Page 75 of Courting Gossip (Courting)
‘Let’s go home,’ he said with a kiss to her temple.
She nodded. Home to bed and maybe even sleep. ‘Home,’ she agreed.
It was still a fantasy, but she’d take it.
* * *
Brody got up early the next morning after only a few hours of rest. His body needed more, but his brain knew he couldn’t afford it right now. He left Jenny and went to his office to make calls.
The first was to her insurance company and the next was to a contractor to make repairs at her house. He didn’t care about the cost. The most important things were quality and speed. He hired a bodyguard he’d used before to watch over everything and make sure nobody, news media or otherwise, set foot inside her home.
After that task was done, he mulled over Gunderson’s gifts to her. Somebody had thought it pretty important to break in to get them, but who? Somebody from TMI News, maybe, still trying to prove their prostitution claim? Brody felt his blood pressure spike, but it was a definite possibility. Or their mysterious informant could still be at work.
He clasped his hands at the back of his neck as he wandered around the room, trying to put the pieces together. It sounded like something he would have done if he’d been working strictly for the senator – send somebody over to the escort’s place to retrieve the proof of their connection. But he hadn’t done it. He wouldn’t do something like that to Jenny. If he had, he would have hired a professional who could have slipped in and out without leaving any evidence behind.
‘Hell,’ he hissed. Sometimes he hated what he’d become.
He stopped at the window and propped himself up beside it. The sun was up. It had been the shortest night of his life, or the longest, depending on how he looked at it.
He glanced at his desk. The news reports were still trending with the story he’d planted last night as he’d been waiting at the Apple Tree Grille. For once, it was the truth. After the break-in at the hotel, Genieve had wanted out of the spotlight with the senator, but someone still had it in for her. Was the same person responsible for both invasions?
At this point, he was willing to use the press to their advantage. If anyone out there knew anything, they needed to come forward. Until they did, he didn’t know what more he could do.
He thought of Jenny in the next room. There was no way he was going in to the office today. He wasn’t about to leave her alone for even a second right now. The pull grew stronger, and he gave in. He headed back to the bedroom, but spun on the ball of his foot before he got to the hallway.
Gunderson.Shit. The man did still pay his bills.
Brody glanced at the time. Maggie…was it Maggie? Yeah, Maggie should be in the office by now. He picked up his phone and called.
‘Senator Gunderson’s office,’ the woman said, picking up after the first ring.
Efficient as always.
‘This is Brody Haynes.’
‘Good morning, Mr Haynes. The senator isn’t in yet.’
‘That’s OK. I’m calling for you.’
‘Me?’ she said in surprise.
‘I need you to put together a press release. Remember those photographs we took of the senator’s arm before you wrapped it? We need those to go out today. If Kevin Murphy is going to question whether the senator was hurt, we’ll prove him wrong and, even better, insensitive.’
‘Yes, sir,’ the aide said. ‘Good idea.’
‘Send me the draft when you have it.’
‘I will. I’ll put that together right away.’
‘Good work, Maggie.’ Brody shook his head as he hung up. He’d almost forgotten to do that. All his focus right now was on Jenny and finding out who was harassing her.
All he knew was that the detective better find the culprit first.
He closed down shop and returned to bed. His pretty redhead was still sound asleep, but she’d moved closer to his empty pillow. He took off his jeans and slid in beside her. With the sun pushing at the curtains, he rolled away from the window and wrapped himself around her. He’d set the wheels in motion, and Detective Morgan was on the case. Now, they just had to wait for something to pop.
* * *
They didn’t make it until noon before they were both up again. Exhaustion could only hold off worry for so long.
