
“The press is arriving,” Crystal said as she stepped into Vaughn’s office and closed the door.
“Did you set them up in the formal conference room?” Crystal nodded. “Let them simmer for a few minutes and I’ll be in. I want them eager and hungry. Any word from David?” she asked, not looking at Crystal as she gathered her notes.
“No,” Crystal mumbled, the word sticking in her throat. “I don’t expect to hear from him again. I’m sure he knows that we realize what he’s done,” she said quietly, her humiliation renewed.
“You’re probably right,” she laughed mirthlessly, “but bad pennies always seem to keep turning up in one form or another.” She took a breath and looked up, the emptiness that swam in her eyes jolted Crystal. A chill raced through her body. “Well, lets go,” Vaughn said, “I have plenty to say.”
David Cain stood over Lucus Stone like a brewing volcano ready to erupt. David’s large, muscular body shook with rage.
“Take it or leave it,” Lucus said, unmoved by David’s display of temper.
“The deal was fifty grand.” He slammed the envelope on the table. “Not fifteen!” He pressed his palms on the desk and leaned dangerously forward, so close he could smell the coffee on Lucus’s breath. “I want the rest of my money, you slimy scum.”
Lucus leaned back and chuckled. “Or what?” he asked calmly. “Your information was mediocre at best. I wanted more and you didn’t deliver.” He pushed the envelope toward David. “All your information is worth is in that envelope.”
David straightened. “If you think you’re gonna screw me outta what’s mine,” he smiled menacingly, “then you’ve finally tangled with the wrong guy.”
Lucus leaned forward. His blue eyes darkened. “Don’t ever threaten me, Cain. You don’t have what it takes. Now, if you’d been able to pull off a coup like Justin Montgomery, you might be worth the other thirty-five thousand.” He chuckled and shook his head. “This is rich. I wish I could’ve thought of it. Now things are really going to get interesting. I’m anxious to see what she has to say at her press conference today.” He chuckled again.
David’s anger slowly dissipated and was replace by incredulity. He was sure that Lucus was in some way responsible for Montgomery entering the race. If he wasn’t, then who was?
“Take the money,” Lucus said in his most patronizing tone. “We used your information and now our association is over. I’m sure that there’s plenty you can do with fifteen thousand dollars.”
David mindlessly retrieved the envelope. His thoughts tumbled over one another.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Lucus said, interrupting David’s thoughts, “its almost time for the press conference.”
Court was recessed for the day at the noon break. Justin, Sean, and Khendra stepped out into the corridor and were immediately set upon by the press.
“Mr. Montgomery, what do you think Assemblywoman Hamilton will say at her conference today? Do you intend to face her in a formal debate? Why enter now? Are the rumors true about you and Assembly-woman Hamilton? What about the Harrison case?”
Sean and Khendra cut each other a glance. Justin held up his hands to stave off any further questions. “First, I’m in this race…because it was the right thing for me to do. As for Assemblywoman Hamilton’s press conference, I have no idea what she’ll be talking about. My entering the race has no bearing on this trial. Mr. Michaels and Ms. Phillips are more than competent. My participation at this point is strictly as an observer and advisor. Now, if you’ll excuse us.” He smiled magnanimously. “We’d like to catch the press conference also.”
The trio shouldered their way through the reporters and camera crews and sprinted toward their waiting car.
“I sure as hell hope you know what you’re doing,” Sean said, taking his seat.
Justin stared out of the window as the car sped away. All he could hope for was that it would all be worth it. He loved her enough to sacrifice himself for her. If his actions could protect her from ruin, then he’d deal with the consequences. She had to know deep in her heart that he would never betray her. Everything would work out in the end.
“…Are you saying that Mr. Montgomery is responsible for the leaks to the press about your campaign?”
“I would never say that,” she replied calmly, her meaning clear. “But nothing is beyond speculation at this point.”
Justin watched the cold, calculated way she answered the questions, and he was chilled. “How could she? She knows perfectly well that I had nothing to do with those leaks.”
“The race is on, as they say. I stand behind my record. It’s rather obvious that Mr. Montgomery sought me out in order to glean information for his own benefit…”
Justin sat alone in his office, watching the broadcast in silent disbelief. His hurt and shock slowly transformed into anger. He’d put himself on the line for her. He’d been patient. He’d loved her. And now, without ever giving him the benefit of the doubt—the chance to explain—she discarded him like an old pair of shoes.
He switched off the set. He couldn’t stand to hear any more. He walked across the room and fixed himself a drink. In one gulp he downed it. If that’s the way it was going to go down, then so be it. If she wanted the race “to be on,” as she put it, then it was on. Slowly the long-reaching effects of his success in winning this election began to take shape. He’d be in a position to make changes, the kind of changes he’d been struggling to obtain from the sidelines. It wasn’t the role he’d envisioned for himself, but it had been thrust upon him. This was the greatest challenge of his life, both personally and professionally. And he was never one to back down from a challenge.
Elliott, too, watched the broadcast from the television built into the wall of his chambers. This was the Vaughn Hamilton he’d raised to be a winner—decisive, strong, eloquent, and determined. This was the fire she needed. It would push her over the top. He smiled. All of his hard work, his dreams, even the years of deceit, would pay off. One day she’d understand that he’d only done it for her. All for her. And she’d thank him. When she stood on the House floor among the great leaders of the country, she’d thank him. And Justin Montgomery would be a forgotten memory.
Chapter 24
Chad stuck his head around the corner of the cubicle where Simone was typing some reports. “Hi.”
She swiveled her chair around and smiled. “Hi, yourself.”
“How long are you planning on staying tonight?”
Simone glanced at her watch. It was after four. “I should be finished in about an hour.” Her response held a note of expectation.
Chad stepped in and pushed his hands into his pockets. His subtle scent floated to her, making her feel warm and anxious inside. “I was thinking maybe we could get something to eat…later…after work.”
Simone grinned. “Sounds good. Should I meet you out front?”
“Yeah. I’ll be downstairs, say…five-thirty.” He turned to leave.
“Rush?”
“Hmmm?”
“Did you see the press conference today?”
“Yes,” he answered heavily. “I can’t believe she said those things about Justin.”
Simone folded her hands in front of her. “Neither can I. But then again, who knew that Mr. Montgomery was going to run for election?” she asked, still mystified by the strange twist of events.
“You have a point there. But I’m sure he has his reasons. He’ll probably be talking to you soon anyway.”
“About what?”
He leaned against the frame of the partition. “He’s pulling together a small campaign staff. I just came from his office. With me involved with the trial, I suggested that you could probably help out until he pulls some people together.”
Her
eyes widened. “Really?”
He grinned that lopsided grin that made her stomach flutter. “Yes, really. So try to act surprised. See you in a while,” he said with a wave.
No sooner had Chad left than her intercom was buzzed by Barbara.
“Yes, Barbara,” she answered.
“Mr. Montgomery would like to see you before you leave, Simone.”
“Thank you.”
Simone took a quick look in the mirror of her compact. Satisfied, she got up and headed toward Justin’s office.
Simone knocked lightly on Justin’s office door.
“Come in,” he said.
Simone stepped in. “Mr. Montgomery, you wanted to see me?”
Justin looked up and for the first time he made the connection that had been hovering on the fringes of his subconscience, struggling for clarity. All along he’d known there was something deep in Vaughn’s past she wanted to hide. Her reaction to meeting Simone, her confession about Brian Willis, her father’s hold over her. All of these thoughts raced through his head at once.
Now he understood why she was so reluctant to get involved with him—a man who publically advocated children’s rights. She’d gotten pregnant by a powerful man’s son, and she and her family hid it for nineteen years. Disbelief gave way to quiet fury. This young, beautiful woman who longed for her identity was the victim of years of deceit. And the woman he loved was a part of it from the beginning.
“Mr. Montgomery?” Simone said softly. “Are you all right?”
Justin blinked, then focused on Simone, and his heart ached for her. He cleared his throat and smiled halfheartedly, “Yes, I’m fine. Lot of things on my mind these days. Come in,” he urged. “Sit down. I wanted to talk with you about working on my campaign.”
Vaughn sat on the edge of her bed and rubbed her temples. Her entire day, the last few days, seemed like a dream. Less than seventy-two hours ago she’d been on the verge of laying her heart and soul at Justin’s feet. She laughed mirthlessly and closed her eyes. Visions of Justin and their lovemaking loomed behind her closed lids. A tremor rippled through her.