Deadly Politics (6 page)

I certainly did and turned to greet the senior senator from Indiana and his wife. They were one of the Senate couples who could be counted on to preserve a tone of civility and respect. I'd always felt relieved each election cycle to see that the voters of Indiana had the good sense to return this man to the fray. He'd sat on the opposite side of the aisle from my father, but then Robert Malone formed his friendships without regard to political party.

“Senator, Brenda, how wonderful to see you again,” I said with heartfelt enthusiasm as I shook their hands. They'd both aged visibly, but their friendly smiles were still the same and still sincere.

“Molly, dear, how wonderful to see you,” Brenda said, giving my hand a squeeze before her husband jumped in.

“My God, Molly, it's been twenty years at least,” Alan Baker exclaimed, pumping my hand. “You are a sight for disillusioned eyes. Don't tell me Russell has not only spirited you away from Colorado, but from the Democrats as well? The party must be wringing their hands back in Denver.” He cackled, like the good Republican he was.

I had to join the laughter. Since I was working for an Independent now, I didn't care who was wringing their hands back in Denver. After last year's ugly election, I'd declared a plague upon both their houses. “Well, I doubt anyone is that concerned. I left the political scene several years ago for managerial accounting. It pays a lot better.”

“Molly's trying to convince me John Russell has hired her to manage his accounts.” Eleanor MacKenzie fixed me with a devilish grin.

Senator Baker guffawed. “That's rich.”

I simply smiled and kept my mouth shut while old friends laughed at me.
Why didn't anyone believe me?

“Molly, you'll have to come over for dinner with Eleanor and update us,” Brenda said as the senator escorted her away.

“Meanwhile, give our love to Ginny,” Baker said as they maneuvered through the couples in the living room.

Eleanor MacKenzie paused before following after. “Take care, Molly. I imagine we'll all be seeing each other again soon for a very sad occasion. Senator Karpinsky died last night from a heart attack. It just now came on the news.”

The jovial mood evaporated. “Oh, no! He was the last one of my father's closest colleagues still in the Senate.”

“The last Old Lion,” Eleanor nodded. “He'd had his second heart attack after the holidays, but he recuperated quite well. We all hoped he'd be with us for a few more years. But it wasn't to be. His housekeeper found him this morning.”

“I hadn't heard,” I said, shaking my head. “What a loss.”

I pictured the robust barrel-chested Karpinsky I remembered from years ago, holding forth in filibusters with his Vermont accent. The Senate's watchdog. He had the sharpest eyes of any legislator when it came to appropriations. Karpinsky could spot pork and waste a mile away. “I can smell it,” he used to say.

“A loss for the Senate and the country,” Eleanor agreed as she moved away. “Take care of yourself, Molly. We'll stay in touch.”

I gave her a wave and noticed that Peter Brewster was heading straight for me. “Well, it didn't take you long to make contact with the movers and shakers. Excellent. Word of your return will be all over Washington by tomorrow afternoon. Eleanor MacKenzie will see to that.” He gave me a sly smile. “Good work, Molly.”

Good work, indeed. Brewster was right. Eleanor's network was formidable twenty-plus years ago, by now it must rival the Internet. “All over Washington, huh? Great. So much for flying beneath the radar.” I released an exaggerated sigh before tossing down the rest of my Chardonnay.

“I noticed you were eying the staff before Mrs. MacKenzie found you. That's good. What do you think?”

“Well, I've only been here a few minutes, but they seem to know what they're doing. They move efficiently and unobtrusively. They seem friendly and pleasant. All good. I assume there are more servers outside. Are they employees of the caterer?”

He shook his head as he sipped what looked to be a glassful of Scotch. “No, we use a private staffing agency that provides experienced, discreet personnel.” He winked.

“The frat boy over there doesn't look old enough to be experienced.”

“He's in grad school. Going for his Ph.D. Believe it or not, he's thirty-three.”

Changing the subject, I held up my glass. “Nice wine. Is it okay if I check your suppliers? You know, compare prices.”

Brewster grinned. “Worrying about the Senator's expenses already. I love it. That's positively sexy, Molly.”

I rolled my eyes. “You have got to get out of that office, Peter. If the senator's financial accounts are turning you on, you're in bad shape.” I gestured to the ex-military who was heading out to the garden. “Security, right?”

“Good eye, Molly.” His sly grin returned. “You want me to introduce you? He's divorced, too.”

“I'm sure he's lovely, but I've sworn off men. Divorce residue. I'm sure you understand.”

“You need to relax, Molly.”

“Are you kidding? I haven't been in Washington thirty-six hours, and suddenly I'm standing in a room full of politicians. Something I swore I'd never do again. Every nerve went on red alert the moment I stepped into this room. My only hope is the senator will be so absorbed in some policy wonk's sales pitch, he'll forget about me, and I can sneak out the door in a few minutes. Once Albert crosses Key Bridge, I'll relax.”

“Don't bet on it, Molly. The senator has a razor-sharp memory.”

Rats
. “I have an idea, Peter. You're young and single. Why don't you go put the moves on some nice unsuspecting girl and leave me to skulk around the room in peace.”

“But I promised the senator I'd keep an eye on you,” he said with that boyish grin.

I made a shooing gesture. “Go. Find girls. Any girl. As long as it's not my niece, Karen.”

“Why's that?”

“Because you two might get serious, and I wouldn't want you as a relative.”

Brewster snickered over his Scotch. “You don't have to worry about that. Karen's already got one serious relationship. I doubt she has time for another.”

I stared at Brewster. It was obvious from the tone of his voice that he knew a helluva lot more about Karen's social life than I did.
Well, damn
. Every time I'd asked Karen if there was someone special on the horizon, she always smiled and said she preferred to play the field, swearing she had no time for a serious relationship. Somehow, it irritated me that Peter knew more than I did. Karen and I were close. At least, I thought we were.

“Really? I didn't know Karen had met someone new.”

Brewster stared into his glass. “Why don't you ask Karen?” Glancing up, his smile returned. “But you'll have to do that later. Right now, the senator is headed our way, with the new congressman from New Mexico in tow. I told you the senator has a good memory.”

Sure enough, there was Senator Russell aiming straight for us with a middle-aged couple close behind. Congressman and wife both had the slightly shell-shocked look of those who were new to the Washington social circuit. My hopes for a stealthy escape evaporated like cheap perfume.

“Congressman, let me introduce you to the newest member of our senatorial staff, Ms. Molly Malone,” Russell announced as he approached. “Molly, I'd like you to meet the congressman from New Mexico's second district, Henry Baylor, and his charming wife, Mary.”

Somehow I found a bright smile and shook their hands. “Congressman, Mrs. Baylor, welcome to Washington.”

“Peter Brewster, Senator Russell's chief of staff,” Brewster said, shaking their hands enthusiastically. “Glad you could join us tonight.”

“Oh, it's our pleasure,” Mary Baylor gushed, her eyes alight with adventure. Poor thing.

“Molly Malone? You're from Denver, aren't you? What brings you away from the Front Range?” Baylor asked, sipping what looked to be a dark stout,
à
la Guinness. My mouth started to water.

“It's all Senator Russell's fault, Congressman. He twisted my arm so hard, I had to come out. Plus, I have family here, so it was an easy move,” I lied, surprising myself at how easily I had done it.

“Molly's father was Senator Robert Malone from Virginia, so Molly may be new to our staff, but she's certainly not new to Washington,” Russell added.

“Yes, yes, now I remember,” Baylor nodded. “This must feel like coming home to you, Ms. Malone. How does it feel to be back in our nation's Capitol?”

“Challenging, Congressman. I'm still getting used to the traffic.”

Baylor's kind face spread with another grin. “I hear you. Mary won't go into the city alone unless she can ride the Metro. She refuses to drive in Washington traffic.”

We all laughed politely while Mary Baylor gave her husband a playful poke in the arm. I was beginning to feel sorry for the Baylors already. They looked like a nice couple. Too nice to last in Washington. Those who did had a harder edge.

Suddenly, a bright flash went off to my left, startling me. A photographer. I whirled immediately and was caught by another bright flash. This time I jumped.

“Young man,” Russell called to the photographer who was about to blend into the guests again. “Why don't you take a group shot? Welcome our newest staffer. Come along, Molly, Congressman, let's gather around.”

I flinched inwardly. Tonight was just getting better and better. Hopefully this photographer worked for some obscure journal that would line birdcages. Despite my reluctance, I allowed Russell to include me in the semicircle with the New Mexico couple. Brewster, however, had stealthily slipped away. The dog.

The photographer, who appeared to be in his twenties, started clicking. My cheeks twitched after several shots. Finally, he stopped. “Thanks, Senator,” he called as he turned to walk away.

“Which newspaper are you with, son?” Russell asked.

“Freelance,” was all the photographer said before he blended into the crowd, which had grown as the temperatures had dropped outside.

“Peter, did you see any press?” Russell asked.

Brewster shook his head as he approached. “The only one I spotted was that gossip columnist who shows up everywhere. She may have brought someone with her. I didn't recognize that guy.”

“Well, if you see the young man again, tell him to give us a warning. I think he frightened Molly,” Russell said, in a fatherly fashion.

“I'm okay, Senator. Part of being back in Washington, I guess. I'll get used to it.”

“If it's a good photo, we'll use it in the senator's Colorado newsletter,” Brewster said with a grin. “Good way to let the folks back home know you've joined our team, Molly. That will rattle a lot of cages back in Colorado.”

Brewster was having entirely too much fun at my expense tonight. “And you can't wait to rattle them, can you, Peter?” I retorted.

Senator Russell threw back his head and let loose one of those infectious belly laughs of his, so we all joined in. I decided this was as good a time as any to make my escape. I'd been trotted out, photographed, weighed, and measured. I deserved to relax in my stall.

“Senator, Congressman Baylor, Mrs. Baylor, I hope you'll excuse me. This has been my first full day back in Washington, and I have to admit I'm exhausted. If you don't mind, I'll make my way into Virginia now.” I was hoping the senator would be too polite to twist my arm in public. I guessed right.

“Why, of course, Molly. We don't want to wear you out the first day. You go home and rest. Albert will drive you home right away,” Russell said in a solicitous tone.

“You poor dear,” Mrs. Baylor said with a maternal expression. “You must be exhausted. Washington is so … so very draining.”

“Yes, it is, Mrs. Baylor,” I agreed as I began to back away; go while the going was good. “I'd advise you two to take it one day at a time. And remember to breathe.” Everyone laughed, which gave me my chance. I turned to leave. “Senator, enjoy the rest of the evening.”

“Thank you, Molly,” Russell said with a genial wave.

I was almost to the foyer when Brewster caught up with me. “Go home and relax, Molly. You've earned it. Tomorrow morning Albert can take you on a tour of the townhouse on P Street.”

I paused at the foyer, noticing that Albert was already standing by the front door with my purse, clearly waiting for me. “How early should I come in to meet Albert? And when do you want me here tomorrow for the reception?”

Brewster gave me that boyish grin. “You and Albert can set your own schedule. He's an early riser. And you can arrive anytime after six tomorrow evening. In between, Saturday is all yours, Molly. The senator and I will be busy on the Hill. So, enjoy your weekend.” With that, he turned to rejoin the partying politicians. Back on the job.

Better him than me, I thought with a relieved sigh as I hastened through the opened door. “Quick, Albert, head for the bridge before Peter finds someone else to introduce me to.”

_____

“I told you not to worry. I've got it covered.” He took a drag on his cigarette, easing that irritating scratch in his throat.

“I know you did, Raymond. I trust you. We all trust you,” the man's deep voice came over the phone. “We simply want to make sure there'll be no problems. No slipups of any kind. There may be some last-minute adjustments.”

“I've told you before. This guy is a pro. He doesn't slip up. Nothing throws him.”

“Good, good. This one came up suddenly, so …”

“No time to take it up with committee, right?” Raymond joked before taking another drag.

The man on the other end of the phone snorted. “Hardly. So tell him to be extra careful.”

“He's
always
careful. That's why he's still alive and still in business. Stop worrying.”