Page 6 of Booked for Kidnapping

“Nothing in my information on you said you were quite so bold.”

“Haven’t you figured out what you’ve been told is probably colored by the opinions of those who know nothing about me? On paper, I’m an exsanguinator. What else do you actually know about me?”

“Very little, apparently.”

I nodded. “That’s correct. You know very little. You know I am an exsanguinator, and you know my name is Janette. You also know I’m capable of saving lives, but you don’t understand why I would want to. Have I missed anything?”

“I think that covered the bases,” he admitted. “Rumor has it you are engaged to the heir of the Hampton family. Is that true?”

Bradley might be the death of me one of these days. I’d been warned my engagement with him would create trouble, but I hadn’t believed it would bring politicians knocking at my door, including the President of the United States. “It is true.”

“Is it true he holds your contract?”

“That information is available to the public. I’m sure you could ask one of your aides to verify my contract status if you really wanted.” I planned on spending at least an hour snarling curses over news of my engagement to Bradley having hit political circles already.

The last thing I wanted or needed was extra attention, especially when I worked alone. I could only hope everyone came to accept that the murders of the bill’s supporters wouldn’t necessarily stop the bill. Until we discovered the true motive of the assassins, we played a losing game.

“I was not aware you played political games.”

“No, I just don’t like you, I think you’re rude, and I have no interest in making your life easier. You have no interest in making my life easier, so I think we’re even on that score. Were you really expecting me to pander to you, Representative Kennedys?”

The man scowled.

“You reap what you sow,” I reminded him, and I pointed at my foot. “This hurts like hell, and all you’re doing is making my day worse. Why would I care about your comfort and making things easier for you? I can promise if I were in your voting district, I would vote for your opponent—any opponent—because you taught me you’re not the kind of person I would want representing me. And I see no reason to be shy about sharing my general belief about your person at this point in time.”

That got his attention, and he frowned. “You are not what I was expecting.”

“Well, I’m sure you were expecting me to be a murderous asshole, but that’s nothing new. That’s the mentality of those who fear what they don’t understand, and you don’t understand a lot about exsanguinators. Do you know what I wanted to be when I was growing up?”

“No. What did you want to be?”

“A nurse, but politicians like you barred me from it, because you fear what you don’t understand. You, and men just like you, stole my dream from me. Perhaps you should learn from your mistakes and petty prejudices. How many lives have your prejudices cost, I wonder?”

A woman behind me chuckled. “I told you once, and I’ll tell you again, Representative Kennedys. You always pick the wrong fight.”

“Senator Hanson,” the man replied, his expression souring. “I’m surprised you even attended.”

“Why wouldn’t I pay my respects to Samantha? Just because I feel your legislation is poorly timed, poorly written, and a violation of human rights doesn’t mean I won’t do the right thing. Ma’am, don’t you pay no heed to this rattlesnake’s prattling. He doesn’t like anyone younger, smarter, or more talented than he is, and you’re all of the above.” Senator Hanson made a shooing motion at Representative Kennedys. “Move along, move along. You had your chance to be a jackass already today. All you’d do is bury yourself at the rate you’re going, and if Miss Asurella did decide to speak out about your behavior today, people would listen because she’s a hero and you are not.”

Representative Kennedys spluttered, and his face turned red. Senator Hanson smiled, and she reminded me of a shark a few moments from partaking of a rather large meal. The man turned tail and ran, and I added Senator Hanson to my list of people to keep a close eye on.

Until we found the truth, anyone could be a suspect. Daily, I wondered if someone had martyred Senator Maybelle and the other victims or if someone from the opposition had wanted to eliminate the backers of a bill destined to eradicate so many lives.

“Thank you,” I told the woman.

Senator Hanson smiled at me. She still reminded me of a shark, although she’d reined in some of her general aggression. “I’m sorry he bothered you. On behalf of several others who couldn’t be in attendance, thank you. I know it’s not much, but I was asked to give you a card from some of my fellow senators. What you did was very brave. You reminded a lot of people that there are still heroes in the world. There’s no doubt you put others over yourself that awful day.” Digging through her tote, the woman pulled out a rather large and thick card, which she handed to me. “Thank you.”

At a loss of what I was supposed to do, I took the card and put it in my bag. “You’re welcome. Thank you for the card. That’s very kind of you.”

“We have a bit of a reputation, so hopefully this helps to make up for Kennedys and his general lack of compassion and integrity.”

“I appreciate that you drove him off, that’s for certain.” I wrinkled my nose. “I’m used to dealing with people like him, although it gets to be tiresome.”

“I bet. Is there someone coming to pick you up?”

“I have to call someone after I get to the street,” I replied.

“I’m in an SUV today, so if your wheelchair folds, I’d be happy to give you a ride to wherever you’re headed. It might even be able to fit the chair without folding. My sister uses a wheelchair, and I drive her around sometimes. Hers folds, though.”