Carolyn walked onto the stage and the crowd went wild. Three minutes later, she was finally able to speak over the din. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she said as she pointed at the crowd.
Again the crowd began to cheer.
“We have a dream for a drug-free America, where children flourish, no one lives in fear or hunger, and families thrive. But as simple as this sounds, it’s far more difficult to accomplish.” Carolyn made eye contact with several people in the crowd below her. “The battle begins right here, in hometowns across America, where we come together to fight against drugs and crime. I’ve joined this battle, Warner has picked up the challenge, and we need you to finish the war. We can be victorious, we can hand America back to her law-abiding citizens – but it starts with your vote!”
The crowd roared its approval and began chanting, “Lane in 2000.”
Warner, Richard, and Dixie stepped forward. They linked hands with Carolyn and raised them high in the air.
We’ve done it!“ Stan Benson stood in the doorway of the hotel room in Hutchinson. Kansas. ”We’ve pulled ahead of Washman in the polls, and our numbers are glowing.“
A cheer went up in the room.
Richard Young pulled Carolyn aside. “I have to compliment you,” he said as he took her hand. “Your war on drugs platform is our strongest asset.” His eyes searched hers.
“Thank you,” Carolyn said as she met his gaze. Now that she’d gotten to know him, she realized he wasn’t at all as she had expected. Although he could be strong when necessary, she sensed a vulnerability in him, a sensitivity.
“You’ve sot to have some of the highest approval ratings of any woman in American history,” he said.
Carolyn blushed under his scrutiny. His compliment felt good.
He smiled.
She’d never paid attention to his dimples before. He was handsome, she thought, and like Warner, the female constituency loved him.
He still held her hand in a warm but gentle grip. “I wasn’t sure about our relationship in the beginning of the campaign,” he continued. “But I hope we can be friends. I truly do admire you, and I think we make a great team.”
Carolyn leached up and kissed his cheek. “We’re already friends.”
She heard a cork pop in the background.
“Champagne all around” Braunson said.
A shiver of excitement skittered down Carolyn’s spine. The pendulum had swung in their favor. They just needed to keep their balance and maintain momentum.
On election eve, the culmination of years of hard work ended. At eleven-fifteen in the evening, activity eddied around campaign headquarters as the exhausted staff returned to Jefferson City to give one final push, and to watch Warner and Carolyn cast their votes the next morning.
“It’s almost over,” Matt said, slapping Nick on the shoulder. “I just want you to know that win, lose, or draw, I’ve enjoyed working with you.”
Nick extended his hand. “I’ll only agree to a win, but the feeling is mutual.”
“The polls are looking strong.”
Nick shrugged.
A phone rang in the background.
“That’s mine.” Nick rushed into his office. “Creed” he said. A moment later, the color in his face drained. “You rotten son of a bitch. You do that and I’ll personally hunt you down and shoot you.”
Matt turned when he heard the uncharacteristic fury in Nick’s voice.
“You go public with that bunch of crap and I promise – and I mean
He emerged a short while later, his muddy-gray gaze as hard as cast iron. “Call Carolyn and tell her we’ve got a problem,” he said to Matt. “Have her meet us in the Situation Room as soon as possible. You come too, Matt. Get Ernie and call Warner.” He grabbed his car keys for the short drive to the Lane residence. “Son of a bitch, it’s eleven-thirty. Only a half an hour to Election Day. Why now?”
“What’s going on? We’re all supposed to be resting up for tomorrow.” Carolyn had been last to arrive at the Situation Room. Her face was scrubbed clean and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She looked fresh, calm, exhilarated.
“Nick received a phone call from a reporter who told him that Warner has an illegitimate child and that they’re going public with the information in tomorrow’s early edition.” Matt said.
Warner paled. “That’s not true.”
Ernie grasped Warner’s arm.
“You have a child?” Carolyn asked her voice barely above a whisper.
“I swear it’s not true.”
“You bastard.” She slapped him across the face. The smack reverberated through the room.
Warner touched the welt glowing on his cheek. “Carolyn, I don’t-”
She turned her back on his protests, afraid that if she even looked at him, she’d lose control. They were so close she could smell the scent of Washington’s cherry blossoms.
“Where’s Richard?” she asked.
“We haven’t called him.” Matt said.
