Chapter 11:
The senators study was exactly what one would expect. An expensive mahogany desk sat against the far wall facing the inside door. No windows brightened the rooms, and the dark leather bound books increased the formality of the room. Not a single sheet of paper or book was out of place. The smell of his expensive cologne still lingering in the air. She fought the shiver that ran down her spine, gazing from the doorway.
"Come on." Jackson said gently pushing his hand against her back. "Carson's anything but patient or quiet. The longer it takes the more danger Maria is in."
"Maria..." Emma whispered glancing at the door across from the study, wishing she didn't have someone else's life, such an innocent one, in her own hands.
"Come on." Jackson urged again this time less patient. "Its a miracle she hasn't woken up yet. Don't push it."
Emma frowned and shook her head forcing her self inside.
The senator always wore too much cologne and the smell was nauseating making it hard to breath. She glanced at Jackson wondering how he managed to stand the still lingering scent. The contortion of his face and scrunched nose showed that he couldn't.
"Did he ever shower? This place smells like whiskey, sweat, and cologne." Emma couldn't help but chuckle slightly and cracked a small if not awkward smile. Jackson smirked back at her.
"He spent a lot of nights in here."
"Doing what?" Jackson asked, but Emma didn't answer, she didn't really want to know.
"So where are these tapes Em?"
"I'm not sure..." she said trailing off, "My guess would be that he moved them to the safe."
"Safe is a good idea, Where is it."
"Behind the painting. I found it once when I was cleaning." Emma gestured to the only painting in the room, a portrait of some obese politician who's name Emma didn't know or care to know.
"Really? How...original." Jackson said sarcastically, reaching up and pulling it down. "you wouldn't have the combination do you?"
"No...I'm the last person he would give it too, except for maybe his wife."
"True, I'll see what I can do."
"Its not his birthday, Jill's or Maria's,"
"You've tried?" Jackson asked intrigued.
"Yes. I know whats in there Jackson. And I want it destroyed." Emma lowered her head again looking away. "I just want this over."
"I'm sorry" Emma flinched as Jackson moved behind her placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Then just put an end to this before its too late." She pleaded.
"It already is too late Emma. This isn't just a job its a last chance for me. I don't get another."
"You could run..." She whispered.
"They'll just find me." Jackson turned her around and whipped away a strand of hair from her face.
"I don't know why, but I like you Em. I don't want to see you hurt, and I won't let Carson hurt you. This is almost over. You just have to stay with me Em." Emma nodded her head wishing Jackson would just let go of her. She was so confused, both hating him and liking him. Maybe if he wasn't a serial killer they could have been friends, but that wasn't going to change she told herself. There were no such thing as "what if" any more. She knew two things that were here and now. Maria and her self were in danger, and those tapes were their ticket out.
"Okay" Jackson said. "Keep trying the safe, I'll search the desk for any clues or notes. If he was stupid enough to but a safe behind a painting, then maybe he left the code on a post-it. One can only hope." Jackson moved to the desk and began rummaging through the desk and Emma turned back to the lock.
When she had first found the tapes, the Senator caught her and hid them. She found the safe a few days later and tried every number combination she could think of, but nothing seemed to work. Birthdays? No. Holidays? No. Anniversary? No. After several more failed attempts Emma felt the tears start again.
Knock it off. She told herself. She was over exhausted and not thinking straight. Focus. She thought trying to force her eyes open.
"The senator is smart, but his memory is horrible. It would have to be something easy, and hes so arrogant it must be personal." Emma said out loud.
"So" Jackson said back softly. "What was personal to him."
"I don't know" she said truthfully. "Have you found anything."
"Just a bunch of receipts of payments to some corporate thing."
"Ya, after they funded his first election he sent them donations monthly, hoping they would fund him in the future."
"Theres nothing personal in here, all election political stuff." Jackson said closing another drawer.
"Doesn't surprise me its the only thing he really cared about." Emma's voice trailed off as her brain finally clicked. Why not she thought? As she entered in the date of the senator's election. She let out a sigh of relief as the door swung open with an audible click.
"Good job" Jackson said moving close to her. "You should do this professionally." Emma didn't know if he was being serious or joking so she just smiled awkwardly at him. Her expression quickly changed though as reached in and pulled out the tapes, and the memories plagued her mind again.
