privacy.â
âWhoâre you calling?â
She looked at me with that clear Grayson gaze of conviction. It brought back memories of Dave. âIâm quitting Jacksonâs office. I canât work with Jed anymore, and I told him so this afternoon. Thatâs the real reason heâs so mad.â
âWhoa, thatâs a gutsy move, but shouldnât you wait until you can find another position on the Hill?â
âThatâs what Iâm doing. Several friends have told me they would open a spot for me on their congressional staffs anytime I asked. Well, Iâve decided to ask. I need a position where I can move up. This experience has taught me that. Jed has kept me by his side for more reasons than the obvious. I made him look good.â A frown darkened her face.
âKaren, Iâm so proud of you,â I said, delighted to see her spark return. âThis is a sticky situation, and youâre handling it with class, even if Molinoff isnât.â
âThanks,â she said, a smile peeking out. âGive me a hug for good luck.â
âAlways.â I wrapped my arms around my niece and squeezed, sending as many good thoughts as I could with my embrace. âYouâre so talented, Karen. Any congressman would be lucky to have you on staff.â
Karen squeezed back. âI canât tell you how glad I am youâre here.â
Sensing tears in her voice, I released her before moisture weakened her focus. âNow, go get âem. Make those calls. Casey and I will keep watch over Molinoff.â
âThanks, Molly. Maybe weâll turn Nanâs brunch into a celebration tomorrow,â Karen said before she headed down the hallway.
Glancing about the room, I noticed Molinoff staring after Karen. I sent an âIâm watching youâ look his way. I wanted Jed to know that Iâd observed his earlier behavior. Molinoff glanced away and left the living room.
I walked up to Casey, extending my hand to the middle-aged security guard. âCasey, Iâm Molly. I want to thank you for noticing the heated discussion in the corner. And especially for intervening in it. That was my niece, Karen Grayson, who was trying to extricate herself from the congressional stafferâs sweaty grip.â
Casey gave my hand a firm shake. âJust doing my job, Ms. Malone. Some folks get a little excited at times. Usually a quiet comment calms them down.â
âCall me Molly, okay? Weâre all working for Senator Russell, so letâs keep it casual. You work for Russell full-time?â
âThatâs right,â he said before turning his attention to the room again. Back on duty.
âItâs a scary world when a senator needs full-time security,â I commented. âIâm guessing youâre former military. Which service?â
Casey glanced my way again. âMarine Corps. Retired First Sergeant. And donât worry about your niece, Molly. Iâll keep an eye on Molinoff.â He glanced around the room again. âWhere is she? She was with you a minute ago.â
âShe went outside to make some phone calls in her car. She needed more privacy than a room filled with paranoid politicians affords.â
âOkay. Iâll check on her in a few minutes. Meanwhile, I just spotted Molinoff on his phone near the patio doors.â
I glanced down the long hallway. âIs there a gate or something from the garden that leads to the front? Iâm still so new here I donât know the lay of the land yet.â
He shook his head. âDonât worry. Thereâs no gate. That way no one uninvited can get in unless they climb over a six-foot brick wall.â Casey started to back away, back to the perimeter. âEnjoy the rest of the evening, Molly.â
âThanks, Casey, I will.â
Ryan reappeared then, and I accepted another appetizer from his tempting tray. I was about to find something more
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