The Lives Between Us (26 page)

“Weekly, scientists are making tremendous progress in stem cell research where the stem cells have been harvested from placentas, bone marrow, or umbilical cord blood. Killing the unborn is not necessary. It’s immoral and
I will not support it
.”

More applause erupted.

“Using embryonic stem cells is the easiest answer—many scientists will tell you this, but the easiest way is not always the
best way
. In the 1950s and 60s, a drug called thalidomide was thought to be a simple cure for women suffering from morning sickness.” He paused. “It was not.

“While it worked well enough on the illness, it was directly responsible for more than twelve thousand children worldwide, being born deformed. Some without arms or legs. The easiest cure is not always the simplest in the long run.” Edward took a quick sip of water before continuing.

“Lead is a naturally occurring element. It is plentiful and accessible. Lead was widely used to extend protective properties of paints, to help automobiles attain better fuel efficiency, and for many other uses until it was discovered to be a deadly toxin.

“Today, lead poisoning is the number one environmental risk facing our children in the industrialized countries. In the United States alone, one out of every six children six years of age and younger, already contains toxic levels of lead in their bodies.

“Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that damages almost all body organs. Even small amounts can cause learning and developmental disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and behavioral problems. Lead. Another easy solution.

“In 1978, the United States banned the use of lead in paint. Has the quality of our paint diminished? I don’t believe so. Are women dying from morning sickness? Of course not. Have our cars’ fuel efficiency suffered since the demise of leaded gasoline? No. The car manufactures simply took the challenge and developed more efficient car engines. The easiest solutions are not always the best solutions.

“Some of the most amazing discoveries have resulted from having to overcome opposition—perhaps opposition serves the purpose of making us search for
better
answers—who knows? But killing an innocent is
never
the right answer to anything.” Edward smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”

After shaking many constituents’ hands, Edward made his way off stage.

Standing out of the way of the milling crowd, Skye turned off the tape recorder and tucked it in her bag. She moved to the side and tried to capture her whirling thoughts and emotions and put sort of order to them.

Aspen had been a mistake. She never should have gone there—not before the most important interview of her career. Even without the PI’s information, it would have been hard, but now—she pushed back against the wall wishing she could melt into it and hide—she needed time to process all she’d learned and plan her strategy. She watched Edward smiling, shaking hands and slowly, but surely, making his exit. She didn’t have time.

Professional, Skye
.
Do your job
. She mentally shoved her memories of Christmas vacation away, slammed that door, and locked it.
Rewind to before Christmas. Be objective
.

Okay, so Edward was a great orator; that’s indisputable. He’s an impassioned, charismatic leader, who seemed to have tremendous moral integrity. What he said made sense. On the whole, Skye understood how he came to think the way he did. She didn’t agree, but she understood.

And now, after knowing his background, she understood even better…and could sympathize. It’s personal for him, too. That’s why he’s so fervent. But nobody else knew that. Not yet.

Skye started at a light grip on her elbow and turned to look up at Mark. Dressed in a gray pin-stripped suit with a white shirt and pale blue tie, he looked wonderful. Mark’s arms hung at his side, and he stood a little stiffly as if unaccustomed to dressy attire. His keen, warm gaze soothed her nervousness.

“You came.” She smiled. “Shaved and dressed up, too.”

The frank appreciation in her eye made Mark stand a little taller. Skye looked great. “You didn’t think I would?”

“I knew you’d be here,” she replied airily.

“Where’d you park?”

“Around back.”

Mark looked over her head and scanned the crowd, looking for the best way out. “Are you done? I told Ed we’d meet him at the house.”

“Sure.”

Mark held her coat up while Skye slid her arms inside. She clicked her pen closed and tucked it into the spiral binding of her notebook, then shoved it and her phone in her attaché case. Before Skye could sling the bag over her shoulder, Mark took it from her. With a guiding hand at her back, they moved through the crowd toward the stage and an exit.

At the Audi, Skye handed Mark his keys. He unlocked the car and held the door open for her, before rounding it and climbing in his side. He pulled out of the parking lot and glanced at Skye. She looked so serious. “You’re quiet. Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Of course.” Skye flashed him a bright smile and seemed to snap out of it. She turned in the passenger seat, one knee bent on the bucket seat facing him, while she tugged on her seatbelt for a little more space. “How was the family Christmas without your parents?”

“Weird. Different.”

“How long are they going to be in Singapore?”

“Another eight months or so. Dad committed to a full year as a visiting scientist, and he’s making some great connections for Aviva within the Singapore Stem Cell Consortium.”

“I was surprised they didn’t come back for the holidays.”

“Dad wanted to, but Mom was excited to experience Christmas in another country. She tried to convince us to go there, but David had to work and Serena didn’t want to be away from him at Christmas. I told them I’d try to get over there this summer.”

Maybe Skye could go with him during the summer. Her sister had been released from the hospital a week ago and continued to get stronger each day, and even though the twins weren’t home yet, they were making progress. Six months from now, her family wouldn’t need her as much.

He looked forward to introducing Skye to his parents. Mom especially. She’d love having another girl to fuss over and Skye, who’d lost her mother far too young, would soak up Mom’s attention.

“Sounds like fun. Did you enjoy your belated celebration with your family?”

“It was different. I wish you hadn’t had to work; everyone wants to meet you—particularly Serena. How was work?”

“Busy.”

He gave Skye a sharp look. “You okay? You seem distracted.”

“Yeah, just thinking.”

“You’re going to do fine. It’s just Ed. You’ve seen him in his robe. You can’t be nervous.”

“Surprisingly, that doesn’t make it any easier.” She looked away. “Just thinking of the perfect way to word a few questions.”

Mark wanted to pull over and hug her worries away, but given her tension and preoccupation, that probably wasn’t the best idea, so he kept driving. He covered her hands with his. “You’ll be great.”

“I just need to double-check a few things…” She reached into her attaché, pulled out her phone and notepad, and frowned. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“No. Go ahead.”

Twenty minutes later, they pulled in the driveway leading to the Hastings’s brick Tudor. When he came to a stop, Mark put a hand on Skye’s arm to still her, giving her a silent message to wait for him. He liked taking care of her, but she often needed to be reminded to let him do little things for her.

Mark hurried around the car and opened her door. He pulled Skye into his arms and held her tightly. Savoring the flowery fresh smell of her hair, he pressed a kiss to her lips as he’d wanted to do since first spotting her across the packed banquet room.

Mark relieved Skye of her attaché case, recaptured her hand, and led her toward the house. When he placed a hand on the doorknob, she grabbed his arm. “Wait!”

Skye darted back to the car, grabbed her purse from the front seat, and yanked out a sliver tube. With quick, careful movements, she reapplied her lipstick and smacked her lips. Tossing the lipstick back in her purse, she tugged on the hem of her jacket, took a deep breath, and returned to Mark’s side.

Amused at her acute nervousness over interviewing Ed, Mark smiled reassuringly. “You look awesome.”

Skye’s eyebrows pinched together in a quick frown. “Awesome? This is work. I look professional.”

“Professional.” Mark gave her his best serious look. “Very.”

As he put a hand to her back and reached for the iron handle, the plank door opened wide with a sudden
whoosh
, and a grinning Ben held out a hand to Skye.

“Hi. I’m Ben, the senator’s manager-slash-assistant.” He held out a hand to Mark. “Hey, Mark.”

Mark smiled and shook his hand. Ben always reminded him of an overeager, highly trained puppy. He hummed with an abundance of energy, his manners were impeccable, and his knowledge and passion for politics unparalleled. “Ben.”

“Edward’s in the study. Give a holler if you need anything. I’ll be in the kitchen making some phone calls.”

“And stuffing your face,” Mark mumbled under his breath. “That kid’s got an unbelievable appetite. You’d think he was a teenager the way he packs away the food.” He turned to Skye, helped her out of her coat, and tossed it over the dark wooden banister then guided her down the hall.

“That ‘kid’ must be about thirty-five—older than me.”

“Not quite, but Yuppie Boy Wonder acts like he’s twenty. He’s a political genius. It’s in his blood. His dad’s a lobbyist for top pharmaceutical companies.”

“Careful. You sound jealous.” Skye smiled, enjoying her boyfriend’s blatant insecurity.

Skye’s heels clicked loudly on the shiny black and white marble tiles as they moved through arched doorways. She thought about softening her step, then threw her shoulders back and strode purposefully. Let her heels announce her. She was a professional invited here to interview the senator, not some thief sneaking around.

She took in the beautiful, detailed moldings and millwork showcased throughout, not at all surprised by the elegant house. She glimpsed a family room, tastefully decorated with overstuffed couches and warm colors. Late afternoon light streamed through the diamond leaded glass windows as they breezed through the spotless home. Skye imagined the immaculate rooms with a bit of clutter when the whole family was home.

A large, fluffy beige tabby bounced off his seat on the couch to trot after them. Mark stopped outside the study and bent to pet the cat. “Hey, Aslan.”

Mark rapped twice on the door and popped his head inside. Edward placed his cell phone on his desk and waved them in with a welcoming smile. He took Skye’s hand warmly between both of his, briefly trapping it. “Skye, it’s good to see you again.”

“You, too.”

The last time she’d seen Edward he’d been Mark’s best friend, but now the “senator” was definitely back. Skye found it a little weird reconciling the two. And it was weirder yet being with him and Mark here in Edward’s home as a reporter—not Mark’s girlfriend. They should have had the meeting in his office instead of Noelle’s home. Skye focused on his expensive suit.
The senator’s here to work and so are you, girl
.

Edward nodded, then turned and slapped Mark on the shoulder. “Mark.”

“Nice speech. You had me convinced.”

“Thanks. Well, come on in. Have a seat.” Edward took off his suit jacket and slung it over a chair before joining them at the comfortable couch and chairs grouping. “Drink? A beer, soda, water? Tea?”

Skye looked at Mark, who waited politely for her response. She didn’t want a drink—she wanted answers. She wanted to talk about the crazy incident the PI uncovered and how it affected his politics. She wanted to witness his shock and fear when he realized she knew something more intimate than even Mark knew about his past. But first, she had to take care of business. She wasn’t stupid enough to risk her own career for revenge. She’d have them both.

“I’ll have a beer.” Mark got to his feet. “Ed?”

“Yeah, thanks. Skye?” Edward loosened his tie, unfastened the top shirt button, and rolled up his sleeves before taking a chair facing her.

“Soda, please.” Skye sat on the couch facing Edward and got out her notebook. “Mark was right; that was a compelling speech. Do you write them yourself?”

Edward accepted the beer from Mark and drank from the bottle. “It’s usually a combined effort.”

Mark handed her a Diet Coke and a cut crystal glass half-filled with ice, then settled on the couch beside her.

“Thank you.” Skye poured half the soda in the glass and took a quick sip of foam before setting the drink on a coaster on the table.

Taking her phone from her attaché, Skye held it in her lap. “Do you mind if I tape this? I’m not very good with notes.”

“I’m not crazy about being taped—too easy to quote me out of context.” Edward hesitated, frowning at the machine as if it were a slimy croaking toad. “But I guess I can make an exception.”

“Great.” Skye turned on the voice memos. “Now, you met Mark at University of Michigan?”

“He was a lowly sophomore—who couldn’t get along with his roommate—”

“Who was a psychotic ass,” Mark broke in.

Edward continued as if he’d never spoken. “So I graciously allowed him to move in with me.”

“Doesn’t your friendship with Mark cause you any problems?”

“Aw, he’s not that bad. A little annoying, but he’s not that hard to get along with.”

“I mean politically. After all, his company works with stem cells, and your disapproval of stem cells is well documented. I’d think your association with Mark would make things awkward for you—especially in an election year.”

“I don’t disapprove of
all
stem cells—just embryonic stem cells. We applaud the work Mark’s doing with stem cells from cord blood. In fact, we’ve been clients of Aviva’s from the start. We have Jeff’s cord blood stored there.”

“Many people aren’t well enough informed to appreciate the distinction between the various types of stem cells. I’m surprised your opponents didn’t try to capitalize on this during the elections.”