73
Jane held her cell phone in one hand, talking as she opened her car door, kicked off her wellies, and slid into her tall leather boots. “Jake? Oh, my gosh, I am so glad you answered. Where have you—? Watch it!” Some guy in a Celtics jacket and Halloween mask almost ran into her car door, waving a cup of something. The game was letting out, judging by the crazies on the street. “Anyway, I’m at Lassiter headquarters. Did you get my other message?”
“I’ve been a little busy,” Jake said.
Whatever. “Okay, so get over here, okay? It’s Kenna Wilkes. And Matt. I think they’ll both be here. How long will it take? For you to get here?”
“You sure this time? Matt’s there? No mistake?”
Jane started across the street, biting back a crack. Last time she’d asked Jake to meet her here, they’d met a woman she’d promised him was dead. “I’m sure,” she said. “And listen. His name is Matt Lassiter. I’m almost at the front door.”
“Stop!”
Jake’s voice was so commanding, she actually stopped. In the middle of the street. Rolling her eyes, she continued toward headquarters.
“I’m using the crosswalk,” she lied.
“What? No, listen, stop. Do not go in there by yourself. I’m in the car now, I’m headed to you. Lights and siren. Listen for me. I’ll turn them off when I hit the corner of Causeway. Don’t want to spook anyone. Two minutes. I’ll be there. Do not go in, Janey. Got me?”
“Got you.” Jane clicked off the phone.
She peered through the front windows. Saw the lights off, lobby empty. She listened for Jake’s siren. Nothing. Looked at her watch. Five after eleven.
Forget it.
She was going in.
* * *
Matt couldn’t move. Could barely believe it. He stood in the office door, seeing the back of a man’s head. The man was seated in a big chair, gray hair just showing over the top, a white shirtsleeve on the armrest. Saw Cissy, her face flushed and angry, yelling at him about “finding your children.” Saw the man stand, slim, tall—his father—take a step toward her.
What Jane Ryland had said was true. My father knows. But why was Cissy acting so mean? This was their time to be together.
Cissy pointed right at him. “Your son,” she was saying.
His father turned.
Matt saw the tears come to his father’s eyes, felt the same in his own.
“I—we—”
“Matthew?” Lassiter came toward him, glanced back at Cissy, then stared at him.
“Father?” He couldn’t help it, it was crazy, but even after so many years and so much unhappiness, he still loved him. He was a Lassiter. Nothing could change that.
He fell into his father’s arms, feeling the tears, feeling the man’s chest rise and fall, feeling—
“Are you kidding me?” Cissy was beside them, using both her hands to yank them apart. She punched Matt in the arm, her eyes slits of anger. “He ruined our lives, remember? Remember? Mother killed herself!”
She whirled, pointed a finger at their father. “Because of you! You might as well have murdered her!”
“Sarah, Matthew, I’m so sorry—”
“See, Cissy?” Matt interrupted his father, needing to help. Maybe he could make this better. We’re here to surprise dad, right? Reunite as a family. “Our father loves us. Can’t you see that? Life doesn’t always work the way we hoped. But we can still be a family, can’t we?”
His father put a hand on Matt’s shoulder, the weight of it feeling like years. Their eyes met, father and son. Matt pressed his lips together to keep from crying, seeing the love in his face. It would all be okay. Even despite Holly. He had to say something now, talk to him, let him know how much he had sacrificed for—
“You decided what was best for you, Governor.” Cissy’s voice cut through the silence. “Now it’s about what’s best for us. You’re dropping out of this race. Your political life is over. Every action has consequences—and this is it. Make the call. Now.”
Matt saw her hand go into her jacket pocket. And pull out a—
“No!” Matt yelled. “Cissy! He’s our father. You have to stop!”