Bill of Human Wrongs

Claire sat in the studio, watching Rachel do her show. Finally, the photos were being exposed to the public. Rachel had set it up as a breaking news segment. As usual, she’d done her homework and showed the undeniable evidence that the manual from which the photos were taken had been sitting on Senator Bill Hancock’s apartment desk. Claire enjoyed watching her incriminate him. It wasn’t murder she was accusing him of, but at least it would bring the spotlight on him. Next, Rachel showed a video of over a dozen Senators using phrases from the manual in interviews during the past few days. She ended by telling her audience what was really in the bill and pleaded with everyone to call their Senator and ask them to vote against it. It was a masterful job.

The show went to a break and Claire jumped up, clapping. “Well done, maestra!”

Rachel laughed, “You haven’t yet seen the set where you look like a chimney sweep.” She put her arms in the air. “Nothing can stop this modern day super woman! She’ll run through burning hoops to get to a Senate vote.”

“Aren’t you in a good mood. It doesn’t seem possible that you were in the hospital just yesterday.” Claire looked around. “Say, where’s Mac?”

“Oh that sweet man? Poor thing hadn’t had any sleep. I sent him home.” Rachel saw the stern expression as her response. “Don’t worry. There’ll be someone waiting for us at the hotel tonight. Maybe it will be Mac again.” The lights came on, “Oh, enjoy this next segment, my sooty friend.”

Rachel looked into the camera and said, “And we are back.”

Claire had to cover her mouth to stop any sounds from escaping while she watched the hysterical episode from earlier. She wasn’t going to win any awards for her appearance, that was for sure.

She felt her cell vibrate and left the studio to answer, it was Kurt.

“Where the hell are you, Claire?”

“Well, hello Kurt. And where may I ask are you?”

“Cut it out, I don’t have someone trying to murder me or my friends. The fire was arson, Claire. That was no accident, the evidence is clear. Now, where are you?”

“Look, Kurt. I’m sorry. I know you’re just doing your job. But really, is this news to you? After all that’s happened, is this really a surprise to you?”

“I’m not going to fight with you, Claire. But you can’t stop me from doing my job, and tonight, you are my job. I went to the Marriott and there’s a guard there. But the funny thing is that there’s no one for him to protect. Rather an odd situation, don’t you think?”

“Kurt, I’m at Rachel’s studio. I didn’t want her to be alone when she finished. We’re planning on going for a coffee after she’s done with the show, then we’ll go to the hotel. That’s it, our full itinerary. Is that better?”

“Now why did it take so long for me to pull that out of you? Claire, you drive me crazy sometimes. Will you call me when you get to your room? I’m worried. Never seen a woman face so many disasters before, that’s all. And like it or not, you are now my responsibility.”

“Responsibility? Oh darn, I thought you actually cared for a moment. And yes, Sir, I will call when we get in. Good night, Kurt.” She hung up.

Kurt heard the dial tone, and said into the phone, “Maybe I do care, maybe I do.”