Lessons Learned (The Gifted Realm Book 2)

by Jillian Neal

  ‘Bloodthirsty’ was the only way Rainer could think to describe Vindico’s determination when it came to ripping apart the entire organization, piece by piece. He certainly had his reasons, but the dogged determination was a little hard to swallow sometimes.

  “Yes, sir,” Tuttle gave his agreement with a single nod.

  “Next on the Wretchkinsides’ agenda is to come up with the evidence to prove that his new Summation team, ‘The Sirens,’” he rolled his eyes dramatically, “is a front, and then shut it down. And trust me, if you’ve ever seen Marlisa and her cronies, then you’d find the team name just as ridiculous as I do.”

  “Figure out where the money he used to fund the team and to refurb the stadium in Springfield came from. We’ll start from there. I’d love to shut them down before the big Exhibition, which is a week from this Saturday. They’ve entered, and unless we do something to stop them, they’ll be playing.”

  “As Emily Haydenshire has just become the Angels’ Junior Receiver, I’m certain you can understand my concern about having her on the field with Marlisa and multiple sources of energy that could be harnessed and used to harm someone,” Vindico verbalized one of the many fears that were coiled deeply in Rainer’s gut.

  “Since you idiots haven’t brought me anything useful lately, I plan to use whatever we learn from O’Ryan today to guide our investigation for a while. So, make me happy while I’m gone. Figure something out. The Interfeci has moved onto our turf, and we’re not gonna stand for that. Now, go!”

  It’s a Small World

  “Let me check in with Sorenson, and then I’ll find you,” Garrett requested as Vindico directed Rainer and Logan to follow him.

  Garrett was trying to smooth over his abrupt appointment back to Elite. Sorenson was the Non-Gifted chief, and had grumbled about Garrett’s leaving his squadron under Governor Haydenshire’s orders.

  “That’s fine. Do whatever you need to do. We’ll leave for Felsink after lunch,” Vindico agreed.

  “Can’t wait,” Garrett chuckled with his own version of the signature Haydenshire smirk. It was one the Governor often sported, as did all of his sons.

  Rainer and Logan followed Vindico through the heavy double doors that opened into the Governors’ branch of the Gifted Senate.

  There were five Governors of the American Gifted Realm, and one Crown Governor. Each Governor had a rather plush office with a view of the Potomac.

  “Stephen’s working from the farm today. Worried about his baby girl, I’m sure,” Arthur Vindico, Dan’s father and another of the Realm Governors, was standing outside of Crown Governor Carrington’s office. They were deep in discussion.

  Rainer’s ears perked immediately. Stephen was Emily’s father, and ‘baby girl’ was his term of endearment for his one and only little girl.

  Logan and Rainer shared a nervous glance. Neither of them had known that Governor Haydenshire had decided to work from his office at the farmhouse. He clearly hadn’t wanted to worry them further.

  “Perhaps I should take a page from his book,” Governor Carrington replied gravely.

  “Regis,” Governor Vindico shook his head, “Talk to Dan. They’ve got us all running scared over what happened to Emily last night. That’s what they want, for us to back down. Serena will be fine. She’s in capable hands, and Dan trained her security staff.”

  “Talk to Dan about what?” Vindico interrupted their conversation.

  “Son, I’m sorry; we didn’t see you there,” Governor Vindico cleared his throat and offered Rainer and Logan a kind smile.

  “What’s wrong with Serena, Governor Carrington?”

  Governor Carrington’s deep-brown eyes, that matched his kind face, turned up in a smile as he slapped Rainer on the shoulder and gave him his customary soothing chuckle. This time his laughter seemed forced.

  Regis Carrington had been one of Rainer’s father’s closest friends. When Governor Lawson was Crown, he’d asked Regis to run for the office if anything should ever happen to him. When Joseph was assassinated, Governor Carrington had run unopposed to succeed him as Crown.

  “Oh, nothing new, Dan. She just got a little spooked this morning. The dogs were barking and growling, and she thought she saw someone out in the garden.”

  “One of the tires on her car is flat. She’d left it in the driveway last night, but you know we live in a gated community. I’m going to head home. I can’t stand not knowing what’s going on there, and she’s scared.” Governor Carrington seemed to have reached his decision as he explained what had happened. He looked morose.

  Rainer felt his stomach begin to churn. Serena was the Crown Governor’s long-term girlfriend. They’d never married, so she wasn’t the First Lady. Rainer knew that Governor Carrington hoped that the slight distance would protect Serena from suffering the same fate that Rainer’s mother had fallen victim to, so many years ago.

  Governor Carrington and Serena were closer than several married couples Rainer knew. He doubted he was the only one who noticed their devotion to one another, however.

  Serena often worked with the Auxiliary department and with many of the civic organizations that they sponsored. A native of Jamaica, Serena traveled back home to offer assistance there, as well.

  She wasn’t employed in any capacity, and had been called many unsavory names in the press, due to the fact that she and Governor Carrington shared a mansion out in Somerset, Maryland. They also slammed the Crown Governor because of the age difference. Serena was twelve years younger than the Crown Governor.

  But Governor Carrington never seemed to care what anyone thought. He adored Serena, and the Realm could say whatever they wanted. He had everything he’d ever need, and she was his queen.

  Most recently, he had given her a brand-new, bright yellow, Bentley Continental convertible for her fortieth birthday. The vanity plate with his pet name for her, ‘Inamorata’, might have been over the top. The sentiment, ‘woman that was deeply cherished’, was something shared in intimate moments between the Crown and Serena, Rainer assumed, as he’d never heard Governor Carrington call her that in public.

  Vindico’s demeanor somehow became even more intense suddenly. “Have you talked to Gallic?”

  “Yes, he changed the tire for her and assured me that he saw nothing out of the ordinary. I left early this morning for work, and her detail hadn’t left their quarters yet when the dogs started barking. She’d gone out for an early morning swim.”

  Vindico tried to hide his disdain from the Crown, but Rainer caught the slight eye-roll.

  “Sir, Gallic’s team is very happy to work in shifts. I’ve told you before. They would be much more effective if you didn’t insist that they only work from seven in the morning until you get home in the evenings.”

  Governor Carrington’s kind eyes turned resentful for a moment, though his calm, rhythmic intonation never changed.

  “And as I’ve told you, Daniel, every time we’ve had this conversation, I think Serena, and, quite frankly, I have given up quite enough of our privacy when it comes to running this Realm. If my love wants to swim in the mornings, unaccompanied, or if I don’t particularly appreciate having any interruptions when we’re alone in the evening, then I don’t believe that I’m asking too much.” The challenge was clear, though Carrington never lost his calm cool demeanor.

  “Yes, sir,” Vindico begrudged.

  “Rainer, Logan, I trust Dan is giving you the grand tour,” Governor Carrington turned his attention back to Rainer.

  “Oh, yes, sir.”

  The Governor chuckled more naturally this time. “Well, as you boys were practically raised up here, I doubt you’ll find that much has changed, but enjoy your day. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a nod, Governor Carrington headed towards the exit doors.

  “Well, if his ‘Inamorata’ didn’t insist on swimming in the nude every morning, I doubt she’d mind having one of the many officers I’ve assigned her keeping an eye out,” Vindico sneered angrily as soon as G
overnor Carrington was out of earshot.

  Logan’s mouth hung open in shock as Rainer’s eyes goggled.

  “Daniel!” Governor Vindico spat, “Regis and Serena are dear friends of our family. Not to mention the fact that he is the Crown Governor of this Realm and your boss, to whom you will show respect. Besides that, Regis is right; he and Serena have sacrificed quite enough for this Realm. Marriage and children would make the top of that lengthy list.”

  Rainer wasn’t certain what was more shocking Vindico’s quip or watching him being reprimanded by his father.

  This time, Vindico’s eye-roll was much more distinctive.

  The Governor turned to Rainer and forced another smile. “How’s Emily this morning, son?”

  “She’s all right. She didn’t sleep all that well, and she hates all of the attention and the extra security. She feels like she’s causing everyone a lot of trouble.”

  Governor Vindico nodded his understanding. “Well, I think it’s like I was telling Regis they’ve scared everyone half to death and now we have to take a few extra precautions, but we can’t keep letting them rule our decisions. That’s precisely what Nic Wretchkinsides wants.”

  “We need to get going, Dad. I want to show them everything this morning, and then we’re going out to Felsink this afternoon. I need them up and working by week’s end. We can’t keep good officers tied up with required paperwork and protocol. I have work I need done.”

  “All right, son, fine. Enjoy the tour, fellas. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you often,” Governor Vindico gave a slight wave as he closed his office door.

  “Now, since we were all raised by Governors, we have a little more access than your average Iodex officer, but if you want to send someone else over here to the Governors, they would need to talk to Frances.”

  He led them to a woman’s desk that was situated directly across from Governor Carrington’s office. She had a kind face, but was dressed sharply and appeared to have a keen eye for detail.

  “Well, hello, Daniel, Rainer, Logan,” she greeted them kindly. “Rainer, you probably don’t remember, but I was your father’s aide when you were just a tyke. You used to come and talk with me when your father was on the phone.” Frances appeared to have fond memories of Rainer that he couldn’t recall. He smiled, not certain what else to say or do. Vindico stepped back in.

  “Frances runs the court schedule, keeps our fathers on their toes, keeps Regis from losing his mind, and is in charge of everyone you see in this office,” Vindico gestured to the dozens of people seated behind Frances all working in some capacity for the Governing board.

  “And I bake a mean sour cream pound cake.”

  Rainer and Logan both chuckled as Vindico grinned. “She does that.”

  “Don’t work them too hard, Daniel. The chamber room is empty this morning if you want to show them in there.”

  “Will do. Thanks, Frances,” Vindico waved as he guided Rainer and Logan out of the Governing wing to the Senate Chamber and holding cells.

  “Here’s the courtroom,” he threw open two large oak doors and showed them the opulent courtroom with a place for each of the Governors to sit. The Crown Governor’s seat was slightly larger and in the center.

  “Witness benches,” Vindico pointed to several long cushioned benches on the left side of the rectangular room. “The defendants are brought in through there,” he gestured to two oak doors that matched the ones they’d entered through in the back of the courtroom.

  “If you’re questioned, you sit there. That’s where you’ll be when you start giving testimony on arrests you make,” he pointed out a lone chair in the left center of the room just a few paces away from the Governors’ seats.

  “And the Senteon sits there,” he spread his hands, showing the rows and rows of blue cushioned seats taking up the entire right side of the room.

  The Senteon heard trials, and could vote on a person’s guilt or innocence, though the final decision lay with the Governors. At least four of the six Governors must be convinced of a person’s innocence or guilt before a verdict was handed down, but the Crown Governor’s vote counted twice.

  Rainer was struck by how different the chamber room appeared to him. The last time he’d been in the courtroom, his father had been Crown Governor.

  He was ten years old, and had been running a fever and had a terrible cough. His father needed to hear a trial before he took Rainer to the Medio. He could still see his father’s deeply concerned eyes, and hear his repeated apologies that he couldn’t take him to the Medio’s office sooner.

  “Your mom always knew how to make everything better,” he’d choked out the deep regret. “I promise I’ll get the trial over with as quickly as I can, and then we’ll go get you healed up. We’ll rent some movies, get ice cream, and hang out ‘til you’re feeling better, okay?”

  Rainer had nodded as he was having a hard time speaking. “Rocky Road?” he’d managed in a strangled whisper.

  His father had given his customary soothing chuckle as he scrubbed Rainer’s hair. “Of course, son.”

  He’d spent the morning in his father’s office, lying on the leather couch, with his father setting healing casts to lower his temperature every opportunity he had.

  They’d gone to the chamber to hear a trial. Rainer couldn’t recall the details of the case, but he remembered thinking how important his dad looked, seated in the middle of the other Governors, asking questions, and listening intently. It was one of the only times in his life that Rainer recalled being intimidated when he was with his father.

  In the middle of that trial, he’d begun shivering violently both from his fever and his awe, and Governor Lawson had immediately recused himself. He’d led Rainer from the room and taken him to the Medio, and then home, just like he’d promised.

  They’d stayed on the sofa for the three days it took Rainer to fully recover from strep throat. His dad had never left his side. He’d even let Emily come over and play board games with them, and attempt to nurse him back to health with all of her nine-year-old wisdom.

  Rainer swallowed down a sudden onslaught of emotion, and reminded himself that he was a grown man now, and that his dad was gone. He had to stand on his own.

  He inventoried the courtroom once more and pushed away the memories of his father.

  When he was a child, the room had been gargantuan and the Governors’ voices had an odd, hollow, echoing effect. Somehow, it looked much smaller now.

  With one last glance back to the chair once occupied by his father, another memory assaulted his psyche. “You aren’t all alone, and I won’t let you ever be all alone. I’m going to take care of you and make you feel better, always. Always!” Emily’s sobbed vow, when Rainer had sat with her on a quilt in the yard on the night of his father’s murder, ricocheted through his mind next.

  He let that feeling of her love, and her care, and her steadfast determination that she would always be there soothe his heart and his weary soul.

  They moved on to the holding chambers. Several iron boxes that were approximately seven square feet on each side, with bars on the doors, were lined along a darkened hallway just off of the courtroom.

  “Run your hand over that, Haydenshire,” Vindico ordered. His harsh voice shattered through Rainer’s recollections.

  With a hesitant grimace, Logan touched one of the bars then jerked his hand away.

  “They’re made of a magnesium and iron ore blend, and we run infrared light over them constantly, to keep anyone from getting any brilliant ideas about escaping while they’re awaiting trial.”

  Logan shook his hand, and glanced at Rainer confusedly.

  “Did it hurt?” Rainer asked as they followed Vindico on to the next branch of the Senate.

  “No, not really. It just felt weird, like it messed my hand up. I don’t think I could have summoned.”

  Rainer nodded, and picked up the pace since Vindico was awaiting them.

  They moved quickly through the cafeteria
and infirmary, and then into the entire branch devoted to service.

  “Should make you proud, Lawson. This was all your mother’s doing,” Vindico gestured to the many offices full of men and women working towards making the Realm a better place. The Auxiliary Branch of the Senate was run by Receivers like Emily. Receivers’ empathy often knew no bounds.

  The Auxiliary department handled family counseling, adoptions, crisis management, disaster relief, and helped the Non-gifted Realm with poverty and neglect or abuse.

  Rainer smiled and nodded. He didn’t really want to think about his mother just then. The past day or two had held too many emotions already.

  “This is the event-planning part of the Senate,” Vindico explained as he moved onto the next wing. “So, all of the balls or Summation events start here first,” he showed them several offices at the end of the long hall.

  They moved to the last portion of the Senate. Vindico smiled as they entered another large set of oak doors.

  “These would be the people you need to talk to about what to do with the massive amount of money we’re paying you two,” he chuckled.

  Rainer and Logan joined in. Although Iodex officers were well-paid for their work, they certainly weren’t overpaid for what they did. American Senate Banking and Financial Planning was etched on a placard just inside the oak doors.

  “That’s Mr. Buffet’s office,” Vindico lowered his voice, as everyone in the area was either on the phone or in deep concentration as they stared at a computer screen.

  Suddenly, the door opened and a man stepped out. He smiled at Vindico. He appeared to be in his eighties, and had a kind face. Rainer noted he was dressed very nicely, and carried himself with a great deal of respect. “How’s it going, Daniel? I don’t see you over here too often.”

  “Just showing my new team members around, Warren. How are you?”

  “Good, good,” Mr. Buffet smiled, “Rainer, I’m sure you don’t remember me,” he turned to shake Rainer’s hand, “but your father was a dear friend of mine. If I can ever do anything for you, help you with investing your inheritance, anything at all, I’d be only too pleased to be of service.”