Page 224 of Heresy

Huge smiles grace their faces, Hillary absolutely beaming now that their wedding has recently been announced and became a social event many are begging to attend.

I’ll give it to them… Despite the obvious problems with their relationship, they’re damn good at playing the part of a happy couple.

The governor’s voice draws our attention back to him. He smiles brightly and points up at the screen above him.

“Not only am I proud of the guests here tonight who have exceeded our expectations with their generous donations, but I have one more surprise in store. Last night I was contacted by a national news organization that has produced a special piece about Callahan’s Kids. It goes live…” he glances at his watch… “now.”

Stepping away so that he can turn to view the monitor, the Governor is all smiles as cameras continue to snap, the flashes almost dizzying for how numerous and fast they are.

Everybody in the room turns their attention to the screen, the donation display removed so that the news special can begin.

Glancing at Shane and the rest of the Inferno, I notice quick smirks before they pull their expressions back to look somewhat bored yet appropriately interested.

“Good evening, I’m Jane Coplan,” the news reporter announces herself, her face friendly enough yet also stern.

“A new charitable organization has been recently started by Governor Thomas Callahan in his home state, and some concerning information has come to light during our recent investigation.”

A few hushed conversations erupt throughout the room, Governor Callahan’s brows tugging together in confusion while his body goes stock-still.

The news broadcast switches from a desk setup to that of an interview, Jane taking one seat and her guest’s body and face blurred to be unidentifiable in the other seat.

“Tonight we have a special guest who has asked to remain anonymous. However, given the information he has, I’m not surprised. It seems Governor Callahan has been engaged in not only fraudulent activities, but also disturbing and sometimes violent behavior. We’ll refer to our source simply as Mr. Black.”

I glance over at Sawyer and notice the bare tug of a smirk at the corner of his mouth. It’s interesting the anonymous man should use the same last name as him.

The governor pulls at the collar of his tuxedo shirt then waves over a team of his employees. He’s whispering orders to them, but you can tell by his face that whatever he’s saying isn’t pleasant.

More hushed conversations roll through the room, and I realize he can’t simply turn off the television to save face. Doing so would only make him appear guilty.

Jane begins interviewing her guest. “Mr. Black, you’ve revealed to me that you’re able to confirm the information you’ve given us because you formerly worked close to Governor Callahan.”

The blurred man nods his head, his voice disguised by a deep, electronic filter. “Yes. I worked in his mansion from time to time.”

At that, the governor calls more people over. They all scramble to run off in different directions while Governor Callahan continues attempting a feigned smile.

A few members of the Inferno snort, but none of them lose their bored and astute composure.

Instead, they busy themselves by straightening their bow ties, pulling their sleeve cuffs into place or merely flicking a speck of lint from their clothes.

Jane continues. “And what can you tell me of what you’ve witnessed while working in the governor’s mansion?”

“That he hates kids,” the man answers. “And he does things to them. Improper things. His own daughter no longer speaks to him, and there was even an incident where she had to escape the mansion by sneaking out of a window after he struck her and had her locked in a bedroom.”

“Ohhhh,” Ivy whispers behind me, “he is going to lose his shit.”

When the governor turns to stare in her direction, his face is a flaming red.

She laughs quietly. “Yep. Just like I thought. I have a feeling I won’t be getting an invite to the family’s Christmas party this year.”

Shocked that the governor hasn’t attempted to have the news broadcast turned off, I watch as he turns back to the screen, studiously ignoring all the people around him who are whispering behind their hands.

“But it was worse than that,” Jane says to her guest, her voice morose. “What else can you tell us that has caused you concern regarding Callahan’s Kids?”

“They’re all perverts,” he answers simply. “The governor and the two people who helped him buy that property.”

Jane turns to look at the camera. “The videos you are about to see may be disturbing for some viewers. Discretion is advised.”

A series of videos play after that, intermixed with photos of Scott opening the car door for the Governor, Paul and Hillary … and also several blurred-out kids.

---