Fast Track (25 page)

Julian’s voice was loud and clear. “Is it done? Is Cordelia Kane dead? Answer me.”

Static muffled the answer. “No . . . not yet.”

Kendrick’s eyes widened when he heard a response. “You should have told him who you were. You tricked him by not identifying yourself.”

“We sure did,” Jack said. “I guess you could say we’re tricky.”

He pushed the button again to continue the recording.

“You’re not getting the rest of the money until that gold digger is dead. It needs to happen fast. I thought I conveyed the urgency here. They collected my daughter’s glass for her DNA. Get it done.” He repeated the demand in a near shout. “And if you run into that coward Jenkins, tell him he’s fired.”

The conversation ended.

“The static we put in there helped sell it, don’t you think?” Alec asked.

“It will never hold up in court,” Kale blustered. “Never. It’s entrapment.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Alec said. Since they had no intention of using the tape, they didn’t care if it would hold up in court or not. They wanted Kendrick and Jenkins to talk.

“I know the law,” Kale snapped.

“So do we,” Jack replied.

“I’ll file a motion—”

“Go ahead.”

“We also have Arnold Jenkins. He’s giving you up, Charles. He’s answering all our questions. We already played the call for him.”

“He seized the opportunity. You didn’t,” Alec said.

“I think we’re through here.” Jack picked up the phone and stood to leave.

Alec followed him. They walked out into the hallway, and just as the door was closing behind them, they heard Kendrick yell, “Wait a minute.”

T
he news shouldn’t have surprised Cordie, but it did.

“You’re certain it was Julian Taylor on the phone?”

Alec nodded. “Liam confirmed it, and so did a lot of other people. It was Julian.”

“It makes sense,” Aiden said. “With Simone’s shares, Julian now controls fifty-one percent of Merrick stock. He can overrule the board whenever he wants. As soon as twenty percent is transferred to you, Cordelia, his power is gone.”

“But if I weren’t around, he would lose it to Simone’s son when he turned twenty-one,” she pointed out. She walked over to the bar where they were standing and sat down on a stool.

“Simone gave Julian her shares to control, and I’m sure he could get his grandson to do the same thing.”

Both Aiden and Alec were being very calm and matter-of-fact about this latest development. Cordie, on the other hand, wanted to start screaming. She now understood why children had tantrums. It was a thoroughly satisfying way to let out pent-up frustration. She wanted to pick up objects and hurl them across the room. Nature seemed to empathize. The weather complemented her mood. A hard rain was pelting the windows of the suite, and every other minute a clap of thunder could be heard rumbling in the distance. The wind was gathering momentum.

“As soon as Kendrick and Jenkins found out we knew who they were working for, they understood they’d lost their leverage. We can’t get them to stop talking now. They’ve turned on each other and on Julian, both trying to get a deal.”

“They were with Simone when she confronted me at the hotel in Sydney. I assumed they worked for her.”

“They did work for her, but they also reported everything she did to her father. That’s when he found out you were back in the picture. According to Kendrick, Julian has known about you for a very long time.”

“How long?”

“Since you were a baby.”

“What?” She all but fell off the stool. “This just keeps getting creepier and creepier.”

Alec was rummaging through the refrigerator behind the bar. He took out a bottle of Kelly’s root beer and opened it. “There are some real serious trust issues in that family,” he said.

“He spies on his daughter. Why would he do that?” she asked.

“He’s protecting his interest,” Aiden explained.

“Kendrick was more of a confidant than Jenkins was,” Alec said. “He would sit and drink straight vodka shots with Julian a couple of times a month. That’s when Julian would talk about family. One night he told Jenkins that Simone had run away when she was a teenager. It took him some time to find her, and when he did, he got the shock of his life. He couldn’t believe what she had done.”

“Did she know she would inherit stock when she turned twenty-one?” Cordie asked. She looked to Aiden for an answer.

“I’m sure she did.”

“That might be another reason she used the name Natalie Smith,” Alec said. “I don’t think she had any intention of staying with your father. She gave birth, and a short time later she took off.”

“Julian told Kendrick he was about to send a couple of men to drag her back to Australia, but it wasn’t necessary. She came home, apologized for making him worry, and went on with her life. She never mentioned you or your father to anyone.”

“What happens to Julian now?”

“He’s been arrested,” Alec said.

“I wish I had been there to see him taken in,” Aiden said.

Alec agreed. “When the Australian press gets hold of this, they’ll have a heyday. I’ve got a strong feeling Simone won’t win Woman of the Year again.”

“Dear God, I’m genetically linked to those people,” Cordie declared. “I wish I had never started this, but at least it’s over now. Right?”

“Not quite,” Alec told her.

“Oh, come on. Who else wants to kill me? Simone? Her husband? The teenagers?” She grabbed a long swizzle stick and slid part of it under her cast.

“Cordelia, what are you doing?” Aiden asked, looking appalled.

She pulled the swizzle stick out. “It itches,” she explained before turning to Alec again. “Who’s after me now?”

“No one that I know of, but we are going to continue to be cautious until the stock is officially transferred to you, which will be in a couple of days.”

“Julian will try to stop it.”

“He won’t be able to,” Alec assured her. “Liam has your DNA results now. He has people who can make it happen.”

She absentmindedly reached for the swizzle stick again. Aiden stopped her. “You could lose one of those in there.”

She didn’t think it was a good idea to tell him she already had.

C
ongressman Mitchell Ray Chambers was prepared to dazzle his constituents. He had set up a press conference a week before the primary to remind the good people of Fallsborough that he was saving their town by working so diligently for the past year to get the Hamilton Hotel and Resort to Rock Point.

He hadn’t signed the contract Walker Madison had FedExed to him. He had cleverly scheduled the signing for a week after the primary was over. Chambers had agreed to accept a ridiculously low offer and had, in fact, suggested the amount, but he had no intention of ever signing the contract. He still believed he could get a considerably higher price, and now that Walker Madison was involved, he was more confident than ever. It was going to be much easier to manipulate the youngest brother. All Mitchell needed to do was convince his constituents that he had been willing to do whatever it took to make Fallsborough wealthy and prosperous. Then, once he had the primary in his pocket, he would do whatever it took to make himself wealthy and prosperous. He was absolutely certain, with the Madison brothers back at the negotiating table, he could bargain his way into a sweet deal. His constituents didn’t need to know any of those particulars, however.

Mayor Green didn’t stand a chance against him now, and he was assured of a reelection victory in November. Politics was all about manipulation.

He didn’t have to worry about his cousin Lester whining and complaining or embarrassing him in front of the cameras, because he’d bought him out and was now the sole owner of Rock Point. The high price he’d paid Lester was going to be well worth it.

He dressed in red, white, and blue for the press conference: a navy suit, a crisp white shirt, and a bright-red tie. He pinned a tiny American flag on his lapel and was ready. The press conference was choreographed in his mind. He had worked out how he would make his grand entrance, where he wanted the podium placed, and, most important, where the flag would be positioned. He wanted it behind him and a little to the left so that on camera the flag would be in every frame with him. He had even practiced a couple of different expressions in front of a mirror. He needed to look humble yet at the same time stately and intelligent. He would brag, of course, but it would be veiled behind his explanation of how hard he’d worked to get the hotel. He was sure he had it all figured out.

 • • • 

The double doors were open to the campaign office. Aiden stayed in the lobby out of sight, but he could see Chambers up on a small stage. A large crowd had gathered to hear what he had to say. Microphones and cameras were capturing every word. Aiden planned to wait until the questions began before walking in. He wished Cordelia were with him. She’d be as disgusted as he was with the congressman’s antics, trying to look self-deprecating while taking credit for everything but inventing the Internet. As he spoke, he kept putting his right hand inside his suit jacket over his heart. Was he trying to look like Napoleon? Worse than his phony smile was his speech. Every word out of his mouth was a lie. Every damn word. If Cordelia were standing at Aiden’s side, she’d want to challenge Chambers with facts and figures.

As Aiden stood there listening to all the empty campaign rhetoric, he couldn’t help but think how much the congressman and Julian Taylor were alike. They were both controlled by power and greed. Julian had proven he would do anything to hold on to his empire, and the congressman was proving he would do anything to get reelected. How long had he been dealing with people like Chambers? he wondered. It made him tired just thinking about it.

The congressman was ready for questions. Mayor Green pushed forward and raised her hand. “Congressman, we are all wondering if you have signed the contract with the Madisons for Rock Point.” Before he could answer, she continued. “Or is it going to be like the last time when you changed the terms and pulled out?”

His tone was condescending when he said, “I don’t know where you got that information, but it’s wrong. You should check your sources, Mayor, before you make accusations.”

He took another question on the other side of the room, determined to avoid eye contact with the mayor. The questions were all about the hotel and resort. How many jobs did he think would be available? How long did he think it would take to build?

Aiden could see the desperation in the local residents. Spencer was right. These hardworking people needed a break. He was amazed by some of the congressman’s answers. Chambers acted as though he’d drawn up the plans for the hotel and could even give them the dimensions for each of the rooms. He spoke with such authority.

The mayor drew his attention once again. She was now in front of the crowd, demanding with her hand waving in the air that he acknowledge her. “You haven’t answered my question,” she blurted when he had to stop talking to take a breath.

“What question did you want answered?” He sounded weary.

“Have you signed the contract with the Madisons? Last time we heard you changed your mind. It was on the news.”

“You can’t believe everything you see on television,” he said.

“Answer the question,” someone called out. “Did you sign it? Are we getting the hotel?”

“Of course you’re getting the hotel,” he scoffed.

“Did you sign the contract?” the mayor demanded once again.

The smile plastered on the congressman’s face was beginning to crumble. “No, I haven’t.”

The crowd turned on him in a heartbeat. Bolstering the smile again, he put his hands up and said, “Hold on, hold on. I’ve read the contract, and everything is in order. Walker Madison and I have decided we should meet in person and both sign. It’s the right thing to do. I let Walker set the date at his convenience. I know you all heard about his terrible car accident.” He abruptly stopped, swallowed loud enough for the microphone to pick up, and finally lost the plastic smile. Eyes wide, he watched Aiden Madison walking toward him.

The look on the congressman’s face was priceless, and Aiden once again thought that, if only Cordelia were here, she would be laughing now. She would also love what was about to happen.

“That’s it for today, ladies and gentlemen,” Chambers blurted. “I’ve got to hurry back to Washington for an important vote.”

Aiden stepped up to the microphone and promptly captured the crowd’s attention. They all knew who he was.

“My name is Aiden Madison, and I have a great surprise for you and for the congressman.” He scanned all the curious faces and glanced over at Chambers before continuing. “I have the contract with me, and you’ll get to watch both of us sign. My brothers and I are anxious to get started on this project, and I know you are, too.”

The cheers were deafening.

The congressman put his hands up to silence the crowd and said, “No, no. I promised Walker that I—”

Aiden cut him off. “Walker has already signed, and so has Spencer. It’s up to you and me to finish this.” He took a pen from his breast pocket and shoved it in front of him. “Why don’t you sign first, Congressman?”

His mind racing, Chambers tried to think of a way out of this fiasco, but he drew a blank. He was trapped, and he knew it. The crowd’s cheers grew louder as they began to chant his name. The people were looking up at him almost adoringly, they were so grateful for what he was doing for them. Maybe there was some good to come from this disaster after all. He had them in his pocket now. Every one of them would vote for him because he was their savior. With a flourish he took the pen, bent down, and signed his name.

Only Aiden could see the anger in his eyes when they shook hands. The man was seething, which, all things considered, was an expected reaction.

The congressman was patted on the shoulder a dozen times and had to shake hands with most of the people there on his way out the door to go back to Washington for his important vote. He wanted to linger and lap up the adulation, but he worried they’d catch on that he’d lied about having an important vote. He had no idea what he would say if they asked him what the vote was for. Losing the fortune he could have made from Rock Point definitely stung, but despite it all, he was actually feeling good about the future. He wouldn’t need to spend much money on additional campaigning now. He’d just won the hearts of the voters.

Kalie, the young reporter who had talked to Aiden and Spencer the last time they were in town, waited outside the doors. She had her microphone in hand and a cameraman behind her as Aiden approached.

Mayor Green intercepted him. “Thank you again for the generous donation to my campaign,” she said, “but after the congressman’s press conference, I don’t think I have much of a chance.”

“You’re the woman for the job,” Aiden said, motioning for Kalie to start recording. People gathered around as he looked into the camera and said, “Mayor Green cares about the people of this town. If it weren’t for her, the Hamilton Hotel and Resort wouldn’t be built here. Although your current congressman is taking credit, he had nothing to do with it. Your mayor worked for more than a year, calling and writing and sending photos of this beautiful area, to convince us to build here. She should be your next representative in Congress. I certainly would vote for her if I lived in this district. Just like she fought to get the Hamilton, she’ll fight for you in Washington. Do the right thing. Vote for Mayor Green.”

He turned to Mayor Green and began to laugh. She looked flabbergasted. Fortunately, Kalie had just given the cameraman the signal to stop taping.

 • • • 

An hour later Aiden was back on the plane and on his way home. He hadn’t seen Cordelia in more than a week. He couldn’t believe how much he missed her. He knew her cast had come off three days ago, and he’d heard from Regan that the doctor wasn’t happy to see a swizzle stick stuck inside.

He felt travel weary. He’d flown from San Diego to Houston and then up to Rock Point. Months ago he had made up his mind to slow down, to stay home more, but it wasn’t until he had to deal with the congressman and other men just like him that he realized how tired he was.

He wanted off the fast track. And he wanted Cordelia.

Thanks to Liam’s connections and hard work, along with a top attorney and the court in Sydney, Cordelia was now the owner of Merrick stock. It was expected that she would go back to Sydney to meet the board and sign additional papers. Aiden told her there was no way he would let her go there without him. He’d learned then not to use those exact words. Telling her he would “let” her do anything set her temper off. He smiled thinking about it.

He’d heard Julian Taylor’s arrest had started a firestorm in the press. Liam told him Simone and her family were on holiday, which he translated to mean they were hiding until things calmed down. Simone’s past was such a juicy story, Liam didn’t think that would happen soon. So far, they were leaving Cordelia alone. Aiden knew they would eventually want to interview her. He also knew she wouldn’t talk to any of them.

It was closing in on one in the morning by the time Aiden got back to the hotel. He went to Walker’s suite first. His brother was a night owl. He was going over notes Spencer had left for him when Aiden walked in, dropped the contract in his lap, and said, “It’s all yours and Spencer’s. He’ll take the lead and show you how it’s done.”

“You don’t want to run it?”

“No.”

He wasn’t worried Walker would screw up. The team wouldn’t let him. They had been doing this long enough that they had gotten rid of the wrinkles. It was a well-oiled machine now. “I’ll tell you all about the congressman’s press conference tomorrow. I’m beat. I’m going to bed.”

He went down the hall and opened the door to his suite. It was spotless. There wasn’t anything out of place. No phone under a chair, no scarves draped across the sofa, no chemistry books. No Cordelia.

She’d left a note propped up against a vase of flowers on the table telling him she was leaving and thanking him yet again for his help. He held it in his hand as he stood in the doorway of her bedroom. It was just as spotless and sterile as the living room. He didn’t know where she was or what she was doing. There was only one certainty. He wanted her back.

Coming to terms with his misery took time. He paced around the living room, and at two o’clock he called Alec. He was sound asleep, of course. It was the middle of the night.

Alec stirred at the sound. He carefully eased Regan off his shoulder so he wouldn’t wake her and fumbled for the phone. “Agent Buchanan,” he answered.

“Where is she?”

“What? Aiden?”

“Where is Cordelia?” He repeated the question in a firm voice.

Alec yawned. “She’s sleeping in the guest room.”

“So she didn’t leave for Boston?”

“No, she didn’t.”

Long seconds passed before Aiden spoke again. “She’s all right?”

“Yes. She’s fine.”

“When is she leaving for Boston?”

“Two days,” he answered. “Tomorrow is that Summerset thing, and she leaves the next morning.”

“Okay, then.” Aiden sounded relieved.

“I’m glad you finally figured it out,” Alec said on a long, drawn-out yawn. “I’m going back to sleep now.”