Page 45 of Junior Has a Secret
“I’m the governor.I get them daily.”
“I need everything you’ve received for three months and quickly.And you’re not to talk to the press.As for near future expectations outside of your documented threats, I’m going to need you at the morgue tomorrow at ten to try to identify the body.I’m also going to need our team to question your staff.”
“That’s a lot of people.”
“We’re a lot of people.Put them on notice.No one leaves town.No one talks to the press.The killer likes the press.It’s not in their best interest to share that trait.”
“I’ll handle it,” he confirms.
“Good.And I need files for anyone you pardoned or refused to pardon for six months along with any outside staff you used on a regular basis, especially related to maintaining the mansion.Security staff as well.”
His lips press into a tight line.“I’m not leaving New York anytime soon, am I?”
“We’ll work rapidly.If we can clear you, we will and let you go free.Is there anything you can think of that I need to know?”
“I don’t need your father talking to the press and turning the attention off himself onto me.”
“Right now, what you both need to know is that if I step in front of a mic and hold a press conference, I could bury one or both of you.Keep your mouth shut or I won’t.Where are you staying?”
“I have an apartment here in the city I never let go of.”
“Okay.You can go, but stay close to your phone.”With that, I rotate and walk away, steeling myself for another one of my father’s tantrums but pause just before I exit the room with a question, turning back to Money Mackey.“Do you know who financed the mansion?”
“Some private equity group.I don’t know anything about them.It was an anonymous donation.”
Pocher, I think.“I need those records as well.”
He gives a nod and I rotate, leaving him to fend for himself, while my mind races with what I’ve just learned.Why would Pocher want to build a mansion worthy of a king?We’re dealing with politicians and that means he’s pulling the old this for that strategy.I step outside the den, shut Mackey inside and while I doubt this property issue is related to the murder I still text Tic Tac:Look up the investors who funded the governor’s mansion as well as the contractors who worked the job.
Without an identification of the victim we’re chasing our tails trying to catch a killer who might not be as amateur as I first thought, not when he’s forcing us to work harder to know nothing.
I’ve just finished my text when the governor exits behind me.“Thank you for your help, Agent,” he says.People call me “agent” when they don’t know which last name to use, proving he’s in full politician mood.
“You sure you don’t know who is behind the equity group?It was built during your term.”
“The end of my term.The lobbyists start coming at us even before we’re elected, and we make promises for their support.”
“What are you saying?”
“I think your father was arrogant enough to believe he would be governor and he wanted to ensure he lived in style.You want to know about that donor.Talk to your father.”He walks toward the door and I let him leave.I haven’t decided he’s innocent.I’ve simply decided I’m done with him.For now.He’s a little too perfect to suit me and anything that seems perfect on the outside, in my experience, is deeply cracked on the inside.
I’d like to be there tomorrow when he views the victim’s body.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Pocher is calling me when I reach my father’s office, and I assume he’s found out about the leak.That man is deeply connected to everyone who is anyone.No doubt, he’s freaking out over the leak and wanting to know how I’m going to handle it.He can keep on waiting for a lifetime as far as I’m concerned.I decline the call and walk into my father’s private office to find him standing at the window with his back to me.
The instant he senses I’m present he whirls around.“Lilah, damn it.”He’s striding my direction and I shut the door, already anticipating his over-the-top reaction to everything.He’s losing his freaking mind.At this point, I’m still at the door and he’s in front of me.“Is he trying to turn this on me?”
“What I discuss with him is none of your business.”
“If he is, I need to call the press right now—”
“You need to go sit down and chill a minute is what you need.And I’ll tell you what I told him, I hold the power here.If I tell the press we’re talking to you or him, no matter how innocently, they’ll go nuts over it.Go sit.You are not yourself and this is official FBI business.”I point to his desk.
He inhales sharply and then does as I’ve directed, but this time he walks calmly and claims his seat.I sit in the visitor’s chair directly across from him.He leans forward.“I cannot have this get out to the press.”
“It already has.An anonymous tip about a dead body at the mansion.Nothing more.No one knows you were there.In fact, they will likely assume Mackey was there.”