29
Was it still the middle of the night, Rachel thought, as a knock sounded at her door.
“Rachel? It’s Dad, may I come in?”
“Daddy.” Rachel turned on her night light. “Of course.”
She could tell by the look on his face that something had happened.
“Hi, sweetheart, how are you doing?” He sat on the side of her bed.
“I’m okay. Would be better if I wasn’t wide awake before the sunrise. Why are you up?”
He hesitated. “I just received a call from Chief Williams. It seems Judge Kennedy was found non-responsive in his bed this morning.”
Rachel gasped. “What? Did he have any family? A wife, children?”
“A daughter, two grandchildren. His wife died a few years ago. It’s too soon for a cause of death,” Clayton advised. “What is this really all about Rachel?”
Rachel exhaled. “Regan and I found out some very disturbing things about the private prison company the judges seem to be in cahoots with.”
“Have you found anything connecting Judge Kennedy to these people?”
“Not conclusively.”
“Baby, I’m not one to tell you to back off of a story. But it seems these people may be willing to go the extra mile to keep their secrets.”
Rachel sighed. “Wade mentioned the same thing yesterday. This is not going to ease his mind.”
“Do you care if his mind is at ease?”
Rachel hesitated then answered. “Yes, Daddy, I do care.”
“Do you care as an employee wanting to please her boss, or as a woman wanting to please her man?”
“He is my boss….but, honestly, I think it’s more. I like him. I like him a lot.”
“And he? How does he feel?”
“I don’t think he knows.” She smiled. “But I definitely have his attention.”
“Did you tell her?” Drake asked as he walked into the room with a cup of coffee.
“Drake, what are you doing here?”
“Your mother put him in Riley’s room for the night,” Clayton stated. “Hell, if he is going to watch over you he might as well be comfortable doing it.”
“What he said.” Drake handed her the coffee. “Do you think this dead judge is dead because of what he knew?”
“I think they are disconnecting the pieces so that trail doesn’t lead back to them.”
“It’s what I would do.”
They turned to the door to see Wade standing there with a cup of coffee in his hand. “Damn you look good in the morning.”
Clayton and Drake turned to look at him. They then looked at each other. “I don’t see it, but okay.” Drake shook his head.
“Why are you in this room half dressed?”
Drake looked down at himself then back up to Wade a bit confused. “I have on my slacks.”
“Don’t let that faze you. He could be buck naked and it wouldn’t matter. My eyes are only on you.”
“It’s getting a little deep in here.” Clayton frowned at his daughter. “Do you have more news on Judge Kennedy?” he asked Wade.
“No,” Wade replied with his eyes still on Rachel. “Did you tell anyone you were going to see Kennedy today?”
Rachel thought as she pulled the bonnet from hair. She ran her fingers through the four big twists then began to take them apart. “I tend to keep things pretty close to the vest. Regan knew, of course, because she was going with me and you. That’s it.”
“You are a sight to behold this morning.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “Life is too short to waste time wondering, if only.”
“Do you two mind,” Clayton stated. “There are others in the room.”
Rachel sighed. “Okay, Daddy. Do you think the Chief will share the cause of Judge Kennedy’s death when he receives it?”
“The official COD is not going to be factual,” Wade said. “They will want to respect the judge.”
“As they should,” Clayton stated. “If you haven’t connected him to anything, you can’t ruin the man’s reputation.”
“Agreed,” Wade said. “Are you sure no one knew you were planning to see Kennedy?”
“What are you thinking, Wade?” Drake asked.
“You think someone didn’t want Kennedy to talk to me,” Rachel suggested.
“Or be tempted to talk to you,” Wade corrected after drinking his coffee. “Is there any other way someone could have discovered your plans? Did you make notes, or set an appointment, or….”
“I make notes in my phone, put it on my calendar.”
“Do you share your calendar with anyone?” Wade asked.
“Sure, Betty Ann and Jerry. But neither of them know what we are working on,” she explained. “Neither would have any reason to tell anyone.”
“Humor me. Don’t put anything else on your calendar. Make a note on paper.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Do what he suggests for now,” Clayton said as he held Wade’s stare.
“Fine.” She threw the sheet off her legs. “I have to get ready for work. We have a six am production meeting.” She got out of the bed then walked to the bathroom closing the door behind her.
“I’ll see you downstairs.” Clayton walked out of the room followed by Drake.
Wade remained standing in the doorway. Drake came back, patted him on the shoulder. “I know, caramel, chocolate, smooth and thick, just like you like them.”
“You did see that, right?”
“Yes, I did.”
“She’s trying to drive me crazy.”
“Correction,” Drake laughed. “She is driving you crazy. I suggest we get this story so you can take care of that crazy.”