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The demands put on her time were growing with fewer respites between the flare-ups. The life of a single parent was hard enough, but with her job, it was nearly impossible. She didn’t blame her ex, though. It was better that they had parted when Tommy was little. The man was out west and out of their lives. At least he would never get close enough to disappoint his son the way he had disappointed her.
Kennedy felt torn between her obligation to her son and her obligation to a very serious job. A job that saved lives. But something was going to have to give. She couldn’t go on like this. Her work would suffer, and so would her relationship with her son. As they turned into Stansfield’s driveway, Kennedy forced the thoughts from her mind. She needed to focus. The last thing her mentor needed right now was to worry about her.
The car stopped in front of the garage, and Kennedy got out. She walked up to the front door, where she was met by one of Stansfield’s bodyguards. Kennedy went down the hall and entered the study, where she found Thomas Stansfield sitting in his leather chair, his feet up on the ottoman and an afghan on his lap. She walked over and kissed him on the forehead. All things considered, he looked good.
Leaving her hand on his shoulder, she asked, “How are you feeling today?”
“Just fine, thank you. Would you like anything to drink?”
Kennedy knew he wasn’t fine. He couldn’t be. The doctors had told her the cancer was very painful. But that was Thomas Stansfield. He wasn’t about to feel sorry for himself, and he didn’t want anyone else to, either. Kennedy declined the offer of a beverage and sat on the sofa across from her mentor. “Congressman Rudin wants me on the Hill first thing in the morning.”
“I’ve heard.”
Kennedy didn’t bother to ask how. She’d stopped wondering years ago how the man got his information. “What else have you heard?”
“He wants to know if we were in Germany and, if so, if we had a hand in the Hagenmiller business.”
“And how would you advise me to answer that question?”
“Very carefully,” replied the older man.
“At the very least, I was planning on doing that.”
“I’m sure you were.” Stansfield thought about Rudin for a second and then said, “If he is so bold as to hold the committee in open session, you should answer nothing and politely refer him to me.” Stansfield frowned. “As much as he hates us, I don’t think he would be so brash.”
“Neither do I.”
Stansfield pondered the question further and finally said, “You have to tell him that we had the count and his corporation under surveillance. Lay out the same case that the president did to the German ambassador yesterday. Despite Rudin’s deep hatred of us, we have enough allies on the committee to block him. Once they find out what Hagenmiller was u
p to, any interest in pursuing the matter further will die.”
Kennedy wasn’t so sure. “Maybe we could have the president call him? Rudin is a party man through and through. He’ll do whatever President Hayes asks of him.”
Stansfield shook his head. “No. I want the president kept out of this. It’s become far too murky. We can handle it on our own.”
Kennedy reluctantly agreed and then said, “We’re missing something here.”
“In regard to Rudin?”
“In regard to the whole thing.” Kennedy stared out the window. “I don’t know…there are leaks we haven’t identified. Someone is out there working against us, and for what reason I still haven’t figured out.”
“I’m working on that.”
“Do you have any ideas?”
“It’s all a question of motive, Irene.”
“Motive for what?”
“Did you know that Rudin and Midleton met with Senator Clark at Congressional Country Club this morning?”
“No.” Once again, he amazed her with his network of informants.
“They had breakfast together.”
“What did they discuss?”
“I don’t know, but I do know their motives. Rudin despises me personally and would like nothing more than to see me take my last breath. Midleton and I are cordial, but he would like to have more of a say in what the CIA is up to.”
