Bill of Human Wrongs

Claire went to the station to see Kurt after dropping Rachel at her office. They went to a private room where he could drill her. “I’ve known you a lot of years, Claire. Tell me what’s going on. First Tony, then Ms. Ross, and now an anthrax hoax. You and I both know this isn’t the normal couple of days for the average person. You seem to be the common link for all of it.”

“I wish I could help you, Kurt. If Rachel had been hurt, I don’t know what I would have done.”

“Do I need to post an officer to watch out for you?”

“Well, no. I think Rachel’s the one who needs protection. If I can, I’ll have her stay with me for a few nights, but she’s stubborn. If she insists on staying at her hotel, I think she’s the one who will need a guard.”

“I can do that, but it would be good if I knew what I was protecting her from, or who in this case. I know there’s more that you know, Claire.”

“Kurt, I wish I could help you. You know that I would if I knew more. But at this point, I just want to be sure that no one else gets hurt.”

Claire’s phone buzzed. “Excuse me.” She pulled the phone out of her purse to see Bill’s name on the display. Dropping it back in her bag, she looked at the detective. “I’m sorry, Kurt. Do you have any more questions for me? This week is a hectic one with these bills coming up for a vote and all.”

He stared at her with a look of frustration. “No. I can see that I’m not going to get anything out of you now. I’ll make sure that an officer is at Ms. Ross’s hotel tonight.” He stood and went to the door. “Claire? I need for you to level with me if you have information to help me solve Tony’s murder.”

“Of course. Thanks, Kurt.”

Claire was on her way to work when her phone buzzed again, but this time it was her office. “Yes, Ken?”

“We have trouble, a story has broken out about you, Senator. There’s a lot of reporters waiting for you. I think you should stay away if you don’t want to be ambushed.”

“Ok, Ken. Thanks.”

“Senator, don’t you want to know what the story is?”

“I think I know. Oh and Ken? It isn’t true.”

“I never thought it was, Senator. I’ll keep you informed of what’s happening here.”

“Good.”

Claire turned the car around and headed for her apartment. Maneuvering through the streets wasn’t easy because of the protesters. She took the back roads, but when she was a few blocks away, she saw the vans parked outside her building. “Damn, he really did it. Damn you, Clancy.”