The Golden Chance (33 page)

But the view, the food, the drinks and Mozart all took second place to the main attraction of the evening. There was no doubt about it, Darren Castleton was the primary focus of attention. Lean, elegant, dynamic, he held center stage wherever he moved in the crowd. He did so easily, naturally, as if it were second nature to him. He came alive in a crowd like this the way a brilliant actor came alive on the screen. Beside him, Victoria looked just as beautifully at ease, just as much in control. The ideal American couple.

“Charisma,” Phila murmured, snagging a glass of champagne off a passing tray.

Nick crunched an oyster wrapped in bacon. “Yeah, he's got it in spades, doesn't he? You sort of have to see him working a crowd like this to realize the effect he has on people.”

“It's a rare form of power,” Phila said slowly.

“Uh huh. I always knew Darren had something going for him, something I couldn't quite define, but as long as Burke was alive, it was subdued. As if whatever it was hadn't had a chance really to blossom. Now it's starting to shine. Jesus. The man really might be the next governor of this state.”

“I think you're right,” Phila said softly. “And look at Vicky. She'd make a perfect governor's lady. Heck, she'd make a perfect president's lady. She's so poised and charming and lovely.”

“And when they bring out little Jordan for the photographers, they're going to get the front page in tomorrow's
Seattle Times
,” Nick concluded.

“Be interesting to see if Jordan tries to display his self-destructing seaweed collection for the photographers.” Phila glanced around and saw Eleanor moving toward them.

“There you are,” Eleanor said grandly as she stopped in front of them. Her face was aglow with maternal pride. “Thank you for coming tonight, Nick.”

“I said we'd be here.” Nick took a glass from a passing tray. “Looks like everything's going well. Where's Dad?”

“Over there with Hilary, talking to some business friends.” Eleanor glanced at Phila. “I see you decided to attend after all?”

“I couldn't get out of it.” Phila smiled brilliantly. “I'll try not to embarrass the families.”

“That would be much appreciated.” Eleanor moved away with a nod to Nick.

“In our baiting mode tonight, are we?” Nick observed quietly, his eyes on the crowd.

“She started it.”

“Eleanor didn't start anything. You're just edgy this evening. Why?”

“I am not edgy. It's Eleanor who's edgy, not me. If you want to calm her down, tell her you've decided to give full support to Darren in his bid for the governor's job.”

“I'm here tonight, aren't I? Doesn't that show support?”

“It's a step in the right direction, but Darren requires more than that and you know it. He needs your help behind the scenes, not just at public functions like this.”

“Philadelphia Fox, the political mastermind.”

“That's me.” Phila realized she was still feeling irritable and a little depressed. She reached for another glass of champagne.

“Has it escaped your notice that Darren is hardly a liberal Democrat?”

“No, but I have hopes for him.”

“You think he'll convert?”

Phila smiled ruefully. “I don't have that much hope for him, but I think he can be made to see reason, which puts him several notches above the average Republican. He's educable.”

“I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear that.”

Phila grinned briefly. “I already told him.” She glanced around again and spotted a familiar figure. “Hilary certainly looks gorgeous tonight.”

“Hilary always looks gorgeous.” Nick did not seem particularly interested. “Come on, we'd better mingle. This is business.”

“Think of it as Family Unity night. The Castletons and the Lightfoots—just one big happy family.”

Nick started into the crowd, towing Phila behind him. He nodded at several pepple, stopped to talk briefly with others and finally halted near a man and a woman who were standing near the windows. The woman, an attractive brunette in her early forties, glanced up and then smiled warmly.

“Nick! Good to see you again. It's been awhile. Are you just visiting, or are you home to stay?”

“I plan to stay this time. Phila, this is Barbara Appleton and her husband, Norm. They're old friends. Barbara, Norm, this is Philadelphia Fox.”

“How do you do?” Phila said politely. “Don't I know your name from somewhere, Mrs. Appleton?”

“I make the papers once in a while, when there's nothing else of great importance occurring in the world.” Barbara laughed.

Phila thought quickly, made the connection and brightened immediately. “Now I remember. You're one of the people working to get funding for day-care facilities for the children of homeless people. We've heard about your efforts all the way over in eastern Washington. I'm thrilled to meet you.”

Barbara Appleton smiled, looking faintly bemused. “Most people run the other way when they're introduced to me. They're afraid I'll ask for money. Do you have an interest in the matter of day care for homeless kids?”

“I am—
was
—a social worker. Until recently I've been working with the foster-home program. I'm very aware of the homeless problem here in Seattle.”

“The parents are under such stress, and the children suffer so. They desperately need a structured, safe environment. You can't raise children in cars and buses and shelters.”

“If you're a parent, you can't very well hunt for a job or get training or deal with the bureaucracy of the welfare system if you've got a couple of kids in your arms. I think the day-care idea for those kids is great. How's the project going?”

“We're supporting two centers now and hope to get a third started this fall.”

“Have you talked to Darren and Vicky about this?” Phila asked.

Barbara's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “No, as a matter of fact, I haven't. I assumed Darren would not be particularly supportive.”

Phila tossed that assumption aside with a flick of her hand. “Oh, don't worry about Darren, he's not a reactionary, ultraconservative, right-wing turkey like the rest of the Castletons and Lightfoots. He's much more flexible, much more open to information. What's more, he's married to a woman who is very interested in children's issues.”

“Is that right?” Barbara's gaze drifted toward the center of the room, where Darren and Vicky stood talking to a circle of people. “I hadn't realized that. Perhaps I'll just have a word or two with Victoria Castleton. Norm, go ahead and get out the checkbook. It looks as though we may be making a contribution tonight, after all. Nice to have met you, Phila. Good to see you again, Nick. Let's get together for dinner soon.”

“Yeah, we'll do that,” said Nick, his eyes amused as he nodded at the other two. When the Appletons were out of earshot, he looked down at Phila. “Congratulations. You just got money out of the tightest checkbook in the room.”

Phila was astonished. “Why are they here, if they're not strong supporters?”

“According to Vicky, you don't dare not invite Barbara and Norm to an affair like this. They wield a lot of clout in this town. But no one actually expected to get their financial support tonight. Barbara's notorious about only backing a few selected pols. When she does back them, however, they generally do well. She can bring money out of the woodwork. Lots of it. Let's hope you didn't oversell Darren's support for children's issues.”

“I didn't. Darren will listen to children's advocates. I know he will. If he doesn't, Vicky will make him listen.” Phila was sure of herself. She looked thoughtfully around the room. “You know, a person could do a lot with a roomful of money like this.”

“That's the whole idea.” Nick's voice was bland. “What's that funny expression on your face? You thinking of getting into politics?”

“Who, me?”

“Don't look so damned innocent.”

“Heavens, I'd make a lousy politician.”

“That's true. You're too mouthy. You'd be much better at the fund-raising end of things.”

“You think so?”

“Sure. You're the type who'd be happy to beat up on people until they forked over a contribution. It takes nerve to be an arm-twister at an event like this.”

Phila looked around. “This could be fun. Let's go practice.”

Nick groaned. “Give the woman a taste of power and she goes wild.”

Phila spent the rest of the evening listening, observing and asking questions. It took her mind off her other problems. Reed gravitated toward her at one point, a drink in his hand, and asked how she was getting along.

“Well, no one's tried to throw me out yet.”

Reed nodded, pleased. “A good sign. You must be keeping your mouth under control.”

“I'm getting sick and tired of comments on my mouthiness. Where's Hilary?”

“Talking to some business acquaintances. Where's Nick?”

“Over there with that heavyset man in the corner.”

Reed glanced in that direction and nodded. “That's Graveston. Owns a couple of restaurants here in town.”

Eleanor spotted them and left a small group of women to come over to Reed.

“There you are, Reed, I've been looking for you. Have you seen the Brands yet?”

“Over near the buffet table,” Reed said. “Why?”

“I want to make sure they meet Darren and Vicky. Everything is going very well, don't you think?”

“It's going great,” Phila said, even though she hadn't been asked. “Darren's a natural, isn't he?”

Eleanor looked at her. “Yes, he is.”

“Nick and I were talking earlier about how this political business definitely seems to be Darren's proper niche. Be a shame to waste all that charisma. Lord knows we need more decent men in office.”

Eleanor's gaze sharpened. “You and Nick were discussing this?”

Phila nodded, sipping at her champagne. “Nick's seen the light, you know, Eleanor.”

“What light have I seen?” Nick asked from directly behind Phila.

Phila jumped in surprise and then smiled meaningfully. “The light about Darren's future in politics. I was just telling Eleanor that you've decided it's the right thing for him.”

Nick looked at his father. “With her around, I don't even need to open my own mouth. She's starting to do all my talking for me.”

Reed's grin came and went. “I've noticed.”

Eleanor was staring at Nick. “Do you mean it?”

“Ask Phila. She seems to be doing all my thinking for me tonight.” Nick glanced across the top of Eleanor's head. “There goes Howard Compton. I'd better say hello.” He started to excuse himself and then spotted the full glass in Phila's hand. “How much champagne have you had already?”

“This is only my second glass. I think. Maybe it's my third. I'm not sure. Don't be such a grouch.”

“Keep an eye on her,” Nick said to Reed. “She's a bit testy this evening. In this mood she gets into trouble easily.”

“I don't know what you expect me to do with her. Want some more food, Phila?”

“Yes, please.” She smiled widely at Reed. “Don't pay any attention to Nick. He never wants me to have any fun.”

Half an hour later Phila found herself standing alone conveniently near the hall that led to the rest rooms. She decided she'd better take advantage of the opportunity. She went down the carpeted hallway and pushed open the appropriate door.

She stood staring in amazement at the plush facilities. The room had been done in soft turquoise and rose and featured a couple of graceful velvet sofas, a wall of mirrors lit with makeup lights and marble trim on all the stalls.

But it was the view from the window in each stall that captivated Phila. The scenic panorama would have graced any upscale condominium, and here it was wasted on a rest room. Real class. Phila started opening stall doors to see which cubicle had the best view.

She was watching the lights of the city from the middle stall when she heard the outer door of the lounge open and close. Phila hurried out to wash her hands, embarrassed that someone might discover her enthralled with the view from a rest-room stall.

She stopped short, her insides twisting with sudden, sick tension as she saw Hilary standing by the long row of marble sinks. Phila's pleasantly lightheaded feeling died when she saw the anger twisting the other woman's beautiful face. It was obvious Hilary had psyched herself up for a confrontation.

She looked like a savage queen, Phila thought, awed by the threat of the uncontrolled emotion in Hilary's eyes.

“Hello, Hilary,” Phila said cautiously.

“God, you have a talent for looking innocent, you little bitch.”

Phila sucked in her breath as a cold, anguished chill shot through her. “I know how you must be feeling—”

“You know nothing of how I feel.
Nothing
. You really think you're going to win, don't you?” Hilary asked. “Oh, I've seen the way they're starting to pay attention to you—believe in you, listen to you. And because of you, they're all starting to believe in Nick again. An interesting process. But you won't win, Phila. I can't let you. I've put too much time, too much of myself into this game, to lose it all now.”