The Father of Her Son - By Kathleen Pickering Page 0,53
could make her life real interesting.”
Evan’s gut twisted. “What does your wife say about this situation, Buzz?”
“Right now, she doesn’t believe a word of the story. She doesn’t know about the DNA results. But if this gets sloppy, Madeline will support me. She believes in me and everything I tell her. She is a good wife.”
Evan’s inner caveman began pounding his rib cage. Buzz Campbell had no idea how dangerous an enemy he just made in Evan, but he’d find out in due time. Evan lowered his voice, if only to maintain his temper. “Buzz, right now, I don’t feel like there’s much of a difference between dealing with you or the devil.”
“Then it looks like I’m making my point.”
Evan steeled himself. “Okay, Senator. So let’s suggest a new scenario. Let’s say there is no DNA test results. Let’s say the real father surfaces to make Doyle’s accusations about you and Kelly turn into slander for a campaign smear. Will you back off Kelly?”
Campbell laughed. “Well, well. Sounds to me like my former nanny has caught you by the short ones, McKenna. Would you do all that for her?”
Evan’s blood ran hot. “You have no idea.”
Again, silence.
Evan pressed on. “So? If I make this happen will you cooperate?”
“I’m a family man, Evan. My wife and daughters mean the world to me. But, I’ve always wanted a son. Kelly Sullivan is a problem. Make the story go away, or the boy is mine. Do you understand?”
* * *
EVAN FOUND DEAN in Steve’s office. Using every ounce of control not to take a swing at the fool, Evan dragged him out of the chair by his shirtfront. “What kind of reporter betrays his team, Dean?”
Dean struggled but couldn’t break Evan’s grip. “Hands off, McKenna. If you weren’t acting like such a wimp over Neverland’s newest celebrity I wouldn’t have to go behind your back.”
Evan released his grip, sending Dean tumbling back into his chair. Evan turned to Steve. “I want this SOB fired.”
Adjusting his tie, Dean said, “Why, because I’m investigating a story that you won’t cover?”
“This is not about the story, Dean. You invaded my office like a slimy little mole to do dirty work for the highest bidder.”
Steve held out his hands. “Okay, gentleman. Let’s slow down here.”
Evan turned on Steve. “Dean supplied Matt’s DNA to Campbell after taking the sample from my trash can.”
“I know.”
Evan stopped. “What?”
“Dean told me what he was doing. He had my permission.”
“After I told you I was working on a strategy?”
Dean jumped from his seat and had the balls to poke Evan in the chest. “Kelly’s been denying Campbell his kid for all these years.”
Evan had to restrain himself from getting physical with this jerk. “You have no idea what you’ve done, Dean. So, shut up before you make a real idiot of yourself.”
Steve stood. “Take it easy, Evan. Nothing has been leaked. The only people who know the results of the test are the three of us and Campbell.”
“I don’t believe Dean has the integrity to keep the information confidential. A year from now he’d sell the facts for cash.”
Steve gave Evan a hard look. “You underestimate Dean’s dedication to the truth.”
Evan pointed in the direction of his office. “I just got off the phone with the good senator. He is not adverse to ruining the Sullivans’ lives to protect his run for the White House. So don’t give me that holier-than-thou attitude, gentlemen. You may very well have trashed two innocent lives for headlines.”
Steve crossed his arms over his chest. “We’re doing our job, Evan. Can you say the same?”
Steve knew Evan’s unshakable focus when committed to reporting a story. No one would better recognize that Evan was stalling for time, but Evan didn’t like that Steve lacked trust in him to hold the story.
“I’m doing my job, Steve. It appears that for the first time since working together that I’m not moving fast enough to please you. I don’t like your tactics on this one at all. You heard what I said on TV this morning.”
“Only because I threatened you.”
“No, because I know a hell of a lot more than you do.” He swiped a hand across his mouth, unwilling to accept this turn of events. “I can’t believe you threw me and a woman you’ve known for years under the bus when her entire life will be adversely affected. This runs deeper than you know and instead of trusting me, you’ve pushed me into a position of damage control instead