Katherine had spent the early evening re-arranging the governor’s schedule to take account of Nicole’s death and issuing thank-you letters for condolences received by the Governor. By the time she realized what time it was, it was almost midnight. The governor had long since retired to bed and left her to it. He was a little brighter but was going to take every ounce of Katherine’s wiles to ensure he was on the plane to Moscow. That, however, was tomorrow’s task. As she shut down the computer and gathered up her things, for the first time in hours, she noticed Surkov’s phone. More importantly she noted a new message awaited her. How had she missed it? It had to have been when she had received the parcel at the door she thought; that was the only time she had been out of earshot of the device.
She opened the message and quickly deciphered it. The name Sean Fox hit her like a freight train. She knew that name and thought back to the same parcel that had meant she missed the message. She was tempted to rush up and ask the Governor there and then who this Sean Fox was and why was he on his list but that would expose her. However, it was more than just Sean Fox. Surkov wanted Katie Fox dealt with as well. She checked the time, late but not too late.
She picked up the phone and dialed the Chief of Police in Laredo.
“Hi, my name is Katherine and I’m the Governor’s Chief of Staff. I was wondering if you could help?”
“Of course, terrible news today, please pass on my condolences,” offered the Chief. “Just saw the Governor this morning as well!”
“That’s why I’m phoning. Sean Fox?”
“Rings a bell, that name,” replied the Chief.
“Did the Governor not meet him this morning?” she prompted.
“I don’t know who he met, some secret agent type fella, big guy, knew how to hold himself.”
“That’s him,” assumed Katherine, nothing else made sense. “Anyway I’m trying to track him down or his wife?” she asked. “The governor needs to update his travel plans.”
“Not sure I’ve got any details, what was her name?” he asked.
“Katie, Katie Fox,” she replied.
“I’ll call you back,” he announced.
Katherine sat impatiently waiting for him to ring back. After five minutes, the phone rang.
“Well it’s a strange one alright. I recognized the name because a Sean Fox was murdered 3 months ago here in Laredo. That same Sean Fox changed from being a corpse to being alive yesterday morning. I remember that case and that boy wasn’t coming back to life even with divine intervention.”
Katherine let him ramble on.
“Anyway, the wife lived in Laredo but looks like she’s moving up your way. US Marshalls just picked her up and are relocating her to Austin. No address listed, I’d imagine they’ll stop in a hotel and find her somewhere in the next couple of days,” he concluded.
“That’s very helpful, thank you Chief and I know the Governor will be very grateful for you assistance.” Not so sure Katie Fox will, but that’s another matter, she thought.
Katherine replaced the handset. She knew a young and impressionable US Marshall and quite frankly that was exactly what she needed.
Two hours later, the two were naked and soaked in sweat and the Marshall was begging for more, offering anything for more of Katherine. That anything just happened to be the hotel the local US Marshalls used for people under their protection. After another thirty minutes of passion, the young Marshall fell asleep before he collapsed from exhaustion. Katherine slipped into her clothes and made her way back to the mansion. She had a busy day ahead of her and needed to get some sleep. She had a lot to organize before they left for Moscow. She sent a message to Surkov, confirming he was correct in his suspicions and assured him she would deal with the matter, before turning out her light and dropping into a deep and restful sleep.