Chapter 29
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"The hottest love has the coldest end." - Socrates
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"Martin, he's fine," Katherine repeated for the fourth time as they entered the Burke's home and she handed her coat to the attendant.
He removed his own coat and handed it the attendant as well. "I know. It's just he's in a new house and this is the first night…"
"Martin, he's a dog. He will be fine. Hilde is there with him." Victor took the claim ticket and put it in his jacket pocket.
"Okay, you're right. So who are the Burke's? Have I met them?" Martin asked. He didn't know how his mother managed to talk him into coming to a political function disguised as a Christmas party.
"I don't believe so. We've only known them about six years. William Burke is on the U.S. Circuit of Appeals, his wife Abby chairs several charities and they have two sons," Katherine hurriedly said as she spotted Abby Burke approaching.
"Katherine and Victor, I'm so glad you could make it." Abby Burke was a pleasant woman with bright blue eyes and even brighter blonde hair.
"Hello, Abby. You look fabulous." Katherine smiled.
"Thank you. You look great, too." Abby gave Katherine a quick peck on the cheek. "Victor, you look as handsome as ever."
"Abby, it's good to see you." Victor smiled broadly before turning to introduce Martin. "This is our son, Martin."
Martin extended his hand and smiled, "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Burke."
"It is so wonderful to see you up and around." Mrs. Burke practically oozed sympathy and it made him incredibly uncomfortable. "It was just so tragic what happened to you. I can't imagine how you are dealing with it all."
"I'm well, thank you for asking," Martin replied, trying to sound pleasant. "You have a lovely home."
"My god, you are probably just grateful to be alive…" Mrs. Burke continued seemingly unaware that he did not seem the least bit inclined to discuss it. "It's a miracle you survived. I saw the photo of the car you were driving in the paper."
"Yes, he is a miracle," Katherine interjected as she began leading Abby away. "Tell me, how is William?"
"The last time I saw him he was arguing with Senator Carmichael about something or other," Abby replied as she and Katherine walked into the main room.
"I'm afraid you might have to get used to that, son," Victor quietly said.
"I know, it's just….disconcerting," Martin replied. He still found it so strange to have people he didn't know talk about a time he didn't remember.
Victor put his hand on Martin's shoulder and said, "What do you say we go find the bar?"
"I say lead the way." Martin smiled; heaven knows he could certainly use a drink.
A few hours and about a hundred, 'How are you coping?' comments later, he snuck off to find either the washroom or an escape hatch.
Making his way through a maze of hallways he somehow ended up in the rear of the house. It was virtually deserted and instead of the washroom he found a bright spacious sunroom. While it wasn't sunny the view of the snow gently falling was a pretty awe inspiring site. He entered and looked around. It reminded him of a fancier version of his Aunt Bonnie's greenhouse. As he was inspecting the flora and fauna he heard someone approach from behind and when he turned around he saw a woman rush in, put her index finger to her lips and hide behind a Fichus tree.
He was about to ask her what was going on when he spotted a man around his age wearing an expensive tux and a bad comb-over trail in a few seconds later. He looked at Martin with drunken eyes and asked, "Hey, did you see a hot chick, around 5'8", long brown hair, blue eyes and a body that won't quit come in here?"
"No," he replied without hesitation.
"Oh, okay," Don Juan replied and then he headed down the opposite direction.
He watched him walk away and when he knew he was out of ear shot he looked to the Fichus tree and said, "You can come out now, its all clear."
As the woman emerged from behind the tree Martin thought that while that guy was a sleaze he described her perfectly. She was beautiful.
"Thank you." She smiled brightly at Martin. "I did everything I could to try and get rid of him just short of pulling out my gun." She sighed and added, "But then again, he'd probably find it a turn-on."
"Do you attend all Christmas parties armed?" Martin asked smiling.
"Only the ones in Washington," she replied with a grin and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Ruby Carmichael."
He shook her hand and replied, "Martin Fitzgerald."
"I know who you are."
"Oh, yeah," Martin said as his eyes drifted down the hall.
"No, well, yeah, you are a hot topic tonight but I also know you from the bureau. I work in Behavioral Sciences here in Washington. Your team had everyone's attention after the General Gamba assassination," Ruby replied matter-of-factly. He liked that her tone wasn't full of pity or idle curiosity.
He smiled and asked, "You work BSU? So are you a hot shot profiler?"
"Oh, yeah, the best," Ruby replied sarcastically. "That's why my keen profiling mind was able to think of a good excuse to tell my parents to get out of having to attend this party."
"You too, huh?" Martin agreed. "I'm guessing you're Senator Carmichael's daughter."
"That's me," she replied with a sheepish grin as she looked around the room. "They claim it's for familial support but have you noticed it mostly the single children they drag to these things? I have two brothers and two sisters but I'm the only one who gets the guilt trip about attending because I'm not married or have kids."
"I think that is exactly why they bring us. I always seem to only be introduced to people who have single daughters." Martin laughed.
"True. That's how I ended up with Bobby Burke following me around all night." Ruby paused and eyed Martin with a puzzled look on her face. "It's funny that we haven't met sooner."
"I live in New York and I hadn't been home for a few holidays. I'm sure we would've been introduced eventually," he commented.
"You're probably right." She smiled and looked around the room before walking to the large bay window and admired the view. "This is a great room."
He walked up to stand alongside her and looked out onto the view from the hill. "It is. You can see almost all of D.C. from here."
They stood there staring out onto the city when they heard a woman's voice call out, "Ruby darling? You back there?"
Ruby turned around and said, "Yeah, mom. I'm here." She gave a quick glance to Martin before walking to the doorway. "What is it?"
"Your father wants to leave. He and Judge Burke have been bickering all night." Dana Carmichael was sharp looking woman who looked like an older version of Ruby. She was actually one of the few guests who didn't try to corner Martin to discuss his 'situation'. "Oh, hello Martin," she said with her eyes darting between Martin and Ruby. "I'm sorry. I hope I didn't interrupt anything."
Martin looked at Ruby who gave him a hapless smile and shook her head laughing. "No, mom, it's okay. Let's go." She motioned her mom out of the room before she stopped and turned to look at him. "It was nice meeting you Martin Fitzgerald."
"Nice meeting you too, Ruby Carmichael," he replied with a small wave as she disappeared down the hall.
