Bloody Politics (14 page)

Who knows, indeed
, I thought. They may have had their minds changed for them … permanently.

“So you can understand Eric's caution,” George continued. “To be honest I'm relieved to finally be rid of it. I always felt slightly guilty, holding on to it and not doing anything. I feel better now.” He gave a small smile.

“I promise you this, George, I will do my best to make sure this information gets out to the public. I don't know how yet. But I'll figure it out.”

“I do not doubt that at all, Molly.”

_____

I leaned my chin on my hand as I stared at the screen of my old desktop computer. My brother-in-law's concise paragraphs detailed every accusation of corruption as well as every instance of Edward Ryker's meetings with the mining and agricultural companies years ago. Ryker's voting history, public comments, even rumors of bribes heard around the Hill. There was more information concerning the huge agricultural conglomerate and their contributions to the Epsilon Group's development fund. Checking my watch, I saw it was nearly midnight. I doubted I could sleep, so I moved Eric's file and opened a document file of my own. I stared at the blinking cursor. Innuendo and rumors, very little in writing, no one willing to talk. Eric had never been able to prove any wrongdoing. Possible accusers suddenly changed their minds or disappeared. What made me think I could ever put that information to its best use? I had no idea, but somehow I knew I'd find a way.

fifteen

Wednesday morning

I raced from the
limo to the back door of the Russell mansion and shook my umbrella free of raindrops. A surprise morning shower.

“Morning, Molly,” Albert said, taking the umbrella as I stepped inside.

“Thanks, Albert. It's chilly out there.”

“Coffee's waiting.”

“Ah, music to my ears. Have you seen Casey this morning?”

“About an hour ago. He should be back from dropping the senator and Peter any minute now.”

“Good Lord, they leave earlier and earlier every morning,” I said as we walked down the back hallway.

“Hi, Molly,” Luisa said as soon as I entered the kitchen. “We've got a surprise reception this evening. Apparently some Colorado manufacturing group is in town to meet with the senator and government officials. And you know how hospitable the senator is.” She laughed as she wiped off invisible fingerprints from the kitchen cabinets.

“I do, indeed, and I also know that where senators and government officials are, lobbyists are right behind. Looks like the senator's entertaining account will go in the red for the month.” Coffee poured into my mug. I was going to need it, what with the rain and overdrawn accounts.

“Oh, you'll find a way to balance it.” Luisa pooh-poohed my concerns with a dismissive wave of her hand.

I figured that's how most people thought of accountants. We were magicians who magically made numbers behave and budgets balance. All with a wave of our hand … or a click of a computer mouse.

“I hope you're right, Luisa,” I said, leaving her to bustle about her kitchen as only she could. Happiness was having caterers to boss around. Meanwhile, I headed to my office, determined not to let the dark-gray skies outside get to me.

_____

Raymond poured three fingers' worth of the premier Scotch into the crystal glass on his desk. That, plus four of the over-the-counter pain killers, had kept the pain in his throat manageable. He took a deep drink of the liquid gold and let it slide down his throat, bringing a blessed numbness. Then he pressed Spencer's number on his phone directory.

Spencer picked up after the fourth ring. “Have you heard anything from Trask?”

“Yeah. Just this morning. He wanted to get more information on that librarian guy Malone was meeting.” Raymond felt the cough start to rise and stopped it with a big sip from the glass.

“Who's this guy, again?”

“His name's George Trudeau. He was a senior researcher at the Congressional Research Services when Eric Grayson was digging around. That's why it got my attention. We were never able to find any files or notes on Grayson's home computer or in his desk years ago. Grayson must have kept them at his Capitol Hill office. That's why my buzzer went off when Trask said this Trudeau guy handed Malone a CD. They were sitting in a corner of the library, huddled together, talking. So it doesn't sound like they were discussing the weather.”

“
Crap
,” Spencer said softly. “How'd this happen?”

“I figure the only way Malone could have heard about this Trudeau guy is through the Loretta Wade woman. She's been at the Research Services for years. So she undoubtedly knew this Trudeau before he retired a few years ago.”

“
Dammit!
Every time we've got one leak shut down, another one pops up.”

Raymond leaned back in his desk chair and sipped the Scotch. No sunlight streamed into his office this morning. It was gray and depressing outside. He let the Scotch soothe his throat. “Yeah, I know. Malone had stopped poking around until she met with Sylvia Wilson.”

“Don't remind me,” Spencer growled.

“Too bad we can't get into the congresswoman's house. Trask was going to take a look, but he saw that Prestige Systems company installing security.”

“
Jesus!
Didn't Trask have that place bugged?”

“Yeah, and they probably found it,” Raymond said with a sigh.

Spencer cursed softly for a minute, then exhaled an exasperated sigh. “Now I'm wondering how much Loretta Wade knows. She may have helped this Trudeau when he was digging up stuff.”

“Yeah, I had the same thought. Trask has already checked out Wade's neighborhood. She's in a house on Potomac Avenue, across from that Harris Teeter store. Lots of neighbors around those houses, so he'll have to go in as a repairman or something.”

“Okay. Get it done. Let's see if she's got a copy of that CD. Or any other files.”

“I'll get him on it and let you know what we find. He may be able to get in there today or tomorrow. Wade is gone all day and so's the kid. Basketball practice over at Gonzaga.”

“Keep me posted by text. Tonight I'm attending a manufacturers' reception. Would you believe it's over at Senator Russell's house?” He gave a disgusted snort. “Dunston says Russell's turning really inquisitive ever since he took Karpinsky's seat on that committee. The last thing I need tonight is to listen to another politician sound sanctimonious.”

Raymond chuckled. “Malone's got her office there, so if you see her tonight, say ‘hello' for me.”

“Like hell.”

Raymond laughed out loud at the irritation in Spencer's voice, even though he knew it would spur the cough. Some things were worth enjoying.

_____

Casey stepped inside my office, coffee mug in hand. “Albert said you wanted to see me.”

I paused the mouse over the spreadsheet columns of Senator Russell's soon-to-be-overdrawn Entertainment Account. “Yes, I wanted ask you to please contact Prestige Systems and Danny and tell them I obtained some interesting information last night from librarian George Trudeau. I wanted to share it with them.”

Casey approached my desk and looked down at me with what I'd come to recognize as his Big Brother expression. Never having had a brother, big or small, I wasn't sure if that was an accurate description, but Casey's expression was a mixture of concern with a touch of scolding. “Wouldn't it be easier if you called Danny yourself?”

Crazy Ass spoke up quietly. “Don't you think it's time?” I hadn't been able to hear that voice through the dense emotion-charged cloud that had been hanging over me. Crazy Ass preaching forgiveness. That was new. Sober and Righteous, however, responded truer to form with a scowling “No.” Stubborn as ever, Sober refused to let it go. Despite the conflicting advice, I could feel that dense cloud start to lift.

I concentrated on the spreadsheet again. “Well, I'd like to have Prestige's input, since they're a security company.”

“Uh, huh. Okay, Molly. I'll call Danny.
This time
.”

I glanced back at him and watched him shake his head at me before he walked out of the office. Instead of returning to the spreadsheet immediately, I reached for my personal cell phone and clicked on Loretta Wade's number. She picked up quickly.

“Hey, Molly, what's up? Have you met with George yet?”

“Just last night, and you won't believe what he told me. He gave me a CD with all sorts of research he and Eric uncovered years ago. Eric never put any of this stuff in his notebook. He put it on the CD and gave it to George to keep.”

“You're kidding? What in the world is on that CD? Did he tell you?”

“Yes, he did. But I went home and looked at all of it. It focuses on one particular politician and goes into detail. I want to tell you what's on it, but not on the phone. Is there any way we could meet tonight? Even for a few minutes after work?”

“Tonight is hard. I'm going straight over to Gonzaga because Bobby is playing in some preseason games. You could come over to the gym if you want. Believe me, we can find privacy there. We'll just move down the bleachers away from everyone. They'll be screaming their lungs out anyway.”

“I remember those games. Sounds like as good a place as any. I'll meet you over there. At six or six thirty?”

“Six thirty would be better. Halfway up the bleachers.”

“I'll find you. Talk to you then.” And I clicked off. Prestige Systems' security couple would have fun tonight with a crowded gym to cover. They might have to bring some backup.

_____

I glanced up from the computer screen at the knock on my open office door. There stood Danny, Prestige Systems' Bennett alongside, and Casey behind him. I ignored the feeling inside me when I saw Danny and beckoned them into my office.

“Please come in, gentlemen.”

Casey closed the door, and all three approached my desk. I didn't bother to offer them chairs because this really wasn't a social visit.

“Did your security team get some good photos last night?” I asked Bennett. “It was kind of close surroundings in the library. George and I were over in a corner.”

“Matter of fact, that worked to our advantage. It's actually easier to conceal surveillance in a library. Almost everyone is sitting or standing around, bent over a book. And it was an entirely different population. That will help us match faces.”

Deciding I really couldn't ignore Danny's presence any longer, I glanced up at him. He was watching me with those dark eyes. “How's that facial-recognition software working? Casey told me you were using it.”

“We're making progress. With last night's selections sorted, we've made some matchups. We're also looking at military photos of men who've served in the same locations I did. We'll run that database once we've narrowed down the field.” He looked at me intently. “Casey said you learned something from that researcher George Trudeau last night? Can you share that with us?”

“I'll do better than that.” I opened a file folder on the side of my desk and took out three sets of printed pages. “I made you all a copy of some of the information on that CD. George told me that Eric never put this information in his notebook where someone could find it. He placed it only on the CD and gave the CD to George for safekeeping. I sat up last night and put all of that information in chronological order. Listed everything. Everything he'd learned about the Epsilon Group and possible corruption here in the U.S. and abroad. Money laundering and the people involved years ago. Rumors of bribes, past and present.” I handed one to Danny, one to Bennett, and another to Casey.

Danny scanned the first page quickly, then glanced back at me. “Did he say why he gave this to you, Molly?”

“He wants me to follow through on Eric Grayson's wishes and make this information public. Somehow. You'll notice some high-powered politicians are mentioned, as well as lots of rumors. I'm thinking of releasing it to several news agencies—simultaneously—and perhaps some politicians. Together they'll have the resources to investigate thoroughly. It's time to throw the spotlight on Ryker's corruption. Did he take bribes? Was he involved in money laundering? Let the press find out.”

Danny scanned the second page, then caught my gaze. “Pretty sensitive stuff. You did good.”

“I didn't do anything. George and Eric did all the work.”

Danny smiled that crooked smile I was really fond of. “Yeah, you did. You got George to trust you.”

“Do you plan to go out this evening, Ms. Malone?” Bennett asked. “I'd like to advise my team. It would be good if you were someplace different. Someplace that would intrigue this guy to follow you.”

“As a matter of fact, I'll be at Gonzaga High School for a basketball game tonight at Loretta's invitation. Her son is playing. So if the intrigued watcher is there, your guys are going to have their work cut out for them. High school gyms are big and filled with yelling people who are jumping up and down.” I smiled. “Better bring backup.”

Bennett and Danny exchanged glances and Bennett said, “We'll be ready.” With that, he and Danny started for the door, which Casey had already opened.

Startled at their abrupt departure, part of me wished they would stay longer. Then Danny paused in the doorway and glanced back at me. “Don't worry, Molly. We're gonna find this sonofabitch. I swear.” He was gone before I could reply.

Wednesday afternoon

I noticed the message light flashing on my cell phone as I returned to my desk chair. I checked the screen and pressed to listen. Samantha's drawl sounded.

“Molly, I've heard from my mice concerning the name Quentin mentioned in his notebook. They think it's Spencer Graham. He was Ryker's chief of staff years ago during those early days as Ryker started to move up in Congress. After a few years, Spencer Graham became a lobbyist and has some very influential clients. He's quite wealthy now. Also, he may have a connection to that Epsilon Group, because he's often seen with Ambassador Holmberg when he's giving speeches. I hope this helps. Take care.”

Her line clicked off, and I leaned back in my chair and sorted through deep memory. I had only faint images of the people surrounding Edward Ryker all those years ago when my husband Dave was fighting for his political life. No images of Ryker's staff came into view. So I turned to my computer and brought the screen to life. Now that I had a first and last name, it was time to consult the online encyclopedia at my fingertips.

I entered Spencer Graham's name into the Google search box and watched as the screen filled with several websites to choose from. I chose Graham's official site and examined the photo that accompanied his consulting firm's website promo. Silver hair, in his sixties, and a salesman's smile. It brought back no memories. He looked like half of the older politicians, hangers-on, and hacks that filled Washington's streets every day.

Wednesday evening

I quickly refilled my coffee mug and escaped from the kitchen. The noise was deafening. Since this was a spur-of-the-moment entertaining event, the senator's Hill staff was unable to schedule our normal caterers, the wonderful team of Marian and Rosemary—organized geniuses in the kitchen, and quiet. Instead, a flamboyant Argentine tyrant showed up with his army of lackeys, bowing and scraping. The maestro—
El Jefe
—ruled supreme. He even banished Luisa from her own kitchen. I'd never seen Luisa mad before, but she stormed upstairs after a fiery exchange
en Espa
ñ
ol.
Albert had whispered that she was pacing around in their suite on the third floor, talking to a relative in Veracruz. I planned to leave the Russell abode before guests arrived. Albert could fill me in tomorrow.