“I like it a lot,” Dana said. “I want to be with WTE, but I want to be a foreign correspondent”
“That’s a miserable life,” he exploded. “Why in God’s name would you want to do that?”
“Because I’m tired of hearing what celebrities want to cook for dinner and how they met their fifth husband. There are wars going on, and people are suffering and dying. The world doesn’t give a damn. I want to make them care.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I can’t stay on here.” She rose and started toward the door.
“Wait a minute! Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“It’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” Dana said quietly.
He was thoughtful for a moment. “Where do you want to go?”
It took her a moment for the import of his words to sink in. When Dana found her voice, she said, “Sarajevo.”
9
Being governor was even more exciting than Oliver Russell had anticipated. Power was a seductive mistress, and Oliver loved it. His decisions influenced the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. He became adept at swaying the state legislature, and his influence and reputation kept expanding. I really am making a difference, Oliver thought happily. He remembered Senator Davis’s words: “This is just a stepping-stone, Oliver. Walk carefully.”
And he was careful. He had numerous affairs, but they were always handled with the greatest discretion. He knew that they had to be.
From time to time, Oliver checked with the hospital about Miriam’s condition.
“She’s still in a coma, Governor.”
“Keep me informed.”
One of Oliver’s duties as governor was hosting state dinners. The guests of honor were supporters, sports figures, entertainers, people with political clout, and visiting dignitaries. Jan was a gracious hostess, and Oliver enjoyed the way people reacted to her.
One day Jan came to Oliver and said, “I just talked to Father. He’s giving a party next weekend at his home. He would like us to come. There are some people he wants you to meet.”
That Saturday, at Senator Davis’s sumptuous home in Georgetown, Oliver found himself shaking hands with some of the most important wheelers and dealers in Washington. It was a beautiful party, and Oliver was enjoying himself immensely.
“Having a good time, Oliver?”
“Yes. It’s a wonderful party. You couldn’t wish for a better one.”
Peter Tager said, “Speaking of wishes, that reminds me. The other day, Elizabeth, my six-year-old, was in a cranky mood and wouldn’t get dressed. Betsy was getting desperate. Elizabeth looked at her and said, ‘Mama, what are you thinking?’ Betsy said, ‘Honey, I was just wishing that you were in a good mood, and that you would get dressed and have your breakfast like a good girl.’ And Elizabeth said, ‘Mama, your wish is not being granted!’ Isn’t that great? Those kids are fantastic. See you later, Governor.”
A couple walked in the door and Senator Davis went to greet them.
The Italian ambassador, Atilio Picone, was an imposing-looking man in his sixties, with dark, Sicilian features. His wife, Sylva, was one of the most beautiful women Oliver had ever seen. She had been an actress before she married Atilio and was still popular in Italy. Oliver could see why. She had large, sensuous brown eyes, the face of a Madonna, and the voluptuous body of a Rubens nude. She was twenty-five years younger than her husband.
Senator Davis brought the couple over to Oliver and introduced them.
“I’m delighted to meet you,” Oliver said. He could not take his eyes off her.
She smiled. “I’ve been hearing a great deal about you.”
“Nothing bad, I hope.”
“I-”
Her husband cut in. “Senator Davis speaks very highly of you.”
Oliver looked at Sylva and said, “I’m flattered.”
Senator Davis led the couple away. When he returned to Oliver, he said, “That’s off limits, Governor. Forbidden fruit. Take a bite of that, and you can kiss your future goodbye.”
“Relax, Todd. I wasn’t—”
“I’m serious. You can alienate two countries at once.”
At the end of the evening, when Sylva and her husband were leaving, Atilio said, “It was nice to meet you.”