Page 44 of Junior Has a Secret

He whips around to face me, all six feet plus of fortysomething man in what is yet another expensive suit in a sea of expensive suits.Everything about the governor, from his jawline to his hairline, is well honed man, his hair thick and dark, his height towering.And I couldn’t care less.That’s not the reaction he’s used to getting though, especially from women and no doubt, intending to use his assets to sway my judgement of him, he rushes toward me with an outstretched hand.I ignore it, much like Leonard had Jack’s which tells me how much Leonard disrespects his co-workers.I don’t know Money Mackey, not beyond his panic attack over a case I was working some time back, when I was more focused on it than him.But either way, I don’t respect him or any politicians.They’re all liars.When he realizes I’m not shaking his hand nor am I impressed, his hand falls away.

“You probably hate me for all the jabs I took at your father on the campaign trail,” he says but he also doesn’t apologize.I like it.He owns his words, one hundred percent.Most people would lie or make excuses.And the truth is that the only reason my father beat Money Mackey was my mother.The world loved her and him by default.

“You probably should have called me for better ammunition, but it’s done now, and we’re both stuck with the outcome.”

He narrows his eyes on me.“You don’t like him.”

“You should have figured that out during the campaign and used it and the fact that you didn’t tells me you or your campaign are not the sharpest tool in the shed.My mother used to say that.”

“Your mother was quite special.”

“And kind,” I say.“I’m not.When did you leave the mansion?”

“Discreetly, three days ago.”

“Why?You weren’t expected out of the mansion immediately.”

“Your father was pressuring me to move in early.”

“How very arrogant and presumptive of him,” I comment.

“The polls gave him reason to be.”He scrubs his jaw.“I could list out my accomplishments and on paper this loss makes no sense.I was well liked.I achieved what I promised I’d achieve.”

“But my mother beat you, not him.Must be anger-inducing.”

His eyes go wide.“No.No.No.I didnotplot vengeance against your father.”

“You clearly know what’s going on.How?”

“Your father couldn’t wait to call me and accuse me of nefarious acts.He wouldn’t say what on the phone.”

Thank you for that, father, I think.

Mackey holds his hands out, still talking at this point.“And so here I am.The minute I walked in the door he called me a coward and a killer.If it wasn’t for your man out there, we could have come to blows.And he would have gotten his ass beat.”

Doubtful, my father is the ex-sheriff.Mackey is just a rich guy with political hobbies.

“Are you done?”I ask.

“For now.”He sucks his cheeks in as if to shut himself up.

I don’t bother giving him answers he doesn’t deserve.I move on to my investigation.“Was the internet working when you left?”

His brow dips.“What?I mean yes, but what?”

I ignore the question.“Where did you move?”

“I just bought a house in Texas.I’m sitting on the board of a major real estate development firm there.”

“Leaving the state,” I comment.“That’s interesting.”

“That’s survival.Who wants to stay around as the loser.”

He has a point.That’s part of why I left New York myself.“Have you spoken to the press?”

“No.Hell no.This is the last thing I need in my life right now.”

“Were you getting threats of any type?”