Tracie Peterson (23 page)

“Well, perhaps tomorrow we’ll have a chance to discuss matters more thoroughly.”

Liz murmured something Cara couldn’t quite make out before closing the door, leaving Cara to face Russell alone.

“Well,” she began reluctantly, “we might as well get right to it. My office is in here.” She stepped back and pointed the way.

“You’re looking great, Cara. Wichita must agree with you.”

“Not particularly,” she replied dryly. “I miss my friends and my daughter, as well as the life I’d grown accustomed to. But I’m certain that is of no concern to you.” Her hostility was clear.

“Moving you to Wichita wasn’t my idea. I wanted you in Topeka. I was kind of hoping we might get to know each other better. I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I want to set things right and start over.”

“Start what over?” Cara asked. She stepped around to her desk chair, happy for the chance to put something between her and Russell.

“Us.”

He said the word so nonchalantly that Cara couldn’t help but pick up on his lead. “What do you mean, ‘us’?”

Russell put down his briefcase. “Come on now, Cara. You know I find you attractive. I just want a chance to get to know you better.”

“I see. Well, as far as I’m concerned, Russell,” she said, taking her seat, “you are as much to blame as Kerns for my being forced into an uncomfortable situation. What makes you think I would ever be interested in you?”

Russell appeared unconcerned. “You can’t blame me for Kerns’ actions. I’m in the same boat as you are. Just his hired man.”

“Well, that definitely separates us,” Cara replied, barely able to control her anger. “I wasn’t hired.”

“Look, Cara”—Russell’s voice dropped an octave—“I don’t want you to associate the way Kerns does business with the way I feel about you.” His expression was turning into a leer.

“I don’t think this conversation bears any further consideration,” Cara interjected. “I want to know what messages you’ve brought from Topeka and to see the agenda Bob has lined out for me. Other than that, I have no use for you here.”

Russell surprised Cara by coming around the desk. Without thought as to what she was doing, Cara jumped to her feet and put the chair between them.

“Don’t be like this, Cara.”

“I told you I’m not interested.”

“But you aren’t giving me a chance.”

Cara moved around the desk. “That’s right. I’m not.”

Russell smiled. “I don’t think that’s fair.” He moved toward her with slow deliberate steps. “After all, you really aren’t in a position to deny me.” His eyes narrowed behind the wire-framed glasses.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cara felt her heart beat faster and goosebumps formed on her arms. She was genuinely afraid. There was no one else in the office to help her, and much of the building would be deserted because of the hour. She was sorry now that she’d rejected the idea of a bodyguard.

“What about your daughter? What about HEARTBEAT and your friends there?” Russell pushed the chair aside and Cara went to the door.

“You are threatening my child?”

“I’m merely pointing out that you have a lot to lose, and if you give me a chance, I could help you hang on to what’s
important. Otherwise,” he shrugged, “who knows what will happen.”

“Get out!” Cara exclaimed and moved into the outer office. She hurried to the door and managed to unlock it, but Russell pulled her back, trying hard to embrace her. “Stop it! Let me go!”

“Cara, I’m not such a bad guy. I know how to treat a lady.”

“Then demonstrate it now and let me go!”

“You just don’t understand,” he whispered against her ear. “I get what I want . . . and I want you.”

Cara brought the heel of her shoe down on his foot. The action caused Russell to release her only momentarily. It was enough time for Cara to move away from him, but Russell maintained his wits enough to put himself between her and the door.

“Fighting will get you nowhere.”

“Get out of here, Russell, or I’ll resign my position as lieutenant governor and I’ll tell the papers and anyone else who will listen just why I’m doing it. Furthermore, I’ll sue you for sexual harassment.”

Russell laughed and moved toward her. “And how are you going to prove such a charge?”

She gritted out, “I will find a way.” Cara glanced around and knew real panic. She barely had time to form a desperate prayer before Russell lunged at her and forced her back across an empty desk.

The smell of his musk was overpowering and the feel of his hands on her body was more than Cara could stand. Without giving thought to anything else, Cara screamed as loud as she could.

Russell forced his hand across her mouth and pounded her head back against the desk top. “Stop it!” he demanded. “If you’d just get off your prudish pedestal, you’d enjoy what I’m offering you.”

Cara shook her head furiously from side to side. She tried to bite him and slapped at him with one hand while the other remained firmly pinned by his body.

“I mean it, Cara. There’s no sense fighting this.” With his free hand, Russell was unbuttoning the top button of her blouse. “There’s no one to help you.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” a voice sounded from the outer office door. It was Harry in full uniform.

Cara felt almost faint with relief as Russell released her and stood to face his intruder. Without caring what Russell thought, Cara rolled off the desk and ran to Harry. He put an arm around her, leaving his gun hand free. She hid her face against him and forced her knees not to buckle.

“Get out of here, Owens. Get out of here or I’ll tear you apart.”

“You?” Russell questioned without seeming the least bit disturbed by the interruption. “If you interfere, I’ll see you terminated. You won’t work in law enforcement again.”

“You talk big, but what kind of power are you going to have after Cara brings you up on charges of attempted rape?”

Cara forced herself to look at Owens at this point. “Get out!” she demanded again, and this time Russell shrugged, retrieved his briefcase, and walked toward the door.

“She enticed me, Oberlin,” he said at the door. “She told me to meet her here after hours and offered to come back to the hotel with me. I don’t think it’s rape when they’re willing.”

Harry started after Owens, but Cara held him back. “Don’t. He’s only trying to provoke you. Just let him go.” She stared past Harry to where Russell stood smirking. “I’m smarter than you give me credit for, Mr. Owens. I’ll receive your report tomorrow, and then I’ll expect you on the next flight to Topeka.”

“We’re supposed to tackle a week’s worth of work, or did you forget?”

“I didn’t forget, I’m just pulling rank.”

“Have it your way, Cara,” Russell answered with a hint of malice in his tone. “For now.”

He left the office, and only after his presence had been completely removed did Cara give in to her emotions and begin to cry.

Harry wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close against him. “I missed you,” he said, as though nothing bad had happened.

Realizing it was the first time she’d allowed Harry to embrace her, Cara suddenly felt rather shy. She pushed away gently and looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “Thank you, Harry. If you hadn’t come . . .” Her voice broke.

He put a finger to her lips. “I know.”

She shuddered and crossed her arms defensively. “I just don’t know what I’m going to do. Owens won’t stop at this.”

“Probably not,” Harry agreed somberly.

She’d hoped for a contradiction from Harry, but Cara knew she wouldn’t have believed him anyway. She was already too familiar with Russell Owens’ ruthless nature. After all, he’d had the perfect teacher.

Trying to collect her thoughts, Cara was only mildly aware that Harry had moved closer. “Come here,” he whispered.

Looking deep into his midnight blue eyes, Cara realized she trusted him implicitly. Without hesitation she allowed him to encircle her with his arms.

“I drove down here today because I waited three weeks for you to call me and you didn’t,” he said gently.

“I thought maybe—”

“Just hear me out,” Harry interrupted. “I know you’re afraid and I can well see why, but I don’t like it coming between us.”

“Me neither,” she managed to whisper.

“So we’re friends again?” he asked, pulling back enough to see her face.

“We were always that.” Her heart raced so hard that she was sure Harry could hear its pounding beat.

“For now,” he said with the same grin that had first won him a place in Cara’s heart, “I’ll settle for that much.”

“For now?” she questioned, almost hoping he’d take the bait.

“For now.”

Thirty-Three

Melissa Jordon once again climbed the steps of the Capitol and made her way to the second-floor conference room. Robert Kerns was to make additional announcements today regarding the future of various agencies, and Melissa was relishing another confrontation with the governor she’d come to despise.

Taking her place with a number of other reporters and television camera crews, Melissa caught sight of Serena Perez. The woman had been placed in charge of public relations. As Kerns’ press secretary, Serena was the one Melissa had to deal with for information. She was cordial enough, but there was something about her that just didn’t seem to fit.

As Kerns came into the room with Russell Owens two paces behind, a hush came over the chattering reporters and cameras began to hum. Melissa was taking her own photographs today, since Gary had called in sick and the other photographers were assigned elsewhere. Clicking off several pictures, Melissa focused first on Kerns, then Owens, and finally on Serena.

The conference moved at a rapid pace. Kerns lost little time in announcing that he had put into motion the demise of several small defunct agencies. Every attempt would be made to reassign the workers into other agencies, while the responsibilities that needed to be maintained would be passed on to larger ones. He further revealed, through a graph held up by Owens, that these actions would save the state millions in tax dollars.

When questions were allowed, Melissa waited her turn and finally asked, “What if there are no available positions for the displaced workers?”

“As I stated,” Kerns began without looking directly at Melissa, “every attempt will be made to find new positions for them. These will have to come from available positions, because obviously creating new ones will defeat the purpose of downsizing.”

“And if there are no available positions?” Melissa pressed.

“Then they will remain displaced.” Kerns’ voice registered irritation.

“So, you may indeed have as many as fifteen hundred unemployed former state employees?” This question came from a
Kansas City Star
reporter.

“That would be an unlikely scenario,” Kerns replied. “There are already positions available within the state—positions from which other employees have quit or retired. I am not opposed to filling these positions, if the position is deemed necessary. The displaced workers would be first in line to assume these jobs.”

“What if the positions are in no way equal to the positions they’ve left?” Melissa shot out.

“Under Civil Service regulations,” Kerns said in a tight manner, “workers may transfer in this manner to positions of equal or lower status and maintain their current salaries.”

“Can you give us a list of the agencies you are closing?” a television interviewer asked.

“Certainly. Ms. Perez will hand out a complete list to each of you. I’m afraid that’s all the time we have. I will keep you apprised of the situation either in person or through my office. Thank you for coming today.”

Kerns got to his feet with a parting glance in Melissa’s direction. His gaze bore through Melissa’s self-sufficient exterior into the depths of her soul.
He’d like to eliminate me like he did Teri and Cara,
she thought.
I’m in his way, and I ask too many difficult questions.

Packing her notebook and camera into a canvas tote bag, Melissa edged her way through the crowd, snapping up a copy of the list from Serena. The affected agencies were spread out over the state, and in many situations were located in such remote areas that workers would have to travel for hours or
relocate in order to be placed with other agencies. Naturally, it wouldn’t be Kerns’ fault if these rural community folk refused to make such a move.

She rounded the corner at the south end of the second floor and heard muffled talking coming from a partially opened door. Easing close enough to hear, Melissa could make out the voices of Kerns and Owens.

“. . . he’s a problem and I want to eliminate him from the Highway Patrol.”

Kerns’ low chuckle was unmistakable. “Your jealousy is showing. I take it Lieutenant Oberlin is a hard act to follow.”

“He’s insubordinate and out of line when he comes between me and my job.”

“Is it really your job that’s at issue here? Or might I suggest it’s a certain brunette in Wichita.”

Owens’ irritation was evident. “I want to fire him. Is that acceptable?”

“Do what you want with the man. I certainly don’t care, but—and I stress this point—make it a clear-cut case of employee conflict and failure to comply with job standards. I don’t want this thing back in my lap in six weeks.”

“No problem there,” Owens answered. “I just want to do a little housecleaning.”

Melissa moved quickly away from the door and hurried to her car. Climbing in, she punched in Harry’s number on her cellular phone and waited.

“Lieutenant Oberlin,” a voice sounded on the other end.

“This is Mrs. Wipple. I’m calling about my impounded car again.” The code had been established by Melissa and Harry to avoid assisting anyone who might be listening in on their conversation via Harry’s state office line.

“I understand you’re anxious,” Harry replied.

“Yes, it’s urgent. I need that car immediately.”

“The matter is under consideration and we will be in touch.” The click on Harry’s line told Melissa he understood exactly what needed to be done.

Ten minutes later, Melissa arrived in the parking lot of Stormont Vail Hospital. The multiple levels of above-ground parking seemed to swallow up the light and left Melissa in the shadows until she spotted Harry’s car. Stepping forward, she motioned to him and Harry pulled alongside.