Free A Father's Wrath by Phil Nova

puff, then asked, “Do you
know what today is?”
    Joe didn’t like smoking, but he did enjoy the
smell of cherry tobacco coming from a pipe. He answered his uncle’s
question, “Sunday.”
    He lit his pipe again, then said, “Today is the
Ides of March.”
    “The day they killed Caesar.”
    Timothy nodded. “I’m going to arrange a meeting
with this Mr. Bedford.”
    “You think you can get him to offer you a
bribe?”
    “It shouldn’t be so hard. Everyone thinks all
politicians are on the take anyway.”

CHAPTER 30
     
    After learning of Wayne Norman’s botched
assassination attempt, Bradley wondered if it wasn’t time to get
into a different line of business, but then again, Wayne’s
mercenaries might come after him, just because he knows too
much.
    When Congressman Scott contacted him at his
office this morning, Bradley became even more worried. He knew that
Congressman Scott was Joe Martello’s uncle, and after what had just
happened, that put him in a very bad spot.
    Bradley had spent the entire day in his office,
on his computer, making sure that there wasn’t any incriminating
evidence against himself, Wayne, or David. He didn’t even stop for
lunch.
    “Damn you, Wayne Norman.” Bradley checked his
watch for the hundredth time.
    The intercom on his desk buzzed.
    Bradley pressed a button and answered,
“Yes?”
    A woman’s voice answered, “Congressman Scott is
here to see you.”
    Bradley glanced at his watch again and said to
himself, “Fifteen minutes early.” He adjusted his silk tie, then
pressed the button on the intercom and said, “Send him in,
Lois.”
    Congressman Scott stood a couple inches taller
than Bradley. He had a full head of thick white hair and pale blue
eyes.
    They shook hands.
    “Have a seat congressman.”
    The congressman sat and displayed a big perfect
smile. “Call me Timothy.”
    Bradley knew the congressman had spent
hundreds, if not thousands of hours practicing his smile. He knew
from experience that the more trustworthy a politician seemed, the
less trustworthy he really was. “Can I get you something to drink .
. . Timothy?”
    “No, thank you. I really don’t have time to
stay. I just stopped by for a quick chat.”
    “Okay. Chat away.” Bradley waited for him to
talk about the attempt on his nephew’s life. He knew his replies
had to be good to bullshit a bullshitter.
    “It’s about my nephew. The truth is, he’s a
good kid, but after his father was killed three years ago . . .
something just changed. He doesn’t seem to be as sharp as he once
was. Personally, I believe that’s the reason he quit law to become
a cop. Of course, I could never tell the kid what I think. It would
break his heart.”
    Bradley was still waiting for him to talk about
the attempt on Joe’s life. “So . . . how can I help
you?”
    “We’re both worldly men, Mr. Bedford. My nephew
is not. He’s still young and naïve enough to believe in truth and
justice. And he’s stubborn, too. The only people he ever listens
to, other than his father, god rest his soul, is his mother and
myself.”
    Bradley said, “I still don’t understand what
this has to do with me.”
    “My nephew tells me you offered Mr. Carson a
substantial sum of money, as well as paying off Detective
McCoy.”
    Bradley’s heart began to pound. He wondered if
his office was bugged. He tried to think if anyone had worked over
the weekend. Maybe that’s when they got in and bugged the
place.
    Timothy said, “You look nervous. Don’t be. I’m
not here in an official capacity.”
    “Oh?”
    “No. I’m actually working in a fundraising
capacity at the moment.”
    “I see.” Bradley knew it was a set-up now, and
he wasn’t going to fall for it. “I’d be happy to help. Just see my
secretary on the way out and she’ll cut you a check.”
    “I was hoping for cash.”
    Bradley’s palms began to sweat. He wondered
where the microphone was. Under the desk? In his intercom? Maybe
the congressman had