Directing Disaster

“And does that position require you to travel with the Senator?”

“Yes.”

“Do you travel alone with the Senator?”

“Yes, on occasion.”

“How would you characterize your relationship with Amelia Harold?”

“We were close.”

“In fact, you were helping her decorate the nursery, isn’t that true?”

“Yes.”

“How long had you and Eric been lovers?

“For the last six months … I mean no we aren’t lovers.”

“Which is it, Miss Algers?  Remember you’re under oath.  Lying on the stand is a felony.”

The Senator put his head in his hands.

“Yes, we became lovers over the course of the past year.  Amelia was so moody from the pregnancy hormones.”

Ben handed her a photo.

“Is this a photo of you, Miss Algers?”

“Yes.”

“It shows you signing something with your left hand.  Are you left handed?”

“Yes.”  Her eyes were darting back and forth, looking around the court room, looking for someone to save her.

“Remember you’re under oath.  Did you kill Amelia Harold and attempt to steal her baby?”

Ben didn’t wait for her response. “Did you leave the baby on the bed and run out of the back of the house when you heard Senator Harold come into the house?”

Tiffany Algers was crying.  “I loved you,” she said looking at the Senator.  “You wouldn’t leave her because of the baby.”

Ben looked at the Judge.  “May we approach Your Honor?”

He, Uncle Sal, and the Prosecutor approached the bench.

“In light of Miss Alger’s testimony, I move for a dismissal.”

“Granted.  Bailiff, please take Miss Algers into custody.  The Jury is dismissed with the State’s thanks.  Senator, you’re free to go.”

Ben walked back to the defense table and looked at Eric Harold. He had been cleared, but his political career probably couldn’t be salvaged.  Then again, who knew these days?  After all, he’d been a victim in this; and with the right spin, maybe he’d come out just fine.

Ben looked at Uncle Sal as he packed his briefcase.  “You heard the stalker was killed yesterday?”

Salvatore Luciano looked at his nephew.  “Sì, ho sentito il crazy uomo è morto.”  He raised his eyebrows.  “E la bambina è sicuro.  L'angelo e sicuri.”

“Yes, my family is safe.”

Kansas City had a reputation for being a mob town.  Ben’s mother and uncles came from Sicily.  He had heard the rumors for years that the Bellinis and the Lucianos were ‘mobbed up’.  God, in some circles the name Luciano was enough proof.  Charles “Lucky” Luciano had been one of the most infamous mob bosses in American history.  This conversation was the closest thing he’d ever had that could indicate there was anything shady going on with his family.  But, lawyers never ask a question they don’t already know the answer to, and they never ask if their client is guilty.  Ben closed his briefcase and turned to leave.

He stopped and faced Sal.  “We’re going to have a reception tomorrow night at Papa’s.  We’d be honored if you and Uncle Vi

Chapter 23

Friday afternoon

Ben carefully avoided the press, taking the back stairs as he left the courthouse.  One famous person in the family was enough.  He pulled out his cell phone and called Lane’s cell phone.

“How do you do that,” she asked as she picked up the phone.

He laughed.  “I keep telling you, I have ESP where you’re concerned.  Why were you thinking about me?”

“I want you to talk to my Obstetrician.  I thought that maybe we could have a conference call or something.  I was trying to think of how we could do this since you’re in court.”

“The trial just finished.  I’m on my way home, or wherever you need me to be.”

“Let me call Dr. Se

Lane hung up and called the Obstetrician’s office.  They had an appointment available at 4:00 that afternoon if she wanted it.  She took the slot and called Ben.  “We have an appointment at 4:00.  Why don’t you come buy me lunch,” she said.  They’d been married for less than two days, and it seemed like there had been so much going on that she’d barely seen him.

“I’d love to buy you lunch.  I’ll see you in about half an hour.”

He hung up and dialed Joey’s cell phone.  He still wanted to know what was in those boxes that were left for Jess yesterday.

*****

Pauli was pouting, there was no other word for it, because Jess had gone to the police station with Daniella.  That left him with Joey who really wasn’t much company.  He’d driven 250 miles from St. Louis and he hadn’t been able to spend any quality time with Jess.  On top of that, Joey was just cranky.  Sure, he’d been stabbed, had surgery, and was on crutches but none of that was Pauli’s fault.

He’d spent most of yesterday at the hospital, and last night Jess hadn’t even taken time to insult him.  She’d yelled at Joey and then she’d just gone to bed.  He was pretty sure there were things going on that no one had told him yet.  He knew the stalker had followed Jess from L.A. to Kansas and that he’d been found murdered yesterday.  He knew the police had questioned Jess, but that they hadn’t held her because she’d been with the family at the hospital.  On top of that, no one had bothered to call him about Ben and Lane’s wedding.

Joey had gotten tired of Pauli’s pouting and gone to his bedroom.  Which was where he was when Ben called.  He answered it, “Hey, old man.”

Ben ignored the comment, “In all of the excitement yesterday, I forgot to ask about the packages.  You still have them?”

“Yeah, they’re in my duffle.  What do you want me to do with them?”

“Where’s Jess?”

“She went to the police station with Daniella.”

“I want to know what’s in them.  We’re going to have to hand them over to the police now, but I want to know what’s in them before we do.  And I imagine we’re going to have to tell Jess and Lane about it too, but like I said, I want to know what is in them first.”

“Fine, I’ll check it out.  Where will you be?”

“I finished the trial and I’m going to pick Lane up for lunch.  Take a look and call me.”

Joey was trying not to use the crutches so he hobbled to the closet.  Carefully, he bent from the waist and pulled out the duffle bag.  He carried it to the bed and opened it.  Both packages were there.  He opened the one addressed to Kate and found a love note and white roses.  He opened the package addressed to Kit and found a vicious note lying in a bed of black rose petals.  He read the notes.  Same old bilge as the others.  He called Ben.

“They were flowers.  White roses for Kate, black for Kit.  The notes were more of the same garbage as the others.  I’ll call Detective Hunter.  He needs a statement from me anyway.”

“You know the drill.  You shouldn’t go talk to the police alone.  I can’t be there.  Lane and I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.  Call Uncle Sal and see if he can go with you.”

Ben ended the call.  He pulled in front of Lane’s office, parked the Navigator, and went into the building.  There was a new guard; the old one was doing serious jail time for murder and kidnapping.  Ben stopped and gave his name.

The young guard looked him over carefully before saying, “I’ll just call upstairs.”

Ben stood next to the counter as the guard made the call, and was soon rewarded for his patience.

“Miss Kelly says you can go on up.”

Ben went through the turn style and pushed the button for the elevator.  He rode the elevator to the fifth floor and walked toward Lane’s office.  Meg Kelly was waiting for him as he rounded the corner.

“Well, congratulations,” she said as she extended her hand toward Ben.  “On the marriage and the baby.”

She seemed to be smirking.  Ben wondered if she’d found out about the wedding from Jake, from Lane, or from the news like the rest of the city.