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Independent Citizens? For several seconds she sat there, stunned. Her hand crept to her chest, heartbeat hammering against it as the words replayed in her head. This couldn’t possibly have come from Niko’s independent party, she thought. But that was what the ad had said. Grabbing the remote, she punched the guide to see the channel. More shock. The television hadn’t been on the town’s community station, but on an ABC affiliate.
There had to be an explanation. She got out of bed and placed a call. It rang several times and then went to voice mail. “Niko, it’s me. Please call as soon as you get this message.” She was about to contact Lance when a comment Niko had made earlier crossed her mind. The force of its implication was chilling.
I’m going to do everything in my power to defeat your sexy behind. “No,” Monique muttered, pacing across her bedroom floor. “He wouldn’t.”
Turn off the television. Turn off your phone.
Words that previously sounded caring now seemed dubious at best. “He didn’t want me to see it, wanted me to leave town while this poison spread.” No, not possible. She couldn’t fathom that someone who had kissed her so tenderly and loved her so completely could possibly stab her in the back. But the thoughts and memories kept coming, particularly snatches of one specific conversation.
Have you ever dated a client?
I was fresh out of law school.
During one of these visits is when things got carried away.
It shouldn’t have happened.
I shared some things that I hadn’t planned to. I know we’re in what’s sure to become a highly contested race but—
She called Niko again. No answer. “Calm down, Monique. He always calls back.”
After a sleepless night, she headed to the airport. Her godmother, Lance and a couple of workers from the campaign office had seen the commercial and immediately called with their advice and support. She’d phoned Niko several times and left another message. Her calls were not returned.
Chapter 26
Niko paced the room, trying yet again to reach Monique. Since turning on his phone and seeing missed telephone calls and news of the negative ad on her, he’d called repeatedly. He’d worked late and in a rare move decided to turn off his phone and sleep until eight. That was what you got for following your own advice.
Bryce sent him the video link. What he saw was appalling. The words were bad. The images, worse: a laughing Monique and her alleged client/lover leaving the courtroom, a frowning, finger-pointing Monique that Niko figured was taken in a courtroom but out of context looked crazed, and the most disturbing, footage of the recent school fire as the announcer questioned her conduct, character and acquaintances.
He hit Replay. “Paid for by Independent Citizens for a New Paradise.” Who is this? A name not on any campaign fund lists he’d read, but obviously someone who knew a lot about Monique. Niko hadn’t a clue. Aside from her ex Rob, her godmother, Margo, and a best friend named Emma she sometimes mentioned, he didn’t know her friends or, in this case, her enemies.
After formulating a strategy, he scrolled the address book for his sister’s number. Not only did Teresa freelance for the Cove Chronicle, but she was also one of the nosiest people he knew. Teresa could convince a statue to talk. Other sources could have been contacted, but Niko wanted to keep private his involvement in resolving this issue. And that was exactly what he planned to do: help fix this.
“Teresa, good morning.”
“Good morning.” Niko heard his sister stifle a yawn. “Why are you calling so early?”
“It’s not early. It’s eight-thirty. Working people should be up by now.”
“What do you want?”
“I need you to do a little investigative work.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Have you seen the smear ad on Monique?”
“Mo Slater? No, I haven’t.”
“I’ll email you the link, but it’s nasty, sponsored by a group calling themselves the Independent Citizens for a New Paradise.”
“This came from your party?”
Niko rubbed his forehead. An uncomfortable thought formed. “I highly doubt it. But your question makes me wonder if that was the intended implication. I need you to query your TV contacts. Find out who submitted the ad and who’s connected to this group. I have an idea but need proof. I need this information ASAP.”
