Michael Carlson gazed at the lovely young woman lying in bed beside him and cursed his weakness. 'My God what have I done?', he thought in despair. It was not rare, unfortunately, for politicians to have a mistress, but it was for him. 'I'm a man of honor, right?' Carlson was no longer sure; he wasn't sure of anything anymore. This was not what his parents taught him or what he'd learned at West Point, but he'd been unable to stop himself. Daphne looked at him the same way his wife had when they'd been a young newlywed couple. With a mixture of awe and delight; a very heady combination to be sure. Carlson glanced at the clock by the bed and realized he'd have to be going. The room had been rented under a false name; however, Carlson knew that word of his affair would get to the press; it always did. Carlson threw his legs over the edge of the bed and slipped into the hotel robe. He heard Daphne moving around behind him. He rose so as not to wake her and walked into the bathroom to change.
Daphne sensed him getting up but said nothing. There would be plenty of time to sink the hook in him, for now, she'd let him run. She had no idea why she was doing this, but her instructions had been explicit. She was being well paid to sleep with him, to listen, to remember; but all the same, she felt bad for Carlson, he was nice, and from what he said, a very lonely man. She'd been with several married men and most were repulsive, but he was different-he felt shame.
"Oh, you're awake!" Daphne was startled out of her daydreams by Carlson's voice. She turned to him and smiled, and he went on. "I didn't mean to wake you, but I need to be going, my staff will begin to wonder where I've gotten to!" He chuckled nervously.
She crawled toward him saying, "Tell them you were helping a future politician with her studies. It's the truth, isn't it?"
"I guess so," Carlson admitted with an uneven laugh. "You were a-very good pupil!" Daphne blushed. A tense silence fell between them and Carlson began to fidget. Finally he said, "ah, I'm sure you must be hungry," he took out his wallet, "here's some money. Buy yourself some breakfast in the morning, anything you want." Daphne took the money with a whispered thank you.
Carlson moved off toward the door. The feel of the money in her hand refocused Daphne's mind on her work. Time to set the hook, she thought. "Can I see you again?" she called after him.
Carlson's hand froze inches from the door handle. A few more seconds, just a few more seconds and I would have been able to get away! His head sank forward and his back bowed, as if a heavy weight had been placed on him. He opened the door and muttered without looking back. "Yes-yes you can!" He shut the door behind him.
Rita took a sip of her drink and remarked to Chris. "I didn't realize you could cook so well, Sam."
"I'm a man of many talents, Sammy," Chris grinned roguishly at his wife.
"I am well aware of that, Christopher, well aware!" She rose and walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead. "I'm going to go call Fran." Chris nodded and began to clear away the dishes.
Rita walked out into the family room and picked up the phone. She dialed their number and waited. After a few rings she heard Fran's unmistakable high pitched voice. "Hello, hello!"
"Hi, Fran, it's Rita." Rita took a seat.
"Hi, Doll! How are you? How's Chris? How's Alicia? It's so nice to hear your voice." Her voice trailed off, and Rita smiled as she heard Harry's voice in the background, he was asking Fran which medicine to take for his hives. After a few seconds she came back on the line and saying. "I'm sorry, honey, what did you say?"
"Well," Rita began, "Chris and I need to ask a favor of you and Harry. Our nanny, Mary Johnson, won't be able to take care of Alicia for several days; family problems prevent it. But Chris and I are involved in a case and we..." Rita broke off, not wanting to say to much.
"You what, Honey?" Fran asked.
"We need someone to take care of Alicia, someone we trust, and who could she be safer with than her godparents? We just felt that you and Harry could use some time off. So what do you think?"
Fran said nothing at first, and Rita held her breath. It was not like Fran to be quiet, she was always talking about one thing or another. "Yes, that sounds nice, Rita. Yes, we'd love to come and take care of her for you. In fact, there is something I need to discuss with you both."
"What is it?" Rita asked, already guessing what it was about.
"I'll explain when I see you, so when would you need us?" Rita told her and she replied, "That's fine, I'll go and tell Harry. I'm sure he'll be pleased. Goodbye for now, Rita."
"Goodbye, Fran," Rita said. The phone went dead, and Rita replaced the receiver and considered the call. 'Fran's asking for our help with Harry. I wonder what happened?'
At Ft. Lauderdale Police Headquarters, later that night. Hutch was just beginning to pack his files in his briefcase when his phone rang. He uttered an oath and picked it up. "Yeah, what is it?" he asked. The operator replied, 'OCU for you on line six.' "Thank you," Hutch replied, "Hutchinson, what's going on?"
"Ben, Jack Timms, I just received a report that Nick Lucasa showed up in town. It will be in the morning brief, but I figured you'd like to know now."
"Yeah, thanks Jack, I do. Any idea what he's doing here?" Hutch asked.
"Nope, FBI and Miami OCU don't either, but it can't be anything good. I'll keep you posted, bye Ben."
"Yeah, bye, and thanks again." Hutch replaced the phone and sat in his chair. His thoughts drifted to Chris and Rita as he digested this new and perhaps important piece of information.
"So," Kreinholtz asked his assistant, "any news?"
"I'm afraid not," his assistant replied.
Kreinholtz cursed, "Keep after him! We need something on him! We got to McMillin and Jackson-and we'll get Carlson, too. Keep me informed." Kreinholtz puffed at his cigar and grinned as he noticed the invitation on the table in front of him. He picked it up and laughed as he read it: 'Gov. Michael Carlson cordially invites Ben Kreinholtz to dine with him and other campaign contributors.' He wouldn't be able to come to this event, but if his plans worked, he hoped to get a private audience with the Governor.
A small smile played on the corner of Rita's mouth as she waited for Chris in their bedroom. She was eagerly anticipated the massage he promised to give her. She was wearing a red silk chemise and robe; she'd taken care to pick one that always drove Chris crazy. She heard him walking back from putting Alicia to sleep, and she propped herself up on her knees, waiting for him. He walked in and stopped dead in his tracks. "Oh, boy!" He muttered. Her ardent desire for him, which was displayed by her lust clouded eyes, made his blood boil. He wanted her so bad it hurt, just as she wanted him, but he decided to tease her for a little bit. Chris tried to mask the amorous feelings she produced in him, but at the same time asked in the low, tempting, voice,"So, Sam, what do you think about the case?"
"What?" She asked breathlessly, not listening, only watching.
He walked toward the bed and slowly-methodically-began to take off his shirt. "Well, I feel like we're at an impasse."
Rita blinked in confusion. What was he doing? she wondered. He was talking about the case while stripping in front of her and talking in a voice that he knew turned her on. Her train of thought was broken as his shirt fell away. Her mind flashed to the time Chris had been a male stripper during an undercover case. She'd gotten the best seat in the house to watch him then, but her seat now was so much more fulfilling. He's playing with me, she realized. Well two can play at that game! "Chrisss..." The way she practically purred his name stunned him; his eyes widened. "I've been a very good girl. I thought you said I'd get a present for that? Don't make me wait!"
She's done it again, Chris thought, she robbed me of the power of speech. Rita had a very sexy voice. She'd gotten a great deal of practice using her voice as a seductive tool when she'd gone undercover several years ago as a phone sex operator. She'd been very popular, however, she'd not enjoyed it then, but she did now. It made her Chris happy, and that made her happy.
Chris smiled slightly but was not willing to give in just yet, he knew how to get her, but he also knew that neither of them would win this game. It always ended in a draw. It was one of the best things about their marriage, friendship, and partnership; nobody ever lost a battle, they only won, and they did so together. Equals in everything, but unequal enough that their relationship was forever exciting and fresh; different people, same soul-same dreams.
Chris once more moved toward the bed, taking off his belt as he did so. He threw it to the ground and undid the button and discarded his pants, but he paused a few inches from the bed. She moved closer to him and ran a single finger down his chest. He caught his breath at her touch but pushed her hand away. She looked up at him.
He explained. "I'm supposed to be giving you a massage, remember?" He pushed at her robe which fell away in a whisper of silk. With one hand he gently pushed her onto her back and moved over her kissing her face and neck. She sighed in delight. "Roll over, Sammy." She followed his instructions, and Chris began to give her a massage, starting at her feet and moving slowly upwards, leaving no part of her beautiful body untouched. Rita was in heaven. His hands feel so good, she thought. Being with him, being his wife, felt so right, as right as just being his friend and partner had, but this was so much better. She had it all now, she had him.
Chris smiled down at his Sam, enjoying making her feel good. They'd both been under so much pressure of late: planning a new house, trying to have a new baby, and working on this case. Well, Chris thought, for a time I can try and make her forget. He rolled her on to her back and was about to continue his massage, but the look in her eyes made his hand falter. Her dreamy eyes reflected the intense love and lust she felt for him. God, I'm the luckiest man alive! She said nothing but the mute appeal in her eyes spoke volumes: make love to me they told him. He pulled her chemise down and began to kiss her neck making her gasp. She moved her hands to feel him, she'd never allow him to do all the work. She came to life and captured his mouth with hers, pulling him down to her.
Several hours later, physically and emotionally spent, they slept for a time, but Rita became restless and called to Chris. She had something to tell him. As she called she felt him stir next to her. "What's wrong, Rita?" he asked half asleep.
"Sorry, Sam, I need to talk to you," Rita caressed his face.
"Can't it wait till morning?" he asked.
"I guess, but I need to tell you. I just..."
Chris, now fully awake, told her, "Tell me, Rita, come on. It's okay!"
"I think I'm pregnant, Chris," Rita smiled at him.
"Are you sure?" he asked breathlessly.
"No, it's still too early for the test, but I think that's why I've been so tired lately. I know this will sound strange, but I feel it. I know it." Chris sat up and hugged her tightly.
"I know you, Rita, and if you say you're pregnant, than you are! God! We're going to be parents again! I love you so much!"
"I love you, too," they kissed. "I didn't want to hide my suspicions, but I don't want you to treat me differently, or try to protect me. I'm staying on this case."
Chris sighed and shook his head. "Rita, I know you still think you let me down when I got shot, but you didn't. Yes, I want to protect you and Alicia and this baby, but I would never stop you from doing your job. You know that!"
Rita looked away for a instant. "I know, I do, I guess I needed to hear you say it." Rita sunk back into the covers and laid her head on Chris' shoulder as he held her tightly.
"When Harry and Fran get here we'll decide what we're going to do. How we're going to get Krienholtz," Chris said.
"Yeah, I think we're going to get him this time, Chris. He has to pay! And we're going to make sure he does," Rita replied earnestly.
Michael Carlson finally returned to the Governor's mansion around midnight. He hoped he'd not see his wife, or anyone else for that matter. He was almost to the stairs when he heard David Sandhurst call to him. "Sir, I need to speak to you."
Carlson sighed, why the hell is he still here, he wondered. He turned toward his Chief of Staff.
"David, why are you still here? What's happened? It's late, I need to get to sleep, can't this wait?"
"Is there something you need to tell me, something about where you've been tonight? I've heard rumors."
"What have you heard?" Carlson asked heatedly.
"That you were with a young," Sandhurst paused, "lady. This is very dangerous if the press were to find out."
"Find out what? What would they learn, huh? That I'm a man, with a dead marriage, that I'm not perfect!" Sandhurst said nothing and Carlson went on. "To answer your question, David, yes I did spend the night with a young lady. But if you'll excuse me, I need to be getting to sleep." Carlson turned and resumed his climb to his room. If he'd turned around at that moment he would have seen a devious smile appear on Sandhurst's face.
Sandhurst nodded and snickered. "Well, well, I wonder what other secrets are hidden under that noble mask of yours?"
Unfortunately for Carlson, he hadn't heard Sandhurst's comment. Once on the family floor Carlson walked rapidly to his room. He wondered how the Lorenzos were doing. They'd not called him, but in fairness, it had only been a few days since he'd retained their services. It was just a matter of time, he realized. What was going on here, really? Three of his friends had turned bad and had died as a result. And now it looked like a new crop of criminals were attempting to duplicate what they'd done. How in the hell did they do it? The answer was too horrible to think about. Lee Jackson and Allen McMillin must have used their positions, and the trust the public put in them, to steal money and support God knows what kinds of criminal enterprises. As Michael Carlson closed his eyes, another thought intruded on his dreams: 'What role did I play in what they did? And what role do I now play?'