Tall, Dark_.Westmoreland! - Brenda Jackson [49]
Duan raised a brow. “What?”
She then told her brothers everything that Cathy had shared with her. She saw Duan’s jaw flex several times.
“I knew there was a reason I didn’t like Senator Reed,” Duan said.
“Same here,” Terrence said. His eyes had taken on a dark look, and she now understood why the sportscasters had dubbed him the Holy Terror when he played professional football.
“I think we should talk to Dad to make sure he’s entered politics for the right reason,” Duan said. “If he did then he has our blessings. If he didn’t, then I think he should reconsider everything before going any further.”
Olivia nodded. “I agree.”
“And what do the three of you agree on?”
Olivia, Duan and Terrence glanced up. Their father had walked into the kitchen, and he had Senator Reed with him. Olivia looked at her brothers. “It’s nothing that we can’t talk about later, Dad,” she said quickly. She then glanced at Senator Reed, who was looking at her oddly. “Good morning, Senator.”
The man had a smug look on his face when he responded. “Good morning, Olivia.” He then slid his gaze to her brothers. “Duan. Terrence.”
They merely nodded their greeting.
Her father studied her and her brothers and then reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Can you explain this, Olivia?” he asked, tossing several photographs on the table.
Olivia picked them up and studied them. They were photographs taken of her in Reggie’s arms two nights ago in the parking lot of the Saxon Hotel. Several were of them kissing. “Who took these?” she asked, glancing at her father.
It was Senator Reed who spoke. “We have reason to believe Westmoreland himself is responsible. It seems you put more stock in the affair than he did. I was able to get these before the newspapers printed them.”
Olivia glanced back at the photographs, and when Duan held out his hand for them, she handed them over to him. The room got quiet while Duan looked at the pictures before passing them on to Terrence.
“Were you having an affair with Westmoreland, Libby? Knowing he is my opponent in the Senate race?” Orin asked his daughter, as if he was insulted by such a possibility.
Refusing to lie, Olivia lifted her chin. “Yes. Reggie and I met at the firemen’s ball two weeks ago. It was a masquerade party, so we didn’t know each other’s identity.”
“But what happened once you found out?” her father asked quietly.
She sighed deeply. “Once we found out, it didn’t matter. Our involvement had no bearing on your campaign,” she said.
Senator Reed chuckled. “And I’m sure he convinced you of that. It’s obvious he wanted to make a spectacle of you and your father. It’s a good thing I stepped in when I did.”
Olivia glared at the man. “You would like my father and brothers to believe the worst of Reggie, wouldn’t you?” she said in a biting tone. “Well, it truly doesn’t matter, because it’s what I don’t believe that does.”
“And what don’t you believe, Libby?” Duan asked, standing next to her.
She glanced up at her oldest brother. “What I don’t believe, Duan, is that Reggie had anything to do with this.” She turned back to her father. “And knowing that only makes me wonder who does.”
At that moment the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Terrence said, walking away, but not before gently squeezing his sister’s elbow, giving her a sign that she had his support.
“So if you don’t believe Westmoreland sent out these photos, Libby, then who did?” Orin asked his daughter.
“That’s what I’d like to know,” said a male voice behind them.
Olivia swung around. Terrence had escorted Reggie into the kitchen.
Orin frowned. “Westmoreland, what are you doing here?”
Reggie looked at Orin. “Someone thought it was important that a courier deliver these to me before eight in the morning,” he said, throwing copies of the same pictures Olivia had just seen on the kitchen table. “I figured someone was trying to play me and Olivia against each other, and I wasn’t having it.”
Reggie then turned to Olivia. “I had nothing to do with those photos, Olivia.”