“Speaking from experience?” Marianne asked lightly.
Jameson took a deep breath. Family was the center of her thoughts lately—Candace’s kids and Cooper most of all. “Yes.”
“JD?”
Jameson smiled. “I understand where he’s coming from,” Jameson said. “He probably wishes sometimes that Spencer and Maddie were his. And, if I had to guess that makes him feel like shit.”
“Why?”
“Because Rick is their father. And he doesn’t want to diminish that or to overstep his boundaries. That’s not easy when you love someone.”
“Rick isn’t here,” Marianne pointed out. “I mean, Maddie won’t even remember her father. Scott is the only father she knows.”
Jameson smiled. She wondered if Marianne had realized what she had just said. “Maybe so, but you have to think about how Scott sees that. He doesn’t want to do anything that might push you away or the kids one day.”
“Okay. I think I understand what you are saying. What does that have to do with wanting more children?”
Jameson shrugged. “He loves you. Why did you want to have kids with Rick?”
“We both always wanted a family.”
“And?”
“And we loved each other.”
“Exactly. Marianne, Scott is surrounded right now by people starting and growing families. Maddie and JJ, Laura is expecting again, Shell and Mel are starting to try to have a family—It makes a person think.”
Marianne tipped her head curiously. It makes a person think? “JD, are you thinking about having a baby?”
Jameson laughed. “No,” she said.
Marianne raised her brow.
“Stop,” Jameson laughed harder. “God, what is it with you and Shell? No, I don’t want to have a baby.”
“If you say so.”
Jameson groaned. “Maybe Scott does, and I don’t blame him. I get it. You think it’s about having one of his own. It’s not. It’s about being a part of that with you all the way through.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that he has all the gaps he can’t fill. He’s watching Jonah and Laura right now and wondering what it was like for you.”
“He could just ask.”
Jameson shook her head. “He could. That won’t allow him to feel that. You’ve been with Spencer and Maddie since the moment they were conceived. You felt the ups and downs, the excitement and anticipation with Rick. Scott loves you, Marianne. And, yeah, he loves the kids. I’m sure he wonders what it would be like for you to come home and tell him that you’re pregnant. It’s about wanting to share everything with you, not about wanting his own.”
Marianne took a deep breath and let it go slowly. She looked at Jameson and saw something she’d never taken the time to see before. Jameson didn’t want a baby. Jameson was wondering what she had missed with Candace. In her own way, Jameson was mourning that. Marianne hadn’t stopped to think how Jameson must feel at times. She hadn’t had the chance to be with any of Candace’s children or even Cooper from the beginning. One thing that Marianne did know, Jameson loved all of them as if they were hers.
“Did you ever tell Mom?” Marianne asked.
“Tell her what?”
“That you wish you could have done that with her?”
“She knows.”
Marianne nodded. She suspected that her mother had an inkling. She also guessed that Jameson had never shared with her mother how deeply her feelings ran. Jameson’s explanation opened Marianne’s eyes to things she hadn’t considered about family.
“I’ll bet she thinks about it too,” Marianne told Jameson.
Jameson smiled. Maybe.
***
Candace watched the news and shook her head. Great. She looked up when Dana walked into the room.
“You saw it?” Dana guessed.
Candace nodded. Her primary rival for the Democratic nomination, George Keyes had just finished a round of interviews expressing his concern that Candace’s lengthy political career put her in jeopardy in a general election. He’d also adopted the argument that Candace was beholden to the establishment that had deliberately positioned her for a run for the White House. She would inevitably be forced to do their bidding.
“I can’t believe this is his argument,” Dana said.
Candace shrugged. “It’s politics, Dana. He wants to win.”
“You’re not pissed?”
“I’m disappointed,” Candace said. “I’d hoped that we would debate policy and not politics.”
“He’s pissed because he knows you have President Wallace in your corner.”
“The president will be in the corner of whoever is nominated.”
“Candy, they want you to…”
“It’s part of the game, Dana.”
“How do you want me to respond?”
“Use the facts.”
“Not very glamorous.”
“Well, that’s the contrast. Stick to the narrative,” Candace instructed. “For now.”
Dana shook her head. “You’re the boss.”
Candace smiled. “Yes, I am.”
Chapter Ten
Michelle walked into Candace’s office nervously. It was unusual for Candace to request Michelle meet her at the office in the evening unless something unexpected had occurred. Those unexpected things seldom fell in the happy times category of life.
“Mom? What’s going on?”
Candace smiled. “Relax, Shell. Just sit down.”
“Oh, this can’t be good. I saw Keyes on TV. Please tell me you’re not quitting the campaign.”
“Hardly.”
“Then why are you telling me to sit down? Oh, God! You and Jameson decided to have another kid!”
“You have a vivid imagination, Shell.”
“Well, what? Someone’s sick?”
“Shell!” Candace sniggered. “Take a breath.”
“Sorry, too much coffee.”
Candace nodded. “Jane’s flying in tomorrow.”
“Jane Merrow?”
“Yes.”
“Are you planning to campaign together?”
“Eventually,” Candace said. “She’s going to spend a few days at headquarters taking the lead with the press.”
“Why? Did I do something that…”
“No,” Candace held up her hand. “Hopefully, it’s only for a few days. Jed Ritchie is out making the rounds on the morning shows. Frankly, Senator Keyes new tactic isn’t helpful. Having a serial killer on the loose is not helping bolster confidence in me either.”
“Yeah, well they’re all full of shit, Mom. And, you’re not the FBI,” Michelle pointed out.
“Facts are sometimes less important than optics, Shell. You know that better than most.”
“I hate those assholes.”
Candace laughed.
“What else?” Michelle wanted to know.
Candace sobered. “Remember when I told you to keep your eye out for anyone that seemed to be lurking?”
“Yeah?”
“No concerns?”
“No lurkers,” Michelle replied. “Some new volunteers. No one that has made me suspect anything.”
Candace nodded. She made her way over to her desk and retrieved the pictures that Alex had given her earlier that day. “I need you to let me know immediately if you see either of these men.”
Michelle looked at the picture of Brad Lawson first. “Nope.” She put it behind the second photo and froze.
“Shell?”
“This is Brad.”
“What?” Candace asked.
“This—this picture is of our new volunteer, Brad Lawson.”
Candace looked over Michelle’s shoulder. “Shell? That’s a picture Alex gave me of some man named Jack Carter.”
Michelle shook her head. “No, that is Brad Lawson.”
Candace grabbed her cell phone.
“Mom? What are you doing?”
Candace ignored Michelle. She
held her breath waiting for an answer. “Alex?”
***
Alex Toles looked at her partner and shook her head with frustration. Another body. She suspected it was that of Brad Lawson. She looked down at the corpse and pinched the bridge of her nose. She was tired of working on this killer’s ticking clock. She wanted him to work on hers. “Something doesn’t fit,” she said. She groaned when her cell phone rang. “Candace?”
“Alex…”
“What’s wrong?” Alex asked.
“Shell recognized the photo of Jack Carter as someone who started volunteering a couple of days ago.”
Alex held her breath.
“But, she knows him by the other man’s name—Brad Lawson. What’s going on?”
Shit. “I’m not totally sure. Is Shell with you?”
“Yes.”
“Keep her there.”
“What?”
“Candace, if he knows Shell, he might know where she lives. She’s secure with you. No one’s coming after any of you there.”
Candace sighed. “I can’t keep her in the dark.”
Alex groaned. “I know. I can’t get there right now. I’m in the middle of something.”
“Alex…”
“Listen, I am going to send someone to you. Don’t let Shell or Jameson leave alone.”
“Jameson isn’t here. She dropped Cooper off and went to do some work.”
Alex groaned. “At her office?”
“Yes. Do you think Jameson is in danger?”
Alex took a deep breath. “Jameson can handle herself,” she said. “Just call her and tell her to stay put until someone gets there.”
“Someone? Alex…”
“Candace, please—trust me on this one.”
“What do you want me to tell Shell?”
“Tell her I will fill her in when I get there.”
“You’re coming here?” Candace asked.
“As soon as I can. I need to deal with some things where I am first.”
“All right. I don’t know why, but I feel like I need to tell you to be careful.”
“I always am,” Alex said. “Shit.”
“What’s up in Governor land?” Claire Brackett asked.
“He’s been to Candace’s campaign office. Shell recognized him. We need to look through that house again.”
“What do you hope to find?”
“Some idea of where he might be. What he might be driving. I don’t like the idea of using anyone as bait.”
Claire nodded. “What are we waiting for? Nothing we can do to help him,” she gestured to the body.
Alex grimaced. No, nothing at all.
***
Jameson sat on the edge of Cooper’s bed letting her hands comb through his curls. Candace stepped into the doorway.
“You all right?” Candace asked.
Jameson sighed.
“Jameson?”
“I was just thinking about everything he’s been through. I can’t imagine losing him.”
Candace moved beside Jameson. “Worried about Shell?”
Jameson nodded. “I’m worried about everybody,” she said. She looked up at Candace. “I saw Keyes on the morning shows.”
“It’s just politics, honey.”
“It’s bullshit. I thought he was your friend.”
“He is. He’s also my rival right now.”
“I wish I could say that I understand. Would you do that? Accuse him of being less than honest?”
“No—not unless he was.”
Jameson shook her head.
“Come on,” Candace coaxed Jameson.
Jameson made her way to her feet with a sigh. “How can you take this all in stride?”
“I’m not,” Candace replied. “Not really. What can I do? I have to see it through—all of it.”
“I know. I just wish I could help more. Jesus, I upset Coop this morning.”
“Upset him how?”
“He was excited to come see you. I asked him if he was tired of me.”
Candace smiled. “He loves you. He doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“I was joking.”
“Yes, I know. He didn’t seem any worse for the wear when you dropped him off. So, whatever you did to reassure him it worked.”
“I hope so.”
“What were you doing at the firm?” Candace asked.
“Jonah asked me to look at some plans.”
“Difficult client?” Candace asked.
“Not really. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure why he thought I could help.”
“Did you? Help?”
“I made some suggestions. They didn’t need them.”
“Mmm.”
“What?” Jameson asked.
“I think maybe Jonah is missing you at the office.”
“What?”
Candace shrugged and led Jameson out of Cooper’s bedroom. “He’s used to having the time with you.”
Jameson considered Candace’s observation. “Maybe we should plan a camping trip. Invite Scott. Might be good for both of them.”
Might be good for you. Candace smiled. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“So, when do you think Alex will get here?” Jameson asked.
“Not sure. She was tied up with something. Whatever it was, it wasn’t something she could walk away from.”
Jameson groaned. “I can’t believe I was talking to that guy.”
Candace shuddered slightly. “He didn’t send off any warning bells?” she asked.
“Not a one.”
“Well, we’ll see what Alex has to say.”
“Candace, if he comes back…”
Candace sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t know whether to hope he does or he doesn’t. I just know we need to get him off the street before he hurts anyone else.”
Jameson made no reply. How do these things always end up in her lap?
***
“Absolutely not!” Candace raised her voice.
“Candace, just listen,” Alex implored the governor.
“Mom,” Michelle pleaded for her mother’s attention.
“You want to use Shell to lure this sadistic son of a bitch? You’ve lost your mind.”
Alex shook her head. “We have a window.”
“You know what he looks like. Arrest him!”
“We have a warrant out. We’ve notified law enforcement that he might be driving a Crow Electrical van and issued their plate numbers. Nothing. There’s been nothing, Candace.”
“You said he’s close to the airport,” Candace said.
“I did—within twenty miles. There’s no record of Brad Lawson or John Carter owning or renting property here. We tried pinging the phone number his wife gave us. He’s not using the numbers that either Jack Carter’s wife or Brad Lawson’s receptionist gave us—nothing, Candace. He’s a serial killer. Serial killers are sadistic. They’re not stupid.”
“I don’t need a lesson,” Candace bit. “I’m well-aware of the intellect he likely possesses. That in no way engenders confidence in this idea you have.”
“Let me do it,” Jameson chimed. All eyes turned to her.
“What?” Candace asked her wife. “Let you do what?” she asked sharply.
“Shell said she told this guy I might have some work for him. Let me offer him something.”
“Are you insane?” Candace shot.
Jameson shook her head. “It would get him away, Candace. Marianne is leaving for Scott’s tomorrow morning. I can come up with some project to do at the house.”
Candace stared at her wife in disbelief. “I’m not risking you either.”
Jameson nodded. “Can we have a moment please?” she asked the group.
“That means get out now,” Shell said. “Coffee?” she asked Alex. Alex nodded.
Jameson waited for the door to close.
“No,” Candace said. “It’s too risky.”
“Alex is not going to let anything happen to me
. Besides, I can take care of myself.”
“Jameson…”
“Candace, you know that I’m right. You heard Alex. There are at least thirty victims if she’s right. If I can help; I have to.”
Candace sucked in a shaky breath.
“I know that house like I know you,” Jameson said. “I’ve been in every nook and cranny. Alex will be able to put people close without him knowing. It’s their best chance to end this without anyone else getting hurt.”
“What about you?”
“I need to do this,” Jameson said. “I have to.”
Candace closed her eyes. “I don’t have to like it.”
Jameson moved to her wife and pulled Candace close. “I’ll be fine. Just think how much it’ll piss off Klein. Keyes will have a hard time saying you toe the line,” she teased.
Candace chuckled nervously. “Promise me that you will do whatever Alex says.”
“I promise.”
“I mean it, Jameson.”
“I promise. Now, let’s go talk to Alex. And, Candace?”
“What?”
“This is not her fault. Don’t put this on her. Alex is just…”
“I know.”
***
“Overnight, Connecticut State Police made a grisly discovery—not far from where the bodies of seven women were found buried just over a week ago. Sources say the remains of an unidentified male was found in the barn of a vacant property nearby. Investigators are working to piece together the puzzle of how the man ended up there,” a reporter said.
The morning news anchor threw him a question. “Is this related to the other victims?” she said
“Difficult to say. We have seen an FBI presence here, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they suspect the two are related. My sources say that until they determine the identity and cause of death; it’s unclear if this individual met with foul play at all.”
“So, it could be an accident?” the anchor inquired.
“At this point, they are not ruling any possibilities out.”
Candace looked at Dana. “I hope that works.”
Dana nodded. “It’s the truth,” she said. “All I did was make certain it filtered down a certain way.”
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