Claire didn't flinch, keeping her eyes forward with a smile, "I would be an idiot to let you pick another dress." She turned, meeting my eyes, "You looked incredible and almost made me choke on the corn dog." She held our gaze for a minute before turning away, "I'll just take it out of your next paycheck." The smirk on her face broke the awkwardness I had started. Running her hand over my shoulder and down my arm before falling away from me completely. Her touch was warm even through the thick layers I wore. I cleared my throat, "We do need to talk about your constant eating of junk food. Take out, food court food, and who knows what you have stashed throughout the townhouse. Baby doughnuts and stacks of cookies shoved under last year’s fiscal budget?"
Claire laughed hard, "We do, because now I want cheese fries. So we are taking a small detour to the gourmet cafes before we hit the last shop for your clothes." Claire tugged on my elbow, making us veer to the hard right.
Moving around a large fake palm tree jammed into the middle of the mall, I glimpsed at a man sitting on a bench flicking through a catalog. As we passed he looked up at us and I watch the recognition process running through his head. He stood up when it finished, causing him to jog after us, "Excuse me? But you are Senator Claire Avondale? Right?"
Claire's hand disappeared from my elbow and I watched her face slip into the full mask of Senator as she turned to greet the man. "I am yes." A warm smile followed her strong voice.
I was always fascinated at how effortless she could turn it on and off. I had worked for some of the best actors and actresses in Hollywood, and none of them could shift into character like Claire could. I scanned over the man now face to face with Claire, he was clean cut, nicely dressed and oozed money in his Brooks Brothers sweater, J. Crew jeans and nu buck leather shoes. Nothing about him sent up red flags right away.
But it didn't stop me from moving closer to her and tap my gun with the inside of my arm to make sure it was still there and easily accessed. The man smiled back, "Senator Avondale, I have so much to ask you. I was about to write you a letter, but." he raised his hands palms up, "Here you are, in person." His tone was light, jovial and hinted at admiration in the way he returned her warm smile.
Claire nodded, "Of course I will happily answer a few questions. I can only spare a few minutes." She waved at me, "My assistant and I have a few errands to run before we head into the office for the day." She looked harder at the man, she was trying to read him, "And may I ask what your name is? Make this a little less formal."
"My name is Michael Anderson." He paused, "Senator Avondale my first question is why did you push through the stem cell research bill when you knew most of your supporters were against it? That such research goes against the laws of nature and the lord." Michael's tone shifted on a dime from admirer to angry taxpaying voter. I moved even closer, taking note of his religious convictions in the first question. I had also been down this road with other politicians. Upset voters taking a chance on a public place being the last place a Senator or a Congressman would fight back.
Claire maintained her calm demeanor, "Michael, I understand you are upset. As I stated in my Senate address that day, I felt allowing some research to go forth could open the door to more information. Alleviate some fears about if stem cell growth is going against the laws of nature and religion. I wanted to give it a chance."
I watched his eyes narrow, "What about the other bills you have pushed through? Genetic research funding, in-vitro births, and supporting same sex marriages. It goes against what I believe in and I supported you, voted for you because your platform was focused on real change in the Republican Party. Not this crazy new wave way of thinking!" Michael stepped closer, "Then there's all the charity fund-raising you do for that sin center in Geneva. I heard they do science experiments on humans!" Michael voice was rising the more he moved closer to Claire, "Tell me why, Senator Avondale. Why are my hard earned dollars funneling over to projects and things that go against the lord and betray his words of humanity, not science?"
Claire nodded, "I can understand your concerns and if you would like, you can come out to my office in Springfield and meet with one of the interns who has worked on these issues you have presented. He will sit down with you and give you copies of the bills I've written and signed off on." She took a step back, "I must go now Michael. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me." She was shutting the conversation down. As she turned to walk away, Michael exploded from the obvious blow off handed to him.
"No! You do not walk away from me! I voted for you and you will give me all the time I want! I pay your salary, I am your boss!" He stepped after Claire. At this point a few security officers had come out of the woodwork, hearing his shouting and looking at Claire and I silently questioning if they should get involved.
Claire met my eyes, she was getting incredibly frustrated and rolled her neck to signal me to walk away with her. Michael was still yelling at her, "You think you are God! Playing god with my money and your science! Stop walking away and face me like a real politician would!"
Michael then did something really stupid.
His hand shot out, grabbing for Claire's left arm. Yanking her hard enough to make her stumble back to him.
He didn't know what hit him.
I grabbed his right hand, twirling it behind his back and off Claire's arm. Pushing him into the double doors that led into a back corridor, I shoved him until I heard the doors shut behind me. I then slammed him up against the wall, my other hand squeezing on the back of his neck, holding his cheek firmly against the stained drywall. I yanked his arm up, making him yelp, "What in the fuck makes you think you can touch her?" I kept my voice low and thick with intent to hurt him if he tried to move.
Michael stammered, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! She made me mad and I lost my cool!"
I pinched his neck, "Use your brain, Mikey, Senator Avondale is a politician, but she’s also a normal person trying to enjoy a day at the mall and you ruined that." I let Michael go, allowing him to turn and face me. Rubbing his wrist and neck he grimaced at me.
"I am upset with the way she votes." He looked down and away from me, "I thought she didn't have Secret Service protection anymore."
I gave him a hard look, trying to pick up if he was hinting at something more than a ridiculous outburst. I began to grow nervous this was a set up, I looked back at the double doors, listening for anything more.
"One of the reasons I voted for her was because she eliminated her own expenses with private protection and other silly side benefits the government hands out. She uses her own money and resources, not mine." He gave me a sad look, sad because a woman shattered his bravado and pride in a split second. "But you are obviously Secret Service or Federal Government.”
I folded my arms as the double doors opened and two security officers rushed in, "I am something." I held out my hand, "I need to see your license."
Michael dug it out, handing it over to me. I memorized all the details, intending to run Michael to find out if he was actually just angry Joe Citizen of if he was CIA or attached to the house of the rising nutjobs. I handed it back, stepping an inch away from the man, giving him a hard, awkward stare, "I have your address and your license number. I suggest you stay clear of Senator Avondale and behave." I said nothing more, he got my point as he nodded quickly in agreement, fear now replacing his lost bravado. I looked over my shoulder at the two officers, a young baby faced chubby one spoke first, "The Senator told us what happened. Ms. Witmer we can take it from here. She doesn't want to press charges or file a report."
I glanced down at the cracked concrete floor, taking a breath before looking back up at Michael, "One more thing." I waited for his full attention before my right elbow came out fast, making just enough hard contact with his stomach. A quick sucker punch. Michael gasped as his lungs pushed all of the air out, making his legs give out and slide down the wall to curl up on the floor, his face turning purple.
I knelt down to the man, whispering so only he
and I could hear, "You will now forever remember to stay clear of her. Never ever touch the woman I protect with everything I have like that and expect to get away with it. Life lesson learned here today, right Mikey?"
Michael continued to gasp like a fish out of water. I stood up, looking at the two security officers who were blank faced, not knowing what exactly happened since I moved so fast and covertly to hit Michael. I threw on a charming smile, "All yours."
I walked out of the double doors to see Claire standing next to a smaller female security officer. She leaned to look past me, catching the two other officers picking up Michael up off the floor, still groaning and moaning doubled over.
I stood in front of Claire, blocking her. "Okay, I am ready if you are to get that coat."
Claire peered down at me with a raised eyebrow, "What may have happened in there?"
I shrugged, "I may have made it terribly clear that Senator Avondale cannot be manhandled." I turned to the female officer, "We will be fine from here, thank you." I looked up and around, thankful that only two of three mall walkers had taken a deep interest in the exchange. I laid my hand on Claire's upper hand, "You were saying something about cheese fries?"
Claire squinted at me, slowly taking my lead, returning to our path towards the gourmet cafes. I smirked hearing the two officers walk the groaning ball of man out of the corridors, politely offering to escort him to his car.
Kit stood at the cash register, watching the young sales girl hand over bags containing her new winter wardrobe. Well, three long sleeve shirts, two sweaters and a new purple zip up sweatshirt. Kit was very against spending money on clothes and only went for function, not fashion. She even paid for the clothes with her own card, ignoring my attempts to slide my credit card over to the cashier.
I stood by the front of the bland typical clothing store that sold the true American image of khakis, jeans and polos. Kit was very simple, but picked a few things based on my advice, realizing that I had a better eye for what looked good and fit her well. I smiled thinking back at her adamant refusal to look for a new winter coat, claiming that she wouldn't find anything that would fit well enough to cover her gun. I was suspicious she just wanted to keep my coat.
I turned away from the mannequins standing at odd causal angles to face Kit as she walked towards me. I held my empty paper dish that once held a heaving pile of greasy fries covered in fake gooey cheese. I smiled trying to cover up the slow roll of my stomach starting to complain about the amount of fatty foods I fed it at an early hour. "Ready?"
Kit winked at me, "Ready, ready to leave the mall and coming back here anytime soon." Kit nudged my shoulder, pushing the door open for me to go first, "I think it's time we head home and get some real lunch in your stomach."
I shook my head lightly, exiting the store and taking a quick look around. There were a few more security officers in the area, doing their best to not make it seem so obvious that they were trying to be ready to respond if another angry voter came at me. I was taken aback by the audacity of Michael when he charged at me verbally. I wanted to walk away, but Kit acted, acted exactly like she was trained to, take out the issue and sequester it from boiling over more. The security officers had swarmed around me the second Kit pushed through the doors and I compared it to circling the wagons, I was safe and being asked a thousand questions about the yelling, who Michael was, who Kit was.
I wanted to ask her what type of gentle conversation did she have with the man, but I began to notice that when Kit snapped into action, she took it away from me so I wouldn’t be in the direct line of fire, so to speak. She burned around me like a brush fire and at the threat.
I walked next to her, neither of us saying a word until I tossed the empty fry box in the nearest trash can.
"For a doctor you would think you would stick to a healthy diet, all organic and gluten free." Kit gave me a dirty look, "You surprise me constantly."
I rolled my eyes, taking one of the bags from her, "You surprise me. What did you do to that poor man in the back hallway?" I took the opportunity to change the subject away from my constant guilty pleasure.
Kit looked down at the floor, "I slipped and my elbow used his stomach as a brace." Her eyes shifted to me, "I wouldn't want to fall and smash my face, bruise it or blemish it before the ball." She held the door leading back out to the parking garage open for me, "Claire, has that happened before? Citizens cornering you in public places?"
"Yes." I lifted my coat collar as the cold wind hit us, "It has increased over the last couple of years. That's why I really haven't been seen out in public. Staying close to home or choosing strange hours to go shopping." I unlocked the Cadillac. "The only time I feel free to walk around is when I am in Malibu. There, no one cares who you are because there is another bigger star or politician standing behind you. I am truly a small fish in an ocean. Here, I am a big fish in a pond." I set the bags in the trunk of the car. Kit held out her hand, "I will drive us home, unless there is anywhere else you want to go?"
I shook my head, the strange energy from the encounter was starting to sink its teeth into me. I was starting to feel tired, irritated and oddly nervous. I had to move back the passenger seat, Kit had moved it almost on top of the dashboard in her attempts to warm up when we left the house. I lowered the seat back so I was almost laying down. I removed my phone from my pocket to set it in the console when I saw there was the email from Davidek I was expecting. While Kit started the car and drove us out of the parking garage, I opened the email.
-Claire
I sent the bulk of the files to your home computer. I was able to get them through some unique channels. There is not much about the group, but you will find the project files interesting. Primarily the subject matter, I think you will find it quite familiar.
The strange thing that happened while Ivan and I were searching, is that I came across a ton of files on the New Church of the Rising Son. The FBI has built a profile on the group for the last eight months and have collected a lot more information than the Secret Service has. I sent that over to you as well. The head of the church is quite interesting and gave me insight on why he is targeting you. Also you will see why the Secret Service has literally nothing on him. That and the FBI has been reluctant to share their investigation with anyone.
Read it over and get back to me. I also sent Kit the same information.
-D
I set the phone down in the console gently, leaning back in the seat I folded my arms, looking out the window. The sun was still bright and reflected off the snow, giving the world around us this sunny bright clean feeling. The exact opposite of what reality was. The world was a messy dirty place where people would climb over one another to get what they wanted. I was getting tired of the constant in your face way of the world. I liked my privacy but lately I felt like I was forced into a hermit lifestyle. Hiding so I would have less to lose when angry voters, crazy religious freaks and secret groups came charging at me for the things I was doing.
I rolled my head and looked over at Kit. Driving and listening to the radio that I didn't realize she had turned on. Soft classical music filled the front seat. Taking the edge off my feelings and how they were swirling around in my body like a hurricane. I let my thoughts drift to when Kit opened the curtain, revealing the dress she had chosen.
I felt the corners of my mouth tug into a smile. She was breathtaking standing in that dress. The way the dress flowed around her, highlighting her natural beauty. The way she looked at me made my heart stop for a second while I almost choked on the far too big bite of corn dog I had in my mouth.
If I hadn't already told her I was in love with her. I would have in that instant. Kit made me feel normal and like I could give up this life I had sought out from the start. Ignoring the route most of those around me had. Serious relationship, marriage, children and happily ever after. I chose education, more education, career and life altering science research. No room for anyone or anything that did not serve a purpose
to further me along. I had been selfish for a very long time. Kit fell into my life and threw my world in an upheaval with the things she made me feel. When she was around I often forgot about anything other than her and how close I wanted to be her, telling her all the silly random things that floated around my head that had nothing to do with politics or science.
Kit looked over at me at a red light, smiling wide when she saw I was staring at her. "What are you looking at?"
"You." I said it softly, smiling with her, reaching over to rest my hand on my favorite spot right where her neck and shoulder curved together. Kit said nothing, her hand coming down to rest on top of mine, pulling it down from her shoulder so she could entangle her fingers in mine and set our hands down on her thigh. Holding my hand the rest of the way back to the house smiling so much her dimples never faded.
___________
It was half past noon when we arrived back at the townhouse. I hefted the bags up to Kit's room while she parked the Cadillac and started making a healthier lunch for the both of us. I set the bags on her bed and smiled at Norbert standing guard at the top of the bed. I left her room and moved into mine, hitting the button by my bed to open up the wall to my small office.
I flopped into the soft leather chair and went to work on the emails Davidek sent over. As much as I wanted to ignore it all, sit in the kitchen with Kit while she made lunch then spend the rest of the day with her, I had to dive into the information trying to get a step ahead of these people.
I clicked on the attachments in the Beekeeper email, waiting for the files to encrypt onto my hard drive. I opted to read the smaller ones regarding the religious group, opening the first few files blazoned with the blue FBI logo.
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