Page 129 of Ozzie

About ten minutes into the drive, the senator finally speaks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was such a big deal. I’m not used to being handled like this.”

I glance in the rearview mirror and see the vein onLightning’s forehead bulging. We’re both frustrated with the situation, but it’s nothing worse than what we’ve dealt with before.

“Your son is a lot like you,” I say to lighten the mood.

It works as Lightning’s lips curl up, but he turns away, so the man doesn’t notice.

“He’s a good boy, for the most part. That’s his mother’s doing. Sadly, I put my life into this career and rarely had time for them. And for what?” He shakes his head. “Some guy wants what I have and is now willing to do anything to get it.”

“Exactly how much power do you have in your committee?” Lightning asks.

Walton smiles. “Well, I’m the chair so that gives me respect and power. But what Bennett wants are my connections.”

“What connections?” I ask.

“I’ve been on the Armed Services Committee for over twenty years. I’ve had the opportunity to meet a number of foreign dignitaries and leaders. There are people in this world who try to shower me with gifts, hoping I will make things go their way. I make it clear that’s not how I work. But some, like Bennett, want a piece of what’s being offered. And he knows the only way that will happen is if I’m gone.”

“You said Bennett wants to be chair. If you’re gone, will that happen?”

“No. There are two others with more experience and who are generally well-liked. He’d be hard-pressed to get ahead of them.”

I glance in the mirror again and meet Lightning’s eyes. I have no doubt we’re both thinking the same thing. Why would Bennett go to all this trouble if he doesn’t have a guarantee to get what he wants?

“Is there a chance Bennett is working with one of those two men?” Lightning asks.

Walton leans away from Lightning. “No, those men are my friends.”

Lightning shrugs. “Greed can make men do dangerous things.”

Walton looks out the window, frowning. I’m sure he’s going over his interactions with those two men.

“Dickens,” Walton says. “He’s been acting different in the last few months. I thought it was because his wife left him, but now that I think about it, that does explain a few things.”

I spot a fast-food drive-through and pull in. I’ve been watching, and no one is following us. Hopefully, this will cure the senator’s hunger.

“Thank you. I’m starving,” he says.

We put in our order and pick up the food. I don’t pull over to eat but continue to the safe house. Walton and Lightning eat, and it smells amazing, making me realize I’m hungry too.

We arrive at the new address. It’s a small house far off the road. It has a long driveway that’s mostly gravel, which I like so we can hear anyone coming. Lightning hops out and opens the garage.

Once inside, Lightning checks all the doors and windows while I eat.

“Everything looks good,” he says.

“Now what?” the senator says.

“Well, you need to finish telling us what you were about to say in the car.” I pull out my phone. “But I want Harding to hear it too.”

“Harding,” she answers.

“Walton has more information for us.” I nod to him.

He sits on a stool that’s next to the counter, and I grab the one next to him, setting my phone down in front of him.

“The guys were asking who would take over as chair if I were voted off the committee. I told them it wouldn’t be Bennett; it would be one of two others. And then I remembered Dickens was acting strange the last couple of times I saw him. At first, I thought it was because he was going through something with his wife, but now I think it was more.”

Lightning opens the fridge and pulls out three bottles of water. He brings them to us at the counter.

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