After they left the building Hudson drove Callie to his aunts place as they had received a call from her telling them to come over to her house. She had invited some of her friends for dinner and wanted them to join them as Steffanie had something very urgent to discuss with them. So, they had rushed to her place. They knew to check the password they would have to wait overnight and go during office hours they did not want to make anyone suspicious about their intention.
So they had decided to have an early night but received the call from Steffanie William and so they had to drive towards her house instead.
Jackson Harris warmly greeted Hudson and Callie as they entered the villa and could see there were many elite people gathered in the hallway and many had already made themselves comfortable in the living room. All eyes were focused on them when they entered and Hudson and Callie smiled at them.
"Glad you could come Hudson, Jackson Harris said, shaking his hand. "Callie you look radiant as always." He hugged her and pecked on her cheek. And I was somehow really uncomfortable.
I just nodded my head an acknowledgment.
Hudson looked at Callie and felt a tinge of jealously when his uncle kissed her in front of him. It was normal but he never liked him so he was very uncomfortable if anyone touched Callie. He was staring at her intently.
I caught Hudson staring at me and I quickly looked away, embarrassed before accepting a drink from one of the waiters. Hudson and Jackson Harris did the same.
Jackson looked around, seemingly a little embarrassed himself. "I know the timing of having a party like this was really bad." He eyed Callie closely when he said this. "I know Steffanie feels the same way although she did not say anything about it. It was my idea. So she is doing her best to arrange it properly."
Sure she does, thought Hudson. She will do whatever you tell her to do after all she is madly in love with you.
Jackson pointed his drink towards an elderly man in the wheelchair and spoke softly. " That's Neel Paterson unfortunately lost his leg when he was posted in the middle east but he's lived a long inspiring life my mentor and my friend will never stop for anything. I'm a better man for having known him. And the reason for this sudden gathering was because of him, as he came to visit me yesterday and I wanted him to meet all his friends and well-wishers, whom he had not met after he went to Hawaii after taking early retirement."
"Didn't he introduce you and my aunt? Hudson asked.
"That's another reason I owe him so much."
Hudson watched his aunt Steffanie methodically walk around the room, as polished and as any experienced political man's wife. Hudson scanned the room again but did not see any sign of strange happenings that day. He did note several of the other justices looking nervous and uncomfortable. The fear that a madman wanted to Mount your head in these trophy keys could do that to you.
His eyes passed over to Jackson hoovering in the background. There were armed guards everywhere and Hudson knew the hot topic of the evening was the continuous murders His eyes narrowed as he spotted Ray Reynolds stepping through the crowd like a shark looking for flesh to devour.
"You two make a great team," Hudson said to Jackson Harris.
Jackson Harris touched his glass to hers. "I think so too."
"Uncle are you planning to run for the election again?" Hudson asked.
"Are you kidding me, I don't have any plans to do that anywhere near in the future. Why are you asking Hudson?" he whispered.
Hudson kept his eye on Jackson Harris and said. " well there are so many people from the political organization here and so many people guarding you. I thought maybe you were going to announce you're coming back."
Jackson looks at him keenly. "No it wouldn't go down that road again Hudson and as a matter of fact over the years Steffanie and I have talked about that and I am not going to be in the Senate ever again. I have got a ranch in New Orleans. I can easily see myself running that, until the end of my days."
"And so is my aunt ready to take an early retirement and go along with you?"
"I never presume to know that Steffanie will do that. It adds a level of excitement to a marriage that I think is incredibly healthy. As I get to take care of her, I feel honored." he smiled at his remark and Hudson felt himself smile in return.
Callie was raising her glass as a thought hit her. She took her pad and wrote on it.
" Hudson I need to use the bathroom?"
"Go straight down and to the right you will find it." Hudson instructed her and looked at her carefully as if trying to read her mind.
Callie glanced at Hudson but say anything when she had gone Jackson said. "she's quite a young woman. no wonder you fell so hard for her. It's a pity that she cannot speak."
"I wouldn't disagree with that, and no it's not a pity that she cannot speak it's her strength and I like that about her. "Hudson said proudly."
"So what is the progress on your aunt's case have the police come up with say anything about the culprit?"
"well they're still working on it and we hope to find him soon, we're waiting for aunt to gain her consciousness," Hudson said a little bit distracted.
"Uncle you know my aunt is a real go-getter, but she might want to cut back on a schedule until the case is solved. You don't want to give some maniac a free shot right and the killer is running loose. what if he tries to attack someone again?" Hudson said with concern.
"Do you think that your aunt might be in danger?"
"Let's put it in this way uncle, if anything happens to my aunt, I will blame you for that and you need to be aware that your wife goes out every day and she could be in grave danger. so I suggest that you handle this properly and tell her not to go anywhere till the matter is solved."
Jackson's face slowly went pale. "I can see your point. I will make sure that I talk about this matter with your aunt."
Hudson noticed a line forming on his forehead and wondered what was bothering him. "I won't take up any more of your time. Keep up the good work of taking care of my aunt."
Jackson looked very uncomfortable.
Callie took her pad and wrote. "Is there something wrong Mrs. Harris?"
"I dislike meddling into my nephew's affairs but this time I am very much concerned about both of you."
"I don't understand." Callie wrote again.
Steffanie collected her thoughts for a moment. Ever since the realization that she had, she was uncomfortable and wanted to talk to her as she feared her safety. If her hunches were correct Callie was in grave danger.
"Callie you are very young and intelligent and I want to tell you that you should forget about your mother's project, as it had is dangerous for you and your brother. I did not know your mother so well but my sister was her soul sister and I want you to know something which even Hudson doesn't know. I am telling you all these because I want you and Hudson to be happy and not get involved with the serial killer."
Callie looked at her with a confused expression.
Steffanie sat closer to her and held her hand and whispered.
"Hudson's mother's murder and your mother's death are related to each other."
"What! Hudson exclaimed from behind them.
And they both turned to see Hudson was standing at the door.
He closed it sharply and came in.