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“CEO of the Medical Center. And listen to this; she was arrested for the murder of Bennett’s wife, who was also Tom Adams’s ex-wife.”
“I thought you said she was squeaky clean!”
“Ha! Charges were dropped the next day. There was absolutely zero evidence. She was there; that was the only thing they had.”
“Jesus. Anything else? I’m sorry I asked now.”
“Nope, except for those few items, since college she’s worked hard and stayed out of trouble. I’m willing to bet Smith was the beginning of all her woes.”
“She’s close to the family now. I wonder if they know about the relationship.”
“You’ll have to find that out on your own. I’m guessing you’re involved?”
“Smitten. I need to keep it quiet for a few more months, at least until a year has passed.”
“That’s old hat,” Brady said. “Six months after a spouse’s death is plenty if you care about such things.”
“I’m just thinking of future goals and respect for Ginger,” Andy replied.
“Are you still looking at governor?”
“I think mayor first. I’m not ready to move to Albany. As a matter of fact, I’m not ready to move. Sandra has a place on the ocean in Babylon.”
“I didn’t think there was such a thing as a beachfront in Babylon.”
“There is, and her place is great.”
“You deserve it, Andy. Anyway, she’s okay. The Jack Smith thing might come out if you go public.”
“Okay, well, I guess I’ll deal with it when I have to.”
“It must be a fairly new relationship.”
“Brand new. We just met last weekend. Well, I had met her at a party at Gracie Mansion years ago, but Saturday, we started seeing each other. She said she had plenty to tell me but wanted to wait for a bit.”
“I guess you’ll have to tell her your secrets, too?”
“Maybe. The public crap might be enough. Thanks again, Brady. I owe you.”
“My pleasure. Stay in touch.”
They hung up. Andy sat back in his chair, thinking of Jack Smith, a man who exemplified the definition of cocksman. He imagined Sandra as a young girl, practically fresh out of college, a girl’s Catholic college no less, pursued by Jack. She wouldn’t have had a chance. How did the son fit into the picture? Together, the two men, father and son, had ruined Ginger’s life.
At noon, he sent her a text.Are you available?
He continued to work, and at twelve-fifteen she answered,I’m on my way down. Meet me out front if you can.
After finishing up, he went into his bathroom and washed his face and brushed his teeth. The day in the sun had given him a ruddy look that he liked, but he was beginning to show signs of aging, some wrinkles around his mouth and eyes. He’d use sunscreen next time. Vanity was a flaw after growing up always too thin and in hand-me-downs. Even the adult man still struggled with the inadequacies of his youth.
Down on the street, he waited, watching for Sandra’s car, so he was surprised when she got out of a cab.
“I let Damon get fares during the day when he’s free. I bought his car, but he takes care of gas and upkeep when he’s not using it for me.”
“That’s generous,” he said, understanding why the driver might have been uncomfortable with the tip. “Do you pay him full time?”
“I do,” she said. “With benefits. Most of the time we’re running all over, but it’s getting to be less time in the car when I’m home at the beach now. He might start taking over some butler kind of duties for me. Pam’s mother-in-law has that arrangement with her driver slash boyfriend.”
“Not that hippie who was at the party,” he said, appalled.
