the Soviets. Do not, do not, do not let these misguided elitists doom our great nation.
“‘With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in.’ These are the words of perhaps the greatest American to ever live, Abraham Lincoln. With them, he roused our nation from a dark calamity. As we face another, even darker calamity, let Lincoln’s words rouse your faith in your country, and help us protect the blessed soul of the United States of America.”
Esme spent an hour on the Web site. She found no mention of “abortion,” no mention of “capital punishment” or “prayer in schools” or any of the typical hot-button issues. The Unity for a Better Tomorrow was undoubtedly passionate, but in such a carefully vague way so as to avoid radicalism.
And so left-wing Democrats like Bob Kellerman could with a clear conscience attend the Unity’s sponsored events, such as a charity football game held in November of last year at the Georgia Dome (not far from MLK Drive), and a benefit one month later at the Amarillo Aquarium. The Unity’s promotion of non-specific family values allowed Governor Kellerman to accept donations from their eleven million subscribers,appear on their list of Contemporary American Saints, and not upset his liberal base.
Well, it had upset someone, and he had a gun.
The Unity for a Better Tomorrow had co-sponsored several other events in the Kellerman campaign, one in Santa Fe, one in Kansas City, and one in Nashville, Tennessee. These would almost definitely be the sniper’s next targets.
Esme had him.
With a grin on her lips, she tugged out her iPod earbuds and rifled through her pocketbook for her phone. It was almost 10:00 p.m. She had expected Tom to call by now—
But her phone was dead. Ah. Well, it stood to reason. She hadn’t recharged it since leaving Long Island. She had been too busy with other things, like solving a multi-state murder spree. What foolish priorities.
She sifted through the clutter of papers against the wall until she found an outlet, and she plugged in her phone. The display lit up, as did the icon for voice mail. She dialed the requisite number and listened:
“You have…three…new messages.
“Message one…received at…6:11 p.m.
“Esme, hi.” It was Rafe. “I…I’m sure you saw my name and are screening my call. I…I don’t blame you. I think back on the way I behaved last night…the way I acted…Esme, I’m so sorry. Just…just please call me back. I miss you terribly.”
Esme sighed. Oh, Rafe. Truth be told, she missed him, too. She could do without his now-and-again spates of self-righteousness, but his intentions werepure. He was only possessive because he cared so much. He never laid a hand on her in anger (and if he ever did, she would jujitsu him into instant regret) and, unlike her parents, he was reliable. He wasn’t going to abandon her, not ever.
She listened to the message again. Had he been crying? She wanted to take him in her arms and hold him close to her breast. Everything was going to be all right. She had solved the case. Soon she would be home with Rafe and Sophie. Spring break was just around the corner. They would go on a vacation. Rafe had an uncle and aunt who lived outside of Glasgow. Sophie would adore Scotland.
“Next message…received at…9:04 p.m.…”
This had to be Tom.
“Hello, Esme!”
Nope. It was Amy Lieb. Couldn’t that busybody leave her in peace for a day? For a single day?
“Today was the Get Out the Vote assembly at the high school. It just wasn’t the same without you here! Your spunky attitude is simply vital to this campaign!”
Esme groaned, and pulled herself into a chair, which caused her to groan even louder. Sitting on the floor for hours on end was not something her thirtysomething body seemed to enjoy.
“Anyway, Esme, I’m calling because who did I run into at the assembly
“‘With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in.’ These are the words of perhaps the greatest American to ever live, Abraham Lincoln. With them, he roused our nation from a dark calamity. As we face another, even darker calamity, let Lincoln’s words rouse your faith in your country, and help us protect the blessed soul of the United States of America.”
Esme spent an hour on the Web site. She found no mention of “abortion,” no mention of “capital punishment” or “prayer in schools” or any of the typical hot-button issues. The Unity for a Better Tomorrow was undoubtedly passionate, but in such a carefully vague way so as to avoid radicalism.
And so left-wing Democrats like Bob Kellerman could with a clear conscience attend the Unity’s sponsored events, such as a charity football game held in November of last year at the Georgia Dome (not far from MLK Drive), and a benefit one month later at the Amarillo Aquarium. The Unity’s promotion of non-specific family values allowed Governor Kellerman to accept donations from their eleven million subscribers,appear on their list of Contemporary American Saints, and not upset his liberal base.
Well, it had upset someone, and he had a gun.
The Unity for a Better Tomorrow had co-sponsored several other events in the Kellerman campaign, one in Santa Fe, one in Kansas City, and one in Nashville, Tennessee. These would almost definitely be the sniper’s next targets.
Esme had him.
With a grin on her lips, she tugged out her iPod earbuds and rifled through her pocketbook for her phone. It was almost 10:00 p.m. She had expected Tom to call by now—
But her phone was dead. Ah. Well, it stood to reason. She hadn’t recharged it since leaving Long Island. She had been too busy with other things, like solving a multi-state murder spree. What foolish priorities.
She sifted through the clutter of papers against the wall until she found an outlet, and she plugged in her phone. The display lit up, as did the icon for voice mail. She dialed the requisite number and listened:
“You have…three…new messages.
“Message one…received at…6:11 p.m.
“Esme, hi.” It was Rafe. “I…I’m sure you saw my name and are screening my call. I…I don’t blame you. I think back on the way I behaved last night…the way I acted…Esme, I’m so sorry. Just…just please call me back. I miss you terribly.”
Esme sighed. Oh, Rafe. Truth be told, she missed him, too. She could do without his now-and-again spates of self-righteousness, but his intentions werepure. He was only possessive because he cared so much. He never laid a hand on her in anger (and if he ever did, she would jujitsu him into instant regret) and, unlike her parents, he was reliable. He wasn’t going to abandon her, not ever.
She listened to the message again. Had he been crying? She wanted to take him in her arms and hold him close to her breast. Everything was going to be all right. She had solved the case. Soon she would be home with Rafe and Sophie. Spring break was just around the corner. They would go on a vacation. Rafe had an uncle and aunt who lived outside of Glasgow. Sophie would adore Scotland.
“Next message…received at…9:04 p.m.…”
This had to be Tom.
“Hello, Esme!”
Nope. It was Amy Lieb. Couldn’t that busybody leave her in peace for a day? For a single day?
“Today was the Get Out the Vote assembly at the high school. It just wasn’t the same without you here! Your spunky attitude is simply vital to this campaign!”
Esme groaned, and pulled herself into a chair, which caused her to groan even louder. Sitting on the floor for hours on end was not something her thirtysomething body seemed to enjoy.
“Anyway, Esme, I’m calling because who did I run into at the assembly
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