The polls showed that the voters weren’t listening to the negative campaigning strategies of the other candidates. Warner was the clear front-runner.
His message was simple: he was one of them. A hometown boy who was going to take on Washington and change the way government was inn. Warner Lane cared for the people. His motto became “People before business.” The crowds devoured it.
Warner finished a speech at a high school gymnasium in Concord late one evening. The crowd surged to a standing ovation, and he was flying on their energy and enthusiasm as he walked out into the crowd to shake hands.
Matt Carson caught up with him and pulled him aside.
“We’ve got a problem.” Matt whispered. “Our motto. ‘People Before Business.’ is about to be crammed down our throats.”
Warner stopped walking. “What do you mean?”
“The tabloids are releasing a story claiming you own a company that’s using children, in sweatshops, in Haiti to manufacture goods. Tell me this isn’t true.”
Warner stepped back. “Son of a bitch!”
“I take it these accusations are true.”
“No.” Warner shot back. ‘They’re not true. Those are Edmund’s holdings. They have nothing to do with me.“ He felt queasy.
“Well, unfortunately, your father’s business just became our business. This is bad, really bad. When this is released, you’re going to look like a hypocrite. ‘People Before Business.’ will be a national joke.”
This can’t happen now! I’ve come so far. “I don’t need to hear how bad it is, that’s apparent. Tell me how to fix it.” Warner ran his fingers though his graying hair. I’ve got to call Edmund. This was so typical. Edmund had perfected the art of screwing up his life. He’d like to choke the old man with his bare hands.
“We’re working on it.”
“How’s Carolyn taking this?”
“She’s upset, but handling it.”
“Good, good.” Warner said. He’d been afraid that something like this might happen. Edmund didn’t care whom he devastated. This, however, was different. Edmund had a vested interest in Warner attaining the White House.
Oh God! Warner thought again of Carolyn. What if this pushed her beyond her capacity to understand? The thought of children being used in sweatshops would infuriate her.
She’d known that her own agenda could be jeopardized by this family affiliation. If she thought he was finished, it would benefit her to distance herself from the Lane name. They both knew that she could be wounded and still salvage a lesser political career for herself. Fear rose like bile in his throat, the taste caustic. He drew a deep breath, steadying himself and collecting his thoughts.
Lane Abuses Children in Sweatshops
Damn it. Warner thought, they’d slaughtered him like a hog at a rib roast. Could they control the damage? Fortunately, the story broke in a tabloid. They could exploit that aspect and slam the credibility of the rag. The Council employed the resources to manage such situations. Control was key, and they possessed the control, he reassured himself.
Once they arrived at the hotel. Warner hurried to his room and dialed Edmund.
Warner ground his teeth at the reference. The cruel pettiness of the man would never change. “We’ve got a fire here, A big – fucking – fire, and it’s yours.”
“I’m on it already, son. Consider it taken care of.”
“‘Consider it taken care of? Are you out of your mind? This is a mess.”
“Lower your voice. You’ll never amount to anything if you continue to let your emotions get in the way. You’re acting like a woman. Find your balls, and act like a Lane. I don’t give a shit whether or not it’s in your blood. You’re wearing my name, and I expect you to act like a man.”
