Hearts in the Crosshairs (20 page)

C
olonel Gideon Smith sat across from Jillian in her statehouse office and opened a folder he carried. “We’re putting this thing together, little by little. Jack Kendall is conscious, and our officers interviewed him this morning.”

“And?”

“He claims he acted without his father’s knowledge. His father said as much before, but we wanted to hear it from Kendall.”

“But he had two of his father’s old cronies helping him.”

“Yes.” Smith looked down at the papers in the folder. “Wesley Stevenson and the man who accompanied Kendall to the lake on Sunday—Daryl Leigh. Both worked for Roderick Tanger in the past.”

“So why were they helping Tanger’s son try to kill me?”

Smith looked at her with sympathy. “Jack Kendall’s mother told us, and he admitted himself this morning, that he blamed you for putting his father in prison. Jack was only fourteen at the time. In his mind, you’re the one who kept his father from being part of his life.”

Jillian stared at him. “That’s ridiculous. His parents were divorced before the trial.”

“Yes, they were. But the boy wanted to live with his father.
After Tanger was convicted of several felonies, full custody went to the mother. And don’t forget, Tanger swore revenge on you in the courtroom for allegedly bungling his defense.”

“I know,” Jillian said drily. “I was there.”

“The boy heard about it. He was at an impressionable age, and he got a stepfather he didn’t care for. His mother made him take his stepfather’s name. Kendall had a lot of anger and resentment, and he focused it on you.”

Jillian released a breath. “But these two thugs. How did he connect with them?”

Smith frowned. “When the young man learned you’d been elected governor of Maine, he came here from Massachusetts and looked up some of the men who had worked for his father. Kendall paid them—we’re still digging to find out where he got the money. First he hired Stevenson to shoot you. Then Kendall sniffed out Leigh. He decided to wait for precisely the right opportunity this time. And he formed a liaison with a close friend of yours—Naomi Plante.”

Jillian held up a hand in protest. “But Colonel, Naomi met him through a young man she dated a couple of times—the cousin of Beth, one of our kitchen staff at Blaine House.”

“Yes. We believe that young man, Sean Broule, had nothing to do with this. He says Kendall showed up at the club where he took Miss Plante one night and insisted on an introduction. Broule knew him only slightly, and we now know that was another machination of Kendall’s. During his time in Augusta, trying to find a way to access you, Jack Kendall learned Broule’s cousin worked at the mansion and struck up an acquaintance. At first he hoped to gain influence with Beth, but then he found that Sean was dating your personal assistant. So he followed Broule and Miss Plante that evening. I understand from Miss Plante that it took him several weeks to convince her to go out with him.”

“Yes.” Jillian felt tears fill her eyes as she recalled her conversations with Naomi.

“He was a good ten years younger than her,” Smith said. “I expect she found it exciting that a handsome twenty-four-year-old found her attractive.”

“He didn’t really care about her, did he?”

“I’m afraid not. He used her to determine the perfect opportunity to attack you and finish the job.”

“The camping trip,” Jillian said.

“Yes. When you invited Miss Plante on the trip, she’d already promised a date with him. She says she was the one who had the idea of finding out your destination, to impress him, but I wonder if Kendall didn’t subtly suggest it. It was careless of Mills to leave the information where it could be accessed.”

“I hope Ryan won’t be disciplined.”

Smith sighed. “His father passed away yesterday, and he’s taking the rest of the week off. I’ll address that issue when he comes back on duty.”

“And what about Daryl Leigh, the man who accompanied Kendall to the lake?” she asked.

“Kendall said he planned originally for Leigh to follow you to the campsite and shoot you there. But when he discovered how remote the site was, he told Leigh he would go with him.”

Jillian forced herself to remember the nightmare of Sunday night. “I don’t know which of them killed Jerry Knott, or who shot Penny, but in the end, it was Jack Kendall who took the first shot at the lake. I’ll testify against him. He may be able to blame Leigh for the other shootings, but he had Dave Hutchins in his sights.”

“So I’m told. Detective Hutchins says Kendall would have killed him for certain if you hadn’t fired first.”

“Yes.” Jillian frowned, remembering the older man turning his weapon toward her after she’d shot Jack Kendall. Dave’s
bullet had killed him instantly. She shuddered. “I’m glad it’s over.”

“As we all are.” Smith arched an eyebrow at her. “The district attorney will decide whether or not to bring charges against Miss Plante.”

“She didn’t mean to hurt me. I’m sure of it.”

“Nevertheless, we’ll have to ban her from Blaine House.” Smith closed his folder. “That’s it for now. My department will keep you informed as we learn more.”

“There’s one more thing we need to discuss, Colonel.” Jillian sat straighter and looked steadily into his steely eyes.

“Oh? Have I overlooked something, ma’am?”

“I intend to marry one of your officers.”

Smith’s mouth worked for a few seconds before he spoke. “I hardly know what to say. Is the officer in question by any chance Detective Hutchins?”

“That’s correct. I respect you, sir, and I wanted you to have time to consider what changes will be made. Detective Hutchins has told me he’s willing to accept a different position within the state police department if that will be best for the administration.”

He cleared his throat. “I know that Hutchins is a competent officer. His lieutenant thinks highly of him. He did an excellent job of getting you and Detective Thurlow home alive.”

“Yes, he did.” Jillian held his gaze.

“But you must understand, ma’am, that we have to avoid further scandal.”

“I do.” She rose, walked over to the window, looked out for a moment, then faced him. “You and I have worked well together for the last five months. I want to continue our good relationship.”

“As do I.”

“Then please let David Hutchins go back to regular duty as a state police detective outside the EPU, without any publicity.”

He pursed his lips and nodded. “We can do that.”

“Thank you.”

“Might I suggest, ma’am, that as a matter of discretion, you wait at least three months before announcing an engagement? Allow the memory of this weekend to mellow a little, and let past rumors die. Get past the hearings on Monday’s shootings.”

Jillian’s knees began to tremble slightly, and she sat down. Again Dave would have to undergo the requisite investigation of an officer who had shot a suspect. As to her own role in the drama, she supposed she was the first governor to shoot a man while in office. The thought made her shudder.

“Are you all right, ma’am?”

“Yes. Colonel, I assure you that we will practice the utmost discretion.”

He eyed her keenly. “Yes, ma’am, I believe you will.”

She shook his hand and watched him leave, then sank back into her chair. She stared down at her hands for a moment. Slowly, she removed her wedding ring from her left hand and placed it in a drawer. Tears stung her eyes. She inhaled deeply and firmly shut the drawer.

Dave bounded up the marble stairs at five o’clock. It felt great to be in the statehouse again, especially for the purpose of escorting Jillian home from her office. The man on guard in the outer office grinned at him and motioned for him to come over.

“Hey, Hutchins, just so you know—the colonel’s inside with the governor.”

“Ah. Thanks.”

Lettie smiled at Dave as she rose from her desk. “I’m sure it will just be a few minutes, Detective. Would you like to sit over here?”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Dave sat and watched Lettie tidy her desk.

“How is Detective Thurlow doing?” Lettie asked.

“Much better,” Dave said.

When the door to the inner office opened, he jumped up. Colonel Smith came out and stopped in front of him. Dave was aware of Lettie and the security guard watching.

Smith gave a short cough. “Hutchins. My office, eight tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, sir.”

The colonel nodded crisply and strode out.

When he had left the room, Dave exhaled and turned toward the door.

“Go right in, Detective,” Lettie said.

Jillian stood when he entered, closing the door softly behind him. They faced each other, not moving.

“He’s called me to his office tomorrow,” Dave said.

“I’m sure he only wants to congratulate you privately and settle the details of your transfer.”

“You asked him?”

“Yes. He agreed.”

“I’ll keep my rank?”

“Absolutely.”

Dave grinned. He took two strides, closing the gap between them, and reached for her hands. She smiled up at him.

“Jillian, I love you more than I can tell you. Will you—”

She reached up and laid her index finger across his lips, but her eyes glittered. “We have to keep it a secret over the summer.”

Dave threw back his head and laughed. “Of course we do.”

“Do you mind terribly? The colonel suggested we wait three months. But he’ll get you transferred at once, so we can see each other.”

“Three months? That’s nothing, compared to the rest of our lives. I think that’s reasonable.”

“Do you, Detective?”

“I do, Governor.”

He grinned at her as he pulled her close and kissed her, knowing she was finally safe. And he intended to keep it that way.

Dear Reader,

This story brewed in the back of my mind for a long time. Writing about a public figure, albeit a fictional one, seemed daunting. Maine has never yet had a female governor, and such a situation might change things at the Blaine House and within the Executive Protection Unit. Visitors who tour the EPU are somewhat guarded by the public safety department for understandable reasons. I asked lots of questions, learned what I could, and guessed at the rest. I accept responsibility for any errors in these pages.

The heart of this story does not lie in politics, the technical details of how the governor of Maine lives or how the unit protects her. The heart of this story is duty and honor. Jillian and Dave are determined to fulfill their responsibilities honorably, even if that means denying love. This challenge might face anyone in any job, but the fact that they are constantly watched by the public—and the person who wants Jillian dead—makes their struggle more painful.

People in public service often must sacrifice aspects of their personal lives. In this story, two people who love each other must maintain a distance. Other conflicts wear on them—Jillian’s fear and grief; Dave’s frustration and suffering from false accusations. But they both have a sense of honor that some might consider old-fashioned. Both believe in upholding the law and keeping promises, no matter what. Their faith in God and His love for them enables them to do that.

I hope you enjoy Jillian and Dave’s journey. You can learn more about the magnificent Blaine mansion at: www.blainehouse.org. I love to hear from readers. Come visit me at: www.suspagedavis.com.

Susan Page Davis

1. After Jillian is shot at during a press conference, she reacts in fear and anger. How does she deal with these emotions? How do the people around her help her?
   
2. Jillian’s mother has trouble dealing with her daughter’s status as a public figure. How does she attempt to protect and encourage Jillian? How does she hinder Jillian in adapting to her new role?
   
3. Jillian remembers only the good about Brendon and sees him as more competent and intelligent than she is. She tells herself that if he had lived, he would be the governor, not her. How is this counterproductive to Jillian’s growth?
   
4. How do Jillian’s memories of her strong marriage help her? What would you tell a widowed person about moving on, versus clinging to the past?
   
5. Dave doesn’t mind remaining behind the scenes in the EPU. He feels investigating is one of his strongest skills. Have you been blessed with a job you love and are good at? Does it bother you if you don’t get the credit for your work?
   
6. When Dave is accused of unprofessional behavior, he accepts the consequences. How would God have us react if we are falsely accused?
   
7. Both Jillian and Dave have prickly relationships with Colonel Smith. Penny admits she is not Jillian’s biggest fan, but she still risks her life daily to protect Jillian. How
   would you reconcile duty with dislike? Have you ever had to work with someone whose personality grated on yours? How did you handle it?
   
8. Jillian is placed in a position of trust on many levels. How does the Blaine mansion symbolize that?
   
9. It’s said that people either loved or hated James G. Blaine, the former owner of the governor’s residence. What strong personalities have you encountered? How did you maintain your courtesy and respect for them while retaining your dignity?
   
10. Jillian chafes constantly at her lack of freedom. How can you go beyond the walls that enclose you? What advice could you give a shut-in? At what point would you sacrifice security for liberty?
    
11. Jillian feels guilty because she has not overtly witnessed to her friend Naomi. Has her outward life been enough of a testimony concerning her faith? What would you advise Jillian to do?
    
12. Penny and Naomi both betrayed Dave and Jillian. What consequences do you think each should face? Can you forgive someone who has hurt you out of jealousy or ambition?