Death of a Washington Madame (29 page)

"Could any of you seriously believe I would encourage
him to do something like that?" Madeline said, her violet eyes roaming the
faces that were ranged around the Eggplant's conference table.

No one commented, except Gail, who shook her head.

"I couldn't," she said.

"Unfortunately," the Eggplant said. "Most
homicides happen in families."

"That's an answer of course, Captain," Madeline
said. "But not to my question."

She looked positively regal in the drab interior of the
Eggplant's office, a bigger than life figure in her new role as the appalled
wife. She had gone through the initial ordeal and the television shows and
newspapers were inundated with her every word. And, of course, her pictures.

She had appeared at the preliminary hearing where William
Shipley's insanity plea had been entered by his lawyers, over both his and the
prosecution's objections.

He had stuck by his story that she had encouraged his
actions, but there was little proof and not a bit of evidence and she had been
exonerated from any participation in such horrible events. Besides, since her
access to the media was far more than his she had won the public endorsement
and sympathy.

It was, of course, impossible to prove that it was he who
had manipulated Martine to do the deed. Through DNA testing it had been proven
beyond a shadow of a doubt that Roy had been Governor Shipley's real father. In
the end, Fiona was certain, that the conclusion would be that the Governor had
lost his hold on reality. As for the paintings of his mother, as he said: Me to
know. Yours to find out. It was one other item that would be both practically
and historically lost ... and not mourned.

The Eggplant was the last to concede. He studied Madeline
with that special laser like penetrating beam that seemed to look right into
the heart of the truth.

"No Mrs. Shipley. I couldn't conceive that your
husband's accusation of your collusion is accurate."

"Considering his ability to create fiction, neither
would I," Fiona said.

Madeline's violet eyes glistened with moisture.

"You can't imagine what that means to me."

She stood up and shook hands all around, holding Gail's for
a moment longer.

"You've made quite an impression on Clayton," she
said.

Gail shot a glance at both the Eggplant and Fiona.

"I wish you can see my blush," Gail said.

"What will you do now?" Fiona asked.

Madeline shrugged.

"One thing I won't do," she said.

"What's that?" Gail asked.

"First Lady. I lost the role."

Later Fiona sat alone in her den going over the frenetic
events of the past few days. It meant, of course, that she didn't have the
complications of her work to keep her mind off her personal life. More than
ever, she felt that she had made the right decision in terms of Hal Perry. Not
that there was much comfort in that.

She flicked on CNN and there staring into her living room
was the photogenic face of the irrepressible Madeline Newton. Apparently, Fiona
had switched on the TV in the middle of a press conference. Madeline stood
behind a podium in a room crowded with reporters.

"Do you feel that your husband's situation will help
or hurt, Mrs. Shipley?"

"Frankly, I believe it will be irrelevant. He is
obviously a very sick man. He has, for reasons that I will never understand,
done something that is beyond reason. It is a great personal tragedy and has
come as a great shock. No one, no matter how brilliant, wealthy or fortunate is
immune to mental illness." She smiled with consummate ingratiation.

The camera, which treated her so lovingly, did not fail
her. She looked wonderful, magnificent.

"As to your question, Francis," she told the
interviewer. "I intend to put all this horror behind me. Whether it hurts
or it helps remains to be seen. But this I can say. I want to be Governor of
this great state of Virginia. I have learned a great deal about this State
which I have grown to love. I believe I am the best-qualified candidate and
that the people will show me their support in this special election. I intend
to take my case for change to every nook and cranny of the old dominion."

Despite her cynicism about the political process and her
knowledge of the wheels that turned to manipulate the public, Fiona felt a
surprising feeling of alliance with this bigger than life woman.

"Lucky you Madeline baby. You can play any role you
choose. Wish I could do the same." Fiona said aloud to the TV, crossing
the room to the bar and pouring herself another scotch.

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About the Author

Warren Adler has published twenty-seven volumes of fiction,
which have been translated into more than twenty-five languages. Mr. Adler's
novel
The War of the Roses
, a classic about divorce, was made into a hit
movie starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. It has appeared somewhere
in the world every week for the past fifteen years. Another book titled
Random
Hearts
was made into a movie starring Harrison Ford, directed by Sidney
Pollack, and released in October 1999. The Adlers have three sons and four
grandchildren.

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