Page 38 of Blackmailed

“A senator’s job is never done,” Jochi sighed as he donned his robe.

“Think of it this way, after today, all of my attention will be on you and our family. You’ll never have to return to D.C. ever again.”

Jochi smiled. “Sounds heavenly, bèndàn.”

****

Jefferson stood behind a podium before a small crowd which included his family and friends. Friday afternoon, Emersyn called to say she accepted his offer and couldn’t wait to get to work.

All of the information he’d gathered over the past thirty years along with the evidence Jochi obtained and Vigilante, had been sent to all the sub-committees and the FBI for further investigation. Two hours ago, he submitted his paperwork to retire. He was offered a date and time to make a speech in the Senate chamber.

He declined.

As it stood, he already had a moving company gathering his belongings from the office he’d vacated and his apartment. All of his things would be delivered to his new home in Window Rock before the end of the week. After everything that transpired for the past several weeks, being a member of congress, though he’d done more to help those in need than not, left a bitter taste in his mouth. They—those on Capitol Hill, didn’t deserve another moment of his time.

“Good afternoon,” Jefferson said. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. I will be making a brief statement and I’ll be answering some questions afterward.”

He glanced up. There at the back of the room, holding his son, sat his mate. Jochi wore one of his tailored suits Jefferson loved about as much as Jochi’s dresses. His long silky hair had been pulled back at his nape in a chonmage. Beside him sat both of Jefferson's daughters, Charisma, and Penelope along with their mates. Seeing them there, settled the nerves tightening his stomach.

When he woke that morning, he had a whole speech prepared, but when he arrived at Vigilante, he threw it in the trash. Everything he had to say had to be spur of the moment and from the heart. He couldn't rely on written words to get him through his farewell speech. Hell, he never used a speechwriter when he'd been on the campaign trail either. It'd been one of the reasons he'd been reelected so many times over the years.

“Last year, our country had its eyes opened once more to the travesties of the Paranormal Bounty Hunters. It was only due to the diligent work of our FBI, Vigilante Security, and local/state police we were able to put a stop to their operation, once again, with minimal casualties. However, instead of being able to celebrate, I came under attack."

Earlier before they arrived, Keeley received a call from the IRS. The audit had been canceled and the IRS and the House Finance Committee Chairperson apologized to her and Danielle for any undue stress. It did relieve some of the guilt Jefferson had held onto, but not all of it. The orphanage did wonderful things for children who had abilities and those who were orphaned shifters. Losing their funding would have devastated Keeley and Danielle.

“For the past fifteen years, I have done everything in my power and within the constructs of the laws set forth by our government to make sure all shifters were protected. I have sacrificed my time with my family, to make sure those laws enacted were ironclad, and I am so proud of all the work congress has done to keep every law and every budgetary fund in place. However, today, I am stepping down.”

A soft gasp filled the room as the different camera shutters clicked away, taking pictures of him. The group of reporters gathered there, murmured amongst themselves as he took a breath. His heart hammered yet the knot in his stomach released a bit. He was doing the right thing. Jefferson glanced at Jochi who smiled and gave him a small nod.

“I didn’t do this on a whim. After the last two weeks, it has come to my attention, my hard work and dedication has come with a price. That price was my family and my privacy. As you all know a photo purported to be myself and a ‘lover,’ was circulated through the media. Even after my wife Susanne died, I never had to deal with such a heinous act of cowardice. But, because I wouldn’t keep two senators who were involved in the illegal activities of PBH, seated—” Jefferson took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I promised myself I wouldn’t get riled up.”

The audience laughed.

“I have a beautiful family. I have a beautiful mate. I have what every American could ever want; happiness. I am not ashamed of who I mated. I am not ashamed of the causes I have stood up for, and I certainly will never allow anyone to blackmail me. Which brings me to my next point.”

Jefferson picked up the thick blue notebook on the podium beside his hand. "Inside this notebook is the evidence that will hopefully help convict and expel several congresspeople serving at this moment. Their reign of terror is over. They will no longer be able to grant monies to PBH. They will no longer be able to hunt shifters or experiment on children with special abilities like my grandson, Mikey. Inside this folder, are the accounts of several shifters and people with abilities. They tell of how they were forced to procreate. How they were probed and touched in ways that, frankly, make me sick. Ladies and gentlemen, chaos has no business in our government, and it is time we stop supporting this evil sickness.”

The soft murmurs erupted into shouted questions and anxious looks of those surrounding his family, but Jefferson pressed on. He was almost finished with his speech. “Today, I had a wonderful conversation with Mayor Pro-Tem Emersyn Lake. I have watched her for several years as she's clawed her way to the top of the city government while also helping the shifter community. She and her husband have two beautiful children and I know she will represent the Fifth Congressional District with distinction and respect. Thankfully, she accepted my offer. At this moment, she and her wonderful family are in Washington D.C. where she is being sworn in. She will be on the committee leading the expulsion and censure hearings for Senators Brawborn and Tory. She, along with the chairman of the Justice Committee, will be handling the investigation contained within the notebook I have shown you. When this is over, ladies and gentlemen, we will have a more perfect union. I guarantee it.”

The minute it was clear he’d finished his speech, several hands shot up. Jefferson took a moment to gather himself. Before he pointed to one of the more conservative newspapers in the area.

“Good afternoon, Aaron,” Jefferson said. “Long time no see.”

“Likewise, Senator,” Aaron replied. “Phoenix Tribune, you claim the photograph of you was fabricated and though it was retracted two hours after it went live, I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask, was it you in the picture and did you threaten anyone to have it removed?”

Jefferson laughed. “No, it wasn’t me. Next question.” He pointed to a woman in the second row. “Yes?”

“Mindy George, Tucson Sun,” she said. “You say you have a mate. How long have you been mated and why are we only finally hearing about it today?”

“A little over a year,” he answered. “You didn’t find out about it because I didn’t want you to. But, due to the fact I was actively being blackmailed, I decided to tell my truth today.”

“Who is it,” Mindy pressed. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I do mind you asking. I’m a private citizen now. You’ll only get the information I want you to have.” He winked at the girl as he pointed to another reporter.

“Carlos Jax, New Mexico Daily, are you afraid by leaving now, everything you worked so hard for will be dismantled? I know you said your choice to take your spot will work diligently to keep shifters safe, but...”

Jefferson nodded. “If I didn’t think Emersyn was up to the task, I wouldn’t have asked her. I have the utmost faith in her abilities.”

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