A Political Affair (18 page)

“Hmm . . . that’s something to think about. Well, it
is
shaping up to be a good year for Republicans; maybe Langford will ride the wave. It would be nice to take that seat away from the Democrats and away from the McEvoy family.”
 

“Yes, it would.”

“Maybe I could do a little more,” Walter mused.
 

“That would be wonderful. We’d really appreciate it.” Trey brightened at the news, but he didn’t want to get his hopes too high. “What are you thinking of?”

“Maybe we’ll do some digging for you. Find you some more information on the guy, and then get it out into the open.” Walter chuckled. “I think I’ll call it the Colorado Research Project.”
 

Chapter 13

Only a minute later, Langford picked up Trey’s call. “What’s up?”

   
“Life has just gotten much better,” Trey said with some pride. “I finally got a hold of Walter. He’s setting up an independent expenditure campaign called the Colorado Research Project.”

“He’s going after McEvoy? That’s incredible.”

“It’s unbelievable.” Trey smiled as he put his feet up on his desk. “We just need to tell him anything we know or hear. Then he’ll dig deeper.”

“Wait a second,” Langford said warily. “There’s no ‘we’ to this. You know the campaign needs to stay out of it. We can’t coordinate with an independent expenditure campaign.”

“Of course.
I’d
be the one talking to them.” Trey nodded. “I just need you and the rest of the campaign to feed me information.”

“I understand. Maybe we can work something out. If I hear something, I’ll tell you, but that’s all. I don’t want to be nabbed by the feds.”
 

“Come on. Nothing will happen to you. And so what if it did? There’d be a fine on the campaign or something.”

“Or something—like my reputation,” Langford answered, his tone gruff and dismissive.

“I understand, but let’s not worry about that now. I need to start them with some information. Maybe there’s an incident in McEvoy’s past we can uncover.” Trey paused a moment as he dreamt of a political gift from the Gods. “Wouldn’t it be great if McEvoy paid off some girl to get an abortion?”

“What? You don’t really wish an abortion happened, do you?” The horror in Langford’s voice couldn’t be missed.

“I guess not,” Trey muttered unconvincingly. He felt stupid for bringing up such an emotional topic for Langford. “Well, maybe there’s something else. Maybe when he was younger he got in trouble with the law and Daddy McEvoy had it swept under the rug.”

“I’m sure that happened, but the guy was a prosecutor. McEvoy survived a background check. Whatever criminal activity he’s done, it’s not a big deal.”

“Well, they could’ve missed something. Let’s start with his weakness—women.”

“I believe he’s been with that actress, Jennifer Hamilton, and I’ve also seen a photo of him recently with Congresswoman Schultz from Massachusetts.”

“Forget that. Only good press there. He doesn’t stick with anyone for too long, though, and there could still be something in his past with other women. Maybe we should start with his family,” Trey said as his mind ticked through options. “Maybe old Patrick McEvoy did something we can tie to Stephen.”

“We have to watch out if we go there. Lillian McEvoy’s incredibly popular. She’s the grieving widow, and she’ll come out to protect the family name.”

“Oh, they’ll do that regardless. He’s the candidate, though—she’s not. She can only help so much.”
 

“That’s true,” Langford admitted in a hopeful voice. “Listen. I don’t want to be negative. I think it’s great Walter’s taken notice of the campaign. I’m sure you can dig up some dirt on McEvoy, or better yet, McEvoy will do something dumb. Then Walter can run with it.”

“Yeah. Something will bubble up.” Trey grinned at the prospect. “It always does, and Walter’s here to help.”
 

Every time she thought of her last date with Stephen, Anne covered her mouth to hide her goofy grin. But her smiles ended on Monday morning when Stephen gave her only a blank glance as he strode past her accompanied by two other senators. Though she hadn’t looked at him with any recognition either, she still felt hurt. She’d hoped for at least a smile or nod. The week before, those little gestures got her through their drought of communication. She became worried.

He’s never going to acknowledge me unless we’re alone? What kind of relationship is that?

Shortly after five that evening, Stephen observed her leaving for the day. She’d taken off her heels for the commute home and wore her green Converse. The contrast between her black skirt and stockings with the green low-tops made him smile; it was
so
her. He had a sudden urge to call to her, but thinking of the consequences, he stopped himself.

For the first time since he’d taken office, he hated his job. Before he met her, he’d experience bouts of regret followed by acceptance of the choice he’d made. Now, he wished for a normal life.
If only I could meet her for a beer after work, have dinner, take her home
 . . .
but I can’t.
He shook his head in grim resignation and went to his office for his five o’clock meeting.

The next day, he planned on catching her eye as he walked by her cubicle, simply for some connection. When he saw her, though, she furtively glanced at him and looked away. He stared at her, hoping she’d raise her head again, but she didn’t. Something was wrong, he thought, and it was his fault.
 

Later that afternoon, Anne’s stomach did flips as she followed Megan to her office. She hadn’t expected Stephen to talk to her again, and she worried an impromptu meeting wasn’t a good sign. When Megan closed the door, leaving her alone with Stephen, she smiled anxiously. “Hey.”

He took her hands and returned the smile. “Hi. You look pretty today.”

“Thanks.” She touched the knot of his tie. “You always look good.”

“So do you.” He kissed the top of her forehead. “But you look better when I actually get to talk to you.”

“Yeah. Um. Why
are
we talking? I thought we weren’t going to do that here.”

“Come on. Let’s sit,” he said as he led her to the sofa. When they sat down, he pulled her close. “I was tired of not seeing you.”
 

“Yeah. It sucks,” she said with a scowl.
 

“Tell me about it. I’ve been thinking it’s only going to get worse. I’m going to Colorado later this week, and then there’s Thanksgiving. We’re going to have a lot of time apart with no way to communicate. And I know it sounds conspiratorial . . . but I think cell phones are risky.”

“I understand . . . but if one of us is away, it makes more sense that we can’t communicate. I don’t like being here and not talking. I get anxious.” She shook her head. “It’s a very odd situation to be in.”

“What do you mean?” he asked as he stroked her hair.

“It’s strange because it’s two different worlds. When we’re together, like right now, we’re so close, but it has this clandestine feel about it. Then out there in the office, we don’t even acknowledge one another, and I can’t talk to you after work either.” She hung her head. “I don’t know . . . I wonder if this is how a mistress feels.”

“A mistress?” His eyes widened. “You feel like a mistress? That’s the last thing I want you feeling.”
 

“Well, obviously not exactly like a mistress.” She gave him an awkward smile. “I mean . . . we’re pretty chaste.”

“True.” He laughed, before his expression soured. “You know you’re not a mistress, right?”

“Of course. That was the wrong word.”

“I’d hope you feel like my girlfriend.” He smirked as if he knew he’d sprung something on her.

“Ah.” Her breath caught in surprise. She hadn’t expected such a declaration that afternoon, and she grinned. “And I do, when we’re together.”

“Good.” His smile soon turned into a frown. “I’m a lousy boyfriend, though.”

“What do you mean? I have a great time with you.”

“Where should I begin? I can’t pick you up. I can’t take you home. I can’t go out in public with you. Hell, I can’t even talk with you in public. I trap you inside. My family is always around, and I can’t touch you the way I want.”

“Stephen, it’s all right,” she said gently as she smoothed his hair. “It won’t be like this forever.”

“But you feel isolated, and I don’t like that. I want you to be happy.” He smiled. “Because you make me so happy.”

“Of course I’m happy with you. It simply would be nice if we talked during the week.”

“Let me figure something out.” He leaned in for a kiss. After a sweet embrace, he murmured, “Mmm. You made my day much better.”

“And you, mine.”

“Today’s a big day.” He raised his eyebrows.

“Why’s that?”
 

“Today’s the day I tell Greg about us.”

“Yikes.” She chuckled nervously. “Let me know how that goes.”

“Oh, you’ll hear soon enough.” He smirked. “He’ll come talk to you.”

Just as Stephen predicted, Greg asked to speak with her. She smiled, knowing the topic, but he kept a stern face and suggested some fresh air. Once outside the Hart Building, he led her across the lawn to the Taft Memorial and Carillon, on the farthest part of the Capitol grounds.
 

Surveying the area, Anne saw they were alone except for the cars whizzing past them on the street. “You didn’t drag me all the way out here just to show me this ugly memorial, did you?”

Greg laughed for a moment, but his expression softened into one of a concerned elder brother. “I just need to know one thing. Are you okay with what’s going on with you and Stephen? Is this what you want? Do you want to see him romantically while you work in his office?”

“Yes.” She nodded stoically.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course,” she replied, laughing at his earnestness. “I’ve gone into this with eyes wide open. We both have.”

“Eyes wide open? You know if this turns into a mess, you’ll be humiliated? You’ll be the joke of your law school class or even Jay Leno, for that matter.”

“I know.” She winced at the thought. “I don’t like thinking about it, but I know it’s a possibility.”
 

“But have you thought about your family?”

“Of course. I’ve considered everything. This didn’t happen overnight. I want to be with him.”

“Okay . . .” He exhaled and clasped his hands together in obvious relief. “That’s what I needed to hear. I’ll do everything I can to make sure this stays quiet. I want things to work out for you two.”

“I really appreciate it.” She smiled and touched his arm. “You’re the best.”

“I’m only doing my job as your friend and your boss,” he said with a warm grin. “You know he’s crazy about you. I’ve never seen him like this before.”
 

“I’m pretty crazy about him, too.” She shrugged nonchalantly, but her beaming smile gave her away.

He shook his head as they started back to the office. “But damn, this is going to be hard to conceal. Stephen and I talked at length about it. You’ve got a good plan. I just wish I could get you off staff—have you go work for someone else in the Senate. But at this point, I’m not sure it would help.”