Claire Gulliver #06 - Carnage Goes Coastal (13 page)

They wandered through the South of Market area that had recently been renovated and enjoyed San Francisco’s modern art museum. The weather continued to be grand, but unfortunately time was passing. Finally they retrieved their luggage and the shopping bags of souvenirs they purchased and climbed on one of the buses which dropped them only a block from Millie’s house. There they climbed into the Cadillac and headed for home and reality, only stopping long enough to drop the announcements off at the Post Office to be mailed.

Jack Rallins and Claire Gulliver

Announce their marriage:
Monday, September 15, 2003
At Christian Church of the Redeemer,
San Francisco,
The Reverend Pickings presiding
The couple will be residing at their home in
Bayside, California
They wish to share the joy
of this momentous occasion with you.
No gifts please, your good wishes are
all they need.

Jack stepped off the escalator and separated himself from the crowd turning toward the baggage area. Instead he headed directly for the exit. He saw Steve immediately and swerved to join him. They grasped hands before Steve slapped him on the shoulder where Jack’s backpack hung casually.

“Good to see you, man. It’s been a long time. I was surprised, but pleased to get your call.” He nodded toward the crosswalk. “My car is over there. Let’s go someplace where we can talk.”

Jack nodded following Steve as he moved with the crowd surging across the street. It had been a long time since they worked together. Their former association had come to an abrupt halt when Steve announced he was leaving the Company all those years ago.

At that time Jack had been surprised and perhaps a little envious. Steve had made the decision in favor of his marriage and family. He said he couldn’t have both the family and a career in the Company, so he chose his family.

Now Jack examined Steve closely. He had gained weight in the intervening years, but he still looked fit. Steve was at least ten years younger than Jack, but he looked to be in his thirties instead of his actual forties. Jack wondered if the life Steve now led, one lived without constant danger, accounted for his more youthful look, or if it was just genes.

When they were seated in the ordinary blue sedan, Steve, while fastening his seat belt, said, “I belong to a group of security directors who work for businesses in this area. We meet monthly to keep up on what’s happening in the neighborhood, so to speak. I contacted my counterpart at the Crown Plaza and set up a meeting with him this afternoon at one. Is that okay with you?”

“That’s great. But look Steve, while I appreciate your help, I don’t want to impose on you. I know you have your own job to do.”

“Are you kidding? My job is mostly reports and meetings. I miss being in the field, so this will be a fun break of routine for me. That is if you don’t mind my getting involved, and if I can help.”

Jack nodded. “Thanks, pal.” He assumed it had been quite an adjustment for Steve to go from the field work he was doing for the Company to the corporate environment of the large manufacturing corporation he was now working for. Not that his position wasn’t important, it just was a different pace and it certainly had a different level of personal risk involved.

“I thought we could take a look around the hotel, and grab a bit of lunch before the meeting. Okay with you?”

“Let’s go.”

By the time they arrived at the large corporate headquarters where the Crown Plaza’s Security Group was located, Jack and Steve were both anxious to learn whether or not the hotel retained their security tapes long enough to help them. Their exploration of the Crown Plaza where Karen and Claire had met identified several camera positions they felt sure would have captured on camera some of the images Jack wanted.

Over lunch in the Crown Plaza’s coffee shop they discussed strategies for identifying Karen’s stalker. Steve immediately felt a connection to Jack’s problem, identifying too closely to the fear that sometime, somehow his “job” would endanger one of his own children. He was almost as anxious as Jack to identify the men who were tracking Jack’s daughter.

“Senator Ellington, welcome to Washington, sir.” The young, earnest man held out his hand to grip Scott’s. “I am Hal Myers and I’ve been the office manager for Senator Grayson for the past five years. This is Alaina Carmichael, who was Senator Grayson’s senior assistant for twenty years. Would you like to step this way? We thought we could meet in the conference room as we’re still packing up Senator Grayson’s office and it’s a bit messy in there just now.”

Scott nodded and gestured Alaina to precede him before following Hal into the large, attractive conference room. When they were all seated, and Scott had declined an offer of coffee, an awkward silence fell. Scott took a moment to look carefully at each of them and then offered, “I’m so sorry to be meeting with you under these circumstances. I know it was a shock for each of you, as it was to the rest of the world. Senator Grayson was a respected and important figure in our government and his demise is a blow to the country as well as to his family and friends.”

He paused a moment to assess how his words were effecting Hal and Alaina. Then he plunged through the gloom in the room with the sales pitch he and Phoebe had discussed. “I know this is a difficult situation for you and frankly, it’s difficult for me. This office is going from supporting a knowledgeable senior senator to a newbie, the most junior in the senate. But I assure you my intentions are honorable. Not only do I want to continue to support the bills and campaigns Senator Grayson was championing, but I’m committed to the fight to bring them to a successful conclusion. I need your help to accomplish these goals. It will be very difficult to get up to speed on these issues without your support and counsel, perhaps impossible. I came here today to ask you to consider staying on to work with me as you did Senator Grayson, to continue this fight to legislate the issues on Grayson’s and our state’s agenda. Will you do that? Can you consider that?”

He paused, watching their eyes to see how they were taking his plea, hoping he got the tone just right. He saw immediately the relief on Hal’s face. Scott had heard that Hal was a whiz at managing the office as well as the issues and the requests that came into the office continuously. And while Hal could be replaced, someone new would not have the knowledge of the history, of the people, and of the requests that were currently active. He wanted Hal to stay at least until he was able to get grounded in the issues currently on the table.

Alaina was different. She had worked personally for Senator Grayson since prior to his being elected senator. Her reputation was impeccable. She didn’t need to worry about a job. People in Washington had undoubtedly approached her about joining their teams as soon as the news about Grayson was out. But he wanted her to stay. He respected her abilities and felt with her guidance and oversight he could hit the ground running. He could only hope her commitment to the issues Grayson was working on was stronger than her concern about furthering her career by joining another more seasoned politician.

He waited patiently a moment longer. “Well, Hal? Can you promise me you’ll stay at least for the next year?” He smiled that boyish smile he did so well, watching Hal intently.

Hal nodded. “Certainly Senator Ellington. I’m flattered you want me.”

“Of course I do. You’re reputation precedes you. Thank you, I know I’ll enjoy working with you.”

He turned to look directly into Alaina’s eyes. She wasn’t as susceptible to his charm having already spent too many years amongst the movers and shakers of the government. She was immune to the posturing and flattery commonly used to get things done.

But that cynicism, that experience just made her more valuable to Scott. He looked intently into her eyes, willing her to agree.

Alaina looked boldly back. Then, she blinked and looked away, shrugging slightly. “I’ll think about it.”

He didn’t dare smile at her audacity; he kept his face serious, nodding his head. “Of course. I’ll be waiting for your decision. Perhaps we can discuss this again, soon.” He sat back in his chair, relaxing for a moment before taking charge of the meeting once again. “I will need a list with a time line of the issues this office is working on. I understand that Grayson was sitting on several committees, including Energy and Natural Resources, Budget, Rules and Administration, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and a Select Committee on Ethics. Can you prepare a list of agenda items on each of those committees’ dockets? Also, I’d like a brief explanation from each of you about any items you feel need my immediate attention. After I’ve had a chance to examine all this material I will need to meet with each of you separately to discuss any of your concerns and get your opinions on the status of each item. Will that be agreeable?” He looked at them warmly, trying to convey his respect for them. It worked. He could see they were flattered.

“All right, anything else we should discuss right now?” He stood up. “Well, I’ll get out of your hair now as I know you have lots to do.” He gathered up the pile of papers Hal had placed on the table when they sat down. “This should keep me busy for a few days.” He grinned. “I will be back on Monday and will expect to start work then. Please keep my morning schedule clear so I can meet the staff and talk to both of you before getting down to normal business.” Then as he headed for the door, “By the way, you can expect a visit from my wife soon. She’ll want to check out my office and the conference room for decorating needs. She has her own ideas about making the office suitable for me to work in.”

Scott glanced at his watch as he made his way to the front of the Russell Office Building. The car and driver Phoebe had hired for their visit to the city was due to pick him up in four minutes. So far his schedule was holding up. After a quick visit to the house Phoebe had selected for their purchase, he had a series of appointments scheduled before meeting his father-in-law and a few of the party guys for drinks.

He wasn’t sure why he was taking the time to check out the house, because Phoebe had already decided it was where they were going to live. And since she was paying for it, whatever she wanted is what they were going to do. But he had to pretend enthusiasm. It was part of the game they played and it was really a small price to pay for a rich wife who was keeping him in luxury far beyond his wildest dreams. This house was located in the section of the city called Embassy Row. It was the part of town which contained many of the mansions housing the foreign delegations assigned to the United States Capital. She said it was a great location and perfect for entertaining. Since he trusted her assessment, he was prepared to be overwhelmed and heap lavish praise on her for her efforts.

Jack carefully assessed Rafe Seville while Rafe exchanged pleasantries with Steve. Rafe looked to be in his early fifties, very fit and comfortable with himself. He looked like a former military man. He not only had the look, but he appeared as if he was ready to spring to attention at any moment.

“So, Jack. What brings you to my office?” Rafe’s eyes were now leveled intently on Jack.

Jack explained his need to review the security tapes for the Airport Crown Plaza in order to solve a case he was working on.

Rafe raised his eyebrows slightly. “I didn’t know your company was active on cases within the United States. I thought that belonged to the FBI,” he commented.

“That’s true, but in fact, I’ve been assigned as liaison to the Homeland Security Offices in San Francisco. We have no boundaries.” Jack pulled out his new credentials and handed them to Rafe. “However, to be completely candid, this is a personal matter. My daughter has been a victim of an unidentified stalker for several months, and has narrowly escaped several attempts on her life. We have no idea who is behind this, or why. But I’ve come to realize we have no hope of solving this case until we identify the stalker.

“Since I know she was at your hotel on April twenty-eighth and the person following her was there too, I’m hoping to find pictures captured on your security tapes which will help me identify the man.”

Jack paused for a moment. Something had changed. He could feel the tension filling the room. Something he said made a difference.

“Monday, April twenty-eight?” Rafe repeated slowly.

Jack nodded as he watched Rafe’s eyes widen slightly, then asked him quietly, “Why? Do you know something about that date?”

Rafe sat back in his chair and let out his breath. “I don’t know anything about that date, but I’m wondering if I should. You are the second person in the past week requesting access to our films for that date.”

Jack felt the hairs rise on the nape of his neck. He leaned forward saying tersely, “Who asked to see them? When? Did they say why?”

“It was two men. They were private investigators with Hampton Security Services out of New York. Wait a minute, I have their cards here, somewhere.” He pulled a leather folder out of his drawer and paged through the plastic sleeves holding numerous business cards. “Here they are.” He removed them and handed them to Jack.