A waiter approached. “Would you like a drink, sir?”
“Uh—yes. Bring me a lemon-lime soda in a gin and tonic glass with lime, please.”
Nick chimed in. “The senator needs a fresh glass of water, too.”
Richardson picked up his water glass. “What’s all this?” He looked at Nick.
“Twelve pieces of surveillance I picked up from the men’s room, this table and chairs, and that table there,” he pointed. “Most of them are simple audio, but the two I found in the men’s room ceiling had both audio and video.”
Richardson turned ashen. “What? That’s unbelievable.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Now I understand. My wife joined me here the other night for a late dinner, and she chatted with the speaker’s wife about women things. The next day, one of the gossip columns announced the exact hair color specs my wife uses at the hairdresser. I know it bothered her, although she didn’t say much about it. That’s how they knew.” He ran a hand through his hair and took a sip of his drink. “I could almost use a real drink after that tidbit, but Ineverimbibe until I’m done working. Just let them think I am.”
Nick leaned back in his chair. “I’d be happy to check the ladies’ room for devices. I only scanned the areas you’ll use today.”
“Thanks. Before you leave, I’ll introduce you to the owner of this place. It sounds like he could use your services too.” Richardson scrutinized the table. “You’re supposed to be sitting over here,” he indicated. “I gave my staffer the seating arrangement for a meeting to take place after you and I talk.”
Nick smiled. “Sir, I can’t see the front door, bathroom door, or kitchen doors from that seat. I switched the speaker’s place card with mine. I wouldn’t do you much good over there because I can’t see a damn thing.”
Richardson sighed. “That’s why I need to hire your firm.I’m new to all of this, Nick, as the freshman senator from Texas. I can’t do my job and worry about my family’s safety at the same time. Someone recognized my wife and a protest started the other day when she was buying groceries and household things. Angie’s no wallflower, but she had the two younger kids with her, and it was terrifying to have people screaming and throwing stuff at her car. She had to call 911 to get an escort out of the parking lot.”
“I see.” Nick nodded slowly. No wonder the guy sounded so tense when he’d contacted him.
Richardson waved to the waiter. “You like cheesesteaks, Nick?”
“Works for me.” Nick opened his iPad to take notes.
“Two cheesesteaks with the works—fried onions. Thanks.” The waiter headed for the kitchen. “Dr. Thai cleared you to work for us. Your staff will need to pass the same physical you had this morning.”
“Not a problem, sir. I’ll get on it right away. How does your family feel about you hiring round the clock security?”
“Well,” the senator removed the twizzle stick from his glass, “None of us are thrilled with the invasion of our privacy, but I’m counting on you to supply us with personable bodyguards who understand we’re a normal family with our ups and downs. The last thing I want is for one of your employees to write a sensational piece for some media outlet detailing our personalities and routines.”
Nick paused a second, and made a note to contact his lawyer about adding ironclad NDAs to his hiring package. He trusted all the people he’d hired, but the NDAs would reassure the senator.
The waiter arrived with their cheesesteaks. Nick set downhis iPad and contemplated.As far as the personable staff?He already had several employees who’d be a great fit for the Richardson’s. That list didnotinclude him. He could deal withanyadult, but those kids?Absolutely not.They were way outside his comfort zone.
4
Liz pulled into the driveway at home and patted the dashboard. She hadn’t owned a vehicle the entire time she’d globetrotted with the military, and the forty-five minute commute to and from work gave her a chance to decompress. She loved this car. It hadn’t needed any retrofitting to accommodate her injury because the right foot did what the right foot had always done. Gas and brake. Her prosthetic left foot enjoyed the ride and tapped in time to the playlist on her iPhone. It was normal. She held a deep appreciation for normal these days.
She tiptoed into the kitchen and allowed the door to snick shut behind her. Ella wasn’t crying, and the house smelled of meatloaf. Good meatloaf—her mother’s meatloaf. Meatloaf with ketchup on top and onions in the middle. The kind of meatloaf that was so savory, she already planned on making a sandwich for lunch tomorrow.
Her mom stood by the stove humming to the music playing softly on the Bose speakers. She kissed her mom’s cheek in greeting.
“I can’t believe Ella’s asleep. It feels like a miracle.” Liz loaded a plate with mashed potatoes, broccoli, meatloaf and salad. “How’d it go today?” she whispered.
Arlene Nelson smiled. “Much better than the past few days. I figured out that Ella’s cutting teeth. I’d forgotten that you cut your first teeth when you were her age. I paged through yourLittle Milestonesbaby book and remembered how fussy you were. Anyway, we took a field trip to the pharmacy, and I bought baby Tylenol and a cool teething ring. It’s a good thing they worked. I was getting ready to rub some crème de menthe on her gums if it didn’t,” she chuckled. “And baby girl loves classical music. She’s rocking in the swing in the dining room. I’m glad, for her sake, that she likes the softer music because I was ready to turn on some AC/DC and dance for her.” Arlene winked at Liz. “The past couple hours have been peaceful, so I made dinner instead of calling for carry-out. I’d say that’s progress, honey.”
Hot tears pricked Liz’s eyes as she reveled in her mother’s words and the first bite of meatloaf. She owed her mother big-time. Arlene had dropped her own life and flown to the military hospital in Germany the day she found out Liz had been injured. She’d stayed for weeks, and when Liz had told her about the baby, Arlene flew home, had a new walk-in tub/shower combo installed in the main bath for her use, and started planning the baby’s nursery. Her mother wasn’t just her mom; she was her BFF.
Arlene pinned her daughter’s hazel eyes with a look. “Nick stopped by today. He was on the porch when I got home from the pharmacy. I drove around the block a few times until he left. I wish you’d tell him about Ella, honey. He’s going to find out sooner or later.”
Liz’s fork froze mid-air. She fought the panic rising in herthroat. “I’m sorry. This situation puts you in an awful position. But how can I tell him?‘By the way, Nick, I know you don’t want kids, but I have one, and it’s not yours because you got that damn vasectomy?’”
Arlene took a deep breath. “Something like that, honey. It’s not going to get easier with time. He’s been home for three months.” She slid the leftovers into the fridge.
Liz swallowed hard. “I know you’re right. But I’m a decorated veteran who isn’t brave enough to tell the man I love that I chose the baby over him. I’m afraid the look in his eyes will rip me apart inside.”Or he’ll leave forever because I betrayed his trust and didn’t tell him.
“He loves you, Liz. You can’t be sure of his reaction until you tell him. Maybe he’s had a change of heart.”
