They stepped back and politely clapped, and the orchestra began a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” They moved to the side of the dance floor. Lydia waved at a state senator, then looked at JD curiously.
“Nothing,” he told her. “Just an amusing joke I heard earlier today.”
She scrutinized him carefully, and he glanced away. A troubled look crossed her face.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” she asked.
“No,” he rushed to say.
“Oh, there’s Maggie,” Lydia said, gesturing at a woman who worked with the governor. “I should say hello to her.” Her smile returned.
“I’ll catch up with you in a minute,” he said, glad for her distraction.
JD watched Lydia walk away, her hips swaying, grace in every step. He wasn’t the only one who noticed her, but he wasn’t threatened by any onlookers. Everyone knew Lydia was devoted to him and him only. And other men knew what would happen if they crossed him.
JD sauntered to an open bar and ordered a Scotch on the rocks. When he received his drink, he moved away and watched as other people began dancing. The mood in the crowded room was upbeat, the din of voices floating over the orchestra, the liquor flowing as people enjoyed themselves. He looked around, knowing many people in this room had their secrets, just as he did. And he was sure they knew how to dodge some landmines—again, just as he’d done. You didn’t reach positions of power without knowing a thing or two. He was grateful to have Kline around. The man was a master at handling delicate situations, and he’d gotten JD out of more than a scrape or two.
He watched as Lydia moved around the room, working her magic. He couldn’t lose her. His mind strayed to how she was tonight. Maybe a tad distracted. What was that about? She’d never given any indication that she knew what he did on the side. As far as he could tell, she thought he was a devoted and loving husband and father to their two sons. What she didn’t know didn’t hurt her. And shouldn’t he be allowed to let off steam?
He drank some Scotch and frowned. For years, everything he’d done had been covered up, even in that one harrowing situation. He thought about that incident now. It never should have gone down the way it had, but he’d been forced to act. Kline had helped him cover his tracks, and they had nondisclosure agreements and everything. Kline handled it all so that the rumors remained rumors, and for several years, it seemed that nothing would come of it.
But there’s always one fool, one person who talks anyway, especially after the passage of time. All it took was some digging, some perseverance. He snorted. Not just a little perseverance. A lot. That one had gathered a lot of information on JD, and if any of it came to light, it would destroy him. Some things the public would not dismiss easily. And not only that—if everything came back to JD, he’d end up in prison. There was no way that could happen.
That was why he’d put Kline to work on it.
JD took another gulp of Scotch, letting the alcohol soothe his nerves. They’d checked everything from the safety deposit box, and he could only hope that everything was there, that there was no other evidence that could lead back to him. He never relied on hope, though, so Kline was still working on things. They’d have to deal with whoever talked, too.
A deep voice interrupted his thoughts.
“JD, how are things going?”
JD turned to see the governor, looking cool and collected in a tux, his brown eyes sparkling. The man had incredible charm, and JD smiled.
“It’s a wonderful party,” he said.
Pierce nodded, then tipped his glass toward Lydia. “Your wife’s beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you,” JD murmured. “I could say the same about yours.”
The governor eyed his wife, who was wearing a pink dress and standing with some other women across the room. “We are lucky to have such wonderful companions.”
JD watched the governor’s wife and nodded. “Yes, we are.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Pierce asked.
“Of course,” JD said.
He gave JD’s arm a reassuring squeeze and moved off. JD’s mind went to their impending meeting. The governor was rumored to be eyeing a bid for the White House, and JD’s influence would help him. Meanwhile, JD had plans of his own, some kind of position in Washington.
It was all at his fingertips—as long as he could keep everything else a secret.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sabrina didn’t come home until after six. Jo was parked down the street, and as the silver Lexus eased into the garage, Jo was out of her car and hurrying down the street. As she walked up the driveway, Sabrina emerged from the side door of the detached garage. Jo called out to her. Sabrina looked up, then gasped when she recognized Jo in the dim light.
“I said, I’m not talking to you,” the woman snapped.
By now, Jo was at the chain-link fence, and she rested her arms on it and stared at Sabrina.
“Tell me about the hundred thousand dollars.”
Sabrina was almost to the back door, but she stopped and whirled around. “What?”
Jo moved toward the corner of the house. “I want to know about the money. Do the police know you have it?”
Her jaw worked, and she looked around to see if they were alone. “Who are you?”
“What’s your involvement in the bank robbery?” Jo pointed at her. “Who are you working for?”
“I don’t have to talk to you.” Sabrina dug into her purse. “Go away.”
As she pulled out her keys and inserted one into the back door lock, Jo opened the gate and stepped into the yard. Sabrina turned, her gaze darting all around.
“If you don’t leave, I’m going to call the police,” she said, her voice shaky.
Jo waved a hand around. “Go ahead. That’ll be an interesting conversation, won’t it?”
They stared at each other. A car drove by on the street, and Sabrina’s gaze snapped that way. She gulped and stared into the shadows until the noise faded. A dog barked, and then it was quiet. Finally, she spoke.
