The Labyrinth Campaign by J. Michael Sweeney

Author:J. Michael Sweeney [Sweeney, J. Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General
ISBN: 9781936909285
Publisher: Live Oak Book Company
Published: 2011-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Jack McCarthy and Kate Anson were just pulling on to Central Expressway, heading south toward downtown. They had yet to say a word to each other since getting into the car.

Kate spoke first. “So, Mr. McCarthy, do you have any idea why someone would rig your car with explosives? It’s not exactly a run-of-the-mill response to a simple neighborhood dispute.”

“You can call me Jack.”

“All right, Jack. Do you know why someone would want you dead?”

The tone of her voice indicated that she believed he knew something. This was not the type of incident where you could play dumb and people would believe you. Jack sat in the passenger seat, silently trying to focus on what he should do next. His options were limited. The police were treating him like a suspect. He had nowhere to turn. At that instant, Jack decided to roll the dice and confide in the beautiful homicide detective sitting to his left.

“As a matter of fact, Ms. Anson, I have a real good idea who would want to eliminate me.”

Jack spent the next five minutes summarizing his involvement in the campaign—the innocent way in which he overheard the candidate’s outrageous plan and how he had confided in Steve Bess. Saying Bess’s name sent a sudden chill through him like an electric current.

He blurted out, “We need to call Steve Bess! He was the only other person who knew the story. He is in serious danger.”

“Or,” Kate responded, “he could be on the other side.”

Jack nodded, knowing he’d already thought the same thing. “But if he’s not involved and I don’t warn him …”

Kate handed Jack her cell phone without either of them saying another word. Jack dialed Bess’s home number. It rang endlessly. Jack was about to hang up, wondering why the answering machine hadn’t picked up, when a faint woman’s voice said, “Hello.”

“Jenny?” Jack said questioningly. She didn’t sound like herself.

“Yes, who’s this?”

“Jenny, it’s Jack McCarthy. Is Steve home?”

Jenny Bess began to sob.

“Jenny, what’s wrong? What’s going on there?”

As he was asking these questions, Jack and Kate were staring at each other, knowing something terrible was about to be communicated.

“Steve’s dead, Jack. He had a heart attack at the club this morning. He was gone before the paramedics arrived.”

Jack tried to remain calm. “Oh my God, Jen, what can I do to help?” He was trying to act natural in this surreal situation.

“Nothing right now, Jack. My parents just arrived.”

“Jesus, Jen, I don’t know what to say other than my thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids. I’ll call this afternoon to see if there’s anything I can do.”

Without waiting for her reply, Jack hit the end button on the cell phone, staring at Kate in disbelief. She knew what he was thinking as she turned away from the police station.

Detective Anson parked her department-issued Chevy Impala on the south side of Adair’s, a dive bar and burger joint that predated its hip, Deep Ellum surroundings by nearly thirty years. Jack looked over at the detective questioningly.

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