didn’t get to watch, who knew what his reaction would’ve been? Thank
God it hadn’t been Sullivan sitting there in the dark.
“I warned you, Alan, that one day your little extracurricular activities
would get us into trouble.”
Richmond looked at her, disappointment on his features.
W
r
“Listen, you think I’m the first guy to hold this office to catch a
little action on the side? Don’t be so goddamned naive, Gloria. At
least I’m a helluva lot more discreet than some of my predecessors. I
take the responsibilities of the job … and I take the perks.
Understand?”
Russell nervously rubbed at her neck. “Completely, Mr. President.”
“So it’s just this one guy, who can’t do anything.”
“it only takes one to bring the house of cards tumbling down.”
“Yeah? Well there are a lot of people living in that house. Just
remember that.”
“I do, Chief, every day.”
There was a knock at the door. Russell’s deputy assistant leaned in.
“Five minutes, sir.” The President nodded and waved him off.
“Great timing on this presentation.”
“Ransomed Baldwin contributed heavily to your campaign, as did all of his
friends.”
“You don’t have to explain political paybacks to me, sweetheart.”
Russell stood up and moved over to him. She took his good arm, looked
intently at him. On his left cheek was a small scar. A souvenir from
some shrapnel during a brief stint in the Army toward the end of the
Vietnam War. As his political career had taken off, the female consensus
was that the tiny imperfection greatly enhanced his attractiveness.
Russell found herself staring at that scar.
“Alan, I will do whatever it takes to protect your interest.
You will get through this, but we need to work together.
We’re a team, Alan, we’re a helluva team. They can’t take us down, not
if we act together.”
The President studied her face for a brief moment, and then rewarded her
with the smile that routinely accompanied front-page headlines. He
pecked her on the cheek, squeezed her against him; she clung to him.
“I love you, Gloria. You’re a trouper.” He picked up his speech. “It’s
showtime.” He turned and walked out. Russell stared after his broad
back, carefully rubbed at her cheek and then followed him out.
JACK LOOKED AROUND THE OVERSTATED ELEGANCE OF THE immense East Room. The
place was full of some of the most powerful men and women in the
country. Skillful networking was taking place all around him, and all he
could do was stand and gawk. He looked across the room and spied his
fiance cornering a congressman from some state out west, no doubt
plying Baldwin Enterprises’s needy case for the good legislator’s
assistance on riparian rights.
His fiance spent much of her time gaining access to holders of power at
all levels. From county commissioners to Senate Committee chairmen,
Jennifer stroked the right egos, fed the right hands, and made certain
that all the important players were in place when Baldwin Enterprises
wanted another mammoth deal orchestrated. The doubling of the assets of
her father’s company during the last five years was due in no small part
to her excelling at that task.
In truth, what man was really safe from her?
Ransorne Baldwin, all six feet five inches, thick white hair and
baritone voice, made his rounds, solidly shaking hands with politicians
he already owned and rubbing elbows with the few he didn’t as yet.
The award ceremony had been mercifully brief. Jack glanced at his watch.
He would need to be getting back to the office soon. On the way over
Jennifer had mentioned a private party at the Willard Hotel at eleven.
He rubbed his face. Of all the friggin’ luck.
He was about to pull Jennifer aside to explain his early exit, when the
President walked up to her, was joined by her father, and a moment later
all three headed his way.
Jack put his drink down and cleared his throat so he wouldn’t sound Re a
complete fool when the words stumbled out of his mouth. Jennifer and her
father Were talking to the President like old friends. Laughing,
chatting, touching elbows like he was cousin Ned in from Oklahoma. But