Nobody Does It Better

Prologue

Penny's first official meeting with Richard had gone well. Her instincts told her that with just a little more persuasion and threats, she could convince him that she would press charges against him and the Governor. If they wouldn't give her what she wanted.

Although she'd never known Richard's second name or his exact age in the three months she'd known him, she guessed he was no more than thirty. He was not a handsome man, but at least he could afford to wear a nice suit. He was quite tall and big, almost gigantic standing next to Penny. His dark hair was cut short and his eyes seemed to bulge open when he wasn't wearing his glasses, which she had noted was whenever he was outdoors.

When she had asked for a second meeting, he had agreed. Reluctantly. That's why she hadn't mentioned to him that she would be bringing a reporter with her to the meeting. Normally, she wouldn't meet someone she didn't know well--male or female--under circumstances that might prove dangerous to either of them. But her instincts told her that this was the only way she would be heard, and she needed to be heard.

She pulled her Toyota into the parking area at the Triple Nine Hotel. She noticed the familiar Mercedes Benz parked a few spots away from her. She could make out a figure on the driver's seat from the tinted window. At least she carried a pocket knife and pepper spray in her purse, she assured herself. Plus, she had some company.

She hadn't known him very long or very well, but Robert Ogutu had been one of the few reporters who had been willing to hear her side of the story unbiasedly. And at least he had been sympathetic, as much as a reporter could be. She had told him just enough to keep him hooked up until this point.

Just as her hand grasped the car door handle, her phone rang. She released the handle, grabbed her phone, and checked the caller ID: Robert Ogutu. Perfect timing.

'Hello.'

'Ms Njuguna, how far away are you? We're both here.'

'The Governor's aide?'

'Yes.'

'Alright, I'll be right inside.'

She hang up and after sending her location and a quick text to her sister, she slipped the phone into a pouch that she then put inside her purse. Penny opened the car door, stepped out, and made her way inside the hotel.

She saw the two gentlemen at a corner table on the furthest end of the small restaurant, with Richard's back facing her. As she walked towards the table, she caught Robert's anxious expression. Rightfully so, she guessed. This was no light story. She had agreed to give him an exclusive interview of everything that had happened in return for him accompanying her to this meeting. It was as close to security as she could get. She couldn't go to the police, that wouldn't benefit her. She wanted money. A lot of it. What she had been promised for her silence.

Penny sat down at the table next to Robert. Looking into Richard's eyes, she could see the anger in them.

'I said come alone and you bring a reporter?'

'I'm glad to hear you've already made acquaintances.' Penny flashed him a fake smile as she settled in her seat. 'And since when do you have a driver? I saw him inside the car.'

Richard shifted uncomfortably in his chair. 'That's the governor's driver. I was on my way to meet him after this. So make it quick.'

'I want to meet him.'

'I'm afraid that won't be possible.'

'I told you I have evidence?'

'So you say.'

'You wanna call my bluff, go right ahead.'

Richard finally sat back in his chair and criss crossed his arms. 'So what do you really want?'