Capitol murder

Chapter Seven

The weather in Portland was unseasonably warm, and Jack Carson kept his window rolled down as he drove to Dunthorpe, eschewing air conditioning for the breeze that drifted off the Willamette River. In the distance, Mount Hood loomed, the setting sun tinting its snowy coat to a lovely rose color, but Jack was too on edge to take in the beauty of his surroundings. Normally, he would have had an aide drive him, but he’d given his staff the night off. He’d convinced himself that he’d done this because they’d been working hard and needed some downtime, but his subconscious was rife with images of Jessica Koshani naked and in bed, something he’d never see if a young staffer was waiting in his car or camping out in some part of Koshani’s house.

Carson followed Koshani’s directions and turned toward the river onto a narrow street that wound between large homes surrounded by expensively landscaped grounds. The house he was looking for was guarded by a gate that swung open moments after he announced himself through an intercom. Jack drove into a courtyard and parked near the front door of a house that was similar to Italian villas he’d seen during a family trip to Tuscany. Jessica Koshani was waiting for him at the front door, her jet black hair falling loosely across the shoulders of a yellow blouse that was tucked into tight jeans that emphasized her long legs.

“I’m so glad you could make it,” she said when the senator got out of his car.

“This is very nice,” he answered.

“We’ll go around back to the patio. It looks out on the river. It’s wonderful being outdoors at this time of night. Can I get you something cool to drink? I make a mean martini, and I’ve got a full bar.”

“Gin and tonic would be great.”

“What brand of gin do you prefer?” she asked as she led him through a large living room toward French doors that opened onto a wide terra-cotta patio.

Koshani left the senator with the view while she went inside to fix his drink. His heart rate was up and his mouth was dry. He tried to calm himself and hoped that the gin would help. Koshani walked out of the house with two drinks. His glass felt cold and damp against his hand. He took a quick sip and the cool lime taste chilled him.

“This is a great spot,” Carson said.

“As soon as the weather turns, I’m out here every chance I get.” Koshani smiled. “But you’re not here to talk about the view.”

Carson had noticed a manila envelope lying on a glass end table at Koshani’s elbow. She handed it to him. He opened it and took out five checks. Each was to the account of a different business situated in a different state and each was for twenty-five thousand dollars.

“This is very generous,” Carson said.

“Senator, you are one of only a few congressmen who are objective about American aggression in the Middle East. Neither I nor any of the people who have made these contributions have any sympathy for terrorists. They do not represent true Islam, and they have turned the world against every Muslim. We value a man with the courage to say that American policy in the Middle East might be wrong and not all Muslims are psychotic terrorists; a man who knows that most Muslims are men and women like the men and women in America, who only want to provide for their families and would love to live in a world where peace reigns.”

Carson blushed as Koshani showered him with praise. “I’ve always tried to keep an open mind.” He smiled. “I like to think my open-mindedness is a product of my scientific training.”

Koshani nodded. “There is no doubt that you are one of the most intelligent senators. I often wish there were more scientists in the legislature, people trained to avoid jumping to conclusions unsupported by evidence.”

Koshani and the senator continued to talk about politics, world affairs, and many other subjects as the sun set. Koshani stroked his ego and provided him with several more cooling drinks. By the second drink, the senator’s thinking had become a bit muddled, and he realized that he was becoming sexually aroused. He chalked up his agitated and confused state to the proverbial one drink too many, not to anything Koshani may have slipped into his gin and tonic. When he finally stood to leave, Carson wobbled a bit and Koshani pressed close to brace him. Carson had no idea how it happened, but moments after he stumbled, he had wrapped his arms around Koshani and they were kissing while her hand stroked him gently but urgently. When he left for home, he was thoroughly exhausted and completely sated by the most explosive sex he had ever experienced.