Read Online The Department of Lost & Found by Allison Winn Scotch - Free Book Online
Authors: Allison Winn Scotch
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wasn’t as if I had anywhere to be. So when I heard the phone ringing early the next morning, I at first assumed that it was part of a dream. In fact, it was part of a dream. It was only when my semicognizant self realized that there were no phones on the desert island on which I was presently stranded in my dream that I shook myself awake and grabbed my cordless from my nightstand.
“Natalie dear? I’m sorry, did I wake you? I only have a minute—I’m about to take off to head to Nashville for the day for a meeting, but I understand that you’ve spoken with Kyle.”
62
a l l i s o n w i n n s c o t c h
I rubbed my eyes and swiped the sleep off my face. “No, Senator, I’m awake. And yes, I did speak with Kyle. I’m handling things.”
“Very good. But I want to make something clear, which is why I’m calling. Whatever you do—should you choose to do something—I want to be kept out of the loop. Do not ‘CC’ Blair, do not address me about the situation. Understood?” I pictured her waving her hand in front of her face as she locked her seat belt on the office’s private plane. Deniability: It’s more critical than ethics in our line of work.
She cleared her throat. “However, do what is necessary.” She paused. “And by that, I mean anything necessary. We’re in it to win it.”
“I understand, Senator.” I stood up and reached for my robe.
“As I said, I’ll handle it.”
“Do you feel up to it?”
“I’d feel up for anything these days, I’m so bored.” I paused.
“Forgive me for asking, but can the IRS really nail you for accept-ing those gifts?”
“I’m not worried.” She went silent. “We really do seem to have this election locked up, anyway.”
I realized that she didn’t answer my question but figured that she more than earned those gifts: the intricately carved desk, the gold elephant planters, the porcelain eggs.
“Fair enough, Senator. Consider it taken care of. Oh, I’d also like to talk to you about your support on the birth control initiative.”
“Natalie, I’m losing you, and we’re taking off. Thanks for the help.” She clicked off.
Typical, I thought, and then frowned because I wasn’t at all sure where that thought came from. I hung up the phone and checked the The Department of Lost & Found
63
time. 9:15. Kyle would have been in the office for two hours by now, and I had an hour-and-forty-five-minute window before The Price Is Right . I logged on to my e-mail. Bingo.
From: Richardson, Kyle
To: Miller,
Natalie
Re:
Taylor is getting dirty, response2
Nat,
Holy shit. Smoking gun. Hookers? I’ll give Larry a call. I didn’t know that we had the resources for a private inves-tigator. You sly little bitch! I always knew you were, actually.
But doesn’t Taylor’s wife have ovarian cancer? Shouldn’t we give him a chance to recant before we ruin the marriage and/or kill her?
KR
Recant, my ass, and then I thought of Jake and his stupid theory of my love of the win. Screw you, too, I muttered, as if Jake were in the room, as if we hadn’t broken up two and a half years earlier, and as if he were still judging me. But Kyle did have a point, albeit one that I was readily willing to overlook. It was true: Susanna Taylor had very publicly and very bravely been battling ovarian cancer, and it wasn’t the kindest move to out her husband’s sexual proclivities while in the midst of such a battle. I tapped my fingers together, weighing my next move. On one hand, my logic argued, I should be sympathetic, given my own situation and all. On the other hand, I’d been told to do what it took. I bit my upper lip and ran my fingers over the keyboard, mulling over my reply.
64
a l l i s o n w i n n s c o t c h
From: Miller, Natalie
To: Richardson,
Kyle
Re:
Taylor is getting dirty—response
K—
Yes, I know that you think I’m a bitch. Turns out, you might not always be wrong. Go figure.
Since when have you grown a conscience? We’re in it
“Natalie dear? I’m sorry, did I wake you? I only have a minute—I’m about to take off to head to Nashville for the day for a meeting, but I understand that you’ve spoken with Kyle.”
62
a l l i s o n w i n n s c o t c h
I rubbed my eyes and swiped the sleep off my face. “No, Senator, I’m awake. And yes, I did speak with Kyle. I’m handling things.”
“Very good. But I want to make something clear, which is why I’m calling. Whatever you do—should you choose to do something—I want to be kept out of the loop. Do not ‘CC’ Blair, do not address me about the situation. Understood?” I pictured her waving her hand in front of her face as she locked her seat belt on the office’s private plane. Deniability: It’s more critical than ethics in our line of work.
She cleared her throat. “However, do what is necessary.” She paused. “And by that, I mean anything necessary. We’re in it to win it.”
“I understand, Senator.” I stood up and reached for my robe.
“As I said, I’ll handle it.”
“Do you feel up to it?”
“I’d feel up for anything these days, I’m so bored.” I paused.
“Forgive me for asking, but can the IRS really nail you for accept-ing those gifts?”
“I’m not worried.” She went silent. “We really do seem to have this election locked up, anyway.”
I realized that she didn’t answer my question but figured that she more than earned those gifts: the intricately carved desk, the gold elephant planters, the porcelain eggs.
“Fair enough, Senator. Consider it taken care of. Oh, I’d also like to talk to you about your support on the birth control initiative.”
“Natalie, I’m losing you, and we’re taking off. Thanks for the help.” She clicked off.
Typical, I thought, and then frowned because I wasn’t at all sure where that thought came from. I hung up the phone and checked the The Department of Lost & Found
63
time. 9:15. Kyle would have been in the office for two hours by now, and I had an hour-and-forty-five-minute window before The Price Is Right . I logged on to my e-mail. Bingo.
From: Richardson, Kyle
To: Miller,
Natalie
Re:
Taylor is getting dirty, response2
Nat,
Holy shit. Smoking gun. Hookers? I’ll give Larry a call. I didn’t know that we had the resources for a private inves-tigator. You sly little bitch! I always knew you were, actually.
But doesn’t Taylor’s wife have ovarian cancer? Shouldn’t we give him a chance to recant before we ruin the marriage and/or kill her?
KR
Recant, my ass, and then I thought of Jake and his stupid theory of my love of the win. Screw you, too, I muttered, as if Jake were in the room, as if we hadn’t broken up two and a half years earlier, and as if he were still judging me. But Kyle did have a point, albeit one that I was readily willing to overlook. It was true: Susanna Taylor had very publicly and very bravely been battling ovarian cancer, and it wasn’t the kindest move to out her husband’s sexual proclivities while in the midst of such a battle. I tapped my fingers together, weighing my next move. On one hand, my logic argued, I should be sympathetic, given my own situation and all. On the other hand, I’d been told to do what it took. I bit my upper lip and ran my fingers over the keyboard, mulling over my reply.
64
a l l i s o n w i n n s c o t c h
From: Miller, Natalie
To: Richardson,
Kyle
Re:
Taylor is getting dirty—response
K—
Yes, I know that you think I’m a bitch. Turns out, you might not always be wrong. Go figure.
Since when have you grown a conscience? We’re in it
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