He hesitated, clearly trying to sort out the answer. I bumbled on.
“Marriage is so important for the people who are in office, don’t you think? Otherwise how will they know what ordinary people go through, especially raising children? I don’t think I could support someone who hadn’t experienced what so many of his constituents go through every day. ” I looked at Luke. “Don’t you think so, Baby?”
The last was way over the top and both Luke and I knew it. I could see him trying to fight off laughter. I blinked my eyelashes. He slipped his arm around my back and pulled me close, his hand caressing my hip.
“Absolutely, Sweetheart,” he said, dropping a kiss on my cheek before looking back at Flannery. “I would have guessed you’re married, since you bought this place. It’s a perfect family home.”
“I’m afraid my situation is a little complicated,” Flannery said. “My wife and I have been estranged, but we’ve been working with a counselor and I think we’ll be back together very soon. She’s got some...problems...you see, and she didn’t want to hurt my career, so she left. I’m doing all I can to convince her to come home. I love her so much.”
He actually managed to look teary at that confession. He cleared his throat and offered an unsteady smile. “I’m sorry. I hope you don’t mind if I excuse myself. I need to speak to my other guests.”
“Of course,” Luke said. “Maybe we can talk soon about your thoughts on Proposition ninety-eight.”
Relief swept Flannery’s face. “I would be happy to. Maybe we can set up a meeting next week?”
“I’ll have to check my calendar, but I’m sure I could figure something out,” Luke said.
“My secretary will call you. Please excuse me.”
We watched Flannery walk away. His phone rang and he answered. A moment later he hung up and hurried in the direction of the house.
“He hopes he’ll be back together with his wife soon? Does that mean he and Lydia aren’t divorced yet?” I asked.
“Sounds like it, and it sounds like he’s got a story ready for the press when he forces her back home.”
“Why wouldn’t he just let her go? Pay her off, so she doesn’t sabotage his career? He can’t possibly love her, so why is he so determined to pull her back?”
“Some men can’t stand getting left behind. Especially when they think they own their spouse,” Luke said. “She’s property, and property does what it’s told. He can’t stand the idea that she’d leave him and he couldn’t stop her. He needs to control her and force her to do whatever he says. He wants to see her cave in to him every day in every way. If he was abusive before—and it’s a safe bet he was—it’ll only get worse if he gets her back. He’ll tell her she can leave any time, but she’ll know she can’t. He’ll have shown her he can do anything he wants to her, and no one will stop him. If I had to guess, I’d say he’ll get her to do something illegal or embarrassing and blackmail her with it for the rest of her life.”
I could imagine what he might make her do, and I probably wasn’t nearly depraved enough to come up with all the possibilities Flannery would.
“What are you going to do to him?” Luke asked. “Or did you already do it?”
I’d meant to curse him as soon as I saw him, but I’d let myself get distracted. I needed to touch him, but I didn’t want to take the time to corner him.
“Let’s go help look for Lydia and the cats,” I said, turning toward the house.
The place was bigger than Luke’s, and instead of the mid-century modern look of Frank Lloyd Wright, it was all French chateau. Where Luke’s house tried to be one with the landscape, Flannery’s stood out like it wanted to make a statement. It was made of stone and brick with towers and a mansard roof. Behind were several large outbuildings that had been painted to fade into the landscape. Garages, I decided, and maybe a barn for various landscaping and maintenance machines and tools.
It had a large pool with brilliant flowers and greenery. It was an emerald oasis in a dry summer landscape. Objectively, it was gorgeous and everything a narcissist would want in a house. The design looked enough like Aunty Mommy’s estate that I had to wonder if they’d been designed by the same architect. Personally I preferred Luke’s place. As big as it was, it still felt like a home. This place felt like a museum.
My phone buzzed and I checked it. “Stacey’s here.”
“I’ll go get her.”
“Oh, fuck.”
He stopped. “What?”
“She says Mikey’s here, too. I’d better come with you.”
He put a hand on my arm. “I’ll handle it. Someone has to find Lydia. You’re our secret weapon. You don’t have time to get derailed. Plus Lorraine and Jen may need backup. Go do your thing and don’t worry about Stacey. I’ve got her.”
I didn’t like it, but he was right. I nodded reluctantly. “Do me a favor though.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t let her near Flannery.”
