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Beatrice
Three Months After Book One
Beatrice Van Houten stomped through the door, handed her gloves to the butler, Morris, and took the vodka tonic he offered. It had been a sweltering evening, unlike Arkansas this time of year. Tonight’s hunt tired her more than it should have. The fat senator from Texas had been an even bigger jackass in person, and he would not stop grabbing her. How many ways could a woman say no to this man before he got a clue?
She made a mental note. A few phone calls would ruin his chance for reelection.
“Happy hunting tonight, Madam?” the butler said.
“I suppose. We almost lost the panther. It took me over an hour to find her.”
“Would you like me to send in the cleaner?”
Beatrice waved a hand in front of her face. “No, I enjoy a hot-spirited female. It makes the thrill of the hunt even more satisfying. Besides, I lost three men trying to catch her. She owes me. Besides, I love the look in her eyes when she thinks I’m not looking.”
Beatrice placed a hand on the butler’s arm and leaned her weight against him. She unzipped and pulled off one boot, shifted, and pulled off the other. Her good boots were in DC. These were new and not broken in. They had to go.
“All I want now is a hot bath and a good night’s sleep.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, at least not yet.”
“No? And why not?”
“A man is waiting for you in the den. He claims to have had an appointment with you, but you didn’t show.”
She finished the tonic and returned the glass to the tray. “Is he a little slow in the head? If I didn’t show, it’s because I’m not interested in anything he has to say.”
“Yes, Madam.” Morris nodded once and stared straight ahead, not directly at Beatrice.
“Then why did you let him inside?”
At this, Morris turned his head and met her gaze. “Because he knows who you are.”
Beatrice put her hands on her hips and glowered at the butler. It was too late at night to deal with nonsense. “I’m a state senator. Of course, he knows who I am.”
The butler cleared his throat and resumed staring at nothing. “No, ma’am. He knows who you really are.”
Beatrice’s eyebrows shot up. “Does he, now? I find that very difficult to believe. No one knows I belong to The Tribe.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Would you like me to tell him to leave?”
Beatrice downed the rest of her tonic in one gulp and returned the glass to the butler. She rubbed the back of her neck. “No, not yet. I’m curious as to who he thinks I am.”
“Would you like me to have security waiting close by?”
She nodded. “That might not be a bad idea. Call Rex and have him station a couple of men outside the den. I can handle whoever it is, but I’m too tired for much of a fight.”
The butler nodded and headed to a side room.
“Morris, before you go. There is an ugly, obnoxious, bald senator from Texas. Do you know which guest I’m talking about?”
Morris nodded once.
“Do something to him. I don’t care what, but make it embarrassing.”
One corner of Morris’ mouth raised, and he turned his head. “Anything, Madam?”
Beatrice tapped a finger against her jaw. “Don’t kill him or make it anything permanent. Oh, and nothing that is too questionable. Make it look like something natural for a person with terrible luck.”
