She mentally shook herself to snap out of her fugue. “You’ve been with the governor a long time?”
“Twenty years. She was quite overtaken at the memory of Ben’s death.”
“I’m sorry we brought it up. We needed to know if she knew them. Blake didn’t think she would.”
“Politics is a funny life. Full of drama, friendship, enemies, and secrets.”
Was the woman trying to tell her something? Did the governor know more than she’d let on? “You sound like you both love it and hate it.”
“It’s a challenge, but the governor is wonderful to work for. She’s considerate of all her employees.”
“Did Ben ever make a play for the governor? They’re about the same age.”
Angela blinked and frowned. “Of course not. Why would you ask something like that?”
“We know he was a player. Her reaction to my questions seemed... odd.”
“It wasn’t odd at all. She’s been a friend of the family for decades.”
“I assume you knew Ben as well?”
Angela waved off her question. “Not all that well. Acquaintances only.”
Paradise studied Angela’s defensive posture and decided to go with her gut. “I still suspect someone in the family, maybe even Percy.”
“The governor told you he is incapable of violence.”
“I’m not sure I believe her. Everyone is capable of anger and acting out of character.”
Angela’s expression of defensiveness made Paradise decide to dig into the governor’s background a bit. Maybe there was more here than met the eye.
Paradise straightened. “I’d better get going to my meeting. Enjoy watching the animals. Oh, and if you want to drive the Gator to the parking lot, feel free. The keys are in it, and you can just leave it there.”
“Thanks for the lemur education,” Angela called after her. “I might do that.”
Paradise thought her tone held a bit of relief. What could she be hiding about the governor?
The guys were on the back deck with the boys when she crossedthe yard toward the house. Isaac saw her first and came running to jump into her arms. His thin arms clutched her neck and he clung to her like a spider monkey. She carried him to the deck and deposited him on the cedar boards.
Levi climbed into her lap when she sat beside Blake. “Mom’s making lasagna. She let me add the cheese.”
“I’m sure it will be delicious.” She kissed him on the neck until he squealed.
“I wouldn’t complain if you did that to me,” Blake said under his breath.
Her cheeks heated and she shushed him. “Did you guys find anything interesting in the files, or were you waiting on me? I stopped to chat with Angela.”
“She said she wanted to wander the park a bit and didn’t leave with Governor George,” Blake said. “I think she finds the refuge calming. But yes, we got a chance to examine the files.”
She let Levi clamber down from her lap and go off to play in the tree house with his brother before dinner. “Anything of interest?”
“It’s a blackmail list like we suspected. There was more darkness to Roger than we knew. But none of the names were familiar. I assume Adams wanted the list for his own personal use.”
Drew reached for his glass of iced tea. “How were Roger and Adams acquainted? Maybe Abby would know. We could invite her and Quinn to dinner.”
She smiled at his hopeful voice. “We don’t need Abby to answer that. They were cousins. But I’d love to see her anyway. I’ll invite them. Jenna always makes enough lasagna to feed an army.” Paradise tapped out a quick invitation. She got back an almost instant acceptance. “They’ll be here in an hour.”
Drew’s smile held eagerness. “There’s been no more sign ofAdams. Rod tried for a subpoena of Warren’s bank account but hasn’t gotten it approved yet, but I’m hopeful.”
