Senate Cloakroom Cabal (12 page)

Hmmm
. Her quick answer and expression gave me the feeling she and Michael may have already talked about doing this.

“When did you learn of this hush-hush stuff?” I asked.

“This morning.”

“May Michael share it with me?”

“Absolutely,” she said eagerly. “I'd like for you two to work together. I will see what I can find out through my senatorial contacts, if I have any.”

“What about the two New Jersey senators?”

“No help there. The only senator I can talk with is Crawford.

Unfortunately, he is not from my state. He's friendly, and I sincerely feel he has my best interests at heart.”

I wondered if he were a bachelor or wishing he were one.

“So we go it alone?” I asked.

Roanne smiled. “We do . . . for now.”

28

A
zillion thoughts occupied my mind as I taxied it back to my office.

I called Michael on the way. Dalton had already filled him in, and he was working on the arrangements, including my alias—Laura Wood, a researcher for the senator.

That reminded me of the time when Max got me into an FBI meeting on the serial killer investigation as a civilian employee of MPD, assisting him. He'll get a kick out of me now being an aide to a senator.

Michael already had two dates that matched Mr. Rogers's schedule.

“I assured him that Senator Dalton wanted to get to the truth and put Tutoxtamen back on track. Mr. Rogers said he respected that and thought of the senator as a friend.”

“And are we at liberty to explain how we can help?”

“Maybe. First, we want to be assured by him that there are no real problems with the drug, and secondly, what he will do in either case. Call me after you talk with your husband.”

Earlier, Lassiter and I had discussed how we might be up against a mountain without any climbing gear. Kelly had known, from the FDA or the pharmas, that a
not approvable
was coming down against the drug. That sounded like insider information, and people have gotten into big trouble over things like that, if caught. I called Jerry. He had no problem with either of Michael's choices for travel dates. I selected the earlier: two days from now. I called Michael.

The inner workings of the Senate were a mystery to me. Like what committee had oversight over the FDA? Who can call a hearing? They always have hearings. Where was the opposition party in all of this? Could there be a hearing if the majority party didn't want one?

As my cab neared the
Star
, a thought hit me. Why not go find out? I could do that tomorrow. I could call Michael. No. I'll do this on my own.

“
Washington Daily Star
,” the driver announced. “That'll be $6.50.”

I gave him eight and got out. He said, “Thanks miss. Have a nice day.”

He had to be one of the few cabbies in Washington who spoke English. Most never say anything, just point at the meter. “You too,” I said, closing the door.

I went straight to Mary's desk and told her of my pending trip.

“Michael sounds as suspicious as you,” my news assistant said.

“I like to think of it as being cautious,” I said in a mock huff. “This is not the first time I've gone undercover.”

“Yes, but previously you had Captain Walsh watching your back.”

“This won't be dangerous,” I insisted.

“I hope you're right.”

I went to my desk and called Jerry.

“Go get ‘em, tiger. Now, to important matters. What time you getting home?”

“Around 5:00.”

“How about I order dinner and pick it up? It's warm enough to dine on the deck with our son. This way you won't have to slave over a hot stove,” my adorable husband said.

“I love it when you plan dinner. It's a delicious idea.”

“Okay. I'll aim for around 5:30. Maybe we can go for a neighborhood jaunt afterward.”

“You are certainly full of nice ideas,” I said, looking at our family portrait on my desk and getting a warm and fuzzy feeling.

“I have a feeling the future may become a little busy.”

“If it does, it will be because we're on to something.”

“That's what I mean. It sounds like there may be a lot of under-the-table stuff going on. Don't forget Ralph. He was in the Senate with Grayson. I'm sure he had some dealings with the pharmas.”

“Do you think . . . ?”

“I don't
think
, I
know
,” Jerry said emphatically.

And I knew he did.

29

S
enator Dalton sat in the Cloakroom reading, awaiting an upcoming vote. There were clusters of senators conversing in the narrow, L-shaped room, but she sat alone.

“Hello,” she heard a cheery male voice say.

Not thinking it was for her, she didn't look up. Then a body plopped into the chair next to hers.

“Good morning, Senator Dalton,” Gavin Crawford said.

“Senator. My apologies, I was light-years away.”

“No doubt,” he said, leaning forward in a confidential manner, “there are many places nicer to be than this.”

“How did you know I was thinking of home?”

“It's good to go . . . home. I do it as often as possible. It helps to clear the mind.”

“You have two real homes. Here I live a solitary life in a local high-rise in Virginia, and I no longer have my own abode back home. After my election I sold the house H.T. and I had lived in and moved in with my parents,” she said wistfully.

He smiled. “Well, our house is always available for company.”

“Be careful what you offer. I'm afraid, though, my current absorption is over my telling our leader that I would no longer be his parrot.”

“I've never heard of party loyalty being likened to a parrot before. A helpful hint: Once an issue is resolved, we are free to speak our minds within these walls.”

“I guess I've now added to my pariah reputation unnecessarily, but I can't go around being something I'm not.” There was a pause. She changed subjects. “Have you seen the demonstrations against the FDA? I hear the talk shows have been rife with scientists, doctors, health experts. There's a great rage over Tutoxtamen's death sentence.”

“That's Washington and the tabloid mentality of the press.”

“I don't think all journalists are like that.”

He shrugged. “Maybe not, even though it seems that way.”

“Gavin, you said I could talk to you. Does that mean in confidence? And no, I'm not planning the overthrow of the Senate leadership, as much as I'd like to.”

He let out a low chuckle. “You have it.”

“Michael told me the crowds in Rockville were growing.”

“FDA Director Miles will make an announcement as to the rationale of their decision. Unless someone comes up with irrefutable evidence to the contrary, nothing will change it.”

“Of course, that makes perfect sense. But I won't give up.”

“So,” his inflection indicated a change of subject, “how would you like to come out to our house Saturday for a bar-b-que? Fred and Sally Pembroke are coming over. It'll be very casual.”

“I would love to, but I must ask for a rain check. When this vote is over, I'm out of here. I'm flying home for a long weekend. But thank you, Gavin, and thank Mariel.”

30

R
oanne hugged her father. “It's so good to be home.”

“It's great to see you, Ro,” Rufus said. “You have any luggage?”

“Only what I've got right here.”

“I wish your mother would learn to travel light like you.” He had a deep-country tone.

“I have a closet full of clothes here and in Virginia,” she said, taking his arm.

“Yeah well, I guess that does make a difference. Let's go.”

Father and daughter walked down the concourse, passing gates and rushing people. The five-foot-ten wiry Rufus was barely an inch taller than his daughter. Roanne looked around and suddenly realized that they were still inside security. “How did you get in here without a ticket?”

“Antrell Williams is head of security for the airport. You remember him? He was the big black guy who was head of my security detail. I recommended him for the job.”

She shook her head and squeezed his arm. They reached security, walked around the incoming gate, and veered off toward the exit. A couple of guards gave him a casual salute and said, “Governor.”

He smiled and waved back. She'd forgotten it was always that way for him. She feigned a pout. “Should I be hurt they didn't say
senator
?”

“They probably would have whistled if I hadn't been with you. There's Johnny.”

The big man standing next to a black Town Car tipped the cap he always wore when chauffeuring the governor. “Miss Roanne,” he said in his gentle basso voice.

“It's good to see you, Johnny.” She gave the gentle giant a hug. He was family, more so in many ways than her siblings.

“The whole shooting match will join us Saturday afternoon at the Club for the prime rib,” Rufus said, referring to his son, other daughter, and their families.

Roanne thought of Gavin and the bar-b-que she'd be missing.

After a light supper with her parents, she joined Rufus in his large and very comfortable study. Her mother would join them later. Once they got comfortable, she told the perceptive politician about Rogers and Kelly. He said he had been following developments.

“Have you been talking to Harold Raines?” she asked. Raines was their state's senior senator.

“Now, don't get in a hissy fit. Harry clerked for me when I was on the circuit court, before I ran for attorney general. I'm not doing anything behind your back or asking him to do anything for you. He told me about the pharmaceutical's pressure to ditch Tutoxtamen. I knew about your opposition and was glad you acquiesced.”

“I went with the party, but I'm my own person and want to get Tutoxtamen a fair hearing. I know you hate being on the outside looking in.”

“There are things I can do, Ro. I know people. Some of your fellow senators were governors when I was. There's not one of our party's congressmen who hasn't worked for me at one time or another.”

“Let's get back to Harry,” she said seriously.

“I only asked him to keep me up on what was happening, nothing more.”

She didn't know whether to be angry or grateful. She opted for the latter. “Harry's stayed away from me during these last few weeks just about as much as all the others.”

“I had nothing to do with that. I only wanted information,” he said defensively.

“Well then, you don't know everything, because he doesn't.”

Rufus leaned back in his chair and squinted. “It got anything to do with Harley Rogers?”

She had learned not to be surprised by her father, but she couldn't hide it this time. “It does.”

“Thought so. Harley is a fine man, Ro. I'm glad you're trying to help him out.”

His comment told her he knew the drug manufacturer. “Okay, out with it.”

“What?”

“Tell me how you know Mr. Rogers,” she said firmly.

“Oh that.” He smiled. “I like it when you figure things out for yourself. Damn, I wish your mother hadn't forbidden me to smoke cigars, I could sorely use one about now.”

She smiled and fixed her eyes on him. “What have you done?”

“After you told me about Michael and an aide going to see Harley, I called him. He might not have known Senator Dalton was my daughter . . . you know, that you had been married to H.T. Dalton. Harley and I haven't always been on the same page politically, but we respect each other.”

“Please don't tell me he worked for you too.”

He grinned. “The other way around—I worked for him.”

“When? You've never worked outside of this state that I ever heard.”

“Except for WWII.”

“He was a Ranger?”

“He was the boss Ranger. Look, Ro, if you pursue this thing, and I'm not saying you shouldn't, you'll need help. Now, what're your folks gonna accomplish visiting Harley?”

It was her time to grin. “Actually, only Michael works for me.”

He flashed a ‘what-are-you-up-to' look on his face.

“The second person is a reporter.”

Rufus rocked forward, almost coming of his chair. “A reporter?”

“A Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter superb in investigative work.”

“A reporter, Ro? That's playing with fire,” Rufus said, shaken.

“Dad, I've spent hours with her—”

“Her?”

She interrupted. “There are female reporters.”

“I know that,” he spat. “Who does she work for?”

“The
Washington Daily Star.
”

“Aw geez, Ro. Are you sure you wanna do that?”

“Look Dad, there's practically no one in the Senate I feel I can trust. Michael has uncovered what looks like some unethical activity between a few senators with the pharmas and the FDA. That is why I initially opposed the leader's call for unanimity. You and I are alone in this, and we need an objective investigator.”

“But what if she uses what she finds out and puts it in her paper?”

“She won't. We went over all this before she signed on to help. Of course, she'll get a story out of this, but right now, she's in for the long haul . . .investigating and collecting information.”

“Does Rogers know he'll be talking to a reporter?”

“She's going under an alias . . . a research assistant working for me.”

He looked at his daughter “You think all this up?”

“Michael, Laura, and I did.”

“Laura? That her real name?”

Ro nodded.

“You going to tell me her real last name?”

“What are you going to do with it if I do?”

Her father enjoyed this game.