Dracul's Revenge 02: Anarchy in Blood (3 page)

“Turn on the television,” Rebecca ordered in her usual brusque tone.

ANARCHY IN BLOOD

Carol Lynne & T.A. Chase

16

Aaron crossed to the living room and turned on the TV the old fashioned way because it would take him at least twice as long to find the remote. Aaron swore that thing had legs.

“What channel?” he asked.

“Take your pick.”

Aaron’s spine stiffened. If it was a widespread news story, it didn’t bode well. Turning away from the history channel he loved so much, Aaron found one of the major cable news stations.

“Well? What do you think?” his mom asked.

“Give me a second. I still don’t even know what I’m looking at yet,” he answered.

“The unidentified photographer who released the pictures has been unavailable for comment, but the date stamp on the bottom of the photos clearly shows President Douglas knew both of the slain men,” the popular report said.

“Aw, fuck,” Aaron mumbled when two side-by-side pictures appeared on the screen. In one, Rick smiled at a blond man at what appeared to be some sort of dinner. The second was another blond man whispering into the President’s ear at a rally.

“Language!” Rebecca admonished.

“Mom, I gotta go.”

“You let me know what’s going on,” Rebecca said in a rush before Aaron could hang up.

He tore off his robe on the way to the bedroom and threw open his closet. As he dressed, Aaron thought about the implications and scrutiny the pictures could bring Rick. He had no doubt it was a coincidence the President had been photographed with both men.

Hell, at one point or another, Rick had probably been snapped talking to a quarter of the people in D.C.

The big question was why a photographer would take the time to sift through thousands of photographs to find two that showed the victims in, what could be construed as, intimate moments with the President. It had been less than a day since the police released pictures of the two dead men. Aaron wondered if the photographer had inside connections with the police. Surely the guy knew what the victims looked like before yesterday?

* * * *

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Aaron got off the bus and eased his way into the crowd headed for the White House.

He waited his turn in line at the security check point, tapping his fingers on the leather messenger bag draped over his shoulder.

When it was finally his turn, he pulled out his ID badge and handed it over. “A little more crowded than usual,” he commented to Frank.

“Yes, sir. Been like this since around five this morning.”

“I figured as much. It’s the reason I decided to take the Metro instead of trying to fight traffic.”

Aaron entered his small office and smiled at Rick’s secretary, Janice. “Morning,” he greeted as he set his bag down.

Janice held the phone to her ear and gestured towards the door to the Oval Office.

“He’s expecting you.”

Aaron nodded and straightened his suit jacket and tie before knocking on the door. He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he stuck his head in.

“Get back to me,” Rick said, hanging up the phone. “Come in.”

Aaron entered the office and shut the door.

Rick leant back in the tufted leather desk chair and began running fingers through his short brown and grey hair. “Did you see the news?”

Aaron nodded. “Yeah, I saw it. Do you even remember meeting those guys?”

Rick shook his head. “Only the one at the dinner. He was one of Vice-President Broomfield’s interns. Hell, the only reason I remember him at all is because he was sitting close enough that I overheard him making snide comments about Broomfield. It was shortly after the scandal involving Grayson Mills, and when I heard Gray’s and Broomfield’s name mentioned in the same sentence, my curiosity was peaked.”

“What was he saying?” Aaron asked.

“That Daniel Broomfield was the one who came on to Gray, not the other way around.

Whether it was true or not, things were finally starting to die down in the media, so I made it a point to let him know he should keep his opinions to himself. Of course I did it with a smile which is obviously where that shot came from.”

Aaron grinned. It was just like Rick to shut down gossip with a smile on his face. The President hated loose lips. Aaron didn’t blame him. There had been several rumours floating around involving Rick at one time or another. Most of them centred on Rick’s marriage and ANARCHY IN BLOOD

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how the husband and wife were rarely seen together except at state dinners and important political functions.

“What about the other victim. Do you remember him?”

“Not at all.” Rick leant forward in his chair and rested his forearms on the desk. “I need you to do me a favour.”

“Anything,” Aaron answered.

“I want you to keep your ears and eyes open. We’ve got the big budget plan coming up before the Senate. The last thing we need is unwarranted rumours derailing the vote.”

“I agree. I was thinking the same thing.”

Aaron started towards the door but stopped and turned back to look at Rick. “Do you have any idea why someone would give these pictures to the media?”

Rick rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. “No idea. But you can bet the guy’s a Democrat.”

Aaron chuckled. “No doubt, sir.”

Aaron went back to his desk, still chuckling. Janice was busy fielding yet another call for The President, so he knew she wouldn’t pay him any mind. He started to look through Rick’s mail and noticed an envelope mistakenly delivered that should’ve gone to Vice-President Broomfield.

Aaron made his way down the hall towards Broomfield’s office. He walked into the outer office and stopped dead at Broomfield’s bellowed laughter as he stood in front of his secretary’s desk.

“I’d have paid good money to see Rick’s face when he caught a look at himself on TV

this morning. I wonder if Cameron saw it. Oh, that would be rich; jealousy in the White House.”

Aaron’s hand fisted around the envelope. He spun on his heels and retreated back to his own office, stopping at one of the interns desks on the way. “See that this gets to Broomfield.”

He didn’t stop walking until he was in the Rose Garden. Aaron took a spot on one of the stone benches and rested his forearms on his knees. How dare that homophobic bastard laugh at the greatest man Aaron had ever known.

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It seemed obvious by Broomfield’s comment he suspected Cameron and Rick’s relationship. Aaron wouldn’t put it past the fucker to use the murders to expose the President’s affair with the Chief of Staff.

Broomfield’s homophobia had already rocked the White House once when he had Grayson Mills fired. Was the Vice-President looking to do it again?

Aaron shook his head. He had to do something before it was too late. If anyone would be interested in catching Broomfield at dirty politics it would be Grayson, who just happened to have his own investigation agency.

He called information and spent the extra money to have the operator connect him directly to the agency. It didn’t seem at all odd to Aaron to ask Gray for help. The President had become quite friendly with Grayson before the scandal with Broomfield. Rick had mentioned Gray several times since. The guilt Rick felt over Gray’s firing still obviously plagued him.

“Mills Security,” a woman answered.

“Grayson Mills, please.”

“May I tell him who’s calling?”

Aaron bit his bottom lip. He didn’t know the receptionist from Adam, and wasn’t sure whether or not he could trust her. He decided to go with only half of the truth. “Aaron. I’m an old colleague of Gray’s.”

“One moment, sir.”

Aaron walked around the garden, wishing he’d worn his topcoat outside. Although it was only mid-October, the fall was unseasonably cold.

“This is Gray.”

Aaron glanced away from the foliage he’d been staring at. “Gray? It’s Aaron Baker.”

There was a moment of silence before Gray answered. “It’s been a while. How’s life treating you?”

“Average. You know, good days and bad days. Listen, Gray, I was wondering if you could meet me for a drink later. I have some business I’d like to discuss.”

Another pause before Gray cleared his throat. “I don’t drink anymore. How about I buy you a cup of tea?”

“Make that an espresso and you’re on.” Aaron wasn’t sure why Gray’s sobriety thrilled him so much. No, that wasn’t true. He did know. Aaron would’ve asked Gray out when he ANARCHY IN BLOOD

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was still working for the Secret Service if it hadn’t been for the rumours about his drinking.

Aaron knew what it was to be around a drunk, he’d never make that mistake again.

“Great. You have a certain time in mind?” Gray asked.

“Six-thirty?”

“Do you know where Sid’s Coffee House is?”

“No, but it shouldn’t be a problem to look it up. I’ll meet you there.”

“See ya then,” Gray said before hanging up.

Aaron closed his phone and stuffed his hands in his pant pockets, away from the cool air.
Sid’s.
He grinned. It sounded just like the kind of place Gray would hang out.

* * * *

Gray stared at his phone for a moment before picking up the remote for his TV. He’d gotten a late start that morning and hadn’t been able to catch any of the news. The question of why Aaron called him was answered the minute he saw the pictures. He punched the intercom.

“Hey, Ruth,” he said.

“Yes, sir?”

“Have Kaplan and Tina come in yet?”

“They both arrived a few minutes ago.”

“Good. Have them meet me in the conference room and make sure they’ve both had their coffee this morning.”

“Certainly, Mr. Mills.”

He grimaced as he disconnected. No matter how many times he told her, Ruth insisted on being formal and addressed him as ‘Mr. Mills’ or ‘Sir’.

Gray gathered his tea, notebook, and cell phone. He headed to the other room. Kaplan and Tina came in behind him, each clutching a mug of steaming coffee. As they sat down, Kaplan looked at him.

“Guess your hunch was right, boss.”

“Hunch?” Tina eyeballed him.

“I was watching the news last night and they were discussing those two murders around the Mall. I told Kaplan it wasn’t over.” Gray paced at the front of the room.

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“So I went to talk to Bert who confirmed the murders were connected.”

Tina’s confusion cleared. “Oh, it all has to do with those pictures all the news channels are running.”

“Right. Would you be willing to talk to Gus? The Bureau took over the case after the second body was found. See what he can tell you?”

“Sure.” She nodded.

“Good.” Gray stopped and braced his hands on the edge of the table. “I received a call from Aaron Baker.”

He tried not to think about the way his body had reacted to Aaron’s voice. It wasn’t the right time for that attraction to rear its head.

“The personal aide to President Douglas? Why would he call you?” Tina frowned.

Kaplan stayed silent, knowing Gray’s connection to Aaron.

“Where were you shortly after Douglas took office?”

Tina closed her eyes for a moment while she thought. “Working a joint task force with the D.E.A., undercover in Mexico.”

“That would explain it.” Gray didn’t really want to go over what had to have been the most embarrassing moment of his life, but Tina needed to know what was going on. “You know I used to work for the Secret Service?”

She nodded.

“Well, shortly after Douglas took office, I was assigned to a security detail for Vice President Broomfield.”

Both Kaplan and Tina snorted at the mention of the V.P.’s name. Broomfield was an extreme right-wing conservative who made his views on homosexuality, among other things, known quite vocally.

“Anyway, Broomfield told my boss that I got drunk and made a pass at him.”

“Why did the bastard lie?”

Gray’s eyebrow shot up and he met Tina’s indignant glare. “You don’t think there was a possibility that it happened?”

“Hell no. You have better taste than that, boss. Even if you were falling down drunk, you wouldn’t have hit on Broomfield if he was the last man on Earth and you really wanted to get laid.”

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Laughter filled the room and Gray remembered one of the reasons why he had hired these two. Besides being two of the best investigators he had, they were good people.

“Thanks for that support. I’ll admit to having a drinking problem. You know my struggle with alcohol addiction, but I never drank while on the job. I was what they called a functioning alcoholic. I didn’t imbibe while working, yet once I got off shift, I immediately grabbed a bottle and would drink until I needed to leave for work the next day.”

He stuck his hand in his pocket and fingered the AA chit.

“None of that matters now, boss. You’ve been sober for six months, so we’re good there.” Kaplan sipped his coffee before asking, “Why’d Baker call you?”

“Aaron rarely does anything without Douglas’ permission, or at least, I doubt he would have contacted me without Douglas having a hand in it. I think we’re going to be working the photographer angle on those pictures.”

“Got it.” Kaplan tugged out a notebook and scribbled something down. “I’ll see what I can find out about who took those pictures.”

“Good. Tina, call Gus and see what he’ll tell you. Then I want you to find out everything you can on the two victims. My gut’s telling me it’s more than just these two guys, and things are going to get really messy before it calms down.”

“I’ll get right on it.” Tina stood, strolling out with a nod towards both of the men.

He watched Kaplan stare after her. Reaching out, he slapped his friend on the shoulder.

“Have you asked her out yet?”

Kaplan’s head whipped around and he swore the man blushed.

“No, and I’m not going to.”