to remain discreet or private seemed impossible. His body stiffened, which put his
guest on edge. “I’m curious as to how that information even got out so soon, and how
exactly you were the one who picked up the trail on this story.”
“Forgive me for starting off with that, senator, but sources tipped us off to her
disappearance.” Lana tried to soften her approach to get Terrell to open up. She
crossed her legs in a suggestive manner, an attempt to sway his focus on her attractive
physique. “My sources also tipped me to your location here in Malibu, but I assure
you, I have kept that information private.”
“No, I understand. You have a job to do, Ms. Velez.” He gave her a curious look,
wondering why she would mention such a trivial piece of information. Her desire
to want to be discreet also triggered something within him, but he couldn’t place
his finger on it yet. “Please, continue, I’m sure you have a few questions that need
answering.”
“Thank you, sir, I appreciate your desire to be open to this conversation.” She sat
forward in an attempt to show an animated interest in her subject. “First, I would
like to get some softball questions out of the way, if you’ll indulge me? I’m sure the
public would like to know the behind the scenes of the distinguished gentleman from
California.”
Terrell exhaled. He was appreciative of her desire to start things off light and airy,
but he was aware that the hammer would be coming sooner or later. “Sure, but I’m not
sure if there’s anything that hasn’t already been reported, but I would guess there’s no
such thing as overexposure.”
Lana grinned, looking down to refer to her notes as she began her inquiry. “Your
father was a former Assistant Secretary of Defense, and yet, you weren’t raised in the
bubble of the Beltway. How did your parents manage your childhood with him in DC
and you in California?”
Terrell paused for a moment to measure his response. “My father spent a lot of
time traveling cross-country, when he wasn’t out of the country on behalf of the
Department. My mother was insistent on making sure I had as much of a normal life
as possible, if you can call living in Baldwin Hills normal.”
“I can imagine that having the affluence of Baldwin Hills and the ability to hang
with the boys in the Crenshaw District provided you with the duality to exist in the
boardroom and in the streets.” Lana continued to scribble notes. “How were you able
to escape the gangs back then?”
“Well, I can’t say that I escaped, per se, but what happened with me was…I had
home boys who were Bloods, but they also knew who my father was. Some of them
50 Naleighna Kai Literary Cafe Magazine July/August 2017