Barely Legal

68

Councilman Ross got the call on his lunch break. He’d have gotten it sooner, but he couldn’t take calls in court. He was just coming down the steps when his phone rang.

It was his secretary. She’d been calling him every five minutes.

“You’re about to get a phone call. Make sure you answer.”

“Of course.”

“It’s important.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Please. I’ve got a bad feeling.”

“What are you talking about?”

“A man called, insistent, asking to speak to you immediately. When I said you were in court, he didn’t seem to understand that your phone wasn’t on, got quite angry.”

“Maybe it was just a crank.”

“I don’t think so. This was scary. Answer your phone.”

The line beeped.

“This must be it.” Ross switched the call. “Yes?”

It was a male voice, hostile and threatening. “Councilman. I understand you’ve been in court. This is not good. The case should be over.”

“Who is this?”

“A fan. I like your work. I’d like to see it continue.”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“That would be a mistake. Do you care about your children?”

“What about my children?”

“Well, your son’s on trial, and your daughter isn’t. Who do you think is in the most danger?”

“Now, look here—”

“No, you look here. I’m telling you how it is, and how it’s gonna be. If you care for your children, you’re going to listen hard and you’re not going to get it wrong. Here’s the situation. It’s very simple, but it’s very important, so pay attention. This is a matter for you and not for the police. Should the police become involved, the story would be over, and it will not have a happy ending. The story will only have a happy ending if we keep this to ourselves. This is just between you and me.”

There was a pause, and then the ultimatum.

“Your daughter’s not coming home until your son’s case is lost. If he wins the case, she’s not coming home at all.”