A Political Affair (41 page)

The day of the election Helen sat on a Mexican beach, checking the political headlines on her phone. “Tsk, tsk,” she said aloud. With a survey around the expansive beach, she saw no one was nearby. She smiled, saying to the palm tree, “I suppose the time has come.” She picked up her phone and soon said, “Good afternoon, Michaela. This is Senator Helen Sanders. How are you?”
 

Normally, Helen didn’t like drawing attention to herself or using her official title. She’d carry the title of Senator with her for life—whether or not she was in Congress—so she liked to throw it around when it was helpful. Speaking to a
Washington Post
reporter was just such an occasion.
 

“Hello, Senator Sanders. I’m fine. I hope you are, too,” the reporter answered. She sounded eager to hear from the disgraced senator. “What can I help you with today?”
 

“I’m glad you’re doing well,” Helen said as she looked out onto the ocean. “I’ve always liked your reporting, and I wanted to give you a tip—confidentially, of course, and the information must be embargoed until tomorrow. I don’t think it will be a problem because you’ll need some time to write the story, and you won’t want it buried in all the election coverage.”

“All right. I can offer you confidentiality, but I can’t promise an embargo. That, of course, depends on the nature of the story.”

Helen checked the time. It was late afternoon on the West Coast—late enough so that even if the story broke it wouldn’t hurt the Republican Party’s chances that day. “Okay. We can talk.”

“Go ahead and shoot. What do you have for me?”

“I’ve read a few of your stories lately on the FEC looking into campaign finance issues between Walter Smith and Dan Langford’s senate campaign.”

“That’s right. Do you know something about it?” the reporter asked in a leading voice.

“Not really, but I thought you might like another angle on the issue.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, I happen to know Walter has been having extramarital affairs while he’s spending millions to attack Stephen McEvoy’s character. At least one has been with a public figure. I’m sure there are others.”
 

“And how do you know that?”

“I was one of his affairs.”

Michaela was silent for a second before asking in a firm voice, “Will you go on the record?”

“I’ll answer a yes/no question, but that’s all. You can do your own investigating of his other affairs. They won’t be hard to dig up.”

“Okay . . .” There was anticipation in Michaela’s voice. “So did you have a sexual relationship with Walter Smith this year?”

“Yes.” Helen smiled as she said it.

“Thank you,” Michaela chuckled.
 

“You’re welcome.”

“You know, if you don’t mind me asking—off the record—why are you doing this? Why do you want to take down one of the most influential Republicans? And why do you want to bring more attention to yourself? Don’t you want some privacy right now?”

“Oh, I’m not worried about me. I’ve already been raked over the coals. Now I’m doing fine, and I’m on an extended vacation.” She glanced at Mario, the cabana boy she’d shared a few nights with recently. He waved, and she raised her glass to him. “As for Walter, well you know this won’t really take him down. He’ll pay a fine to the FEC, and eventually, he’ll repair his reputation and relationship with his wife.”

“But he’s still going to be hurt by this. His whole private life will be exposed in the media. You realize that, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Helen said with a giddy grin. “And I have to say—I like that idea.”

When the AP finally called the race for Stephen, he and his family were ensconced in a suite at a hotel, while his victory party went wild down in the ballroom.
 

As soon as Megan told him the news, he grabbed Anne ecstatically. “Come here.”
 

When he took her to one of the bedrooms, no one thought it strange he might want to savor the moment alone with his wife. He’d soon be standing among thousands and speaking before millions when he gave his victory speech.

Just as he closed the door, Anne pounced on him with a giant hug. “You did it. You did it! I’m so happy for you.”

“No,
we
did it. You and me.” He crushed his mouth to hers with a warm, needy kiss. Their entwined limbs, coupled with the headiness of the moment, made him groan in exultant delight. When he felt her unbuckle his belt, he stilled for a brief moment. “We don’t have time,” he mumbled unconvincingly against her lips.

“No one will notice if you’re a few minutes late.” Unbuttoning his pants, she kissed him again, but stopped when his phone rang. “You should get that.”

“Nah. Voice mail,” he said as he leaned into her again.

“It might be someone important.”

“Oh, all right,” he grumbled as he gave his phone a perfunctory check. He was about to put it down again when his eyes widened. “That’s a White House number.”

If there were ever one call he’d take while his wife was unbuttoning his trousers, it would be a call from the leader of the free world.
 

“Stephen McEvoy speaking.”

“Good evening, Senator McEvoy, this is White House operator Danielle Whitman. I have the President on the line for you.”

As she listened to the conversation, Anne smiled giddily, and she squeezed Stephen’s hand when she heard the President’s voice boom through the phone.
 

“Congratulations, Stephen.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Stephen replied with a smile. He squeezed Anne’s waist. “I’m very happy. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

“It is, isn’t it? Especially these days. Thank you very much for giving the party some good news. We’re short on it this November.”

“Well, it was a long time coming. I’m sorry it was such a nail-biter.”

“Oh, I always knew the McEvoys would pull it out. Please tell your mother congratulations for me.”

“I will. She’ll be honored,” Stephen said while Anne rubbed his shoulders.

“I hope to congratulate you in person soon.”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

“Please tell your wife congratulations, also. Carol and I both want to meet Anne.”

Anne’s mouth dropped open in astonishment at the President saying her name. Clutching her hand, Stephen smiled. “Anne and I look forward to it, Mr. President.”