"Any word on Charmaine?"
"Nothing yet," Melody replied as she passed a basket of chips to Nydessa. "Audra
said she got a lead on where that cabin is, so it's a matter of time."
Nydessa said nothing in response, mindlessly munching on chips and thinking of
other matters. Sighing, she said, "Melody, my dad called just before you got
here."
"That's great, Dessie. What happened after they got that letter? Is all
forgiven? Will they stand by you when you have to testify against Charmaine?"
"He says he forgives me, and that there are no hard feelings. Dad said he
understood why I ran away, and that all he wants is for me to be happy. I told
him about us, that I've found a wonderful person to share my life with. The only
thing is that he and Diana will have to accept the fact I'm gay."
Melody raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"He said it was OK with him, though Diana is not to thrilled. Dad is really
cool, but it's my step-mom I never did get along with."
"Nydessa, you will have to meet her halfway. Heck, even my grandmother wasn't
too thrilled when I came out as bisexual, but she loves me just the same and
only wants me to be happy."
Saying that reminded Melody of someone else: Kent. She hadn't seen Kent since embarking on the Dark Horse case, and she really didn't want to see him after he ratted to Charmaine. In a way, she felt both sorry for him and enraged. She was angry that Kent, in retaliation for the "Dear John" note, put her very life in jeopardy. He knew her job had its risks, and he had the nerve to blow her cover. It hadn't been for Audra or Nydessa, she be dead by now. At present, Kent was shuttered away in another safe house. He wouldn't be released until Charmaine was captured and behind bars. Audra said Kent could be arrested as well for interfering with a government investigation and obstruction of justice. He could face prison time if he did not cooperate. So far, Kent made his promises, though he made it clear he didn't want to see Melody again. As far as it concerned Melody, she didn't want any more to do with Kenton Phillips.
Snapping off the TV, she said to Nydessa, "They won't report
the results until after the polls close. Why don't I run down to Papa John's and
get us a pizza."
Nydessa smiled. "OK with me. And get extra peppers and that greasy garlic
sauce."
Putting on her coat, Melody laughed, saying, "Just don't kiss me too soon after eating."
******
He lurked around Ray's campaign headquarters as ordered. Not a very cheery bunch here, what with Ray losing big time to Jim Jacobs. Whatever...
The orders were to hang around long enough for Ray Marsh's concession speech, then report back to Charmaine. Jake, Ms. Shade's hired henchman, careful not to call attention to himself, just played the faithful volunteer. He sauntered into headquarters asking if they could use an extra hand. Just his luck that they put him on the phone to gather vote totals from the individual polling places. Then he was to enter and total those figures on the big chalkboard. Simple as that. The thing was that Ray might recognize him, but Jake was very careful about that. He said he could stay for a few hours then would split just before Ray arrived. Keeping a sharp lookout for Ray, Jake worked the phones and jotted more results on the blackboard. During a brief break he went outside for a smoke then called Charmaine.
"Hey, it's me. Yeah, I'm at the campaign HQ. Say, Ray's not doing so good. I know...I know...What? But the place will be crawling with press and...OK, Charmaine...Will do."
The hours ticked by. Polls had been closed for nearly three hours, and Ray was due any minute. As it stood now, Ray trailed far behind Jim Jacobs; there was no way he would be able to catch up. Besides, one TV station had already projected Jacobs the winner. Ray received only 17% of the vote to Jacobs' 83% – a whopping and heartbreaking defeat. Jake had his latest orders: Snatch Ray Marsh the moment he exited the building. He was to take him to Charmaine who promised to "console" the losing candidate in a special way. Jake knew all about Charmaine's "special surprise" for Ray Marsh, and he knew of another plan, that is if Nydessa's whereabouts could be pinpointed.
Voices began to swell and cheer as Ray Marsh entered the building. To Jake, the man looked every inch the soundly defeated candidate. How ironic that Ray was riding high since summer, only to fall flat on his face come Election Day.
Marsh was greeted with cheers and embraces. It was a good campaign, but Ray knew
it was time to set the record straight. He glanced about the room as he stepped
up to the podium. Partially blinded by bright camera lights and flash, Ray
peered out into the audience as he prepared to concede the election. He had it
all thought out carefully and wanted the world to know what a liar and cheat he
was. Perhaps his ex-wife or kids were watching, perhaps not. What did it matter?
He was a condemned and ruined man, destined to spend a great many years behind
bars. As he scanned the crowd, waiting for the cheers and shouts to die down, he
caught sight of two familiar faces: Audra and Jake. Audra he could trust; Jake
was another matter.
Ray motioned to Audra who squeezed her way through the crowded room toward the
podium. She couldn't quite make out what Ray was saying to her, but it was
something about Charmaine's hired goon. Audra glanced about, catching sight of
Jake then got out cell phone and immediately called for backup. Maybe Jake, once
captured, would divulge Charmaine's present location.
A hush fell over the room as Ray began his concession speech. No one in that room had an inkling that this wasn't to be an ordinary "Thanks for all your support." He stood silently for a few moments. How weird it was to stand there all alone, not surrounded by family. At this moment, a few blocks away, Jim Jacobs made his victory speech with wife and kids in tow. A deep pit of guilt swelled within Ray as he took a deep breath and began...
"I want to thank you all for supporting my candidacy. It's been one wild, strange ride, but the people have spoken. Therefore I am conceding this race for Senate District 6 to my worthy opponent Jim Jacobs. I wish Mr. Jacobs well in his third term. I know he well serve this district with honesty and integrity, as he has always done. I wish to thank all those who worked tirelessly..."
His eyes welled with tears; the voice began to quaver. Ray's palms sweated and he felt his stomach tying in knots.
"No, there is something else you should know. It is time I clear the air, tell you some things that I'm sure you will find very disturbing."
"I did not come by this candidacy honestly. As you know, the party called me upon the tragic death of Martin McCormack, a man who probably would have made a better showing than I did tonight. Let us take a few moments of silence to remember Marty, a man more worthy of this election than I."
After the obligatory moment of silence, Ray continued his confession. "It is difficult, heart wrenching even, to stand before you and say what needs to be said. I should have never run for state senator. I have misled you in the worse ways possible. My so-called 'campaign advisor' is nothing more than a criminal and cold-blooded killer."
Gasps and murmuring filled the room. What does Ray mean his advisor was a criminal, a killer? Reporters and TV cameramen poised to latch onto every word coming out of Ray Marsh's mouth. Frantic calls from correspondents to their respective TV and radio stations relayed this latest development. Whatever Ray Marsh is confessing, it will definitely be the story of the year.
"I am deeply sorry I misled you. I am sorry I ever allowed myself to become involved with a woman of Charmaine Shade's ilk. Those early voter survey numbers, where I enjoyed a comfortable lead over Jim Jacobs, were all manufactured. You see, Charmaine Shade, a known career criminal, persuaded me to use a program designed to plant subliminal messages..."
******
"Can you believe that? He's confessing to it all: Charmaine, Dark Horse, even Marty McCormack and Taylor's murder. Melody?"
Nydessa, not one to go for the political scene, sat glued to the TV as Ray Marsh told all. She wondered if Charmaine was watching as well. Nydessa gloated that Ray was revealing everything, from the planting of the subliminal messages into Cosmic Chaos' A-V equipment to the murder of two people.
She couldn't believe it, but there he was within camera range Charmaine's flunky — Jake. Why was Jake there? Did Charmaine have something up her sleeve that she had to send her goon to Ray's campaign headquarters? What's up with that?
"Oh my God, Melody," she called out, "I swear I see Jake there
in the crowd, and Audra's there, too."
With stunned supporters and campaign workers looking on, Ray wrapped his speech
and descended the platform. Audra, accompanied by U.S. Marshals, approached him,
promptly arresting the man on live TV. Jake was nabbed as well. During all this
drama, Melody was on the phone with Reyna. She watched the unsettling images
flicker on the television, stunned and shocked that Ray would give up so easily.
The question on Melody's mind was whether Charmaine was still in hiding or
simply lying in wait. Well, after Ray Marsh spilled the proverbial beans on his
"chief campaign advisor", no doubt Charmaine was keeping out of sight – for now.
And with Jake, the hired goon, in custody, perhaps he would have sense to turn
on his mistress, even give away her precise location.
"Nydessa," Melody said, putting on her coat and double checking her firearm, "I have to go to the police station. If Ray and Jake cooperate, we'll get a handle on Charmaine. She has to be stopped, Dessie."
******
She watched it all, the tearful confession broadcast on live TV. The rat! After all she did for him. How dare Ray turn on her. So much for loyalty.
Charmaine Shade, holed up in a remote cabin somewhere in the Smokies, snapped off the TV in disgust. If it wasn't for Nydessa's "infatuation" with Melody Starr – Heck, if it wasn't for Melody's meddling – Ray would be duly elected. Power and control would be hers, and Ray would be obliged to do her bidding. And Jake...
What a dolt to allow himself to get arrested. The man will rue the day if he ever says a thing to the Feds or cops. Time was of the essence, and Charmaine had one more card to play. Getting out her phone, she called one of her contacts. From that person she gleaned exactly what she needed to bring Melody and Nydessa to a dear account.
Smiling to herself, Charmaine got on the phone again then, disguising her voice, said to the young woman on the other end, "Nydessa Charles? This is Sandy Moore, your dad's secretary. He says he is on his way and needs the address of wherever you're staying. Oh, thank you! You don't know how much this means to your father. He will be there this evening. Bye!"
When she finished the call, Charmaine laughed wickedly then packed a few things. It would be a long drive well worth the trouble. At last, she will have Melody Starr and the rest of the meddlesome Metacorps agents literally begging for their lives.
TO BE CONTINUED...Go to Chapter 12
Copyright©2004 by PRP. All Rights Reserved.