Storymania - The Governor by Arlene Mason

The Governor
Arlene Mason

As the sun set outside the window, colors of orange and red streaked across the gray clouds, it was a beautiful sight. Keith Richardson reclined in his battered office chair with his feet propped on the windowsill. A Private Investigator seldom has a chance to admire the sunset. He thought. It's beautiful, I wish the world was always this perfect.

The office door closed with a tight thud.

Slowly Keith turned around. “What do you want?” He said to the two men clad in dark suits that stood in before him.

“We have a job for you Richardson,” said the first man.

Keith looked at him disgustedly. He had worked with these men before and was not thrilled about doing it again.

“Do us another favor,” said the second man.

Keith raised an eyebrow.

“And we will leave you alone,” said the first man.

“I've heard that before,” said Keith.

His visitors snorted in unison, Keith figured it was their attempt at laughing.

“What do I need to do?” He asked finally, realizing that they would not leave unless he agreed to help them.

“A rather simple job for a detective of your caliber.” Said the first man.

“Flattery? That’s unusual coming from you.” Said Keith. “This must be an important job.”

The first man snorted. “You will be contacted by our operative within 24 hours.” He said.

Keith stood, gazing toward the door. The men took this not too subtle hint and left the office.

About an hour later, there was a knock on the outer door. Keith answered it to find a large muscular man standing there.

“Keith Richardson?” Said the man.

“Yes.” He said.

“You’re expecting me.”

“I suppose so,” said Keith leading the man into the inner office.

The large muscular man was dressed in a very expensive pin stripped suit. It was obvious that he was carrying a gun in a shoulder holster.

Keith motioned for the man to take a seat. “What can I do for you?” said Keith.

“My employer needs you to take care of something that means a lot to him.” Said the man.

“What kind of something would this be?”

“A woman, he wants you to guard a woman.”

“Bodyguard, that's really not my style. Wouldn't that be more up your alley?”

The man grimaced, Keith figured that was his attempt at a smile. “The boss wants you.” He said, “ I don't know why, you're a pip-squeak.”

Keith stood and cleared his throat. “Who is this woman?”

“Amy Darling.”

“Amy Darling? Doesn't she have her own bodyguards? Why does she want me?”

“She doesn't, my boss does. He wants her to be safe, he thinks you can do the job.”

“Who is your boss?”

The man grimaced again and handed Keith an address. “This is where you will need to report in the morning. If you're late, I get to adjust your attitude.” The man laughed evilly.

Keith cringed to himself and said, “I'll be there.”

The big man laughed all the way out the door.

“Great,” said Keith to himself, “every time I get involved with these guys I regret it. I all ready regret this!”

***

Bright and early the next morning Keith appeared at the appointed place, which was a very upscale hotel in the downtown area. There was a large crowd of reporters hanging around in the lobby and poking microphones at some poor person in the midst of them. Keith shook his head and wandered over to the desk.

“I'm looking for Governor Darling.” He said.

“Sir?” Said the man behind the desk.

“Amy Darling, we have an appointment.”

“Sir, she’s over there.”

“Where?”

The desk clerk pointed to the throng of people in the lobby.

Keith pointed in the same direction for confirmation.

The man nodded.

Keith sighed and made his way through the crowd to the front. He saw the muscular man that had visited him last night and nodded.

The big man grimaced at Keith and motioned to him. Keith joined him at his location.

“I'm glad you're here.” Said the big man. “They surprised me with this press conference. You take the other side.”

Keith nodded and took a position at the other side of the podium. He stood with his hands behind his back. As he stood there watching the people in the crowd, he thought how glad he was that he had worn a suit, although his tie was too tight. He wasn't used to wearing a tie anymore. He tugged at the knot to loosen it. He realized that this was the uniform of a bodyguard. It had been a long time since he had to wear a uniform and an even longer time since he worked with anyone. Although, the Human Mountain over there, was not his idea of the perfect partner.

“Miss Darling, Miss Darling,” shouted the reporters.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she said, “that is all for today. We'll do this again tomorrow.” She smiled and edged her way toward the elevator. Keith and the big man were right at her side, keeping the reporters away.

“Wow,” she sighed, as the elevator doors closed. “Those guys get worse and worse the closer it gets to the election, don't you think so Rog?”

The big man nodded.

“Amy Darling,” she said extending her hand to Keith. “You must be the replacement for Dave?”

“Yes, Keith Richardson.” He said, shaking her hand.

“Isn't he a little scrawny?” She said to the big man, who responded with an emphatic nod of his head. “Well, Mr. Richardson. . .”

“You can call me Keith,” he said.

“Well, Keith, I suppose you have met Roger?” She said nodding to the big man. Keith nodded at him.

“He's my chauffeur and bodyguard. Dave, whose place you will be taking was my valet and bodyguard. Do you have any questions?”

Keith shook his head.

“Good, when we get to the room you can take Shep out for a walk.”

“Shep?”

“My dog. You are my valet.”

“Right,” he said. I really regret this, he thought.

The rest of the day was spent tagging along with Amy and Roger, just looking out for suspicious people. Luckily, Roger was the most suspicious person all day. Keith made it a point to stay very close to Amy all day and never to let anyone come between them. This strategy was tiring, though effective. By the end of the day Keith was worn out. He sat on the balcony of the hotel room and sipped a glass of ice tea.

“That was quite a day.” Keith said, “wasn't it Roger?”

Roger nodded, “I'm going home,” he said. “See you in the morning.”

“Sure, good night.” Said Keith sitting back sipping on his tea. Suddenly, a hand touched his shoulder. He jumped and put his hand on the gun in his shoulder holster.

“Easy, big fella,” said Amy from behind him.

“You startled me,” he said turning to her and relaxing some.

“I just wanted to thank you for being here today, Roger has been very overworked since Dave left. We are both glad you're here.”

“I'm glad to be here,” he lied.

“Here's the agenda for tomorrow,” she said handing him a piece of paper. “You better get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”

“I can see that.”

“Good night, Keith.”

“Good night, Miss Darling,” he said as the door closed behind him.

***

The next morning was bright and sunny, when Keith arrived at the hotel, Amy and Roger were just finishing breakfast on the balcony. “Good morning, Keith.” Amy said with a big smile.

“Good morning, Miss Darling.”

“Oh, Keith,” she said slyly, “please call me Amy. Especially since last night.”

“Last night?” He said with a frown, “oh, last night, right.” He said quickly, having no clue as to what she was talking about. He could, however, see that Roger was becoming increasingly jealous as the conversation went on. This made Keith very uncomfortable.

Sensing this, Amy changed the subject. “Keith,” she said, “would you care for some breakfast? The omelet is very good today.”

“No thank you, Amy, I already ate.”

“Then coffee? You do drink coffee don't you?”

“Yes, I do, and entirely too much at that.”

“Then please have some.”

“Thank you.” He said taking a cup and saucer, filling it with coffee and sitting in the only available chair, which was right next to Amy. Keith could not help noticing how she kept smiling at him. He returned the smiles and found that this made her blush slightly.

“Well,” Amy said at long last, “let's get going.”

Roger pulled out a piece of paper and said, “looking at the agenda, we have to be at City Park for a tree planting ceremony at 10:00, then lunch with the mayor at 12:30, the baseball game starts at 4:00.”

“Baseball?” Asked Keith, “are you a fan?”

“Not really, but I get to throw out the first ball tonight. I'm really excited.”

“Well, then,” said Roger, “we need to get planning.”

“What's to plan?” Said Amy. “You guys, just be there, if I need you.”

“That's not the way it works,” began Keith. “You hired us to protect you, so we have to do it our way. . .”

“No,” she interrupted, “just because André, thinks something might happen to me, doesn't mean I'm going to hide. I don't want you getting in my way. I don't need men around to protect me. I don't need men around at all, which’s what André is mad about. He still thinks I need protecting.”

Keith had been listening to the tirade and sighed. “Okay,” he said, “what should we do?”

“Just watch for suspicious people and stay out of the way.” She said. “Roger knows what to do.”

Keith nodded. Only two months until the election, then I am through with this baby-sitting job. He thought, I hate baby-sitting.

***

“. . . and I am dedicating this tree to the police officers of this city who have given their lives to protect ours.” Amy was saying as she dug the hole to put the little tree in. “A life given, for a life taken away.” She said as she put the small tree in the dirt. Keith stood quietly, his hands behind his back, trying not to show how much Amy's speech hit home.

So long ago, when he was on the Police Force, his partner was killed in a tragic gunfight. Keith remembered that day, bullets flew everywhere, and no one knew whose bullet hit his partner. Keith feared it was his, but the inquiry cleared him. He was not so sure, that still haunted him. He choked back his feelings and continued to watch.

Suddenly, a shot rang out.

Keith dove for Amy, knocking her to the ground and lying on top of her.

Bang, another shot whizzed over his head, striking Roger squarely in the chest.

The big man fell backward.

Keith looked around, into the crowd, but could not see anyone. There on top of a building near City Park, he saw a flash of sunlight. He took aim at the area and pulled the trigger.

Bang, the reflection disappeared.

“Damn,” he mumbled.

“Mr. Richardson,” said Amy from beneath him, “please let me up.”

Keith looked down and politely moved out of the way. “What was that?” He asked.

“Either André or one of his friends,” she said. “He doesn't want me to go through with this, he wants to scare me.”

“Has it worked? Has he scared you?”

“Not really.”

Roger sat up, somewhat dazed, with his head bleeding. “Scared me,” he said.

Keith looked at him questioningly.

“Oh, bulletproof vest.” Said Roger rapping on his chest. “Don't leave home without it.”

“I won't from now on,” Keith said.

The police arrived and took statements from everyone. Then they went to the roof of the building where the shots had come from, and found two empty shell casings from a high powered rifle. Keith figured it was no accident that Amy was not hit or that Roger was hit only in the vest. But he could not explain why, right now.

***

Keith sat at police head quarters across the desk from the aging cop, Captain Leonard Lestow. The older man had been Keith’s friend when he was on the force and often Keith would go to him with information on a particular investigation.

“Well,” said the Captain, “what do you make of it?”

“It was no accident that no one was hurt.” Keith said.

“Really?”

“Yes, just look at the gun she was using.”

“She?” Asked the old cop curiously. “How do you know that?”

“A soda can, with red lipstick was found near the shells.” Keith said matter-of-factly.

“That was inconclusive, we didn't even consider it as evidence.”

“Okay, what about the small footprints left in the stairwell?”

“Men have small feet.”

“Okay, the caliber of these shells is .223.” Keith said challenging the old cop. “What do you think of that?”

“It’s a military round, anyone could have that.” Said Lestow.

“Okay, I'll give you that one. Let’s just say that I just have a hunch.”

“A hunch? Well, I've learned to trust those hunches of yours over the years. What else do you think?”

“I'm not sure, but I think on eof them, Amy or Roger is behind this. Perhaps as a vote grabber.”

“Isn't that dangerous, what if the gunman. . .”

“Gunwoman.” Keith countered.

“Gunperson had missed?” Lestow conceded.

“The shooter, is a consummate professional, she or he will only do what they are paid to do.”

Lestow opened his mouth to say something, but closed it and said, “hunch?”

Keith nodded.

“Why would they want to do that? Run the risk of hurting someone, just to get votes. She's all ready the favorite.”

“Does she know that?”

“I don't know,” Keith said thoughtfully.

“Well, take it easy and wear a vest, just in case.”

“Thanks for the advice, Len. I'll be seeing you.” Keith said as he opened the door.

“Good bye Richardson,” said Lestow, as he went back to his work.

***

When Keith arrived at the hotel that afternoon, he decided to go into the bar for a cold drink.

“Ice tea, would be just fine,” he thought as he entered the darkened lounge. It took his eyes a few moments to adjust to the dark. He bumped into a table as he made his way to the bar.

“Hey, watch were you're going,” said a female voice from the other side of the table. “You spilled my drink all over my good outfit.”

Keith backed up slightly and said, “Excuse me, I didn't mean to. It's very bright outside, I'm terribly sorry, may I buy you another drink?” His eyes finally adjusted, he saw a beautiful red headed woman in black jeans and a black pullover sweater sitting across the table from him.

“I was hoping you would,” she said. “I'm having rum and coke.”

Keith nodded and walked over to the bar.

“Hello, pal, what can I get you?” Said the bartender.

Keith could not take his eyes off the woman. “Uh,” he sighed, “a rum and coke for the lady, and a glass of ice tea for me.”

“Don't have any ice tea here, Mac. What else can I get you?”

“Huh?” He said distracted, “oh, sorry, give me a seven and seven then.”

“Sure, here,” said the bartender as he handed the two drinks to Keith.

“Thanks, umm, put it on room 1235.”

“Yes, sir.”

Keith walked over to the table and placed one glass in front of the woman. “Your drink, madam.” He said politely.

“Why thank you, sir.” She said. Their eyes locked, he gazed deep into her green eyes and sighed. After a long moment she said, “won't you have a seat.”

“Uh huh,” he said never letting his eyes stray.

“My name is Cynthia.” She said extending her hand.

“Keith Richardson,” he said taking it in his and formally brining it to his lips.

She blushed.

“Well,” he said coming back to reality. “What brings you here?”

“Business.”

“Me too.”

“What kind of business are you in, Mr. Richardson?” She asked.

“Call me Keith.”

She nodded.

“I'm a Private Investigator.”

“Oh, that sounds exciting.”

“Not really, mostly divorce cases.”

“Oh.”

“What about you?” Keith asked.

“I'm do freelance work.” She said.

“A reporter?”

“Sort of.”

“Are you covering the Governor's race?”

“Yes, my assignment is Amy Darling.”

“That sounds interesting, maybe I can get an interview for you. I’m working for her.”

“That would be nice.”

“Under one condition.”

“What?” Asked Cynthia.

“That you have dinner with me tonight,” said Keith.

“Okay, I can do that.”

“Great, then it's a date. I'll pick you up at 7:00, what's your room number?”

“Why don't we just meet here at 7:00?”

“Okay, see you then.” Keith smiled broadly as he left the bar.

Cynthia smiled sadly as she watched him leave.

***

Keith could not keep his mind off the woman in the bar. The rest of the day, he just wanted it to be 7:00. He looked at his watch every five minutes or so. The day drug on. He met up with Amy and Roger right after they came from lunch with the Mayor. The next event was not until 6:30 when they were going to the ballpark. Keith figured it would be safe enough at the ballpark, so he bowed out. That gave him a couple of hours to get ready. He went back to his apartment and cleaned up. He was just about to walk out the door when the phone rang.

I’ll let the answering machine get it he thought, picking up his jacket.

“Hey, Keith,” said Captain Lestow after the tone. “This is Lestow, it's about 6:30 Tuesday. I know you're working, but I've got information on our shooter. . .”

Keith dropped his jacket and picked up the phone. “Len,” he said, “it's Keith, What's up?”

“Oh, Keith,” said the Captain, “I didn't expect you to be there. I thought you'd be with Ms. Darling.”

“I bowed out of the baseball game.”

“Oh? Well, what I called to tell you was that we found a partial finger print on one of the shells.”

“Okay, do you know who it is?”

“Yes, you were right, the shooter is a woman, Carla Antonini.”

“I've never heard of her.”

“She takes high profile jobs and has never been caught. I've got a picture of her coming from the FBI.”

“Great, when you get it, fax it to the hotel, room 1235.”

“Okay, I'll do that.”

“Is that all?” Asked Keith impatiently.

“Yes, you seem in a hurry, have you got a date?”

“Yes, I do. Now can I go?”

“By all means, have fun you old dog.”

“Good bye, Len.”

***

Keith entered the darkened bar and looked around. He saw Cynthia sitting at the same table she was at before he left.

She was dressed in a short low cut black dress. Her red hair was curled and fell gently across her shoulders.

Keith smiled when he saw her.

She looked up when he came in and smiled as well.

Their eyes met across the crowded bar, both of them smiled broadly. Keith felt his heart begin to beat faster as he neared the table where she sat.

“Hello, Cynthia,” he said as he took a seat across from her. “You look beautiful tonight.”

Cynthia smiled. “Thank you,” she said, “so do you.”

He smiled and blushed slightly. “Let's go,” he said, “I've got reservations down the street at Chez Julio's.”

“Oh, I've heard about that place. It's supposed to be real good.”

“It is.”

She stood up, so did Keith, he noticed that she had very long legs. He was able to look directly into her green eyes when she stood. He could not help but smiling. Then he extended his elbow and she slipped her hand around it. They left the bar, arm in arm.

Following a wonderful meal, Cynthia and Keith went to a movie. After the movie he escorted her to her room, which was across the hall from Amy's. They stood in the hall chatting for a long while, until Cynthia said, “Keith, why don't you come in and sit down awhile.”

“Okay, but only for a few minutes, I have to work in the morning.”

She unlocked the door to the room and let him in. It was a small room with only a bed, television, dressing table and bathroom. She closed the door behind them and leaned against it. “Keith,” she said seductively.

“Yes,” he responded as he turned around.

“Come back here.”

He obeyed and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him very passionately. He held her close and reciprocated. She carefully pushed him toward the bed; he did not resist. They kissed and caressed and she unbuckled his belt and started to unzip his pants.

“Oh,” she said, “I didn't realize you had that.”

“I'm sorry,” he said, removing the gun and holster from inside his pants. “Old habits die hard.”

She giggled and pushed him to the bed. “You're funny,” she said.

They kissed as they undressed each other and lay down on the bed. She put her long legs around his waist and reached over to turn off the light.

***

The phone rang at 7:30 am. Keith awakened and reached for it, but noticed that someone else had answered. That someone was Cynthia, she was sitting up in the bed next to him, talking on the phone. Keith put his arm around her and kissed her. She put the phone down and returned the kiss.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning, to you,” she said. “I have to go to work. Last night was very nice.” She said as she kissed his forehead. “I'll see you tonight?”

“Okay,” he said as she got out of bed and began to dress.

Keith sighed and dressed for breakfast.

After breakfast, he went to Amy's room for a meeting with her and Roger. He found himself not concentrating on the meeting, but rather thinking about Cynthia. He could not stop smiling. He wondered what she was doing right now. He sighed.

“Keith, what do you think about that?” Asked Roger.

“What?” Said Keith, being jolted back to the present. “I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention.”

“What we were saying, is that you should stand beside me on the left instead of the right. Roger looks better on the right.” Said Amy.

“Yeah, sure, whatever.” Said Keith.

A flash of light came from a rooftop across the street, Keith jumped on top of Amy and knocked her to the floor, just as the sliding glass door shattered from the gun shot. Three more were fired in succession the first hit Roger in the head. The next grazed Keith's shoulder and the third struck Amy in the thigh. Keith crawled to the balcony and tried to see the shooter, but had no luck. The shooting had stopped. He crawled to the phone and called the police.

By the time the ambulance arrived Roger was dead and Amy had lost a lot of blood. Keith was feeling rather dizzy, but he wasn’t hurt badly. Cynthia came over to see what all the commotion was about. She held Keith and cried softly on his shoulder Keith assured her that it was all in a days work and that there was nothing to worry about. He sent her back to her room and said that he would see her later that evening. She nodded and went to her room. The Paramedics treated Keith and took Amy to the hospital. Captain Lestow sent two officers to watch over Amy while Keith went home to get some rest. But Keith did not go home, he went to see Cynthia. She was in her room, watching the television when he got there.

“Hello, Keith,” she said.

He smiled broadly at her, “I've got some time off.” He said, “I wanted to spend it with you.”

“Okay, but I have a plane to catch.”

Keith felt all the blood rush from his head, his heart began to beat faster. “What?” He choked out.

“Keith, I have to leave. I have business in Washington.”

“Washington? Can't you stay here?”

She shook her head.

“But, I . . .”

She put her index finger to his lips and shook her head. “Keith, I know.” She said, “I just can't help it, I have to go.”

“Quit your job, stay here. We can be together, we can get to know each other, we can. . .”

“No, we can't. It's too complicated. You wouldn't understand.”

“Anything, I'll understand, I promise.”

“I doubt it,” she said sadly.

He grabbed her and held her close. “I love you.” He whispered in her ear.

She looked into his eyes; tears filled hers. “Oh, God, I love you too. No matter what happens, I always will.” She sobbed.

He held her tightly and said, “When you're done in Washington, will you come back?”

“I'll try.”

“When does your plane leave?”

“Eight-thirty.”

“I'll take you there.”

“No. I mean, I have a ride.”

“Okay, we have about two hours, maybe we can do something?”

“No, Keith, I have to finish my job here and then go on.”

“Then,” said Keith, “this is good-bye?”

“More than you think,” she said as she trained a large caliber revolver on his crotch area.

Keith froze. “Can't we talk about this?” He squeaked.

“No,” she began, “I've been watching you for sometime, following you.”

“Shooting at me?”

“That too, I'm sorry. I was sent her to scare Ms. Darling and kill you. But, instead,” she sobbed, “I fell in love with you.”

“It's okay,” he said, “we can work through it. You don't have to finish your job, we can both leave, go out of the country.”

“No, they’ll find me, they always do. They will kill me.”

“Who are they? Who has you this shook up?”

She put the revolver to her temple and said, “Keith, I will always love you.” Then she pulled the trigger.

“No!!” Keith shouted as he ran to her limp body now lying on the floor. He choked back the tears as he called 911.

***

Keith sat in his office and stared out the window at the falling rain. Two men in dark suits appeared across the desk from him. He noticed their reflection in the window, but did not bother to turn around.

“Gentlemen,” he said flatly.

“Mr. Richardson,” they said in unison.

“Thank you for catching that assassin,” said the first man.

“We've been on her trail for several months,” said the second.

“She was after the President, until she found that you were working for us.” Said the first.

“Then she went after you.” Said the second

“Guess she figured you would stop her from getting the President.” Said the first.

“Figured right didn't she?” Said the second.

Both men snorted in unison.

“Humph.” Keith replied as he turned around in his chair, “neither of you have any knowledge of what went on between Cynthia and I. In my book, that means you guys keep quiet and respect the fact that she's dead. So help me God if either of you make another crack like that, I will make sure that you are sent back to your boss in a cardboard box. Do I make myself clear?”

“Have it your way,” said the first man, as both men turned to leave.

“You left this at the hotel,” said the second man putting a piece of fax paper on the pile of clutter in front of Keith.

“Good day, Mr. Richardson,” said the first, as they disappeared through the door.

Keith picked up the paper and looked at it. There staring back at him from the page was Cynthia, the caption read “Carla Rodriquez (AKA Cynthia Rawlins, Candy Rogers and Catherine Roland) wanted for the murder of high profile person. Professional hitman. Has been traced to recent threats on the First Family. Should be considered armed and dangerous.”

“I'll say she was dangerous,” said Keith with a sigh.

He put the paper in his desk and turned back to the window.