Great. As much as I hate it, Elena’s now part of the investigation. “I’m seeing Elena tonight,” Camden said, crossing his arms. “I can look into points two and three. Other than the Bennetts’ infertility issues, Cici seems to have led a charmed life—wealthy parents, graduated from a good college, married well, managed to overcome infertility and had two lovely children. No public scandals. So, maybe there’s a private one.” Gina quirked up an eyebrow at that.
Camden continued. “Jake, I want you to dig deeper on Lawrence Franklin. Too bad social media wasn’t really a thing yet when he and Cici were in college. I’d love to know more about their relationship back then, if it ever turned romantic, if it was unrequited love, whatever. Considering that Cici and Roger were dating at the time, but Roger went to a different college, things could get interesting.”
Costello frowned as he looked between Gina and Camden. “Is there more going on here than just a routine bodyguard job? Why are we worried about Cici and Lawrence?”
“There is. I wanted to rope you in on Saturday night, but we weren’t secure.” Camden filled Costello in on the chatter. “Sorry to have kept you out of the loop thus far.”
Costello shook his head. “I get the need-to-know. Thanks for looping me in this soon. Does Bennett provide dedicated cell phones to campaign members?”
Intrigued, Camden raised his eyebrows. “You thinking a wiretap?”
Costello nodded. “If the phones are campaign property and Bennett gives permission, that frees us up. Either way, I can always drop an IMSI-catcher into their office and at the Bennetts’ home. I’d love to do a third one at Franklin’s residence, but if it’s his private cell, that complicates things legally.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Gina gave Costello her best Garbo smile. “It’s a matter of national security. My friends can provide you with something a little more tricked-out than a plain old IMSI.”
Costello grinned and chuckled. “The girl with all the gifts. I like your style, Spooky.”
“Yeah, that’s me, a real giver.” Her voice was flat as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
Camden turned his attention to his best friend. “Jake, what are Ms. C.’s impressions of Roger Bennett? I know they talked about healthcare policy at the party.” Bette was about as good at reading people as the best FBI agent.
Jake cracked his neck from side to side. “Mom likes his politics but thinks he’s way too optimistic. Even a tad naïve. He admitted to the pressure he’s putting on his family, feels bad about it. He’s got a lot of grassroots support but he’s hoping to rope in some bigger supporters with deeper pockets after he makes his official announcement.”
“He mention any donor in particular?” Camden asked.
Jake smacked his lips together. “Someone in Silicon Valley would be my first guess. With Senator Higley’s support, they’ll be crossover with his donors, I’d imagine, so that’d be safe to look at. Mom said Roger’s leaving the details up to his campaign manager.”
“So, we’re back to Lawrence Franklin. Follow the money.”
“When do we officially start the bodyguard work?” Costello asked Camden.
“At Bennett’s announcement and fundraiser at the Sol Villa Museum in Beverly Hills, just over a month from now. Big venue, and they’re expecting around three-hundred people. We’ll survey the property, talk to the villa’s security team, then set up the night before with the full Watchdog team. Keep it need-to-know, obviously.”
Camden drummed his desk. “Okay, then. Gina, you keep on Cici. Sorry you’re doing this alone for the time being, but even after the Bash, Roger insisted he didn’t want regular bodyguards yet, which would have made our jobs easier. Jake, you’re shoveling for dirt on Lawrence. Psychic, you do the tech voodoo you do so well.”
“May I suggest we add Nashville to the need-to-know? My voodoo is good, but that man raises zombies.”
Camden nodded. “I’ll speak to him. And I’ll talk to Elena tonight, find out what’s going on there. I’ll also get Lachlan up to date. Class dismissed.”
They all stood and Costello and Gina left. Jake lingered just inside the doorway.
“Anything you want to talk about, brother?” Jake asked.
Abso-fucking-lutely I want to. But will I? Of course not. “You’re sounding like a broken record, brother.”
“Well, I worry about your dumb ass getting in trouble. So, what’s wrong? Lay it on me.”
Not…yet,” Camden said.
Jake blew out a breath. “If you say so. Just know I’m around.”
“’Preciate it. Maybe after tonight.”
* * *
Camden spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on new recruit reports and writing up a report on Bennett for Lachlan, hating that he had to add Elena as a person of interest. He sent it off and decided to clock out early since he was having a hard time concentrating on anything but the evening plans. Camden headed for the kennels to pick up Toby. He’d take the dog along to give Tina something to do while he and Elena talked after dinner. Besides, he hated to leave old Tobes alone at home or overnight in the kennels, and he loved watching the little girl and dog play together. Hard to believe Toby had been trained to track and hold an enemy combatant, when he was licking her face, his tail wagging hard enough Camden was surprised he didn’t wag his entire ass right off.
Toby wasn’t in the kennels so he went to the courtyard. Through the glass door, he saw Gina kneeling and pressing her forehead against her dog Fleur’s forehead, her hands cupped behind the medium-sized, caramel-colored dog’s head. Both had their eyes closed, as if silently communing. The moment seemed so intimate, Camden looked away, feeling embarrassed to have witnessed it. He knew even less about Fleur’s history than he did about Gina, except that the two were a package deal. Judging by the small but deep scar between Fleur’s eyes, the dog had seen some shit.Just like her owner, he thought.
