Cesare stepped into the room. The client turned to face Cesare, giving the trial attorney a tense nod of acknowledgement.
“Thank you for meeting with me today, Governor Gable.” Cesare greeted him.
“Likewise.” Governor Gable nodded.
“Unfortunately, the state of Maine has declined to ‘share any further information at this time, pending an internal investigation’. We both know that means we’ve hit a nerve. They of course do not realize you are my client.” Cesare paused, looking the man over once more. “Even if they brought in a third party to investigate, which seems unlikely to happen, this is essentially a twenty-year-old cold case. You need eyes on the ground. Locally.”
The older man’s expression, still carefully blank, sipped his coffee silently. His clothes were older, but pressed and well-tailored. He was clean-shaven and wore a gold watch that was custom-made but simple. The lines on his face were drawn, and a shadow of guilt flitted across his features for a moment before settling back into the calm, unaffected expression he typically wore.
“I’m going to Portland.” Cesare said firmly. “Is there anything else I should know before I go? Any names, any potential connections left undisclosed?”
The client pursed his lips and looked down at the coffee going cold in his hands. “There were rumors. Kristy had a preference for boys in the military. There was a naval base within driving distance, but I don’t remember the name of the town.”
“Kittery.” Cesare answered. “Kittery, Maine.”
The grey-haired man nodded, and swallowed thickly. “I like to think my wife and I did a lot of things right, but we also did a lot of things wrong. Letting Kristy go for the summer, and notbringing her home when we should have…” He shook his head with a pained expression.
Cesare listened patiently. He was getting paid for every minute.
“We didn’t even know she was pregnant.” The client continued. “Not until the hospital released her medical records; if they hadn’t included the labor and maternity notes on file, we wouldn’t have even known about the baby.”
Governor Gable rubbed a hand down his face. “If this child is even alive, there’s no telling what she’s been exposed to, how she’s grown up, or who she’s become. She may want nothing to do with me, and frankly, I don’t care to establish contact with her without reasonable assurances that she could be appropriate about the situation.” He sighed. “But it’s the last thing my wife asked for, and I promised I would try.” He paused with a frown. “I came to you because you have a reputation for discretion, Cesare.”
“I am discreet.” Cesare assured. “And once we’re able to access the records, we’ll have a better idea of what we’re dealing with. Your life doesn’t need to change any more than you want it to.” Cesare nodded.
The Pennsylvania Governor gave Cesare a wry look, letting out a sigh as his phone rang. He read the caller ID and looked back up. “My campaign manager. Are we done here?”
Cesare nodded. “Feel free to use the conference room as long as you need. I’ll reach out with any updates.”
Governor Chris Gable, congressional candidate for the upcoming election, gave a nod and turned away to answer the phone call.
Cesare left the conference room to gather his things and met his driver in front of the building five minutes later.
“Where to?” Monty asked. He was a stocky man with a slight Italian accent and a polite demeanor. This politeness could of course turn into something much different very quickly. A slight dusting of grey hair glinted in the evening sun.
“How would you like to make an extra thousand this week?” Cesare asked.
“I’m listening.” Monty answered, his knowing gaze looking at Cesare through the rear-view mirror.
“I need to go to Kittery, Maine tonight. Not sure how long we’ll be there.”
“Kittery, Maine?” Monty asked.
“Small coastal town in southern Maine. It’s an eight-hour drive from here. Looks like a Hallmark Movie.” Cesare remarked wryly.
“Will they have a Christmas tree farm and hot chocolate laced with holiday joy?” Monty asked wryly.
“I doubt it. But we’ll see.” Cesare scoffed in amusement.
“Sounds like we’re going to Kittery then, boss.” The driver nodded, starting the car.
“Good.” Cesare nodded. “Marci will send the name and address of a hotel as soon as she arranges everything.”
Monty nodded again and pulled forward, merging into the state capitol’s lunch traffic.
Cesare pulled out a laptop to return to his case; finding out what happened to the Governor’s missing grandchild; a baby that had been born twenty years ago and immediatelysurrendered to the state; a baby the state now claimed to have never had.
Chapter Three
