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Pulling the car to the side of the long driveway in front of the main entrance, Shane wiped the palm of his right hand on the leg of his pants before shifting it into park. The sun was setting behind the trees, casting long shadows over the house. It was hard to remember that he’d seen this place as warm and inviting just a few days earlier. Now when he looked up at the dark windows and carefully trimmed landscaping, it reminded him of something out of a horror movie. That nice, unassuming family that always hosted the block barbecue was really a family of ax murders who used the bones of their victims to sculpt furniture for their rumpus room.
If he survived this, he swore he was never watching another fucking horror movie. For the rest of his life, he was on a strict diet of romantic comedies and buddy action flicks. Preferably curled up on his couch with Quinn and Norma Jean.
He had to get through this part to get to that happy dream, though.
Swallowing hard, he walked up the stone path to the front door. The kids had to be home. If the kids were home, then nothing bad could happen to him. And he had cops at his back, protecting him. Royce was with Quinn, keeping him safe.
He was ready.
With one last deep breath, he pushed the doorbell, the tinkling chime echoing through the house. He waited only a minute before footsteps echoed across the hardwood floor. The door opened to reveal a smiling Gerald Spring. He was dressed in a pair of slacks and a white button-down shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, revealing strong forearms, and his hair was slightly disheveled as if he’d been working for long hours at his desk.
Everything about the man shouted normal, hard-working guy who didn’t have a violent bone in his body. A victim. A target purely because he was running for political office. Nothing in his eyes, in his smile, indicating that he was saying anything but the truth.
“Shane, thanks for coming over,” he said enthusiastically. He stepped back and waved for Shane to enter before shutting the door behind him. “I’m sorry about the short notice. I wanted to sit down with you and get an update on the situation. We’re down to the last two weeks before the election and things are getting crazy around here.”
“How are the girls dealing with it?” Shane glanced around the entrance, straining to hear any other sounds of people, but it was as silent as a tomb.
“Not bad at the moment. They’re staying with my parents for the next couple of weeks. I tend to have a lot of campaign workers coming through my house, and I don’t want them disturbing my daughters’ routine.”
Shane’s stomach sank at Gerald’s words. He was counting on the presence of the kids as a buffer. “That’s understandable.” He forced a smile, pushing down his own fears while maintaining an easy conversation. If he didn’t act like he suspected anything, the mayor might keep talking. “But the last time I saw the polls, you had a good lead on your opponent. That’s got to take some of the stress off.”
“The polls are good, but I’ve never been one to trust them. The fight isn’t over until the voting is closed.” He winked and then started to lead the way across the polished wood floor to the kitchen. “How about a drink? Iced tea? Or maybe something harder?”
“I’m good. Thanks.”
Shane followed him into the kitchen and stood by the center island while he watched Gerald grab a glass out of the cabinet and fix himself some ice water. He tried to glance around for a sign of the bodyguard, but the man was nowhere in sight.
“So what do you have for me? Did you manage to track down who has been hacking into my accounts?”
“We have a lead on a person.” Shane paused, gripping the edge of the granite countertop. His leg was starting to throb from standing so long. The half a painkiller he’d popped before leaving the office wasn’t cutting it, but he didn’t want to risk being groggy when going up against Spring and his bodyguard. “We think it’s someone from your wife’s past.”
Spring frowned, causing lines to cut through his brow. “I can’t imagine who. Everyone loved my wife.”
“But maybe this person didn’t love you.”
“Who?”
“I’d rather not say just yet since it’s speculation. We need more evidence. I don’t want to ruin an innocent person’s life.”
Gerald grunted. Ice clinked in the glass as he set it down on the counter. “You’re a good, honorable man, Shane. You’ve always struck me as being fair.”
“I try.”
“Is there anything that you can tell me?”
“We’ve put up traps and guards to protect your accounts, so you shouldn’t have any troubles with the hacker.”
