“James Burke. He works for the Hendersons. He’s head of security at New Hope,” I said.
“I know who he is. But why was he calling you?” Reesa asked.
“Because he’s on his way to pick you up. He’s flying you to the US. All the arrangements have been made,” I said. She opened her mouth to argue, and I raised my hand. “Not up for discussion. If you stay, not only are you at risk but you put Alysa and me at risk as well.”
“I…I thought she was going too?” Reesa said.
So did I.“She will, but not now. The doctor hasn’t cleared her for travel yet.”
Alysa said, “I’m staying?”
I turned to her and said, “For a week. Then you will be joining Reesa in the States.”
I walked out of the room, to avoid hearing whatever was going to come next. It wouldn’t change anything. What was I doing was the best for all. If they couldn’t see that now, maybe they would one day.
When I entered the study, my phone rang again. You’d better not be calling with more bad news, James. But it was Mikal. Damn it. I’d forgotten that I was supposed to meet with him and my other employees. Normally I was more focused than this. Maybe with Reesa gone, I’d be able to relax my heightened state of alertness, refocus my energy, and double down on my campaign. But I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to relax until Alysa joined her in the States.
Reluctantly I answered his call. “Good morning, Mikal. I hate to do this to you again, but I need to cancel.”
“Is everything alright, sir? You have cancelled our meeting twice already. That is unusual for you,” he said.
“I know it is. Maybe we can meet later today? I have some questions for you.”
Mikal asked, “Would it be easier if I came by your home? I know you still have your…guest staying with you.”
I didn’t like the way he said ‘guest’. Did he assume something other than business was going on with Alysa and me? He’d be right, but I don’t like it.
There was only one way to prove he was mistaken, and that was by allowing him in. “Come by at three. We can meet in the study,” I said.
“And should I bring anything with me?” he asked.
“Not this time,” I said, and ended the call.
Maybe meeting with Mikal would be what I needed to get my focus back on the election. I had fought this hard to get where I was; I couldn’t just let it slip through my fingers. If I lost now, I wouldn’t even be able to blame Ocalla. It was my own foolish behavior that would do it, letting a pretty woman distract me from what was truly important.
One more week. That’s all.
There was a knock on the front door and I knew it was time. Reesa and Alysa came out from the kitchen.
“Already?” Reesa asked. I nodded. She sniffed but walked over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. In a soft tone, she said, “I am very proud of you, Jasper.”
I hadn’t expected that. Letting her go was so difficult. It had been years of not having my family. Once again, for safety, the distance was a necessary measure. “Thank you, Reesa. And this is not goodbye. We will see each other again. I promise.”
She nodded and said, “You’d better keep this one.” Then she picked up her bag and walked out the front door. Burke didn’t say a word, but grabbed the rest of her bags and followed.
I could feel Alysa’s eyes on me even though I couldn’t see her. She wasn’t pleased with me at all. I didn’t blame her. Here I was fighting for women’s rights, yet stripping them of their autonomy. What neither of them seemed to understand was that it wouldn’t matter if they had equal rights if they weren’t alive to enjoy them.
Turning to face her, I asked, “Do you want to sit down and talk?” Might as well get it over with.
She shook her head and walked into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. This was good. I didn’t have to hear her yelling at me, accusing me of not respecting her wishes. So why did I feel like an asshole?
Probably because I am one.
With the house quiet, I had time to do what was needed. James was right; it must be my top priority to ensure the trustworthiness of the people working for me. As he had more direct contact with them, Mikal should be able to shed some light on the matter.
I hope that meeting goes better than this one did.