Summer Rain (Lightning Strikes Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

my calls."
    "You've been calling him?"
    "I have. I've left several messages with his chief of staff and also her assistant."
    "His call-back list is a mile long," she said, automatically going on the defensive. "Was your question about this event?"
    "No, it wasn't. It was about my mother's death. I have some questions about the plane crash that took her life, and I think he might be able to help me."
    His words shocked her. "Why would Senator Dillon know anything about that? He wasn't in office then."
    "But he was very good friends with Senator Owen Stuart, who died alongside my mother. Senator Dillon and Senator Stuart went to college together. I'm sure your boss followed the investigation very closely."
    "Oh. I suppose that would be true," she said, feeling a little unsettled by the conversation. She felt like she needed to be on her guard, but she wasn't sure why.
    "How long have you worked for him?"
    "Seven years. I came on board shortly after he won the seat."
    "Would you be able to help me get a meeting with him?"
    "I would be happy to pass along the request, but if you've already spoken to his chief of staff, there's not much I can do."
    "I'm not trying to cause him any problems, but I lost my mother, and some information has recently come to light that's made me question what I know about her death. I really won't take up much of his time."
    His words resonated deep within her. Not only because she'd lost her father, but because she'd also been given information in the past year that had brought back all the pain of her father's death. They'd both lost parents in plane crashes, and apparently Patrick had unanswered questions, too. It was an odd connection they had.
    "Sometimes there are no answers—or at least no good answers," she said, talking as much about her own situation as his. "The truth doesn't always set you free. It's a nice sentiment for a card, but it's not reality."
    "That's a cynical point of view."
    "I'd prefer to think of it as realistic. I know what it's like to lose a parent. I lost my dad in a plane crash, too, and they never found his body. We've spent years looking for answers and there just aren't any. I've seen my sister, and most recently my brother, get completely caught up in a search for a reason that just doesn't exist."
    His eyes blazed at that piece of information. "Who was your father? When did he die? Where did the crash happen?"
    She frowned at the rapid fire of questions. "His name was Wyatt Monroe. You wouldn't know him. He wasn't anyone important. He flew small planes for a charter service, and he was in one of those planes when he got caught in a monster storm over the Gulf of Mexico."
    "Did he make a distress call?"
    "No, he didn't."
    "There was no call from the plane my mother was on, either. When did he die?"
    "Ten years ago. Two years before your mom. You're making it sound like there's a link between their deaths, but there isn't one."
    "Probably not."
    "No probably about it." She frowned, deciding she'd had enough of the conversation. "I should go. It was nice to meet you."
    "I'd really like to talk to Senator Dillon. Can you give me some tips on how to get through?"
    "Not really. I can tell him what you've told me, but it's up to him on whether or not he wants to return your call."
    "I can be very persistent."
    She shrugged. "That's not really relevant."
    A gleam entered Patrick's eyes. "You don't know anything about me, do you?"
    "I know you're Jackie Kane's son. Beyond that, no. Why? What should I know?"
    "It doesn't matter. Let's just say I'm good at getting to the truth, no matter how many people want to cover it up."
    "Is someone covering up the truth?" she challenged.
    "I'm not sure yet." Patrick paused as his father called his name.
    "Looks like you have to go," she said.
    "I do, but we should talk again, Ms. Monroe." He held out his hand.
    As his fingers wrapped around hers, sharp, nervous, worrisome tingles ran through her body. The man was potent—no doubt about