The Other Path

Chapter 32

"You're quiet," Kate notes as she steers her unit southward.

"I was thinking about Irving Frank and how many fathers like him there are out there," Rick explains. "So many kids have died – for nothing. The politicians make sympathetic noises for a news cycle, and nothing changes. The slaughter goes on. When Volkov kidnapped Alexis, I would have done anything to get her back. I guess I did. I don't know how many people died when my father set off his bomb. It doesn't even bother me to think of those thugs in pieces. And if Volkov had killed Alexis, I would have hired an army to get him, especially if they helped me strike the fatal blow. Maybe I'm more my father's son than I'd like to believe. The world is better off without the people I know he killed. And I have no idea how many others there were."

"And you think the world is better off without Menkin?"

"Don't you?" Rick demands.

Kate runs her tongue over dry lips. "It's not my judgment to make. My job is tracking down the killer. After that, the justice system will take over. But aside from your fascination with Beckwith's experiments, you haven't felt right about working this case. I'll understand if you want out."

"I just want it over as quickly as possible. And I have enough ego," Rick confesses, "to believe you can do it faster with me than without me. So, if it's OK with Donna Quixote, Sancho will stay by her side."

"All right, Babe," Kate agrees. "And we should be able to interview our other two suspects tomorrow. With any luck, we can get the investigation tied up."


Logan Eckrich checks over the spreadsheet of his latest fundraising efforts. It's not impressive. His state is like two worlds, with the wealth concentrated in one and the need in the other. Unfortunately, most of world one supports the opposing party. And the donations from world two barely make a dent at closing the gap. That's why he's having a hard time figuring out why he got a call from Fred Leitch, who runs Charles Loch's highest funded PAC. He's never met either Leitch or Loch. It's no secret that they support the other party, and if anything, Logan's always regarded them as the enemy. However, Leitch requested a meeting, and Eckrich will talk to anyone if only to try to suss out their strategy.

"Senator," Margaret Hathaway, Logan's chief of staff, announces from his office doorway, "Leitch is on his way up now."

Logan shoves his spreadsheet in a drawer. "Tell Mike to send him straight in. And tell him to serve the fair trade coffee," he adds. "Even if Leitch doesn't know it, we might as well strike what blows we can for the little guy."

Margaret chuckles. "Yes, Sir. I'll tell him."

Leitch's thousand-dollar shoes stride quickly across the medium-grade carpet in Eckrich's office. He extends a doughy hand. "Great to meet you, Senator. I've kept an eye on you."

Logan shakes Leitch's hand before waving him to a chair. "Considering that your PAC used opposition research in its ads against me when I was elected, Mr. Leitch, I have no doubt that you did."

"Fred, please," Leitch urges.

"Fred then," Logan agrees. "So, what brings you to my office today?"

"You're going to need help in your next election. The city where you draw the most votes is in bankruptcy. When the Ocelot plant closed, it lost 7% of its jobs. And you have no major sources of funding."

"No candidate is supposed to have major sources of funding, Fred," Logan retorts. "The dollar limit on individual contributions is less than $3,000."

Leitch snorts. "We both know that's not what we're talking about, Senator."

"It may not be what you're talking about, but it's what I'm talking about, Fred," Logan argues. "I don't take corporate money, and I won't owe any favors to PACS. I got elected on millions of small donations last time, and I'll do it again. And I would assume from the assertions of your PAC that you don't pay much attention to environmental news. So here's some for you. New Spark is about to complete the purchase of the Ocelot plant. The assembly lines will be turning out more electric cars than they did gas-powered vehicles. The jobs will be back and then some, despite your efforts and those of your boss Loch. And all those small donations will work for me just fine. So if Loch thinks he can find another toady to replace Menkin, he's not going to find one here. But do enjoy the coffee before you go. You'll find it very full-bodied."

"You're going to regret turning down a great opportunity, Eckrich," Leitch threatens.

"From what I've seen, Menkin took your opportunity. It didn't work out too well for him." Logan stands up from behind his desk. "Have a nice day, Fred."


Kate goes straight from the door of the loft to Rick's Scotch and pours two fingers for each of them.

"Simmons wasn't impressed by your update?" Rick queries.

"No, and neither was Gates. There's a lot of pressure on this one. They're both getting it from 1PP, various politicians, and God knows who else."

"And sh*t rolls downhill."

"You know it."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"What I was going to do anyway: interview our other two suspects tomorrow. Then I'll see where things go from there."

"I checked the news while I was waiting for you. Some heavy hitters are campaigning to have Menkin lie in state at the Capitol. But several groups have already launched protests. No matter who killed him, his death will be almost as much of a political nightmare as his voting record. The DC players are already jockeying for position."

Kate sighs. "During the time I was there, I don't think they ever stopped. Rachel tried to explain the facts of life to me. But I could never accept them. It was a relief to get fired. And it will be one to put the case to bed."

"We could put ourselves to bed," Rick suggests.

Kate's eyes flick to her watch. "At eight o'clock? I haven't gone to sleep that early since I was seven. And I was reading books with a flashlight under the covers then."

"Which makes two of us." Rick winks. "Except that most evenings Mother was at the theater. And most of my sitters didn't care if I was awake or not, as long as I wasn't bothering them. But if Mother had a beau around, I definitely retreated beneath the coverlet. Still, who said anything about sleeping?" The rumble of Kate's stomach vibrates through the air. "I should have known. You didn't take time to eat while you were pumping out reports for the brass. So what would be most welcome in that empty maw?"

"Besides solving this case? Do you have any of those ribeyes you love in the freezer?"

Rick nods sagely. "Ah, the lady needs to sink her teeth into some red meat. Quite understandable. As it happens, I do have some steaks tucked away. Anything else your palate craves?"

"I can figure that out when we get to bed."

Rick sucks in a breath. "Right. I shall fire up the grill and anything else that needs a rise in heat."