The Longer The Fall by Aviva Gat (best new books to read txt) 📗

“It’s possible,” Agent Hart responded. “We’ll pursue all leads. Is there anyone else?”

“Like I said, Madeline has many enemies in Washington. A lot of people would benefit from her losing her seat,” Jane continued.

“Anyone with a personal vendetta?” Agent Jones, the woman investigator, said. “If they are asking for money, it seems to me that it would be less likely to be a political opponent. A political opponent might ask Madeline to vacate her seat or vote a certain way.”

“Wouldn’t that make it too obvious who they were?” Jane retorted. “It the blackmailer said vote for bill 1234 or else, well, then obviously the blackmailer is whoever is trying to pass that bill.”

Madeline thought deeply, but she had no names to offer the FBI agents. She was always nice to everyone, tried hard to be respectful, not too offensive to political opponents. She was always professional, never attacking an opponent’s personal life or family, sticking solely to politics, to what really mattered to her.

“What about you, Mr. Thomas?” Agent Murray turned to Brandon. “Do you have any enemies? Someone who could be doing this to Madeline to get to you?”

Brandon pursed his lips as though giving this question deep thought, before shaking his head. “We live like politicians, people in the spotlight all the time. We’re careful not to make enemies.”

The officers stayed for hours, continuing to ask questions that Madeline and Brandon couldn’t answer. Is there someone who may believe that you cheated? Have either of you ever had a stalker or an admirer? Did Madeline remember this doorman that she greeted as she entered the hotel? Had the doorman entered her room at the Langham?

When the agents finally realized they wouldn’t be getting any helpful information by sitting there in the kitchen drinking coffee that had long since gone cold, they stood up to leave. They took the letter and the picture with them and promised to keep the Thomas’ apprised of their investigation. They would be travelling to New York to interview all the employees who had worked at the Langham two years ago when the picture was taken. They would investigate anyone who might be running against Madeline for her senate seat. They would even set up surveillance in the Thomas’ very private neighborhood to ensure they weren’t being watched, nor that were any of their neighbors were showing an unusual interest in them or the investigation.

“We don’t have much time,” Jane urged the agents as they headed out the door. “You need to find the guy before the reelection campaign launch next month. We can’t have this clouding the event or the campaign. It will be hard enough to prove Madeline’s success last time wasn’t just a fluke. We need to make sure she wins again.”

The agents nodded politely and assured Jane that this case would be their top priority until it was solved. They needn’t worry, they needn’t do anything differently except keep their eyes open for any suspicious activities. By the time the agents got in their car and drove away, it was getting dark. Jane stood at their doorway unsure of her place in this new reality.

“Maybe we jumped the ball on announcing the SAVER Bill,” Jane said. “It’s too controversial right now, with everything going on. And of course with the upcoming election.” Her statement was met with silence from the couple, who was standing in the doorway with their arms around each other’s backs. Brandon was rubbing Madeline’s shoulder in the calming way he did when he sensed that Madeline was stressed. Madeline focused on the sensation while smiling to her chief of staff.

“The bill is important,” Madeline responded. “Especially now. Maybe I’m getting new enemies because of it. But I think the public, the voters, like it. I think they see the benefit and they will support me because if it.”

“I just hope they get the chance to show you support come Election Day,” Jane responded with a sigh. “I’m sure the agents know what they are doing.”

“I’m sure they do,” Brandon concluded, inching back into the house. Jane understood the signal and said goodbye, forcing Madeline to promise that tomorrow she would be back to work so they could start lobbying for the SAVER Bill. She had phone calls scheduled with senators who were likely allies on the bill and she would need to fly back to Washington this week for in person meetings with others who would need a little more incentive to support her. Brandon kissed Madeline’s forehead as Jane finally left. Then he gently closed the door.

Chapter 5

“You are not going to believe what I heard last night,” Jane whispered to Madeline after the plane had reached cruising altitude. The two of them were sitting first class on a red eye to Washington DC. Madeline was tired, ready to close her eyes for the six-hour flight when Jane started talking.

It had been a long day, made even longer by the fact that Madeline had barely been able to sleep the night before. After receiving the letter and spending the day with the FBI agents, Madeline couldn’t stop the wheels in her head from turning. That evening, after the children went to bed and Molly the nanny retired to her apartment, Brandon had opened a bottle of wine trying to ease the tension that had filled the air. They sipped the wine silently on the couch together, trying to have a normal conversation. How was your day? Madeline tried to ask, hoping Brandon would have something to tell her. Maybe something about work, about his board meeting, but Brandon just smiled and responded Not as rough as yours. Then they spoke about the children and Madeline told Brandon about her morning with Noah at the coffee shop. That conversation seemed to lift his spirits and with that, they corked their