Nowhere Safe

CHAPTER 45



I can’t take another minute of this.

If Trish had to smile at one more person her face muscles were going to lock up until she looked like Batman’s Joker.

Not that she wasn’t thrilled to be alive after last night, or that she didn’t appreciate the attention from Senator Dixon’s staff, but her face hurt. She blamed it on being tired.

Mentally. Physically. Emotionally.

Yeah, especially that last one.

Close-up, full-color views of death had taken their toll. She’d been repeating her AA mantras constantly. One day at a time. Easy does it. Breathe.

Big Charlie was dead. Gunter was dead.

She could’ve been dead, and would’ve if it hadn’t been for Josh. Which was why she shouldn’t be complaining about her good fortune now even if she had been showing her pearly whites for eight hours straight since arriving at ten this morning.

Smiling was a small price to pay, really, after Senator Dixon had flown her up first class and she’d been given the royal treatment when she landed. She’d had no idea what a hectic pace a senator maintained and felt a little guilty for asking him to do the Treasured Past television show, but not guilty enough to cancel.

Dixon’s campaign manager had clarified that there was no way Dixon could have made this commitment if a trip to France hadn’t been canceled at the last minute..

That had freed up two days.

“Would you like some coffee, Miss Jackson?” Lawrence asked, dropping back from the cluster surrounding Dixon as he made long strides toward their gate.

Trish smiled at the senator’s personal assistant who was joining her, Dixon and three more of his staff on this flight.

“No thanks.” She eyed the Starbucks with lust as they passed the airport stand, but Lawrence would have to slow the whole entourage down to get coffee for her when they were cutting it close to make this earlier flight. The Senator had someone he wanted to meet while he was in Miami. Tonight was the only time he had available.

Tilting her chin down to hide the bandage, she tried to avoid the people taking photographs. Some called out to the senator and waved.

His constituents seemed to like him and Trish liked him now, but it had taken all day for her to warm up to him. Leanne had been right about Dixon. He had an engaging persona when he stood at a podium, but in an intimate setting he did come across as aloof.

When she reached the gate, the flight was already boarding. A group of at least fifteen women were dressed for fun in the sun wearing shorts, Hawaiian shirts, sandals and crazy hats. Additionally, each one had a matching scarf with a logo for a children’s literacy foundation.

Trish recalled a conference going on in north Miami this week that had to do with literacy. She bet that’s where they were headed and in spite of her aching jaw, she smiled at the way they were cutting up with each other.

Several recognized Dixon, who clicked his robotic, obligatory smile into place and spoke politely, wishing them a good trip. Minimal interaction.

Trish thought he could do more.

Not that her opinion mattered when he had plenty of skilled handlers who knew way more than she did about how he should handle his constituents.

Onboard, she was surprised to find herself seated next to the senator in the middle of his entourage, and waited until they had taken off to say, “Thank you for letting me sit with you going back, and for doing this television show, Senator Dixon.”

He gifted her with a genuine smile, filled with warmth. “I enjoyed today, too, and when we’re away from all the hooplah you can call me Ron.”

This man probably lived in a fishbowl existence of nonstop hooplah. “This will be a tremendous help for my business and for the television show, but I hope you enjoy some satisfaction as well.”

“Oh, I will. Donating proceeds from this to the local women’s shelter you suggested is valuable to me. Plus the publicity they’ll receive.”

“This will help you connect more with the female voters, right?”

Ron stared at his hands a moment and said, “That’s always important in politics, but I’ve supported shelters like the one in Miami for a long time. It’s been a private endeavor.”

“I’ll admit that I’ve read a few articles so I’d feel a little familiar with you.”

“Did they help?” His easy smile teased her.

“Not really. I feel like I met the real Ron Dixon today. I’m glad you support the shelters. Why don’t you mention it in interviews?”

“Because of my mother. If not for a shelter like that one, she wouldn’t have survived when she ran from an abusive man to protect me. She’s close to ninety and doesn’t understand that women today would be as proud of her as I am. She feels humiliated by that time in her life and doesn’t want it discussed.”

Trish felt a deep admiration for this man who was not using a personal strife to further his career. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“I know zip about politics, but why didn’t you take advantage of campaigning a little with that group of women that got on this flight?”

“Some people would take offense at being bothered on vacation.”

“I don’t think they’re on vacation. I’m pretty sure they’re headed to a conference in Miami. They were all wearing scarves that supported childhood literacy.”

“Really?” He seemed genuinely surprised to have missed that about the women.

“You could always take a walk down the aisle and say hello.”

He didn’t say anything, but she could tell that might be more activity than he wanted on this flight.

The flight attendant’s next announcement instructed everyone to shut down electronics in preparation for takeoff and that this flight would arrive on time in Miami at twenty minutes after six this evening.

“I’m going to catch the devil,” Trish mumbled, pulling out her book when Dixon turned his tablet off.

He asked, “Why?”

“I forgot to call home to tell them we were taking an earlier flight. After all that’s happened this week, my family is smothering me and thinks I can’t take a cab from the airport.”

“You certainly will not take a cab. I’ll have my driver drop you.”

“Thank you.” She still should have contacted Heidi to let her know Trish would arrive close to seven tonight instead of after nine.

But she’d be extremely safe riding with a senator.

Trish just wished she’d had a moment to herself today to call Josh. Did he miss her? Would he come by tonight?

Or would he finish up his investigation and just disappear from her world forever? Zane had once told her how some undercover operatives spent years gone.

Had that been why Josh never acknowledged her words after she’d left the hospital? Maybe he didn’t want a woman saying she loved him.

Whether he wanted her to or not, she did love him.

Enough to not make him admit he’d heard her and to let him go when the time came.

He’d said either he or Zane would pick her up at the airport. She might just pass on the senator’s generous offer if she could reach Josh by phone.