Page 35 of Gator

“That was a long time ago, Matilda. You need to be careful of what you say out there. Your threat against the president could get you arrested. Then where would we be?”

“You worry about you, Hanz. Where’s your little pet? Meeks’ daughter? Did you lose her?”

“She’s actually with the men we’re after,” he grinned.

“Where!? Where?” she shouted.

“Calm down. I don’t know where. Her phone isn’t tracking any longer. Her car was left somewhere in the Midwest, and she’s already figured out that the child isn’t mine. I’m trying to work on something else, but I won’t lie. Finding them is going to be difficult.”

“Of course it is! That’s why they’re the best, you fool! I’ll see if I can conjure one of my spells and locate her.”

“Don’t call me a fool, Matilda. You may have your father bowing down to you, but I’m not him. I will call my own shots when, and if, you’re in office. Besides, your stupid little spells haven’t worked yet, so I highly doubt they will work now.”

“I’ll be in office, and then I’ll show the world how a country is truly run. With my skills as a Bruja, I’ll bend men to my will and show them how powerful my people are. Besides, with any luck, the spell I placed on that little blonde fool in Micronesia will lead me to them.”

Metzger stared at his ex-wife, shaking his head. She wouldn’t last a minute in the office, but when she was killed, he’d be there, happy to pick up the pieces and step in. She’d been spouting her bullshit about being a Bruja since the night of their wedding. Personally, he didn’t buy an ounce of it, but she did, and that’s what mattered.

“Where is that virile bodyguard of yours?” she smiled.

“Britton wasn’t willing to cooperate,” said Hanz, wiping a finger over the dusty desk. “He’s been permanently relieved of duty. We don’t need him any longer.”

“Maybe I needed him,” she grinned, turning toward him. She opened her legs wide, and he frowned at her. He knew her game. One moment she would be compliant, ready and willing to relieve his ache, then something would snap inside her, and she would lose control, lashing out at him and anyone else near them.

“I’m sure you can find someone to fill the void,” he said calmly. “When is your father arriving?” She shrugged, turning to look in the mirror once more. Metzger felt a strange churning in his stomach and walked around the desk, turning her chair.

“Where is your father?”

“He’s old, Hanz. He takes longer to do things, to get to places. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Besides, we don’t need him. If something should happen to him, I’ll take control of his businesses in Central America.”

“You can’t do that, Matilda, not if you want to be President.”

“I can do anything I like!” she said, stomping her foot like a child. Hanz took a slow breath to relax and, hopefully, calm the woman down. If he didn’t need her, he’d have killed her long ago.

“Alright, Matilda. We need to go. The car is waiting, and we have another rally to get to.” He led her from the room and out the back to the waiting car. As they pulled away, she waved at the people crowding the barriers, waving their signs.

Hanz stared at the signs.Provost is a No Go! Crazy Provost Go Home! Waltzing Matilda has gone Kookaburra!

“Look, Hanz, they love me. They all love me,” she smiled. He stared at her a moment and then nodded.

“Yes, Matilda. They love you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“There must be ten years’ worth of evidence in these folders,” frowned Eric. “It’s going to take us a while to sift through this shit. I mean, we could turn it over to the feds, but then we’d expose Dylan and have to explain how we found it all.”

“Well, after her little display on live television, her numbers have dipped even further. Frost and Benitez-Cortez are fairly even. Provost was only at three percent, and now she’s at one point eight. That’s pretty sad.”

“She doesn’t seem to be slowing down, though,” said Faith, looking at the men. “What I can’t understand, what doesn’t make sense, is why Metzger is with her? What does he need her for? None of that is stacking up for me.”

Mama Irene came in with Dylan, Sara, and some of the staff, all carrying big trays of food and drinks. As they set everything on the table, Mama Irene stiffened and looked around her. They heard the doors of the office slam and then Ham’s voice.

“Anyone here? Can someone help me?” he called. Racing down the hallway, Eric, Luke, Gator, and Pigsty stopped in front of Ham, who was carrying Sadie. “She’s in pain, but she’s not speaking logically.”

“Call medical,” said Luke. “Bring her into the office.”

“Don’t bother with medical. It ain’t her body that’s givin’ her pain,” frowned Mama Irene. “Lie her on the sofa. Eric? Get me a warm rag and a bowl and start the hot water in the kettle. Nathan? Nathan, I know you’re here.”

“I’m here, my friend,” said the ghost.

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