Perhaps, Someday

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

Caiden got almost a full week off, during which he puttered around the house, went out to eat most nights, and otherwise kept to himself. Then, Zander called to tell him he had a job.

The next morning, Caiden arrived at Zander’s house bright and early. When they were seated in Zander’s office, Caiden asked what was happening.

“We’re going after a particularly vicious and clever tycoon—Francine Waugh. We know what she is, but very few other people do. Her public face is well known, she gives to all the right charities, attends the major galas, goes to church every Sunday. Her employees adore her because she treats them with tender, loving care. To all appearances, she’s a paragon of virtue.”

“I take it there’s more to her than meets the eye,” Caiden said.

Zander nodded emphatically. “Behind the façade, she’s a vicious woman with a controlling interest, as it were, in more underground crime organizations than you might believe. If there’s money to be made selling something—drugs, women, guns, you name it—she’s getting some of it.”

Caiden looked at him in dismay. “There’s no way I’ll be able to romance this woman and make it work, if that’s what you have in mind.”

“No. I know that,” Zander replied. “But she has a daughter. Young, beautiful, the apple of Mrs. Waugh’s eye. Her name is Elizabeth. Mother, dearest—” he smiled sardonically, “—is very protective of her, but…Elizabeth has met a young man. He’s who you’ll be replacing. He’s an up and coming political activist. Just the type of man Elizabeth’s mother would love to get control of, through Elizabeth.”

“Are he and Elizabeth in love?”

“No. From what we know, they’ve only just met and have had a couple of dates. He apparently likes her, but isn’t certain yet that she sees him as anything more than a potential escort when she needs one.”

“He told you this?”

“No. He doesn’t know we exist. One of our people joined his campaign and made it a point to become his friend outside the office.”

“How are you getting this man…What’s his name?”

“John Hildebrandt.”

“How are you getting Mr. Hildebrandt out of the picture so I can step in?”

“He’s been invited to visit a well-known politician at his home, out west. The man knows about us and is willing to help with this. Hildebrandt will be staying there for as long as it takes, on a ranch, well out of the public eye. The politician uses it when he needs to get away from everything.”

Caiden nodded. “Okay. What information do you have for me on Hildebrandt?”

“Quite a lot, including several videos on DVD of him from political appearances.” Zander handed them to Caiden, along with a thick file on Hildebrandt. “These should help you get his mannerisms down much easier and faster than your usual follow and watch way.”

Zander was correct. Twenty-four hours after taking the DVDs home to study, Caiden was ready.