Excerpt from Ghosts, the Bax mysteries series.
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Young Adult (18-35)Accents
North American (US General American - GenAM) Spanish (Latin American - General)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
I'm a bundle of undirected nerves as I step through a wide door to find myself in a spacious office, bookshelves crammed with leather bound volumes line both walls opposite the door is a huge oak desk which sits in front of a large picture window outside. I glimpsed trees, fences and one patrolling guard the scents of furniture, polish and expensive alcohol linger in the air. The room's lone occupant places a framed photo on his desk and rises to his feet as the three of us enter for some stupid reason. I expected the senator to be the type to wear a power suit and tie 24 7, just like all the other robots that make up this country's political machine. Instead, I get a guy in blue jeans and a brown cardigan with frayed cuffs that make him look like someone's favorite. Uncle Natalie steps a few feet inside the room, forcing me to stop on the threshold. I feel a tickle on the back of my neck and I have to stop my foot from tapping out a beat. It takes me a few seconds to realize what might be causing it. Basically everything this has been Marsha's office for as long as I've been alive and I'm sure there are some powerful memories attached to many of the objects that call this room, their home, even without touching them. I sense the energies they exude. It kind of feels like stepping through a mist sprayer. The moisture isn't dense enough to wet your skin, but you feel it nonetheless. Maybe someday I'll be able to ignore these clouds of untapped memories. Brush them off like they're no big whoop. Senator Gain's voice draws my attention. The people whose presence you requested are here. Natalie for her part has focused her stare on the Senator rather than his attorney. Her eye twitches at Gaines unsubtle dig, but she holds it together. This has to be a big moment for her meeting one of her idols. How polarizing it must be to stand in a room with two people who inspire such conflicting emotions. Marsh steps out from behind his desk. A thin smile curling the corners of his mouth, dark circles stain the skin around his eyes and one tuft of medium length salt and pepper hair blatantly defies its neighbors by sticking straight up. I hope Alex was exaggerating about his heart condition. The guy looks like he might keel over at any moment. Thank you, Sandy. That will be all. Sandy Gaines. First name is Sandy. Wow. Suddenly Bernard doesn't seem so bad. Senator Gaines. Huffs. I really think it would be better. If I that will be all Marsh repeats with a quiet coldness worthy of Emperor Palpatine. Annoyance flashes across Gain's jowly face but he does. I press Senator. He says with a tinge of petulance, he turns to Natalie and his expression darkens detective. This word snaps off his tongue like a whip. Natalie doesn't respond. She's pretending he's not even there. Probably the best move. The next sound I hear is the office door closing behind gains. I let out a long breath. Detective Rojas Marsh glides up to Natalie hand extended. It's a pleasure to meet you. The pleasure is mine, Senator. She returns the handshake and just like that, the seething volcano returns to its dormant state. I speak for many of my fellow officers when I say that we appreciate all you've done to support us and our servicemen and women. His smile widens but it disappears just as quickly. Thank you, Detective, I must admit, despite your stellar service record and most especially the work you did on the crane case. I wasn't sure if bringing you into this was the right thing to do from the cold front. I just witnessed between you and Sandy. I gather neither of you have forgotten what happened 20 years ago. Huh? 20 years. That's one **** of a long time to hold a grudge and wouldn't Natalie have been a preteen at the time? What in the name of Jack Sparrow could have happened between them. Let's just say Mr Gaines name is not spoken much during family gatherings is all she says. I trust you harbor no ill will toward me as well. After all, I was part of the same team at the District Attorney's office who you were doing your job, sir. Natalie cuts him off. Gentle yet forceful. A job that needed to be done. Our family knows the difference between one who is simply doing their job and one who makes it personal.