Upside Down by Fern Michaels Read Free Book Online

post.”
    â€œEspinosa and I can dig in the archives for you,” Ted volunteered.
    Jack made some more scribbles on his legal pad.
    â€œThe wife’s name, as I said, is Fiona. She’s the classic politician’s wife minus any kind of public service. She does nothing, doesn’t volunteer for anything, doesn’t lend her name to charitable causes, and will never be named mother of the year. She spends a lot of time at spas, country clubs, and going shopping. She’s had lots of surgery, all cosmetic. As one tabloid put it, she’s been nipped and tucked, sliced and diced within an inch of her life. That same reporter went on to say she has bee-stung lips. I have no clue what that means since I’m a guy, but it isn’t conjuring up any beautiful thoughts.
    â€œFiona comes from a middle-class background. Mother was a nurse, father was a math teacher. She never wanted for anything. She met Sandford in college. She never graduated—got married instead. I am sure that there is a ton more information out there to be gathered and that we’ll be able to put it to use.
    â€œSandford comes from a long line of politicians. None of his family, it appears, has ever held a job. At least not that I saw in my sketchy research. We need to look into the monies that are paid for his personal security. His and the governor’s bill for security totaled over a million bucks this past year. The state troopers who guard the two of them are on call twenty-four/seven. I read some op-ed pieces about how the fine citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia are complaining long and loud over this. Over-the-top travel expenses are also part of the problem, though Lieutenant Governor Sandford, unlike his almost namesake, has yet to hike the Appalachian Trail. So far, neither the governor nor the lieutenant governor has commented other than to say that it is necessary. There is no transparency that I can see.
    â€œDuring the day, the lieutenant governor hangs his hat in the Finance Building on Capitol Square. That’s worth knowing should we need to find him in a hurry. In case you don’t know this, and I didn’t, which doesn’t say much for me, the lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate of Virginia. Or maybe I did know it and just forgot. He is also, obviously, first in the line of succession should something happen to the governor. Unlike the governor, however, the lieutenant governor of Virginia can run for reelection.”
    Harry Wong shuffled his feet and looked around for a clock. “I need to get going, guys. I have a class in forty minutes. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
    Cyrus was on his feet a second later. It was his job to escort Harry to the door in the hopes he’d get another treat. Harry didn’t disappoint, and Cyrus got a belly rub at the same time.

Chapter 6
    After Harry left, the big shepherd headed back to the conference room. His tail swished importantly. His work here was done. He nudged his master’s leg and woofed softly. “Good boy. We’re almost done. Then we’ll go for a long walk.”
    â€œWe’re heading back to the paper, Jack. When do you need us here again?” Ted asked.
    â€œYou make your own hours, guys, unless I call a meeting. I realize you have jobs. I’m sure we’re going to overlap on our research, but that’s just fine. More is better than less. E-mail, text, or call, but stay in touch. I’m going to call Bert and bring him up to date and have him call Sparrow to report in. Anything else, guys?”
    Abner Tookus got up and flexed his fingers. He grinned at the others as he offered up an air wave. He needed to get to a computer, his lifeline to everything other than Isabelle that mattered in the world.
    And then it was just Jack and Cyrus in the conference room. Jack felt his shoulders slump. Cyrus, seeing the slump, bellied over to the door and nudged it shut. He