Page 20 of Booked for Kidnapping

Well, at least my boots were getting good mileage, and I hadn’t even gotten a chance to wear them. “I still have to pick the outfit I’m wearing with those boots,” I informed him.

“And that’s my cue to go out and get us dinner, as I must go wrestle with my disappointment and interest in what you might wear with those boots. And despair, having a good understanding of how long it will be until you can wear those boots. I will also bring my librarian a new book as punishment for torturing us both.”

I debated informing him about my new stash of birth control pills, the three boxes of condoms I’d acquired due to my absolute ignorance on sizing for men, and the various lotions and intriguing items I’d purchased the last time I’d managed to escape from the grasp of my family and friends under the guise of a doctor’s appointment.

I really needed to thank Dr. Mansfield for having served as my scapegoat for that adventure. She’d even taken me to an adult store so I could browse the selection and get advice from a married woman with children. If Bradley checked under my bed, I’d be worse than sunk.

Maybe I needed to ask him to fetch something out from under there to send more hints.

I would worry about that later, after I evicted him long enough to work on my other project, which involved making dinner plans with a potential victim.

To cover my thoughts, I grinned at him. “You don’t need to work on your bribes, although I’m accepting them because bribing me is much cheaper than chasing me around in that old car of yours.”

“The savings are real, and I’m enjoying spending them on you rather than looking for you. In bad news, that means I do need to work tonight so I can continue lavishing us both with gifts. I enjoy being spoiled through my hard work. There’s also something to be said for earning my keep and being good at something.”

No kidding. “Rewarding work is important. Bring some new notebooks back. I think we’re going to need them, especially with the new clues we need to hunt. Maybe some photo albums, too?”

“I’ll get us a pair of tablets and styluses, too. That’ll let us manage digital and physical records better. I’ll be back in a few hours,” he said, gathering his wallet, keys, and everything else he might need for an adventure into the wilds of New York. “Try not to get into any trouble without me.”

“I’ll do my best,” I promised. Calling a senator wasn’t trouble.

The trouble would come later, depending on what I learned.

I waited until certain Bradley had left before dialing Senator Westonhaus’s number. I wondered if the man would answer, although I’d tested my phone and had confirmed it showed my name whenever I called someone.

“Good evening, Janette,” an older man greeted. “I’m delighted you called. I had hoped you would. You’ve been making ripples in all political circles, and you’re notoriously difficult to reach.”

I was? I eyed my phone, wondering how nobody had managed to get the number and call me. I suspected Bradley’s mother had something to do about that—or politicians had better manners than I’d thought. “Senator,” I greeted, already questioning what I was doing and how I’d get away with it. “I do plan to reach out to everyone who’d sent a card. It was very kind and generous of you.”

“My wife is a retired librarian, and there’s nothing librarians love more than free trips to the bookstore, so they can continue to grow their personal hoards. My wife, when she learned why we were going to her personal version of heaven, supervised to make certain I didn’t do anything unbecoming.”

“Giving a librarian a gift card involving books is never unbecoming. The only thing better than giving the librarian books is donating to their library.”

Senator Westonhaus laughed. “Do you know my wife? She said the same thing. In fact, that’s part of why I asked you to call me. She thinks I should place a donation, as I’ve been informed your medical bills are being covered?”

“Yes. Senator Maybelle’s campaign opted to use some of the remaining campaign donations to pay for the care of everyone injured during the shooting. They also are setting up a therapy program to address the trauma.”

“That is very honorable of them. I’m impressed. Are the donators aware of how their funds are being used?”

I’d dealt with that question from Bradley’s mother, the herd of attorneys she worked with, and everyone who knew me who worried about the charitable deed biting me in the ass later. “Yes. The campaign reached out to all donors and inquired if they were okay with their funds being used in such a fashion. Those who were not okay with their funds being used in such a fashion were refunded their contributions, along with the appropriate slips canceling their contributions.” I grinned at the idea of the selfish being made to pay for their actions. “The campaign also made a list of those who received their money back. They have opted to use complete transparency.”

“Very clever. Most won’t refuse if they know they will be doxed for their greed.”

“It only took a handful to get the point across, apparently.” As Westonhaus intended to donate to my precious library, I would show him my best side. “Were you aware the branch I work at is being renovated?”

“I hadn’t heard,” he admitted. “I do know you are located near the Met, and the building is considered to be a historic site.”

“Yes. We had two floors that we hadn’t been able to fund, and those will be opened for patrons as soon as the renovations and cleaning is completed. A generous donor provided the base funds required for the major renovations, but we can discuss how you can make meaningful contributions to the branch.”

Senator Westonhaus made a pleased noise in his throat. “Excellent. This sort of discussion is best done over dinner, and that will give me a chance to review the specific information for the donation.”

“I have the information here if you’d like it. The library was given a special account specifically for renovation donations, and I can draw up the appropriate tax receipts for you. We can discuss how the funds will specifically be used over dinner, along with addressing any of your concerns. But that way, you can address the payment itself at your leisure.” I grabbed my laptop and made sure to check my calendar. “Outside of doctor’s appointments and renovation work I can’t miss, I have a relatively open schedule until the library fully reopens.”

“Even better. Let me get to my computer real quick, and I’ll set up the wire now. While I hadn’t heard about the renovations, this works exceptionally well. It’s become rather apparent to me that we need to expand public services.”

The last I’d checked, Westonhaus redefined what it meant to be conservative, and that included public spending. “I had no idea you supported public services so extensively, Senator.”

“It seems there are an unfortunate number of people who lack education on certain elements of our society. Certain public services can rectify this, and places like libraries do help the unemployed find meaningful work. These should be preserved.”