Passion, Power, and Privilege (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  “The identification she was carrying shows that she was thirty-five-year-old Bethany Phillips. We’re in the process of notifying her next of kin.”

  They all knew that Bethany wasn’t a fishing buddy. Stan swore.

  “Do you have any other questions?” asked the officer. “If not, we’ll excuse ourselves,” she heard him say as they turned to exit the room.

  “Too conservative for a divorce,” Dan muttered sarcastically, once the officers had excused themselves, “but apparently a mistress was acceptable.” As a political candidate, Kate had kept no secrets from her campaign managers.

  She sat in stunned silence at the conference room table. Stan was already searching the Internet to see what he could learn about Ms. Phillips. Within a moment she heard him swear under his breath. “According to her Facebook profile, she lived here in the city,” he relayed. “She is, or rather, was,” he said, correcting himself, “the mother of four young children.” He quickly did the math. “They are ages seven…ten…twelve and fourteen.”

  “What do we do next?” she heard herself ask.

  “We’ll craft a press release for starters,” Dan responded. “We want the press to hear about this from us, and minimize reporters hypothesizing.”

  “We should close down the campaign office for a few days. Katherine, perhaps you could address the staff and volunteers as you leave?” Stan asked.

  She nodded. She was afraid to ask the next question. “Does Dwayne’s affair mean that we are closing the office for a few days…or are we closing it for good?”

  “Let’s slow down for a minute,” Dan interjected as he walked over to Kate and squeezed her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Kate. Even though things were tough between you and Dwayne, this must be shocking and devastating.” Kate clutched his hand as she choked out the words “Thank you, Dan,” before reaching for a tissue to wipe away the moisture that had gathered in her eyes. The three friends sat silent for a moment.

  Stan took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts. “It’s too early to know how this will affect the campaign. Let’s give it a few days to gauge public opinion on this,” Stan replied. “Some voters may be sympathetic to your situation, being widowed.”

  “Of course, an affair may be the ammunition the left-wing conservatives…and your opponents need to bury you,” Dan responded.

  “I’d like to go see my father,” she blurted out. “I don’t want him to hear about this from anyone but me. Then, I’ll need to contact Dwayne’s parents to start making arrangements.”

  “Of course,” Dan said as Stan nodded in agreement. “I’ll start crafting a media release right now. I’ll e-mail it to you for approval as soon as it’s ready.”

  As she left the office, all eyes were on her. Staff and volunteers crowded around. She took a deep breath and began, “I want to let you know, personally, that my husband Dwayne was killed in a car accident this morning,” she explained. “You should also know that it appears that Dwayne was having an extramarital relationship, and that he was not alone at the time of this accident. A woman…a mother of four young children was also killed. I would appreciate that you refrain from speaking to the media regarding the accident, Dwayne’s death, his philandering, or any potential next steps for the campaign. A simple no comment should suffice.” Heads around the room nodded in agreement, and she slipped out the side door.

  Stan walked her to her car. “Are you okay to drive? Can I offer you a ride?”

  “I’m surprisingly free of anger, right now, Stan,” she replied. “I know that I should be sobbing on the floor right now, but I’m more preoccupied with how those four children are coping…and will cope with this news. I’m also a little anxious about telling my father about Dwayne’s”—she paused—“death.”

  “If I know Callahan, he’ll be pissed with Dwayne, disappointed at the timing, and heartbroken for you, Kate.”

  “I know he will. This isn’t the news he needs right now!” she said, shaking her head at the thought of Dwayne’s stupidity causing her father any setback in his fight against this formidable disease. She paused, another thought heavy on her mind. “Is there someone who can go out to the Evergreen Inn and”—she searched for the right word—“sanitize…the room where Dwayne was staying? I’d prefer that we stave off any attempt by the media to exploit this situation.”

  “That was my next stop,” Stan said.

  Stan hugged her as she climbed into her SUV and drove off to see her father.

  Chapter 2

  The great Wallace Callahan lived about four blocks from her, but was currently admitted to the hospital to boost a low blood cell count. Kate’s father was her idol and her rock. He had doted on her prior to her mother’s death, but after her passing, bestowed an excessive amount of love and attention on her. There was never any question in her mind that she was the center of his universe, and that his world revolved around her. Whether he knew it or not, he had given her the world. He had taught her to be fiercely loyal, to be strong in the face of adversity, to think independently, and to appreciate the wonder in each new situation brought on by life.

  When she arrived at the hospital, her father was resting in his room. As a frequent visitor, staff and nurses greeted her, providing an update on her father’s care. It was too early for news of Dwayne’s dalliance and death to have made it to the cancer treatment wing of the hospital.

  As she walked the hall, she suddenly realized that Dwayne’s body was likely in the morgue of that very building. She was in no rush to find out if that was true. Nor was she prepared for the possibility of encountering any members of Ms. Phillips’s family during this time of exceptional loss.

  Kate entered the private suite and closed the door behind her. Hooked up to an assortment of intravenous tubes, her father lay propped up in bed, immersed in a novel while Tchaikovsky played softly in the background.

  “What a lovely surprise to see you,” he said looking up, suddenly aware that his daughter was present, instead of one of a dozen nurses working the day shift. Seeing her expression, he quickly assured her, “Oh, don’t worry, beautiful, the treatment is working splendidly. My platelets are back up, and the doctor thinks that I’ll be able to go home tonight or tomorrow morning.”

  “That’s wonderful, Daddy, but it’s not why I’m here.” She sat down next to him, and took his hand in hers. “There was a car accident this morning.” His face clouded instantly as he grasped her hand in return. “Dwayne’s vehicle left the road, and he was killed when the car struck a tree.”

  “Oh, my darling, I am so, so sorry for you,” he said, reaching out to hug her.

  “There’s more,” she said flatly. “He wasn’t alone in the car. I’m not sure how long he has been having an affair, but there was a woman with him at the time of the accident. Apparently they were spending the weekend together at the Evergreen Inn. She was the mother of four young children.” She shook her head, still trying to comprehend the incredible loss these four young children were about to experience.

  “My god, Kate. What was he thinking?” She could hear the disgust in his voice.

  “I’m sure that he wasn’t thinking about anyone but himself,” she responded. “The number of lives that have been irrevocably altered today is staggering. So incredibly selfish.”

  During her visit, Dan’s draft press release arrived on her phone. She reviewed it, and read it aloud to her father. He suggested two small changes, and she replied to Dan with her approval for distribution.

  “What do you plan to do with the campaign?” her father questioned.

  “We’ve closed the campaign office for a few days. Stan and Dan will do some polling over the next seventy-two hours to determine if we forge ahead, or if Dwayne’s behavior has cost us too many potential votes.”

  “His timing couldn’t have been worse,” he muttered. “The election is less than a month away.”

  “I know. And, I’m sure that His Worship, Mayor Freeman, will quietly use this for every bit of
leverage he can squeeze out of it.”

  “No doubt he will call a meeting of the advisors the moment this becomes public.” He paused. “Don’t worry about Freeman, Kate. I’ve got that covered.”

  Kate wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but left it alone for now. “I’ve got to go, Dad,” she whispered as she stood to give him a hug. “I still haven’t called Sandra and Dennis. Dwayne’s parents should hear about this from me, not the media.”

  “Of course, dear. Call me later tonight. You’ve got a lot of decisions to make over the next few days. Be sure to rely on those around you.”

  “I know, Dad, but I need you to focus on getting well. I need you.”

  Kate did a quick online search once she arrived home, and found that the newswires were already publishing the news of Dwayne’s death. The Expositor, a paper that endorsed her candidacy, printed the news release verbatim, adding a photo of Dwayne and Kate during happier times. The left-wing Observer, on the other hand, posted a much more elaborate story, focused on Dwayne’s affair and crash victim, Bethany Phillips. The accompanying photo was of Dwayne and Kate, with Dwayne looking exceptionally bored and disengaged at a recent campaign fundraiser. There was an inset photo of Bethany with her children.

  She picked up the telephone and dialed the Dingman residence. She was relieved when Dwayne’s father Dennis picked up the phone. For years, Dennis had run interference between Kate and her mother-in-law, Sandra. She didn’t want to be the one to break the news to his mother.

  “How lovely to hear from you, Kate,” he gushed, hearing her greeting on the telephone. “How is the campaign going?”

  She decided that there wasn’t much value in putting off the inevitable. “The campaign has been put on hold for a few days, Dennis,” she replied soberly. “There has been a car accident.”

  She could tell that he was processing the information. He knew that something big must have happened, to halt the campaign this close to the election. “What happened, Kate?”

  She relayed the information as gently as she could. “I’m sorry, Dennis, but Dwayne was killed this morning when his car hit a tree.” She could hear him gasp through the phone line. “I’m so sorry to tell you this over the phone, but the newswires have already picked up the story, and I wanted to spare you from hearing this on this radio.”

  “Thank you, my dear.” She could hear the pain in his voice.

  “There’s more, Dennis.” She paused, not knowing how much she should tell him over the telephone. She decided to give him as many details as possible, knowing that the media would be all over this story. “Dwayne wasn’t alone in the car. The woman that was with him was also killed. I was under the impression that Dwayne was at a fishing cabin with co-workers, but have since discovered that he was staying at a local motel with his friend.”

  “Oh, Kate,” she heard him say. “What a mess.”

  “I know, Dennis. I know.” She paused. “I’ve thrown a lot at you, but I would welcome your input in funeral plans, Dennis. I think that you and Sandra should be involved.”

  “We’ll be there shortly, Kate.”

  “Feel free to pack a bag. You’re welcome to stay here over the next few days, if that makes this any easier.” She loathed the thought of Sandra staying in her house for the next three days, but knew that under the circumstances, she couldn’t suggest that they stay in a hotel, or worse, drive the sixty minutes each way between Lowden and Dwayne’s hometown of Hilltop.

  Within the next few minutes, the phone began to ring nonstop. E-mails popped up on her computer screen faster than she could open them. News was out. Kate took a few select calls from campaign supporters and media outlets. Calls from nosey neighbors and extended acquaintances went to a new voice mail message that had been set up with a brief message about the tragedy, and a website to watch for details pertaining to a funeral service.

  Within the hour, Stan arrived on her doorstep. Dan wasn’t far behind. They set up a command center in the kitchen. Ignoring the phone and e-mail, she instinctively put on a large pot of coffee. “How bad was the scene at the motel?” she asked, cautiously.

  Dan and Stan looked at each other, unsure whether they should reveal the details. “Never mind,” she added. “Your expression says it all.” Kate pondered the notion for a moment before adding, “You know, I’m shocked that Dwayne had this in him. Why do you suppose he reached out now? To her?”

  No one had the answers.

  Kate called her friend, and within the hour, she arrived to hold court. Laura was her oldest and dearest friend. She couldn’t remember a time that she wasn’t by her side. From playdates to swim meets to sleepovers, they had shared thousands of hours of her childhood.

  Laura had been a bridesmaid at her wedding, and had witnessed the decay of Kate’s marriage. Kate opened the door and Laura hugged her.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” Kate said. “You’re the only person I can really talk to about this.”

  Sandra and Dennis arrived moments later. As Kate opened the door and welcomed them inside, she could tell by Sandra’s swollen eyes that she had been crying throughout the entire trip. Sandra was a diminutive woman. Kate stood a full head taller than her mother-in-law. She bent to offer an obligatory hug as she entered the foyer. Conversely, Dennis was her long-suffering champion and warmly embraced her, dropping two suitcases to the floor before following his sniveling wife into the living room.

  Knowing Sandra would prefer tea to coffee, Kate asked that Laura put on the kettle and prepare the teapot with cup and saucer.

  She settled rather uncomfortably into the living room with Sandra and Dennis, while Laura kept herself busy in the kitchen, answering calls and preparing food. Dennis broke the silence by saying, “Sandra and I are so terribly sorry for your loss, Kate.” Sandra sobbed as if she was on cue. Laura arrived, placing a fresh box of tissues on the ottoman in front of Sandra. She disappeared as quickly as she had appeared, and Kate was comforted to know that her friend was there to take care of every detail that she was too distracted to even notice.

  “Thank you, Dennis and Sandra,” she paused. “I can’t imagine how you are feeling right now. No one should have to lose a child, no matter how young or old.” She paused, again. “It is just such a senseless loss.” She pulled herself together, knowing that a number of decisions were going to have to be made in the next few hours. “I’ve been wondering, Sandra, if you would like to have Dwayne buried near you in Hilltop, rather than here in Lowden.”

  Sandra stopped sobbing long enough to sputter out a few words. “You mean you don’t want to have him buried here, with you? Why on earth would we take Dwayne home to be buried? You should be buying a plot together.”

  Kate was trying to be delicate, but honest. She wanted to scream at her that she didn’t want her drunken, philandering son anywhere near her in life, and she certainly didn’t want to lay beside him in death, but filtered her raw emotions, choosing instead to say, “Of course we can bury Dwayne here, Sandra, but given the circumstances in which Dwayne died …” her voice trailed off.

  Dennis interjected. “I think Sandra and I would be honored to have Dwayne rest in Hilltop, Kate. Perhaps we can find a funeral home that can host a number of visitation services here in Lowden, and then move the final service to Hilltop. I think that the Dawson Funeral Home has facilities in both communities. I’ve known the family for years. Why don’t we give them a call, Sandra?” He wrapped his arms around Sandra’s shoulders while giving Kate the nod to go ahead.

  “Let me call them, Dennis, and see if we can make those arrangements. If so, I’ll make an appointment for us to visit them to arrange all of the details.” She moved to her office to place the call. Kate spoke with the patriarch of the Dawson family, and once she had determined that they were not conflicted with the task of final arrangements for Bethany Phillips, proceeded with her request. She was assured that the Dawson family was terribly sorry for their loss, and would be pleased to handle such a high-profile and
complex series of arrangements. Mr. Dawson would make arrangements to have the body released from the hospital, and they were invited to attend an initial planning meeting within the hour.

  By evening, arrangements were set. A modest casket had been selected, flowers ordered, the obituary written, and the complex schedule arranged. Visitation would be held in Lowden on Sunday and Monday, with a funeral service and interment to be held in Hilltop on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. Kate called her father to pass on all of the details. He was to be released from the hospital on Sunday morning, and assured her that he would be strong enough to attend the grueling series of events that lay ahead. She desperately needed him in her corner, but was cautious not to demand too much from him, fearing the potential impact on his recovery.

  As the hours passed, it became clear that Sandra was blaming her for Dwayne’s death. Even though Kate hadn’t been driving the car, in some twisted way, Sandra was convinced that she had pushed Dwayne into an affair and if she had been a better wife, perhaps her precious son would still be alive.

  Everyone had tried to keep the newspapers from Kate, but on Sunday morning as they gathered to leave for the funeral home she caught a glimpse of the front page of the paper that her father had picked up off the doorstep and quietly tucked under his arm. The scene of the accident was horrific. Emergency vehicles filled the road, surrounding what remained of Dwayne’s sedan. It was hard to imagine that the twisted hunk of metal had been a vehicle moments before the photo was taken. There was a small dark corner of her that hoped that he had suffered during his final moments.

  With her father and friends at her side, Kate travelled to the Dawson Funeral Home to receive neighbors, co-workers, friends, cousins, fellow members of the country club, and curious members of the community. In a noticeable contrast, there were less than a handful of Dwayne’s co-workers in attendance. She couldn’t identify one person in the crowd as someone she would call his friend.