He wasn’t dropping his investigation of Warner Lane. He owed as much to his dad.
Jack pulled his tape recorder from his pocket and checked to make sure it was rewound and ready to record. The back door of the auditorium swung open and Warner Lane’s entourage made their exit to the waiting cars. First the Secret Service agents, then the handlers, and finally the candidate.
Jack found himself face to face with Warner Lane.
Immediately, one of Warner’s top aides stepped between them. The handlers held up their hands to say they were not allowing any questions.
A female reporter managed to sidestep next to Lane. “Senator, you’re promising a renewed war on drugs and a tax break for all Americans. But do you really think it’s possible to do all of that in one term?”
Warner Lane stopped. “I don’t intend to do it all alone.”
“Please explain.”
“With my wife by my side leading one attack while I lead the other, we’ll accomplish all of that and more.”
“So. Mrs. Lane is a large part of your campaign?”
“No. She’s a large part of my life.”
“Senator Lane, tell us about your affiliation with Mort Fields and Winston Cain?” Jack shouted.
Warner’s head snapped around, his gaze locking with Jack’s.
“Have you hired Winston Cain’s agency?” Jack saw Warner’s jaw clench.
“Who’s Winston Cain?” another reporter yelled.
Warner flashed a grin. “You’ll have to ask Mr. Rudly. I have no idea.”
Quickly. Matt Carson wrapped his arm over Warner’s shoulders and pulled him into the limousine.
Associated Press
March 28, 2000
Lane Nails Down Nomination
“I don’t care what it takes. Warner, shut her down. We made a deal. I got you Governor Hick’s endorsement, and I expect you to hold up your end of our bargain.” Richard Young slammed the phone into its cradle and reached for the Tums. Damn. Carolyn’s escapades were destroying his digestive tract. And he had to keep Warner in line. Warner was the key to his success. He rubbed his stomach.
The aggravation was worth it, though, he thought with a smile. These little episodes served a purpose. They kept Warner off balance and caused further estrangement between him and Carolyn. They weren’t problems: they were opportunities. Young reminded himself. Opportunities to shift the balance of power to himself. Richard knew how to exploit the exercise. If he shut off his support of Warner, Warner’s campaign would deflate like a punctured balloon.
Richard gazed out the window of his senatorial office in Washington. D.C. Sitting back, he interlocked his fingers on his stomach. If only he’d known how quickly his son was going to recover, he’d never have dropped out of the primaries. The presidential nomination would have been his. Fucking doctors. They always painted the worst scenario to make themselves look like heroes.
He closed his eyes, visualizing the vice-presidency and beyond. He’d simply adjust his strategy. By the time the election came, Warner would be convinced he couldn’t function without him. Carefully he plotted to make himself indispensable to Warner and ingratiate himself with Carolyn. Considering the friction between them, the challenge lay in showing loyalty to one without revealing dedication to the other.
An interesting match, Richard reflected. A loveless marriage brought together by one man. Edmund Lane, and held together by one cause, the White House. He’d done his homework and realized that Warner and Carolyn’s estrangement was to his benefit. They were both damaged goods, yet possessed the skills to present themselves as the perfect couple.
They had to get elected! Nothing was going to stop that process. Nothing.
Carolyn’s insistence that she be the vice presidential running mate could not be tolerated. Warner would act, or he would call upon the Council. The deal was done and Richard intended to hold them to it. He was the vice presidential candidate. This was his shot at power, real power, and he would win.
