Chapter Two
(Cesare)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
“If you’d like to be stuck in litigation for the next five years, be my guest, but we both know my guy has the money to do that, and yours does not.
So, you already know how this goes if he says no.
The deal expires tomorrow at noon.” Cesare Lombardi hung up the phone, and strolled out his office.
He walked down the hall of Lombardi if they hadn’t included the labor and maternity notes on file, we wouldn’t have even known about the baby.”
Governor Gable rubbed a hand down his face.
“If this child is even alive, there’s no telling what she’s been exposed to, how she’s grown up, or who she’s become.
She may want nothing to do with me, and frankly, I don’t care to establish contact with her without reasonable assurances that she could be appropriate about the situation.
” He sighed. “But it’s the last thing my wife asked for, and I promised I would try.
” He paused with a frown. “I came to you because you have a reputation for discretion, Cesare.”
“I am discreet.” Cesare assured. “And once we’re able to access the records, we’ll have a better idea of what we’re dealing with. Your life doesn’t need to change any more than you want it to.” Cesare nodded.
The Pennsylvania Governor gave Cesare a wry look, letting out a sigh as his phone rang. He read the caller ID and looked back up. “My campaign manager. Are we done here?”
Cesare nodded. “Feel free to use the conference room as long as you need. I’ll reach out with any updates.”
Governor Chris Gable, congressional candidate for the upcoming election, gave a nod and turned away to answer the phone call.
Cesare left the conference room to gather his things and met his driver in front of the building five minutes later.
“Where to?” Monty asked. He was a stocky man with a slight Italian accent and a polite demeanor. This politeness could of course turn into something much different very quickly. A slight dusting of grey hair glinted in the evening sun.
“How would you like to make an extra thousand this week?” Cesare asked.
“I’m listening.” Monty answered, his knowing gaze looking at Cesare through the rear-view mirror.
“I need to go to Kittery, Maine tonight. Not sure how long we’ll be there.”
“Kittery, Maine?” Monty asked.
“Small coastal town in southern Maine. It’s an eight-hour drive from here. Looks like a Hallmark Movie.” Cesare remarked wryly.
“Will they have a Christmas tree farm and hot chocolate laced with holiday joy?” Monty asked wryly.
“I doubt it. But we’ll see.” Cesare scoffed in amusement.
“Sounds like we’re going to Kittery then, boss.” The driver nodded, starting the car.
“Good.” Cesare nodded. “Marci will send the name and address of a hotel as soon as she arranges everything.”
Monty nodded again and pulled forward, merging into the state capitol’s lunch traffic.
Cesare pulled out a laptop to return to his case; finding out what happened to the Governor’s missing grandchild; a baby that had been born twenty years ago and immediately surrendered to the state; a baby the state now claimed to have never had.